Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Once Upon a Time Zone: A Bookish Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are these 10 VIRAL book series ACTUALLY worth the hype? [Special Pilot Episode] | 04 Jul 2025 | 01:42:05 | |
Let's chat about Zodiac Academy, Fourth Wing, Sarah J Maas & More! In this episode, Freya & Jaime sit down and talk through 10 popular fantasy series to see if they are worth reading or not. Welcome to our Pilot Episode! This episode was originally posted on Jaime's YouTube channel as our trial run. Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro (01:02) current reads (05:09) let’s talk series (05:52) zodiac academy (13:18) quicksilver (23:32) divine rivals (31:32) powerless (40:22) the cosmere (48:33) the grishaverse (57:53) the cruel prince (01:05:16) the empyrean (01:17:16) sarah j maas (01:30:00) the hunger games | |||
| What Types of Readers are We? Get to Know Us & Our Reader Colors [EP#1] | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:50:51 | |
Let's take the Read Your Color quiz to learn more about our own reading styles and book preferences! Syd BookWorrom’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE2JPs5kXBQ Read Your Color: https://www.readyourcolor.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (03:04) the read your color quiz (06:34) taking the quiz (33:22) going through our results | |||
| Our MOST Anticipated Book Releases For the Rest of 2025 [EP#2] | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:38:34 | |
Let's chat about our upcoming anticipated book releases for the rest of the year! Books mentioned: Three Shattered Souls - Mai Corland Not Quite Dead Yet - Holly Jackson Katabasis - RF Kuang Wild Reverence - Rebecca Ross Alchemy of Secrets - Stephanie Garber Holly - Adalyn Grace Mate - Ali Hazelwood Fallen City - Adrienne Young The Strength of the Few - James Islington Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (04:45) three shattered souls (08:26) not quite dead yet (12:29) katabasis (15:35) wild reverence (19:30) alchemy of secrets (22:42) holly (26:10) mate (31:24) fallen city (33:29) the strength of the few | |||
| Your Bookish Unpopular Opinions... Do We Agree or Disagree? [EP#3] | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:54:44 | |
Let's go through YOUR unpopular opinions and bookish hot takes. Do we think audiobooks count as reading, do we love or hate insta-love, what are our thoughts on sprayed edges? Find out in this episode! Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (05:10) I'm a fan of instalove (07:20) smut is boring and ruins a book (10:03) second chance romance is hard to get right (12:13) Emily Henry is overrated (16:22) I hate Lizzie (Boys of Tommen) (18:14) Iron Flame was great, and gets too much hate (20:59) cracking spines and folding corners is OK (23:39) sprayed edges are so overdone (25:34) romantasy is overrated (29:25) people mostly down on romantasy because it's a genre women love (31:22) there is no reason romance books need to be over 400 pages (34:15) people who read only one or two genres, or only romance, need to be more diverse (36:52) I hate colour coded bookshelves (39:16) Silver Elite hate only started because people felt entitled to the author's identity (43:11) Carley Fortune books have no substance (45:25) listening to audiobooks is not reading (49:01) big books are normally better (50:30) every fairy/fae book is boring | |||
| The Search for the ULTIMATE Book Trope... Which Trope is Best? [EP#4] | 01 Aug 2025 | 01:03:50 | |
Let's search for our absolute FAVOURITE book trope. Will it be enemies to lovers, fated mates, slow burn, found family, or something else? Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (06:09) fantasy tropes (34:22) romance tropes (01:01:52) our ultimate tropes | |||
| All the BOOK SERIES We are In the Middle Of (Are These Worth Reading?) [EP#5] | 08 Aug 2025 | 01:10:55 | |
Let's discuss the book series that we are currently in the middle of reading. Will we continue or DNF? Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (07:45) the ember quartet (12:43) emily wilde (19:25) before the coffee gets cold (23:57) the daevabad trilogy (26:38) the prison healer (29:44) the inferno rising (32:52) the green bone saga (36:48) the chronicles of castellane (42:01) the roots of chaos (45:40) the remnant chronicles (49:18) the bone season (53:53) the elements of cadence (59:00) the kindred's curse (01:03:58) beartown | |||
| THIS or THAT? (Book Edition) - Fav Authors, Reading Habits & Hot Takes [EP#6] | 15 Aug 2025 | 01:07:04 | |
Let's play This or That (bookish edition) - comparing authors, favorite books, characters, genres, reading habits, and so much more! Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (06:00) characters (19:26) book aesthetics (28:14) genres (35:02) writing styles (47:00) reading habits (54:09) for fun (58:22) books and authors | |||
| The Books That Were ALMOST Perfect... and Why [EP#7] | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:55:40 | |
Let's talk about those books that we would highly recommend, and were still quite possibly 5 star reads... but just had one element that made it not quite perfect. Lots of good book recs in this one for you! Bailee's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKjj01Z38dc Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (07:46) how we became friends (11:03) recursion (14:39) malibu rising (19:35) yumi and the nightmare painter (23:49) once upon a broken heart (28:50) the favorites (31:07) masters of death (34:47) shark heart (38:47) just for the summer (43:17) ready or not (46:03) the prison healer (50:23) blood over bright haven | |||
| Can We Guess the Book From the First Sentence? [EP#8] | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:51:21 | |
BOOK CHALLENGE TIME! Let's challenge our memories to see if we can remember the first lines of some of our favourite popular books. Take a stroll down our reader history and play along with us! Jaime's Options: A Darker Shade of Magic The Favourites Shadow and Bone Yours Truly Caraval When the Moon Hatched Beartown Mistborn The Seven-Year Slip Wild Love Freya's Options: Magnolia Parks The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Beach Read Say You’ll Remember Me The Prison Healer Spark of the Everflame A River Enchanted Powerless One for My Enemy One Dark Window Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (08:47) the game (10:42) round one (12:34) round two (15:39) round three (16:57) round four (18:49) round five (20:47) round six (23:36) round seven (25:10) round eight (26:55) round nine (29:27) round ten (33:08) round eleven (34:30) round twelve (36:00) round thirteen (39:16) round fourteen (40:06) round fifteen (41:50) reflection (49:52) next episode announcement | |||
