Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Welcome to Plans Are Booked, a podcast for every reader, hosted by Molly Galler, Stephanie Blackburn, and Kaitlin Mattison. We're three friends who love to read, swap books, and count down until the film and TV adaptations of our favorites are released. Follow us on Instagram, @plansarebooked, or reach out to us directly at plansarebooked@gmail.com.
Molly Galler (00:02)
Welcome to Plans Are Booked, a podcast for every reader. I'm Molly Geller.
Stephanie (00:08)
I'm Stephanie Blackburn.
Molly Galler (00:09)
that on Caitlin.
Kaitlin (00:09)
And I'm Caitlin Madison, chapter 30. We're in our 30s. Steph's in her 30s again. It's chapter 30. It's our 30th episode.
Molly Galler (00:14)
I can't believe it that feels like a really big number all of a sudden.
Stephanie (00:16)
No.
Yours.
Kaitlin (00:28)
I agree. I agree. I think that we haven't learned a lot in terms of the technology, if I'm being honest. We had a big flub dub the other day, which was no one's fault. And also collectively, none of us could figure it out. And we just like made do. But I think we've come a long way in other respects.
Stephanie (00:36)
I would interject that I no longer feel panicked when we do have an issue while we're recording because now I know how to edit properly.
Molly Galler (00:40)
which was no one's fault and also collectively not us, because they dug out and said, okay, thank you. But I think we've come a long way in other respects. I would interject that we all have to have a shared understanding. While we're with you.
Kaitlin (00:58)
Steph uses terms like I'll splice it together and we're like, yeah, okay, sounds good.
Molly Galler (00:59)
Yeah, I feel like I say this a lot, but I just want to say again Stephanie taught herself how to edit these episodes like just Navigated on her own something she had never done before if she ever gets sick or like her computer dies Caitlin and I will just have to apologize to all of you because we don't know what to do so mad props to Steph the editor extraordinaire of plans are booked
Stephanie (01:01)
together.
So, I'm just not getting on her own. It's something she had never done before. If she ever gets sick or like her computer types, okay, look, I'm just going to apologize to them. But we don't know what to do.
Kaitlin (01:13)
she's never done before. Is she ever gonna say or like her computer?
So.
what do we have to catch up on? I feel like Molly has some stuff, but we just recorded a podcast like a couple of days ago. So I feel caught up other than Molly had some kind of work snafu that I'm looking forward to hearing about.
Stephanie (01:30)
What do we have to catch up on? I feel like Molly has some stuff, but we just recorded a podcast a couple days ago, so I feel caught up other than Molly had some kind of work snafu that I'm looking forward to hearing about. I am still a little upset at snafu, but I've been coming off it for a while. I'm sorry. One, I've got to work for those who care about the person I work for here, and also for those who check startup companies.
Molly Galler (01:31)
I am still in the middle of said snafu, but by the time you all hear this, hopefully it will be resolved. One of my clients at work for those, if you're listening for the first time, I work for a PR firm that mostly represents tech startup companies.
Kaitlin (01:53)
So for those events that are best connected with your field of thought, that must be recognized as a tech. Start off with this form of open -mindedness and alert.
Molly Galler (01:59)
One of my longtime clients is planning to merge with another company. We had a complete plan set for when we would announce this to the public, when journalists would be able to cover it. And four days before said day, a journalist from a top tier international business publication sent an email saying, hey, I heard a rumor that this is happening. I'm writing about this today with or without you. Would you like to make a comment?
Stephanie (01:59)
one of my long -time clients explaining to Merch whether or not we have a complete plan set up for what we would announce this to the public when journalists would begin its coverage. And four days before said day, our journalists would be talked to your international business publications. And the female site had a very good idea of what this is happening. I'm writing about this today, with or without you. What do you like to make of it?
Kaitlin (02:07)
and so I think it's important to say that our journey is top tier, international, business publications and the email center. I don't know if this is happening. I'm writing this today. What do you like to do? What do I like to do?
Hmm?
Stephanie (02:25)
No.
Kaitlin (02:28)
I just lost air a little bit for a second.
Molly Galler (02:28)
Yeah, so my whole day yesterday blew up just like blew up the entire day was taken over I didn't stand up for hours on end because I was afraid to walk away from my computer because I needed to deal with a lot of things in real time The company that I work with as well as the company they're merging with had not told any of their employees that this was gonna happen So they were literally gonna learn about it in the press So I can't really say more than that. I
Stephanie (02:28)
Just lost air a little bit. So my whole day, just like a blue light, my entire day was taken on breakfast and now for hours and hours because I was afraid to walk home from lunch and dinner because I was afraid to deal with other things in real time. The company that I work with, as well as the company that I'm working with.
So, again, I'll say more than that, but it just, it was a really difficult experience. And I think a lot of times, when people say they work for VR, people think like, we stand in the front of the bed with a clipboard and we let people in the room, that's really people who just sort of manage social media. We are working on the front line.
Kaitlin (02:55)
What?
Molly Galler (02:58)
It just, it was a really difficult experience. And I think a lot of times when people say they work in PR, people think like we stand in the front of an event with a clipboard and we like let people into like brand events or they think we just like manage social media accounts. We are literally like on the front line, protecting these business interests of these two companies and trying not to spoil like the legal terms of this deal. And.
Kaitlin (03:13)
I think we just started the conversation today. We are live on the front line.
protecting these business addresses of these two companies and trying not to spoil the legal premise of this deal. And it was absolutely insane. I was on the verge of tears for like hours. Steph, I didn't walk scout, we literally couldn't walk over the entire year. And today was a little bit better, but we're still in a few days out of the actual day that it's supposed to happen. And I'm just gonna pull our curtain.
Stephanie (03:19)
protecting these business interests of these two companies and trying to spoil the legal terms of this deal. And it was absolutely insane. I was on the verge of tears for like hours. I didn't want to go because I literally couldn't walk away from my computer. And today was a little bit better, but we're still a few days out from the actual day that it's supposed to happen. And I'm just going to pull my heart out and have a little bit of an emergency switch.
