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Bring Your Own...Special Guest ft. Logan (@lcsbookstagram) | S1Ep10
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This week we welcome our very first special guest on the pod, Logan of @lcsbookstagram on instagram! Queen of Small Town Romances and audiobooks, Logan walks us through her personal reading journey, how she discovered bookish communities, her favorite parts of content creation, and more!
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Bring Your Own' Podcast
00:00:04
Speaker
Hey. Hi, guys. Yay. Hi. Welcome to Bring Your Own, a catch-all bookish most of the time podcast. I'm Brandy. I'm Kendra. And I'm Kayla.
Meet the Guest: Logan from TikTok and Instagram
00:00:16
Speaker
And today is Bring Your Own special guest. We're so excited. We have our first guest ever on the podcast. It is Logan from Logan's library on TikTok and Elsie's bookstagram on Instagram. Kendra, would you love to introduce Logan?
00:00:32
Speaker
I would love to. We are literally obsessed with her. We mention her like almost every episode. So Logan is one of our favorite bookish content creators. You can find her on both TikTok at Logan's library with two whys and Instagram at LC's bookstagram where she has amassed over a hundred thousand followers cross-platform. That is super freaking impressive. Her aesthetic is very clean, crisp and beautiful. Seriously, she has some of the best photos on bookstagram.
00:00:58
Speaker
Her other content includes fun book recommendations. If you have a trope, Logan will have the book rec for you. I'm constantly stalking her stories for when she's giving recs. Let's see. Oh, she does reviews, reading updates, book hauls, funny memes,
Logan's Reading Preferences and Habits
00:01:11
Speaker
you name it. She does it all. In terms of reading, she's a romance girlie, just like us. But if you've been following her on Instagram, you'll know that she's slowly becoming a fantasy girlie as well. So that is Logan. Yay. Hi, Logan.
00:01:25
Speaker
That is such an introduction. I'm just sitting over here not even making eye contact. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here and so honored to be a guest. Yay. We are obsessed with you. It's kind of sad. It is mutual. I'm all friends. Before we jump into our discussion where we're just going to talk basically all things books, social medias, the book community, all that stuff with Logan, what are you guys reading? What are you guys drinking?
00:01:55
Speaker
I think Logan should go first and she is our guest. So I am currently in the middle of two books. I am reading the nanny. I think it's Lane Ferguson is the author. Yeah, oh my gosh, it is so cute. It's like a single dad nanny romance, but like she was a only fans girly and he
00:02:17
Speaker
was her number one subscriber but like didn't know that like until they get like partway through this whole relationship um which is it's just i don't think i've ever read that like situation before so it's really interesting and surprisingly spicy like i was honestly shocked um so that's been really fun and then i'm still reading quarter silver flames um i got to like 70 and then i don't know yeah what happened to your buddy read
00:02:46
Speaker
I think she's waiting for me to catch up. How long has she passed you? So I had gone like way past her. I think we had agreed to stop at like 25 and then I got to like 51 or something. And then I was like, just let me know when you catch up. And then I was out of town and it's been better than any other attempt in the past, but still not great. I think I'm just not cut out for it and neither is she. Because we both like, I'm not someone who can just sit down and like read a couple of chapters. I either will read like two pages or a hundred pages. Like I'm not good at the,
00:03:15
Speaker
I don't know. Yeah, well, that's a long book, too. So like, it makes sense that it's really good. I'm enjoying it. Amazing.
Favorite Drinks and Current Reads
00:03:24
Speaker
What do you do have any fun drinks? Um, let's see, I have been trying all the like different what's it called, like Ollie and like some of those. Poppy. Yeah.
00:03:33
Speaker
I feel like it's just not in the budget. Like as many as I have disliked to an extreme level. I just, I think I'm just going to have to continue to be a cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper girl. It's just who I am. I can't even drink like regular cola. Like I hate Coke, but I love a cherry Coke. Amazing. Kendra, what are you reading?
00:03:57
Speaker
Um, I started Lizzie Blake's best mistake and I was talking to Brandy before we started recording. I was like, Oh, like you've read this, right? And she's like, no, I started Lizzie Blake. I was like, okay. Oh, like I started this cause like, I thought she had read it, but it follows, um, a girl who's like in Philadelphia. She has ADHD.
00:04:18
Speaker
She's a chef, she's 27 and she hooks up with this like hot Australian guy. They have this like really cute little, I can't call it a one night stand because it turned into like a weekend event and then he goes home. Surprise, she's pregnant. So now they have to like figure it out and I'm at the figuring it out part. But it's really good so far. Like the writing is really good.
00:04:37
Speaker
And I'm doing audio. So yeah, it's really cool. And then I started next of kin. I don't know who it's by, but I see it all the time. Wait, wait, wait, wait, that's been on my TBR forever. Wait, how far are you? Yeah, like two or three chapters. It's so good.
00:04:54
Speaker
I like I'm liking it so far. I told Kayla that the writing reminds me of that book. We read it last year. Meet Me in the Hallway. I think you mean Meet Me Halfway. Meet Me Halfway. Not the Harry Styles song. It reminds me of that book. But yeah, I like it so far. And I'm drinking
00:05:14
Speaker
Yeah, I read that one. So like, last June was like my best, like month of reading I think ever. That's when I read Flawless and Funny Feelings and Blindside and like a lot of those. Oh my god. It was just like hit after hit. And then Hannah had asked, like, had emailed me. One of the reasons I was like so into reading this book is because her email to me was just like,
00:05:38
Speaker
It was like four months in advance of the release, and I could tell we're the same Enneagram type. We have all these things in common here, email. I was just like, I don't even care what your book's about. I want to read it just because I love your email. It was just, I don't know. It spoke to me. But I read that when it was her debut book. After I read all of those five star top books of the year, and it was still so impressive, because I started to worry. I was like, nothing's going to hold up to this.
00:06:04
Speaker
It's gonna be about time to read this like debut novel, but it was incredible. I loved it It was like very mature writing very mature characters. I loved it. So hopefully you do too. Yeah, it's a really interesting Concept about like the next of kin guardianship. So really good so far. Oh, yeah Yeah
00:06:24
Speaker
randy and i are going to disney today after we record the song so yeah very exciting it's okay um yeah i'll go um does anybody want to just like guess what i'm drinking right now uh poke zero
00:06:39
Speaker
Oh my gosh, you guys are so smart. Nice. How did you know that? Yeah, that's my addiction. And let's see. Unfortunately, I've had a very slow reading month. So I'm actually reading the exact same thing that I am the last time we recorded. So which is the audiobook for When in Rome by Sarah Adams. I'm almost done with that one. And then the second book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Ashes and the Stark. Well, that book is the longest fuck, isn't it? It is pretty long.
00:07:08
Speaker
didn't I didn't even like look at the length before I started but like as I've been reading I'm like am I really slowly reading this like am I just really slow or is it actually really long and I think it's both um because the first book was like 550 pages maybe but I think this one is a lot longer but I'm really enjoying it so far it's a lot of fun yeah and I really like this series so that's currently what I'm
00:07:31
Speaker
Is it going to end like there, like that couple or whatever? Yeah, she's doing, yeah, she's doing, it's a six book series, but each couple gets two books. Okay. And so this couple will finish with this book. So I'm kind of sad because I really like them, but, but I'm having fun. I'm glad that like, it like allows their story to like wrap up. So yeah. Randy.
00:07:53
Speaker
amazing. I am also reading the same thing I was reading last time we recorded. So I'm listening to the audiobook of yours truly. Well, last time I said I'm about to start it. I actually did start it. And it's so good. Obviously, it's so good. All of us have read that one. And this is a reread for me on audio because the minute I found out that Zachary Weber was narrating
00:08:16
Speaker
Jacob, I immediately pre-ordered it. So loving that, having so much fun. I just got to the part where they're about to go to the engagement party. So that's good. Yeah. And then I'm reading. I'm reading too much right now. I am reading American Prince by Sierra Simone, which I paused because oh, my God, I don't know if I talked about this last time. And if I did, I'll edit this part out. But I got the arc for Yellow Face months ago from RF Kwang.
00:08:45
Speaker
And my friend Taz lives in Canada, our friend Taz lives in Canada, and we've buddy read every single RF Quang book together. So she was like, please wait. And I was like, deal, I'm waiting for you. No worries. She's like, I'm going to be months. And I was like, don't worry. Like I will wait for you.
00:09:03
Speaker
this bitch got the book and sat and read it in one night without telling me. So now I am just trying to catch up. Anyways, I'm reading Yellowface by Raph Kwang. It's really, really good so far. It's really interesting because I've never, the main character who's head you're in, it's first person POV. She's supposed to be unlikable. Like she, like not even like towing the line of Morley Gray. Like she is horrible and you're supposed to hate her. So it's very interesting because I've never read a book like that before.