| Our HONEST Thoughts On The Way of Kings | DEEP DIVE BOOK CHAT 📚 [EP#9] | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:13:26 | |
Let's do a book club style deep dive today. The book in question... The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. We LOVED reading about Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, Szeth & Hoid, and cannot WAIT to continue the Stormlight Archive series and the Cosmere in general! As a note - the first portion of this episode is SPOILER FREE. We give a warning in the episode once we start going into spoiler territory! Jaime's Options: A Darker Shade of Magic The Favourites Shadow and Bone Yours Truly Caraval When the Moon Hatched Beartown Mistborn The Seven-Year Slip Wild Love Freya's Options: Magnolia Parks The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Beach Read Say You’ll Remember Me The Prison Healer Spark of the Everflame A River Enchanted Powerless One for My Enemy One Dark Window Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (09:01) spoiler free brief synopsis (11:18) the magic system (14:08) brandon sanderson writes like a plain chip (22:31) cosmere reading order (25:03) our brandon sanderson rankings (28:00) spoilers start! (28:17) kaladin (43:16) shallan (54:44) dalinar (01:04:59) szeth (01:08:33) hoid | |||
| Books We DISAGREE On... Why We HATED and LOVED These Books 📚 [EP#10] | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:54:16 | |
From Ali Hazelwood, to Sarah J Maas, to Jessa Hastings, to Leigh Bardugo and more. Let's chat about some of the books one of us LOVED, and the other didn't love so much. Books Discussed: Rewind it Back - Liz Tomforde The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah Silvercloak - LK Steven Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Deep End - Ali Hazelwood Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo Magnolia Parks - Jessa Hastings Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald A Court of Wings and Ruin - SJM Quicksilver - Callie Hart Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (07:57) our rating systems (09:58) deep end (15:49) ninth house (22:18) magnolia parks (26:56) where the crawdads sing (33:18) the good girl's guide to murder (37:59) pride and prejudice (41:42) the great gatsby (44:47) ACOWAR (48:06) quicksilver | |||
| Long Distance Book Besties: Is Being a Book Lover Better in Canada or Australia? 📚 [EP#12] | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:57:43 | |
Ever wonder about book shopping habits, book prices, bookish events & communities across the world? Today we are chatting about our reading experiences as book lovers in Australia vs Canada 💖 Books Discussed: Mate - Ali Hazelwood Bride - Ali Hazelwood Golden Son - Pierce Brown Red Rising - Pierce Brown Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (07:40) where we buy books & prices of books (16:44) book formats & special editions (22:30) when are books released? (28:45) seasonal book releases (33:22) getting ARCs (39:43) social media & being content creators (48:30) book events & author meets (54:00) fantasy balls | |||
| Convincing (*begging*) Each Other to Read Our FAVOURITE BOOKS 📚 [EP#11] | 19 Sep 2025 | 01:00:32 | |
When your book bestie hasn’t read your FAVORITE BOOKS… Just trying to convince each other to read our favs! Hope you enjoy this episode 💖 People mentioned: Emmy 🫶🏻 - https://www.youtube.com/@emmyrosam Books Discussed: Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Immortal Consequences - IV Marie Blood Moon - Britney S Lewis Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen) - Chloe Walsh The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson Silvercloak - LK Steven A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang Not Quite Dead Yet - Holly Jackson Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes) - Sabaa Tahir The Will of the Many - James Islington The Fragile Threads of Power - VE Schwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (09:17) binding 13 (16:48) the poppy war (22:37) the raven scholar (27:48) a song to drown rivers (32:49) not quite dead yet (36:58) project hail mary (41:36) a torch against the night (45:22) the will of the many (52:06) the invisible life of addie larue & the fragile threads of power | |||
| 10 VIRAL Books We Will NEVER Read 📚👀 [EP#13] | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:58:42 | |
Let's talk about some popular BookTok books that we just do not want to read... Books Discussed: The Names - Florence Knapp The Kingdom of Copper - SA Chakraborty Icebreaker - Hannah Grace Flawless - Elsie Silver Wild Card - Elsie Silver Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood Mate - Ali Hazelwood Bride - Ali Hazelwood Not in Love - Ali Hazelwood Deep End - Ali Hazelwood Credence - Penelope Douglas Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh City of Gods and Monsters - Kayla Edwards The Fine Print - Lauren Asher Throttled - Lauren Asher King of Wrath - Ana Huang Lights Out - Navessa Allen The Ritual - Shantel Tessier God of Malice - Rina Kent God of Fury - Rina Kent The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Katabasis - RF Kuang The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (08:15) the knave and the moon announcement! (09:53) we are the same height (12:46) jaime met rf kuang! (16:43) icebreaker (22:13) throttled (25:32) flawless (28:08) TSITP tangent (29:49) credence (32:05) problematic summer romance (33:55) mate tangent (36:55) wild card tangent (37:36) king of wrath (41:44) binding 13 (46:08) lights out (48:45) buddy reading the invisible life of addie larue (51:38) city of gods and monsters (54:33) god of malice | |||
| The Books That Everyone Hated... But We LOVED 📚👀 [EP#14] | 10 Oct 2025 | 00:57:27 | |
Let's talk about some books that the world HATED (aka had very low Goodreads ratings)... but we loved. Books Discussed: Us Against You - Fredrik Backman Words of Radiance - Brandon Sanderson Alchemised - SenLinYu The Will of the Many - James Islington The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Silvercloak - LK Steven The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson Yellowface - RF Kuang Forever, Interrupted - Taylor Jenkins Reid The Fury - Alex Michaelides The Ministry of Time - Kaliane Bradley A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang Ruthless Vows - Rebecca Ross Siege and Storm - Leigh Bardugo Masters of Death - Olivie Blake The Striker - Ana Huang Swordcatcher - Cassandra Clare Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (07:54) our recent book purchases (10:06) yellowface (15:33) siege and storm (19:30) forever, interrupted (23:44) goodreads rant (24:47) masters of death (29:41) the fury (34:31) the striker (38:16) the ministry of time (43:44) swordcatcher (47:26) a song to drown rivers (52:04) ruthless vows | |||
