Explore every episode of the podcast Once Upon a Time Zone: A Bookish Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| We NEED to Catch Up... Spooky Season, Book News & ALL The Book Events 👻📚🎃 [EP#68] | 30 Oct 2026 | 01:03:13 | |
This is what happens when we don't chat for 2 weeks... a lot has been going on so let's catchup & also embrace spooky season and talk about some of the SCARIEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME to celebrate Halloween! 🍂👻🎃 Books Discussed: Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It - Brooke Averick American Hagwon - Min Jin Lee Red Rising - Pierce Brown Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros The Bodyguard - Katherine Center Free Falling - Lyla Sage The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson Pet Sematary - Stephen King The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty 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 & current reads (10:14) we have SO MUCH to catchup on! (10:39) the red rising movie adaptation! (12:45) fourth wing casting announcement (17:09) katherine center's CHRISTMAS movie? (19:39) jaime's reading cabin trip (24:30) freya saw lyla sage! (27:40) jaime saw veronica roth! (31:07) the spooky movies we've been watching (42:51) the SPOOKIEST books and if we'd read or survive them (43:22) the haunting of hill house (51:39) pet sematary (57:35) the exorcist | |||
| THIS OR THAT: BOOK EDITION! 📚⭐️ Reading Habits, Hot Takes & Book Debates [EP#67] | 23 Oct 2026 | 01:05:15 | |
Let's play THIS OR THAT! We haven't done this since the BEGINNING of our podcast journey. We wanted to revisit and do this again. Hope you love this one! Books Discussed: The Bane Witch - Ava Morgyn Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo A Sorceress Comes to Call - T Kingfisher It's Different This Time - Joss Richard Iron Gold - Pierce Brown Theodora's Tea Shop - Christy Ann Jones The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson The Kiss of Deception - Mary E Pearson Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas Victorious - VE Schwab Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien Vicious - VE Schwab Jade City - Fonda Lee Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros The Bad Beginning - Lemony Snicket Direbound - Sable Sorensen Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo King of Scars - Leigh Bardugo A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J Spann 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 & current reads (10:41) rachel gillig's mysterious announcement... (13:42) christina lauren's holiday movie adaptation (17:57) buy a book based on the cover or based on the author? (22:07) reading series back-to-back or taking a break? (31:05) reading in a park or in a cafe? (34:55) would you rather go into every book blind, or without knowing ratings/reviews? (37:15) deckled edges or french flaps? (42:11) when you read on kindle, white or black background? (48:30) open endings or closed endings? (54:16) living inside your favourite book or bringing your favourite character to life? (57:35) pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon? (59:26) green bone saga or six of crows? | |||
| Our Fall vs Spring TBRs 📚🍂🌸 (From Book Besties Across the World!) [EP#66] | 16 Oct 2026 | 01:10:36 | |
We're back with our dual season TBRs! This time, our Fall and Spring TBRs as long distance book besties from Canada & Australia! 🍂🌸 Books Discussed: Iron Gold - Pierce Brown A Sorceress Comes to Call - T Kingfisher Victorious - VE Schwab Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent Honey - Imani Thompson Day of Now - Miranda Reason Shadow Reaper - Lynette Noni Main Characters - Bobby Palmer Good Joy, Bad Joy - Mikki Brammer Pool House - Mary HK Choi One and Only - Maurene Goo Nymph - Sofia Montrone Don't Let the Forest In - CG Drews Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune The Reformatory - Tananarive Due Hollywood, Ending - John Green Threshing Day - Rebecca Yarros (Mostly) Human Resources - Grace Viall Grim Tidings - BK Borison Fury Bound - Sable Sorensen 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 & current reads (13:38) addressing the cliffhanger... (18:14) freya's winter TBR recap (23:37) jaime's summer TBR recap (36:04) fall tbr 1 (41:57) spring tbr 1 (46:59) fall tbr 2 (52:08) spring tbr 2 (55:28) fall tbr 3 (59:59) spring book 3 (01:02:11) fall tbr 4 (01:05:32) spring tbr 4 | |||
| September Reading Recap, October TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#65] | 09 Oct 2026 | 01:10:25 | |
