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SHOP OUR NEW BESTIES and the BOOKS X CROW Merch! | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Use code “CROWSPEED5” for $5 off one order of $50+ (ends 09/15/2025 11:59pm PST)

Holy mother of crow, what just happened?! Honestly, we’re not even sure ourselves. We blinked and it was Crowtember! Also known as “September,” we’ve deemed Crowtember the month of the crow, the gateway to fall, spooky season, and all things wonderful!

So what did we do to honor this lovely time of year?! We launched our very first merch line to honor the crows (our pod mascot), and we read some birdish books so we can give you the crow-11 all about them! So stick around if you want all the details on how you can get your hands on our official hoodies, beanies, and more! And discover whether or not these bird shifters are shadow daddy worthy.

We decided to read one cringy crow read: Crow by Layla Fae (IYKYK), and one popular Romantasy read: House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein. And boy howdy did we have a good time. We’re bringing you a deep dive that covers everything from a complex fantasy world in the sky with a shadow daddy crow king, to a cursed half man, half crow with an egg-expelling appendage… We can’t wait to yap our beaks off with you about both of these books so you can decide if you’ll add them to your TBR or not.

And don’t worry, we’ll make sure to answer the question: Are we INTO crows now? (Yes, like that…) And we finish with a good old creature / crow smash or pass.

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

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SHOP OUR NEW BESTIES and the BOOKS X CROW Merch! | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
Use code “CROWSPEED5” for $5 off one order of $50+ (ends 09/15/2025 11:59pm PST)

Ashley is Wearing: The Crop Hoodie with BATB Branded Colors | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/cropped-hoodie-besties-anti-social-crow

And the Anti Social Social Book Club Beanie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/anti-social-social-crow-book-club-knit-beanie

Liz is Wearing: The Zip Up Hoodie with BATB Branded Colors | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/zip-hoodie-grey-besties-anti-social-crow

And the Greyscale Besties and the Books Beanie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourth

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Liz
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Ashley
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Today we continue on with our newest miniseries covering the Anne of Green Gables 8-book collection by L.M. Montgomery. We’re officially into Anne’s adult years, and we’re here to bring you the answer to the question we’ve all been wondering since we started this journey… is it worth reading past book 3?

In this episode we dive into books five and six: Anne’s House of Dreams and Anne of Ingleside - we’ve moved past the well-known initial trilogy into Anne’s life as an adult, and the tone has definitely shifted. What do we think about the differences, and how do we currently feel about the focus slowly shifting away from Anne and to other characters, including her children? Who were our favorite and least favorite characters and plot points? Do we think Anne helped pave the way for our favorite FMCs of today? And what literary devices does Montgomery use to critique women’s roles in society?

Check out our kickoff episode all about what the Bildungsroman is, why women and girl’s stories are so important for everyone to read, and how Montgomery expertly uses this book series to critique social and political issues of the early 1900’s, with an emphasis on women’s roles in society. We also provide a bit of context by discussing Montgomery’s life, and the political climate in Canada when this story takes place.

Coming of age tales can be so much more than simple children’s books. We’re here to discover why! Listen on for our reviews of books five and six, our deep dive reactions, fun facts about this timeless classic… and a special bonus section entitled “That’s just like a man!”

Check out our Anne of Green Gables Playlist | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLmUGmwxrZs&list=PLHf5v0KOoZMk43z5cbKp6b9WVMXwsYWki&pp=gAQB

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-Ik

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Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is wearing “Women of Maas World Tour” from @caffeineandcurses | https://caffeineandcurses.com

Liz is wearing a black “I am in the depths of despair” Anne of Green Gables Tee from Amazon | * https://amzn.to/472WzSp

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
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@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
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@AshleyEllix

Send us a text

Today we’re doing the impossible task of ranking every book in the entire Sarah J. MAAS averse, including Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Crescent City, and the lesser known standalone book and DC collaboration, Catwoman. That’s SEVENTEEN books that are all 4+ stars that we pick apart with a fine-toothed comb to come up with one winner, and unfortunately, one at the bottom of the barrel.

What’s fun about this episode is that it’s full of SJM spoilers and possible connections, if you’ve read them all and you’re just here for the tea. It’s also interesting to see how much our rankings have possibly changed over the years, and after doing rereads, buddy reads, and multiple podcast conversations. Our choices might just surprise you!

Listen on to find out our official (current) Sarah j Maas book ranking, and our defense of our choices. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our criteria and ratings, and defend your case!

And don’t you worry, we have an extra special fave and fail SJM character edition, and a smash or pass to go right along with it!

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-Ik

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Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!
Ashley is Wearing: “Women of Maas World Tour” Tee from @caffeineandcurses | https://caffeineandcurses.com

Liz is Wearing: “You Do Not Yield” Throne of Glass Tee by @shopsecondbreakfast | https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopSecondBreakfast

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix