Yap Session Pt2

[00:00:01] This is the Mahogany Books Podcast Network. Get out of here, Jo.

[00:00:36] It's so embarrassing. Oh. Oh. Yeah, you are. Oh my God, he's still here. Boy, I really hope that it didn't catch you. They can't hear you. But can they? Damn, this is bullshit. Now it just seems like we're talking to ourselves. Correct. We're talking to the producer behind the scenes right now, guys. And he won't get off the screen.

[00:01:05] You muted yourself, too. You rat bastard. Now I can unmute myself. Yeah. What the hell? Oh my God. I was muted this whole time. Alex, unmute yourself. Yeah, girl. He's trying to silence us. Get out of here. Oh, he's just popping in like- Scram. He's popping in from time to time like a haint in the night. Please. Like a haint in the summertime. A haint is crazy. We're just trying to record our podcast.

[00:01:35] It's just so hard. That's all we're trying to do. Welcome back to another episode of the The Reading Black Girls Podcast. If you made it here today, you're in for a silly treat. And I don't want to hype it up too much. Like we're going to be talking. We're going to be talking a little bit about some stuff today. We're just going to be talking because we always talk.

[00:02:02] We just be talking about books, talking about stuff. Nothing crazy. Just a- Just a little yap sesh. Yeah, you can turn this up to 1.3, 1.5. You driving in the car. You walking your dog. You walking somewhere. You're commuting. Thanks for listening. We appreciate you greatly. We do. Well, I'm Nish.

[00:02:31] I'm Alex. I'm Kayla. I'm Aziza. And we're the Reading Black Girls. Caught Kayla way off guard. I was like, oh, wait. She mumbled for a second. She almost forgot the script. I was like, oh, hello? Wait. Well, because I realized that we was already talking. For real. You know? And we didn't introduce nobody. We might have listeners.

[00:03:00] Like, we're yapping, but who are we? Yeah. Who's doing the talking? Who's doing the talking? Anyways. What y'all got? Anybody got a beverage? You know this morning. I got water. Just a water. You know, I've got my ice coffee that I make myself. Because no one can make my ice coffee as good as I can make my ice coffee. Okay? I just love that you have to put it in like a...

[00:03:29] Is that a reusable cup or a to-go cup? It's a to-go cup. No. It's a to-go cup. She has a whole stack of them on her... Yeah, she keeps that on deck. Yeah. On her beverage cart. Only to feel like you're getting it from a coffee. It's an incentive not to go to... And I was about to say local coffee shop. Girl, local coffee shop is Dunkin'. I don't want Dunkin' coffee because it's just there's no quality control.

[00:03:58] It's either miss or hit. Like, it's no in between. That's so funny. There's no consistency. Kayla's on the... Right. Kayla's on one side of the Dunkin' spectrum. And then Aziz is on the whole other side of the Dunkin' spectrum. She loves Dunkin'. But unfortunately, we've had the same experience. Because yeah, it's either a hit or a miss. And when it's a miss... It's a miss. Oh my god. It's a miss. It's bad. It's a miss. Like, I be wanting to drop to my knees.

[00:04:25] You ever just take a sip of your Dunkin' coffee and you're just like, oh my god. I don't even want this. So irritated. And you've already driven away. Correct. So you can't, you know, have them fix it. You can't fix it yourself. You don't have all the pumps. You don't have the syrup. You're going to be there looking silly, pouring sugar granules into your coffee when you need syrup. It's just... Yeah. So...

[00:04:54] It's just a mess. Part of my lore... First world problems. I was a... Part of my lore, I was a barista at a Starbucks in a Barnes & Noble. I know it sounds like she's lying, but this is the truth. This is actually real. But this is true. I know. That's really happening. That's really happening. A very short stint. So I know how to make a solid iced coffee. I do. I do. I do. So...

[00:05:23] She stole all the recipes. I sure did. Ran out of there. Ran out the door. Yeah. Ran out there. Okay. So... Yeah. Okay, so Kayla has her coffee. Oh. And the rest of us have water. Nice. Well... Water is good for you. It's the elixir of life. Yeah. You need... We need a drink more. You ever look at someone and you're like, have you had water today? Today? Some people haven't had water in weeks.

[00:05:53] Oh my God. In weeks. That's so unfortunate. No. They like it. They're like, it's fine. I'm just gonna get a little Pepsi, a little Mountain Dew. And I'm like, switch it up. You need a Powerade in there. Get some electrolytes. Honestly, though, that just means that they have not seen that news article of that lady where all she had been drinking was Coke for years. And you know how many kidney stones she had? I was about to say to me kidney stones, honey.

[00:06:23] Probably like 13 at least. Oh, honey, I think it was over 100. So I was right. I said it hurt least. That sounds like it hurts real bad. But I get... The thing is, a nice cold Coke. I do understand. Lemon Coke. With some lemon or lime here. They do call it a fridge cig and I get it. Because that is gonna take the edge off. Who calls it that? You've never heard anyone call a Coke? A fridge cig? Yeah. Oh, I've never heard of that. I love that.

[00:06:53] Yeah. I love that. It takes the edge off of a hard day. It's just like strong enough. But like, I don't know. It's refreshing. It has a lot of qualities. I really understand people who drink Cokes every single day. Like, I would love to be that person, but I just can't. But I get why people drink... A mini Coke? It's too much sugar. Every day is still crazy. It's a lot of sugar. Even that every day.

[00:07:20] People drink Diet and Coke Zero. Oh, Zero. Yeah. Because they still want the Coke taste. They're just like, I don't want all the sugar. Well, let me... But TPH, it tastes pretty close to the regular Coke taste. And after you... Once you get to it, yeah. After you drink it for a while... It tastes exactly the same. You're like, there's no difference. Well, then the regular Coke is too sweet. Like, I had a regular Coke last week. I had a sip. I said, oh my gosh. Did you feel your sugar spike? Oh, yeah. Your glucose. Heart racing and whatnot.

[00:07:50] Caffeine causing through my veins. I'll be honest, though. Whenever the places are like, oh, zero sugar, but it still tastes sweet. I don't get it. It's kind of like the bridge thing, Nish. I don't get... No, it is. How they build bridges. I don't get... Yeah, Nish and I have watched a plethora of videos. We've read articles. We still don't get it.

[00:08:14] But I also still don't get how a zero sugar beverage can be sweet. A sweetener. It's a non-sugar sweetener. Yeah. So it's like, oh, it's not sugar, but this is still sweet. Yeah, basically. And you're still suspicious. Yeah, like, I mean, they're all not created equally. Because, like, at one point, my mom stopped using... Well, I said at one point she still does it, but she stopped using sugar.