Let's wrap up our September reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in October! Books Discussed: The Bane Witch - Ava Morgyn Iron Gold - Pierce Brown Verity - Colleen Hoover The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood Modern Classic - Emily Henry Feels Like Falling - Abby Jimenez Bodies of Magic - Freya Marske Victorious - VE Schwab The Burning God - RF Kuang The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion - T Kingfisher Kingdom of Claw - Demi Winters Roots of Darkness - Demi Winters Dawn of the North - Demi Winters These Infinite Threads - Tahereh Mafi All This Twisted Glory - Tahereh Mafi Every Spiral of Fate - Tahereh Mafi The Mash Up - Laura Marie Meyers Know My Name - Chanel Miller Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors Taipei Story - RF Kuang Peck and Peck - Bonnie Garmus Scion - James Islington Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman The Matchmaker's Cottage - Kat Sloane The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas Burn of the Everflame - Penn Cole Hollywood, Ending - John Green The Winners - Fredrik Backman My Friends - Fredrik Backman Once, Again, Always - Amanda Gayle To Dream in Darkness - Ann Liang Mark of the Warrior - Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee A Court of Splintered Harmony - Sarah J Maas 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 & current reads (09:46) the VERITY movie debrief (21:11) we watched the love hypothesis (29:04) emily henry & abby jimenez are publishing new books! (33:23) october book club pick (35:07) freya's september highlights (44:09) jaime's september highlights (51:48) freya's september lows (56:37) jaime's september lows (01:02:41) freya's october lookaheads (01:04:34) jaime's october lookaheads (01:06:56) october new releases | |||
| VE Schwab says GOODBYE to Her Villains... 💔 Victorious, Therapy Gone Wrong & What's Next? 📚✨ [EP#64] | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:53:05 | |
We had the incredible opportunity to chat with VE Schwab!! With Victorious releasing SO soon, we chat about villains, saying goodbye, magic, and the therapy of it all. Hope you enjoy! VE Schwab: https://www.veschwab.com/ Books Discussed: Victorious - VE Schwab Vicious - VE Schwab Vengeful - VE Schwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - VE Schwab A Darker Shade of Magic - VE Schwab This Savage Song - VE Schwab The Ending Writes Itself - Evelyn Clarke This Is About Running. This Is Not About Running - Chris Bennett Fruit Fly - Josh Silver Eclipse and the Wolf - Akwaeke Emezi King Sorrow - Joe Hill Ninth House - 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: Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro (02:54) the moments before a book release (05:11) VE Schwab's current reads (07:18) on the overwhelming new releases & discoverability (12:10) on audiobooks & training for an ironman (16:28) when does VE Schwab write? (21:22) the origins of a villain (26:50) VE Schwab's favourite villain? (28:54) the end of an era and ALL the emotions (34:24) favourite magical creatures? (37:46) what will VE Schwab explore next? (44:14) navigating the puzzle of a timeline (47:49) VE Schwab's favourite of her books? (51:10) this or that | |||
| The Love Story that Made Us ALL Cry... 😭 | INTO THE BLUE with Emma Brodie 📚💙 [EP#63] | 25 Sep 2026 | 01:02:45 | |
We LOVED Into the Blue by Emma Brodie, and had the most wonderful time chatting with her about yearning, genre-bending, emotional books, Vampire Diaries... and more! Emma Brodie: https://www.instagram.com/emma.c.brodie Books Discussed: Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Songs in Ursa Major - Emma Brodie Mad Mabel - Sally Hepworth Dawn of the North - Demi Winters Vicious - VE Schwab 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 (01:46) how martha's vineyard inspired stories (08:02) our current reads (10:43) the improv of it all (16:19) morning writing vs night writing? (18:44) team damon or stefan? (20:41) about into the blue (21:56) the love story vs romance (23:54) are we pantsers or plotters? (28:49) let's talk genre-bending (32:26) the tunnel of connection between characters (36:17) why do noah and AJ feel so familiar? (39:51) dealbreakers in a love story? (41:26) is it really miscommunication? (43:40) what came first, the acting or the sci-fi? (44:57) how many author tears go into one reader tear? (49:09) the secret to yearning? (51:21) what's next for emma? (53:17) book club listener questions! (57:38) this or that | |||
| Books We DISAGREE On... Why We LOVED and HATED These Books 📚💔 [EP#62] | 18 Sep 2026 | 01:05:29 | |
