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Favorite Fictional Families | S4Ep16
376 Plays22 days ago
This week we share our favorite fictional families from recent books we've read and who'd we want to spend the holidays with!
Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod
Follow Brandi @Brandos.Books
Follow Kendra @Kendra.Readz
Follow Kayla @Kaylas.Bookshelf
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Transcript
Podcast Introduction and Theme Announcement
00:00:05
Speaker
Hey guys. Hello. Welcome to Bring Your Own and Catch All Bookish Most of the Time podcast. I'm Brandi. I'm Kendra. I'm Kayla. And today we are going to be talking about found families, our favorite families in books, our favorite found families, who we'd want to hang out with, all that good stuff.
00:00:26
Speaker
It's the holidays are rolling around, you know, so you might be spending it with some family. And so we want to talk about ones that we would also like to spend it with.
Shoutout and Guest Appearance
00:00:35
Speaker
Yeah. And shout out to our good friend, Haley, who just did an episode with because she gave us this idea and we loved it.
00:00:41
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. She's so creative. If you haven't listened to the Gilmore to read episode with us on there, we talked all things Abby Jimenez book. So make sure you go check out her podcast, Gilmore to say, and it's the Gilmore to read episode about Abby Jimenez. Go check it out. But before we get started.
Berkeley Influencer Program Insights
00:01:02
Speaker
Kayla, how's it feel to be better than Kendra and I and get accepted for the Berkeley Influencer Program? Oh my God. We got denied. Yes, Brandy and I were denied. I have been a member for three years. I've been a member for two. And I just got denied, yeah. but Yeah, they really said, and not all three of these bitches, only one they two Macs at a time. But like to be honest, I can't even blame them because I don't be post. like i don't I started nodding. Post their books, you know? like I was like, good I get it. like what they required is a little weird. I feel like it's just an odd program. I did post, a I've posted ah their books that they've sent me three times this year, but I will say those are the only three books from the program that I have read from them this year. and Yeah. Because that's the thing, like they, Kayla, we're so happy for you. Like, oh my gosh. But like back in the day with the Berkeley influencer program, you got everything. You got everything. Like you got the Emily Henry arcs, you got
00:01:59
Speaker
every big one. I think the last big author that they handed out was like Carly Fortune. And I would not be surprised if like her next release, they were like, eeny meeny miny mo, no, no, no, you know, like, but it's a really fun program. Honestly, I would be upset if I wasn't in PRH audio. So if I get kicked out of that one, oh, you'll be will be hearing from me. Girls, I had a mental breakdown for three months. You bared witness to it. Like i I was kicked out for three measly months and I lost my mind. I would be so upset because PRH like We love you! We love you! Oh my god. Also, does everyone listening wait know what the Berkeley Influencer Program is?
00:02:40
Speaker
Do you want to describe it, Kayla? Okay, I can say it. Okay, so for those of you that don't know, the Berkeley Influencer Program is ran through Berkeley Publishing, and they have two groups, which again, back in the day, just used to be one big group, but then they split us up. Because Berkeley does not just publish romance novels, even though those are the only books of theirs that pop off, they also publish like, thrillers and mystery. um That wasn't trying to be Berkeley shade, that's just that's just a fact. I'm gonna shade them now that they kicked me out. like Name a Berkeley book besides a romance.
00:03:09
Speaker
up That's right. Exactly. Um, I'm trying to be nice because I'm in it now. So yeah and you're in the Berkeley romance program. You're in the Berkeley romance program. i am yes yeah So, um, and every month or it used to be every month now they would send them out a little bit more spread. They try to like get them in, I think by quarter now. Um, they send you a selection of books that you can choose from both arcs that you have access to and physical books.
00:03:34
Speaker
And you just select which ones you want. And then they have a little questionnaire at the bottom. and They're like, are you a person of color? Are you queer? Are you name other minority groups? um Yeah, so good luck, Kayla. um And you click which one you are. You don't have to, but you do. And they'll say, you know, we will be prioritizing these creators over others to get certain books. So um it's a fun program. You will see that Berkeley, like the Berkeley books that pop off.
00:04:02
Speaker
Everyone knows, and Berkeley publishes a lot of romances where I'm just like, is that money well spent? You know? But it's a fun, it's a fun program. She will be missed. RIP. Honestly glad that they, ah cause I saw a lot of my mutuals that have such small accounts I got accepted. And I was like, okay, you guys are working. You are doing something good. That is good.
00:04:23
Speaker
No, when I found out that I didn't get accepted, I was like, I literally I went fair. That's fair. I literally hands up. I was like, I youre got you. i get I don't even like I'm very excited for you, Kayla. You're in charge of our witness now. Oh, God. Our communal. No, no. If you're yeah if you're a Berkeley employee, no, they're just kidding. I'm not doing that. Obviously, we're joking. good jokely Get a sense of humor. Obviously, we go. Yeah, I've applied a couple of times and I don't I've never gotten accepted. So I was pretty excited. There's not just the, you know, what's crazy. The first thing that popped in my mind was like, Oh my God, no Jessica Joyce book next year. So I'm not going to get that. oh Yeah. You're like this whole reason. But no, I am excited. I mean, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. yeah We'll see.
00:05:13
Speaker
Influencer programs are really fun. We encourage everyone to at least try. Yeah, you literally never know. And I feel like the big publishers are doing a lot better job, making sure that the people who are putting in the work are getting the recognition that they deserve is what I'm trying to say, I guess. Yeah, and nothing to do with really numbers, which I love. Yeah. Slay. But what are we reading?
Current Reads and Drinks
00:05:35
Speaker
What are we drinking?
