I Read a Book Once

It's I Read a Book Once's one year anniversary! I can't believe that I've been sharing my opinions on books and summarizing them with too much detail for a year now. To celebrate I decided to do an extra special episode where I reflect on my journey this past year. I reflect on the lessons I've learned, talk about the challenges I've faced, do a little bit of data analysis, and attempt a "meet the book podcast" segment that was a bit of a hot mess.

Romance returns with this book community favorite The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. This book follows Stella, an autistic woman, who hires an escort to teach her how to be in a relationship. I talk about my journey in deciding to read this book, air my frustrations with one particular scene in the book, and express my love for Stella's character.

I couldn't stop at just one highly recommended memoir, I had to read two. Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance tells the story of both him and his family, detailing the culture of the Appalachian region and the highs and lows that come with it. I spend a lot of time reflecting on the political points Vance makes, comparing this memoir with The Other Wes Moore, and highlighting random connections to my classes in college.

I branched out from my comfort zone and actually read a memoir! The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore follows the extremely different lives of two men with the same name examining how two black men born streets away from each other could have such drastically different lives. The author is a Rhodes Scholar and the "other" Wes Moore is serving a life sentence. I spend some time talking about the genre, question what made their paths diverge, and wonder if one's fate could have been the other's.

WWII historical fiction always tends to be focus on white people and Jewish people, largely leaving out the stories of other people of color. Kaia Alderson's debut novel Sisters in Arms provides a fresh new perspective on WWII, following the stories of Grace and Eliza two black women part of the only all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps. I discuss the importance of having a book about black women's roles during WWII, explain the central relationship between Grace and Eliza, and lament I didn't get the romantic ending I wanted.

This week I break from my traditional episode format to bring you the mid-year book freak out tag. This tag asks questions about the books you read in the first half of the year, and even though I'm a month late with my answers I still thought I'd give it a go. I talk about my favorite and least favorite books of 2021 so far, books I want to read this year that I haven't, and books that have made me cry and made me happy.

I thought I'd read a fun YA book by a popular author and pass it off to my sister. Instead Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon was a disjointed disappointment I wish I'd never picked up. I am extremely harsh in my review of this book, which follows Evie as she deals with a curse where she sees how a couple will break up when they kiss. I bash the main character for being selfish, spend at least five minutes ranting about the end of the book, and can't seem to find anything nice to say.

After a long and unannounced break I'm back and better than ever with Jill Shalvis's Love for Beginners. This book follows Emma as she tries to make a new life for herself after waking up from a coma, which includes finding a new apartment, new boyfriend, and new job. I get sidetracked by my love of coma stories, question the pacing in this book, and celebrate the great female friendship between Emma and Ali.

I don't take it lightly when I say this is the best book I've read so far in 2021. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is an atypical thriller novel that follows Hannah and her step-daughter Bailey as they learn her husband isn't who he said he was. I can't stop talking about how good this book was, explain why this type of thriller worked for me, and praise the familial bonding we see throughout the book.

Historical fiction tends to cover the same time periods and stories, but Kim Michele Richardson's The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek diverges from this pattern. We follow the main character Cussy Mary who is a Pack Horse Librarian during the Great Depression and also has a rare blood condition that makes her skin blue. I discuss how this book was character driven instead of plot driven, express my appreciation for learning about unknown historical stories, and talk about the ambiguous ending.

I diverge from my usual episode format to present a brand new sort of series. Once a month or every other month I will be posting episodes NOT about a specific book but rather book tropes or writing topics or rants. My first episode in this new series is on bad writing tropes. I read so much by amateur writers and have noticed similar patterns and tropes that I can't stand. I go through a list of some of the worst offenders.

It's time to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Mia P. Manansala's debut novel Arsenic and Adobo. When Lila came home to help out in her aunt's Filipino restaurant she wasn't expecting her ex-boyfriend to die while eating their food or to become the number one suspect. I go on a really long tangent about how to pronounce the name Lila, express my new found love of cozy mystery novels, and talk about Lila's characterization.

Closing off the Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert is youngest (and flightiest) sister Eve's story in Act Your Age, Eve Brown. After being cut off by her parents, Eve runs away and crashes (literally) into Jacob Wayne's life becoming the chef at his B&B and maybe something more. I gush over my love of this book and the series as a whole, explain why this book was the most fun to read, and praise the representation in this romance novel.

The past and the present collide in Sarah Penner's historical fantasy(?) The Lost Apothecary. In the past Nella's killer apothecary is under more stress than ever, and in the present Caroline's marriage is falling apart but unravelling the apothecary murders could provide her with a new direction. I talk about the negative effect of bookstagram's influence on me, explain why this book was everything I wanted Outlawed to be, and complain about completely trivial things at the end of the podcast.

