Ep. 142: Ten Before the End

[00:00:00] Let's see how far we can get before Teddy loses his mind. I feel like it's been a while since we've done this. It has been. A little bit. Not that long. Life has been so busy. There he goes.

[00:00:19] So I don't know if maybe we should address Advent Calendars since we've had a few people asking us on Instagram.

[00:00:26] I think we should.

[00:00:27] Okay. We have made the very difficult decision not to do them this year because we just have a lot going on and I don't think that we can do them effectively and do them well and put out a product that we're proud of and I don't want to do that.

[00:00:47] No, we're not going to do that.

[00:00:49] So yeah. So we discussed it for weeks and months and ultimately decided we're going to skip this year. We do plan to do them again next year, but this year is a no go.

[00:01:02] We are hoping that maybe we can still put something out. Maybe it'll be a much smaller holiday box with just a few items, but we'll just we're still waiting to see what we can manage.

[00:01:15] So stay tuned and we will update y'all when we have made a decision.

[00:01:21] Yeah. Yeah. Once we once we decided what we can do like obviously if we're going to put out the holiday box, you'll see it on Instagram. We'll message the people who have ordered in the past.

[00:01:32] Yeah. Yeah. Sure.

[00:01:33] I've ordered advent calendars before so be on the lookout. Bolo. Been watching too many cop shows. Let's put out a bolo on the holiday boxes. Marissa is not amused with me this morning.

[00:01:52] I'm still just slightly waking up.

[00:01:56] Well, wake up. We have podcasts to do.

[00:01:59] I know I'm excited to talk about books.

[00:02:01] Yeah, we're talking about a lot of books today.

[00:02:03] Lots of books.

[00:02:04] A lot of books.

[00:02:05] Yeah.

[00:02:06] Yeah. So I've been seeing this thing on Instagram. It's like 10 before the end and I guess it's 10 books that you want to read before the end of the year.

[00:02:13] Right.

[00:02:14] Which what is it? It's November 8th when we're recording this. I feel like there's a little unrealistic that I'm going to get these 10 books in before the end of the year.

[00:02:23] Maybe. Maybe. Maybe not.

[00:02:24] But it's just hashtag goals.

[00:02:26] Correct. Yeah.

[00:02:28] Okay. So we both have our lists.

[00:02:30] Yes.

[00:02:31] How do we want to do it?

[00:02:32] So do you want to start with a book?

[00:02:34] And then I'll go with a book.

[00:02:35] Sure.

[00:02:36] Obviously we can't go too into detail or this will be a two hour long episode.

[00:02:41] So I'm actually reading my first one right now.

[00:02:46] Look at you.

[00:02:46] Yes.

[00:02:47] Look at you. You're already making progress.

[00:02:49] Yes.

[00:02:49] It's called The Lost Story by Meg Schaefer.

[00:02:53] Okay.

[00:02:53] And I have actually read, I think it's called The Wishing Game before by Meg Schaefer.

[00:02:59] Oh, yes.

[00:02:59] Yes, yes, yes.

[00:03:00] And I reviewed it on the podcast and I think I gave it like a five.

[00:03:03] Okay.

[00:03:04] I like this one more so far.

[00:03:05] Oh, great.

[00:03:06] Yeah.

[00:03:07] So just a quick childhood best friends must return to a magical realm to find the long

[00:03:14] lost sister they were living with there.

[00:03:16] So I'll just say these two kids go into the woods when they're like 14 and they disappear

[00:03:22] for six months and they just like pop back up.

[00:03:27] Okay.

[00:03:28] And one of them doesn't remember anything.

[00:03:30] The other remembers everything but will not tell him what happened.

[00:03:34] And so now we are 15 years in the, since that day.

[00:03:38] So they're like in their thirties.

[00:03:39] Gotcha.

[00:03:40] That sounds intriguing.

[00:03:42] Yeah.

[00:03:42] Okay.

[00:03:43] My first book and mine are in no order at all.

[00:03:47] Just they're in order of when I came across them or thought about them.

[00:03:51] Okay.

[00:03:52] But my first one is called Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousins.

[00:03:56] That's on mine too.

[00:03:56] Okay.

[00:03:57] I know absolutely nothing about this book.

[00:03:59] Look, all I know is I asked Carrie and Addie, I was like, what books do I need to read before

[00:04:05] the end of the year?

[00:04:06] And they both agreed that this one was really good and that I need to read it.

[00:04:09] Yeah.

[00:04:09] No, it's on my list.

[00:04:10] They have a little quick, I'll just say, a divorce columnist agrees to go on seven dates

[00:04:14] with men she meets offline, all chosen by her children.