00:09:31
Speaker
And then I also started Mile High
Podcast Hosts' First Encounter with Logan's Content
00:09:34
Speaker
for a book club at work. Oh, yay! Sort of a little hot. You didn't tell us that. Oh my gosh, I hope you like that. The second one is literally 2% in. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So. I put this wrong. Yeah. I'm stressed out.
00:09:48
Speaker
Wait, Logan, were you reading that one too? I was. I got to, I think like 30% and was really enjoying it, like honestly having a great time. But then that's when my buddy Reed started. And I don't know. I just like was like, okay, I'll come back to this one. And I still fully intend to go back to it. I'm usually not someone who does that, but I think in this like weird reading headspace and in the last two months, like anything goes. So we're just going to kind of write it out, see, see what happens. And I also like listened to the first, like,
00:10:16
Speaker
five or 10 minutes of Throne of Glass because Devani was like, okay, Brandy and I are buddy reading like Throne of Glass, like she's rereading it or Devani said she was rereading it. So I was like, okay, well,
00:10:29
Speaker
Maybe like now is the time to start it. I had moved it to my nightstand, which means it's like priority TBR. She said that. I was like, okay, it's a sign. And then I got like five minutes into the audio book. And I think because I've been doing all these like lighthearted, cute rom coms, I was like, I got to recalibrate because I can't comprehend anything. It's a commitment for sure. Yeah. Sounds a commitment. I think diving in when I'm in the middle of like 12 other books, it's just maybe not the right time. Yeah, totally fair.
00:10:56
Speaker
And I am drinking a caramel latte that I made at home. Yay. Okay.
00:11:02
Speaker
Amazing. Let's, let's go ahead and jump in. Yes. So obviously this episode is all about Logan. So we are each going to take turns telling each other how we discovered Logan's content. Who wants to go first? Not to embarrass you, Logan. I think it'd be more embarrassing for us how we tell you like how we were stalking you. Do you know what's crazy? You know how you can go into your, who you're following on Instagram and organize it by like,
00:11:31
Speaker
most interacted with, earliest follows, most recent follows, whatever. One day I was just curious who I followed first because I just couldn't remember and I went back and my earliest follows were Kendra, Kimmy, Gracie, Lomi, and Logan. Oh gosh. Wow. Yeah. Top five. Crazy. So I'm pretty sure, I don't remember because I was following so much book content on my personal socials before I actually made any book socials. I think I followed you on TikTok first and then once I made a bookstagram, I was like,
00:12:01
Speaker
So yeah, and I remember our first interaction was of course when I read Daphne. So I love that. I, okay. I mean, I think that obviously the first time I came across Logan's content was just, I think, organically on my for you page. And I followed her like in 2021, probably the spring or summer of 2021. You're an OG. That's when I started. Thank you. Yeah. I'm an OG fan. Um,
00:12:26
Speaker
And then I didn't have a bookstagram for a while. I started mine, I guess I would, I guess, has it been a year now? It might be a year, I can't remember the exact date. I'll have to go back and look where my first post was. But yeah, I, when I started my bookstagram, she was one of the first people I followed, but on my personal, I followed her first before I made an Instagram. So yeah, I think the people that I followed on my personal for book content on Instagram were like,
00:12:55
Speaker
Kendra, Kimmy, pretty much the same people you said, Brandy, Logan, Lola, Alexandra, Gracie, etc. So, and then I just moved all that right over to my, to my bookstagram. I remember really like when we started talking, I don't remember, it was probably not that long ago, because I think I was just following you for a long time. But yeah, I think maybe like,
00:13:22
Speaker
I really don't know the answer to that question. I think we started chatting more. It was like October, November, when I read The Simple Wild and then Crescent City. Okay, maybe that was it. It was probably like before that, it was probably just like really quick little random messages here and there. Mutual's vibes. Yeah, exactly. It's so funny. Anytime I see someone reading the Addicted series or Crescent City or anyone,
00:13:46
Speaker
like you guys should go talk to my friend Kayla like you should just go follow and talk to her because she'll know everything um let's see when i joined bookstagram i don't know if i saw you first on bookstagram or on book talk i want to say bookstagram because i was following Malina and Tanya and y'all were all really good friends i think this is like right when the smut squad the infamous smut squad had started and they would always repost you and i'm like who the fuck is this girl like all the time like reposting repost me
00:14:13
Speaker
And then I think you follow me and I was like, Oh, okay. Like watch follow me. So I'll call her back. And then, um, I saw you on, I have a very specific memory of being on book talk, like scrolling through my for you page and you were at like a game or something and it, you like made it bookish, like, Oh, like sports romance, something.
00:14:31
Speaker
but you were drinking Crawford Buck. And I was like, oh shit, she's in Texas. Cause that's a Texan beer. And I remember commenting like, oh my God, like are you, I knew you had to be from Texas. Like it was a vibe. You just, you know, when people are from that state. And then the rest is history. And I, yeah, have stocked your content ever since, truly. Like when, I don't think like, when we say like, you're one of our favorite like creators, like- Love, when we're sell up your ass, it's crazy. Yeah. I will also, I remember,
00:14:59
Speaker
At the end of 2021, when you did like your favorites, Tin Queen by Deveny Perry was one of them. And then that's how I was introduced to Deveny Perry because then I read Indigo Ridge, Juniper Hill because it came out shortly after that. And then I read the rest of her backlist. So I feel like most people think like where they
00:15:19
Speaker
heard of Devany was probably from you, I feel like. Yeah, I feel like a lot of people, especially like in the book talk and bookstagram community. Yeah, definitely. I remember the very specific video that I saw, which is why I read Devany was because you made like a deep dive, you're like, the Denny's one of my favorite all his small time, like, here's the order, I would read the series and blah, blah, blah, yeah. So and that was right, but right after Juniper Hill came out. So it's funny, I watch that now. Like,
00:15:44
Speaker
She probably thought I was like, like Devani probably thought I was crazy. You guys weren't close at that point. Two or three times. So obnoxious. She was like the first author. How did you get into Devani? I love this story. She was the first author to ever reach out to me, like to send anything. So this is like summer of 2021. I maybe had my account for a few months, like did not have a very big following and really was only reading like Welcome to the Dark Side. Like I was reading Fallen Men, Penelope Douglas, like
00:16:14
Speaker
Nikki Sloan, a lot, Katie Roberts, C.R. Simone, like a lot more like spicy, mostly high spice type of stuff. It was like pretty early on. But I was just like, oh my God, like an author wants to send me a free book. Are you kidding me? Like it was just truly the most exciting thing ever.
00:16:28
Speaker
And so I have like a whole unboxing video of me getting these. And I'm like, I've never really read Small Town before, like I'm gonna try them. And then it was right before 10 Queen came out. And so she had sent me like the entire series and paperback and I was like blown away. And so then of course, I immediately sat down and started the first book because I'm like, this is
00:16:48
Speaker
just the greatest ever. And then was, I mean, Hooked. It was, I think, because I used to read Thriller sporadically, and then I've been reading Romance, but that was really the first one, I feel like, that kind of combined the mystery, crime aspect with it on, I don't know, on that level.
00:17:07
Speaker
I just was like so hooked and then I like read the entire series immediately like that week and then went and basically read her entire backlist after that. But yeah it's just crazy because like I really did not have a huge following. I'm sure I was just like someone that she randomly decided to email when she was sending out stuff for 10 Queen and like it's I had never heard of her. I had didn't know anyone else who had heard of her. I remember I like sent a screenshot of the email to like the Smart Squad group chat. I was like do you know who this is? Like
00:17:33
Speaker
And yeah, and so it's just so crazy that that's how it all started. And I was just like instantly obsessed. And now I've never left the small town sub genre. So yeah, I feel like you introduced me to a whole new demographic of readers. Because when I went to, when Brandy and I went to Love in Vegas, like I was expecting everyone at Love in Vegas to be like our age, like in their 20s, like
00:17:57
Speaker
And most people in Devaney's line, besides people our age, were older women in their 40s, 50s, maybe 60s plus.
Book Signings and Community Experiences
00:18:06
Speaker
So yeah, I feel like now you have all these young girls reading. Small-town romance is about women in their 30s and stuff. It is interesting, though, with Book Bonanza and then the very first signing I went to, it was really all... Me and Alexandra Molina were easily the youngest people there.
