Once Upon a Time Zone: A Bookish Podcast

We have the AMAZING debut author Shannon J Spann on the pod today! We chat about her process writing the incredibly unique fantasy standalone A Stage Set for Villains, her love for theatre, and more.Shannon's socials:https://www.instagram.com/shannonjspannBooks Discussed:A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J SpannOne Dark Window - Rachel GilligDaughters of the Sun and Moon - Lisa SeeTwo Can Play - Ali HazelwoodLong Distance Book Club:⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(03:18) why we love theatre(05:28) life as a debut author(06:34) from publishing to being an author(09:50) about a stage set for villains(10:28) the inspiration that started it all(12:44) the writing process(16:53) how to start a fantasy book(18:56) all about BANTER and chemistry(22:29) evolution of the protagonist(24:36) creating a unique magic system(27:13) the power of mirrors(29:03) will we see more in this world?(32:45) what's next?(34:41) adapting to film!(35:40) our dream casts(41:03) listener questions(41:11) was the book always split into acts?(42:32) what inspired Riven as a character?(47:05) did you write with a mood board?(49:00) what role did your faith play into writing?(55:30) this or that

Let's wrap up our March reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in April!Books Discussed:Just Friends - Haley PhamRhythm of War - Brandon SandersonShield of Sparrows - Devney PerryProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirThe Mirror of Infinite Endings - Stephanie GarberLady Tan's Circle of Women - Lisa SeeClockwork Angel - Cassandra ClareDungeon Crawler Carl - Matt DinnimanThe Last Wish - Andrzej SapkowskiThe Ragpicker King - Cassandra ClareRecursion - Blake CrouchRed Rising - Pierce BrownThe Someday Garden - Ashley PostonCleopatra - Saara El-ArifiSmall Things Like These - Claire KeeganLost Lambs - Madeline CashThe Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn ClarkeRites of the Starling - Devney PerryAn Arcane Study of Stars - Sydney J ShieldsLong Distance Book Club:⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone⁠Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(10:05) book club pick!(11:52) project hail mary debrief(22:22) stephanie garber news(28:17) wrap up disclaimer(28:49) jaime's march highlights(35:38) freya's march highlights(41:32) jaime's march lows(45:26) freya's march lows(47:09) jaime's april lookahead(51:19) freya's april lookahead(53:38) reading a book a day(56:30) new releases in april

Looking for a fantasy book to read? Look no further! We go through every fantasy subgenre in this episode, with recs for beginner to advanced readers!Books Discussed:Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter - Heather FawcettThe Elsewhere Express - Samantha Sotto YambaoBroken Country - Clare Leslie HallRecursion - Blake CrouchThrone of Glass - Sarah J MaasThe Sword of Kaigen - ML WangMistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon SandersonSabriel - Garth NixThe Stormlight Archive - Brandon SandersonA Game of Thrones - George RR MartinThe Lord of the Rings - JRR TolkienThe Name of the Wind - Patrick RothfussThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberDivine Rivals - Rebecca RossPriory of the Orange Tree - Samantha ShannonThe Rose Bargain - Sasha Peyton SmithThe Crimson Moth (Heartless Hunter) - Kristen CiccarelliWhen the Moon Hatched - Sarah A ParkerA Darker Shade of Magic - VE SchwabRed City - Marie LuJade City - Fonda LeeShadow Hunters - Cassandra ClareCrescent City - Sarah J MaasSword Catcher - Cassandra ClareBelladonna - Adalyn GracePhantasma - Kaylie SmithNinth House - Leigh BardugoOne Dark Window - Rachel GilligImmortal Dark - Tigest GirmaAlchemised - SenLinYuThe Poet Empress - Shen TaoThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE SchwabTh Song of Achilles - Madeline MillerBabel - RF KuangThe Poppy War - RF KuangThe Scholar and the Last Faerie Door - HG ParryEmily Wilde - Heather FawcettThe Wishing Game - Meg ShafferHouse in the Cerulean Sea - TJ KluneSorcery and Small Magics - Maiga DoocyA River Enchanted - Rebecca RossThe Unmaking of June Farrow - Adrienne YoungBefore the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu KawaguchiLong Distance Book Club:⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(12:41) high fantasy(27:12) fantasy romance(38:32) urban fantasy(46:00) gothic fantasy(53:08) historical fantasy(01:00:32) cozy fantasy(01:04:17) magical realism