00:05:38
Speaker
I'll go. I am drinking some white wine. and only We're all drinking you can tonight? We're recording at night for the first time in forever. It's been so long since we recorded at night, so I am excited. um But what am I reading? I am reading a book for a book club at work that I don't really care about. But after that, I'm going to start on audio My December Darling by Lauren Asher. Thank you so much. I just finished that one. Oh, really? I'm so excited to start that one. Perfect time. And then I'm also reading an ARC called Passion Project by London Sperry. I got it ah on NetGalley. It doesn't come out till yeah April of next year, but the cover is gorgeous. hill I'll show it to you.
00:06:25
Speaker
it's so pretty oh so pretty yeah and it's a debut so it's brand new but the cover truly like pulled me and i remember seeing it a couple months ago i was like oh my god that's so pretty and then i saw it on netgalley requested it immediately and right now i'm about 30 in it's very much giving promise me sunshine vibes at the moment like with the kind of whole premise so I'm curious to see where it goes. Kendra's face. on I know that that's like a very. No, I just think that's a very dangerous comparison. I know. I feel like you'll understand, though, once I just want to be like the the people are completely different, like they're very different. She's in a different spot than what Lenny is in. But I feel like you will understand if you ever do read this book, if it if I turned out to really, really like it and I recommend it, if you do ever read this book, I feel like you'll understand why.
00:07:18
Speaker
Okay, yeah, I remember only a care about stone on the podcast. Yeah, I love that. It's amazing that's Love it Kayla Okay, I'll go I am reading well, first of all, I'm drinking I had friends giving at my house this past weekend and I made a batch cocktail that I found on Tiktok and let me just tell you guys a recipe okay because the woman who suggested this, alcoholic. Seven cups of apple cider. And it's a batch, so like I knew the cups were gonna be high. Seven cups of apple cider. Seven cups of cranberry juice. Okay, strong start. Seven cups of tequila. Seven? Yes, and then three and a half cups of Cointreau, which is like an orange liqueur. That sounds like me trying to make a Moscow mule that one time. No, okay honestly, Kayla, you would like this then because
00:08:12
Speaker
don't like tequila i don't know why in my mind i was like i should have put two two together those oh what i prefer for vodka vodka based you don't like a margarita yeah i mean sure kala i will have to eat some drinks that's yeah um So you see the like, I should have known you don't do the same amount for the, the juice, the mixer and the alcohol. That's insane. I tasted it and my chest burned. You guys i had to go to the store and go buy more cranberry juice. And then I added a little water to cut it. And then now it's fine. It's actually really good now, but that was a lot on first taste. Um, so that's what I'm drinking leftovers of that. So we'll see where this episode goes and reading.
00:08:57
Speaker
I am listening to or re-listening to One Star Romance by Laura Hinkin, because I was really missing it. And I've reread most of my favorite books this year, so I was like, let me just reread this one. And then I just started today a recommendation from both of you guys. Any guesses? From both of us? Is it a romance book or is it a pain in the butt? Yes, it's a romance book. OK, give me give us a hint. It's a green cover.
00:09:26
Speaker
A romance book with a green cover. Did we both read it this year? Sounds like no. Maybe it came out this year, I think. Either came out this year at the very end of last year or you guys either read it at the end of last year. Kayla, you love another book by this author and Brandi is very ill about, well not ill, mediocre, like like medium medium, lukewarm feelings about a book by this author. The same book. Oh, um.
00:09:55
Speaker
Oh my God. I haven't read any other Clay Cape or Kate. Whoa. Only shit. That's not what I'm reading.
00:10:09
Speaker
So it can't be one of those. Just say it. Okay. It's Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Holwell. Oh, okay. I don't know if I recommend this one.
00:10:22
Speaker
Yeah, you literally were like, don't do it on audio. But I would you said I want you to read it so I can hear thoughts on it. Yes. Oh, yes. I absolutely want to know your thoughts on it. Yes. Yes. I think we and I agree. Like I. I didn't love this book to be clear, and I read it at like the same time, like we were like, oh, are you reading it? And I'm very interested to hear your thoughts on a specific thing that happens in this. Yes. Because yeah ka and I really like that voice memoing each other. Yeah, crazy.
00:10:49
Speaker
well i started it because i just got it on libba it took yeah ever um Yeah, and for those of you that have been keeping up with Kayla and I's years-long rivalry feud, whatever, I finally finished The Shepherd's King's duology. A lot of people, Kayla mainly herself, thought it could not be done. A weight has been lifted off my shoulder. Kayla, we always should have... I'm so sorry that that great Well, duology was I such a burden. started it It's been a because I pleasure just got it on Libby. this year going back and forth with you, but
00:11:20
Speaker
we are done. um Whoa, it makes me like, we're like, breaking up, breaking up. Bro, I think we are because like, that was like, the books were good. The books were good. I had fun. But it was just like, it was like the weight and pressure of like, Oh, I haven't read these. I gotta read them. And then like my brain being like, No, don't like, don't um like don't do it. You're so pretty. and then And I was like, Okay, like, it was good. um Yeah, now now we're good.
00:11:54
Speaker
We're good. So, Brandy, you can continue your quest to get her to read Shadowhunters, but... Kayva, you're so pretty. I think you're so beautiful.
00:12:05
Speaker
I will continue, because you know what? I put a hold on An Ember in the Ashes, and when I read that entire series... I didn't ask you to. All of that against me. oh but But it is popping off again, so...
00:12:18
Speaker
Good time. I am drinking a bearded brewer's beer called tog. I said tag the first time I ordered it and the guy went tog. Yes, sorry. I stopped at this brewery on the way home to get this beer and I bought a four pack and the girl was like, you want to do a beer shop before you leave? And I was like, yes. So I am currently listening to is it called Marion Bright? Yeah.
00:12:48
Speaker
make the season bright. You said that yeah with so much confidence. I'm listening to make the season bright. Bye.