00:18:24
Speaker
Cause you guys went to that one in Nashville, right? Yeah. So that's the very first one we went to. I really think that was like the first signing post COVID. And yeah, like we were definitely the youngest people there. There was no one, I think maybe like one or two other people that were like in the Bookstagram community that we knew, but it was people who had been doing it like YouTubers, like Peace Love Book, she was there. So I always call it like the new wave, like the new age of.
00:18:48
Speaker
like all of us who kind of found it during COVID basically. And that's one of the things that I feel like was so fun between like the first two signings I went to were really fun. And I almost felt like that was such a unique unique experience because there wasn't like a lot of other books, grammars or book talkers there. So I was like, kind of just feel like I can chat with authors and stuff and like not have to compete with like 100 other people like wanting to make them for the first time.
00:19:13
Speaker
But then once I got to Vegas and there was actually a hundred other people, I was like, okay, this is so fun to have everyone there at once. And that's what I heard a couple authors mention about Vegas. This was the first signing where they felt like they had a whole new group of people. It wasn't just a lot of the same people. So that's kind of fun. I feel like
00:19:32
Speaker
Yeah, a lot of the signings will be so different from now on, which I love. That's, that's kind of what I was wondering, like, because I know you went to like book bonanza last year. So I'm wondering how it will look different this year compared to last year, because I feel like so many, at least like in the small corner that I live in, in book scram and book talk, I feel like there's so many people closer to my age that are going. So I'm curious to like, see from your perspective, when we go, like, how does it look different?
00:19:57
Speaker
Yeah. We exist in like this bubble in the book community of just like really cool people our age that we really admire and like to talk to and whatever that I sometimes forget that like we're not the only people who are reading this stuff like my mom loves like my mom takes all of her recs from me like I think your mom does too right like my mom will just text me next book I'm like okay.
00:20:23
Speaker
And I'm like, how'd you like the last one? At least tell me. But yeah, it should be fun. I'm excited as well for Book Bonanza.
00:20:32
Speaker
So we've kind of talked a little bit like how we've all discovered you, but I would like to know how did you get into reading? Like, was it something that you always loved or did you discover it later in life? And then like from that, what initially led you to make a book talk in a books degree? So I was probably just like a, like an average reader in like elementary school, middle school, um, maybe read a little bit more in, in those years, um, but nothing crazy. Um, and then really didn't read,
00:21:02
Speaker
for fun, like at all, for years. And then I think it was maybe like late college, I started listening to maybe like one or two audio, but my mom had gotten me some audio books, but it was like the CDs to where there was only like, you know, 10 chapters on each CD. And it was like 2015, but I, so I feel like there was probably other options, but I just had all these like John Grisham audio books, like on CD.
00:21:27
Speaker
and would listen to them and started really enjoying them and then kind of continued that like when I was in law school I relied a lot more on audiobooks but even still I was really just reading like maybe four or five books a year it would be like celebrity autobiography or a thriller or something like that
00:21:45
Speaker
or like the random like women's fiction beach book, you know. And that was really it. Like when I was in law school, the last thing I wanted to do was read when I got home, but I could like turn on an audio book and walk my dog or make dinner or something. And that was like a nice little escape.
00:22:00
Speaker
to where I still felt like I was being productive. I wasn't like watching TV, but I also wasn't thinking about my own life. So, you know, it was great. And then it's kind of funny. Like I was, I obviously like joined TikTok or, you know, it was a TikTok watcher observer, like early pandemic. And then it was like fall of 2020. I was having a really bad day and I was like, I'm just going to get on Netflix and watch like the first cheesy romance book or cheesy romance movie that I see pop up. And it was after.
00:22:31
Speaker
And so I was like, I'm just gonna watch this. I don't know anything about it. And I think I eventually realized that it was like Harry Styles, based off of Harry Styles or whatever. But it wasn't really anything I knew about. So anyways, I watched the movie and then was like, I need to know what happens next. And then the second movie was out. So I was like, okay, great. So then I went and bought that.
00:22:50
Speaker
And, but then it kind of ended on like a cliffhanger and I was like, well, I immediately need to know what's happening. So I was like, maybe I'll just read the next book. It's been a while since, you know, I've picked up a book and read it. I don't feel I mean, if y'all have seen those books, it's like, they're big and they're thick.
00:23:07
Speaker
Like, the audiobook length is the same length as like the Order of the Phoenix. Like, I mean, it's like, for all four of them. I was like, so this is, I was thinking about, you know, eyeball reading them. And then I was like, well, that's certainly not gonna happen. So I was like, I like audiobooks, but I've never listened to a romance audiobook. Like, I don't really know about that.
00:23:29
Speaker
But yeah, so I started the series on audio, and it's narrated by Shane East and actually the girl who narrates Calla. And so it's kind of funny because when I know, um, yeah.
00:23:47
Speaker
But yeah, so I started it and actually like really enjoyed it. And I don't think I knew that there was going to be like spice or anything. I didn't even know anything about that. So like flew through those books, even though they're like crazy toxic, but they were so good. And then I really liked Shane East. So then I started like looking up to see what else he narrated. And that's how I found like other narrator or other audio books, you know, narrated by him. And then that's how I eventually found Lauren Blakely, who uses Zachary Weber a lot.
00:24:15
Speaker
And so then I became like obsessed with Zachary Weber, and was looking to see what else he narrated, which is how I found like priest, and then it just kind of like spiraled into like a romance audio book. I was just doing them like every two days I was listening to a new one and then
00:24:31
Speaker
There was a book out, sorry, it's like such a long story, but there was a book out that I really wanted to read. It was like the next in a series, or I wanted to listen to, but I hated the narrator. So I was like, I don't know what to do because I cannot listen to her. Was it Erin Allen? It was not, but she was. And so I was like, I guess I could read it with my eyes.
00:24:58
Speaker
It's a weird concept. Um, so I just downloaded the Kindle app on my phone and started reading it. And yeah, then literally never stopped. It's like two years later. So that's how it, how it all started. All thanks to Harry Styles fanfic. It's so interesting that like you mostly started like with audio books. Cause I feel like a lot of people, it's at least for me, I guess I don't know the most popular way, but I feel like usually it starts off with eyeball reading and then people.
00:25:26
Speaker
discover the joy of audiobooks. So yeah, that's so interesting. Were you also a big fanfic reader at all? No. Never? Okay. Because I think I think all three of us here were fanfic girlies. So not brandy.
Logan's Journey into Bookish Content Creation
00:25:41
Speaker
That's so funny though, because you say that Kayla and I also started on audiobooks. I wonder if fanfic girlies really start more with eyeball reading. I know we should figure out the pipeline. Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:54
Speaker
Yeah, I didn't I don't think you can do what Wattpad was honestly. I was never in the Wattpad. I was always on like fanfiction.net and archives of our own, which I know that after lived on Wattpad in its original form. But how did this like lead you to like starting to make bookish like content? I know your bookstagram like it was a joint account. And then on TikTok, it was just yourself. So like, how did all that happen?
00:26:17
Speaker
Yeah. So I was kind of like a, you know, like an observer on book talk and then maybe on bookstagram too a little bit, but I don't think I had really, I think I started the accounting pretty early, but, um, I think they really started around the same time, but Lena who, um, I started the bookstagram with, we went to law school together and somehow it came up basically that we were both reading a lot more and we were both reading romance. And so we started exchanging recommendations all the time and texting about them.
00:26:44
Speaker
which was fun to have like a real life friend who was reading. And I think at this point I had followed like a few people on TikTok just from like a private account or something. But yeah, and so, and she got married and her initials changed to LC. And so she had mentioned like, oh, you should start a book stream. And I was like, oh, we should like start one together. And that was like the entire conversation. And then I just started the account. And I was like, okay, great, we're doing it. And then started kind of posting on TikTok around the same time. And I feel like I, in the beginning put like,
00:27:13
Speaker
maybe a little more energy into TikTok than Instagram. But then I have always loved, I've always loved Instagram. Like I love taking pictures. I had photography as a side gig for years. I've always enjoyed it. But on my personal Instagram, I was one of those that would like, oh, this didn't get a set number of likes. Like I was, you know, always examining myself entirely tied to, okay, how many likes am I getting? Did this person like it? Oh, this person didn't like it, you know, and it was,
00:27:39
Speaker
I enjoyed the app, but it was just a very bad mental struggle. And so it was so fun to be able to be creative and take pictures, but it was not my face that people were liking, you know? And so I'm like, oh, if people don't like it, that's fine. It wasn't affecting my, I don't know, self-worth as much as my personal Instagram was. And at that point, it was like a lot of strangers. And so it was really fun. And to just interact with people on there.