Molly Galler (03:27)
It was absolutely insane. I was on the verge of tears for like hours. Steph had to come walk scout cause I literally couldn't walk away from my computer. And today was a little bit better, but we're still a few days out from the actual like day that it's supposed to happen. And I'm just hopeful there aren't any other emergencies between now and then. We declined to comment. So the story still went up.
Kaitlin (03:48)
Did you squash the story or what did you do?
Stephanie (03:48)
Did you squash the story or what did you do? We declined to comment. So the story still will come. But it's that like you reach out to both companies and they both come to comment.
Molly Galler (03:56)
But it said, like, we reached out to both companies and they both declined to comment.
Stephanie (04:04)
Prolonged silence.
Molly Galler (04:04)
You guys can't see Caitlin's facial expression, but she's losing her mind right now because she didn't hear this until right now.
Kaitlin (04:05)
First of all, my mouth went completely dry at the beginning of this story. And now I my brain hasn't like caught up almost. It's almost like so fun, fun fact, one of my brother's best friends from childhood, his dad is a lawyer and he specialized in mergers and acquisitions.
Molly Galler (04:19)
my brain hasn't like caught up almost. It's almost like, so, fun.
Stephanie (04:21)
It's almost like, so fun fact, one of my brother's best friends from childhood, his dad is a lawyer and he specializes in mergers and acquisitions. So at some point, I think it was TJX bought.
Molly Galler (04:27)
friends through childhood. His dad is a lawyer.
So at some point I think it was TJX bought.
Kaitlin (04:34)
So at some point, I think it was TJXBot.
Albits or something. I mean, it was like a big one. It was like the merging of like two big brands. And I just remember Greg's dad was like out straight on it. And like, we found out about it before he was like, don't tell anybody. But this is like, my dad basically can't breathe or sleep or like do anything until this is done.
Molly Galler (04:41)
I was like, don't tell anybody this is like, my dad basically can't breathe or sleep or like do anything until this is done.
Stephanie (04:41)
I mean, it was like a big one. It was like the merging of like two big brands. And I just remember Greg's dad was like out straight on it. And like, we found out about it before he was like, don't tell anybody that this is like, my dad basically can't read or sleep or like do anything until this is done. And then I think he did another one that Nine West got bought by somebody, the shoe company. Anyways, that's the kind of thing that he like,
Molly Galler (05:04)
And then I think he did another one that Nine West got bought by somebody, a shoe company. Anyways, that's the kind of thing he like did for a living. And he had to like drop all the contracts and like do all the legalities of that. And a lot of the times it was like he was dealing with international law, the company's part.
Kaitlin (05:04)
And then I think he did another one that Nine West got bought by somebody, the shoe company. Anyways, that's the kind of thing that he like did for a living. And he had to like drop all the contracts and like do all the legalities of that. And a lot of the times it was like he was dealing with international law because the companies weren't always based in the United States. It was like a whole thing anyway. So I know like that angle of it and like how.
Stephanie (05:11)
did for a living and he had to like draw all the contracts and like do all the legalities of that and a lot of the times it was like he was born with international law the companies weren't always based in the United States it was like the whole same thing like so I'm about to like that angle on it and like how
Molly Galler (05:23)
So I want that angle of it and how bad it is for that to get out and exist in the world and...
Kaitlin (05:36)
bad it is for that to like get out and exist in the world and do you know anything about like did the did it get a lot of hits like are you able to like monitor that like
Stephanie (05:36)
that I think it is for that to get out and exist in the world. Do you know anything about, did it get a lot of hits? Are you able to monitor that? Yeah, we can see if anyone else could syndicate a story or run stories based off of that story.
Molly Galler (05:44)
Do you know anything about, like, did it get a lot of hits? Like, are you able to, like, monitor that? Like... Yeah, we can see anyone else who syndicated the story or wrote stories based off of that story for those who maybe don't follow media reporting that closely. These kinds of stories are only valuable if they actually state the facts, like the size of the two companies and the financial value of the deal.
Stephanie (05:58)
for those who maybe don't follow me or are in that closely. These kinds of theories don't value the actual state of facts like the size of the two companies, the financial value of the deal, because these companies declined to comment. There's no information. It's completely specular. It's like 500 grams long. It's regurgitating facts that were already out there in the public domain of funding, as they've raised at the past, or.
Kaitlin (06:02)
These kind of stories don't have the value of the actual story.
the financial value of the deal. Because these companies declined to comment. There's no information. It's completely secure. It's a by -paragraphs law. It's regurgitating facts that were already out there in the public domain, the funding rounds that you've used in the past, or things that were already.
Molly Galler (06:10)
because these companies declined to comment, there's no information in the story. It's completely speculative. It's like five paragraphs long. It's regurgitating facts that were already out there in the public domain about funding rounds they'd raised in the past or things that were already existing. It would basically be like writing a journalism article based off Wikipedia is like the level of quality that's going on here right now.
Stephanie (06:26)
being things that were already existing. We're basically writing a journal based on wicked media. It's like the level of quality that's going on right now. And these reporters are interested in just getting the scoop. And one of our songs is to put this out there, that they go out into the world without any confirmation, and without any.
Kaitlin (06:28)
Yeah, because it's about clicks. It's not about it being accurate.
Molly Galler (06:37)
And these reporters were more interested in just getting the scoop and being the first ones to put this out there, that they were willing to do it without any confirmation and without any details. So.
Stephanie (06:51)
So yeah, this is about the clicks. It's not about it being accurate. We have Trump as a president for four years. Do you think it's about being accurate? Absolutely not. I'm so sorry. I'm delighted to be here with you after you're talking about the entire incident.
Kaitlin (06:55)
We had Trump as a president for four years. Like you think it's about being accurate? Like, absolutely not. Lord, I'm so sorry.
Molly Galler (07:04)
Yeah, so I'm delighted to be here with all of you talking about something I love instead of feeling like my hair is on fire and I can't breathe. And actually, I was really worried I wouldn't sleep at all last night because I'm a very anxious and busy mind. And somehow I slept from 1 a to 7 a which I feel like is pretty good.
Stephanie (07:13)
I keep telling her she needs to have like a supply of melatonin just for like those nights because that's what I do.
