Brutally Honest Books: Recent Episodes
Sarah Girand
The things you wanna know about books, without knowing too much, to know whether you should read it or not.
In lieu of an episode, this is just a quick little update for the month of July! Keep your eye peeled & be sure to follow along on social media.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbookclub
Welcome to "Enemies-to-Lovers June"!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Enemies-to-Lovers June"!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Enemies-to-Lovers June"!
Today's book review is of Rebecca Yarros' book, "Fourth Wing".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Enemies-to-Lovers June"!
Today's book review is of Emily Henry's book, "Book Lovers."
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Around the World May"!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Around the World May"!
Today's book review is of Vaudine England's book, "Fortune's Bazaar: The Making of Hong Kong."
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Around the World May"!
Today's book review is of Islam Issa's book, "Alexandria: The City That Changed the World."
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest: Jason Kofke | Artist
Instagram: @kofke
Podcast (coming soon): War Diary
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to "Around the World May"!
Today's book review is of Candice Millard's book, "River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile River."
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Solo Episode April!
Today's episode is all about my unpopular (kind of embarrassing) book opinion.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Solo Episode April!
Today's episode is a discussion about the relationship between BookTok & the publishing industry & if I think it's having an impact on the books they choose to publish.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Solo Episode April!
Today's episode is a discussion about adult fandoms (specifically the Harry Potter fandom) & comments made by Miriam Margoyles about said fandom.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Solo Episode April!
Today's episode is about the relationship between book reviewers & authors, along with the role that the digital space/social media is playing in the relationship. As a part of that topic, I also discuss the books I rate under 3 stars & why.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Monarchy March!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "Through the Looking Glass" (the sequel to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland") by Lewis Carroll.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Monarchy March!
Today's book review is of John Guy & Julia Fox's book, "Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, & the Marriage that Shook Europe"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Monarchy March!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Monarchy March!
Today's book review is of Nancy Goldstone's book, "In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Satire February!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Satire February!
Today's book review is of George Cockcroft's book, "The Diceman"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest: Amélie Hoeferle | Actress (Hunger Games: Ballad of Song Birds & Snakes, Night Swim)
Instagram: @ameliehoeferle
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Satire February!
Today's book review is of Glen Duncan's book, "I, Lucifer"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Paranormal January!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Paranormal January!
Today's book review is of Verity Holloway's book, "The Others of Edenwell"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Paranormal January!
Today's book review is of Tananarive Du's book, "The Reformatory"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest: Abby Girand | Professional Ceramicist, Co-Host of the Box Office Books podcast (& my sister)
Instagram: @abbygirand | @boxofficebooks
Etsy shop: Arand Haus
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Paranormal January!
Today's book review is of Craig DiLouie's book, "Episode Thirteen"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Snowbound December!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis.
Editor's Note: There's several "slip-up's" in this episode when referring to this book - oftentimes Sarah used the title "The Chronicles of Narnia" when she meant to say "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (as "The Chronicles of Narnia" refers to the series as a whole).
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Snow-bound December!
Today's book review is of Kate Simants' book, "Freeze"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Out with 2023, in with 2024!
In lieu of an interview this week, here's a quick little catch-up about all things podcast & social media going into the new year!
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbookclub
Welcome to Snow-bound December!
Today's book review is of Ottessa Moshfegh's book, "Eileen"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Nonfiction November!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Nonfiction November
Today's book review is of Kate Murphy's book, "You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why it Matters"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Nonfiction November
Today's book review is of Dee Brown's book, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Keith (my dad) & I discuss the appeal of Nonfiction books & approaching reading as a non-reader.
Editor's Note: unfortunately I was a little under the weather during this recording which contributed to some vocal fry.
Welcome to Nonfiction November
Today's book review is of Jill Burke's book, "How to be a Renaissance Woman"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Spooktober!
Today's book review is of Christina Henry's book, "Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Spooktober!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Troy & I discuss the themes of hope & redemption in the horror genre, connecting with classical literature in the present-day & the increasing presence of AI.
Troy's Substack: a-noise-like-wings.com
Dracula Daily: draculadaily.substack.com
Welcome to Spooktober!
Today's book review is of Emily M. Danforth's book, "Plain Bad Heroins"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Action-Adventure September!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Action-Adventure September!
Today's book review is of Helen Callaghan's book, "The Drowning Girls"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Makenzie & I discuss her job as a Publicity Manager for Greystone Books, working with authors, & 19th - 20th C. literature.
Instagram: @greystonebooks
Instagram: @greystonekidsbooks
Website: greystonebooks.com
Website: greystonebooks.com/pages/kids
Welcome to Action-Adventure September!
Today's book review is of Kate Harris' book, "Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Adaptation August!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: actor Charles Hsu & I discuss the genre that he's coined, "Women's Divorce Fiction"
Instagram: @charlesahsu
TikTok: @charlesahsu
Facebook: charlesahsu.com
Welcome to Adaptation August!
Today's book review is of Bonnie Garmus' book, "Lessons in Chemistry"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: author Helen Callaghan & I discuss her work,the inspiration & ethics of true crime, & the thriller/suspense genre.
Guest: Helen Callaghan
Instagram: @hecallaghan
Website: helencallaghan.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/hecallaghanauthor/
Welcome to Adaptation August!