00:28:02
Speaker
And then I started, I think, putting more energy into Bookstagram and kind of like created an aesthetic, which I didn't really ever think was going to happen. Just a lot of things like that that
00:28:14
Speaker
I think also led it to be a little bit more like one-sided on the feed at least. So yeah, I feel like now it's, it's mostly just me, Lena will pop in every now and then, but it's kind of about it. And now I feel like I hardly ever post anything on TikTok. If anything, like I will film something in that just because it's easier, but I just am intending to post it in rails because my TikTok views, I just don't care over there anymore. Yeah, TikTok is so infuriating.
00:28:39
Speaker
Yeah, Brandy and I have talked about, like, if TikTok gets banned, like, I think we'll be happy. Like, we'll be okay. I can definitely feel like a weight off my shoulders, genuinely. I wish it would, because, like, when I was home at my parents' house for, like, the last 10 days, I didn't open TikTok at all other than, like, a couple authors I worked for, I would post videos on their accounts and then, like, close the app.
00:28:59
Speaker
I was never on my account, never scrolling at all. But then this week, when I'm home, I think because I can just play videos out loud in my apartment. I'm not around people.
00:29:10
Speaker
I'll get on TikTok more and I'm either it's either like I have zero hours of scrolling or I have like 10 hours of scrolling like I can't do it in between and I just get sucked in and if I'm posting then I'm scrolling and my mental health just like immediately it's it's crazy just like one day from the next how it can do that and so I'm like I just wanted to be taken away from me honestly like please just take it away so especially like when your account is like growing or like you're in like the thing of like getting a lot of traction like you're like oh like let me like see how many comments I'm getting let me see how many likes I'm getting like
00:29:40
Speaker
and then you can't put it down.
00:29:42
Speaker
And then TikTok loves to just snatch all that away from you. And then you'll post something and it's like, no views, no likes, no nothing. And you're like, what did I do? And then it's just awful. But on Instagram, it's like, I can just go on there, chat with my friends, post stories, and then leave. And it's amazing. Right. I never find myself just scrolling through my feed for more than maybe five minutes at a time. Yeah. Or at the end of the night, I'll go and check all of my friends to see if I missed any posts or I'll go through my favorites following or whatever.
00:30:11
Speaker
But I'll do that and check in to see if I miss anything. But for the most part, I just interact on stories and chat with people. And it's not a soul-sucking app. To me, it's just a fun, creative, low-stress space. But TikTok, it's so hard to be a casual, I think, either poster or observer, at least for me on TikTok. Because once I start scrolling, I literally can't stop. And then I either will post constantly or not at all. I can't do the casual thing.
00:30:38
Speaker
Yeah, and both of your followings on TikTok are much larger than mine. But at the end of last year, I had the spurt of growing very, very quickly. I had multiple videos, do very, very well, gained a lot of followers very quickly. And then Kendra said all of it. I've had nothing since then for months. And it's so stupidly stressful because in my rational brain, I can be like, this doesn't matter. But then it's like, oh god. It feels like it does.
00:31:06
Speaker
Alexandra has always compared it to a toxic relationship. They string you along. They're thinking, I'm done with this. I'm leaving. I'm done with this. And then you get a video that goes viral. Or you get all this love at once. And it's like, OK, well, maybe I'll stick around. And then you have this like, OK, it's not so bad. And then abysmal views. It's just this cyclical. It's so fun. I love it.
00:31:31
Speaker
You've been very bored on your socials that like, this is not your full time job. And you mentioned earlier, you went to law school. Do you mind me saying that you're a lawyer? Oh, yeah, go for it. Yeah. Okay, so you're a lawyer. Being on socials isn't your full time job. But you have a huge following, as we mentioned, yeah, over 100,000 followers cross platform. So how has like being part of these book communities like changed your life in big or small ways that you've noticed?
00:32:00
Speaker
I think from a mental health aspect, I mean, obviously we were just talking about TikTok and how that can be a drain on mental health, but I think just the community and having a creative outlet. When I was in college and then in law school, I did a lot of photography, which was really fun. And I was also surrounded by people obviously being in a classroom setting and living near friends and stuff like that.
00:32:25
Speaker
And so then once I started my actual career, I was living in a city where I maybe knew one or two people and a lot of people weren't in the office. And so I live alone, I have my dog, but that's kind of it. And so it was a very big change and like mentally I was not doing great at all. So it was kind of nice to have, I think if I was just reading 24 seven without any outlet to that, it would have been,
00:32:51
Speaker
not good um i think it would have just been used as an escape and i would have never talked to anybody and just never had any social interaction and it would have been like not a good thing so i loved that i was able to kind of have it as a creative outlet and got to kind of channel my
00:33:10
Speaker
like love for photography into this new love for books and combined into and then just talking with people like I feel like that has been a huge part of it. I feel like I've met some of the most, like, just the greatest people that have become people that I hang out with in real life through bookstagram and book talk and all of that, which I don't think I ever expected like to do something like that. And then now like the opportunity to work
00:33:34
Speaker
for authors and do things like that has been so cool. And then like the book box was something that I truly never expected that I would ever be able to do. It wasn't even something that I knew was a thing. So just those types of opportunities and I think to, I don't know, like talk with people who are passionate about the same things and then who also are so creative and I don't know.
00:33:56
Speaker
I feel like that's a lot of it. And then I guess this isn't necessarily like the book community related, but just everything I've learned about myself through books. I mean, it's just invaluable.
00:34:09
Speaker
Yeah. You kind of said how if you didn't have this like outlet then you'd just be like reading 24-7 and not talk to anybody about it. And I felt like that was me for a long time because like you know I was an observer for two years and I like just didn't really talk to many people about it until I forced my way into Kendra's DMs.
00:34:31
Speaker
And then eventually I created my own bookstagram and now like this year as an example I have like you know multiple things coming up with people that I met
00:34:46
Speaker
online you know and like I'm so looking forward to like the summer you know in the fall and all the things that I'm going to get to do with all these people and without that you know like without this community I don't know what I would be doing I would just be chilling by myself you know I mean maybe I would be doing something else but like I just have a lot more people that I can like
00:35:09
Speaker
you know, just talk to whenever I feel like talking to, you know what I mean? So, cause I like, I have like acquaintances in my real life, but like nobody like super close friends, at least living by me. And so I think that, yeah, this community for me has been really impactful just in terms of like, yeah, just feeling like I have, I have people to talk to. Cause even though I am an introvert myself,
00:35:36
Speaker
it's you still feel lonely. And so I think that that was a big thing for me and like my, my mental health and improving that piece. You mentioned your book box, which I don't think we explained earlier, but Logan got to do a collaboration with is it internal embers? Is that the internal embers? Yeah, where she got to like pick four of her favorite books, do like new covers for all of them, one of which Brandy designed
00:36:02
Speaker
She did the cover for Center. It's fucking gorgeous. It's like stunning. But I think that's like so cool that like, A, you got to do that. And then it like sold out. Like how was that experience? In like five minutes, right? Yeah.
00:36:16
Speaker
It was wild. I think Steph, Steph's story is like, she just sent me a picture. It was like three minutes after it went live, sent me a picture of the screen where she tried to add it into her car and it said, slow down. She just asked me, she said, no. I was like, I was, I was shocked. Um, but yeah, I mean, that whole experience was just so fun. They had emailed me last fall asking if I was interested in doing it. And I think I had seen like fit teacher Rachel do one and then Christie with read between the lines. I think she had done one.
00:36:43
Speaker
And that was really all I had seen with like, I guess, like, for lack of a better term, like influencer boxes. And so I had texted both of them and was kind of saying, you know, like, what was the process like? Like, do you recommend it and things like that. And they were both so helpful and just like answered any questions and were so, like, so supportive and they're like, you should totally do it. And so.
00:37:04
Speaker
Yeah, like, and the girls at eternal numbers are like, they're so committed like they, every single time they would read the book, and then we would get on a zoom call and discuss for like two hours like I mean, every single like detail, everything. And I love that they read every single all three of them read every single book before we got on a zoom call I feel like that's
00:37:24
Speaker
not necessarily the case with every book box like not everyone I think is that committed to making sure that like they understand everything and I love that like for the most part like all four cover ideas were basically like my ideas and then they just kind of helped like enhance things or like kind of
00:37:44
Speaker
But they knew all of the details and were able to do that, which was just, I don't know, it was really cool. And they were so creative and had so many great ideas and were willing to redirect when we needed to do that, which was great. So yeah, it was just such a fun experience.
00:38:00
Speaker
you showing your Pinterest boards for all of them was so cool on your Instagram. Like I thought that earlier, like the little Canva outlines that you did was so cool because yeah, like you said, like Logan designed all these covers, like Logan conceptualized and thought of all the ideas. I'm so happy I got to do the artwork for Center, but that was all was born out of Logan's brain. So such fun. It was awesome. I can't wait to see them all like in print. It's gonna be awesome. Great.
