In this recap episode of The Margins Podcast, we slow things down and take stock. We talk about the stories that stayed with us, the authors who shaped our reading year, and the conversations we want to make room for going forward.This episode is less about breaking down a single book and more about reflecting on why we read, how our tastes shift, and what kinds of stories feel worth carrying into the next year. We also revisit 5 Hard Questions, talk goals for 2026, and outline the kinds of books and conversations we want to keep at the center of the podcast.Key Moments00:00 – 2:20 | Intro2:21 – 4:05 | Host Check-In4:06 – 8:02 | 2026 Goals8:03 – 9:54 | Favorite Authors from 20259:55 – 12:05 | Between the Wines12:06 – 29:31 | Reflection Questions29:32 – 42:10 | 5 Hard Questions42:11 – 44:47 | Stories We Want to Cover This Year44:48 – 50:16 | Conversations and Books We Want to Make Room for in 202650:17 – End | Wrap-Up#BookPodcast #ReadingRecap #ReadingGoals #TheMarginsPodcast #BooksAndReading

In this New Year’s Day episode of The Margins Podcast, we sit with The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran — a book many people encounter at different points in their lives and read differently every time.We talk about why this book feels timeless, how its poetic structure invites non linear reading, and why its reflections on love, friendship, work, and self knowledge still resonate. Rather than treating it like a philosophy text, we connect its ideas to lived experience, personal growth, and the way meaning shifts as you age.This is a quieter episode by design. One meant for reflection, perspective, and starting the year with intention.Key Moments00:00 – 1:25 | Intro1:29 – 4:10 | About the Author and the Book5:01 – 9:01 | Host Check-In9:02 – 9:59 | Book Structure and Style10:00 – 28:53 | Synopsis and Who This Book Is For28:54 – 54:30 | 5 Hard Questions55:00 – 59:55 | Excerpts from the Book1:00:00 – End | Wrap-Up and Final Reflections#TheProphet #KahlilGibran #BookPodcast #ClassicLiterature #ReflectiveReading #TheMarginsPodcast

In this episode of The Margins Podcast, we break down Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, through the new full cast audiobook. New voices. Sound design. A listening experience that feels closer to a movie in your ears.We hit a quick breakdown, then get into why this second year turns dark fast. Petrified students. Rumors. Fear spreading. Harry getting blamed again. We also run a rapid fire comparison of the book, the movie, and the full cast audio, what hits harder, what changes, and what gets left out.

Key Moments

00:00 – 1:49 Intro

1:50 – 3:05 Between the Wines

3:06 – 4:51 Synopsis and homie breakdown

4:52 – 35:35 5 Hard Questions

35:39 – 44:55 Deep Dive discussion

44:56 – End Book vs movie vs full cast audiobook

Use our link and get an audible trial, check out the new Harry Potter Full Cast audiobooks: https://www.audibletrial.com/c/6793257/3721824/12951

#HarryPotter #ChamberOfSecrets #Audiobook #BookPodcast #FantasyBooks #TheMarginsPodcast

In this episode, the hosts delve into 'The Ghost Writer' by Julie Clark, exploring its themes of family dynamics, truth, and legacy. They discuss the intricacies of character relationships, the tension arising from unresolved pasts, and the nature of truth as it relates to personal experiences. The conversation transitions into a deep dive analysis of the characters and their motivations, culminating in a spoiler-filled discussion that unravels the mystery at the heart of the story.

Key Moments:

00:00 – 2:10 | Intro to The Ghostwriter

2:20 – 3:00 | Between the Wines

3:16 – 4:08 | Synopsis

4:10 – 7:27 | Plot and Character Breakdown

7:30 – 9:28 | About the Author

10:07 – 29:26 | 5 Hard Questions

29:33 – 40:20 | Deep Dive Discussion

40:30 – 46:36 | Spoiler Zone

46:37 – End | Wrap-Up

SPOILERS after 40:30

#TheGhostwriter #JulieClark #TheMarginsPodcast #BookPodcast #BookTok #BookTube #ThrillerBooks #FictionBooks

In this episode of the Margin's Podcast, hosts Stranton and Cristiano Sanchez dive into a lively discussion about the book 'Run for the Hills' by Kevin Wilson. They explore themes of family dynamics, the impact of parental absence, and the humor intertwined with serious topics. The conversation flows from movie references to personal anecdotes, wine pairings, and a rapid-fire literary question segment, culminating in a detailed analysis of the book's characters and their relationships. The hosts emphasize the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and the growth that comes from familial connections, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone.