[00:04:18] Yes.

[00:04:18] I do remember reading that now.

[00:04:20] I started this list like weeks ago, so I'd already forgotten what it was about.

[00:04:25] But yeah, they both loved it.

[00:04:26] So I feel-

[00:04:27] Well, then I'm glad that I added it to my list also.

[00:04:30] Yep.

[00:04:31] Maybe that's a joint we can do together.

[00:04:32] Maybe so.

[00:04:35] My next one is The Midnight Feast by Lucy Folly.

[00:04:41] Okay.

[00:04:42] I know the name-

[00:04:43] Oh, is she a thriller writer?

[00:04:46] Yes.

[00:04:46] And I can't-

[00:04:47] Honestly, I don't even remember what this one was about.

[00:04:50] The Midnight.

[00:04:51] Let me just-

[00:04:52] It says Blair Witch Meets Fire Festival.

[00:04:56] Okay.

[00:04:57] Amazing.

[00:04:58] So, yeah, I don't really know exactly what it's about, but she wrote another-

[00:05:04] Something about the Paris-

[00:05:06] Yeah, the Paris apartment.

[00:05:07] Yeah, which I never read.

[00:05:10] Yeah, she's a decent thriller writer.

[00:05:14] Secrets, lies, murder, let the festivities begin.

[00:05:16] Okay.

[00:05:16] That's what it says.

[00:05:17] All right.

[00:05:17] I like it.

[00:05:17] It sounded fun.

[00:05:19] My next one is Pictures of You by Emma Gray, which I've read a couple things by Emma Gray

[00:05:26] before.

[00:05:27] Loved them all.

[00:05:29] She writes kind of rom-com with heft.

[00:05:33] Okay.

[00:05:34] So, there's, you know, a little bit more substance to it.

[00:05:38] Sure.

[00:05:39] Not that rom-coms don't have substance.

[00:05:40] That was a terrible thing to say, but-

[00:05:42] No, I know what you mean.

[00:05:43] Yeah.

[00:05:43] It's just a-

[00:05:44] A little bit heavier themes.

[00:05:44] It's a little bit heavier.

[00:05:45] Which I generally like.

[00:05:46] Yes.

[00:05:47] I like a little more, like a little extra.

[00:05:49] Yeah.

[00:05:50] So, that one is high up on my list.

[00:05:53] Okay, cool.

[00:05:54] I just love her as an author.

[00:05:56] Great.

[00:05:56] I haven't read anything about her.

[00:05:58] Oh, you must.

[00:05:59] This might be-

[00:05:59] You must.

[00:05:59] This might be the one.

[00:06:01] My next one is If I Were You by, it's either Seska or Cheska Major.

[00:06:07] And it's romance.

[00:06:09] On the way to her sister's lavish wedding, Amy and her boyfriend Flynn are struck by lightning

[00:06:14] and accidentally switch bodies.

[00:06:16] Oh, my God.

[00:06:17] That sounds so ridiculous.

[00:06:19] I do.

[00:06:20] A little freaky Friday.

[00:06:22] Okay.

[00:06:22] It sounded cute.

[00:06:23] The cover is funny.

[00:06:25] Oh, I have seen that cover.

[00:06:27] That's really funny.

[00:06:29] Okay.

[00:06:29] I can't.

[00:06:30] It's so ridiculous.

[00:06:32] All right.

[00:06:33] I always saw the freaky Friday movies.

[00:06:35] Like, even as a kid, I was like, this is stupid.

[00:06:37] Like, I just-

[00:06:38] I liked them.

[00:06:39] I never-

[00:06:39] What?

[00:06:40] I never kick it into them.

[00:06:41] But, okay.

[00:06:43] Okay.

[00:06:44] Um, my third one is a Christmassy one.

[00:06:46] It's called Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.

[00:06:50] This is like a powerhouse historical fiction writer duo.

[00:06:55] I've enjoyed their books before.

[00:06:57] And this particular one is about Queen Elizabeth II.

[00:07:01] She has just become Queen of England and she is going through her first Christmas as the

[00:07:08] queen.

[00:07:08] Okay.

[00:07:09] I'm just like-

[00:07:10] And it has like the crown vibes and I just- I need to read it like right now, basically.

[00:07:17] Okay.

[00:07:17] I'm with you.

[00:07:18] Let's do it.

[00:07:19] Um, I'll go off of that and do a Christmas read also.

[00:07:23] Um, this one is called The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Allie Carter.

[00:07:27] I'm reading it right now.

[00:07:28] Okay.

[00:07:29] And loving it, by the way.

[00:07:30] So, it just says, um, Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals to lovers

[00:07:35] romance mystery.