It's rare but sometimes we disagree... let's talk about some books that we had some different opinions on! Books Discussed: 11/22/63 - Stephen King The Burning God - RF Kuang A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF) - Sarah J Maas Peck & Peck - Bonnie Garmus The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman The Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles) - Mary E Pearson This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi My Husband's Wife - Alice Feeney Rock Paper Scissors - Alice Feeney Beautiful Ugly - Alice Feeney His and Hers - Alice Feeney Sometimes I Lie - Alice Feeney Verity - Colleen Hoover One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig The Jasad Heir - Sara Hashem The Naturals - Jennifer Lynn Barnes The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes Mate - Ali Hazelwood Bride - 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: Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (12:29) freya's life is exciting (16:52) magnus bane is on dancing with the stars (21:49) the books we disagree on (22:12) the remnant chronicles (28:59) alice feeney's thrillers (34:13) jaime's mysterious email (36:19) rachel gillig duologies (44:02) the jasad heir (51:15) jennifer lynn barnes series (57:58) bride & mate by ali hazelwood | |||
| The Books You're ALWAYS Telling Us to Read! 📚👀 [EP#61] | 11 Sep 2026 | 01:04:53 | |
We always give YOU book recs... but what if YOU give US recs instead? We had soooo much fun going through the most recommended books from you! 💖 Books Discussed: Liberty Street - Heather Marshall The Burning God - RF Kuang The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion - Beth Brower The Bone Season - Samantha Shannon The Tainted Cup - Robert Jackson Bennett Heartless - Marissa Meyer Cinder - Marissa Meyer Strange the Dreamer - Laini Taylor Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb (Realm of the Underlings) Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan Verity Guild - Mai Corland Dark Rise - CS Pacat The Winged Game - Sophie Kim The Sun and the Starmaker - Rachel Griffin Mad Mabel - Sally Hepworth The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi 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 & current reads (16:57) the unselected journals of emma m lion (22:20) the bone season (26:49) the tainted cup (30:12) heartless (34:29) strange the dreamer (38:21) realm of the underlings (44:18) percy jackson (48:46) verity guild (52:15) dark rise (54:22) the winged game (56:55) the sun and the starmaker (59:02) mad mabel (01:01:15) the raven boys (01:01:56) binding 13 (01:02:48) this woven kingdom | |||
| August Reading Recap, September TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#60] | 04 Sep 2026 | 01:07:30 | |
Let's wrap up our August reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in September! Books Discussed: 11/22/63 - Stephen King Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros Fruit Fly - Josh Silver Taipei Story - RF Kuang Piranesi - Susanna Clarke Daughters of Shandong - Eve J Chung Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Yellowface - RF Kuang Into the Blue - Emma Brodie The River She Became - Emily Varga The Midnight Train - Matt Haig This Story Might Save Your Life - Tiffany Crum None of This is True - Lisa Jewell Main Characters - Bobby Palmer The Girl With a Thousand Faces - Sunyi Dean Know My Name - Chanel Miller Wild - Cheryl Strayed Bottom of the Pyramid - Nia Sioux The Third Gilmore Girl - Kelly Bishop ACOTAR - Sarah J Maas The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Burn of the Everflame - Penn Cole Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo The Thoroughbreds - Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham The Mirror of Infinite Endings - Stephanie Garber Threshing Day - Rebecca Yarros Scion - James Islington Tempest - Victoria Aveyard Hollywood, Ending - John Green The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace American Hagwon - Min Jin Lee Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion - T Kingfisher 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 & current reads (17:55) september book club pick! (19:13) jaime's august highlights (27:55) freya's august highlights (33:20) jaime's august lows (42:00) freya's august lows (49:59) jaime's september lookaheads (54:40) freya's september lookaheads (56:24) september book releases | |||
| Books We Didn't LOVE… Until the Ending SAVED Them 😭📚 [EP#59] | 28 Aug 2026 | 01:05:14 | |
Sometimes you really want to DNF a book... but what if this makes you miss an INCREDIBLE ending? These are a few books that you just need to stick with until the very end - WE PROMISE it's worth it! Books Discussed: Writers and Lovers - Lily King 11/22/63 - Stephen King Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Fruit Fly - Josh Silver ACOTAR - Sarah J Maas A Court of Splintered Harmony - Sarah J Maas A Court of Forgotten Melody - Sarah J Maas The Ragpicker King - Cassandra Clare Piranesi - Susanna Clarke The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace Anxious People - Fredrik Backman The Prison Healer - Lynette Noni You've Reached Sam - Dustin Thao Blood Over Bright Haven - ML Wang 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 & current reads (10:04) jaime saw josh silver and rf kuang! (18:02) jaime's boston and salem trip (28:43) ACOTAR titles debrief (36:58) the ragpicker king (42:05) piranesi (46:34) the wretched divine (51:58) anxious people (55:04) the prison healer (58:21) you've reached sam (01:01:19) blood over bright haven | |||