I return to the world of Affinites, runaway princesses, and con men with Amelie Wen Zhao's Red Tigress, which is the second book in the trilogy. This book follows Ana and Ramson as they travel to Bregon to get help for Ana's cause. I rant about the absolute trash arc that is Ramson's characterization in this book, explain the reading slump this series ended up putting me in, and hate on the way this book ended.

Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao is a YA fantasy novel set in a world where some people have magic (Affinites) and some don't. The story follows an exiled princess and a con man as they both seek revenge. However, this book almost wasn't published following the controversy surrounding it. I break down the controversy and explain my view, talk about my changing opinion on this book after my reread, and discuss the character development of Ana and Ramson.

It's time for my very first mystery on the podcast: The Guest List by Lucy Foley. In this book, you wouldn't want to be on the exclusive guest list for famous couple Jules and Will's wedding, especially not with so many shady characters attending. I explain the issue that I have with most mystery novels, question if the weird sexual undertones were needed, and discuss what I was able to figure out and what I wasn't before the big reveal.

I finally return with a romance (and a slightly too long plot summary) after giving you all a break from them! In Sara Desai's The Dating Plan enemies to lovers meets the fake engaged trope as Daisy and Liam try to fool both of their families for very different reasons. I discuss my love for Daisy's fun and crazy Indian family, reveal my slight disappointment over the ending, and question Daisy's underwear choices.

To celebrate Black History Month I picked up You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson after hearing all of the hype about it. It follows Liz as she attempts to win prom queen and the scholarship that goes along with it, so she can afford her dream college. I rave over how real the high school feels, compare this book to some of my favorite and least favorite YA novels, and talk about popularity and the friendships in this book.

Alice Reeds YA Thriller duology finishes off we Fractures and Miles and Fiona entering the belly of the beast (aka Briola). They are made to question their own identities and everything they've ever known as they try to escape. I gloat over my correct prediction from last episode, list the rest of my unanswered questions, and make my own inferences and connections between what happened in the two books.

I've read Echoes by Alice Reeds twice, and I still have no idea what the heck is going on. This YA Thriller novel follows two timelines as high school students Fiona and Miles are both stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash and being hunted down in Berlin. I get nitpicky talking about issues with the writing style and try to guess what is going on and what will happen in the next book.

This week we take a trip into the past with Anna North's historical fiction novel Outlawed. We follow Ada as she joins an outlaw group in the Wild West made up of women and their nonbinary leader the Kid. I rant about the repeated use of the phrase "not unkindly," praise the feminist and racial message of the book, and discuss what kept me from loving this book.

Moving away from my more fantastical and romantic reads, I picked up The Cat Who Taught Me How to Fly by Hashem Gharaibeh this week. In this book about an Arab prison, our main character Imad struggles with the decision to renounce his allegiance to the Communist party and walk free or stay true to himself and stay in a Jordanian prison. My inner English major comes out as I ponder truth versus fact, try to define freedom, and question what the jasmine symbolizes.

In Rhiannon Thomas's standalone YA fantasy novel, Freya becomes queen after being 23rd in line for the throne. She must use her scientific skills to find out who poisoned the court and keep herself alive. I spend a long time drawing comparisons between the coup scene in this book and real life, explain my thought process on trying to figure out who the murderer was, and address various complaints about this book.

Now that Emily and Simon have gotten their happily ever after (HEA), it's time for Stacey to get hers in Well Played by Jen DeLuca. Stacey spends 11 months messaging her Faire fling, only to find out that she's actually been talking to someone else the entire time. I applaud the choice Stacey makes at the end of the book, low key question the choices Stacey's love interest makes, and spend some time comparing Well Played to Well Met.

To kick of 2021, I'm doing a two week series on Jen DeLuca's Well Met and Well Played. First up is Well Met where our main character Emily learns there's no place quite like a Renaissance. Sparks fly when Emily meets Simon and at first they are not the good kind. I give my opinion on the enemies to lovers trope, wonder if someone can actually fall in love in less than a month, and praise the secondary characters.

2020 was one for the books. Literally. I spent most of this year reading, and when you hear how many books I read this year you'd be hard pressed to disagree. After recounting how many books I read this year and what genres they all fall into, I discuss both my favorite and least favorite books I read in 2020. Get ready to hear about some of the usual suspects from earlier episodes, but also new ones as well from earlier in the year.

Happy Holidays! What better way is there to celebrate Christmas than talking about In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, which is a holiday themed book. Our main character Mae is stuck in a time loop reliving the same week over and over again until she gets it right. I wish for more resets in the timeline, contemplate what was up with Theo, and share my own personal connection with Mae.

In A Deadly Education, Naomi Novik creates a magic school that you would NOT want to go to considering half of the students die before they graduate. That doesn't phase our main character El, who is determined to make it out alive and not compromise her morals to do it. I spend way too long describing the confusing magic system and the school, examine El's character and morals, and rave about her friendship with Orion.