[00:07:37] It has a little bit of everything.

[00:07:38] It's amazing.

[00:07:39] It's a whodunit.

[00:07:40] It's rom-com.

[00:07:41] It's, um, like everyone trapped in a mansion, like Clue, and someone goes missing.

[00:07:46] And, I mean, it's so-

[00:07:48] I'm into it.

[00:07:48] I'm ready.

[00:07:49] I am loving it.

[00:07:50] Okay, great.

[00:07:51] Good to know.

[00:07:52] Okay, next for me, some of mine are going to be just like, this is the next in the series

[00:07:57] that I really love.

[00:07:58] But The Gray Wolf by Louise Penny, this is just her latest in her Inspector Gamache series.

[00:08:04] And, um, I am always super excited for what she puts out every year.

[00:08:10] So, here we go.

[00:08:11] Let's do it.

[00:08:11] Yeah.

[00:08:12] Well, um, my next one is a sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J.

[00:08:17] Klune.

[00:08:17] I've read it.

[00:08:18] I've read it.

[00:08:19] Okay, okay.

[00:08:19] You read House in the Cerulean Sea?

[00:08:21] Okay.

[00:08:21] Yeah.

[00:08:22] Um, so, Arthur Parnassus' hope of adopting the six magical children is threatened by a revelation

[00:08:27] from his past.

[00:08:29] Um, yeah, I'm just, I loved it.

[00:08:30] I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea.

[00:08:32] So, I really wanted to, um, I didn't even know that he was doing a second until, like,

[00:08:38] a couple months ago I was looking and I was like, oh, I definitely want to read that.

[00:08:41] I don't know if you remember, like, I think it was the epilogue of House in the Cerulean Sea.

[00:08:44] It very much, like, set up for-

[00:08:47] I can't remember.

[00:08:48] Okay.

[00:08:48] I'll tell you about it offline.

[00:08:49] I don't want to ruin anything for anyone who hasn't read House in the Cerulean Sea.

[00:08:53] Okay.

[00:08:53] But it very much set up a sequel and I was like, I can't wait.

[00:08:56] Okay.

[00:08:56] And then it came out.

[00:08:57] Okay.

[00:08:57] And I won't say anything about it.

[00:08:59] Okay.

[00:09:00] I'll let you make your own-

[00:09:01] Thank you.

[00:09:02] Determination.

[00:09:03] Um, okay.

[00:09:04] Next up for me is the Paris novel by Ruth Reichel.

[00:09:08] I think I've seen this cover.

[00:09:09] Probably.

[00:09:10] Um, so, Ruth Reichel, she was a food critic for the New York Times for years.

[00:09:16] I don't think she still is, but she's written a few memoirs about food and about being

[00:09:23] a food critic and all that kind of stuff.

[00:09:25] And her memoirs are so good.

[00:09:27] Like, Save Me the Plums is one of my favorite books of all time.

[00:09:31] And so, this is, I think, her second novel that she's written.

[00:09:36] I didn't read the first.

[00:09:37] I don't know why.

[00:09:38] Um, I had-

[00:09:40] I just didn't really-

[00:09:41] Just didn't really cross my radar.

[00:09:43] But this one has crossed my radar and I'm very excited for it.

[00:09:47] I love Ruth Reichel, so.

[00:09:49] Okay.

[00:09:49] Cool.

[00:09:50] My next one is Hear One Moment by Leanne Moriarty.

[00:09:53] Am I saying her last name right?

[00:09:55] Yeah, but you have to say it with an Australian accent.

[00:09:58] You do it.

[00:10:00] Um, this one is a woman predicts the death-

[00:10:03] The death dates of everyone on a flight and the passengers begin examining their lives

[00:10:08] after her predictions begin to come true.

[00:10:09] So, this is also on my list.

[00:10:11] Okay.

[00:10:12] Because I read everything by-

[00:10:14] Yeah, me too.

[00:10:20] That sounds interesting.

[00:10:21] I know.

[00:10:21] I know.

[00:10:22] Oh, I just love her.

[00:10:23] Me too.

[00:10:23] Um, side note, the other night at dinner, Margo, she's been watching some show about mermaids

[00:10:30] and pirates.

[00:10:30] And so, she's really into pirates right now.

[00:10:32] And she kept asking me to talk like a pirate.

[00:10:35] So, I was just sitting there at dinner and just like, arrr, at her.

[00:10:40] And, uh, just talking in my Scottish accent because that kind of sounds like pirate speak.

[00:10:45] But, so it just made me think of it when-

[00:10:47] It's funny.

[00:10:48] I told you to talk in Australia.