Kaitlin (07:17)
Thank you.
I've got stuff better than that you can give me a call. I taught for 10 years. I would like lose sleep because I'd be thinking about like how I was going to teach my lesson plan in like four different ways to four different classes with like varying ability levels and then.
Molly Galler (07:29)
Katelyn's gonna hook me up for my high anxiety work evenings.
Stephanie (07:33)
Thank you.
Molly Galler (07:42)
because I'd be thinking of...
Stephanie (07:43)
because I'd be thinking about like.
Molly Galler (07:47)
to teach my lesson plan in like four different ways or four different classes with varying ability levels and then I would be thinking about certain students who like, I mean I had homeless students, I had students that had unsaged home lives, like I had all sorts of things and when you're like in a quiet place trying to go to bed at night those are the things that you think about and so yeah I need to turn that off. Well.
Stephanie (07:47)
I was going to teach my lesson plan in like four different ways, or four different classes with varying ability levels. And then I would be thinking about certain students who like, I mean, I have many students, I had students that had unsafe home lives, like I had all sorts of things. And when you're like in a quiet place trying to go to bed at night, those are the things that you think about. And so yeah, I need to turn that off. Well.
Kaitlin (07:53)
I would be thinking about certain students who like, I mean, I had homeless students, I had students that had unsafe home lives, like I had all sorts of things. And when you're like in a quiet place trying to go to bed at night, those are the things that you think about. And so yeah, I need to be able to turn that off. well, I have had a boring work week, nothing super eventful has happened and
Molly Galler (08:17)
We are all in short sleeves tonight, which feels like we're finally making the transition to spring for real. And the windows are open.
Stephanie (08:18)
And the windows are all open.
Kaitlin (08:23)
I'm very pleased that the weather is starting to improve because the last podcast we recorded, I actually came over to Steph's in a full sweatsuit. So this is a vast improvement just in two days.
which is super nice, although my allergies might, you know, take over, but we'll just, we'll work with that when we can. So Steph, do you have anything you want to catch up on or should we just go right at it?
Molly Galler (08:47)
Although my allergies might take a little work, but we'll work with that when we come. So, Seth, do you have anything you want to catch up on or should we just go right at it? I just want to say that I am so thankful that I wasn't at home.
Stephanie (08:49)
It's nice.
I've just been reading and walking out, but I do want to say that I am so thankful that I was around to help out because that made me feel like I was at least contributing something to take a little piece of the stress away from your plate.
Molly Galler (09:07)
That made me feel like it was at least completely something to take a little piece of the stress away from the ground plate. You did big time. And I also just want to say to people who have friends who have dogs, one of the hardest things during any kind of crisis work or otherwise is how you're going to make sure that the dog sticks to the schedule. I've had a lot of grandparents who have had really hard.
Kaitlin (09:07)
that made me feel like it was a good thing to take a little piece of the stress away from your pain.
The most helpful thing that anybody ever did was to say, could I walk a scalp for you tonight? Could I walk a scalp for you tonight? That is an easy, wonderful.
Molly Galler (09:31)
ends to their lives where I was, you know, driving to nursing homes, driving to hospitals at very unexpected times and for long periods of time. The most helpful thing that anybody ever did was to say, could I walk scout for you today? Or could I walk scout for you tonight? Like that is a easy, wonderful, emotionally like heavy and impressive way to help people during a time of need. So for anyone listening, if you have a friend with a dog and you're like, gosh, seems like things are really rough for them. What could I do to help?
Stephanie (09:43)
That is an easy, wonderful, emotional, heavy, impressive way to help people during a pandemic. So, if anyone has a similar problem with a dog, gosh, these things are really helpful in a video. Just make me an offer if you can.
Kaitlin (09:48)
emotionally like heavy and impressive way to help people during a time like this. So everyone listening, if you haven't had the ability, gosh, some of these things are really tough to get out of video. Just making it up like that if you can, particularly nearby if possible, it makes a really big difference. And scouting out the side just because my work life was upside down and a step in my mind just right over it made a moral difference and I could stay focused on what I needed to do.
Molly Galler (10:00)
just like making an offer like that, if you can, if you live nearby, if it's possible for you, it makes a world of difference. And Scouch enough to suffer just because my work life was upside down and because Steph was willing to just zip right over, it made a world of difference and I could stay focused on what I needed to do. And he got to have a beautiful spring walk and become a star of her Instagram story.
Stephanie (10:04)
I actually just remembered what I did yesterday. This whole time I've been like I didn't do anything yesterday. I met with one of my old coworkers for breakfast.
Kaitlin (10:18)
I met with one of my old co -workers for breakfast. She has been writing a memoir for the past one and a half, two years. So we had a fantastic conversation just comparing.
Molly Galler (10:26)
Tell us.
for breakfast to share the writing among y 'all.
Stephanie (10:33)
She has been writing a memoir for past one and a half, two years. So we had a fantastic conversation just comparing, you know, writing, editing, working on an arc, ideas for publishing and finding agents and just hopes and dreams and whatever. And I cannot wait to read this book when it comes out because she is one of my favorite people. She has always been.
Molly Galler (10:45)
and ending work.
Kaitlin (10:45)
I'm still excited to read about it whenever that day comes.
Molly Galler (10:49)
ideas for publishing and writing agents and just hopes and dreams and whatever. And I cannot wait to read this book when it comes out because she is one of my favorite people. She has always been positive even when her life is a dumpster fire. I know her story, but I'm still excited to read about it whenever that day comes. Yeah.
Stephanie (11:03)
positive even when her life is a dumpster fire. I know her story, but I'm still excited to read about it whenever that day comes. Yeah.
Kaitlin (11:14)
All right. People are getting the live update right now because I got an email from my realtor and the condo that I wanted to go see on Thursday. The agent didn't update the listing and they already accepted an offer. So I'm not going to see that on Thursday. And the condo, I canceled tutoring yesterday to go see a condo that I thought was really promising and it sucked. Like top to bottom, not good. And.
Molly Galler (11:17)
Wuff.