00:13:01
Speaker
What's her name? Ashley Haring Blake. Thank you. It's my first Ashley Haring Blake book. Uh, I am liking it. I'm not loving it to be completely honest. That's totally fair. Yeah. That's fine. Yeah. Um, but the narration is great. Kristen DiMarcugio, Kendra kind of sold me on this audio book by saying that's a great performance and I agree definitely. So I'm having fun with that one.
00:13:24
Speaker
And then I have been like on and off re-listening to Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, because it's just it's so fun to revisit. Those audiobooks are so good. I am physically reading Secrets of Blackthorn Hall by Cassandra Clare, which is a fun little just like bonus stuff about some of my favorite characters from the Shadowhunters universe. So loving that. Period. Period.
00:13:51
Speaker
Shall we get started?
Favorite Families in Literature
00:13:53
Speaker
Yeah, let's just jump right in with a quick question, you guys, of what are some of your favorite families from books?
00:14:05
Speaker
I know this question says like favorite families, but we can include like found family people in here if we want because you know not everybody comes from the greatest biological families and we create our own families. So with that being said, what are some of your guys' is favorite families in books? I feel like there's at least one that we all are going to have in common.
00:14:28
Speaker
Is it the Calloways? Yes, of course, because why not? Now, Kendra, why are you nodding hesitantly? OK, so like earlier, when I was thinking about this, I was like, yeah, the the Calloways. And I was like, that just feels like such a reduction of like, it's not so bad. I'm like not saying like, what's his name? Cobalt Cobalt. Like, you know, like I said, I know. I wrote down Calloway slash Hale slash Cobalt. So like, you know, yeah, that counts.
00:14:56
Speaker
Yeah, they need like a collective last name because I'm like, the cow is Poppy. No, she's not in that. um yeah no like the Yeah. No, I get what you're saying. But I'm like when I when like I think I'm like, hmm. Hmm. That's crazy. I go. Oh, yeah. Also, because like none of them none of them are are calories anymore.
00:15:20
Speaker
True. Yeah. Meadows. A hail. That last name is dead. Notice how I said Callaway, hail, cobalt, and didn't say meadows. Oh, they kept strays on accident on our podcast. I'm so sorry. And you're right for that actually. Their kids suck. They suck. Yeah. They're on my list. Okay. Who else? Well,
00:15:48
Speaker
ah How soon do we want to start talking about Shadowhunters? Because I'll say right now, the Herondales, the Car Stairs. I did good. I picked only one. I said the Blackthorns. i i would If I had to pick one, who I don't know. i I think I would have a really hard time between the Blackthorns and the Herondales. Just because the Herondales, it's like,
00:16:09
Speaker
Blackthorns, there's so many of them, right? There's so many of them. And the Herondale's, it's like, you only really see like, we never really got to hang out with Will's family. We never got to hang out with like the other, like, you know, you just only get like, that family's so fucked up. Like, that family's in- Hasa Grey said the best and the worst of Shadow Hunters. Yeah. Yeah. They're in repair mode. So I feel like Herndell's in like 30 years, 40 years. Oh my God, pop it in right now. I was talking current day. Obviously, if I say current day, I have to say the blood. I just feel like as a whole, but even if you look back at the history, you're kind of like, damn, the Herndell's kind of fucked shit up after. Literally, how many children passed James's children started fucking up everything? You know what I mean? It probably started with James's children and for being honest, because even my nurses
00:16:59
Speaker
Magnus was like, after after James and Lucy, I kind of had a tap out anyways. anyways um If you would like to know what Brandi and I are talking about in depth, you should definitely go read the Shadowhunters universe. That wasn't too long. I'll give it to you guys. so Oh, we can keep going. No, it's OK. Next. But OK, so you said Herndell's and Blackthorn's, but you specifically kind of said Blackthorn's. Yeah, the Blackthorn's are the family that's featured in the Yes, they are in the dark artifices um trilogy and wicked powers upcoming. And yes, that family is just so like the dynamics of that family are so complex. It's so good. You get like this really cool mixture of both like blood and found family, which I don't think is always easy to pull off. And Cassie Claire, like mother, like just did it, you know, effortlessly laps. Yeah, well,
00:17:58
Speaker
Okay. Yeah. What else? Brandy, what about you? Who else do you have on your list? Um, I did write down the Eaton's just because I had such a time in that series. Like Chestnut Springs is such a time. So I did write down them. Okay. What do you guys think about the Valentine's specifically? Cause their family's like one of the better ones. I did not write their family down. I wrote down the hates.
00:18:24
Speaker
OK, yeah, I actually wrote on the found family of the magnetic first universe rather than one like, yeah, exactly. The box set rather than the hates or the ballad tines or the parks is or whatever. Just because I think the reason that they're the box that exists is because they were all needing something. Yeah, I mean, yeah if we're talking like which biological family is the most functional? The MPU, the ballot. It's the ballot. You know what I'm saying? The parks, 100 percent no.
00:18:54
Speaker
Uh, because the parents both suck the hems. dad's ah Dad sucks. Dad sucks. Sister died. Really, you know. Whoa. Whoa. They hate criminals. You know, their parents got dead, you know. Yeah. So it's ah it's pretty rough out there. But yeah, the Valentine's is the most functional, but the fa family yeah definitely is the best. Yeah. I also wrote down um the Julian and Dahlia's families from designed great their families are so cute. Like I almost wrote down the Kane brothers, but I feel like in the Kane brothers, it's just from, um, dreamland. It's just them, you know? So like, obviously like that's a dynamic in and of itself, but in this series, her new one, it's just like, it's more like, you know, like you actually see like mother and well, the dads are dead, but cousins and cousins.