Diving into NOSTALGIA today! Let's talk about the books that made us fall in love as young teenage readers.Books Discussed:A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J SpannThe Ragpicker King - Cassandra ClareClockwork Angel - Cassandra ClareACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) - Sarah J MaasSilverwing - Kenneth OpalFallen - Lauren KateThe Lovely Bones - Alice SeboldThe Chronicles of Narnia - CS LewisHoles - Louis SacharThe Baby-Sitters Club - Ann M MartinThe Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - Ann BrasharesGoosebumps - RL StineLand of Stories - Chris ColferRoom - Emma DonaghuePercy Jackson - Rick RiordanDaughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini TaylorA Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony SnicketAnna and the French Kiss - Stephanie PerkinsDivergent - Veronica RothBecause of Wynn-Dixie - Kate DiCamilloUglies - Scott WesterfeldThe Outsiders - SE HintonMe Before You - Jojo MoyesThe Fault in Our Stars - John GreenPaper Towns - John GreenHarry Potter - JK RowlingThe Hunger Games - Suzanne CollinsTwilight - Stephanie MeyerGone Girl - Gillian FlynnMiss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom RiggsLong Distance Book Club:⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone⁠Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(09:05) acotar announcement(17:18) silverwing(20:24) fallen(22:27) lovely bones(24:21) the chronicles of narnia(29:09) holes(33:06) the babysitters club(35:12) goosebumps(39:03) land of stories(42:24) room(47:44) daughter of smoke and bone(51:13) a series of unfortunate events(56:48) anna and the french kiss(57:51) rapid fire honourable mentions

In this episode, we chat with the beautiful Ellen Catherine and share some of our bookish unpopular opinions!Ellen's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@bookswithellenhttps://www.instagram.com/ellencatherinebookshttps://www.tiktok.com/@ellencatherinebooksBooks Discussed:Heir of Illusion - Madeline TaylorThe Someday Garden - Ashley PostonThe Mask Falling - Samantha ShannonThe Heart of Betrayal - Mary E PearsonWild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghyBroken Country - Clare Leslie HallRed Rising - Pierce BrownWild Love - Elsie SilverDirebound - Sable SorensenMetal Slinger - Rachel SchneiderLong Distance Book Club:⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone⁠Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(09:21) our unpopular opinions(10:25) first of third person POV?(15:13) rating a book you've DNFed(17:52) audiobooks count towards your reading goal(20:51) spice is not a fix(25:03) re-reads are better(27:39) cracked spines(31:14) stop with long series(35:19) audiobook listening speeds(43:56) romance books don't need to be deep?(47:11) enemies to lovers isn't real(49:14) trigger warnings spoil a book(54:37) kid characters are rarely written well

Let's wrap up our February reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in March!Books Discussed:My Husband's Wife - Alice FeeneyA Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J SpannA Song to Drown Rivers - Ann LiangThe Fragile Threads of Power - VE SchwabThe Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn ClarkeProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirClockwork Angel - Cassandra ClareDark Age - Pierce BrownLight Bringer - Pierce BrownJade Legacy - Fonda LeeRomancing Mister Bridgerton - Julia QuinnThe Last Wish - Andrzej SapkowskiThe Night We Lost Him - Laura DaveDungeon Crawler Carl - Matt DinnimanThe Bright Years - Sarah DamoffStrange Pictures - UketsuYou Did Nothing Wrong - CG DrewsThe Night We Met - Abby JimenezNo Matter What - Cara BastoneStarside - Alex AsterLong Distance Book Club:⁠https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZoneFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(09:38) how february went(12:38) fable reader summaries(16:49) jaime's highlights(22:49) freya's highlights(28:14) jaime's lows(31:04) sticking to monthly tbrs(40:44) olympics sidebar(46:58) freya's lows(49:34) march lookahead(55:17) march new releases

Let's talk about SPICE today! We are both self-proclaimed spicy book haters, but for some reason... these ones worked for us. Let's dive into why these spicy books worked!Books Discussed:A Stage Set For Villains - Shannon J SpannThe Diviners - Libba BrayLove Me Tomorrow - Emiko JeanBefore I Forget - Tory Henwood HoenThe Bright Years - Sarah DamoffWuthering Heights - Emily BronteNot Another Love Song - Julie SotoThe Right Move - Liz TomfordePhantasma / Enchantra - Kaylie SmithAll Rhodes Lead Here - Marianna ZapataHappy Place - Emily HenryFunny Story - Emily HenryBride - Ali HazelwoodRed, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuistonSpark of the Everflame - Penn ColeLong Distance Book Club:https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZoneFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro(00:40) an exciting announcement!(08:48) current reads(17:28) wuthering heights update(24:26) let's talk spice(24:54) not another love song(29:35) the right move(33:34) phantasma and enchantra(37:04) all rhodes lead here(42:21) emily henry(47:00) bride(51:13) red, white & royal blue(54:33) spark of the everflame