Stephanie (11:17)
I'm not getting the live update right now because I got an email from my wheelchair and the condo that I wanted to go see on Thursday, the agent didn't update the listing, they already accepted an offer, so I'm not going to see that on Thursday.
And the condo I canceled tutoring yesterday to go see a condo that I thought was really promising and it sucked. Like top to bottom, not good. And I don't know what, I'm gonna roll with it, but I am a little annoyed because I mean this came on today and apparently already had an offer and they just like should have never put it on line for me to even look up. Yeah.
Kaitlin (11:44)
I'm gonna roll with it, but I am a little annoyed because I mean this came on today and apparently already had an offer and they just like should have never put it online for me to even look at. Idiots. Okay, but let's get into the book.
Molly Galler (11:47)
But I am a little annoyed because I knew this came on today and apparently already had an offer and it was like sure that that was better than mine. Okay, so let's go. We're in a great mood today, y 'all. So.
Stephanie (12:01)
Okay, but let's get into the book. We're in a great book date. So I read this book. No, before that because I read it in 2021 and you had already read it before you gave it to me, I think. okay.
Kaitlin (12:07)
So I read this book three years ago, maybe longer.
Molly Galler (12:14)
Thank you.
Kaitlin (12:20)
Okay, well, and it's hardcover, so I think I got it right away. So it's called Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brody. And she is a longtime publisher, but first time author with this book. And I...
Molly Galler (12:21)
It came out in 2021, I checked.
Thank you.
And she is a long -time publisher, but first -time author of this book. And she's a great writer.
Stephanie (12:31)
And she is a long time publisher, but first time author of this book. And.
Kaitlin (12:43)
read maybe a People magazine review. Somebody like started as like great debut or something like that in a magazine that I read maybe Entertainment Weekly. And I was like, this is about kind of like an up and coming singer and she gets to debut at this like seaside music festival that sounded a lot like Newport Folkfest, which like I go to every year and I was like, this really sounds up my alley. Like I love music.
Molly Galler (12:43)
I mean, it's like, somebody started this like, great debut or something like that and I didn't do that. I didn't do that completely. And I was like, this is about kind of like up and coming, soon enough, and he gets to debut at this like seaside music festival. And it sounded a lot like a folk fest, which like I go to every year and I was like, this really sounds like a lot of music. And I think it was gorgeous.
Stephanie (12:52)
And the cover is gorgeous.
Molly Galler (13:12)
It's got a large cover of a sunset and somebody playing a car. You can always see their side profile. But it was like live music, so I had to wear all of my girl pants. It just had all of them. So I was like, I gotta do this. So I read it and I really enjoyed it. I have to say it's one of those things where it felt like a start of a new bit. It was like cliche.
Kaitlin (13:12)
It's got a gorgeous cover of like a sunset and like somebody playing guitar and you can only see their side profile. But it's like live music, seaside town, romance, you know, it just had all of it. So I was like, I got to get this. So I read it and I really enjoyed it. I have to say it's one of those things where...
Stephanie (13:21)
But if I apply music, decide to tell romance, you know, it just happened. So I did that. So I applied it. And I'm really enjoying it. I have to say it's...
One of those things where it felt like this art that was going to be like cliche, like dying going through this whole thing, on stage, like it was like a festival, like I had recently wrapped D .C. Talks in 6, so I was like, this ain't gonna happen, I don't know, I feel like I'm just reckless, I don't know if I've done really well, and
Kaitlin (13:38)
It felt like from the start that it was going to be this like cliche, like guy and girl have this romance because they meet on stage, like at this music festival. And I had recently read Daisy Jones in the six. So I was like, this again, like, I don't know. I feel like I just read this and it was done really well. And, and so I like stuck with it and I was pleasantly surprised by like.
Stephanie (14:00)
And so I like, I've done it, and I know it's pleasant surprise, but I think there's like, some, like, some points that are very personal.
Kaitlin (14:06)
There's all these song lyrics and poems that are interspersed in it and the connection between the people is really deep and the writing is really good. And then fast forward to like a year or two later and the woman that wrote the book, Emma Brody, was offering an online Zoom class called The Art of the Query and it's all about like how to get your book noticed and published. And so I took her class.
Stephanie (14:11)
the connection between people, the deep and the right expression of it. And then fast forward to like a year or two later, and the woman, the co -chem of Brody, was offering an online field class called Art and Query, and it's all about the county of the co -chem that's been published. And so I spoke to her class, and I thought to her, being so much familiar, and reading the bio of the instructor, I was like,
Kaitlin (14:34)
and I thought that her name sounded familiar. And then when I was like reading the bio of the instructor, I was like, I've read her book already. Like, this is hilarious. So she's like really cool. She provided a lot of information. It was a really valuable class. It's through catapult. I don't know if you guys have heard of it, but they have all sorts of like online writers, workshops, different kinds of like things. If you want to meet other people that are also writers.
Molly Galler (14:40)
So I've written a book on working with them, because it's hilarious. So she's really cool. She's productive. A lot of the patients that were really excited about the class, it's through catapults. I don't know if you guys have heard of it, but they have whole sorts of online writers, workshops, different kind of things. They want to meet other people that are also writers.
Stephanie (14:41)
So she's really cool. She provided a lot of information that was really valuable to us. It's through catapults and both of you guys have heard that. They are all specifically on board. Writers, workshops, different kind of like things. You want to meet other people that are also writers. At various levels of either being public or public store. They're working on their first page.
Kaitlin (15:02)
at various levels of either being published or self -published or they're working out their first manuscript or whatever it happens to be. And so she's just kind of in the thick of it and she kind of like walks people through what it's like and kind of like tips and tricks of the trade and how to get your stuff to stick out. And she was just like really cool and she gave everybody her email, like her publishing house email and then also her personal email and was like,
You know, if you come up with something and you think that I'm like, these are the books that I've been involved with getting published. And if you think that your stuff kind of fits into what I do, then like shoot me an email and blah, blah, blah. And she was really awesome. So, I feel like I should let other people jump in on this because I did not read it as recently as other people.
Stephanie (15:41)
I just want to say that I too had read Daisy Jones and the Six recently before this book came out and also had a similar, no, is this like a copy of it? And I think...
Kaitlin (16:03)
This book came out in an alternate.
And I think it has the same feel in that it takes place in a same time period filter, I believe in the 70s, right? And the male female characters do feel a little more, you know, strong female characters, kind of, I don't know if I'm going to get too much away, but troubled, shall we say, male singer. But, but, how do we, from the beginning,
Molly Galler (16:09)
It has the same feel as this amazing institution that we live in, I believe in, 70s, right? And the male female characters do feel a little more, you know, strong feel, or kind of, too much with that, troubled, shall we say, male singers. But what continues on to the day is the house, the generation of women who are producing that house.
Stephanie (16:11)
It has the same feel in that it takes place kind of in the same time period. Both are, I believe, in the seventies, right? And the male female characters do feel a little similar, you know, strong female character, kind of, I don't want to give too much away, but a troubled, shall we say, male singer. But what hooked me from the beginning is the house, the generations of women who refuse to get married and live in this
Kaitlin (16:34)
is the house of generations of women who refuse to get married and live in this I pictured just sort of like the cratial siding like meant to fit houses and just like winding staircases and kind of like you know kitschy decor I mean who knows that might not be what she intended that was what I pictured in my mind kind of like you know obviously not underwater but if you're on a on a island that's just not
Stephanie (16:40)
I pictured just sort of like the gray shingle siding, like Nantucket houses and just like winding staircases and kind of like, you know, kitschy decor. I mean, who knows? That might not be what she intended, but that was what I pictured in my mind. Kind of like, you know, obviously not near the water, but if you're on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, you're kind of always near the water.
Molly Galler (16:44)
racial fighting, like anti -Hit -House and just like white constructions as a kind of like, you know, hitch -hitch to core, I don't know if that would be a chance, but that was a kind of like, you know, obviously not for the longer, but if you're on a back -to -back basis with those castor -shisns, you're kind of always ready to be on them. That's where we see a lot of difference between the two, because I just love strong female.
Kaitlin (17:02)
That for me was what hooked me because I just love strong female relationships. And then from there, it definitely deviates completely from Daisy Jones and the Six. But if you like that genre of like 70s Arab bands who go from nothing to the low and not seemingly overnight and then there's tangled, troubled romantic relationships, then this is a fantastic read for you.
Stephanie (17:05)
That for me was what hooked me because I just love strong female relationships. And then from there, it definitely deviates completely from Daisy Jones and the Six. But if you like that genre of like 70s era bands who go from nothing to blowing up seemingly overnight, and then there's tangled, troubled romantic relationships, then this is a fantastic read for you.
Molly Galler (17:10)
And then from there, it definitely degrades something from Jason Jones' music. Ruth's life has long been like seven years in her advance who goes from the book to the scene before and the tangled, troubled, and complicated relationships. And this is, I'm gonna talk to you briefly about that.
I'm going to complete the trifecta of people who also read Daisy Jones in the sixth first. that book came out in 2019. So two years before Ursa Major, I read all of Daisy Jones while on vacation with Steph in the Bahamas at a place called Bahamar. I can picture myself on the exact lounge chair I was on where I like didn't move for hours except to maybe put my feet in the pool. I loved that book and I would guess that the success of that story.
helped her sell in Ursa Major because there was already so much interest in that kind of genre, if you will.
Stephanie (18:05)
and she could have used it as a comp in her own query.
Molly Galler (18:07)
She could have used it in a comp in her query letter, speaking of the art of the query. I liked this book for many of the reasons both of you already said. Two things I wanted to add. It felt to me like Jane, the singer, Jesse, the male singer, that they were kind of fated to be in each other's lives. And it reminded me of Seven Days in June in the way where you just are like...
Kaitlin (18:16)
to the pride, it felt to me like Jay and the Senate, Jessica the Ambassador, that they were kind of fated to be the age of our lives and it reminded me of how sad it was to be gone. And the feeling that you just are.
Molly Galler (18:33)
Yeah, these people are really meant to be in each other's lives, even if it's not always perfect, even if it's not what they always dreamed of, even if it doesn't have the resolution some of us might've been rooting for. And the other thing is that there's a side character in this story. Willie, who is Jane and Jesse's manager, he really champions both of them in different ways at a time in US cultural history where it was not as easy for a female lead.
Kaitlin (18:33)
I see what it means to have this work, even if it's not really a dream, even if it doesn't have a resolution, it's something that's really important. And the other thing that there's a side character in this work, who is Jane and just as a manager.
Stephanie (18:38)
about human rights and the resolution of the Senate House. And the other thing that was assigned to her in her ministry was with Jay and Susan, he was the chairman of the school of the group and the director of the school of the arts and arts and culture industry, whereas Susan, her female colleague, she had the same kinds of opportunities as her other men. And she's very happy about that.
Kaitlin (18:52)
He was a champion in school for the American American Geographic is at a time in West cultural history where it was not as easy for female community to understand that the opportunities as a man. And she's very keen to know how to leverage her ability and what the damage is on her and how they use her in the form of spear timing.
Molly Galler (19:02)
to get the same kinds of opportunities as a man. And she's very opinionated about how their album should be and what the band should sound like and how they use their recording studio time. And I think unlike Daisy Jones, who had a very drug fueled existence, Jane is like very focused and has a very clear vision of what she wants for herself. And Willie really supports that and kind of goes against the corporate entity that he works for to really make her dreams come true. And.
Stephanie (19:08)
and how they use it in reporting to the internet.
Kaitlin (19:13)
I think some of the days we've had to have a very strong fuel to just miss Jane is like very focused and has a very clear vision of what she wants for herself and really really supports that and always against the corporate entity that he works for to really make her dreams come true and if this were to ever be optioned I hope he gets like proper screening done because I feel like he was one of my favorite friends at the time and I sent him these cows right before we started recording the audio so if you could just walk right into it.
Stephanie (19:13)
I think, probably, Daisy Jones who had a very love -fueled business, James, and he was very focused and was very clear in general. She wants her employees to work towards that, but it was against the corporate entity that he reported to really encourage her to do it. If this weren't an option, I believe he had a straight, proper, straight -out position. He was a very good friend to her. And I said to these gals, if you were starting out recording the audios, for this one, I'd really encourage you to do it.