[00:08:43] And she was like, yeah, I just use my raisins as sweetener. And I'm like... Or, like, dates. I guess. Now, date syrup and date syrup. Don't get her started on dates, please. No, I love a date. Date syrup is snack. I love date syrup. And honestly, it's about the same price as honey. So I don't want to hear none of that. Honey is so good. That's real. Yeah, like, honey, agave, date syrup. Honey is delicious. They're all pretty much the same price. That is nature's nectar, actually.

[00:09:13] Honey's getting really expensive. But it's because of the bees. The bees are dying. The bees are being murdered. No. I'm not going to get started. Say how it actually is. I'm not going to get in business. This is our soapbox, people. But please, y'all, we need those bees. Talk to your Congress people. I thought I read something that said that the bee population was starting to come back a little bit. No.

[00:09:40] I saw that at one point, and then it was deteriorating again because they're using pesticides that kill them when they're spraying our crops. Talk to your Congress people, everyone. Get the farmers to stop using deadly pesticides. They're killing the bees. Call them up, y'all. Us, too. But the bees, call them. Call your Congress people. Call your senators. How are they going to keep the pests off the fruits and vegetables?

[00:10:08] I don't know, but there's other options. You just got to buy organic. Just get out there. Aziza, get out there and solve this problem. I'm so serious. I'm so serious. No, someone who's qualified needs to solve this problem because we believe in science around here. You get it, Kayla. You're a scientist. We believe in science around here. Hey, this is not even what we were supposed to be talking about.

[00:10:37] But I love this advocation for the bees. Yeah. You know I go hard for bees. And all pollinators. They're important. In particular. And we love abortion. Yeah. So. Bees and abortion. You're right. You're right. And everything else in between. Right. Everything else in between. From bees to abortion. Yep. Just a spectrum. Just rights. Just rights in general. We love them. Now.

[00:11:08] Speaking of rights. And the right to read. Okay. We came here to talk about books. Thank you. We came here to talk about books. We came here to tell y'all a little bit about some books we've been reading. Talk to each other about the books we've been reading. And we're going to also touch on some things that we're really looking forward to coming out this year. So. Not everyone go at once.

[00:11:36] But I am very excited to hear about what y'all have been reading and what you've been loving. Okay. Okay. I'll start. Everybody please. Just I'll start. Okay. Yeah. Z. The first. Book I read. Well. I don't know why I said the first. That's not true. But the first book that I'm going to convince y'all to read. Is Where the Wildflowers Grow. By Tara Shelton Harris. I kept seeing that book.

[00:12:07] Everywhere. And I just. Didn't. Like think anything of it. Because it reminded me of another book. But I randomly picked it up. I don't know if someone recommended it to me. Did one of you? Yeah. That sounds about right. It was recommended to me. And it was just such a surprising breath of fresh air. Like it was such a beautiful book. It's contemporary fiction. Which I never read. But it's contemporary fiction.

[00:12:37] It's some solid contemporary bullshit. I know, right? It's very contemporary. And it's basically. Escaped convict. Flower farm. Healing. Trauma. Self-discovery. Love. Question mark? Abuse. Exclamation point. Right. Time. Need I say more? No. The law.

[00:13:06] Patience. Yeah. We can keep. You know what? I'm going to go with going. There's so many things. It has so many. I actually gave a. That was really good. For anyone who's actually. It was. You know what I just gave. That was good. Okay. So that was your. Your non-spoiler. Or out of context. Clues? They weren't even clues. I basically gave you. What the book was about. I just used words. Instead of sentences. Okay. Okay.

[00:13:36] I thought that'd be more fun. And if any of those words. Jumped out at you. Which I feel like. Escaped convict. Should have. You should just read it. Mm-hmm. Is she the escape convict? Yes. Oh. I like that. I thought. When you said escape convict. I'm like. Oh. A man. It starts with no. I know for a fact you did it Alex. Oh. Because that was a surprise to me. I might have just said it started with a bus crash. Yeah. You did say it started with a bus crash. And I was like. Escape convict. I was just like. What kind of bus? Bus crash.

[00:14:05] Why was she on it? Why was she on a bus? Where was she on a bus? Well. Let me tell you. She was going to the store. You find out. Like the beginning just starts off very strong. And it immediately draws you in. And then it actually kind of. Slows down. And it's like you're going on a nice. Literally like a. Like a. Like a. Hallmark movie. It's like very sweet. Yes. But not. But not corny.

[00:14:35] But not corny. Not corny. And. Yeah. Very wholesome. It was a very. Wholesome story. And. You know. I went in raw. My favorite thing to do. I didn't know what it was about. Right. You just see a girl laying on some flowers. That's the cover. Well. And it's very pretty. Laying on flowers. Like looking up. Oh. It's a gorge book. The cover is very pretty. But. Yeah. I. I loved that one. It was. It was very good. I thought it was excellent.

[00:15:04] And I'm going to read another one of her books. So. Okay. Put that one on your TBR. TBR. It's definitely on my TBR. I just have to be in the mood for it. I actually have it on Libby. That's real. You know. Oh. Listen to me. Yeah. Make sure you're in the mood. Just start it. Make sure you're in the mood. Or you won't give it a fair chance. You know what. I'll just start it. I will. You will hear shortly about where I've been. And what I've been doing. Reading. So. Oh my. Well come to the front sister.

[00:15:33] It seemed like you got something. You need to get off your chest. Oh. Y'all know. What's going on Kayla? It's just been a lot going on this year. I have not been reading. Works been a lot. Studying for this licensing exam. So I have not been reading. The books that I have read though. Recently. I've been in a thriller mood. Okay. I finally finished. S.A. Cosby's catalog. I finished My Darkest Barrier in Blacktop Wasteland.

[00:16:03] And let me tell you. I was having a time. Okay. Having a great time. So. That's. That's where I was. I was. I was in the car. Driving away from a robbery. I was trying to. Also figure out. Why the pastor was killed. Who killed the pastor? It was. The pastor? In the small. In my small Virginia town. It was a lot going on in the small Virginia town. That's always a lot going on. A lot of secrets. Yes. Lots of secrets. Lots of.

[00:16:34] What's going on. I see why so many people. Rave about My Darkest Prayer. That's my favorite. I see. That one is fire. And that's the last book I read by him. So I'm like. That was it. That was one of the things. I. Yeah. Yeah. And then Blacktop Wasteland. So much. So engaging. So intriguing. Sometimes you have to be a part of a robbery to support your family. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Priority. Getaway driver. Sometimes you do.

[00:17:04] Yes. Yes. So. Right. I've been in a thriller mood and following with the tradition of thriller. Something that just happened. Which I wonder. Can you call this a thriller? I think it's more mystery than anything. I read Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson. Oh, I'll be the judge of that. Yeah. I just finished it yesterday. And let me tell you. And you didn't say anything. I didn't say anything. No. I didn't. That's insane. Yeah. I told you. I've been. I was listening that casually.