[00:10:49] And I was like, Margo.

[00:10:52] And she just thought it was the funniest thing.

[00:10:54] And I was like, this is amazing.

[00:10:55] I can make a child laugh like by barely doing anything.

[00:10:58] I just love it.

[00:10:59] Um, okay.

[00:11:02] My next book is, uh, An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

[00:11:08] And, which, um, I don't want to get political, but just, you know, the election just happened.

[00:11:13] Right.

[00:11:13] And people are happy or upset or whatever.

[00:11:16] Sure.

[00:11:16] Whatever you are.

[00:11:17] Yeah.

[00:11:17] But, um, Doris Kearns Goodwin usually writes, um, like presidential biographies.

[00:11:23] And so, this is a departure from her usual.

[00:11:26] This is more about her relationship with her husband.

[00:11:28] But they were both in the political world.

[00:11:31] Um, they both worked, I think, for Reagan, maybe.

[00:11:34] Okay.

[00:11:35] I don't know.

[00:11:35] And, uh, no, Johnson.

[00:11:37] I don't, someone.

[00:11:38] And, um, so this is about uncovering.

[00:11:43] She, like, found some old boxes of photos and different writings and memories.

[00:11:48] And this is about uncovering that.

[00:11:50] But, um, she came and spoke at the Winter Institute in February.

[00:11:56] And, um, she was just such an incredible, like, uplifting speaker.

[00:12:02] That I feel like her writing is only going to be, I've never read any of her stuff before.

[00:12:07] But I feel like it's just going to be, uh, a bright light in what has been a difficult

[00:12:15] couple of months leading up to the election.

[00:12:18] Sure.

[00:12:18] That makes sense.

[00:12:18] The, the, you know, infighting and things like that.

[00:12:22] So, yeah.

[00:12:23] Yeah.

[00:12:23] Okay.

[00:12:23] Well, I'd like to know what your thoughts are on that one.

[00:12:26] Like, if it's worth the read after you're done.

[00:12:28] Yeah.

[00:12:28] Yeah.

[00:12:28] Definitely.

[00:12:29] Because it's not my typical, but I, I'm interested.

[00:12:31] Right.

[00:12:32] It's just, she was like, I, I was like in tears at, at Winter Institute because she's

[00:12:37] so beautiful.

[00:12:38] I mean, she was just talking about how we need a leader who can unify the nation and

[00:12:43] da, da, da, da, like all these beautiful things that, you know, just, it was very hopeful.

[00:12:49] Yeah.

[00:12:49] So.

[00:12:49] Great.

[00:12:51] Um, my next one is The Life Impossible by Matt Haig.

[00:12:55] Um, Midnight Library.

[00:12:58] Fantastic writer.

[00:12:59] I've read some of his other, um, his other books.

[00:13:02] Um, this one says a retired math teacher inherits a long lost friend's house on Ibiza and searches

[00:13:07] for answers to her friend's life and death.

[00:13:10] So I actually downloaded this one and started reading it.

[00:13:14] I think I got a copy from, uh, Libro FM.

[00:13:17] Um, and I, I want to read it as well and I do intend to read it, but when I started, it

[00:13:24] was the, the very first part is all about this person's anxiety and like very descriptive

[00:13:32] about it and I just couldn't handle it at the time.

[00:13:34] That makes sense.

[00:13:35] So I was like, I'm going to set this aside and I'll come back to it when I have less anxiety.

[00:13:41] Okay.

[00:13:42] The next one for me is The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong.

[00:13:46] Mm-hmm.

[00:13:48] And the description said it's for fans of Travis Baldry who wrote Legends and Lattes.

[00:13:54] Mm-hmm.

[00:13:54] So it's like, it's a debut and it's like a cozy fantasy, which.

[00:13:59] Yeah.

[00:13:59] You know.

[00:14:00] Sounds great.

[00:14:00] It's just like my favorite genre lately.

[00:14:02] So I can't wait for this one.

[00:14:06] Um, my next one is The Ministry of Time by, is it Kaleen?

[00:14:11] Kaleen Bradley?

[00:14:12] I haven't read anything about her before.

[00:14:14] No, I think this is her first.

[00:14:16] Okay.

[00:14:17] Um, it's science fiction, which is not typically, um, what I'm interested in, but it sounded

[00:14:21] of interest, um, an employee from, for the Ministry of Time falls in love with a time traveling

[00:14:28] expat from an 1847 Arctic expedition.

[00:14:33] Yes.

[00:14:34] It does sound so good, doesn't it?

[00:14:35] I mean, I, anything for me with time travel I really like, so.

[00:14:40] Um, I had mixed feelings about it.