Molly Galler (19:31)
If this were to ever be optioned, I hope he gets like proper screen time. Cause I feel like he was one of my favorite parts of the book. And I said to these gals right before we started recording, I was addicted to this book. I read it in two days. I couldn't like smash that five stars on Goodreads fast enough. It's pretty rare for me to give five stars. I struggled to do it unless the writing is like exceptional, but this was really just based on a feeling. Like I was.
Stephanie (19:43)
I couldn't just sit down and watch that five stars number. It was the best. It was pretty, I mean, five stars. I struggled to get across the ranks, like, exceptional. So I just basically just went for it. Like, I just totally, fully, I just was like, I'm a huge human monster. I'm just a huge poster figure. I just was addicted to this book. And I didn't know what was gonna happen. I'm gonna have to put it to good use.
Molly Galler (19:57)
Totally fully immersed in this book. I did not want to put it down I'm a huge TV watcher and I just did not watch TV for those two days. I just was like addicted to this book. I Loved it. I felt like I was completely like in the story. I wanted to know what was gonna happen I'm not a person who tries to predict what's gonna happen. I just like let it go and Even though it doesn't tie up with a bow, which is always my preference I did still really love it and I feel like it's hard to capture someone's attention like that and I wanted to reward her for that. I
Kaitlin (20:00)
like huge GD module, I'm just giving out the GD for the most of it, but this was like the day before the school. I loved it, but it was completely like a dream come true, I didn't know what was gonna happen. And then it wasn't just a pretty day. Once I got home, I just let it go. And even though it wasn't time for the book, which is obviously a practice, I did still love it. And I feel like it's hard to counter this constitution.
I think what I would also like to show is that it was an injured form and it wasn't, but there were little arm holes, in general little arm holes in the first person, but I think I liked getting the perspective that we did and also I thought each one occurred.
Stephanie (20:29)
think what I loved most about Daisy Jones is that it was in like interview format and this wasn't, but there were like the little articles. I'm trying to remember little articles interspersed, but I think I liked getting the perspective that we did. And also I love a tortured romance because you know, I like the ups and downs and this has a lot of downs, but then that makes
Molly Galler (20:43)
And that was the first subject that we did. So I look, you tour.
Kaitlin (20:49)
rough cuts because you know I like the ups and downs and this has a lot of downs but then the ups you have the you know the other change feels weird I don't know what the end of this one is obviously but I also think that in the past two cents there's nothing really exciting about this because it sees stuff
Molly Galler (20:56)
But then that is the object of my country and the spirit.
Stephanie (20:58)
the ups, even though there are few and far between, feel sweeter to me. I don't want to talk about the ending and spoil it, obviously, but I also think because we're from Massachusetts, there's something that sits differently when there's a seaside location that just feels... I mean, it doesn't take place just in summer, but in my mind, it's summertime, which has a magical quality to it that just makes the romance bigger and...
Molly Galler (21:04)
I don't know if I'm getting this well, obviously, but I also think that she says that there's something about sisterhood, you know, it's a sisterhood. Okay, she doesn't just feel, I mean, it doesn't express itself. It's a project which has like a natural quality to it, and it doesn't make things bigger, and the relationship between you and the other person. And also just a bit of a bias. I think that's mostly what we need to see, Joe.
Stephanie (21:26)
the relationships brighter and I also just loved her band mates. I think that's also what made Daisy Jones so good is that you kind of got entangled in their like side romances and whatever and Emma does a really good job of doing side characters in this because you care about them, you know?
Molly Galler (21:33)
I also want to say I love the piano. I played the piano for many years as a kid. I was terrible, but I loved it and I wanted to be good. I have a thing for men who can play the piano, which is a big part of this storyline. And again, if it ever comes to screen, I hope they don't cut those parts.
Kaitlin (21:44)
I was just scared of him. And I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just going to sit here and let you guys talk about it. I was like, I'm just
Molly Galler (22:02)
because I feel like there's something very both like emotional and haunting about the piano, but also really beautiful. And they do a lot of songwriting at the piano in the studio, in their homes. It's almost like another character in the book. Like when they are at the piano, you know something is about to happen.
Kaitlin (22:07)
I think the other thing that I liked about this book that Daisy Jones didn't have is Jean's really close with her family and still lives with a lot of them. And so that was like a really nice, you kind of saw like,
Stephanie (22:19)
I think the other thing that I felt this book that Daisy Jones didn't have is she was really close with our family and so we used to talk a lot of times and so that was a different. You kind of saw that more of what you were fighting for is what you had to lose where Jasmine actually also had to lose.
Molly Galler (22:24)
his genes were mixed with our family and so was his father. And so that was it.
Kaitlin (22:36)
one, who she was fighting for and two, what she had to lose. Whereas Jesse has already had some fame at the beginning of the book. And so there's a have and have not quality that's going on as well, in addition to it being a tortured romance. And they're both basically poets, musicians. They're very passionate and artsy and...
Molly Galler (22:40)
where it's suggested like it's already had some things at the beginning of the talk. And so there's like a common path of a problem that's going on as well in a future.
Stephanie (22:42)
some of the things you have to do in the book. And so there's like a lot of talent happening. All the new that's going on is in addition to being like a culture from kids and like you know there's basically like poets, musicians, like they're you know very passionate, artsy, and all of those things and sometimes they get two people that pass together and like really explore the different care methods. And...
Molly Galler (22:54)
like, you know, basically like poets, musicians, like they're, you know, very passionate, artsy, and all of those things. And sometimes you get two people like, caught together and like really explode into the end happens. And I just thought that it was really impactful that you got to see like James Bond was like very well established at the beginning of the book and you really get a real
Kaitlin (23:03)
all of those things. And sometimes when you get two people like that together, it can like really explode in good and bad ways. And I just thought that it was really impactful that you got to see like Jane's family is like very well established at the beginning of the book. And you really get an idea of this is who she would be leaving behind if she did make it. And like, this is how much she cares about the music and like,
Stephanie (23:12)
I just thought that it was really impactful that you got to see like, you know, families like a fair amount of staff should be at the top. And you really had to get this community to be able to get started.