[00:17:32] Cut the camera. This is one of my high. Most. Highly rated. Yeah. Highly rated. Reads. From this year. Yeah. And you have the nerve to not even say anything to me that you were reading. I didn't know. I am hurt. It was one of your highly rated reads. That's because you don't care about me. Oh my God. And my list. My God. Anyways. No for realsies. Yeah. If y'all have not read Judge Stone.

[00:18:02] And most importantly, if you have not listened to Judge Stone. Because Viola Davis narrated it too. Meh. And I just was imagining her. That was good. I was just imagining her as Judge Stone. It was a great. She was running that courtroom. She was running that courtroom. She was running around the town. It was so much going on. They incorporated so many different topics. Abortion. Land ownership. Land ownership. Land ownership. Mm-hmm. Theft of black land ownership. Racism. Mm-hmm. Abortion.

[00:18:33] It was crazy. It was incredible. Great time. That was a really good courtroom. Putting that. It was like a courtroom drama slash. Nice. A thriller technically. Yes. And that's why I was like. I don't. I don't. It is a thriller. But it wasn't like. Super. You know. Like how some. Like a legal thriller. Yes. It was a legal thriller. And I think this is the first time. That I've read a legal thriller. So. I enjoyed it. Oh like. Law and Order. Okay.

[00:19:03] Yeah. Yes. Yes. But instead of like the cops. It's the judge. And like the court rumors. Like. I don't know. It's almost like you're getting the case. Like you're. You're also on the case. Like you're trying to. Figure out what's going on. She just wants to figure out. What really happened. In a sense. Yeah. Kind of. It was really interesting. Much.

[00:19:32] I don't want to say too much. It was really good. Highly recommend. But just know. Our girl was. She's in danger girl. She was walking. Jesus. In that courtroom. She was in that courtroom. People falling in. She was like. Yeah. This is my. This is my shit. This is my. Right. I know. That's right. No. That was. I really liked that. Yeah. That was you doing with the gavel. Yeah. Many times. She was banging that gavel. Many times. Oh my. Okay. Who's next?

[00:20:04] Me. Okay. Yeah. I'll go. Don't worry. Um. Okay. This is one of my most. Recent reads. Like I. I think I finished it in the past. Like day or so. Pretty much. It is. Fairfield County. By. Delaina R. A. Dameron. Um. This is a book that was. Posthumously. Published.

[00:20:34] She passed. I think last year. Um. But let me tell y'all something. This book's so good. This book is so good. Okay. First of all. You know we love a generational. Like saga. Okay. So number one. You get some generational. Stuff in there. Um. You get some cowboys. Okay. Black cowboys. You also get. Like. A young girl. Kind of.

[00:21:04] Finding her. Own. Finding herself. Becoming who she wants to be. Despite. What her father. Or her grandfather. Have to say about it. Because you know cowboys. Is boys. Okay. Is not cowgirls. All the time. Oh. But. It was really really good. Like it was really. Touching. And I really liked. The flow. Of. Kind of finding about. The grandfather. And the grandma. And then like. How they came to have that land. And then like. The.

[00:21:34] Son. Kind of going his own way. It was. It was good. I really liked it. What was the name of it again? Fairfield County. Remember. Shout out. Penguin Random House. Audio. Because we definitely have. Access to the audio. And shout out to Penguin Random House. For sending us the. Physical art. Yes. And the audio is really good. That's where I listen to it actually. Penguin Random House. Audio. Shout out y'all. But I really enjoyed it. And I think. This is just one of those. Where it's like. You kind of know. What you're getting.

[00:22:04] A little bit. Because it's that generational. Like kind of. You know. Coming into your own. Type. Type. Vibe. But. I really. Really liked. The. I feel like. Background that she had. In like. Being a horseman. And like a cowboy. Cowgirl. Like that type of stuff. Like the behind the scenes stuff. And like how rodeos. And stuff work too. So I learned some things. I learned. I really like that one. You better learn. I can get behind that. Yeah. It's like.

[00:22:33] Black folks in country go. Hand in hand. Hand in hand. Way, way, way, way, way back. Yeah. Okay. Further back than some others. Yeah. It's just fun reading about. Or like learning about. Different types of black people. Different types of black communities. It's always fun. And in history. Like. Yes. Eat that up every time. Shine a light on that every time. Gastic spotlight. Yeah. Alex.

[00:23:03] What you got girl? Okay. Well. One of the. Best books I feel like. I've read in 2026. It's got to be. Miss Connections. By Tia Williams. I just feel like. We're not talking about it enough. I just feel like. People aren't reading it fast enough. I get it. There's some other good romances. Out this year. But I think Miss Connections. Is. Like. Up there. And it like. It's Tia's. Normal stuff. But she takes it further. There in this book. Like she does it. She takes it further.

[00:23:32] I think it was just so much. I think it was just so fun to me. And like. Specifically this book. Focuses on like. Just. Like. A girl with. A woman. I should say. With like. A really bad case of anxiety. Like. She's had a bunch of. Trauma happened in her past. And she's just living with it. So she has a little bit of anxiety. She's getting over her. Agoraphobia. So she was like. Locked in her apartment. For like. A year or so. Jeez. And then she's just trying to like.

[00:24:02] Tap back into life. Like she's just trying to live again. And it's like. Sometimes you need some like. Self-motivation to get back outside. Like. And. And she kind of focuses on. This guy she met on. A plane. On. And. We've heard her talk about this plot. And like. I don't want to ruin it. But. It may not. Like. The plot of the book. Isn't exactly what you think it is. And that's why it's so fun to me. Like. You really have to keep going. You have to kind of pay attention. To who she's talking to. To how she's talking to them.

[00:24:31] And then you then get the real plot of the book. Maybe like. Okay. Because like. 40%. I was definitely seeing some fan art. And I was like. That's. This might be a slight spoiler. Those are two men. Two men. There's two men in that picture with that woman. Hold on. Period. Now I gotta see what we talking about. Yeah. Yeah. We have to move that up. And like. I wish I could talk about it more. But I don't want to ruin that. Like. You know. Yeah. Okay. At the end. So. Like. Who will she end up with? I mean.

[00:25:00] It's obviously. She's gonna like. Discover more things about herself. And grow within herself. Which I love so. So. So much. But it's also like. The guy that she does end up with. Is learning about himself as well. Just like I love with all of her books. Like. You don't just love them together. As a couple. You really love. Like. The MC. The characters separately. And the other. Right. And you love their own arcs. I really love them. Individually and together. But that book really stood out. And I really need more people to talk about it. So if you guys could read that book. At your earliest convenience. That'd be great.

[00:25:31] We'll do. Okay. Period. We got your request. We'll send it up. The chain. Right. HR will get back to you. HR got it. No. That's definitely on my list though. And we were just going one book for one book. Are Kayla's the two books? Because look. I have another one. Oh. Right. Let's talk about it. Yeah. On Sundays. She picked flowers. By Yaya Schofield. Ooh. Spooky.

