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Paperback Ponderings

Paperback Ponderings is your source for all things fantasy book related. Follow along with us while we discuss theories and breakdowns for current reads, trending books, and old favourites. We’ll be releasing weekly episodes talking about new upcoming releases, familiar tropes, and our most loved, hated and everything in between reads.

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All Episodes

00:57:25

Fantasy Release Radar: Spring 2026

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/03/26

This week, Sarah and Kyla are giving you a rundown of all the major fantasy book releases coming out from April to June of 2026. Tune in for a list in order of release date, a short spoiler-free synopsis of each book, and whether or not the girls plan on reading it![01:23] Infinite Shores[06:17] Rites of the Starling[09:59] Bloodsinger[13:31] The Tempest Blade[16:48] Blood Bound[20:06] An Arcane Study of Stars[24:53] Fury Bound[28:13] Verity Guild[33:02] The Tapestry of Fate[35:42] Broken

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00:48:30

Interview with Catherine Walsh (How To Write a Love...

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/03/19

This week, Sarah and Kyla had the pleasure of interviewing Catherine Walsh about her newly released rom com, How To Write a Love Story. They got to chat about everything from Catherine's writing process to the difficulty of balancing an exploration of grief with comedy in the story, and the side characters her readers love so dearly. They also discuss the pride behind being a romance author, what it's like to write spice scenes, and the burning question everyone has been asking about whether

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00:54:32

February Book Club: Daggermouth

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/03/12

This week, Sarah and Kyla are discussing Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe, their February book club pick and the book that has been all over BookTok and Bookstagram lately. Tune in to hear their thoughts and ratings, a breakdown of that crazy ending, and some solid theories for what's to come in book two! [12:11] Spoilers start

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00:48:36

Books We Loved in February

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/03/05

This week, Sarah and Kyla are going over their February reads, sharing a short synopsis and their spoiler-free thoughts on each of them. This was a month of finally reading some hugely popular books, so tune in to hear whether the girls think they're worth the hype. Plus, they also reveal the details of the next upcoming author interview on the podcast![01:21] Heated Rivalry[08:23] Mistborn[19:23] Red Rising[26:06] The Ragpicker King[32:59] Brimstone[38:18] Firebird[42:10] How to Write a Love

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00:45:07

Red Rising

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/02/27

This week, Sarah and Kyla are diving into the first book in the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, the book that may have cured Sarah's endless reading slump! Tune in for a full plot discussion and their predictions for what's coming next.[15:07] Spoilers start

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00:47:29

Brimstone

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/02/19

This week, Sarah and Kyla are deep diving into Brimstone by Callie Hart, the hugely anticipated sequel to Quicksilver. Tune in to hear their thoughts on everything from Kingfisher's true name to the unexpected cliffhanger ending, and more! The girls also review the audiobook narration experience. The first 15 minutes of this episode are general spoiler-free thoughts. After that, they'll tell you when to leave if you haven't read it yet. [15:29] Spoilers start

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00:58:10

January Book Club: The Raven Scholar

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/02/05

This week, Sarah and Kyla are discussing The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, and this episode is spicier than usual because for the first time in a while, the girls had some pretty diverging opinions! Tune in to hear why Kyla loved it and Sarah didn't, and to dive into the nitty gritty of all those plot twists and side stories. As always, the first section of the episode is spoiler-free for anyone still deciding if they want to read it.[01:06] Synopsis[04:24] Spoiler-free thoughts [26:51]

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00:45:30

Books We Loved This Winter

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/01/29

This week, Sarah and Kyla are sharing some highlights from the books they read in December and January. Tune in for a spoiler-free synopsis of each book, along with their thoughts and ratings![00:30] The Endless War [06:30] Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales[12:14] The Mindfuck series [23:39] Realm of Thieves[31:12] Our Perfect Storm[39:05] Hot For Slayer

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00:25:22

Goodreads Choice Awards: YA Fantasy & SciFi

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/01/15

Join Sarah and Kyla for Part 3 of their Goodreads Choice Awards mini-series where they go over the top 5 winners in the YA Fantasy & SciFi category for 2025! They'll give a short synopsis of each book, along with whether they've read it, what their general thoughts are, and if they think it deserves its spot in the standings. This episode is completely spoiler-free.[00:47] Fifth Place: Watch Me[08:31] Fourth Place: Oathbound[11:59] Third Place: Rebel Witch[15:19] Second Place:

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00:27:29

Goodreads Choice Awards: Fantasy

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/01/15

Join Sarah and Kyla for Part 2 of their Goodreads Choice Awards mini-series where they go over the top 5 winners in the Fantasy category for 2025! They'll give a short synopsis of each book, along with whether they've read it, what their general thoughts are, and if they think it deserves its spot in the standings. This episode is completely spoiler-free.[01:36] Fifth Place: The Sirens[06:48] Fourth Place: Alchemy of Secrets [11:30] Third Place: Wind and Truth[15:42] Second Place:

