Beating around the Book: Recent Episodes
Lindsay Sanchez
Inspiration and information for readers, writers, and lovers of literature. Stories are important. They can shape a life and reshape a world. We are the ones who decide which stories to write, publish, or recommend. We have the past and future in our collective hands. Join Lindsay and a variety of bookish guests and enjoy the show!
An in depth look at my experience with Authors AI.
*Some of the links below are affiliate. You get the same price and support me and indie bookshops at the same time! Yay!
Book Nook Segment:
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Resources Mentioned:
Your Mom Writes Books
Authors.ai
Even if you're not in the place you think you want to be with your writing or reading, maybe nothing has gone wrong, maybe you're exactly where you need to be.
Looking for good book recommendations? Here's a quick update on the best books I've read since October.
*Links below are affiliate. You get the same price and support me and indie bookshops at the same time! Yay!
#5. Vinegar Girl by Anne Taylor
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#4. Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
#3. Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
#2. Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
#1. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Books Mentioned:
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Dear Girls by Ali Wong
Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling
Go Ask Ali by Ali Wentworth
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Want more book recommendations? Check out this episodes for more ideas!
What Readers Want and How to Get Kids to Read with Janssen Bradshaw
Making your story entertaining isn't just your only hope of anyone reading it, it's also your job as writer, your only job.
Entertainment is the reason we're all here.
*The links below are affiliates. If you enjoy my work, please consider using my links and supporting me and at no extra cost to you.
Book Nook Book:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Me Before You
Sara B. Larson Links:
Website
Other Books Mentioned:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Defy
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Humor, Seriously
No one wants to read your book, that's why you'll have to make them. Step one: Make it readable.
Grammar, sentence structure, and spelling aren't sexy, but they are essential in grabbing your readers and holding on till the last page.
Resources:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Eats, Shoots and Leaves
Pro Writing Aid
Other Mentions:
Writing Excuses 16.27
Jenna Moreci - 10 Worst Writing Quirks
Three ways to reward yourself to success when arbitrary punishments and false deadlines are letting you down.
*The links below are affiliates. If you enjoy my work, please consider using my links and supporting me and at no extra cost to you. :)
Books Mentioned:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Hyperbole and a Half
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The Little Book of Hygge
Resources Mentioned:
How to Get Your Butt in the Chair and Keep it There (Beating around the Book Season 1 Ep. 31)
It's been said that every story has already been told. If that's true how do we keep telling stories? One way is with retellings and inspired by's and author Tiana Smith is here to tell us all about it.
This post contains some affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase may be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love.
Book to Movie Club:
Holes
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Post
Tiana's Books:
Match Me If You Can
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How To Speak Boy
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Find Tiana:
Website
Bee and I talk about why artists seem to be tortured souls, if there is any truth to the stereotype, and if we think it truly helps in the work.
This post contains some affiliate links. If you click on the link a small percentage of your purchase may be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and other amazing businesses!
TBR Segment:
Evvie Drake Starts Over
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The Oysterville Sewing Circle
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Lovely War
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Oona Out of Order
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Other Mentions:
Episode with Janssen Bradshaw
Big Magic
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Three suggestions for getting over creative block, and they're more fun than you might think!
This post contains some affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase may be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and other amazing businesses!
Book Nook:
Things You Save In a Fire
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Resources and Websites Mentioned:
Shonda Rhimes Masterclass
Matthew Walker Masterclass
Dan Brown Masterclass
Thomas Edison, Power Napping Article
Thomas Edison's Secret Trick to Maximize His Creativity by Falling Asleep Article
From Thomas Edison to Winston Churchill Here are the Sleeping Habits of 12 Great Leaders Article
Whether you've seen Bridgerton or not this episode discusses actionable ideas for staying true to your characters, specifically in the portrayal of sex scenes.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase may be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Bookish Inspirations:
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
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A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow Made Me Do It (Post)
Traditional Cuban Rice Pudding
Other Websites/ Articles Mentioned:
N. K. Jemisin Master Class
Health.cleaveland.org
WebMD
Womansday.com
If you ever get stuck in the middle of a story here's some ideas and suggestions that could help!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook:
Northern Spy
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Books:
Save The Cat
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Save The Cat Writes a Novel
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Nutshell Technique
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Resources Mentioned:
10 Minute Writers Workshop 10
Writing Excuses 10:27
Jessica Brody's Udemy Course
The Nutshell Technique Youtube
I've been binging the 10 Minute Writers Workshop. Here's some favorite advice so far, with my two cents tacked on, of course. ;)
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook:
Holes
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Resources Mentioned:
Writers Retreat
As creatives it can be easy to get in our heads about things like 'What if everyone hates it?' This episode explains why that probably won't happy, and why even if it does, it's not a problem. It's especially not your problem.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook:
The Light Between Oceans
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Resources Mentioned:
Episode with Janssen Bradshaw
JK Rowling Interview
Shannon Hale
This episode is a quick look into what objectification is, why it's so important to stop it, especially in our industry, and what we can do about it.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Beauty Redefined:
Website
Book - More Than a Body
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Brene Brown:
Website
Other sources mentioned:
The New York Times Article
The 10 Minute Writers Workshop Podcast
If you're listening to this podcast you probably agree that reading should be fun, like Janssen does. As a book blogger, mom, and former elementary school librarian, she helps us tune into the needs of readers from young to old, and explains tips and tricks to promote reading for even the most stubborn opposers.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Find Janssen at:
Everyday Reading Website/Blog
Savvy Reading
Book Nook Books:
What Alice Forgot
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Would Like to Meet
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Lovely War
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Best selling author Amy Harmon shares wonderful insights about her newest book, The Song Book of Benny Lament and answers questions about the disconnect that can happen between writing and storytelling and how to bridge the gap.