| Our FAVOURITE Authors and Where to Start With Their Books (READING ORDER RECS) 📚 [EP#15] | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:58:20 | |
Let's talk about reading order for some of our FAVOURITE authors! We'll talk about our fav books from each, as well as where to start with them. RF Kuang video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPMmm4ikRgU/ Books Discussed: Fake Skating - Lynn Painter Alchemised - SenLinYu Six of Crows: A Darker Shore (Letters from Ketterdam) - Leigh Bardugo The Poppy War - RF Kuang Babel - RF Kuang Katabasis - RF Kuang Yellowface - RF Kuang Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo King of Scars - Leigh Bardugo Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab A Darker Shade of Magic - VE Schwab Vicious - VE Schwab The Fragile Threads of Power - VE Schwab Gallant - VE Schwab Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - VE Schwab City of Bones - Cassandra Clare Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare The Bane Chronicles - Cassandra Clare Lady Midnight - Cassandra Clare Sword Catcher - Cassandra Clare Beartown - Fredrik Backman A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman Anxious People - Fredrik Backman My Friends - Fredrik Backman Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid Carrie Soto is Back - Taylor Jenkins Reid After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid Forever, Interrupted - Taylor Jenkins Reid Evidence of the Affair - Taylor Jenkins Reid Daisy Jones and the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (12:45) six of crows announcement! (16:48) we aren't qualified to discuss brandon sanderson (17:38) rf kuang (22:21) leigh bardugo (29:13) ve schwab (36:15) cassandra clare (45:07) fredrik backman (50:52) taylor jenkins reid | |||
| Oddly Specific Book Recommendations (for your very specific moods) 📚 [EP#16] | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:57:49 | |
Today, we are going to give you our book recs for ALL your very specific moods. Hope you love this one! (We apologize for the audio quality in the last 2 minutes, we had some technical difficulties <3) Books Discussed: The Intruder - Freida McFadden Alchemised - SenLinYu Katabasis - RF Kuang Alchemy of Secrets - Stephanie Garber Masters of Death - Olivie Blake Shark Heart - Emily Habeck Immortal Consequences - IV Marie Water Moon - Samantha Sotto Yambao A Harvest of Hearts - Andrea Emmes Madwoman - Chelsea Bieker Blood Over Bright Haven - ML Wang Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah Just for the Summer - Abby Jimenez A Study in Drowning - Ava Reid Recursion - Blake Crouch A River Enchanted - Rebecca Ross Magnolia Parks - Jessa Hastings Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh To Kill a Kingdom - Alexandra Christo The Sirens - Emilia Hart Tress of the Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber A Winters Promise - Christelle Dabos Belladonna - Adalyn Grace Kiss of Deception - Mary E Pearson Five Broken Blades - Mai Corland A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (11:19) book to screen adaptation announcements (15:08) the animal companion is kind of a jerk (19:06) something that feels like a liminal space (23:01) makes you think about life, death, right and wrong, while also making you feel all the feels (25:58) queer dark academia with a twist (28:14) you're bundled up in a cozy cabin sipping coffee while it rains (32:31) a girl goes insane (36:14) summer nights when it is late and you and your friend are the only ones awake watching the stars (39:29) literally like walking into a storm (45:22) everyone thinks is spicy, but is actually low key (48:25) with sirens, mermaids and pirates (51:17) running barefoot through a castle wearing a flowy dress (54:46) a fantasy, set in a kingdom, no magic, enemies to lovers, betrayal and arranged marriage | |||
| Creating Our PERFECT Fantasy Books 📚 | Choose Your Own Adventure [EP#17] | 31 Oct 2025 | 01:03:43 | |
Let's create our ULTIMATE Fantasy stories! This episode just confirmed we should NOT be authors, but we had fun doing it anyways! 😂 The Will of the Many Bonus Chapter: https://d1hbl61hovme3a.cloudfront.net/assets_us/interlude-confessiones-ad-mortuos.pdf?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf2xFmz8pt_wyrplgvh8jxL2qxgze2T8JM4GhiB7U-uwIzLLUvHOhzYK4hznw_aem_eZlx6ZYwt7SnX_OsLup1ng Books Discussed: The Astonishing Color of After - Emily XR Pan The Will of the Many - James Islington Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (13:00) a jacks and evangeline novella! (14:35) rf kuang's next novel (taipei story) (16:43) our fantasy survival skills (18:47) our subgenres (21:21) who is writing our fantasy? (26:08) who is the protagonist (28:12) the magic system (34:16) world building (39:14) magical creatures (43:30) our plot tropes (48:57) romance subplots (53:39) putting it all together... our final plots | |||
| Book Series We DNF'd... vs Series We Can't Wait to Start! 📚 [EP#18] | 07 Nov 2025 | 01:03:19 | |
Let's talk about the books (series) that we gave up on and DNF'd... but also chat about some series we are SO excited to start! Books Discussed: Direbound - Sable Sorensen The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson Legendborn - Tracy Deonn Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune Haunting Adeline - HD Carlton Twisted Love - Ana Huang Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti The Deal - Elle Kennedy The Witcher - Andrej Sapkowski The Fifth Season - NK Jemisin The Jasad Heir - Sara Hashem Red City - Marie Lu This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me - Ilona Andrews The Will of the Many - James Islington Vicious - VE Schwab The Fragile Threads of Power - VE Schwab Lady of Darkness - Melissa K Roehrich Jade City - Fonda Lee The Poppy War - RF Kuang Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (06:20) series we dnf'd (06:53) cat and mouse (10:00) the legendborn cycle (14:07) twisted (17:15) red queen (21:43) zodiac academy (25:47) cerulean chronicles (29:31) off campus (31:45) powerless (35:37) series we want to start (35:49) hierarchy (36:25) villains (39:37) the witcher (43:05) threads of power (46:09) the broken earth (48:16) lady of darkness (50:31) the scorched throne (52:40) the green bone saga (56:07) red city (58:10) the poppy war (01:00:13) maggie the undying | |||
| Bookish Things We Are LEAVING in 2025 📚 [EP#20] | 21 Nov 2025 | 01:02:04 | |
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 Sanderson The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Books you FORGOT About... But Should Still Read 📚 [EP#19] | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:54:47 | |