00:38:28
Speaker
Yes. Okay. So what is your favorite part about, well, I guess we might've already talked about this, but if you want to expand more about your favorite part about being a bookish content creator or being a part of the community or like a part that's like very memorable to you that stands out. Like you've talked about going to different conventions. Do you have any even like specific memories from that where you're like, Oh my gosh, this is, I'm having the most fun or anything like that.
00:38:55
Speaker
I mean, I think I have posted this like video on close friends before because I just think it's the best video but meeting Sierra Simone when I was in Nashville last year was just like truly one of the coolest experiences ever because I was like so nervous like and like there's a video that I think it was Melina was taking it and I'm like like trying to like to go meet her.
00:39:17
Speaker
And and I had chatted with her a bunch like when Saint came out. We talked a lot because that was like such a impactful book like mental health wise, it was the first time that I had ever seen like my own experience with
00:39:33
Speaker
anxiety and depression like portrayed so just exactly how mine had been. And so it's like a very moving book. And it was great. I had gotten to chat with her about it quite a bit when it came out. And but I didn't think she like had any idea who I was, you know, she probably talks with people in DMs all the time. And so when someone like took me up and was like, Oh, hey, like, you know, this is this is Logan or whatever. And she was like, Oh, that Logan, like, yeah, that look, I was like, I'm sorry.
00:40:04
Speaker
And it's like, it's so great to see you and like gave me a hug. And then literally every time I've seen her after that, she's been like, Oh, hey, like, how's it going? And like, knows who I am, which is just wild to me. But yeah, I mean, like that whole experience in Nashville was really cool, because that was really I mean, that was the night before the signing. And so that was really one of my very first just
00:40:23
Speaker
in-person author interactions at all. And so for it to be her and like someone who had such a great impact on, I don't know, my first year of reading, I don't know, it was really cool. So that was a very special moment.
00:40:36
Speaker
That's awesome. I said this to Brandy and Kendra last week when you recorded. The only thing I have up on them in terms of book things is that I met Sierra Simone last summer too because she's local. And so, and actually literally yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble and I hadn't seen this before, but it made me like, made my heart so happy where they have the Priest series.
00:40:57
Speaker
on the shelves, they put the local author like little card thing next to it and I was like, oh my gosh, how cute. It's like our only claim to fame, Kansas City that we have, is that we have Sierra Simone. And I met her at this like local romance author like convention thing that they held at our local library. And I didn't know any of the authors except for her that were going to be there. And so I literally, I got in line to meet her, I met her and then I left.
00:41:26
Speaker
because I didn't know anybody else there. But it was so, she was so nice. And I got like a video of her saying hi to Brandy and Kendra and our friend Taz. And then I showed her one of Kendra's TikTok videos about, about the pre-series, like a funny one. And so she laughed, she thought it was so funny, but she was so nice. So I can't wait to see her again. It'll be so fun.
00:41:50
Speaker
she's just I mean she's so nice like she looks like this sweet like then she's a library in real life like she yeah just looks like this very cute also yeah she had like little pigtails she was so cute and then you open a book and it's the filthiest thing ever right
00:42:12
Speaker
It's not what we said, too, about Elsie Silver. Oh yeah, she looks like... The people who write the freaking stuff always just look so sweet and nice. I'm like, Elsie, oh my god. So unsuspecting when you meet Nikki Sloan. She's just so quiet and like... I was texting Alexandra about an Adriana Locke book where he puts a grape in her coochie and then sucks it out. And I was like, this is the woman writing this! Like this insane...
00:42:44
Speaker
I know. She has one kind of out-of-pocket scene in every single book. It's typically like, you know, average small town romance and then she has one where something crazy happens. Agree. Grape up the koochie. Yeah. Like they're feasting on the side of your table and he like, yeah.
00:43:23
Speaker
Yeah, that feeling that you were talking about of like meeting one of your favorite authors, which is so funny that
00:43:30
Speaker
you were the one saying that because you were the one who introduced me to Devney in person. Oh, yeah. I was like, I was wasted at this bar in Vegas and Logan goes, Devney's on her way. And I was like, No, I was so drunk and so embarrassed. I was like, No, oh my god. And I was like,
00:43:46
Speaker
Yeah, it's so special. I have to like, chill about relationships with authors sometimes because I just get so excited because like, I just obviously admire their work so much. And then I just meet them and they're just so nice and just normal people. And yeah, it's such a special thing about the community that we get to interact so much with the people who write the work that we love. Yeah, like meeting authors and like, people that I've tagged or like posted, you know, stuff about whatever, maybe I've interacted with a little bit.
00:44:11
Speaker
but I don't have like actual long conversations with them or anything. And then, you know, I like meet them at signings and I just go up and I'm, you know, I'm buying something or whatever, getting something signed and they're like, you look familiar. And I'm like, oh, like, yeah. And like, what, you know, what do you say about? And then sometimes like, wait, I know you. And I'm like, oh, okay. Like, I love them. And then it's just like so uncomfortable because I'm like, I was hoping you did, but also I wasn't expecting that you did. And now I don't know how to act.
00:44:38
Speaker
When we went up to Sophie Lark's table at Love in Vegas, like Business Daddy and Sophie Lark were like, Kendra, we are so obsessed with you. We followed your journey so closely. Kendra was like, it was so cute. I thought they were just sending that to everyone. They're very good at communicating with readers, but they made it so personal.
00:44:56
Speaker
For me, especially, Business Daddy, I was like, whoa, this man is obsessed with me. This is crazy. Yeah. Business Daddy was working Love & Vegas. He was like, poo, poo, poo, like all over the place. I know. Crazy. Can we do some rapid fire questions for you, Logan?
00:45:13
Speaker
Yes. Feel free to expand. I'm dumb here. Feel free to expand on these. I say rapid fire just because we have just like quick little questions for you. But if you feel like you need to explain these do not need to be like one word answers or anything like that. I'm like not being brief about anything. So that's good. It's okay. And these are all like discussions that we've talked about on the pod previously, or hope to talk about soon. So yeah, please don't feel like you have to be brief. We spent literally four hours talking about the addiction series.
00:45:42
Speaker
Um,
Favorite Romance Tropes and Narrators
00:45:43
Speaker
okay. What is your favorite trope? I feel like single dad. I mean, I think that's really what I gravitate towards either single dad or second chance. Those are like, if I see that on like a new book coming out and I see that's on there, I'm like, Oh hell yeah. Like I get so pumped. Sold. I brought single parent for mine as well. Sorry. I know. I feel like you guys have like the small town single parent thing, like very much in common.
00:46:08
Speaker
That's like your guys's like realm. Like I really do feel like anything Logan reads and loves like there's a 95% chance I will also read it and love it. The only thing that I know that we hardcore disagree on is love and other words, which is fucking tragic.
00:46:23
Speaker
I remember, no, okay, Logan, I get so nervous whenever, whenever Logan reads a book that like, I really loved, I get so nervous because I thought I had it in the bag when she was like, I'm gonna read All Roads Lead here. I'm like, hell yeah, she's gonna love this. It's single dad, it's small town, it's Mariah Carey. She did not like it at all. I was like,
00:46:43
Speaker
No like I was like no I failed like what did I do wrong and then I think it was when you read Simple Wild and you loved it I was like okay. Bro I was horrified. When she read Simple Wild I was like I don't really know how to deal. We were like shitting yeah. I was so scared.
00:47:01
Speaker
Okay, to be fair, nobody was more bummed than me that I didn't like all roads lead here because I had been waiting for that audiobook to come out for like a year and I was it was like what I was expecting to be my number one book of the year like I was so ready. So when I didn't end up liking it, like nobody was more bummed than me I promise.
00:47:19
Speaker
Oh my gosh. Okay. What is your least favorite trope? This is a hard one because I used to always say friends to lovers because I just like don't buy it like that you've been friends all this time. And you never once thought about making out with each other when you're drunk. Like I just fully do not believe that. And so I mean, I can buy into it when there's like a real like funny feelings. I was like, okay, that that's an exception. It makes sense. Like, you know, they had things in their way.
00:47:45
Speaker
So I think it can be done well. And I have found over the last year that there are some that I actually do genuinely enjoy. So it's not one that I don't like as much. And I really feel like there's not a lot that I won't read other than bully romance or Y2s. That's just not really my thing. But as far as tropes, I feel like there's some that I don't get as excited to see. If I'm looking at a bullet point of trope list, there's some that don't get my heart rate going as much. And this can be a little controversial.