00:19:51
Speaker
others Yeah, you can see like a really like expansive family dynamic and I also wrote down two more the Garros and ah yeah Yeah, I love the Garros. I think they're like such a good family They're also unique i I've never read a series before where you get to see the dad the sister and the brother all find their person relatively close to one another um and the Bell brothers. I think that family dynamic is really good. I love the exploration of like all their different roles through their grieving process in that book or in the that series rather. and
00:20:31
Speaker
just how differently all of them coped with that and like how it's shaped their lives in different ways, but they all just have so much love for each other. That's such a good one, Kendra. That's a great one. Yeah. You know who else I wrote down now? Okay. Hear me out. Cause there are, there is like a quote unquote bad egg, I guess you could say in this family, but I also wrote down the Maddox family, Jacob's family. They were so funny and interesting and all the different dynamics that were going on. Like whenever Brie would like go over to his house, like those times, those are some of like the best scenes in that book. And so I wrote down that family as well, even though I know that what's her name? The brother. Yes. What's his name? I can't remember his name. Yeah. But forget anyway, yeah, those that guy. Yeah. OK, him, whatever. But like everybody else, like his sister Jane, you know, was really sweet. And the grandpa was hilarious. The grandpa was so funny. His mom, this what is she, the sex? Is she an OBTO?
00:21:25
Speaker
she's both yeah okay yeah her she was great like i that family was so much fun to read about so i wrote them down as well i love that yeah um i also had like i just made a big list um but i do love how the windy city series like follows some siblings in different situations i think that's so fun getting to see that's just like such a great example of like family and interconnected standalones where it's not really like necessary to the overarching plot but we get like really, really sweet tender moments between siblings in those books for different reasons. So I thought that was so fun. And also when the world tips over by Jandy Nelson, that family so fun to read about that book is so good. I actually think you'd both love it. Kayla, have you already named Jandy Nelson?
00:22:13
Speaker
No. then Okay. That's crazy. I think you'd love that. Kind of homophobic. who To be honest, um yeah sort of but when the world tips over, follows a family, three siblings, the story of their mom and dad and their uncle and how that affects them and their relationships all to this shared person in their life. And it's really, really well done. And I actually have been thinking about that family a lot since I finished that book a few months ago. so I wrote on them as well. Any more, Kendra, that you wrote down? um I had one more, but I'll save it to when we get to kids. Okay. Well, then let's just go into kids.
Notable Child Characters Discussion
00:22:54
Speaker
So with a lot of family dynamics in books, there's a lot of kids, well, sometimes, especially if it's a single parent book. Yes. So speaking of kids, we'll we'll start with favorites. Who are some of your favorites?
00:23:08
Speaker
and My two favorite kids that I've read this year are Shiloh's kids. I was just about to say, like I've never read kids written that well. specifically Junie Juniper ah is Shiloh's oldest daughter and she is such a drama queen which makes sense because both her parents are actors yeah and she's just so dramatic and she just felt like a real kid like I should we talked about this a lot of times like I struggle so much with kids sometimes because I'm just like kids don't act like that I mean me a person is like not even around kids like that anymore but like yeah me a person whose literal entire job is to be around kids I'm like oh no this is age-appropriate and Kendra's like no
00:23:45
Speaker
No. And maybe it's because I'm thinking of myself and I'm like, my mom would not let me act like that. But I think her kids were just like so fun. And like, they helped flush out Carrie and Charles relationship so much. And they weren't just there to like give, you know, let me say the lashings for other kids. Continue to talk about your favorites. I agree. I really love the kids in that book. They were, they were surprised you remember them. Oh, my lord. I just gave you a compliment. You're not going to take it.
00:24:15
Speaker
That's crazy. Kayla, I just want you to reread that book so bad. Like, I think if you did it on audio, you would just be like, damn, like, Kendra and Brandi, like, they were right. Book of the year. I actually think if you listened to... What's her name? Something Loman? Yeah, Rebecca Loman. Rebecca Loman. If you listened to her narration, Kayla, I think you would actually listen to the rest of her adult novels because like she is such a good narrator. I want you to read Landline so bad. I've read so many books for you and that's crazy. I feel like you'd never read any for me. That's fine. Tea. Not true. But we move. Anyway.
00:24:54
Speaker
I'll go to it one I had written down. I wrote down I had to like go back to some books that I like read a couple years ago but I specifically remember this and you know why I remember this so much is because Kendra back in 2022 when you made a video about seven days in June I commented on that video about her how Evie's kid is like one of the biggest scene stealers in that book And still to this day, I get notifications about people liking that comment still. And I'm like, please stop liking that comment. note I don't know people still watch that video. I know. I was like, but I wrote on her just because she was such a standout character to me. So I love, I love her kid in that book. And she's getting her own book, which comes out. Does it come out next year? Yes. Comes out next year. It's Tia Williams's first YA novel. so You can check it out on her Instagram. The cover is adorable. It's so cute. I love it. Brandy, what about you?
00:25:43
Speaker
Yeah, some of my favorite kids, I wrote down Slow Dance, Junie, and her younger brother, whose name I'm, Gus. Gus, that's right, Gus Gus. I love them, I just think they're so real so well-written. But I also just love the way that Melanie Harlow writes kids. I think it's done really well, I think it's really age-appropriate, and I think they're very funny in a way that children are actually naturally funny, like all the moments she writes into her books, especially in like Ignite, that's my favorite.