[00:26:01] Another. Oh my. God. Yeah. It was another. I'm in my like. Flowers. I'm just doing. Finally getting to my. Era. I actually have been doing whatever. I'm not even going to sit here. I love that. My Libby looks crazy. But I've been having a good time. Yes. That book. That was. I knew it was a five star. Like. I think by the first. Chapter. I knew it was a five star read. And it stayed that way through. First of all. Southern Gothic horror.

[00:26:31] Scary. Yeah. That is scary. Little scary. But I mean. Beautiful. First of all. This was also her debut. Oh. Shocking. I'm scared of authors. Very. Really like. Come out swinging on the debut. I'm scared too. I'm scared. And let me tell you. She hit me with the left hook. Which took me by surprise. And then got me with the right hook. I said. Oh. You're like that. Yeah. It was so good. It's. Like. About this woman. She escapes.

[00:27:00] Her abusive mother. Fairly early on in the book. Like unsettled spirits. Oh. Yikes. Her own trauma. And like. Who she's turned into as a person. And then along the way. She also meets this. Other girl. And. Oh. Yes. Nice. Yes. Happy pride everyone.

[00:27:30] There is. LGBTQ. I. A plus. Representation in the book. Which was. Really great. But it. I think. When I saw. Like a description of it. It was something along the lines of like. Rivers Solomon. Meets. Oh. That's why she picked that. I think it was like. Rivers Solomon meets Tananari do. I might be making this up. Oh. I might be making this up. I was like. You locked in. I was like. Come on. Okay. The Lord sent this writer down for me. So.

[00:28:01] It was. And that's honestly what it reminded me of. Like. The spookiness. But also. The other worldly aspect. Because. It's also not just. It's not just like straight horror. There's like some. There's a creature. In this. In this story. There's a creature. And. I don't even want to give any more. Away. If you can get past it being skilly. I think. You would like. Really. Really enjoy this book. Like. It was just so well done. Felicia.

[00:28:31] Actually. My roommate. Y'all don't know her book. Our friend. Our lawyer. Felicia. She read it too. And she was like. Give me updates. Let me know what you think. Because. It's just been a five star. From everyone who's read it. You honestly could have started off saying. It was like. A mix of. To Nana Redoo. And River Solomon. And I'm like. Oh yeah. I know right. Yeah. Oh that would have got you to read it? No. No that got you. No you got her. Oh. Yes. That got us either. No that got you. Yeah. It did. It got me. Pretty quickly.

[00:29:01] And honestly. I really feel. Like. Part of me. Made that up. Like. The mix of River Solomon. To Nana Redoo. That's what reminds you of. That's the vibe. Yeah. That's the vibe. So if you do a review. That's what you need to say. I'm like. Yeah. Did I say that? Or did I read that? Don't know. But it's in my head now. That book. It was just so excellent. I couldn't put it down. I was done within. Like a few days. Of reading. I think.

[00:29:31] And I listened. Good. To it. Oh yeah. Yeah. When you can't put it down. I was. Yeah. I was like. Stop talking to me. I'm listening to my book. Right now. Okay. I'm deep in the woods. Listening. So. Definitely recommend that one. If you're. In the mood for something. A little scary. Okay. But. Yeah. Nice. I mean. It's always time. For scary. Personally. I love this summer wean trend. It's so fun. It's so fun. Summer wean. Because it's like.

[00:30:01] You should be reading romance. You should be doing this. No. You should be scared. No. Not all the time. I think. You should get some balance. Yeah. You should be scared. It's crazy. Scary things are happening in the summer. So. Oh yeah. The world is scary babe. Yeah. Look. I'm gonna be honest. And it's summer right now. So. We're trying to be outside. If I was a haint. I would also try to be outside. During the summer. Like. So. I get it. Hey.

[00:30:32] Right. Right. Agreed. Who would you. Who would you haunt Kayla? All of you. And Bruce. Obviously. Well. I think. Okay. I would assuage you. With a little shot of tequila. That's what I put out on my offering for you. Tequila. Yeah. A nice chill. What do you want? I'd chill it. Jameson. For you. No. A nice. You want a chill shot. No. I'm talking about on my little altar for her. Why would I build you an altar?

[00:31:02] But. Yeah. I would just put it. I'd be like. Here. Cheers. Kayla. On my pyre. For you. That's so thoughtful. Yes. Please. She's already dead. Please leave a shot of Jameson. For me. And. Perhaps. A book. And a bowl of pho. Thank you. A new book. And a bowl of pho. Every time. No. You can give me. No. You can just give me like a book you recommend. Yeah. It doesn't have to be new. Oh. That'd be. Okay.

[00:31:33] Okay. Burning it at the pyre for you. That's the only time I would burn a book. But all right. I didn't say you have to burn it. Yeah. But I'm not making an altar. I have a pyre. But you could write the title and the author on like a piece of paper. Yes. Yes. It's yes. Yeah. You can do that. Yeah. You don't have to burn the whole book. It's okay. You don't have to burn the whole thing. That makes more sense. I didn't know how this worked. I've never had a haint. But now. Okay. I know now. Have you ever built a pyre?

[00:32:03] No. But I wasn't concerned about that part. I've read enough books. I can build a pyre. Don't worry about that. Hey. Right. All right. Well. All right. Don't you worry. We'll get that to you. I appreciate that. Thank you very much. What else have you been reading, sisters? Yeah. Nish, what's your number two? Yes. Yeah. Nish, yeah. What's your number two? Oh, my. Oh, my. Okay. Well, actually, I've been all over the place.

[00:32:32] I can't even lie to you. That's good. There's one that I wanted to talk about, but... Scratch that bit. Nah, I think I'm going to talk about something else. Okay. You know what's so right. Go with your gut. Go with your gut. So, actually, both of the books... Let me say this. I'll mention the one that I was going to talk about, and then I'll tell you why I'm pivoting real quick. So, I finally read or listened to Last Chance Live.

[00:33:01] And, y'all, if you see the cover, you've seen it a million times. It's by Helena Haywood Henry, but it's like reality TV. That's a mouthful. Slash... Three H's? Oh, my goodness. Say that three times. Say that three times. Triple H. Quickly. Triple H. Like the wrestler. That's true. Helena Haywood Henry. Well, you know what? I love that. That's a strong name. It is.

[00:33:29] She had to be a writer or something where people had to announce her name for sure. Yeah, it'd be disappointing if she wasn't. But, anyways, this girl's on death row, and then, basically, there's a reality TV series where they take folks who are on death row, and it's your last chance to live. Oh. It's your last chance live. Like, if you win the show... Ching gang all-stars. No, no, no. Oh, no, no, no, because I DNF that. I think there was another book. There was another book that was similar like that, but I can't remember. She's been there another book you talked about of someone on death row.

[00:33:58] You talked about someone on death row. Yeah, it... I don't know if it was fighting. I know it was someone on death row. On death row, the diary. Yeah, it was like... But she didn't like that one, and she DNF'd it. I just listened to that podcast. Not you not remembering. Me not remembering. She was talking. She DNF'd it. She did not make it right. Oh, yeah, because as soon as I'm done with the book, y'all know, out the window, I need more space for stuff that I like and that I can try and remember. Like, my memory's not the best.

[00:34:26] And so anyways, that's the premise of this book, okay? Like, and it's a certain age range, too. It's only like, I think, from 16 to like 21. Like, it's young. Oh. And they're all on death row? Yes. Now, mind you, mind you, they don't have a large pool to pick from because people in that age group typically don't get life sentences.

[00:35:18] Yeah. Wait, could people choose to not participate? And just... Yes, you did. So basically, like, her lawyer came to her and, like, you waive all rights to, like, any, like, appeals or what. It was very dystopian, but also it was so... I don't even know what the word is, to be honest.

[00:35:39] Like, it was so almost, like, revealing of the just prison system in America that I literally went and I downloaded, like, three non-fictions that talk about Black women in particular in being incarcerated. Wow. Wow, Denisha. Wow. It was very impactful. I... That book was really, really good. And I'll say this. And this is a hot take.

[00:36:09] This is what Chain Gang All-Stars and that other book that we read about that one prisoner who was on death row, the star book, wanted to be. What star book? Did we read it? We didn't read. I think you just read it. No, we all read it together because we were like, what happened at the end when they was on that roller coaster? That girl, the stars and the something between us. Oh, God. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The stars and the blackness. No, no. Not that one. Of course, Amezi didn't.

[00:36:39] We read this, like, years ago. They didn't write that. They didn't write that. Yeah, they didn't write that. And they go off into the sky on the roller coaster. Yeah, it was a different. It was like magical. It was like magical realism. It wasn't. Yeah, it wasn't a mezi. It was somebody else. I don't think we've read this author again before. No. Like, this was a one and done. We read this probably in, like, 2022. Correct. I know what book. Okay. The stars and the blackness between them. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Boom.

[00:37:08] That's what I said. I just got the author wrong. Oh, yeah. We just don't want you to think that that was the author when it wasn't. That's all. No, no, no. They have other books that are just as heinous. My point is, back to my main point, this book was so freaking good. Wow, that is what you think all stars should have been. I do encourage everyone to read it.

[00:37:38] It was a lot. Because, mind you, that's just the surface. There was other stuff also going on. Like, you're finding out about, like, the crimes and, like, kind of what they, because nobody knows what one another did. You just know it's bad enough to get you on death row. Like, it was kind of crazy. And the cat, yeah, it was crazy. Wow. It sounds really good. I might have got to try that. It was really good. Now, can you... What?

[00:38:06] Can you also share the nonfiction books? Like, just separately that you downloaded? I'm so proud of you. Because I'm... Thanks. That sounds interesting. The nonfiction agenda lives on. Yeah. Let me go to my Libby. Hold on. It's got to. I'll come back to that. I gotta pull this up. Okay? Okay. Alex? Go ahead, Alex. What you got, Guru?

[00:38:30] On my number two for 2026 so far, like, best of 2026 so far, was an arc that I read. I think this book comes out later this year, but I just couldn't help but include it because it did make an impact on me. It had to be These Walls Remember by Del Sandin. Oh. Del Sandin, please come to the front, sister. I knew you were going to say that one. I mean, I think it's also because I read it at, like, a very, like, big time in my life where I needed that.

[00:38:59] Like, both The Missed Connections and These Walls Remember, I read in, like, very hard times that I've been in recently. And these books definitely helped with that. And it helped, you know, with my own introspection about my situation as well as, like, what they were going through in the book. So These Walls Remember focuses on two sisters that inherit this house. And they don't know, they really don't know who they, who the person that gave them this house was. They have no, like, memory of them.

[00:39:28] They only remember, like, their parents talking about this person. But they move into the house. It's like, I think they're in Georgia. It's like, south. It's the summertime. It's hot. This house ain't got no AC. It's really old. And like, just some crazy things start happening. Oh, but one rule they got when they inherited the house. Don't go in the attic. Period. Just that. Real. Okay. Fair. Because what's up there.

[00:39:57] So what happened the first day they get in there? They go in the attic. You already know. They go in the attic. Yeah. There's just something telling them to go up there. Something. And then, honestly, things just go up from that. And like, the sisters are basically, like, battling the house. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my God. It's like Monster House? Kind of like Monster House. It gave me very much Cartoon Network Monster House vibes. But like, it was their house. And like, you know, those sisters didn't have nowhere else to go. One of the sisters has a daughter.

[00:40:27] Like, mind you, the sisters haven't talked in like 15 years. So they're like, you know, being around each other again. Addressing the issues that they had with each other. Battling the house in the same way. And then I think the sisters, like a strange daughter comes back in. So it's like the three of them trying to figure this out. It was just a lot. It was at a point where I was reading this book in the gym. And that's how I know it was like, really good. If I'm reading on the treadmill trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

[00:40:57] Like, I'm like, wait a second. And like, the ending was just in. Yeah, I love how Del addresses like, family trauma as well as like, familial grief. It goes like, hand in hand. And she just writes it so beautifully. And I think like, she's just an author that we really need to watch out for. Like, the two books. I know that she wrote two books back to back about a haunted house, but they're completely different.

[00:41:26] And I think that's kind of insane to be able to do that. Yeah. I love when inanimate objects are a character or like a huge plot device that's so fun and whimsy. Yeah. Yeah. Very creative. I think she goes a little bit deeper in this one. But just like, what was the book? This Cursed House. It goes like a little deeper. Like, why is the house like? I mean, just like in that book, but it's like a little bit deeper in this one. But I love it. I love the sisters.

[00:41:56] I love the family. I love how it ended. It was beautiful. 10 out of 10. You didn't have to convince me to read it because I was going to do that anyway. Oh, yeah. I knew you guys were going to read it anyways. It might have to move up the TBR. I think it would be good for your summer ween because it's like in the summertime. It's hot. Like, you feel it when you're reading it. It's like, it's like choking almost. Oh, my. Oh, Lord. Okay. Well.

[00:42:27] Sounds good to me. Perfect. You know we love Dale. Yeah. Shout out, Dale. Shout out, Dale. And I feel myself heading towards a thriller break. I can't even hold you. It's been a lot of thrillers. I've been, I feel like, in a lot of like almost like my romance bag. But I'm like, I miss my thrillers. Like, I just miss them. So. Yes. We'll be getting back to that. I think that's going to be nice to them. Get back to your roots.

[00:42:56] Get back to who I am. Damn. If we all had to go back to our roots of reading, what would they be? Thriller. I think. Yep. Thriller. Oh, yeah. Thriller, mystery. You know. I don't know what's going on. I love. Even though you always figure it out very early on in the book. That's the game. That's my favorite thing to do. Yeah. She's like, I don't know what's on. What's happening? Let me just solve the case. Mm-hmm. 27% in.

[00:43:27] I've been trying. It is the game. I'm not going to lie. That's part of the thrill for me. Oh, yeah. I love that. Can I beat the author before they reveal what's going on? I can't. But. Sometimes they be throwing me for a loop. And those are the ones you love. Oh, yeah. Those are the ones you love. Actually. Make a fool. You, Nish. No, seriously. Remind me to. Remind me to come back to that. As we talk about our books that we're looking forward to reading. Okay. Because I have one.

[00:43:57] And I actually want y'all to read it. Because it's insane. Okay. We'll remember. Kayla. What root. What are your roots? I mean, we know. His fic. Non-fiction and his fic. His fic and non-fiction. His fic and non-fiction. Are you going back to those roots at all? Um. Yeah. I told you. I haven't really been reading. So I'm really excited for. And I'm. Prayerfully. I'll pass this exam. So I can. Get back to. The things I love to do. Because it's been consuming my life in a very unhealthy way. But.

[00:44:27] Yeah. I really am ready to get back to my roots. I just started a new book. Last night. It's. The Quarter Queen. By Kayla Hardy. Oh. That's a good one. And as I was. I started like. Listening to it. I'm like. Okay. I need to find a companion non-fiction. So I can get a little bit more background on. Hoodoo. New Orleans. Hoodoo. Voodoo. Tradition. New Orleans. Like spirituality. Which is all that fun stuff.

[00:44:56] And there's a book that I have in mind. Let me see if I can. I'll mention it at some point. I think. But yeah. There's a book I have in mind. That I kind of want to tandem read. I think you guys might have seen it. It's like. It has a green cover. Please hold. But yeah. That's. That's my roots. I'm ready to get back to it. Okay. You know. So we've got. Two out of two so far. Trying to return to their roots. Alex. What are your roots sister? My roots are. Pretty. Romance.

[00:45:26] And I do like. Like gothic horror. A lot. I know that sounds crazy to say hand in hand. But. But they're great to read in tandem. Yeah. Yeah. They're like two sides of the. You know. Spectrum. I like it when they're in the same book together. Like. It could be in two separate books. Like. I think that's a winning combo. I love that. That is a good combo. Yeah. My roots.

[00:45:56] Fantasy. Fantasy. Black horror. And I. Definitely. In. I was gonna say my roots bag. But. I'm in my roots bag. Basically. You just gotta tap in. I feel like I've been reading a lot more of that. Yeah. And I'm like. Why have I been such. In such a good mood. Lately. With like. My books. It's because I'm. Like really. Yeah. And stuff that I'm. I've really been enjoying. So. Yeah. Yeah. And that's what you just gotta remember. Like. It's okay. To not be reading. The same. Oh.

[00:46:26] Absolutely. Popular book as everybody else. Like. It's fine. The books have everywhere. Read whatever you want to read. Right. Read whatever you want to read. It's not going to read it. At whatever piece you want to read it. Like you really don't. I've been reading at such a lower. Like volume than I have. In previous years. But I am like. Just trying to read books that I know I'll like. And I mean. Yes. Yeah. I didn't have that many three stars this year. So I think that really shows. Okay. Yeah. But also read it in the medium that you prefer.

[00:46:56] If you want. Yeah. If you want the physical. If you want the audio. Like. Do. It's not a race. This is just between. Like life is hard already. There's no need to keep up with what everybody else is reading. What everybody else is doing. How they're putting out their content. Or how they're. This is just a message in general. So you do what is authentic to you. Because once you start trying to keep up with everybody else. And it's fun to do trends and stuff like that.

[00:47:26] But you got to stay true to yourself. Because if you don't. It won't be enjoyable anymore. And you have to remember. That's how you'll hit a slope. In the first place. Yep. So we as TRBG encourage you. Get back to your roots. Read what you want. When you want. How you want. We approve this message. Boop. That's our campaign basically. Yes. Solid. All right. So that said.

[00:47:56] That said. Do we have things that we are looking forward to. On the horizon. What are we wanting to read? What are we like? Oh my gosh. I can't wait to read that. Or. Yeah. Let's see. There's so many books. We're just doing a little one too. Just a quick. Just a quick one. One too. Yeah. One too. You guys want me to go first? Who's going to go first?

[00:48:26] I'm thinking. I'm thinking. Go ahead Alex. I can go after you. Okay. So I'm very excited to read. The Summer Girlfriend. By Christina Forrest. We are actually reading it. For Book Club. Yes. So that's exciting. And I'm really excited to read. A Girl Like Her. By Talia Hibbert. Because I just feel like. We haven't read anything from her. Oh my. It's been a minute. I know it came out months ago. But like. Yeah. Still gotta get into that girl. You know. A girl. A girl like her. Who's her? Hello. We're gonna find out. Let's find out.

[00:48:56] Right now. Wake it up. Can't wait. That's a good one Alex. Um. Okay. I am really excited to read. One that Alex just read. These Walls Remember. By Del Sandin. Very very excited to read that. I'm also supes excited to read. Year of the Mayor. By L.D. Lewis. That one is like a dark fantasy. Like reimagining of The Little Mermaid. And it's like supposed to be queer. And like it's.

[00:49:24] It just feels right up my alley. I'm very excited. Period. Okay. Yeah. That's T. The Little Mermaid. I know. Girl. When they hit dark. You heard her. Isn't The Little Mermaid a dark tale in itself? It is. Yes. So it's like make it darker. Take. You take Little Mermaid back to her roots. Make it darker. Take her back to her roots. You know. Right. That's actually. Isn't she like sea foam or something? Yeah. She does.

[00:49:54] She's trying to see. Shout out to Hans Christian Andersen. I believe that's one of his. Oh. It is right? Yes. Yeah. I think so. I think. I think so. Oh. I. Quick little one too. What you got Kayla? Are you. Okay. Are you ready? Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm ready. What you got girl? By the way. That book I was talking about. That I kind of want to tandem read. Quarter Queen. It's called The Conjuring of America. Mojo's Mermaid's Medicine. And 400 Years of Black Women's Magic. By Lindsay Stewart.

[00:50:24] That's been on my TV. I've seen that one. And it's a stunning cover. It's been on my TBR for a minute. I walked into Barnes and Nobles with a gift card one day and I was like, should I buy it? But I didn't. And I should have them. We're getting it. Anyway. Two books that I'm really looking forward to. The first one is The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller. Right up my alley. Yeah. Black Women at Oberlin College. They're the first ones like really there and all of their trials and tribulations like his fic.

[00:50:52] It's that's literally like bread and butter for me. And there is another one that I don't know that much about, but I'm really, really excited about. Comes out later this year. It's called The Last Prince of Florence by Zoe Sivak. I hope I'm pronouncing your name right. And it's based on the true story of Alessandro D. Medici. And it follows a Black woman's secret plot to put her son on the Renaissance throne. Oh. Oh, that's fine.

[00:51:22] Most of all. Them Medici's? I love Medici fam. Yes. Get out of here. You're joking. I'm not joking, sister. I'm not joking. Oh, you go. And that's just like the first line. I'm like, yeah. She's going to get her son on the throne. And it is one way or another. Hello, plot scheme, lie, can I do what you gotta do? You gotta do what you gotta do. That's so exciting. Right. Yeah. That sounds really good. Well, that's on my list too. That's a fire title too. Get it on the list.

[00:51:51] Yeah, it is. I'm like, yeah, this is. I said Florence. Florence. I love when we like find some like very niche his fic. Like I think of Vanessa Riley, Fire, Sword, and Sea, like Black Pirates of the Caribbean. I know no Black Pirates of the Caribbean. Yeah. Like, and now. They should adapt that book into a movie. They should. They should. Now that. So well, I would be here for. Yes. Yeah. Like Tortuga.

[00:52:20] I love a little, a nice niche black his fic. So. Okay. Period. That was good. Love. Okay, niche. What are you looking forward to? Well, they're both like thrillers or scary. So. Yes. All right. So the first one is Night of Madness by Ryan Douglas. Ooh. Oh yeah. Yeah.

[00:52:47] I still need to listen to the disillusion, disillusionment of Nick and Jay. Nick and Jess. Yeah. And so this is like almost like, I guess, a kind of survive the night type thing. And there's, they're in an asylum. Like I'm scared. Oh my gosh. I'm already afraid. Right. Like get out of there. So I'm, I know that's gonna, I think that's gonna hit for me. Honestly, I have a really strong feeling about that one.

[00:53:15] Um, and then the other book that I'm just found literally a few days ago, and I will probably be reading in the next couple of days. I can't wait. Um, is The View From Here by my favorite, Rachel. Rachel Housel. Let me tell y'all something. She, I'm her number one fan. I don't care. I, no matter what she does, I will read it. I will listen to it. I love her bad.

[00:53:44] But just from the, um, from what I've gathered, this book is very much giving, um, probably an unreliable narrator. Which, I love not knowing if I can like trust what this person is telling me on the page or not. And then, of course, there's a husband. Um, he may or may not be missing. We don't know. Oh. It's a lot. Oh, man. Gone child.

[00:54:13] Not a gone girl. Gone boy. Yeah, The View From Here. So, I'm really excited about it. And I'm definitely gonna, I think, listen to it on audio. I feel like I always love listening to her books on audio. So, those are my two. I'm really excited about them. I can't even lose. Okay. Just real quick. I know, like, we're wrapping up. What is, okay, what is everyone's, if you were like, okay, I need this author to drop a book right now, who would it be?

[00:54:47] Hold on. Hmm. I gotta, I gotta think. I gotta think. Give us a moment. Oh, boy. Because I, there's so many. Who's not already dropping a book in 2020. Right, right, right. Who's not already dropping, but you're like, I need you to drop right now. Kayla, that is a question. You gotta, you gotta think about. You gotta, like, give us some time. I'm so sorry. It just came off the top of my head. I'm like, who already is dropping something? Who already did? Okay. And who I would want. I'm gonna just say the first one that comes out of my mind.

[00:55:16] And I'm, I don't even know if she's writing a book this year. Is Alexis Henderson writing something this year? Ooh, good question. I don't know. I don't know. If you know what? I just saw her work the other day. Okay. Yeah. If she's not, that's something that I would like. Okay. Okay. I think I have one. Okay, what? Who? Tabardone. Just go for it. Danielle Allen. Yeah. What'd she drop this year? Yeah, I know. But she can drop again. You know I'm greedy. I want more.

[00:55:47] You know I'm greedy. I want more. I know she's, she definitely has something in the chamber right now. She's ready to go. I'm like, what is she gonna give us? Is it gonna be like a rom-com? Is she going to do something new? All I know is that me and. Or whoever is gonna be there. It better be nasty. It better be nasty. That's sad. That's so real. She writes some really nasty books. And not gonna hold up.

[00:56:15] The nastiest book that came out this year was. Uh, score. Okay. Okay. That book is nasty. Like this reread. I'm like, this is, this is pretty sexy. It was. It's a bunch of sex scenes. It was hot. Yeah. Yeah. From beginning to end. She did say this is one of her Spicies books. And it actually is. Yeah, she did say this is up there. Yeah. She'd be right. And I just. Yeah. I do. The only reason why I say, ooh, I hope they're nasty.

[00:56:46] Is also because Danielle Allen's last book. Big Girl Blitz. Big Girl Blitz. That man was. Some. That man was. Yeah. Yeah. And I love that one was nasty. Yeah. Alex. Yeah. I was thinking of that exact scene. And I was just like. Outdoors? Behind the car. Or the tree. Whatever. Anyone could find you. Anyone can see you. You're outside. You're crazy. It's fine. And I love it.

[00:57:16] So. That said. Yeah. Now that we know like. You know. Where she could be taking it. Right. Take it further. Oh. She should do. You know what she should do? A why choose. I agree. I knew that's what you were going to say. And I agree. Miss Allen. That's really good. Are you listening? Why choose? And I kind of like. I like that. The authors are kind of like. Leaning into that. I feel like we've gotten more of that. This past year than before.

[00:57:45] And you know what? Yeah. But I feel like that kind of reflects like. People's dating situations. Or just like the culture now. Because. Have a roster. Yeah. Date multiple people. You're young. May the best win. May the best win. Or. Not. Multiple bests. Or. Yeah. Multiple number ones. Or no one. You know. Or no one. Freedom to choose. Correct. We love that. Add that to our campaign. We do love that.

[00:58:16] I'm screaming. Okay. I've got. Yeah. I've got a few. I've got a few. I'm not going to lie. But. First person. Which I haven't seen them drop a book in a minute. Yagi Yazi. Gio. Oh. Yagi Yazi. Yes. Yagi Yazi. Sister. Where have you been? The people need you. Okay. That's true. Homegoing. Love. Transcending Kingdom. That book was a little triggering for me. Because I read it when I was in grad school. It was. Yeah.

[00:58:46] I was. Ooh. Real. Anyway. So yes. And then. I know. Honoré. Jeffers. She came out with a book. Flash. You're misbehaving at the crossroads. Oh. But I need. I need another one. I need a fiction. That was non-fiction. I need a fiction. That's true. Okay. Yeah. True. I'm going to also throw up JL on there. Yeah. Why not? You always got to put JL on there. Because. I know she's redoing all her.

[00:59:14] She's republishing all her old ones. But like. What's up? Either continue on with the New Haven. Come out with a neighboring community. I don't know. A neighboring community would be fun. Like a couple miles down the road. Like. I don't know. Then crossovers. Like. Or she should do like a sports one. Yeah. I feel like. A sports series. Every great romance writer does have like. A sportier series. Or some of them do.

[00:59:44] Because I'm going to be. I'm going to be real. I'm going to be real. Watching like. You're not that sporty girl. The world cup. I'm like. Yeah. We need a soccer player. Because they be getting paid. But I actually was thinking. I was like. You know what? If I was going to read a sports romance. I would actually like to read about a soccer player. And I don't. I was trying to think of some books like that. And I think I've seen maybe one. The only one I can think of is Anna Wong. And don't read that one. I'm sorry. Oh. Oh. All right. Well. Well.

[01:00:13] You've heard it here first. Well. The author that I want. It's a. Don't read that Anna Wong book. At least don't read the first one. I read that one on vacation. And it was a dud. Not the first one? The first. I heard like. It's like a duology. I don't know. Mm-hmm. I didn't finish. I didn't read the next book. So. Dang. I'd advise. Sometimes. Maybe like. Anna Wong's other books are good though. Everything's hockey. Everything's football.

[01:00:42] Everything's basketball. Everything's F1. Well. That's what you want. Because this is America. Maybe. Maybe. This is America. Let's. Let's have a. Rugby. Let's do something else. A rugby romance? A pilot romance. Let's do something else. Oh my God. A flight attendant romance. A pilot and a flight attendant? Or a lawyer. Or a professor. Like let's switch it up. A lawyer and a judge. That's cute. Or a nanny or an au pair. Like. Let's. Let's. Let's get creative. I love that nanny au pair. Yeah.

[01:01:12] Like let's bring back. Okay. Like the 2010s. Because everybody. To the early 2020 tropes. Yes. To the front. Like we gotta get creative. There's so many hockey romances. That's just in right now. F1 this. F1 that. Okay. Well I mean. I think. Seemingly we are having a resurgence. Of our 2000s. Y2K stuff. So I'm sure. Yes. Like let's get into it. Let's get into it. Prayerfully. I think we might get it. I'm gonna pray on it. I'm gonna pray on it. Let's have like a skydiver romance.

[01:01:42] Yeah. When have you ever seen that? Well actually. A construction worker romance. romance. Now that's what I want to read. Yeah. Okay. A blue collar series. Give me a. Give me a minor. I want a minor. Or a welder. Or a fisherman. A fisherman. Give me a fisherman. Like whose book was that? Was that Tessa? Tessa. Was that Tessa Bailey? Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I would like that. I love that one.

[01:02:11] I would like that in black. Oh like a crabber. Or like a. A cobbler. I would like that. A cobbler. A laundromat owner. Maybe like a cobbler and a seamstress. Mm-hmm. A seamstress. Yes. A cobbler and a seamstress. A wedding planner. That's. Oh I love the wedding planner. A notorious bachelor. Yes. Yes. Yes. Now we're talking. Yes. I actually think. Let's get back to the early 2000s. People. Mia Sosa wrote that. That's real.

[01:02:41] The wedding planner and a bachelor. Oh yeah. I think it was the wedding planner. And the best man. Or the. Yeah. I literally pulled it from a movie. I thought that's the direction we were going. I started thinking of movies I enjoyed. I was like yeah. And while we're at it. Let's do. Let's throw in some more his fic. When was the last time you read. A his fic romance. About two people escaping on the underground railroad. Kayla. Because that was. I think it. I think I read one.

[01:03:11] That was not the pleasure. It's been a while. It's been. I just can't think of one off the top of my head. Is it Colson Whitehead? Okay. She's like and I don't like that. Okay. And meanwhile. Colson Whitehead is the closest thing I've read to. Another one. Look. I wasn't going to say that. Beverly Jenkins. The people need you. The people need you. Miss Bishman's head. It's just when we needed her the most. She vanished. She vanished. She actually just dropped something like a year or two ago.

[01:03:40] Right. But I think it was contemporary though right? Yeah. Okay. Okay. My author is that I need to drop something else. I need Helen Wong to drop something else. Oh my God. The right chest. Every now and then. I don't know. Yeah. I know. She vanished. That's fair. She vanished. I need the world to eat it her most. She said one, two, three. Done. You don't need it anymore. And that's fine. She'll probably be like, I never said I was going to do more than that. And it's like, okay, but we like you to. I actually don't owe you guys anything.

[01:04:10] I owe you nothing. I never promised anything. But we got excited. We were hopeful. So I need Helen Wong. I need River Solomon to drop something new because, duh. I mean, it's River Solomon. She's running out of material. Oh, gosh. I actually have plenty. I'm just like really, I'm trying to like piecemeal it so that I don't run out of goodness. And then I actually need Ashley Antoinette to stop playing. Hey, Ashley, I know you're listening. That's true. Please finish Butterfly.

[01:04:40] I'm having a conniption. That's real. It pisses her off every time she remembers. When this podcast is out, I need you to clip this and post it on the story and at her. Okay. Because I think I've already reached out. She's working on it. She is. Yeah. But Ashley, like for real, I need it, girl. She's like, you can't rush greatness. And yeah, you're right. And as a matter of fact, as a matter of fact, I'm going to leave her alone after this.

[01:05:09] And I don't bother her ever. I mind my business. But Jaquel. Yeah, Jaquel. If I have to ask about Goon again. Y'all leave that lady alone. I just remembered the end. I'm going to be so sad. I know, you're right. That's why I'm leaving her alone. She has definitely been having... She's got a lot going on. She just came out with Rich and Rotten. She's got a lot going on. Like two months ago. Yeah, but we didn't ask. And it was so good. And I accidentally read it too fast.

[01:05:39] Yeah, I saw a lot of people say, you know what? Never mind. I'm so sad. They said it left on a cliffhanger. So I think I'm going to wait. But did Chelsea hear talk at Black Romance Book Fest? And she was like, I love getting y'all with the cliffhangers. Because y'all read the books so damn fast. And then I make sure I do a crazy cliffhanger so y'all know. Like, relax. But she'd be trying to get us. That's her aim. Yeah. Well, she's succeeding. She's got me. She knows what she's doing. She'll make us wait.

[01:06:09] She got me twice now. Okay? And that's okay. We love you. We'll be here.

[01:06:48] This? Yep. TRBG check-in. Campaign trail check-in. Whatever y'all want to call it. All that. All of the above. Love y'all so much. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this, please like, comment, subscribe. Let us know your thoughts. What are y'all looking forward to reading? Have y'all read any of the books that we're looking forward to reading? Let us know. Love y'all. We'll see you next time. Bye.