00:48:13
Speaker
Um, but it is kind of like, I still enjoy it, but it's not one that I get pumped about. And that is like marriage of convenience, fake dating. Because I feel like there's always that like really experienced. And again, I do like there are times I absolutely love it. But I think it has to be done right because it always has the
00:48:33
Speaker
Oh, like they don't actually like me, the other person's POV. They don't actually like me, obviously. It's very frustrating. Yeah. It is. And so like, I think when it's done, like in funny feelings and she starts, you know, self-doubting or whatever, she talks to him and they communicate and it's perfect. But then there's other times when she spirals for 80% of the book and you're like, take a look around, he's with you.
00:48:55
Speaker
that it gets on my nerves sometimes, or sometimes, I don't know, the stakes aren't enough for it to seem realistic. My friend and I were talking about this. She was like, I feel like to me, fake dating is the only one that doesn't feel realistic in the sense of, yeah, you could date your brother's best friend. You could date a single dad.
00:49:11
Speaker
Like but something about fake dating like those stakes aren't actually Have you ever met anybody in real life who's actually fake dating? But you should you should try How to fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder because that one you did what did you think about if you didn't like it? It's okay because these two hated it. I love this. Oh my god
00:49:31
Speaker
We did not hate it. I did like it. My only thing with that one was like I loved, I thought like the story of like his recovery and everything was important. I think I just wanted to see more like from that part of it and then like he was a single dad but like he really wasn't like.
00:49:47
Speaker
I mean, he didn't need to be on those kids yet. And that was weird. And then I felt like, obviously like him needing to go to rehab was such a huge thing. And then it was, I can't remember if that one was dual POV or not, but like you didn't really get his POV again after that. And so that was kind of my only thing with that one, but I still did. I loved that book. I thought it was very cute.
00:50:09
Speaker
I was watching was it like a tick or an Instagram live or a tiktok live. Kinder and I both were with Zachary Weber. And he was talking about his he was talking about his current girlfriend. But I know.
00:50:23
Speaker
But he mentioned, they were talking about tropes and they're talking about fake dating. And the interviewer had asked him like if he'd ever like fake dated or something. And he was like, yeah, yeah. And then I was like, wait, what? And then they just like, I'm gone. And we were like, expand. What do you mean? You just fake dated somebody. Expand on that, please. Like I was so confused.
00:50:42
Speaker
I think it totally makes sense in a celebrity PR setting. Sometimes I think fake dating just... I don't know. When it's like, okay, I need a date for a wedding or whatever. But I think when it's a long-term fake dating thing, that's when... And again, I still read a ton of fake dating and have so many five-star fake dates. I think it's just one of those things that...
00:51:06
Speaker
You're not like, oh, I have to read it. Right. There's a chance for it to and maybe it's more like marriage of convenience over fake dating that sometimes I'm like, because they're like the stakes have to be realistic. Sometimes sometimes I can overlook it. But then other times and I think the there's just a lot of miscommunication. I feel like Funny Feelings is the only fake dating book I've ever read where there's not a third act breakup or like a major miscommunication. So.
00:51:32
Speaker
Do you know what I appreciate about the bluff from the clarity Montana series is that they were never not fucking like they their relationship started out physical. And then there was a marriage of convenience and they were like, well, we might as well bone for the length of the marriage. Yeah, I was like, that feels more realistic than like, well, pretend we're not attracted to each other. All right, so next rapid fire, what is your comfort book? Or it doesn't have to be like the comfort book? What is a comfort book for you?
00:52:02
Speaker
both eyeball and then another one for audio. So I very rarely will reread, like eyeball reread.
00:52:10
Speaker
Like I might pick up a book and like, you know, flip through my annotations and stuff, but that just, that's not, I don't know. I don't like eyeball reread very often. But audiobook wise, I feel like I gravitate towards like, I love Ignite by Melanie Harlow. That's just like a book that I can re-listen to all the time, because it's just hilarious. And I love the narrators. And then Sinner, obviously, and Indigo Ridge is another one.
00:52:38
Speaker
and Steel King. I feel like I kind of like pretty much any Devany Perry audiobook that's narrated by most of like the people that she uses. So I don't know. I just kind of like low stakes, small town. I re-listened to Wild at Heart recently. So just like that kind of vibe. Very nice. Nothing too stressful. So great lead in. Next one. Who are your favorite audiobook narrators, male and female? Who do you get excited to see on a book?
00:53:05
Speaker
Obviously, Zachary Weber. We love him. Jason Clark. Steven Dexter has really worked his way up to the top of the list. I love him. He narrated, he was actually, I discovered him because he narrates Reich. And then when I saw that he was doing Ignite, I was like, where have I heard this voice before? And then I was like, oh, no wonder.
00:53:24
Speaker
And so he plays like the perfect grump. Like I can't imagine him doing anything else. Like there are some people who can, you know, do it all. But he, like, if he ever narrates anyone who's not like grumpy and basically a single dad, like, I'm not interested. Like he did a good job in Heartless too. Like I was so excited to see him for Heartless. You know, what's actually crazy is that he narrates one of my favorite books of last year. I don't think I made it to my top 10, but it was like an honorable mention.
00:53:51
Speaker
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Lease. And I actually didn't, I really liked Stephen Dexter, but I didn't like him in that book. Because he's not a, Jamie in that book, he's not a grump, he's not a single dad. He's not like, he's not either of those things. And that's why I think it actually didn't work very well. It's because it just doesn't fit the vibe for Jamie. And so that was like, it was a release. And I did it on audio. And I, I mean, Chloe's love to get along that much anyways, but
00:54:19
Speaker
Yeah, him is that guy. I've been wanting to read that one. So it's good to know I shouldn't do audio because I do think like sometimes I think sometimes like narrators can get like typecast. Like for me, Sebastian York is a like old man, a billionaire CEO. Like that is what he does. And that's it. So if I see him anything else, I'm like, what are you doing here? Are you here? And like, I think like that is his role. And I think I don't mind listening to him in that role, but I struggle when I see him elsewhere.
00:54:49
Speaker
And there's other people who are chameleons and who can do it all, but I feel like those are two. And even like Jason Clark, I think it would be hard for him to play anyone who's not like, I don't know, like Ruby or yeah. We just did an audiobook episode and I was talking about how Jason Clark is every, I wish he could do every single like broody cranky man. And then Zachary Weber can do everybody else. Yes.
00:55:14
Speaker
Yeah, that's all I want. And the female narrators, Ava Erickson and Vanessa Edwin, like just obsessed with both of them. I feel like Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clark pair so well together. Ava Erickson and Zachary Weber pair so well together. Just love them. Yeah, I'm a lot picky about female narrators, which is a bummer. I think it's like, a lot of times it's the way that they do male voices that can really like make or break if they're doing too much. It's a little, yeah.
00:55:44
Speaker
Anytime I see either of those, I'm very excited. Okay, what was your last five star read? I think yours truly. I was like kind of hovering on like the 4.5 or five star with that one solely because of, you know, everything that I was talking about the other day with, I don't know, my frustrations. But then I have to look internally and realize I literally would have been acting the same way. So I can't fault because
00:56:12
Speaker
I have a deep-seated fear of rejection as well. So you know, it's fine. So I can't blame her for that. So yeah, I think, I mean, that was an incredible book. Like, I mean, everyone has been saying it. It's no like new news, but just the anxiety representation, unreal. I mean, truly unreal. It was a lot of the same feelings I had when I read Saint of like, oh my God, finally someone's like putting it into words what I feel and just like so beautifully. And the way that he communicates
00:56:41
Speaker
I don't know, like the way he has like adapted and can communicate and then, but then also just like the way he sees himself as like a burden, but then finally has this person who is immediately willing to like adjust everything to make sure that he is like safe and comfortable. It's just one of those things. It's like, you just can't help but love it.
00:57:03
Speaker
Kimmy from Kimmy's books was reading around the same time you were and she was sending us some updates and she was also like getting really frustrated I think with certain things that were happening you know in the the third act but I think usually people by the end like once they get to those final chapters and they see kind of the resolution of everything they're like
00:57:24
Speaker
Okay, I guess that was really good. So yeah, I love we all love that book. It's amazing. Yeah. Do you have a favorite sub genre of romance? Is it the small town, single dad, specifically those all together?
00:57:40
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I think any small town, I just I love the vibes of a small town romance, like there's always going to be like a cafe or a bar that like, you know, the town congregates in or there's and there's usually always like an older character who like spreads gossip or like gives wisdom, you know, and like, I just, I just think that's so fun. I love the feeling of it. I feel like
00:58:01
Speaker
I don't know, you can't help but love it. It's so comforting. It feels very comfortable. I just finished reading the Queen's Cove series by Stephanie Archer. It wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but the small town of it all.