| Books We LOVED… Until the Ending RUINED Everything 😭📚 [EP#58] | 21 Aug 2026 | 01:05:50 | |
You know when a book is PERFECT... right up until the very end? Let's chat about some books that just had very unsatisfactory endings :( Books Discussed: The River She Became - Emily Varga This Story Might Save Your Life - Tiffany Crum Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt - Ben Reeves Martyr! - Kaveh Akbar The Midnight Train - Matt Haig The Odyssey - Homer Nymph - Sofia Montrone Circe - Madeline Miller Fruit Fly - Josh Silver A Darker Shore: Letters from Ketterdam - Leigh Bardugo The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath There Is No Antimemetics Division - QNTM Into the Blue - Emma Brodie The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff The Burning God - RF Kuang Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Flawless - Elsie Silver Wild Love - Elsie Silver This Book Made Me Think of You - Libby Page The Naturals - Jennifer Lynn Barnes Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros Tropesick - Lauren Okie Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir 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 & current reads (09:47) the odyssey debrief (23:56) ebooks are EXPENSIVE rant (26:29) the mystery of the six of crows novella (28:53) the binocular set story update (31:43) let's get into it! (31:58) there is no antimemetics division (37:58) into the blue (44:43) metal slinger (47:56) chestnut springs (52:07) this book made me think of you (55:42) fourth wing (58:16) tropesick (01:01:22) project hail mary | |||
| Book Cons & Fantasy Balls... Are Book Events Getting Out of Control?! 📚 [EP#57] | 14 Aug 2026 | 01:05:07 | |
Let's talk about BOOK EVENTS! From author panels & signings, to book balls, conventions, influencer events and book clubs. What do you think about the recent rise of book events? Books Discussed: Flickerstate - FA Davidson This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) Taipei Story - RF Kuang The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee 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 & current reads (10:03) jaime watched hamnet! (15:17) author panels & signings (24:32) romantasy book balls (39:01) book conventions (44:34) influencer events (56:45) book clubs | |||
| July Reading Recap, August TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#56] | 07 Aug 2026 | 01:09:26 | |
Let's wrap up our July reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in August! Books Discussed: Morning Star - Pierce Brown Honey - Imani Thompson The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt - Ben Reeves Martyr! - Kaveh Akbar 11/22/63 - Stephen King The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Dark Matter - Blake Crouch The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth Victorious - VE Schwab The Road of Bones - Demi Winters Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy Everything We Never Said - Sloan Harlow Pool House - Mary HK Choi Nymph - Sofia Montrone Wasp's Nest - Kat Stoddard Piranesi - Susanna Clarke The Midnight Train - Matt Haig This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi There Is No Antimemetics Division - QNTM Theodora's Tea Shop - Christy Anne Jones Immortal Game - Allison Saft Fruit Fly - Josh Silver 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 (12:08) august book club read (14:03) freya watched the odyssey! (21:31) freya's july highlights (31:13) jaime's july highlights (42:22) freya's july lows (50:42) jaime's july lows (56:40) jaime's august lookaheads (01:00:55) freya's august lookaheads (01:04:32) august book releases | |||
| We're FINALLY BACK! ☕📚 | Europe, Reading Updates & Book News [EP#55] | 31 Jul 2026 | 01:07:59 | |
WE MISSED YOU!!! We're back after 3 weeks, and have SO much to catchup on. From Freya's Europe trip, to personal life updates, to all the book announcements and adaptation news... let's debrief! Book creators mentioned: Colleen: https://www.instagram.com/colleensreading/ Lottie: https://www.youtube.com/lottiesmalley Books Discussed: Victorious - VE Schwab The Shampoo Effect - Jenny Jackson The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Morning Star - Pierce Brown Dark Matter - Blake Crouch My Friends - Fredrik Backman Main Characters - Bobby Palmer Writers & Lovers - Lily King Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman Vicious - VE Schwab Beach Read - Emily Henry Love Theoretically - Ali Hazelwood A Bittersweet Spell - Rebecca Ross The Last Days of Vic & Coco - 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: Instagram: @jaimefok Tiktok: @jaime.fok Freya's socials: Instagram: @freyv_reads Tiktok: @freyvalerio (00:00) intro & current reads (13:07) freya's europe trip! (45:02) jaime is going to boston & ran a 10k (51:03) book to screen adaptation news (01:00:33) exciting book announcements! | |||
| How Is Our Reading Year Going?! 📚👀 (Mid Year Check In) [EP#54] | 24 Jul 2026 | 01:00:38 | |
Time to reflect on our reading year so far! How are we doing with our reading goals? What books have hit, missed & what are we looking forward to for the rest of the year? Hope you enjoy this one :) Books Discussed: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me - Ilona Andrews The Dark Mirror - Samantha Shannon Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson Us Against You - Fredrik Backman Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman Neverthorn - Shannon Mayer The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen 11/22/63 - Stephen King The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Jade City - Fonda Lee Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke No Matter What - Cara Bastone Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson The Diviners - Libba Bray Recursion - Blake Crouch Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare The Road of Bones - Demi Winters A Stage Set for Villains - Shannon J Spann Burn of the Everflame - Penn Cole The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Taipei Story - RF Kuang Victorious - VE Schwab Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo The Sixth Faction - Veronica Roth American Hagwon - Min Jin Lee 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 & current reads (11:22) freya's europe tripe! (16:41) how we're doing with our reading goals (27:21) fable reading stats (32:34) mid year book tags (32:50) books we immediately want to reread (36:51) new favourite authors (39:42) most frustrating characters (42:04) a book that should have been shorter (44:07) a book that should have been longer (46:21) series we want to read this year (48:59) character most likely to start a podcast (51:08) ranking our book club reads so far (54:56) most anticipated reads for the rest of the year | |||
| Have Our Reading Tastes CHANGED?! 📚 (Re-Taking the Read Your Color Quiz) [EP#53] | 17 Jul 2026 | 01:09:09 | |
One year later, have our reading tastes changed? We are re-creating our very first episode in celebration of 1 year of the podcast!!! Thank you SO MUCH for being here 💖 Read Your Color Quiz: https://readyourcolor.com/ Books Discussed: The Jasad Crown - Sara Hashem Golden Son - Pierce Brown Summer Island - Kristin Hannah Blue Sisters - Coco Mellors Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors This Is How You Lose the Time War - Max Gladstone & Amal El-Mohtar Tress of the Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson A Song to Drown Rivers - Ann Liang The Correspondent - Virginia Evans A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie Five Survive - Holly Jackson The Only One Left - Riley Sagar The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides My Friends - Fredrik Backman The Good Parts - Evann Normandin Recursion - Blake Crouch Starside - Alex Aster Small These Like These - Claire Keegan Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall The Hating Game - Sally Thorne Not in Love - Ali Hazelwood It Happened One Summer - Tessa Bailey Main Characters - Bobby Palmer The Raven Scholar - Antonia Hodgson The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis Caraval - Stephanie Garber 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 & current reads (15:57) what we expect this time (18:01) taking the quiz (59:43) our final results! | |||
| June Reading Recap, July TBR & New Book Releases! 📚 [EP#52] | 10 Jul 2026 | 01:03:48 | |
Let's wrap up our June reading month & talk about what we're looking forward to in July! Books Discussed: Daughter of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston Dark Matter - Blake Crouch Elodie and the Dark Lord - Ashley Poston Rhythm of War - Brandon Sanderson Golden Son - Pierce Brown Liar of Dreams - Libba Bray The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace The Young Will Remember - Eve J Chung Into the Blue - Emma Brodie The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker The Dark Mirror - Samantha Shannon The Burning God - RF Kuang The Divorce - Freida McFadden Summer Island - Kristin Hannah Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke The Butcher's Masquerade - Matt Dinniman Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Hollow Gods - AJ Vrana The Shippers - Katherine Center Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It - Brooke Averick Morning Star - Pierce Brown Honey - Imani Thompson Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Red Rising - Pierce Brown The Poppy War - RF Kuang The Road of Bones - Demi Winters This Woven Kingdom - Tahereh Mafi Chain of Gold - Cassandra Clare Vicious - VE Schwab Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo The Winged Game - Sophie Kim The Mash Up - Laura Marie Meyers Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt - Ben Reeves The Good Parts - Evann Normandin 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 (08:13) LOTR casting update! (10:49) ashley poston is writing FANTASY! (12:57) dallas cowboys cheerleaders debrief (20:06) freya's june highlights (27:25) jaime's june highlights (36:20) freya's june lows (41:32) jaime's june lows (46:50) freya's july lookaheads (51:56) jaime's july lookaheads (55:05) july book releases | |||
| Our Summer vs Winter TBRs 📚☀️❄️ (From Book Besties Across the World!) [EP#51] | 03 Jul 2026 | 01:02:28 | |
We're back with our dual season TBRs! This time, our Summer and Winter TBRs as long distance book besties from Canada & Australia! Books Discussed: To Dream in Darkness - Ann Liang Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson Golden Son - Pierce Brown The Bright Years - Sarah Damoff Every Summer After (Every Year After) - Carley Fortune Light Wielder - Rachel Schneider The Poppy War & The Dragon Republic - RF Kuang The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace Summer Island - Kristin Hannah The Diviners - Libba Bray Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - VE Schwab Belladonna - Adalyn Grace The Wolf King - Lauren Palphreyman Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson The Good Parts - Evann Normandin The Someday Garden - Ashley Poston Heart the Lover - Lilly King The Burning Side - Sarah Damoff Main Characters - Bobby Palmer Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash Mad Mabel - Sally Hepworth Best Offer Wins - Marisa Kashino Good Joy, Bad Joy - Mikki Brammer Daughters of No Worlds - Carissa Broadbent Pool House - Mary HK Choi Honey - Imani Thompson One and Only - Maureen Goo Day of Now - Miranda Reason Nymph - Sofia Montrone Shadow Reaper - Lynette Noni Scythe - Neal Shusterman 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 & current reads (11:18) every year after debrief (23:15) light wielder reviews (24:45) spring and fall tbr recap (36:21) summer tbr 1 (39:15) winter tbr 1 (42:26) summer tbr 2 (44:05) winter tbr 2 (46:33) summer tbr 3 (49:03) winter tbr 3 (51:43) summer tbr 4 (54:05) winter tbr 4 (56:03) summer tbr 5 (57:56) winter tbr 5 | |||
| The Books That Made Us CRY 😭📚 (with @madisonkait) [EP#50] | 26 Jun 2026 | 01:01:06 | |
We LOVE book bestie Madison Kait, and we also love books that make us cry. So this was just the PERFECT time to chat about how emotional we got over fiction. Hope you enjoy this episode! Madison Kait: https://www.tiktok.com/@lettersfrommads Books Discussed: Tropesick - Lauren Okie The Wretched Divine - Adalyn Grace The Shippers - Katherine Center Into the Blue - Emma Brodie Destiny's Edge - ML Wang Alchemised - SenLinYu Jade Legacy - Fonda Lee A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara The Burning God - RF Kuang Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker Say You'll Remember Me - Abby Jimenez Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir My Friends - Fredrik Backman Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE Schwab Red Rising - Pierce Brown A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR) - Sarah J Maas 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 (09:01) ML Wang's surprise book release?! (11:18) what were our BIGGEST book cries of all time? (20:43) how hard did these books make us cry? (20:54) the ballad of falling dragons (24:32) alchemised (28:38) say you'll remember me (30:28) project hail mary (32:00) my friends (36:02) madison's annotating system (40:03) onyx storm (46:19) crooked kingdom (50:23) what were the first books that made us cry? (52:47) the invisible life of addie larue (56:16) acowar | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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? | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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? | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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! | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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? | |||
| 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 | |||