Not being able to travel was no problem because with The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany Lori Nelson Speilman took me straight to Italy. Emilia and her cousin Lucy accompany their Great Aunt Poppy to Italy for her 80th birthday hoping to break the family curse keeping all second born daughters from finding love. I rank all of Emilia's love interests, question how she can be so forgiving toward her family, and touch on some of the real life inspiration for the book.

Let's start this off by saying please don't send me any hate for only liking your favorite book. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a beloved book that follows a grumpy old man and his crazy neighbors. It is a favorite by many, just not me. I explain the reasons why I didn't love it, focus on the ending of the book, and wonder if Ruin really could have been taken away.

Ready for a change of pace after my spooky fall reads, I picked up the second book in the Brown Sisters series: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. We get the classic fake dating trope mixed with friends with benefits. What could go wrong? I fail to give a short plot summary after promising to do so, explore Hibbert's unique writing style, and write the scene she never gave us on how Dani and Zaf met.

After months of my friend and guest Laura Nobel trying to convince me to read Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, I finally picked it up. Ninth House brings us to Yale and the dark magic surrounding the secret societies. We marvel at the realness of the characters and the setting, express our shock at the plot twists, and speculate on Darlington's future. Most of all we have a good time going back and forth over the book.

Take a trip back in time to the Salem witch trials in Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman. The book follows the main character Maria over the course of her life as she practices magic, finds love, and sets a major curse. I wax poetic about the writing in this book, question what in the world Maria was thinking when she set her curse, and divulge my worst reading habits.

After the insanity that was the Harley Merlin Halloween special, I'm back with our regularly scheduled programming. This week I'm talking about Ties That Tether by Jane Igahro, which is a book about Azere, who has to decide between being with the man she loves or being in her mother's life. I get off topic at least five times during the plot summary, finally find a book with good romantic chemistry between the two main characters, and reveal my love of angst.

Happy Halloween! It's time to celebrate with the final part in my Halloween Special. Let's wrap up with books 7-9 in the Harley Merlin series by Bella Forrest. I get the shock of a lifetime with the biggest plot reveal yet, get emotional TWICE, and get really salty over the second POV in book 8. And by the end of the ninth book I'm still convinced that we can't trust adults.

I return to the Harley Merlin series by Bella Forrest with Part 2 of my special three part Halloween series. I cover books 4-6, which include my absolute least favorite book, the beginning of the character redemption arc I have been waiting for, and Harley and Wade FINALLY getting together. I discuss the moral of the series, which is don't trust adults, as well as Forrest's writing style, which honestly could use some work.

There's no better way to celebrate Halloween than with a three-part series on a Bella Forrest's Harley Merlin series about magicals. Yes, that's right magicals (i.e. people who have magic but for some reason don't use familiar titles like witch, wizard, or warlock). Part One covers books 1-3 setting up the world, the bad guy, and the characters backstory. I rant about my least favorite character, question the antagonist of the first book, and have opinions on the romantic relationships.

In Shveta Thakrar's YA Fantasy book Star Daughter, Sheetal a half-mortal half-star high school student must ascend to the heavens and reunite with her mother in order to save her father. Court politics and character development dominate the rest of the story. I criticize Sheetal's star family for being the worst, question why immortal beings hate humans, and ask for a glossary.

Of course my first romance book on the podcast is the follow-up to my favorite book from 2019. Evie Dunmore returns with A Rouge of One's Own, which tells the story of suffragist leader Lucie as she tries to walk the line between business and pleasure with Tristan in 1880s England. I get heated over slights against my favorite characters from the first book, gush over the ending of the book, and probably spend more time than I should comparing this book to the first one.

Award winning author Fredrik Backman's newest book Anxious People follows a bank robbery turned hostage situation complete with an incompetent bank robber, ridiculous hostages, and two police officers trying their best but getting nowhere fast. I decide to rename the book, turn it into a movie, and contemplate the relative nature of morals and ethics all while congratulating myself for figuring out one of the plot twists before it is revealed.

Jamie Pacton's debut novel The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is centered around a high school girl's fight to be a knight. What's not to like? Apparently a whole host of things because I spend over half of this episode talking about things I did not like. And almost every single one of these things ties back to our main character Kit.

For the first real episode of IRABO, I talk about The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson, a sci-fi book based on the premise that the multiverse theory is true. I focus on questions of identity, the role the past plays in your present, why the multiverse theory is incredibly cool, and of course the romance (spoiler alert: it wasn't as prominent as advertised).

Welcome to I Read a Book Once, a podcast where I (Emma) talk about books. In my first episode I explain the inspiration behind my new podcast and what you can look forward to (unfiltered, honest, and spoiler filled convos about the books I’ve read).