00:58:17
Speaker
excellent like you get all the nosy ass people you get like this one older character who's like the wisdom for like everyone in the town and it's set in like um vancouver island in canada so it's beautiful like a stunning small town see this is why i know you're gonna love love light farms kendra because like yeah all all that vibes of like it feels like a hallmark movie yes but better yeah
00:58:43
Speaker
I love those books. Yeah, I just got one of those, one of the books, I think maybe the most recent release, I think the girl has like pink hair on the cover. Oh yeah, that's Finrose River. Yeah, so I'm excited to read those. I keep seeing them everywhere. Yeah, I think for the first one. Yeah, and it's gonna be duet. So yeah, it's gonna be which I thought was interesting because it's already
00:59:05
Speaker
dope you'll be so I thought we just do it that way but yeah it's gonna be do it um okay is there a specific sub genre of romance that you avoid slash like we'll never read I guess I mean never say never but I really don't I've never really been a huge like white shoes fan or like especially when it's tied to like bully romances and stuff like I really
00:59:27
Speaker
Zodiac Academy I tried. It was, I mean, not that that's who I choose, but like that being such a hardcore bully romance, like I've read like some Marina Kent and stuff and like I went, I had like a very, a whole month of, I read everything that Marina Kent had out and enjoyed it. Like obviously that's a bully romances and stuff. None of it was like five stars changing my life, but like I still did enjoy it. So I, I can't say that I'll never read it cause I did enjoy those, but I also had no, like I enjoyed her versions of them, but I didn't really have,
00:59:54
Speaker
And a lot of it is because I wanted to get to the next generation books because I had accidentally started there and then went back and read the whole backlist. But I have no desire to reach for anyone else's high school ballet romances. And then why choose? I don't know. I just I've read a couple and it's fine, but it's not something I really gravitate towards. Yeah, for me, I need them all to be in love. Yeah. Like I'm fine with lots of people. I just need them all to be in love with each other.
01:00:21
Speaker
Yeah, as far as bully romances I think I'm with you there. I read, I mean I've read a couple. I haven't read the Zodiac Academy, and that's kind of the reason I don't really plan to. And I've heard like that you know as like the books go on, it's not, it doesn't really become a thing anymore but like for the first couple I think it's that way and I'm just like,
01:00:41
Speaker
No, thank you. Um, cause I started reading the, um, devil's night series. In 2021, I read the first two and I was like, you know what? No, I'm not really about that. Stop being so meaner. Um, I just like wasn't a big fan. So I think I was like, you know, I think Billy Ramit says, yeah, haven't read one. It's like spring of 2021. When I first started reading, that's when I read
01:01:07
Speaker
like corrupt and punk 57 and some of those and loved them then, you know, but everything was new and exciting. I mean, I gave like everything five stars. I just loved everything except for the stopover, read that during that. And that was not fun. Other than that, like I just was, everything is so fun and exciting. And then for some reason I never picked up like hideaway after corrupt. And then maybe like a year later, I was like, okay, I'm going to go back to the series. Cause I always would see everyone talk about kill switch, like Damon and winter and all this stuff. It's okay. Well, I want to get to that. And then I read hideaway. I was like,
01:01:38
Speaker
I don't think I like this. I read that and then there's like a novella and then Killswitch. And I got to the end of Killswitch and I was like, all that for what? So I think I just realized that I'm not cut out for it. It takes a lot for me to not finish a series. And for that reason, I may eventually like read the last book, but I just, I think my tastes are a lot different now. I'm like, oh, you should just be nice to each other or not have like a malicious intent at least. So are there any upcoming releases that you're really looking forward to?
01:02:07
Speaker
Reckless by L.C. Silver. They're excited about that. Crimson River, obviously. I mean, I've read it, but I'd still be like, whatever. But I'm really excited for that release. It's gonna be so great. What else? Obviously, Crescent City 3 would like to have that much sooner.
01:02:30
Speaker
And then the final book, or I think it's the final book, which is Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake, which is, I love Delilah Green Doesn't Care.
Anticipated Book Releases and ACOTAR Commentary
01:02:41
Speaker
And Astra Parker Doesn't Fail was like one of my most anticipated reads of last year because like Astra Parker is literally me in the flesh, like top to bottom, like that is her personality, everything. And like similar hair too. Yeah. Yeah. Like on hair, you never see that
01:02:56
Speaker
So, um, I don't like her style, just like everything, everything. And so I was like, okay, I'm going to love this book. And it was a little bit of a letdown just because of the like third act breakup, which pissed me off. But so I'm excited for the next one. I'm like, I have really enjoyed those two. And it's like a small town setting. I love that it's sapphic and it's like cute and rom-comy. So I have really enjoyed that series and I'm excited for the last one. When does that one come out? I think October. I keep like, I have time. Yeah.
01:03:24
Speaker
You should do them on audio, because I really like the first one on audio. I haven't done the second one yet, but it's on hold at Libby. Yeah, I haven't listened to Asher Parker, but I think it's the same narrator. And I want to say it is the same narrator who did The Love Wager, I think. Oh, thank you. Yeah, she was great. I've been seeing her name a lot more. I think it's her. I could be wrong, but I think it's her. Yeah, she's good. You are becoming a fantasy girl. You just did. Do you have a favorite Batboy?
01:03:53
Speaker
There is a correct answer. You can say this. Just kidding. I guess there is, yeah. Well, for us, yeah. Well, just kidding. There's no. The little kid's like, I don't want to answer anymore, actually. I mean, I feel like I gravitate towards like Reese, when it's like Reese and Feyre as a couple, like I gravitate towards them. Akmap was easily like my favorite of those, but I do like,
01:04:22
Speaker
Cassian as like an individual like I really like him I think like I like his kind of almost like Golden Retriever attitude I feel like I don't know I really like him and I think it's kind of a nice balance to like sometimes the heaviness of that series so but they're not the couple I would gravitate towards if that makes sense I'm just glad you didn't say Asriel thank you I hate people like as is my favorite I'm like you know nothing about him yeah
01:04:51
Speaker
Yeah, like I'm sure he's going to be great whenever he gets personally, but I'm just waiting for it. We're all re-scurlys. Yeah. Once you get to the end of Silver Flames and you do read his bonus chapter, Azrael's bonus chapter, I'm very curious what your thoughts on that chapter will be. Oh yeah, because it pissed me off. And Brandy, it did. It didn't really piss me off, but whatever. Brandy doesn't like
01:05:18
Speaker
Okay, you guys take this way too far. I never said I didn't like her. I just think I don't understand why people are so obsessed with her. Because every single character in that series has massive amounts of buffing trauma and she's the only one who's a raging bitch to everybody around her for three straight books.
01:05:39
Speaker
I love Silver Flames. It's my second favorite in the series. Everybody needs to calm down. We're gonna call Tasnim right now. I have Rip to Shreds. Logan obviously knows I'm reading Throne of Glass right now, and I sent a Throne of Glass opinion to our friends Tas and Lomi, and I just got ripped to shreds for like an hour. Like they hate Reesand. They love Nesta. They hate all the characters I love in Throne of Glass. It was crazy.
01:06:07
Speaker
Oh yeah, we're friends with some retaters. I had the fight for my life a lot. It's styled. Yeah, has your opinion of Reese changed at all while reading Silver Flames? Because that's usually where it comes from, right? Like, how dare he lock her in that library? I'm like, how dare she be horrible to everybody for years? Literally.
01:06:29
Speaker
I'm enjoying the book, but it is hard because I'll start to sympathize when she's in the library and wanting to help the nuns and wanting to help them have more self-defense training and things like that. I start to really like her, but then the minute she's around Feyre and Rhys or anyone else, she just goes back to being a bitch.
01:06:49
Speaker
can you not and maybe it's just like the chronic people pleaser like i don't want to take up too much space in me but i'm like i i can't not that i have i mean there's plenty of characters that i can't relate to that i like but with her i'm like i really can't relate like i it's really hard to i don't know i mean i'm an only child i've also had like a very easy life and i'm just typically nice people so i don't know i do struggle at times with her and i think it's
01:07:19
Speaker
Mostly when she's with like Reese and Farah and everyone else and like being mean to Elaine after like being so pretty anyways It's a whole thing which I'm sure you know, these are like not common or that they're not uncommon as well But yeah, there was just there's times that I struggle a little bit with her but I'm I'm still enjoying it a lot and I I like who she Like I feel like when her heart does show at certain times, you know like when she's in the library or when she's with him and
01:07:46
Speaker
I really do like her, but there are some times that I'm like, can you just rain it in a minute? Yeah, yeah, she needs some therapy.