Let's talk about some of those hidden gem books that we all forgot about... but we would still highly recommend! APOLOGIES for some of the audio quality in this episode, we had some technical difficulties this week 😭 Hope you're still able to enjoy this one! Books Discussed: Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore - Emily Krempholtz Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo Pachinko - Min Jin Lee Sabriel - Garth Nix Five Feet Apart - Rachael Lippincott The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin Red, White and Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus Renegades - Marissa Meyer Carrie Soto is Back - Taylor Jenkins Reid Northern Lights - Phillip Pullman Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (08:07) six of crows re-edits? (12:09) sabriel (14:48) pachinko (18:33) the name of the wind (24:48) five feet apart (28:52) red, white & royal blue (32:13) tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow (36:48) renegades (38:51) on the topic of palate cleansers (41:25) lessons in chemistry (44:24) northern lights (47:48) carrie soto is back | |||
| Reacting to Your TOP 10 Books of 2025! 📚 [EP#22] | 05 Dec 2025 | 01:04:22 | |
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 Noni We Were Liars - E Lockhart Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins Blood Over Bright Haven - ML Wang Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir The Will of the Many - James Islington The Strength of the Few - James Islington Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| The Realities of Publishing a Debut Fantasy with Sarah Mughal Rana | Dawn of the Firebird 📚 [EP#21] | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:58:10 | |
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 Rana Edgedancer - Brandon Sanderson Words of Radiance - Brandon Sanderson The Defender - Ana Huang Stories of Your Life and Others - Ted Chiang Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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? | |||
| The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025… What Is Going On? 📚 [EP#23] | 12 Dec 2025 | 01:11:23 | |
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 Pham Of Flame and Fury - Mikayla Bridge The Princess Knight - Cait Jacobs The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| The BEST and WORST Books We Read This Year | 2025 Reading Wrap Up 📚 [EP#24] | 19 Dec 2025 | 01:26:25 | |
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 Islington Oathbringer - Brandon Sanderson Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Favourites - Layne Fargo Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Alicia Thompson Blood Over Bright Haven - ML Wang Pumpkin Spice Cafe - Laurie Gilmore Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins Deep End - Ali Hazelwood Wild Reverence - Rebecca Ross Immortal Dark - Tigest Girma Us Against You - Fredrik Backman Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid The Summer We Ran - Audrey Ingram Jade War - Fonda Lee We'll Always Have Summer - Jenny Han Jade Legacy - Fonda Lee Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales - Heather Fawcett Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Words of Radiance - Brandon Sanderson Mate - Ali Hazelwood Red City - Marie Lu The Poet Empress - Shen Tao Morning Star - Pierce Brown Heartstopper - Alice Oseman Hero of Ages - Brandon Sanderson His and Hers - Alice Feeney The Blood Traitor - Lynette Noni All I Ever Wanted Was to be Hot - Lucinda Price Reckless - Lauren Roberts Holding the Reins - Paisley Hope A Familiar Stranger - AR Torre A Torch Against the Night - Sabaa Tahir Save Me - Mona Kasten The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson Our Infinite Fates - Laura Steven The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson Wild Side - Elsie Silver Kingdom of Copper - SA Chakraborty Regretting You - Colleen Hoover The Will of the Many - James Islington People Watching - Hannah Bonam Young The Defender - Ana Huang The Cursed Melodies - Connie Glynn Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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! | |||
| December Reading Recap & Our 2026 Reading Goals & TBR! 📚 [EP#25] | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:59:14 | |
Let's wrap up our December reading month & talk about our 2026 reading goals! Books Discussed: The Strength of the Few - James Islington House of Flame and Shadow - Sarah J Maas A Day of Fallen Night - Samantha Shannon The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings) - JRR Tolkein The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff Iron Gold - Pierce Brown The Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson Oathbringer - Brandon Sanderson A Sea of Unspoken Things - Adrienne Young The Unmaking of June Farrow - Adrienne Young A Sky Beyond the Storm - Sabaa Tahir Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall Fallen City - Adrienne Young The Ex-Wives Club - Sally Hepworth The Poet Empress - Shen Tao The Elsewhere Express - Samantha Shannon Yambao People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry The Housemaid - Frieda McFadden Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (12:36) december recap (30:06) 2026 reading goals (53:47) january news | |||
| Overrated or Iconic? What We Thought About These VIRAL Booktok Books! 📚 [EP#26] | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:56:46 | |
Are these popular booktok books overhyped... or actually worth it? Let's find out! Books Discussed: The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi Normal People - Sally Rooney People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry The God of the Woods - Liz Moore The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes The Secret History - Donna Tartt The Perfect Son - Freida McFadden House of Flame and Shadow - Sarah J Maas Iron Gold - Pierce Brown Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Book to Screen Adaptations We NEED to Watch! (And Want Next) 📚 [EP#27] | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:57:45 | |
Let's talk about books being adapted to screen, whether to TV series or movie! Books Discussed: Midnight on the Celestial - Julia Alexandra A Reaper at the Gates - Sabaa Tahir Jade City - Fonda Lee Jade War - Fonda Lee The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkein One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Akarnae - Lynette Noni The Favorites - Layne Fargo Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry Verity - Colleen Hoover Anxious People - Fredrik Backman The Bodyguard - Katherine Center The Wedding People - Alison Espach Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Bookish Habits, Our Favs & If We Would Ever Write a Book... (Ask Us Anything!) 📚 [EP#28] | 23 Jan 2026 | 01:03:03 | |