[00:14:44] Okay.

[00:14:44] Do you want to hear my mixed feelings or not?

[00:14:46] Tell me, tell me, tell me.

[00:14:47] So I loved the premise.

[00:14:49] Right.

[00:14:49] I think something that I've recently discovered about my reading life is that I don't enjoy

[00:14:58] as much books that have a detached main character.

[00:15:04] And this one does.

[00:15:06] So I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, given the premise.

[00:15:12] The description.

[00:15:13] Okay.

[00:15:13] But I think it's just because the main character was kind of detached from herself.

[00:15:18] Yeah.

[00:15:19] Okay.

[00:15:20] That makes sense.

[00:15:21] I'll have to give it some thought.

[00:15:22] I didn't know that that was like a thing.

[00:15:24] And then I was listening to some podcast with Ann Bogle and she said something about that.

[00:15:30] And I was like, oh my God, like a light bulb went on.

[00:15:32] I was like, this explains so much.

[00:15:34] Like why sometimes I don't enjoy books as much as I think I will.

[00:15:38] And then I start thinking about it.

[00:15:39] I'm like the main character is, yeah.

[00:15:42] Oh, crazy.

[00:15:43] Or if like the writer just, you know, sometimes you read a book and it's like the writer just

[00:15:50] doesn't seem as into it.

[00:15:52] You know?

[00:15:53] Yeah.

[00:15:53] They're kind of detached from their writing.

[00:15:55] Yeah.

[00:15:56] That gets me too.

[00:15:57] Anyway.

[00:15:58] Okay.

[00:15:59] Number eight on my list was Here One Moment by Leanne Moriarty.

[00:16:02] So I'm going to skip that one since we already did it.

[00:16:04] And I'm going to go with The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.

[00:16:09] Yeah.

[00:16:09] Which I had it on my list and then I took it out because I wasn't sure.

[00:16:13] But it's one that is out there for me.

[00:16:16] Yes.

[00:16:16] I've had so many people tell me I love this book.

[00:16:19] It was amazing.

[00:16:20] You're going to love it.

[00:16:22] The reason I put it on my list is because I've actually started reading it like seven times

[00:16:26] and can't get into it.

[00:16:27] And I'm determined to get past the just the first part of it.

[00:16:33] And I've had one person tell me you're going to be hooked right from the beginning.

[00:16:36] And then I've had another person tell me, yeah, it's a slow burn.

[00:16:39] Like it takes some time to get into.

[00:16:40] So I'm like, okay, well, I don't know how to feel, but I really do want to read it because

[00:16:45] I think it's going to be awesome.

[00:16:46] I just haven't been able to get into it yet.

[00:16:49] Right.

[00:16:50] That makes sense.

[00:16:51] Okay.

[00:16:51] Well, it's on my general list.

[00:16:55] Okay.

[00:16:56] And I am optimistic.

[00:16:59] Yeah, it's like summer camp.

[00:17:00] I mean, everyone talks about how great it is.

[00:17:01] Yeah, like a little girl goes missing.

[00:17:04] Right.

[00:17:04] And you know, I mean, it sounds good.

[00:17:07] It's a thriller, obviously.

[00:17:09] Okay.

[00:17:10] My next one is a lighter read, Better Left Unsent by Leah Lewis.

[00:17:15] That's a romance.

[00:17:16] For years, Millie has vented her true feelings into unsent emails, which throws her life into

[00:17:22] chaos when they all accidentally get sent.

[00:17:25] Wow.

[00:17:26] And wow, that sounds terrifying.

[00:17:29] Yeah.

[00:17:30] Also, just create the draft.

[00:17:32] Don't put the person's email address in the-

[00:17:34] Right.

[00:17:35] Who does that?

[00:17:37] That's like an anxiety of mine.

[00:17:39] Like I'm not going to put-

[00:17:41] I'm going to type my email.

[00:17:42] If it's something that I'm concerned about, I'm going to type my email without-

[00:17:46] Exactly.

[00:17:47] No email address in the to field.

[00:17:50] That is the last thing to go in that email.

[00:17:53] Yep.

[00:17:53] Yep, yep, yep.

[00:17:56] Oh.

[00:17:57] Hmm.

[00:17:57] What was the main character's name?

[00:17:59] Millie.

[00:17:59] Oh, Millie.

[00:18:02] Okay.

[00:18:03] This is my last one.

[00:18:04] Was that your last one?

[00:18:06] So-

[00:18:07] How many have you done?

[00:18:08] You've done like 20.

[00:18:09] No, I'm just kidding.

[00:18:09] I did eight and then Is She Really Going Out With Him was one of mine, but you did it.