Books & social media bring us both SO much happiness... but we need to just take a second to talk about the current state of BookTok, the anti-intellectualism debate, online hate and more. Let's get into it.Books Discussed:Jade Legacy - Fonda LeeA Song to Drown Rivers - Ann LiangLight Bringer - Pierce BrownThe Favorites - Layne FargoThe Ice Queens - Layne FargoFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(09:15) layne fargo's new book!(10:21) olympics catchup(14:13) cosmere film rights(18:32) booktok & anti-intellectualism(23:45) quality of recent books & publishing(24:59) fix your algorithm(27:16) negativity thrives on social media(31:19) the reality of hate comments(38:13) judging popular books on shelves(41:52) let's keep it to books(44:58) girl books vs boy books(48:42) booktok vs booktube vs bookstagram(56:50) how to make social media a better space(01:00:42) sneak peak ahead

In this episode, we chat with the beautiful Emmy Rosam and battle it out to find the ultimate popular romantasy read!Emmy's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@emmyrosamhttps://www.tiktok.com/@whatemmyreadshttps://www.instagram.com/whatemmyreadssBooks Discussed:Heated Rivalry - Rachel ReidChain of Gold - Cassandra ClareThe Night We Lost Him - Laura DaveThe Future Saints - Ashley WinsteadZodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham and Susanne ValentiA Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) - Sarah J MaasOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberThe Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa BroadbentDivine Rivals - Rebecca RossFourth Wing - Rebecca YarrosPowerless - Lauren RobertsThrone of Glass - Sarah J MaasSpark of the Everflame - Penn ColeA Fate Inked in Blood - Danielle L JensenWhen the Moon Hatched - Sarah A ParkerPhantasma - Kaylie SmithMetal Slinger - Rachel SchneiderHeavenly Bodies - Imani ErriuQuicksilver - Callie HartDIrebound - Sable SorensenFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(12:21) romantasy book bracket rules(13:47) qualifying rounds(51:54) quarterfinals(56:44) semifinals(57:36) finals

Let's wrap up our January reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in February!Books Discussed:The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings) - JRR TolkienClockwork Angel - Cassandra ClareOathbringer - Brandon SandersonDark Age - Pierce BrownJade City - Fonda LeeAn Offer from a Gentleman - Julia QuinnTo Bleed a Crystal Bloom - Sarah A ParkerUs Against You - Fredrik BackmanBeartown - Fredrik BackmanWild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghyThe Bright Years - Sarah DamoffFinding Grace - Loretta RothschildAnd Now, Back to You - BK BorisonAgnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter - Heather FawcettA Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J SpannVow of Eternal Night - Lily CrozierFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(12:03) how january went(18:31) january reading highs(32:42) january reading lows(41:36) fable reading summaries(43:35) february new releases & tbr(53:20) the olympics!(59:20) trying to send freya a gift

We love fictional characters, let's talk about some of our favourite book characters we've ever read! Books Discussed:The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King) - JRR TolkienOathbringer - Brandon SandersonBeartown / Us Against You - Fredrik BackmanReady or Not - Cara BastoneRed Rising - Pierce BrownThe Hunger Games - Suzanne CollinsA Darker Shade of Magic - VE SchwabAs Long as the Lemon Trees Grow - VE SchwabThe Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - Ann BrasharesBelladonna - Adalyn GraceJade City - Fonda LeeThe Favorites - Layne FargoThe Knight and the Moth - Rachel GilligBinding 13 - Chloe WalshSix of Crows - Leigh BardugoKing of Scars - Leigh BardugoThe Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson) - Rick RiordanOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberThe Way of Kings - Brandon SandersonThe Prison Healer - Lynette NoniFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(12:43) our fav characters(12:56) samwise gamgee(14:21) shep(16:02) shannon & johnny, aoife & joey(21:31) sevro & ragnar(24:30) jesper(26:30) finnick(30:09) annabeth(34:05) alucard & holland(37:16) jacks(39:31) salama(42:34) merry & pippin(45:32) lena(49:27) luna lovegood(51:57) anden, benji, garrett & gargoyle(53:08) blythe(55:24) nikolai(57:35) syl