00:26:13
Speaker
i wrote I wrote down Ignite as well. I love when a book... if it's like a single parent book or there's just kids in the book. I love it when it's not just one kid. I love it when they have a sibling because you kind of get to see that sibling dynamic as well. And that's sometimes really, really fun. Like how it was an Ignite. And I also wrote down, is she really going out with him by Sophie Cousins? I really really love the sibling dynamic between those two characters. It's the younger boy and like ah like a preteen girl, I think is what she is. And so that was super fun. I loved that book is like,
00:26:45
Speaker
it's not like you know the greatest thing in the world but it's just like a good time and i always found myself like laughing at some of the stuff that the kids would do and it was really sweet so i like them a lot too see it's a similar situation to summer romance by animal monahan those kids were great as well oh yeah yeah i forgot about them that's a good one though i also really love um all the addicted kids in some kind of perfect. I don't know who they are past that, but if we only stick to who the who the kids are in some kind of perfect, oh my God, superstars, lovely. um My favorite was Luna, which is Lily and Mo's daughter. um My favorite was Jane. cutie yeah What about least favorite kids? And before you start,
00:27:33
Speaker
I don't wanna have a Luke conversation right now. But we have to. No! Okay, can i can I say something though about Luke before we start? I just wanna say at this point, Brandy, I don't even really fully believe it anymore. I just have to keep up the bit. So that's all. For those of you who don't know, Kendra and Kayla, love to rag on Luke from Heartless.
00:27:54
Speaker
Yes because something so earlier when I was talking about carrying Shiloh's kids I was about to say that I am glad that the kids did not and this is a very common problem in single parent romances where the kids did not turn into little mini therapists and they're like you always make my mommy so happy. Like my dad has never smelled like you're five.
00:28:21
Speaker
i And so Luke from Heartless has a few moments like that. He's a very smart advanced kid. um But he's actually quite age appropriate.
00:28:35
Speaker
He's a very smart, advanced kid. I an education degree.
00:28:43
Speaker
And ah I think it's not just Luca. Even Elsie writing The Kid in Wild Love, like I don't think Elsie's that good with kids, like writing them. For me, I know she herself is a mother and probably draws on her own experiences. I'm not trying to... like That's a very...
00:28:57
Speaker
hard line for me to walk right now. trying But like, i I personally don't think she's great at writing kids because even the daughter in that one, it just felt like she all kids for LC are only plot devices. That is my And you know what?
00:29:13
Speaker
That's fair. I just have such a deep love for Heartless. And like, like Kayla said, it's a bit at this point about me. to Yeah. Yeah. Like we love a smart king. Like if that kid is not curing cancer by age 18 and props to Kate for raising such a smart boy on his own, like lots of dads can't even tell you the name of their kid's teacher. Like that's impressive. So yeah.
00:29:38
Speaker
Other of these favorite kids, I don't know, that's, he's not even like a least favorite, yeah. It's just like a overall like critique of like kids in books and journals and I just make him the figure. He's like the Jesus of unrealistic kids for me. I wish I would, the Jesus is crazy. I wish I would have never defended him the way I defended him at the beginning of this because then we could have never had this conversation ever again and I would have lived a very peaceful life. But here we are. Yeah, three years later.
00:30:08
Speaker
That's OK. I don't have a ton of least favorite kids either. Yeah, I don't know. I will say I did like and caught up that Max. I think if you're going to make it get a plot device. Have them be a baby. Yeah, they can't talk. They are like in reckless a baby. So like it made sense. We like we don't need Vivi's opinion on anything because she's a baby. It's a little baby. Yeah.
00:30:37
Speaker
no The only other kid that came to mind, and this was because it was so stupid to me. I don't know the name of the series, but I'm so sorry. It is the series, her newest series, Laura Pavlov's newest series. I'm just reading Loving Romeo. And I think he's like in another like book as like, because it's a single dad or a single parent romance later on, but he's like a side character in the first book. And the kid's nickname is like Beefcake or something like that. He like wears like, he's like five. He wears like a leather jacket, got his hair slicked back, thinks he's like all like he, I don't, it was just like really stupid to me. I was like, why are you letting people call this kid Beefcake? Have some respect for yourself.
00:31:28
Speaker
and I guess. Yeah, that's the only one that comes to mind. Another kid that I think we all really loved was Nico from Love Unwritten. That was such a good kid. Like really good. And I like believe like, listen, sorry, Brandi, not to go back to the loop thing. All I need is a line for the author to be like, yeah, he's like really smart. Like he's advanced, you know, because even even in slow dance, there's a line where like they were told that Gina was advanced for her age. OK, so now I believe everything that comes out of the loop.
00:32:01
Speaker
And in, um, in Love Under, in like, they talk about that, like Niko's just like a smart kid. So yeah, he's a really fun kid and he had, he was a kid that had his own personality and his own thing going on in that book when he easily just could have been a plot device because in nanny romances like that's really all kids are um but he wasn't like he was great we were on like our own little journey with him yeah yeah very true so oh you know who was a great kid but i really liked in a jam Kate Canterbury that kid's name what was her name
00:32:33
Speaker
I don't know, but I agree. I thought that that was really well done. And I especially love that she had an education background. She's working with students right like learning disabilities. We want to hire a tutor that has a background in this. Of course, like that's that's that was really well done. Yeah. What's her name? Fuck. Is it Gemma? Yeah, was it Gemma? I think you're right. I think you're right. You are exactly correct.
00:33:01
Speaker
I could be very wrong. kellyie even very That's exactly correct. I'm like pretty, pretty positive. It's Gemma. I'm like 99% certain it's Gemma. It's Jenny. Jesus Christ.
00:33:17
Speaker
To be fair, it's about with a G. as I think her name is Genevieve. Oh, that's so funny. I'm positive. Kayla said absolutely.
00:33:31
Speaker
If you're a parent, okay, fine. Genevieve. Okay. I was going to say that makes sense. I was going to say if it's Jenny though, and you split with the G jail jail, you deserve to go to jail. That's funny. Dang it. Yeah. She really stole the show in that book. I love a funny kid. It just has to make sense. Like Juniper in slow dance is so funny. Jenny and in a jam is so funny. Like it has to make sense.
00:33:55
Speaker
And Juniper's like, oh my good Lord. Yeah. But also there's something really vulnerable moments in that book too about like what she'd like caught them kissing and she was like, freak the fuck out. And it like freaked Shiloh out. I'm like, that is so realistic. Like I love that actually. Oh, it's time for a reread. ah Brandy, I just reread it like a few weeks ago. Every time, every, it gets me like heart in my chest every time. So good. Kayla, Kayla.