[00:18:13] So I think-

[00:18:14] Okay.

[00:18:16] How am I on the last one?

[00:18:17] Oh, no.

[00:18:17] I was nine.

[00:18:18] I have one more.

[00:18:19] Is that right?

[00:18:20] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.

[00:18:25] And then I'm not doing Is She Really Going Out With Him because you did it.

[00:18:29] So I have one more.

[00:18:30] You have backups.

[00:18:31] Yeah.

[00:18:31] Okay.

[00:18:31] I didn't have backups.

[00:18:34] Okay.

[00:18:34] Anyway, my last book is one that I think has been out for like a year or two, but I bought

[00:18:42] a physical copy of it when I was in Iceland and it's by an Icelandic author, two Icelandic

[00:18:48] authors and it's called Reykjavik by Ragnar Yonason and Katrin Jakobsdolter.

[00:18:57] Okay.

[00:18:58] I don't know if I said that right.

[00:18:59] Yeah, I don't know.

[00:19:00] But it is a thriller and I don't know.

[00:19:05] I'm just really excited about the book.

[00:19:06] It's right here behind me.

[00:19:09] It's beautiful.

[00:19:10] It is beautiful.

[00:19:11] It has like Northern Lights and this beautiful, but apparently Katrin Jakobsdolter is or was

[00:19:21] like their prime minister or something.

[00:19:24] Remember how I told you that like some ridiculous percentage of Icelanders have written a book?

[00:19:29] Yeah.

[00:19:29] Well, she's one of them and she just does everything apparently.

[00:19:34] Sounds pretty cool.

[00:19:35] But yeah, the cover says, what happened to Lara?

[00:19:41] I don't know.

[00:19:42] I'll have to find out and let you know.

[00:19:43] But fun fact about Iceland names is Icelanders don't have like surnames like we do.

[00:19:52] Your last name is Kulan.

[00:19:54] Mine is Freeman.

[00:19:55] They don't have that.

[00:19:56] They take on the name of their father.

[00:20:01] So for Ragnar, his father's name is Jonas.

[00:20:07] And so he's Jonas' son.

[00:20:09] Ah.

[00:20:10] And then for women, her father's name is Jakob.

[00:20:14] I assume I'm saying this right.

[00:20:15] And so her name is Jakob's daughter.

[00:20:19] Yeah.

[00:20:20] What?

[00:20:21] Yeah.

[00:20:21] And so like Ragnar's kid's name will be whatever Ragnarsson.

[00:20:28] That's crazy.

[00:20:30] Yeah.

[00:20:31] And they have a, their government has like a list of approved names.

[00:20:35] I knew that.

[00:20:36] I knew that.

[00:20:37] And you can't name them.

[00:20:38] You can't name them something else.

[00:20:39] And some lady like tried to one time and it was a whole big.

[00:20:45] I totally did.

[00:20:46] I've never heard that.

[00:20:47] I did not know that fact.

[00:20:48] I didn't know that until I went.

[00:20:50] But I think it's fascinating.

[00:20:51] That is fascinating.

[00:20:52] So like.

[00:20:53] It kind of gives.

[00:20:56] Well they.

[00:20:56] I think they can choose the mom's name now.

[00:21:01] Maybe.

[00:21:02] So like if I was a single mom.

[00:21:04] It gives Handmaid's Tale.

[00:21:05] A little bit.

[00:21:06] Because you know how they're like.

[00:21:08] What is it?

[00:21:10] Of Fred.

[00:21:12] Oh yeah.

[00:21:12] Of Fred.

[00:21:13] And of whatever.

[00:21:15] Yes.

[00:21:15] Yes.

[00:21:16] But that is.

[00:21:17] No no.

[00:21:17] I know.

[00:21:17] It just.

[00:21:18] When you first said it.

[00:21:19] It gave that vibe.

[00:21:20] I mean I understand it's not.

[00:21:21] Yeah.

[00:21:22] Handmaid's Tale is about possession.

[00:21:24] This is.

[00:21:25] No no.

[00:21:25] I understand.

[00:21:26] I know.

[00:21:26] I know you do.

[00:21:27] It just initially.

[00:21:27] That's where my brain went.

[00:21:28] I do get that.

[00:21:29] That is kind of funny.

[00:21:30] But I think it's cool.

[00:21:32] So you have to really make sure that you name your son something decent.

[00:21:35] Because all of their future children are kind of.

[00:21:39] Have their.

[00:21:39] Yeah.

[00:21:39] I know.

[00:21:40] I know.

[00:21:41] And like I think.

[00:21:43] They can now choose the mom's name if they want.

[00:21:45] I'm not positive.