Today's book review is of Laura Dave's book, "The Last Thing He Told Me"
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Foodie Summer!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is a somewhat unserious (& slightly intoxicated) summary of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Foodie Summer!
Today's book review is of Rowan Jacobsen's book, "Truffle Hound: On the Trail of the World's Most Seductive Scent, with Dreamers, Schemers, and Some Extraordinary Dogs."
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Julietta & I discuss Booktok (the good & the bad), the dynamic between authors & reviewers.
Guest: Julietta
TikTok: @juliettaslibrary
Instagram: @juliettas_library
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Foodie Summer!
Today's book review is of Victoria James' book, "Wine Girl".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Historical Fiction June!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is an informal (somewhat unserious) summary of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Historical Fiction June!
Today's book review is of Dan Jones' book, "Essex Dogs".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Lauren & I discuss the topic of historical fiction, overhyped books & Marsh's Library in Dublin, Ireland.
Guest: Lauren
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Historical Fiction June!
Today's book review is of Alix Christie's book, "Gutenberg's Apprentice".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Magic May!
Today's Cocktails & Classics episode is an informal (somewhat unserious) summary of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Magic May!
Today's book review is of Philip Carr-Gomm & Richard Heygate's book, "The Book of English Magic".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Magic May!
Today's book review is of Susanna Clarke's book, "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: my brother & I discuss the topic of books vs. other forms of media, storytelling & fantasy adaptations (LOTR, HP, Dune, etc.)
Guest: Jonah // HOA Accounting Clerk
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Welcome to Magic May!
Today's book review is of J.M. Miro's book, "Ordinary Monsters".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Viola Davis', "Finding Me".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Alan Rickamn's, "Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Pamela Anderson's memoir, "Love, Pam".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Prince Harry's, "Spare".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Guest Episode: Our first guest episode discussing the topic of masculinity according to J.R.R. Tolkien & Lord of the Rings.
Guest: Stefan // Podcast Producer & Music Industry Professional
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
Today is a solo episode with your host, Sarah, as a way to get to know her better before kicking off a new podcast series - GUEST EPISODES!
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Alicia Thompson's, "Love in the Time of Serial Killers".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Kate Morgan's, "Murder: The Biography".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Ashley Winstead's, "In My Dreams I Hold A Knife".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Kate Winkler Dawson's, "My Policeman".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Bethan Roberts', "My Policeman".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Ruth Jones's, "Love Untold".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of James Gould-Bourn's, "Bear Necessity".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of India Knight's, "Darling".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Emily St. John Mandel's "Sea of Tranquility".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Matthew Kneale's "Prilgrims".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Stephen King's "Fairy Tale".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
A brief announcement for podcast & book club updates in 2023.
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Patricia Highsmith's "Deep Water".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Hanya Yanagihara's book, "A Little Life".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of J.J. Connolly's book, "Layer Cake".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Miranda Cowley Heller's book, "The Paper Palace".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Sally Rooney's book, "Beautiful World, Where Are You".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of J.J.A. Harwood's book, "The Shadow in the Glass".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Holly Black's book, "Book of Night".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Erin Sterling's book, "The Kiss Curse" (sequel to "The Ex Hex").
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Tara Conklin's book, "The House Girl".
Music © by Capazunda.
Instagram: @brutallyhonestbooks
TikTok: @brutallyhonestbooks
My review of Alex Pavesi's book, "Eight Detectives" (or "The Eighth Detective").
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Kathryn Harkup's book, "Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings & Broken Hearts."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Chantry Westwell's book, "Dragons, Heroes, Myths & Magic: The Medieval Art of Storytelling."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Laura Shepherd-Robinson's book, "Blood & Sugar."
Music © by Capazunda.
Book about the true story of the Zong Massacre: "The Zong: A Massacre, the Law & the End of Slavery" by James Walvin
My review of Roland Ennos's book, "The Wood Age: How Wood Shaped the Whole of Human History."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Stanley Tucci's book, "Taste: My Life Through Food."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of David Omand's book, "How Spies Think: Ten Lessons in Intelligence."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Edward Brooke-Hitching's book, "Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Therese Anne Fowler's book, "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Matt Alt's book, "Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Marc J. Seifer's book, "Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Caroline Van Hemert's book, "The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000 Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Helen Callaghan's book, "Night Falls, Still Missing."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Bill Bryson's book, "At Home: A Short History of Private Life".
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Shawn Levy's book, "The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont".
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Mark Steward & Alan Greenwood's book, "Great Expeditions".
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Scott Ellsworth's book, "The World Beneath Their Feet".
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Charles Yu's book, "Interior Chinatown."
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund:
www.aaldef.org
Music © by Capazunda
My review of Sayaka Murata's book, "Convenience Store Woman."
Sayaka Murata at the Japan Society NYC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eag3-URh2I
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Dr. Yuval Noah Harari's book, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind."
Additional recommendations: "Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker & "How Language began" by Daniel Everett.
Music © Capazunda.
My review of "Crazy Little Pyromaniacs", edited by Andrea Yew and Crispin Rodrigues.
https://www.booksactuallyshop.com/
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Romain Puértolas' book, "The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Carolyne Faulkner's book, "The Signs: Decode The Stars, Reframe Your Life."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Lucy Inglis' book, "Milk of Paradise: A History of Opium."
Music © by Capazunda.
My review of Phil Knight's book, "Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike."
Music © by Capazunda.