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 Backman Vow of Eternal Night - Lily Crozier The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door - HG Parry A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry Bridgerton (An Offer from a Gentleman) - Julia Quinn The Love Haters - Katherine Center Yours Truly - Abby Jimenez Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| January Reading Recap, February TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#30] | 06 Feb 2026 | 01:02:00 | |
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 Tolkien Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare Oathbringer - Brandon Sanderson Dark Age - Pierce Brown Jade City - Fonda Lee An Offer from a Gentleman - Julia Quinn To Bleed a Crystal Bloom - Sarah A Parker Us Against You - Fredrik Backman Beartown - Fredrik Backman Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff Finding Grace - Loretta Rothschild And Now, Back to You - BK Borison Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter - Heather Fawcett A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J Spann Vow of Eternal Night - Lily Crozier Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Our FAVOURITE Book Characters of All Time 📚 [EP#29] | 30 Jan 2026 | 01:00:47 | |
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 Tolkien Oathbringer - Brandon Sanderson Beartown / Us Against You - Fredrik Backman Ready or Not - Cara Bastone Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins A Darker Shade of Magic - VE Schwab As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow - VE Schwab The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - Ann Brashares Belladonna - Adalyn Grace Jade City - Fonda Lee The Favorites - Layne Fargo The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo King of Scars - Leigh Bardugo The Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson) - Rick Riordan Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson The Prison Healer - Lynette Noni Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| The Ultimate Viral ROMANTASY Book Bracket with Emmy Rosam (@whatemmyreads)! 📚 [EP#31] | 13 Feb 2026 | 01:03:03 | |
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/@emmyrosam https://www.tiktok.com/@whatemmyreads https://www.instagram.com/whatemmyreadss Books Discussed: Heated Rivalry - Rachel Reid Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare The Night We Lost Him - Laura Dave The Future Saints - Ashley Winstead Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) - Sarah J Maas Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber The Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros Powerless - Lauren Roberts Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas Spark of the Everflame - Penn Cole A Fate Inked in Blood - Danielle L Jensen When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker Phantasma - Kaylie Smith Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Heavenly Bodies - Imani Erriu Quicksilver - Callie Hart DIrebound - Sable Sorensen Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| We Need to Talk About BookTok, BookTube & Bookstagram (Let's Do Better) 📚 [EP#32] | 20 Feb 2026 | 01:01:47 | |
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 Lee A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang Light Bringer - Pierce Brown The Favorites - Layne Fargo The Ice Queens - Layne Fargo Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Spicy Books That Are ACTUALLY Good... (As Spice Haters) 🌶️📚 [EP#33] | 27 Feb 2026 | 01:00:06 | |
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 Spann The Diviners - Libba Bray Love Me Tomorrow - Emiko Jean Before I Forget - Tory Henwood Hoen The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte Not Another Love Song - Julie Soto The Right Move - Liz Tomforde Phantasma / Enchantra - Kaylie Smith All Rhodes Lead Here - Marianna Zapata Happy Place - Emily Henry Funny Story - Emily Henry Bride - Ali Hazelwood Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Spark of the Everflame - Penn Cole Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Exposing Our Bookish HOT TAKES with Ellen Catherine! 👀 (@ellencatherinebooks) 📚 [EP#35] | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:57:19 | |
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/@bookswithellen https://www.instagram.com/ellencatherinebooks https://www.tiktok.com/@ellencatherinebooks Books Discussed: Heir of Illusion - Madeline Taylor The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston The Mask Falling - Samantha Shannon The Heart of Betrayal - Mary E Pearson Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall Red Rising - Pierce Brown Wild Love - Elsie Silver Direbound - Sable Sorensen Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| February Reading Recap, March TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#34] | 06 Mar 2026 | 01:05:03 | |
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 Feeney A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J Spann A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang The Fragile Threads of Power - VE Schwab The Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn Clarke Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare Dark Age - Pierce Brown Light Bringer - Pierce Brown Jade Legacy - Fonda Lee Romancing Mister Bridgerton - Julia Quinn The Last Wish - Andrzej Sapkowski The Night We Lost Him - Laura Dave Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff Strange Pictures - Uketsu You Did Nothing Wrong - CG Drews The Night We Met - Abby Jimenez No Matter What - Cara Bastone Starside - Alex Aster Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| The Books That Made Us Fall in Love With Reading 📚 [EP#36] | 20 Mar 2026 | 01:01:43 | |
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 Spann The Ragpicker King - Cassandra Clare Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) - Sarah J Maas Silverwing - Kenneth Opal Fallen - Lauren Kate The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold The Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis Holes - Louis Sachar The Baby-Sitters Club - Ann M Martin The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - Ann Brashares Goosebumps - RL Stine Land of Stories - Chris Colfer Room - Emma Donaghue Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins Divergent - Veronica Roth Because of Wynn-Dixie - Kate DiCamillo Uglies - Scott Westerfeld The Outsiders - SE Hinton Me Before You - Jojo Moyes The Fault in Our Stars - John Green Paper Towns - John Green Harry Potter - JK Rowling The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Twilight - Stephanie Meyer Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| The Ultimate Guide to Reading Fantasy (Best Books for Every Reader!) 📚 [EP#37] | 27 Mar 2026 | 01:07:54 | |