00:34:24
Speaker
I know I said we're done, but literally like you don't have to. But I do think you. No, no, I think you, I think you would, no, you don't, but like, cause I'm just repeating myself. I think you would really enjoy the audio book. Like I think if you're in between lessons in the near or just in the future, you would like the audio. And I know you have it cause you have it on Libra FM. I was going to say, did you download it on Libra FM? I think so. Pretty sure. Yes. I'll buy you the audio book. I have it.
00:34:54
Speaker
And the voices that the narrator does for, um, the kids are really good. Oh my good Lord. Yeah. Also Zachary Weber, we just did an audio book episode. Zachary Weber is really good at voicing kids too. Agreed. What about books with
Exploring Found Families in Books
00:35:10
Speaker
found family? We already touched on this a little bit when we were talking about our favorite families. What are some favorite found families? Brandy, would you like to go first? Shadowhunter series. ah rob Literally all of Shadowhunters is like found family.
00:35:24
Speaker
Like it's just so beautiful. You know, you can't even like, like hate on it. Like all those kids where they found each other and then they would just become a family. And like, especially cause so many of them just had like bad biological fear parents and now they have each other. Um, you know, who else is a great, fo has a great fan family aspect? can so Let me switch this up really quick. It's a book you're listening to right now, Kendra. I wrote down one star romance. I just, those like that for that group of four, I really love that group.
00:35:55
Speaker
I especially like later on in the book, like when you get kind of closer to the end, just how they like bond over certain things. I love them so much. That book is like making me confront a lot of myself, because i like Natalie and I are like almost the same person. And that's why I like I would say like. It's just a really good book to read, I think, if you are like chronically single in your 20s and you're just like, oh, it's such a. But yeah, the found family in that is really good.
00:36:25
Speaker
Aw, Angus and Rob becoming friends. i just know that was ah That's a good part of that book like when you find out why. If you haven't read One Star Romance yet, what are you doing? You should go read it. Yeah, the book is so good. Obviously, we already talked about the box set. That's like a found family at six after me so bad. I can't wait for a Barley Hall. I ah simultaneously can't wait and really, really can't wait. I can wait as long as I can. I don't want it. Sorry.
00:36:49
Speaker
i feel I feel really mixed about it just because like I just crave anything I can get from that universe. Would I prefer Daisy hates three? Yes, obviously. A million times over. But I i will take anything I can get from her.
00:37:05
Speaker
So I am- Except never to, ah but I'll still be saying- Oh, talking about them i is yeah I'm speaking about the MPU exclusively, yes. um I can wait for literally everything else unless she wants to send me an ARC of her newest book that's coming out that standalone. Jessa. Oh yeah, I can't hear you. I want to see what that's about. I'm curious. Yeah, the standalone and then literally at the end it's going to say book two is coming and it's going to piss me off. like it's go to end up a cliff hang no like five funny i snow
00:37:35
Speaker
And I hate it cuz she's so talented and I know you guys are sticking me saying now in the podcast, but she's honestly and That's actually kind of mean to say I was gonna say she's insufferable But you know what? It's true if you follow just like he seems and you see her Q and&A that she does You're like, get off of Instagram, go right and go right. Maybe if you stop beefing with us on Instagram, you will have your books written. Oh, she loves to fight with people on Instagram.
00:38:03
Speaker
jessa Love you. Please keep writing. If you don't finish Daisy's books, I will literally throw myself off a cliff in an Ireland. But please. Anyways, the anyway ah box set. I love that found family. There's so many Shadowhunter families that I absolutely adore. Who else has some on their list? The Ember in the Ashes series, which I just finished reading.
00:38:30
Speaker
They have a great family, family you guys. We believe you. All right. That's great. I'm glad you do. So that's some family. Now, we kind of talked at the top of this episode.
Holiday-themed Book Recommendations
00:38:41
Speaker
We're getting close to the holidays and, you know, lots of people spend the holidays around a lot of their family or their found family. What holiday celebration do you guys want to be a part of? Now, OK, I have one that I said that if Kendra doesn't also have on her list, then I'm calling her a fake fan. yeah Is it the simple wild? It is the simple wild. Oh, 100 percent. Listen, what listen, what?
00:39:09
Speaker
The Christmas novella for the simple wild. I have read a certain scene in that novella more times than I think I've read any other scene. It is the most thoughtful, caring, romantic like thing.
00:39:24
Speaker
And I don't. Oh, OK. It's when it's. No, that's happens in the second book. I'm talking to you. You said when he gives her what? I'm talking about what kind of gives him. Yes, the Hawaii tickets.
00:39:40
Speaker
Or the truck. The truck. Oh my god. Who's the crews a fake fan now? Sorry. Yeah, Callie gives him the brand new Chevy Silverado and it's just so thoughtful because she got him back after he got her the Jeep in the second book and then he gives her tickets to Hawaii so they can go for their honeymoon. And i it was just supposed to be a regular trip and then he goes, well, I guess now it can be a honeymoon.
00:40:02
Speaker
like Yeah, I found a wall during there. I have reread since I've read The Simple Wild, I've reread Forever Wild on Christmas Eve every like year. It's It's because, you know, like almost the entire book takes place on Christmas Eve. Yeah. So highly suggest if you want to do that. And if you have an audible subscription, Forever Wild is free with your subscription. So at least.
00:40:33
Speaker
It has been the last time that I've read it. So I guess I don't know if it still is, but you should definitely check. And it's only a few hours long. So, you know, just read it on Christmas Eve. It's a great time. Yeah, Brandy, what about you?