Key Moments:

00:00 to 2:30 Intro

2:31 Between the Wines

3:49 Host Check In

8:20 to 18:47 Rapid Fire Questions

18:57 to 20:56 Micro Synopsis

21:00 Deep Dive Discussion Plot Character Dynamics Themes

31:22 to 54:24 5 Hard Questions

54:29 Light Spoilers

1:02:53 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts

SPOILERS after 54:29

#RunForTheHills #KevinWilson #TheMarginsPodcast #BookTok #BookTube #BookPodcast #FictionBooks

In this episode of The Margins Podcast, we break down Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a story about ambition, love, and the pressure of chasing purpose. We talk about the tone shifts that define the book, the relationships that carry the story, and the role of timing in the choices people make.We also look at trust in writing, the NASA lifestyle, and the moments in life where the room shifts and you know everything changed. This one is about connection, growth, and the lessons that follow you long after the story ends.Key Moments:00:00 to 1:09 Intro1:10 Host Check-In and Thanksgiving reflections3:32 Book discussions and recommendations10:25 What brought us to Atmosphere11:32 A moment when the tone in the room flipped15:20 Starter prompts16:43 How a writer builds reader trust20:25 Atmosphere reading mood20:58 Synopsis, themes, and the importance of time24:15 Understanding perspectives26:20 Between the Wines27:18 Pros and cons of the NASA lifestyle30:49 5 Hard Questions55:12 Deep Dive discussion55:19 Favorite characters and analysis59:22 A book of relationships1:03:52 Navigating from a women’s perspective1:15:20 Spoiler Zone1:29:47 Wrap-UpSPOILERS after 1:15:20#Atmosphere #TaylorJenkinsReid #TheMarginsPodcast #BookPodcast #BookTok #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #FictionBooks

This week on The Margins Podcast, we jump back into the dungeon with Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2. We are joined by David, Tim, and Max from the Bricked Up Book Club to talk doomsday scenarios, the characters we love, the ones who stress us out, and the themes that give this series real weight.

We get into fatherhood, comfort reads, bad book recs, and how the dungeon tests who you are. We also compare reading vs audiobooks, talk about the books we gift the most, and try to figure out who would survive the dungeon longest.

Key Moments:00:00 to 6:00 Intro6:05 Favorite reads this year9:07 Most gifted books14:50 Comfort reads18:13 How the Bricked Up Book Club came to be23:16 Bad book suggestions28:08 Between the Wines31:32 Leaving the dungeon33:15 Homie breakdown40:17 Favorite books in the series42:38 Reading vs audiobook experience46:10 Whoopings at school48:02 5 Hard Questions1:16:23 Deep Dive Discussion on themes1:22:40 Shop talk1:30:05 Light spoiler zone

SPOILERS after 1:30:05

In this episode of The Margins Podcast, we dig into Strength of the Few, a story built on pressure, loyalty, and the weight of choices that shape who you become. We talk about power, trust, and why small decisions hit hard when the world around you is cracking.

We break down the main themes, the characters, and the moments that push the story forward. We also bring in our 5 Hard Questions to dig into fear, identity, and the cost of standing up for something bigger than yourself.

Key Moments — Strength of the Few

00:00 – 4:00 | Intro Banter 4:00 – 6:18 | Hosts Check-In 6:20 – 7:33 Between the Wines 7:44 – 12:25 | Micro Synopsis and Plot Breakdown12:26 – 16:31

A Turn Away From Academia 16:40 – 45:17 | 5 Hard Questions 46:14 – 52:06

Deep Dive Discussion52:08 – 1:19:00 | Spoiler Zone1:19:05 – End | Wrap-Up

SPOILERS at 1:11:47