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 Fawcett The Elsewhere Express - Samantha Sotto Yambao Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall Recursion - Blake Crouch Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas The Sword of Kaigen - ML Wang Mistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon Sanderson Sabriel - Garth Nix The Stormlight Archive - Brandon Sanderson A Game of Thrones - George RR Martin The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss The Will of the Many - James Islington Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon The Rose Bargain - Sasha Peyton Smith The Crimson Moth (Heartless Hunter) - Kristen Ciccarelli When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker A Darker Shade of Magic - VE Schwab Red City - Marie Lu Jade City - Fonda Lee Shadow Hunters - Cassandra Clare Crescent City - Sarah J Maas Sword Catcher - Cassandra Clare Belladonna - Adalyn Grace Phantasma - Kaylie Smith Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Immortal Dark - Tigest Girma Alchemised - SenLinYu The Poet Empress - Shen Tao The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Th Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller Babel - RF Kuang The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door - HG Parry Emily Wilde - Heather Fawcett The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune Sorcery and Small Magics - Maiga Doocy A River Enchanted - Rebecca Ross The Unmaking of June Farrow - Adrienne Young Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| This Fantasy World is Based on ACTING?! 🎭 (with Shannon J. Spann) 📚 [EP#39] | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:57:07 | |
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/shannonjspann Books Discussed: A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J Spann One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Daughters of the Sun and Moon - Lisa See Two Can Play - Ali Hazelwood Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| March Reading Recap, April TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#38] | 03 Apr 2026 | 01:01:35 | |
Let's wrap up our March reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in April! Books Discussed: Just Friends - Haley Pham Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir The Mirror of Infinite Endings - Stephanie Garber Lady Tan's Circle of Women - Lisa See Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Last Wish - Andrzej Sapkowski The Ragpicker King - Cassandra Clare Recursion - Blake Crouch Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston Cleopatra - Saara El-Arifi Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash The Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn Clarke Rites of the Starling - Devney Perry An Arcane Study of Stars - Sydney J Shields Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @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 | |||
| Our Spring vs Fall TBRs 📚 (Same Time... Different Seasons?!) 🌸🍂 [EP#41] | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:55:08 | |
Because we live on opposite sides of the world... here are our Spring and Fall TBRs as we head into the new seasons! Books Discussed: The Jasad Heir - Sara Hashem The Poppy War - RF Kuang Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke The Diviners - Libba Bray Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson The Women - Kristin Hannah Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah The Four Winds - Kristin Hannah The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah The Good Parts - Evann Normandin Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - VE Schwab The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston The Wolf King - Lauren Palphreyman Heart the Lover - Lily King Belladonna - Adalyn Grace The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (10:27) sunrise on the reaping trailer (17:49) our spring and fall tbrs (19:13) spring book 1 (21:52) fall book 1 (25:22) spring book 2 (28:43) fall book 2 (33:05) spring book 3 (36:37) fall book 3 (38:26) spring book 4 (40:24) fall book 4 (43:42) spring book 5 (46:35) fall book 5 (49:01) spring book 6 (51:23) fall book 6 | |||
| Which Fictional Character Is MOST Likely To...? (with @lottiesmalley) 📚👀 [EP#40] | 17 Apr 2026 | 01:00:34 | |
We have the beautiful Lottie Smalley with us today! Had so much chatting about books & fictional characters we've loved. Hope you enjoy this one! Lottie's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@LottieSmalley/ https://www.instagram.com/bookloverlottie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@bookloverlottie Books Discussed: Heir of Fire - Sarah J Maas The Poet Empress - Shen Tao You Did Nothing Wrong - CG Drews Homebound - Porta Elan We Used to Live Here - Marcus Kliewer Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy Yellowface - RF Kuang Funny Story - Emily Henry Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Bear Town - Fredrik Backman Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries - Heather Fawcett Our Infinite Fates - Laura Steven Zodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry Deep End - Ali Hazelwood The Future Saints - Ashley Winstead Frankenstein - Mary Shelley Dark Matter - Blake Crouch Passion Project - London Sperry The Favorites - Layne Fargo Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Red Rising - Pierce Brown A Darker Shade of Magic - VE Schwab Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J Maas A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman Katabasis - RF Kuang Blue Sisters - Coco Mellors Heartless - Elsie Silver The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Daisy Jones and the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid Taming 7 - Chloe Walsh Bridgerton - Julia Quinn Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas Twilight - Stephenie Meyer Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus Matilda - Roald Dahl Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (10:56) let's talk fictional characters (12:44) which character is most likely to win a reality TV show? (17:16) which character is most likely to get banned from a library? (22:18) which character is most likely to be chronically online? (26:53) which character urgently needs a therapist? (34:36) which character is most likely to burn down a kingdom over a breakup? (42:20) most likely to leave a function without saying goodbye? (45:10) which character would be the competitive board game type? (47:24) which character is most likely to flirt their way out of trouble? (49:44) what character would be the biggest gossip? (52:11) which character would bring a book to a party? (55:08) which character would never use their name when ordering coffee? | |||