Molly Galler (23:23)
Yeah. This is a really cool thing. I'm crying. I'm just really happy that this is all that she cares about the music. You know, that's pretty heated. You see a lot of people that are...
Stephanie (23:28)
I think that a lot of us were pretty famous. We see a lot of people that are pop stars. They're like, they are very close with their family. Or they were a child star, so they weren't related that much. So it's interesting to see somebody who's already had an adult life and has had adult responsibilities and is still going for it. And I think that that is really important.
Kaitlin (23:32)
I think that a lot of us are pretty jaded and when you see a lot of people that are pop stars, you're like, well, they weren't really that close with their family or they were a child star and so they weren't really with their family that much. It's interesting to see somebody who's already had an adult life and has had adult responsibilities and is still going for it. I think that that is really compelling and maybe...
Molly Galler (23:37)
start like look, you know, they aren't gonna have to live with their family. We're like, we want to be with our family, so they won't have to live with their family that much. So it's interesting to see somebody who's already had an adult life and has had adult responsibilities and is still going for it and I think that that is really compelling and maybe not so much with the Easy Jones kind of a competition, like I have no family and nobody really likes me and I never had a family.
Stephanie (23:57)
Confounding and weak. Not so much for Daisy Jones. I have to let you know that she had no family and no people to like be a part of. And she was in a lot of these all the time. That's just not what's going on in this book. It's a little pure, I guess. Yeah, it's possible. Daisy Jones reminds me of this. I think we all have to mention her.
Kaitlin (24:00)
not so much with Daisy Jones had going on because she like had no family and nobody really like gave a damn about her and she was like in a drug haze all the time and that's just not what's going on in this book. It's a little more pure I guess is what I would call it.
Molly Galler (24:07)
and she was like at other days all the time and that's just not what's going on in this program. It's a little bit too long, I guess, but it's what I would call it. Yeah, I think so. And also, Daisy Jones reminds me, I think people of our generation will relate to this, of the VH1 show Behind the Music. It talks about the high highs and the low lows and it interviews everybody who was part of the process and it feels like a...
Stephanie (24:26)
of the VH1 child music. You know, it talks about how high, how high you can go. It feels like a literal, greater version of that experience. And personally, it's like a true, an accurate difference that we've done. And I think she establishes everything that we're pursuing if she tries to pursue this in a way that...
Molly Galler (24:36)
literary written version of that experience and Ursa Major to me felt more just like a true like narrative storytelling and I agree this she establishes early everything Jane would be risking if she if she tries to pursue this in a way that you don't really feel with Daisy because she doesn't have much to lose and I also I said to Steph that
Kaitlin (24:57)
But you know what? He was the chief. He does have a much truer face. And I also said that there were parts of her skin that actually looked like a judge. One of her other ones, Elgar Isaac, which is also really the only one that's said in the order. And we're just really looking at how this is a small town.
Stephanie (24:57)
But you don't really feel these because she doesn't have much children. And I said just now that there were parts of her son Andrew that actually reminded me of Joe and David, one of her other close relatives, which is also really important. And so we were just quite different in our lives. We have to small town and everything with each other, trying to build your life into something bigger.
Molly Galler (25:06)
There were parts of Ursa Major that actually reminded me of Taylor Jenkins reads one of her other books, Malibu Rising, which is also really family oriented set on the water. They were just felt like there were a lot of parallels in terms of small town. Everybody knows each other. Trying to make your way to something bigger. I don't know. I wonder if these two women, Emma Brody and Taylor Jenkins read, see themselves as rivals or if they're really like inspired by each other's work. Because I think there's a lot of similarities in a way that I love.
Kaitlin (25:22)
Thank you.
Stephanie (25:24)
And I would wonder if these two, however intelligent, because we see themselves as rivals or if they're really inspired by each other's work, because I think there's a lot of similarities in a way that I loved and really just like appreciate all of the stories even more.
Kaitlin (25:25)
I think that they probably don't see each other as rivals. And the reason that I'm going to say that is because Daisy Jones and the six is like, Sunset Boulevard. It's like fast. It's like,
Molly Galler (25:35)
and made me just like appreciate all of the stories even more.
Stephanie (25:39)
I think that they probably don't see each other as rivals and the reason that I'm going to say that is because Daisy Jones in the Six is like Sunset Boulevard. It's like fast, it's like everybody's partying and everybody's made messes of their lives and they're looking back on it and Songs of the Earth are Major is more like...
Molly Galler (25:46)
Daisy Jones and the Six is like songs that go hard. It's like fast, it's like everybody's partying and everybody's messing with their lives and they're putting back on it and some people are just like turning...
Kaitlin (25:53)
everybody's partying and everybody's made messes of their lives and they're looking back on it. And songs and Ursa Major is more like, like Laurel Canyon. It's more like the Joni Mitchell and the Crosby Stills Nash and Young and like what my mom calls easy listening, you know, like Jackson Brown. Like it's more that. So like if.
Molly Galler (26:04)
like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more like more
Stephanie (26:04)
like more of a tandem, it's more like the Joey Mitchell, the Rossi Stills, and the like what my father called Easton's thing, you know, Jackson Rucker, like it's more that. So if Jason Jones was supposed to be like a fleet with that, like I feel like this is about like Joey and Graham Napp for some time, you know, that's more the vibe. I love it.
Molly Galler (26:17)
So if these films are supposed to be about feeling bad, this is about showing the environment after something. You know, and there's thousands more to buy. I buy.
Kaitlin (26:19)
Daisy Jones was supposed to be like about Fleetwood Mac. Like I feel like this is about like Joni and Graham Nash or something. You know what I mean? Like that's more the vibe I got anyway.
Anybody have anything else to say about this lovely little nugget?
Molly Galler (26:33)
I know that it's not, yeah, I know that it's not like new new, but if it is new to you, I think you should definitely give this book a chance. I think it's a great summer read. It will give you that sort of like wind in your hair feeling. and I think if you love kind of the, as Steph said, New England seaside vibe, it's a great one, but it also kind of has the high drama and, I just loved it. I really, really loved it.