00:40:48
Speaker
I wanna go to the cabin with the Callaway's in the mountains in Tennessee. Let's do one. I would love to go to the Grant House on Christmas. I wanna see what they're up to, you know? Yeah. That'd be so fun. You know that place decked out. I just know it. I know. I bet on Christmas Eve they go to, what's that bar called? The VFW? VFW, yeah. Yeah. I bet they go there and just get like fucked up on Christmas Eve and like walk home. Not with their baby though.
00:41:16
Speaker
The stained glass window is changed and it's got like a like star christmas so yeah you i love that I'm like, I can't take that one seriously because I'm just like It's been like Christmas with Julian hates and then we would just like not come out of a room like Yeah,
00:41:36
Speaker
yeah I think y'all's this isn't a wild one is probably like that's just like such a good Like if you need a book to read this time of year, you should read that series. It's so good. Kayla likes audios. I can't do them You like the audios too. They're okay. They're I like the audios Yeah I read them initially on audio. Well, I like I i ah hybrid read the first book and then I did the rest on audio. I really enjoyed them. I read them for the first time in November, like three years ago. So good.
00:42:03
Speaker
ah Oh, guys, how have we gone through a whole like holiday-esque theme episode and we have not mentioned the Wake Up Call by Bethel Leary. I want to see in that hotel at that hotel. That's a great one. Oh, my God. That's so good. I actually would love to spend the holidays either in the city with Nora and Charlie or in Sunshine Falls visiting ah her sister. Yeah. For Libby, for the holidays like that. i I would do either. I would I would love to do either.
00:42:34
Speaker
Yeah. ah Last call at the local, I feel like that bar and the holidays would be so much fun. like They would just go all out and like have a good time. Oh my God. Or even like on the yacht for luck and last resort. It's like on a Mediterranean cruise for the holidays. Christmas boat. Yeah. That's so cute.
00:42:53
Speaker
Oh my god guys, I actually read those last year in December. I might do a reread like I've been missing I've been craving it like but Did you guys see me see me the threat of hers when she talked about like her second book and it like didn't that good? Yeah, Sarah Grendel Louise deserves all the success in the world. If you have not read her first two books You're truly missing out. I would like to spend the holidays with um my shadow hunters Kids like even though they don't believe in that shit I just think it would be pretty, they still, every Christmas, I do like a Christmas themed ball. Hello. And that's when all the, that's when all the shit happens, you know? like back but Yeah. So I would have been into the fucking, that's when they break all the barriers to get into the fucking, you honestly, I would want to go to, I would want to be like, if I had to pick.
00:43:40
Speaker
a decade to be in with the shadow hunters it would be last hours just because like oh Cordelia I'm so sorry but like James is mine that's crazy and Matthew like and same time um Paris baby just like Matthew and Cordelia Yeah. Speaking of the holidays slash Christmas, what are some like memorable scenes from books that take place during that time? For me, the first thing that comes to mind is like the Winter League of Parks universe and all the iconic scenes that take place around the holidays. no Those are blessed.
00:44:19
Speaker
Seriously, Jess is actually so fucked up. Like, why would she set that during Christmas? throw you Do you see what we're dealing with here? Like, that's fucked. Every December, I got to be sad. crazy Or like, I think about the scene, the Christmas like service that Christian and Daisy went to. that is that's yeah That's pretty, that's pretty messed up. They're going to hell. Yeah. Because what are you doing that in a church?
00:44:45
Speaker
ah them be Like that was a little before when they were like arguing, like, and he like chased her down on Christmas Eve, like, yeah. her service um oh my god well that's what i was talking about fact that was when they chased her down yeah because i'm like christian you're in church why are you having these thoughts um a christian scene that i love which we got to talk about a few weeks ago we care about sean is the christian scene and ready or not, both when Eve and Chep go to the Christmas market and then Eve goes home to her family for Christmas. And I just thought, it's just so good. like ah She was so smart scheduling her pregnancy like over the holidays. You just got to see everything. Yeah. Yeah, I love that, actually. I'm actually so excited for the holidays this year, you guys.
00:45:32
Speaker
Same, but you know, it's funny. It's like, I feel like none of us are like big holiday romance girls. No, not really. I just posted this on my Instagram, but I thought my December Darling was like the perfect kind of holiday wreath. So it wasn't really, it just so happened to take place over the holidays. Like that wasn't like a major part of it. yeah Like that's the kind of holiday romance that I love. Like I don't want it to be like a tis the season sort of. Yeah.
00:45:58
Speaker
Yeah, the only like books that I can think of that I like really enjoyed that was a Christmas or holiday romance was The Wake Up Call. Yeah. that Yeah. literally Even then I wouldn't. It's not even marketed as like a Christmas. Sure. Which honestly, they probably should. i Yeah. Also, Landline Rainbow Row. They market that as like a Christmas book. Crazy. Which like. Fair. I get it. Yeah. Oh, Kayla, please.
00:46:25
Speaker
Kayla, please. Kayla, please. I rated that book five stars, please. Please. I will probably read Landline at least.
00:46:37
Speaker
At least. that means there's That means there's possibility for more. But yeah, the wake up call is like truly we've said this before, but it's like, you know, Netflix does those Christmas rom coms every year. That would be the perfect one to do. But like 10 times better than the year. Yeah. Oh, of course. Netflix. Yeah. But and also like Bethel Leary's books in general are so like her her plots are so like unique and different. yeah They're not like boring at all. And every single book that she has, I swear to God, has except for the wake up call.
00:47:10
Speaker
Has like some type of option that's been picked up or deal or something. No, I love the wake up call. Oh, no, you're right. It hasn't. Never mind. What? I don't think i know. The wake up call hasn't. yeah The no show has the road trip has and the road trip has always to come out, too. Yeah. The flat share is already out. I haven't seen him. But, yeah, so I need like somebody to get on the other ones. Please get on it. Thank you.