| ALL the Book News We Need to Talk About 👀📚 + Our Lives Beyond Books [EP#42] | 01 May 2026 | 01:03:16 | |
We've had SO MANY book announcements lately, we just need to debrief. We also spend the last bit of this episode chatting about what we do outside of reading, to compliment our bookish lifestyles! Books Discussed: The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Correspondent - Virginia Evans The Dinner Party - Freida McFadden Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson Divergent - Veronica Roth The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth Beach Read - Emily Henry Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (The Hunt for Gollum) Burn of the Everflame - Penn Cole The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Daemonica - Kaylie Smith Taipei Story - RF Kuang Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo The Thoroughbreds - Elin Hilderbrand Hollywood, Ending - John Greene The Mirror of Infinite Endings - Stephanie Garber The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace Victorious - VE Schwab ACOTAR 6 - Sarah J Maas Untitled Empyrean (Fourth Wing) - Rebecca Yarros A Married Little Christmas - Abby Jimenez The Improbable Meet Cute Series The Exception to the Rule - Christina Lauren The House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (11:12) we are getting a NEW DIVERGENT BOOK (18:09) beach read casting announcement (21:28) LOTR the hunt for gollum casting (26:17) september is a BIG book release month (28:17) surprise empyrean novella (30:27) an abby jimenez surprise! (33:39) house in the cerulean sea adaptation (36:51) identity crisis? (37:57) readers need to move (50:06) is jaime a birder? (53:41) freya likes snakes? (57:46) freya is an artist (59:56) rapid fire hobbies | |||
| Inside the MUST-READ Fantasy That Will Break Your Heart 👀 | The Poet Empress with Shen Tao 📚 [EP#46] | 29 May 2026 | 00:50:41 | |
You know we LOVE The Poet Empress, and we had the best time chatting with Shen Tao about her book, early inspiration (warrior cats, anyone?) and how fonts might speak in different ways! Shen Tao: https://www.instagram.com/storygoose Books Discussed: The Poet Empress - Shen Tao Immaculate Deception - Isabela Livino The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E Pearson Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (04:35) where did @storygoose come from? (07:23) Shen's journey to becoming a published author (10:22) Influences on Shen's writing style (13:54) warrior cats fanfiction to fantasy pipeline (15:38) life as a debut author (19:10) what is The Poet Empress about? (20:30) is the protagonist really the main focus? (23:24) Shen's favourite character to write? (25:03) the influence of siblings (26:09) publishing fantasy with a romantasy imprint (28:55) developing a magic system based in poetry (31:03) Shen's favourite moment in the book (32:28) the font challenge (36:09) Shen's next novel reveal! (39:03) listener questions (39:12) a song to describe the characters? (40:16) how to manage emotions while writing (41:58) The Poet Empress in three words (42:51) favourite edition of The Poet Empress (44:18) how does it feel to have rocketed to success? (49:00) this or that | |||
| The PERFECT Books for Your VERY Specific Moods 👀📚 [EP#45] | 22 May 2026 | 01:05:37 | |
You asked for book recs that were oddly specific... and we had so much fun matching books to your prompts! Hope you enjoy these oddly specific reading recs! Books Discussed: The Kiss of Deception - Mary E Pearson The Heart of Betrayal - Mary E Pearson Upgrade - Blake Crouch When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee Jade City - Fonda Lee (Green Bone Saga) Jade Legacy - Fonda Lee The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi The Bane Witch - Ava Morgyn A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness Bright Young Women - Jessica Knoll Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood - HG Parry Graceless Heart - Isabel Ibanez Not Quite Dead Yet - Holly Jackson Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid Ready or Not - Cara Bastone The Favorites - Layne Fargo Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino The Good Parts - Evann Normandin Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare (The Last Hours) No Matter What - Cara Bastone The Names - Florence Knapp Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (12:15) jaime met fonda lee! (18:40) freya's weekend catchup (20:48) oddly specific book recs (21:14) exploring identity and what it means to be human but in a fun, original way (26:16) a witchy Gone Girl (29:46) staring at a wall like what did I just read but in a good way (35:55) count the amount of letters in your last read’s title (41:33) everyone is coping through sarcasm and poor sleep schedule (47:20) love triangle where the choice is not obvious (52:17) watching a car crash into a dumpster fire in a good way (55:38) cross-genre love stories (01:00:46) running through a field with fresh rain on your face | |||
| We Tried Guessing Books from JUST the First Line... 🙈📚 [EP#44] | 15 May 2026 | 00:54:21 | |
Sorry for some of the audio quality in this one, we had some technical difficulties this week :( Hope you still enjoy this one, it was a fun game! Books Discussed: Dragon Republic - RF Kuang The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson Sword Catcher - Cassandra Clare Direbound - Sable Sorensen Rock Paper Scissors - Alice Feeney The Seven Year Slip - Ashley Poston The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig A River Enchanted - Rebecca Ross Five Survive - Holly Jackson An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir Ready or Not - Cara Bastone Red Rising - Pierce Brown We Were Liars - E Lockhart A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare Heartless Hunter - Kristen Ciccarelli Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson Katabasis - RF Kuang Verity - Colleen Hoover Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (10:09) weekend catchups (18:54) the game! (20:31) round 1 (22:40) round 2 (26:35) round 3 (30:54) round 4 (31:50) round 5 (33:35) round 6 (35:09) round 7 (35:59) round 8 (39:31) round 9 (40:17) round 10 (40:45) round 11 (41:40) round 12 (44:27) round 13 (45:56) round 14 (46:32) round 15 (48:58) round 16 (49:54) round 17 (50:58) round 18 (51:37) round 19 (52:05) round 20 | |||
| April Reading Recap, May TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#43] | 08 May 2026 | 01:00:56 | |
