The Hold List

Listen to episode 28, mate! 

This is our last episode before we take an extended break.  Take a listen to the show to hear what's going on. 

We review, "After We Were Stolen" by Brooke Beyfuss.  Is this book darker than it's cover?  

Published July 19th 2022.  388 pages.  

Goodreads gives this 3.91 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Is Mel ready to join a cult after reading this? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Books mentioned include: 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Thank you for all the support in 2022!  We end this year with Episode 27.  Mel recaps her top 10 books that she read this past year.  They include:

The fix is in for Episode 26... pass it on. 

We review, "The Magic Christmas" by Jamie Suzanne.  Yes, the young teen book.  Yes, the Sweet Valley Twins.  Yes, Mel is an adult. 

Published December 1st 1992.  247 pages.  

Goodreads gives this 4.05 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? Is her own sister the perfect partner to fight wizards? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Books mentioned include: 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Jump and jive to Episode 25! 

We review, "Unlikely Animals" by Annie Hartnett.  Love the book cover on this one, but that's not all to love.  

Published April 12th 2022.  368 pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.14 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? What is her dream animal to own? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Books mentioned include: 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Knock on a rich persons door to get Episode 24... 

We review, "The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. 

Published September 1st 2020.  376 pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.23 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating? And could there be a literal cliff hanger?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Books mentioned include: 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Between you and me, it's episode 23!  

We review, "Seasparrow" by Kristin Cashore.  It's the fifth novel as part of the Graceling Realm series.  

Published November 1st 2022.  624 pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.39 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  And why does Mel love a good fantasy novel that involves boats?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Similar books include:

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Episode 22 if you're feeling blue!  Maybe I need to find a better rhymes... 

We review, "Poster Girl" by Veronica Roth.  Wartime poster propaganda on the cover is always an added bonus. 

Published October 18th 2022.  288 pages. 

Goodreads gives this 3.76 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Is there a common theme with Veronica Roth books?   

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to?  Similar books include:

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Lucky 21!  In our 21st epsiode, we review, "Wake" by Shelley Burr.  Since it's a Thanksgiving holiday, we're going to take a break for the rest of the week and will be back next week with new reviews.  

Published August 30th 2022.  368 pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.07 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  And why does Mel keep selecting books about missing children?? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

The big 2-0!  In our 20th epsiode, we reviews, "Heartless" by Marissa Meyer. 

Published November 8th 2016.  464 Pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.08 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Why does Mel want to be Marissa's best friend after seeing her at a local library? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Other books mentioned:

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Episode 19 is here - we review, "The Family Next Door" by Sally Hepworth.  

Published March 6th, 2018.  335 Pages. 

Goodreads gives this 3.84 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Will Mel ever be able to sleep at night without this nightmare scenario crossing her head?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Other books mentioned: 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

this week Mel reads and reviews, "Spells for Forgetting" by Adrienne Young.  

Published September 27th, 2022.  352 Pages. 

Goodreads gives this 4.06 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Will Mel want to forget this book, or will she want to read more?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

This week Mel reads and reviews the new novel, "Gone Dark" by Amanda Panitch.

Published April 12th, 2022, 448 pages.  

Goodreads gives this 3.74 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Is she stocking up on food and water as we speak? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

We're back to normal, and this week Mel reads and reviews, "Signal Fires" by Dani Shapiro.  

Goodreads gives this 4.2 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  What is the one distracting thing that detracts from the book?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

It's our SPOOKY Halloween Episode 15!  We switch roles and Ryan reviews, "Night of the Living Dummy" by R.L. Stine.  Who is the real dummy (don't answer that question).  

Goodreads gives this 3.84 out of 5, would Ryan take the over or under on that rating?  Can this book be enjoyed by an adult?  Does Ryan count as an adult??  

Would Ryan recommend this book to her book club... or his kids?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Episode 14 is another fantasy book - we review, "Skyward" by Brandon Sanderson.  From what Mel tells me, the talking ship it he best character in the entire book. 

Goodreads gives this 4.5 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  What does the voice of the ship sound like in her head?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Episode 13 is here!  We review the fantasy book, "Defend the Dawn" by Brigid Kemmerer.  Get ready for flowers, boats and pirates.  

Goodreads gives this 4.39 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Is it a pirates life for Mel?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show and give us something to talk about during the next episode.  

Episode 12 is here - we review, "Before She Was Found" by Heather Gudenkauf.  

Goodreads gives this 3.92 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Will she remove all electronics away from our kids before the end of the show?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show.  I think even bad reviews will help people find this podcast, so feel free to give Ryan a piece of your bookmark. 

Episode 11!  We review, "Our Missing Hearts" by author Celeste Ng. 

Goodreads gives this 4.09 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  What does she like about this, and what one thing drove her crazy?  

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the reviews on Apple Podcasts! We could always use more - it will help new listeners discover this show.  I think even bad reviews will help people find this podcast, so feel free to give Ryan a piece of your bookmark. 

We made it to double digits - episode 10!  We review, "My Sister, the Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Goodreads gives this 3.7 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Will this book help her discover more thrillers? 

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the great (and not so great) reviews on Apple Podcasts! It has helped new listeners discover the show.  I think even bad reviews will help people find this podcast, so feel free to give Ryan a piece of your bookmark.  

We review the classic, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. 

Goodreads gives this 4.14 out of 5, would Mel take the over or under on that rating?  Did we ever find Charlotte on Instagram?

Would Mel recommend this book to her book club... or her mom?

What similar books would we compare this to? 

Thank you to all the great (and not so great) reviews on Apple Podcasts! It has helped new listeners discover the show.  I think even bad reviews will help people find this podcast, so feel free to give Ryan a piece of your bookmark.