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00:29:41

Goodreads Choice Awards: Romantasy

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/01/15

Join Sarah and Kyla for Part 1 of their Goodreads Choice Awards mini-series where they go over the top 5 winners in the Romantasy category for 2025! They'll give a short synopsis of each book, along with whether they've read it, what their general thoughts are, and if they think it deserves its spot in the standings. This episode is completely spoiler-free.[01:14] Fifth Place: Shield of Sparrows[06:58] Fourth Place: Mate[10:44] Third Place: The Knight and the Moth[16:32] Second Place:

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00:52:07

Fantasy Release Radar: Winter 2026

Paperback Ponderings ·

2026/01/08

This week, Sarah and Kyla are going over all the upcoming fantasy book releases coming out between January-March 2026. Tune in for a chronological list with release dates, a short description of what each book is about, and whether or not the girls will be reading it! [00:50] Graceless Heart [05:16] King of Ravens [07:27] Dawn of the North[11:58] Cinder Vale [15:13] Throne of Nightmares[20:21] Half City[22:54] Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter[27:28] The Trident and the Pearl [32:26] To Cage a

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01:02:22

2025 Book Awards

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/12/18

The end of the year is here, so let's talk favourites! Join Sarah and Kyla this week for an awards-style episode where they present nominees and winners for all the relevant categories of a favourite book. From Best Romantic Tension and Coolest Magic System, to Top 3 Overall Books of the Year, the girls are getting into the nitty gritty of their favourite books of 2025 and you're guaranteed to add some new reads to your TBR after listening! [00:40] Best Romantic Tension[05:15] Best Found

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01:19:08

Interview with V.L. Bovalino (The Second Death of Locke)

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/12/11

This week, Sarah and Kyla sit down with V.L. Bovalino to talk about her adult fantasy debut, The Second Death of Locke. Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind this lady knight, childhood best friends to lovers story, what went into crafting the magic system, characters, and yearning, and how V.L. transitioned from the YA horror genre to adult fantasy. She also shares exciting new details about the upcoming standalone sequel to The Second Death of Locke that you do not want to miss! [03:03]

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00:56:51

Books We Loved in November

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/12/04

This week, Sarah and Kyla are chatting about all the books they read and loved in November. Tune in to hear about some highly anticipated sequels, the new lady knight book that stole their hearts, a recommendation for Addie LaRue lovers, and more! As always, this episode is spoiler-free. [00:49] Ledge & Chasm[09:11] Our Infinite Fates [17:58] Fallen Stars [24:48] Red, White, & Royal Blue [32:55] The Second Death of Locke[43:19] Bonds of Hercules[50:30] Dungeon Crawler Carl

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01:12:35

Interview w/ Laura R. Samotin (The Sins on their Bones)

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/11/20

This week, Sarah and Kyla sit down with author Laura R. Samotin to discuss the Cursed Crown duology, made up of The Sins on their Bones and The Lure of their Graves. Tune in to hear about Laura's inspirations and creative process behind writing these books, as well as a deeper discussion on accurately depicting abusive relationships in fiction, writing villains you can empathize with, and the Russian and Jewish inspirations behind the world she created. Laura also shares her personal favourite

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00:51:30

Quicksilver Plot Recap

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/11/13

This week, Kyla is giving you a full plot recap of Quicksilver by Callie Hart to get you ready for the release of the sequel, Brimstone, on November 18th! If you don't have time to reread Quicksilver, this episode is for you. Tune in for a recap of all the major plot points and character details that you'll need to know going into Brimstone. [00:59] Intro in Zilvaren[4:42] Saeris wakes in the Winter Palace in Yvelia[18:26] Kingfisher’s family home at Cahlish[25:25] On the front lines at the

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00:45:41

October Book Club: To Cage a Wild Bird

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/11/06

This week, Sarah and Kyla are chatting about To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast, an exciting new dystopian romance debut. Tune in to hear their thoughts on the prison system where the rich hunt the inmates to the death for sport, along with the moral questions of a prison guard x prisoner relationship and theories for where the next book will go! The first section of this episode shares the girls' spoiler-free thoughts and ratings, and they'll let you know when the spoilers are starting

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00:43:51

Books We Loved in October

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/10/30

This week, Sarah and Kyla are chatting about all the books they read and loved in October. Tune in to hear their thoughts on several very hyped new releases, some long-awaited sequels, and a book about cannibalism?! As always, this episode is spoiler-free. [00:47] Alchemised[09:45] The Sins on their Bones[16:27] Mate [23:11] A Scar in the Bone[29:28] Tender is the Flesh[38:55] Accomplice to the Villain

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00:27:01

Guessing Books Based on their First Lines

Paperback Ponderings ·

2025/10/23

This week, Sarah and Kyla are playing a fun game where they try to guess the title of a book after only hearing the first line. Play along and see if you can guess any of these books better than they did!

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