Audiobook Obsession and Listening Habits
01:07:56
Speaker
Is there an author you haven't read that you would like to get to very soon, that you're itching to check out? I've really been wanting to read some of the Jennifer Hartman books. Tanya talks about them a lot, like Still Beating and some of those. So those are definitely highly anticipated
01:08:15
Speaker
Our last episode, as I mentioned, was our audiobook episode and we all opened up our Audible libraries and looked at how many audiobooks we had. And Kendra had how many? She's gonna hold up. We'll all say our numbers quickly and then we want to know how many titles you have in your Audible library. I want us to also guess at how many we think we have. Oh yeah, I would love to guess first.
01:08:41
Speaker
Okay, please do. Okay, so yeah, I have 51 titles and I guess that Logan has like upwards of 400. I am next in line. I have 54, barely beat out Kendra. Kendra and I both are really heavy Libby listeners too, so we switch a lot back and forth. I have 54. And when I guess Brandi's, I guess pretty close to what she had, which was she'll say in a second, but I'm gonna guess, I'm gonna guess 375.
01:09:09
Speaker
I have 209. And I'm guessing Logan has 550. Okay, maybe I'm low balling. I'm low balling, aren't I? Oh, maybe I should give a specific number because I said upwards of 400. So I'll say like 410. Okay, I'm guessing 450 or 550. I love your poker face, Logan. Each time we guessed, you would be like... I have 741. Holy shit! I was not expecting that at all.
01:09:39
Speaker
You are like the audiobook girlie. It's yours. Like we did it in the crowd. Oh my god. I did like my audible wrapped or whatever at the end of the year last year. I want to say that it equated to an average of seven hours a day. Like. Wow. That's a full time job, literally. And I think it's because I mean, literally from like the minute I wake up, I turn one on and then like I'm
01:10:05
Speaker
quite literally never left alone with my own thoughts. If I'm working or have something to do, then obviously I don't have one on. But if I'm eating lunch, walking my dog, cooking dinner, cleaning, getting ready in the morning, if I so much as have to walk down to check my mail, I'm going to put an audiobook in. At this point, it's not healthy. Because the other day, my Bluetooth speaker was dead. And I had to shower in silence and was like, all of these thoughts came crashing in at me. I'm like, oh, nope. I'm not interested in that. So yeah.
01:10:35
Speaker
Definitely not healthy. What speed do you listen to? Yeah, I think it depends on the narrator. I feel like I typically start out with like, like my average is around like 1.6 or so. But then depending on like, Zachary, whoever gonna bump it down. But then like the some of them I listen to, I will bump it up to like, to 2.2 if they're like a slower narrator, it just kind of depends. But I will listen to them as I fall asleep, like I'll turn on a sleep timer. And if I do that, I have to turn it down to like 1.2.
01:11:05
Speaker
Because if they're talking quickly, then my brain is still moving quickly and I can't fall asleep. So that is something that I've learned about myself when I'm like listening. So kind of like adjust depending on what I'm doing too. Like sometimes I, if I want it to be quicker or if it's something that I've listened to in the past or whatever. Um, our last episode, like we already said, it was audio book episode and we talked about our listening speeds and I'm the slower listener of the three here. And, um, I usually sit at like a 1.4.
01:11:34
Speaker
But yesterday I sent them a message where I was like, guys. She was so happy. What do you notice? I sent a message where I was listening to one in Rome at 1.5, but I have an update. Guys, I bumped it up to 1.6. Please clap. Wow. Please clap. Thank you so much. Amazing. I know that's killing you, isn't it? I'm so proud of myself. You're like, what's going on? No. I feel like this one is going a little bit like they're talking. At least the girl is talking a little bit slower.
01:12:04
Speaker
I was like, all right, I think it's time. We'll get you there one day. Okay, our final rapid fire.
Discussion on Fallen Men Series and Romance Audiobooks
01:12:11
Speaker
Well, Kayla and I this year finally read the fallen men series. Brandi had read it last year. I loved it. Kayla has some, it almost ruined our friendship. So we want to know what your favorite book is. And then your favorite couple and your favorite character. That's so hard because, I mean, trying to think like,
01:12:33
Speaker
I love priests and be like, I love them a lot, but their book, like their plot, I felt like was really predictable and all of that, but I love them. But then like, so I mean, Welcome to the Dark Side is probably my favorite book. Yeah. And I honestly, I think, I know it's fine.
01:12:52
Speaker
And I think they're my favorite couple, too, honestly. I just love them. And I started with that book. And so I started with that one. And I just loved it. But I mean, to be fair, after I went through my whole romance audiobook phase and then eyeball read my first romance book, after that, the next book I read was Unconditional by Kibbe Tyler. And then I read The Doctor and Nikki Sloan.
01:13:17
Speaker
you were in it. So and then I went back and I was like off campus and was like okay um so I feel like with the taboo stuff I really just like like do I used to read like a lot of taboo and I still I think at that point I would read like I was kind of like fascinated by it honestly it's kind of like a I don't know like a morbid fascination and kind of would see like okay you know what all will I read um and
01:13:43
Speaker
Now I feel like I, there's like a select few authors and I'm like, okay, I'll read it if they write it, but I don't seek it out as much as I used to. Um, cause I think, you know, obviously has to be done well. So, but yeah, with, I don't know, I just like loved Welcome to the Dark Side and so did Kendra and I, the plot, I thought like the plot was so good. I didn't really, I didn't expect like, and that was kind of more of a suspenseful one too. And so it was again, kind of like combining this, like, Oh, this is like kind of a mystery. There's like some criminal activity going on.
01:14:12
Speaker
in multiple fronts, but I just thought it was kind of nice to have that with the romance. I think a lot of that too is like reading that type of book for the first time of like, okay, it's not just like fluff and romance. Have you gone back and listened to it since eyeball reading it? Yes, I did when the audiobook first came out. You deserve an award. Yeah.
01:14:36
Speaker
But then I think that's the only one I've gone back to and listened to. And I will say, when we were talking about eyeball reading or rereading, I will go back and reread a lot of parts of After the Fall. I think there's a lot of really great King and Crested moments in After the Fall. And so there are a lot of those that I'll reread. Did you ever go back and read Lessons on Corruption?
01:15:01
Speaker
Yes, so I read Welcome to the Dark Side, because I didn't know about interconnected standalone. It's like that was not something I'd ever heard of. So I just started with Welcome to the Dark Side, and then I read Good Gone Bad. And then I started after the fall and then realized, OK, this is King and Cresta, but weren't they book one? So I was like, well, if I'm going to read their second book, I should probably read their first book. So then I went back and read it. And I think because I had already seen them as a couple and already loved them as a couple in books two and three,
01:15:30
Speaker
reading. I think that's why I didn't hate book one, because I've kind of already seen like the after. But I can see why people don't love book one. I like a lot. I mean, I love I love LinkedIn lies. So are they they're your favorite couple? Are they your favorite? Like male and female? Do you have like a separate favorite characters? They're like apart from the couple themselves. I really like priest like I really like him a lot. I think he's just like kind of an interesting character. So he
01:16:00
Speaker
He might be up there. Um, and then I really like Lila. I think she's cool. Me too. Yeah. So those are probably, I mean, those are two like outside of like my favorite couple of that I really like. So amazing. Thanks for doing rapid fire with us. Hey, no problem. It was fun. It wasn't very rapid. Sorry, but it's okay. It was rapid for us. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
01:16:24
Speaker
Amazing.
Closing Remarks and Social Media Handles
01:16:25
Speaker
Well, Logan, thank you so much for coming on and hanging out with us and being our first guest. Like we said, we talk about you almost every single episode. So when we were talking about wanting to have a guest on, we were like, of course it has to be Logan. So thank you so much for coming on. I know we've mentioned this briefly, but where can everybody find you for socials and all that stuff?
01:16:26
Speaker
Yeah.
01:16:44
Speaker
Yeah, so Bookstagram, it's LCs, Bookstagram, like LCS, Bookstagram, and then TikTok, it's Logan's library with two Ys. And they're pretty much the only two. I feel like there's like a bunch of other apps floating around out there right now that I'm like, quietly observing, but I don't know that anything will actually, you know, take off. So I'll be curious to see if any of them do. Amazing.
01:17:07
Speaker
Thank you so much for having me. This was so fun. I love this so much. This was such a blast getting to talk to you. Oh wait, if you want to know more about Logan and more about the podcast, you can follow us on Instagram at bring your own pod. We'll probably post something very fun and cute about Logan whenever this episode comes out. Yay! Amazing. All right, see you next time.