[00:21:46] I bet that's not done very much.

[00:21:48] Probably not.

[00:21:49] But like if I was a single mom.

[00:21:51] Sure.

[00:21:51] And I had kids.

[00:21:52] It would be like.

[00:21:53] You know.

[00:21:56] Katrine Jamie's daughter.

[00:21:59] Yeah.

[00:22:00] Or whatever.

[00:22:01] I don't know.

[00:22:02] My name is not approved over there.

[00:22:04] Right.

[00:22:05] I'm sure my name is not either.

[00:22:09] I don't know.

[00:22:09] It sounds Icelandic to me.

[00:22:11] I don't know what you're talking about.

[00:22:13] All right.

[00:22:14] Let me tell you.

[00:22:15] Again.

[00:22:16] I don't know if this is.

[00:22:17] I'm just going to go with it.

[00:22:18] Okay.

[00:22:19] I counted them.

[00:22:20] So I think I still have.

[00:22:21] Whatever.

[00:22:21] If it's.

[00:22:22] If we've gone over.

[00:22:23] It's fine.

[00:22:23] Okay.

[00:22:23] I'm going to do another holiday read.

[00:22:25] This one is called.

[00:22:26] All I want is you.

[00:22:27] By Fallon Ballard.

[00:22:29] Oh my God.

[00:22:30] That's a great name.

[00:22:31] Fallon Ballard.

[00:22:33] Fallon Ballard.

[00:22:34] It's fun to say.

[00:22:35] It is.

[00:22:36] Folks.

[00:22:36] Pause your podcast now.

[00:22:38] And say Fallon Ballard.

[00:22:40] Because it's fun.

[00:22:41] Okay.

[00:22:44] Well Fallon Ballard wrote.

[00:22:46] All I want is you.

[00:22:47] Which is about.

[00:22:49] Ex.

[00:22:50] Professional rivals.

[00:22:52] Just one bed.

[00:22:53] What could go wrong?

[00:22:54] Of course.

[00:22:55] They're both romance writers.

[00:22:57] And so.

[00:22:58] He breaks up with her.

[00:23:00] And she's like devastated.

[00:23:01] And then somehow they go to.

[00:23:03] I don't know what the deal is at Christmas.

[00:23:05] But they end up having to be in the same.

[00:23:07] Either hotel or whatever.

[00:23:09] And there's only one room left.

[00:23:10] And there's like a blizzard.

[00:23:11] And he is a romance writer.

[00:23:13] But his whole thing is that.

[00:23:15] They don't end happily ever after.

[00:23:18] And she's like.

[00:23:20] What is it?

[00:23:21] It's what he's good at after all.

[00:23:24] Oh that sounds fun.

[00:23:26] I'm.

[00:23:26] I'm starting to.

[00:23:28] I've started to read a few Christmas books already.

[00:23:31] I haven't gotten.

[00:23:31] I haven't started yet.

[00:23:32] I'm very anti.

[00:23:34] Anything Christmas before Thanksgiving.

[00:23:36] Except for books.

[00:23:37] Like for whatever reason.

[00:23:39] Okay.

[00:23:39] I can read Christmas books whenever I want.

[00:23:41] Yes.

[00:23:42] Yes.

[00:23:42] But if you put that Christmas music on before Thanksgiving Day.

[00:23:45] I will be angry.

[00:23:47] Or excuse me.

[00:23:48] Before Black Friday.

[00:23:49] Because Christmas music on Thanksgiving.

[00:23:51] Is just rude to Thanksgiving.

[00:23:53] I'm not interested in that either.

[00:23:56] Well.

[00:23:57] That was fun.

[00:23:58] I'm glad that we didn't have too much overlap.

[00:24:00] Yeah.

[00:24:01] Honestly I wasn't too worried about it.

[00:24:02] Because we tend to read pretty different books.

[00:24:04] Which is.

[00:24:04] Which is a good thing.

[00:24:06] Yeah.

[00:24:06] It's kind of why this podcast works.

[00:24:08] Yeah.

[00:24:10] But I.

[00:24:11] I just want to just go read now.

[00:24:14] Like.

[00:24:14] Let's just stop everything.

[00:24:16] I know we.

[00:24:17] We have such little time.

[00:24:19] How are we going to do this?

[00:24:21] I don't know.

[00:24:23] We'll report back.

[00:24:25] But I guess.

[00:24:26] Let's talk about the tea.

[00:24:27] Yeah.

[00:24:27] Let's discuss our tea.

[00:24:29] Because it's delicious.

[00:24:30] So good.

[00:24:31] So I ordered like a.

[00:24:35] Package of.

[00:24:36] I guess it was chapters.

[00:24:38] So it's called chapters tea and co.

[00:24:40] They have the most adorable logo.

[00:24:43] And they're.

[00:24:49] Do you hear that too?

[00:24:51] The buzzing.

[00:24:52] It's just in mine.

[00:24:53] Of course it is.

[00:24:54] Okay.

[00:24:54] They have the most adorable logo.

[00:24:57] And their.

[00:24:58] Tea.

[00:24:59] Like the bag that the teas come in.

[00:25:01] Are just so beautiful.

[00:25:03] So this is obviously a.

[00:25:06] Bookish tea company.

[00:25:08] And.

[00:25:10] I ordered.

[00:25:11] I don't know if it was like.

[00:25:12] Their top eight.

[00:25:14] Sellers.

[00:25:15] Or if it was just some package.

[00:25:16] They had put together.

[00:25:18] But the one that we're drinking right now.

[00:25:19] Is magical library.

[00:25:21] Butter brew.

[00:25:23] Which gives Harry Potter.

[00:25:25] Guys.

[00:25:25] Um.

[00:25:26] There's a beautiful.

[00:25:28] Library.

[00:25:30] With a pot of tea.

[00:25:31] On the front.

[00:25:32] And this is loose leaf black tea.

[00:25:34] With butterscotch.

[00:25:35] And I will read you the back.

[00:25:38] Small batch black tea.

[00:25:40] With enchanting and velvety butterscotch.

[00:25:43] Perfect for dawn magic studies.

[00:25:45] Midday potion breaks.

[00:25:47] Twilight readings.

[00:25:48] And moonlit mysticism.

[00:25:50] Step into our cozy.

[00:25:52] Age old rendition of Merlin's library.

[00:25:55] Where magic knowledge.

[00:25:57] And the allure of ancient spells.

[00:25:59] Reign supreme.

[00:26:01] Yeah.

[00:26:02] I love everything about this.

[00:26:04] Um.

[00:26:04] Just the description.

[00:26:07] The front is a library.

[00:26:09] Like this messy library.

[00:26:10] That just has magical vibes to it.

[00:26:12] I mean.

[00:26:13] Honestly.

[00:26:14] We've looked at all the.

[00:26:15] All of the bags.

[00:26:16] That Jamie has purchased.

[00:26:19] And they're just.

[00:26:20] Detailed and beautiful.

[00:26:22] And it's such a cool idea.

[00:26:24] Also I noticed that the.

[00:26:26] Tea bags themselves.

[00:26:28] Say a story in every cup.

[00:26:30] Which I thought was a cute little addition.

[00:26:31] Oh that is cute.

[00:26:32] I didn't notice that.

[00:26:33] Yeah.

[00:26:34] And um.

[00:26:35] It says on the back that.

[00:26:37] Well it says live your story.

[00:26:38] Read a story.

[00:26:39] Drink chapters.

[00:26:40] But it also says five percent.

[00:26:42] Of all of their profit.

[00:26:43] Is donated to mental health awareness.

[00:26:44] Oh that's so nice.

[00:26:46] So.

[00:26:46] Even better reason to drink their tea.

[00:26:49] Like y'all.

[00:26:49] Go buy from chapters.

[00:26:51] This is amazing.

[00:26:51] Very cool.

[00:26:52] Where are they out of?

[00:26:54] What's M-I?

[00:26:55] Which one is that?

[00:26:56] Michigan.

[00:26:56] Yeah.

[00:26:57] Cool.

[00:26:59] They're out of.

[00:27:01] I don't know how to say the city.

[00:27:04] It's got letters that shouldn't go together.

[00:27:09] Yipsalanti.

[00:27:11] I know you're like.

[00:27:12] Like let me see it.

[00:27:13] I'll know how to pronounce this.

[00:27:14] No.

[00:27:17] Somewhere in Michigan.

[00:27:18] Yeah.

[00:27:19] It's out of somewhere in Michigan.

[00:27:20] Yep.

[00:27:20] Sure is.

[00:27:21] Mm-hmm.

[00:27:23] Anyway.

[00:27:23] They came up in my Instagram feed.

[00:27:25] I love it.

[00:27:27] Instagram.

[00:27:27] It was meant to be.

[00:27:28] Instagram knows how to market me.

[00:27:30] It was meant to be.

[00:27:31] They did a good job.

[00:27:32] And I can't wait to try more.

[00:27:34] I'm looking forward to it.

[00:27:35] Yeah.

[00:27:36] Well on that note.

[00:27:37] Let's get to reading.

[00:27:38] Cheers.

[00:27:39] Cheers.

[00:27:40] Cheers.