You asked, we answered... hope you enjoy this chatty episode as we discuss our habits as readers, what we do outside of reading & more!Books Discussed:Us Against You - Fredrik BackmanVow of Eternal Night - Lily CrozierThe Scholar and the Last Faerie Door - HG ParryA Man Called Ove - Fredrik BackmanPeople We Meet on Vacation - Emily HenryBridgerton (An Offer from a Gentleman) - Julia QuinnThe Love Haters - Katherine CenterYours Truly - Abby JimenezFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(10:09) people we meet on vacation movie debrief(19:28) would we write a book?(23:59) drinks & snacks while reading(29:46) secret dance history(33:13) will we ever meet or film in person?(35:36) favourite tv shows(41:23) are special editions overconsumption?(42:57) how did we start podcasting together?(44:42) do we remember subscribers who comment?(46:53) favourite music artists or bands(50:59) do we listen to music while reading?(53:41) thoughts on the new bridgerton season(57:46) our partners as love interests

Let's talk about books being adapted to screen, whether to TV series or movie! Books Discussed:Midnight on the Celestial - Julia AlexandraA Reaper at the Gates - Sabaa TahirJade City - Fonda LeeJade War - Fonda LeeThe Lord of the Rings - JRR TolkeinOne Dark Window - Rachel GilligAkarnae - Lynette NoniThe Favorites - Layne FargoProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirThe Nightingale - Kristin HannahFourth Wing - Rebecca YarrosPeople We Meet on Vacation - Emily HenryVerity - Colleen HooverAnxious People - Fredrik BackmanThe Bodyguard - Katherine CenterThe Wedding People - Alison EspachFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(13:04) book to screen adaptations(13:12) the lord of the rings(20:03) animated movies(22:06) the nightingale(25:18) anxious people(29:08) verity(32:10) the bodyguard(37:21) project hail mary(40:59) the wedding people(43:21) books we want to be adapted

Are these popular booktok books overhyped... or actually worth it? Let's find out!Books Discussed:The Love Hypothesis - Ali HazelwoodThe Song of Achilles - Madeline MillerShatter Me - Tahereh MafiNormal People - Sally RooneyPeople We Meet on Vacation - Emily HenryThe God of the Woods - Liz MooreThe Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn BarnesThe Secret History - Donna TarttThe Perfect Son - Freida McFaddenHouse of Flame and Shadow - Sarah J MaasIron Gold - Pierce BrownFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(08:52) taylor swift's audiobook(11:48) the love hypothesis(16:33) the song of achilles(21:34) shatter me(25:50) normal people(31:16) olympics sidebar(33:26) people we meet on vacation(40:59) the god of the woods(46:29) the inheritance games(51:13) the secret history

Let's wrap up our December reading month & talk about our 2026 reading goals! Books Discussed:The Strength of the Few - James IslingtonHouse of Flame and Shadow - Sarah J MaasA Day of Fallen Night - Samantha ShannonThe Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings) - JRR TolkeinThe Bright Years - Sarah DamoffIron Gold - Pierce BrownThe Stormlight Archive - Brandon SandersonOathbringer - Brandon SandersonA Sea of Unspoken Things - Adrienne YoungThe Unmaking of June Farrow - Adrienne YoungA Sky Beyond the Storm - Sabaa TahirBroken Country - Clare Leslie HallFallen City - Adrienne YoungThe Ex-Wives Club - Sally HepworthThe Poet Empress - Shen TaoThe Elsewhere Express - Samantha Shannon YambaoPeople We Meet on Vacation - Emily HenryThe Housemaid - Frieda McFaddenFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(12:36) december recap(30:06) 2026 reading goals(53:47) january news