Stephanie (26:33)
Anybody have anything else to say about this?
Kaitlin (27:04)
I'm just looking at the quotes on the back of the book. I don't know what these are called, like the blurbs from other writers. So Kevin Kwan, who did crazy rotations. This is what he said. So he and I were on the same page. So many of the passages throughout songs in Ursa Major are such pure poetry, I got chills as I read them. I could drink a case of this book and I'd still be on my feet. So he even referenced Joni. Okay, I feel better about my my analysis now.
Stephanie (27:04)
I'm just hoping I can work on a back -end book. I didn't work on a book called The Keyword to a Writer, so I had to draw it in a bit and raise the tuition. This is what he said. So he and I wrote this page. So many of the passages throughout my first three years are such pure poetry that I have a joke for the time being. I wrote the base of this book and I still have a lot of work to do. So I'm just hoping I can work on a joke. Okay, I feel like I'm about to leave. My notes are still in the paper.
Molly Galler (27:08)
with other writers. So Kevin Kwan who did Blazer Rejections. This is what he said. So he and I were basically finished. So many of the passages throughout the book said that I could drink the case of this book and I'd still be on my feet. So we even wrote a passage only. Okay. I feel like my end is a stop. I haven't changed what I'm reading right now.
Kaitlin (27:34)
I haven't changed what I'm reading right now. I'm still reading the new Carly Fortune. What are you guys up to?
Stephanie (27:34)
I'm so interested in what I'm doing right now. I'm so interested in what I'm doing right now.
Molly Galler (27:37)
I'm so really, really fortunate for you guys.
Stephanie (27:41)
So I started, I think last night, We Run the Tides by Vandala Vida. Caitlin had given this to me many moons ago. I couldn't even tell you when.
Molly Galler (27:50)
Probably around the same time I think we're solving this together.
Kaitlin (27:50)
Probably around the same time I gave her songs in Ursa Manager.
Stephanie (27:54)
Yeah, actually, it could have been in like the same bunch of books. I'm sorry that I've held on to it this long. This story takes place in 1984, 1985, and it's about a bunch of 13 year old girls, although it's mostly from the perspective of Ulibi. She lives in an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, and it's about her and her friends and her family. And what I love is it reads.
Molly Galler (28:01)
And this story is basically the story that we had of a very special person.
And what it's all about is your feelings.
Stephanie (28:20)
like a memoir, it feels like a 50 year old woman is writing about her childhood. And what happens in that year is like so many things from her and her best friend both viewing an incident completely opposite. And then that best friend goes missing, unrelated, but goes missing after the fact. But it's also about like that age where everything is heightened.
Molly Galler (28:25)
I will praise my first time so much.
and both viewing and seeing the office in it. And then also kind of goes with the same, I mean, goes with the staff in that. And also about that image, about everything is clean. Everything is such a drop. You also don't have to stand up, the adults are saying, everything. It's beautiful.
Stephanie (28:48)
Everything is such high drama. You also don't understand what the adults are saying. You think you know everything. It's beautifully written. I wonder if it is secretly part of her, the author's life, and that's why it reads like a memoir.
Kaitlin (28:57)
It's a coming of age book that you should not and will not find in the young adult section. That's the best way I can describe it. Like it's about that time period, but it's very much framed for adults.
Molly Galler (29:00)
is to put the first word that often takes after the second.
It's a common, a waged book that you should not in the adult section. That's the best way to describe it. It's about that time period, but it's very much framed for adults. And it's not only for adults, the setting is so good about it. It's really grand to you. You really can picture what it's like living in San Francisco in the 80s. What it's like, you know,
Stephanie (29:12)
Yeah.
It's for adults.
Kaitlin (29:21)
And it's another one where I love the setting. The setting is so good in that one. It's like really rich and like you really like can picture what it's like living in this bougie area of San Francisco in the eighties and like what it's like, you know, spying on all, you know, keeping up with the Joneses basically and what's going on with all your neighbors. And that to have this girl go missing, the girl going missing basically like.
Stephanie (29:21)
And it's amazing that I talked to the study, the study is so kind of like, like the image and like the image, like the picture of what it's like living in a city or San Francisco in the 80s, like what it's like, you know, it's fine, you know, even though the job is basically what's going on with all your neighbors. And then he says, how does growing up make sense? The growing up is missing basically like gives you permission to like be escorted through the messy line.
Molly Galler (29:35)
Okay, well, I might have to add that to my list when you
Kaitlin (29:47)
gives you permission to like be escorted through the messy lives of all these people that live on the street. And it's really, I thought it was really good and it's not very long either. Like it really packs a punch.
Stephanie (29:51)
people that live on the street. And it's really, I think it's really, it's not very long, you know, it's really not too much.
Molly Galler (30:05)
finish. I am about to start The Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarrow. So for those who don't know, this is the second book in the fourth wing series.
Stephanie (30:10)
Whoop whoop.
Can I just say you better text us? There are certain points that I feel like you'll know when you get to them like Stephanie probably wants to know my reaction to this.
Molly Galler (30:26)
Okay, well, the reason I'm starting it now is because I'm about to go on a big trip and I have many plane rides ahead of me and this book is 623 pages. So it should keep me occupied, I think, for at least all of flight one. And on that note, just so everyone knows, you're listening to us today, May 23rd, but we will have no new episode next week. I'm going to be gone for quite a bit.
And the gals will be busy reading all kinds of things while I'm gone so that we can come back with great episodes for you when I return. So we hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend and we will be back the first week of June. And in the meantime, we will still be sharing all kinds of goodness on our Instagram account at PlansAreBooked. You can write to us anytime, plansarebooked at gmail .com to share ideas for future books we should read.
Stephanie (30:55)
and the fact that we have a sunscreen on which I am. So, as a group.
And then we'll have the first week. And then we'll share all kinds of goodness on the next week.
Molly Galler (31:20)
or episode ideas that you have. We love hearing from you.
Kaitlin (31:24)
And until next time, our plans are booked.