Book Nook Book:
The Song Book of Benny Lament
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
If you've ever been anxious or nervous about your work someone might tell you that you have Imposter Syndrome, but Imposter Syndrome is not your problem.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook Book:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Books and Links:
The Practice by Seth Godan
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Writing Wisdom from Amy Harmon on Beating around the Book
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome (Harvard Business Review)
What Is Imposter Syndrome? (Very Well Mind)
Imposter Syndrome (Wikipedia)
Books and stories cover a wide range on the sex and intimacy scale from 'Erotic' to 'Clean' and Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, a licensed sex therapist, is here to help us explore that range and how it can intersect with and enrich our lives.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook:
Outlander
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Edenbrooke
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Find Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-FIfe:
Website
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-finlayson-fifes-podcast-archive/id1479472319
Other Resources:
Lisa Kleypas
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Miranda Anderson is a creative lifestyle and practical minimalism expert AND she's a book lover like us. She opens up the bookish box to new ideas to use and think about books in your home and life. And offers suggestions on how to spread the love so that you and your family, friends, and community can enjoy the books you love more than ever before.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Find Miranda:
Live Free Creative Website
Miranda's Book
Miranda on Instagram
Book Nook:
The Read-Aloud Family
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The romance myth is that everything is more fun and sexier if you DON'T plan it or talk about it. In this episode I breakdown why this is a lie, how this is impacting our stories and our communities, and what we can do about it.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book to Movie Club:
The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
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Turkish Delight Recipe
Recommended Books:
Talking to Strangers
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Lindsay and Bee merge three methods to build a system for you to consistently get your butt in the chair and keep it there. So you can be successful with your writing and reading goals.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Book Nook Books:
The Power of Habit
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Atomic Habits
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Science of Getting Started
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Bee's Book Recommendations:
Start With Why
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Essentialism
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Practice: Shipping Creative Work
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Kim Tells us about her experience trunking her first novel, as well as resources and tips for finding new good reads over and over again. She is my book Guru!
Where to Find Kim:
Website
Promptly Journals
Kim's Favorite Books
Spotlighted Bookstagrammers: hereweeread Diversity and Inclusion Expert Bookish and Black Well-Read Black Girl Books from Episode: *This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love! Becoming by Michelle Obama
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Beach Read by Emily Henry
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Our book world is full of passionate readers and writers. But what do you do if you're having doubts? What happens when your craft gets hard or you're just feeling too busy to read or write? That can be discouraging and difficult. This pep talk will give you quotes and suggestions to offer a different perspective through your book troubles.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Books Mentioned Affiliate Links:
The Boys in the Boat
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Unbroken
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
All the Light We Cannot See
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
The Book Thief
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
This epilogue is the final episode for Infectious. A few loose ends are tied up and the stage is set for a sequel. It's been wonderful to have you join Maddy and her journey through Infectious. We hope you enjoy it!
We loved having you join us for the entertainment of INFECTIOUS and now we're going to make it even more worth your while by sharing insights and specific examples of how it could be better. There are some small spoilers, so if you haven't already listened to INFECTIOUS but would like to, we recommend you do that first. Enjoy the show!
Bee and Lindsay have a sisterly pep talk over post novel blues, the kind you get when you finish a good book that you didn't want to end, or have been working toward a goal and now that it's done you don't know what to do.
Links and credits:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=post-Potter%20depression
https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/fleur-morrison/theres-no-cure-for-the-post-book-blues_a_21655697/
https://people.com/celebrity/j-k-rowling-sad-to-finish-harry-potter-series/
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Find us on instagram @beatingaroundthebook
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.) Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live Find us on instagram @beatingaroundthebook
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.) Infectious Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live Find us on instagram @beatingarounthebook
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious
Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, it gets worse when she accidentally releases a virus. Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live
Find us on instagram @beatingaroundthebook
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this brings you the gift of entertainment and makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious
Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, everything gets so much worse when she accidentally releases a deadly virus.
Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live
Find us on instagram @beatingaroundthebook
Happy Holidays! 2020 has been rough. We hope this brings you the gift of entertainment and makes your season a little brighter. (Written in 2018. This is not a covid novel.)
Infectious
Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, everything gets so much worse when she accidentally releases a deadly virus.
Maddy has to work with a secret government agency to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live
Find me on instagram @beatingaroundthebook
If you haven't listened to Ch 1 and 2, listen to them first!
Infectious in a contemporary young adult novel that was written in 2018. It is not a covid novel, though it does deal with a fictional virus.
Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, everything gets so much worse when she accidentally releases a deadly virus into her new town.
Maddy has to work with a secret government agency and follow some deranged scientists clues to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
*Infectious is about a PG - PG13 rating for a few mild curse words, some innuendo, and small amounts of violence.
We know 2020 has been a hard year. So we want to bring a little more cheer and entertainment into your life this holiday season. Please enjoy a Trunk Novel on us. Happy Holidays!
Infectious in a contemporary young adult novel that was written in 2018. It is not a covid novel, though it does deal with a fictional virus.
Sixteen-year-old Maddy doesn't want to be the new girl, but as bad as it is that her parents made her move, everything gets so much worse when she accidentally releases a deadly virus into her new town.
Maddy has to work with a secret government agency and follow some deranged scientists clues to save the people she loves in the town where she never wanted to live.
*Infectious is about a PG - PG13 rating for a few mild curse words, some innuendo, and small amounts of violence.
As 2020 comes to an end, the isolation and struggle of it isn't. That's why, the last half, of the last month, of the-year-that-shall-not-be-named, we have something extra special for you. We're producing a serialized audiobook as our gift to you. We hope it brings, if nothing else, a little distraction
The power of the pause is real. In this episode Bee and Lindsay talk about some of the science behind why and how the pause can help with progressing your work, as well as personal experiences and recommendations.
Have you written a book? Ever wondered what's next? Now you know. Here are the 8 steps to edit your novel *before* a professional sees it.
Charlie shares her journey to becoming an author, tips for faster writing, and industry insight.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Books Mentioned Affiliate Links:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Links:
Author Brandon Sanderson
Author Caitlyn H. McFarland
Charlie's Website
Tips on creating a writing oasis that invites comfort and creativity.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at not extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Affiliate Links:
The Little Book of Hygge
The Year of Living Danishly
Other Links:
The Alison Show Podcast
Tips for getting through National Novel Writing Month and coming out the other side with your fifty thousand words and your mental / physical health intact.
It's not too late to join! Find Nano here: https://nanowrimo.org
And follow @beatingaroundthebook on instagram. We'll be sharing resources all month.
New York Times Best Seller Amy Harmon shares advice and words of wisdom that inspire and encourage in writing and in life.
Find her website here: https://www.authoramyharmon.com
Pre-order her next book (The Song of Benny Lament) here: https://www.authoramyharmon.com/thesongbookofbennylament.html
And follow her on insta @amy.harmon2 for more of her awesomeness!
Your main character should get all your best lines, but give your secondary characters a little life too. Most of us aren't interested in lifeless skeletons. Your readers and your plot will thank you.
"The key to creating better plots rests in a deeper understanding of character." — Kristen Lamb (Great Characters - The Beating Heart of Great Fiction)
Writing and Editing for relatable secondary characters and a few examples we've found.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link a percentage of your purchase will be paid to me, at not extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that I love. If you chose to use them, thank you for supporting me and the businesses I love!
Books Mentioned:
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
Other Links:
Nate Bargetze: https://www.natebargatze.com
Eurovision Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q6Co-nd0lM
Lit Service Podcast: https://litservicepodcast.wixsite.com/litnation
Helping Writers Become Authors Blog: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com
A podcast on a screenwriting method by Jill Chamberlin and how to apply it to novel writing and editing. After listening to the episode, check out the link to the book, her website below, and a YouTube, from Film Courage, of her explaining the technique.
https://bookshop.org/widgets.js
https://www.jillchamberlain.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwh6P34MpLI&list=PLez8jOvskc-PPqF5ZVdL8wxZPatraHdYe&index=12