2025 wrapped! Let's talk about the best and worst books we read this year, going month to month. THANK YOU for listening this year, and can't wait for more episodes to come in 2026!Books Discussed:The Strength of the Few - James IslingtonOathbringer - Brandon SandersonRed Rising - Pierce BrownThe Favourites - Layne FargoLove in the Time of Serial Killers - Alicia ThompsonBlood Over Bright Haven - ML Wang Pumpkin Spice Cafe - Laurie GilmoreSunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne CollinsDeep End - Ali HazelwoodWild Reverence - Rebecca RossImmortal Dark - Tigest GirmaUs Against You - Fredrik BackmanFirefly Lane - Kristin HannahAtmosphere - Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Summer We Ran - Audrey IngramJade War - Fonda LeeWe'll Always Have Summer - Jenny HanJade Legacy - Fonda LeeEmily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales - Heather FawcettProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirMetal Slinger - Rachel SchneiderWords of Radiance - Brandon SandersonMate - Ali HazelwoodRed City - Marie LuThe Poet Empress - Shen TaoMorning Star - Pierce BrownHeartstopper - Alice OsemanHero of Ages - Brandon SandersonHis and Hers - Alice FeeneyThe Blood Traitor - Lynette NoniAll I Ever Wanted Was to be Hot - Lucinda PriceReckless - Lauren RobertsHolding the Reins - Paisley HopeA Familiar Stranger - AR TorreA Torch Against the Night - Sabaa TahirSave Me - Mona KastenThe Raven Scholar - Antonia HodgsonOur Infinite Fates - Laura StevenThe Way of Kings - Brandon SandersonWild Side - Elsie SilverKingdom of Copper - SA ChakrabortyRegretting You - Colleen HooverThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonPeople Watching - Hannah Bonam YoungThe Defender - Ana HuangThe Cursed Melodies - Connie GlynnFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(15:22) year in review(27:42) january(36:28) february(45:35) march(48:16) april(52:55) may(56:55) june(01:00:58) july(01:07:53) august(01:12:29) september(01:15:02) october(01:20:01) november(01:23:48) final thoughts & happy holidays!

Let's go over the Goodreads Choice Awards nominees and winners of 2025! Why is the romantasy category so confusing...?Books Discussed:Just Friends - Haley PhamOf Flame and Fury - Mikayla BridgeThe Princess Knight - Cait JacobsThe Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A ParkerWhen the Moon Hatched - Sarah A ParkerFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(09:27) wicked: for good debrief(16:12) the ballad of falling dragons announcement(19:15) fiction(27:18) historical fiction(31:04) mystery thriller(34:40) romance(39:20) romantasy(47:14) fantasy(54:29) sci-fi(56:18) horror(57:35) debut(58:51) audiobooks(59:12) YA fantasy(01:03:27) YA fiction(01:05:08) nonfiction(01:09:17) final thoughts

Time to talk about the BEST reads of 2025! In this episode, we go over YOUR top 10 books that you read this year. Thank you everyone for submitting your favs, hope you enjoy!Books Discussed:We Three Heroes - Lynette NoniWe Were Liars - E LockhartAtmosphere - Taylor Jenkins ReidSunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne CollinsBlood Over Bright Haven - ML WangProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonThe Strength of the Few - James IslingtonOnyx Storm - Rebecca YarrosThe Knight and the Moth - Rachel GilligOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberThe Poppy War - RF KuangThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE SchwabFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(02:55) the will of the many movie adaptation(06:27) sunrise on the reaping trailer(09:58) current reads(15:06) rental family(18:10) top 10 books!(18:40) 10th place(23:03) 9th place(24:44) 8th place(27:23) 7th place(33:14) 6th place(36:36) 5th place(40:11) 4th place(46:31) 3rd place(50:59) 2nd place(56:45) 1st place

Let's talk about the hard truth of publishing with Sarah Mughal Rana, author of debut fantasy Dawn of the Firebird. From her experience with writing an immersive and unique fantasy story in an age of romantasy, to her experience with defamation & review bombing, to social media marketing - join us in this fun chat with our first ever guest! Books Discussed:Dawn of the Firebird - Sarah Mughal RanaEdgedancer - Brandon SandersonWords of Radiance - Brandon SandersonThe Defender - Ana HuangStories of Your Life and Others - Ted ChiangFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(08:25) welcome sarah mughal rana!(10:39) sarah's current read(13:45) life while publishing a book(16:48) social media marketing & PR(17:31) what is dawn of the firebird about?(19:39) the journey of writing a book(23:56) building a rich world filled with culture & FOOD(26:12) love to australian readers(26:51) high fantasy in a world of romantasy(29:13) a strong, flawed female protagonist(33:22) crafting the perfect fight scene(38:37) making readers cry(39:38) review bombing & defamation while publishing(52:04) rapid fire this or that(54:12) what can we look forward to in the sequel?

Let's talk about some bookish habits and trends that we just want to leave behind in 2025... and forget about as we move into 2026!Books Discussed:Words of Radiance - Brandon SandersonThe Vanishing Half - Brit BennettFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaime's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(07:27) not letting goodreads ratings determine what to read(10:45) getting book recs from hype only(13:53) continuing series I don't like(18:50) picking up series in the wrong order(22:20) stop taking breaks in between series(27:00) reading comments on viral videos(34:52) reading books I think I should vs what I actually crave(38:30) letting reviews influence my rating after I've read the book(42:49) stressful 24 hour readathons(46:10) putting off reading an intimidating book(49:50) feeling guilty about buying books(57:08) sticking to familiar authors only