Let's wrap up our April reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in May! Books Discussed: Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E Pearson Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry The Night We Met - Abby Jimenez The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston No Matter What - Cara Bastone The Correspondent - Virginia Evans The Poet Empress - Shen Tao The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Jasad Heir - Sara Hashem The Road of Bones - Demi Winters Fable - Adrienne Young This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Dinner Party - Freida McFadden The Good Parts - Evann Normandin The Jasad Crown - Sara Hashem The Dark Mirror - Samantha Shannon Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson The Dragon Republic - RF Kuang Golden Son - Pierce Brown Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee Verity Guild - Mai Corland The Young Will Remember - Eve J Chung The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker The Shippers - Katherine Center The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff The Midnight Train - Matt Haig Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (13:30) may book club pick! (15:20) jaime's april highs (22:39) freya's april highs (26:47) jaime's april lows (34:07) freya's april lows (39:18) jaime's may lookahead (40:50) freya's may lookahead (44:07) may new releases | |||
| Inside the Worlds of Fonda Lee 👀 | Green Bone Saga, The Last Contract of Isako, Breathmarked & More 📚 [EP#47] | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:59:07 | |
We are in AWE of Fonda Lee and still cannot believe we were able to chat with her in this episode! We chat all things Jade City, The Last Contract of Isako, Breathmarked duology and more! Fonda Lee: https://www.instagram.com/fonda.lee Books Discussed: The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee Jade City (Green Bone Saga) - Fonda Lee Mark of the Warrior (Breathmarked) - Fonda Lee Breath of the Dragon - Fonda Lee Dark Matter - Blake Crouch Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro (01:08) life on the Isako book tour (04:29) current reads (09:20) Fonda's perfect eggs benedict (10:50) what is The Last Contract of Isako? (12:30) writing about characters in different stages of life (16:42) will we ever revisit Isako? (18:16) writing platonic love vs romantic love (20:45) finding love in a company town (25:00) the impending doom of characters slowly declining (28:00) when your job is your LIFE (30:29) plotting an unpredictable book (33:48) building a rich world in a standalone novel (37:00) the art of physical combat in a book (40:05) film adaptations on the horizon? (41:47) which of your fictional worlds would you live in? (43:21) the transition from corporate to being an author (46:14) the wild google history of an author (49:46) listener questions! (49:58) what's the best starting point to dive into fonda's books? (50:50) how do you decide what is a standalone vs series? (52:16) how do you come up with the names for characters and places? (54:51) this or that! (54:59) who would win in a fight, isako or hilo? (56:18) no more eggs benedict or no more caffeine? (57:03) revenge arcs or redemption arcs? | |||
| How to ACTUALLY Get Out of a Reading Slump 📚 [EP#49] | 19 Jun 2026 | 01:01:42 | |
Are you in a reading slump? Let's chat about what our reading slumps look like, how we get out of slumps & also some reading slump book recs! Books Discussed: Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Summer Island - Kristin Hannah Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke The Deal (Off Campus) - Elle Kennedy When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker American Hagwon - Min Jin Lee Never Lie - Freida McFadden Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim The Rose Bargain - Sasha Peyton Smith Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo Reum A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket The Six Deaths of the Saint - Alix E Harrow After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Julie Chan is Dead - Liann Zhang Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (09:33) catchups & announcements! (10:11) freya's obsession debrief (14:14) freya's yesteryear update (17:02) jaime is WATCHING OFF CAMPUS? (23:58) random thoughts on when the moon hatched (25:31) min jin lee's new book release! (28:11) what do our reading slumps look like? (31:37) our tips to get out of a reading slump (38:15) reading slump book recs (38:33) anything freida (41:52) six crimson cranes (45:16) the rose bargain (47:04) welcome to the hyunam-dong bookshop (49:51) a series of unfortunate events (53:13) the six deaths of the saint (55:44) anything TJR (57:55) an unhinged protagonist | |||
| May Reading Recap, June TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#48] | 12 Jun 2026 | 01:09:56 | |
Let's wrap up our May reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in June! Books Discussed: Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson The Arcane Arts - SD Coverly The Deal (Off Campus) - Elle Kennedy Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen) - Chloe Walsh Every Summer After - Carley Fortune When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A Parker The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker Obsession (Movie) The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee The Dragon Republic - RF Kuang Dawnshard - Brandon Sanderson Mark of the Warrior - Fonda Lee Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare The Kiss of Deception - Mary E Pearson The Gate of the Feral Gods - Matt Dinniman This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me - Ilona Andrews The Good Parts - Evann Normandin The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff My Husband's Wife - Alice Feeney Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke Honey - Imani Thompson The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It - Brooke Averick Good Joy, Bad Joy - Mikki Brammer To Dream in Darkness - Ann Liang The Thoroughbreds - Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham Victorious - VE Schwab Shadow Reaper - Lynette Noni Light Wielder - Rachel Schneider Pool House - Mary HK Choi The River She Became - Emily Varga A Darker Shore - Leigh Bardugo Long Distance Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast Jaime's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (11:00) book to screen catchups (16:30) jaime met Sarah A Parker! (23:20) the Obsession debrief (30:09) freya's may highlights (35:13) jaime's may highlights (39:18) june book club pick! (39:40) back to jaime's highlights (42:41) freya's may lows (46:25) jaime's may lows (53:15) freya's june lookahead (55:58) jaime's june lookahead (01:00:11) june new book releases | |||