00:47:35
Speaker
yeah I don't I don't really like holiday romances it's just it all feels a little too corny I like holiday movies like I think um if it's in a movie I can get behind it more because it's like that market like that Hallmark market is just more digestible on the screen do you guys have a favorite sorry totally off topic but do you have a favorite Christmas or holiday movie I just would like to know what your guys's holiday favorite holiday movie is um I don't. Oh, you know what I love? Fred Claws. Fred Claws are so fucking fun. That movie is so a movie about Santa's brother. Hell yeah, bro. Like, that shit's hilarious. I'm a I'm a Home Alone 2 girlie. I love Home Alone 2. Never seen any of the Home Alone. You're not really missing anything. Oh, my God. Yes, you are. That's a lie. But you're not. You weren't even born when they came out. Like, you're fine. Yes, we were. Yes, we were.
00:48:32
Speaker
so you know you were her evan No, no, he no, no, I'm gonna look it up 91 there's no way when did the first Home Alone movie come out?
00:48:46
Speaker
Home Alone was released on November 10th, 1990. Okay, let's see. Okay, actually, so that's so fair. you You're correct. We were not alive when Home Alone 1 came out. I don't try to make y'all old. Y'all do that. anyway i don't know I don't know. I think it's just because like in the 90s, in the early 2000s, I mean, it's still today. That's just like such a huge Christmas movie. I don't know. I've always...
00:49:10
Speaker
Love that movie, so anyway. Fine, we stand corrected. My mom loves, she's like the stereotypical, oh my god, my favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life. Like, grow up. Like, you know, like, I've never seen it. It could be the best movie ever, but she talks about it every year. Very millennial of me. I do love Elf, and I love The Grinch, with Jim Carrey. I love The Grinch.
00:49:34
Speaker
I love the cartoon version, too, but I love the Jim Carrey Grinch. Yeah. Yes. Polar Express. I remember seeing that in theaters in 3D. Loved it. Kayla, what the fuck? I big. Yeah, Kayla and I are very iffy. Yeah. Why? What? What? You know what was better than the actual movie? The GameCube game that I always played of the Polar Express growing up. Polar Express is such a good film. So clearly, y'all don't hear the bell anymore.
00:50:03
Speaker
no we don't That's crazy. Oh, my God. That movie is so good. Yeah, it just never hit for me. Me neither. Tom Hanks was a fan. Oh, my gosh. Ken just like disappointed. at Bro, like Polar Express is such a good movie. Like I just have such a vivid memory. I was a kid in Colorado and like we I saw I can picture the theater like sitting in it and watching it. And then at school, we had the book.
00:50:34
Speaker
the picture book and we would just like read it and it's so good yes i actually have re-watched probably like rudolph like more times in my life than not like the claymation one yeah i love that one too it's a good one i feel like i'm i feel like there has to be more christmas movies that like i've seen that i'm just like b blanking on i can't believe you guys don't like homeload 2 i love it i've never seen it I just like, I think it was just like when I was a kid, like the thought of being a kid alone in New York with this bougie hotel. Hell yeah. That's so fun. Dude, the fact that they forgot him twice is crazy. No, worst parents ever. Like CPS is getting cold. Oh my, there's his movie.
00:51:17
Speaker
It's called This Christmas, it's like a black holiday film staple, right? And listen, this was this was made in 2007, so when I named the cast, don't act surprised. But Chris Brown is in it, and like ah the guy from Scandal that got fired because he like abused his wife is in it. And- Yeah, so that cast was doomed. What's next, Jonathan Majors? No, luckily he was a child. um But you guys, that movie like Christmas, like, is so good. It's just like, family's good. There's a romance in it. It's just like, oh it just hits every time. And then Chris Brown, guys, I'm not endorsing him. I'm just stating something that that is objectively true.
00:51:57
Speaker
He has a cover of a song, of the song, This Christmas, that is so good. It's so good. It has no business being that good. and And when Kendra's top song in December is a Chris Brown cover song? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:52:14
Speaker
also like I've never gotten into like I know people love like love actually and yeah like oh wait actually the family stone my family used to watch that every year on Christmas for like 10 years when I was a child the family stone but the he Never seen it. Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, um Owen Wilson. it's it's about it's It's actually quite sad and beautiful. I don't know if it holds up. I haven't watched it in probably seven or eight years. But that it's about a family, and they're all coming together for Christmas, and they all have like contentious relationships, and about the siblings, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It's good. In my memory, I haven't seen it in years.
00:53:00
Speaker
That's fun, though. Well, wait, there is a Netflix Christmas TV show that is actually a book. Oh, wait, is that the action movie? Yeah, like I watched it like like when it first came out like a few years ago. Randy, if you need something just to like put on very cute Christmas. It's like produced or part produced by like Nick Jonas or something. brand Yeah, it was a very like and it's it's good. It's set in New York. um It has like the Timothy, shot like the blonde variant of Timothy Charlemagne.
00:53:30
Speaker
the rat blonde boy. I remember his name. I don't remember his name. But that's a good but it's based off of a book. So yeah. Yeah. Our personal Christmas movie slash TV show recommendations, if you're in for that. Yes. So this is probably probably one of the most chaotic episodes we've had in a long time. ah I love it. Yeah, I don't record at night often anymore. So the fact that we all just got to like drink a little bit and have fun.
00:54:04
Speaker
It was a blast. If you liked us yapping about our favorite fictional families, or if you thought we missed some people, which we probably did, we are all a little tipsy. Let us know on our Instagram app, bring your own pod.
00:54:21
Speaker
If you could rate and review this podcast five stars, we would love that. That would honestly be like the best Christmas gift that you could give us. Like it it doesn't even cost us anything. Like, Oh my God. thanks of your time Yeah, but it would mean a lot. And we will see you on the next one. Bye guys.