#226

[@angelaluz405]

Is this a Freaky Friday moment or what?!?!?! I'm so stoked to see how these goals pan out!

[@ShrutiSingh2605]

I saw Raeleen's goals and it made sense. I wanna slow down too. Then I heard what Ariel had planned!!!!! And I wanna redo my reading goals😂 WHAT ARE THESE GOALS!!😂😂 I love them.

[@chocolaterain2601]

When Raeleen talked about reading her 4 lowest ranked books on her TBR I audibly gasped and then had to laugh at myself 😂

[@monoculares]

INSANE EPISODE. I gasped ! I laughed and I cried ! And it inspired me greatly. Loved it !!!

[@availandco]

18:47 Raeleen telling Ariel she wants to listen to her talk about that book for two hrs 🤧🤧🤧…… i have no one to verbally discuss my book brainrot with 😭

[@amandalily28]

i literally GASPED on my car ride home listening to this at so many different moments!

[@kandraReadsSometimes]

Me casually adding Riddles of the Sphinx to my tbr 👀😂❤

[@bookishcreature8907]

The way my jaw dropped when Ariel said the number of books she wants to read 😂 I always had that goal and in 2022 I did it (I had the same thought process basically)! My average before that was 50ish books per year. This year I had no specific number and read 70, so doing that in 2022 either helped me read faster or made me read for more hours just out of habit. I’m rooting for you Ariel! Ps: audiobooks are really helpful for this challenge!

[@Moomrin]

I’m imagining Raeleen as Belle in the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. She lets the sheep eat her books and runs towards the hills singing😂

[@haley.canter]

My 2024 TBR is the year of re-reads. I can only re-read books this year

[@michellehoehne]

Y’all’s thoughtfulness and joy in this episode is really inspiring me to take more time to set my 2024 goals and be really intentional and generous with myself. I’ve got more thinking to do!

[@astronomylover3266]

They were right when they said best episode of the year

[@kitthereader]

Ariel, I hit 100 books in 2023 as a mom of two toddlers. Deleting instagram definitely helped me. You got this!

[@AbbeyMcLeod]

Ariel - I think Chasing the Sun by Linda Geddes would be an excellent addition to your studious potatoes! It's all about how sunlight affects both physical and mental health, the impact of daylight savings, etc. and it's amazing. Genuinely, the best non-fiction book I've read in the past 5 years. I still think about it all the time.

[@angrylittledumpling]

Ariel have you beento Hay On Wye in Wales? Its a small town known for all of its used bookstores! They even have an international book festival every year. You could easily rent a cute little cottage to do all of your reading but also enjoy the town (even if you dont go for the festival because honestly its quite busy/crowded). Plus Wales is just a completely beautiful country and wonderful for a quiet getaway.

[@filipacarvalho173]

why does this episode fell like a fever dream ahahahahahah I love it so much

[@aimeewhitehead2639]

I'm only half way through the video but Ariel's excitement over Raeleen's goals is brilliant 😂❤ x

[@myriam8190]

Not to be crazy dramatic, but I love you guys! 😅❤

[@Carla0297]

I feel like 2024 is gonna be the best year for the podcast yet! 💫

[@nkfbrx]

YOU'RE SPOILING US OMG ANOTHER PODCAST EPISODE - YEEEEES! you-re singlehandedly getting me through the start of January

[@VanillaEarlGreyinAutumn]

Literally😂

[@VanillaEarlGreyinAutumn]

Raeleen realizing that she can do whatever makes her happy ✨

[@kayeatoast]

revisiting this episode of the podcast in anticipation for the 2025 reading goals episode

[@theautumnreader327]

This was the funniest episode and I loved it. I love this podcast so so much

[@jennaserv]

I love watching this near the end of the year after knowing how all of their goals went. Ariel got that truck god damnit!!

[@celeste_072]

WOW, ladies. WOW 🤣🤣 !!!! The way I threw my head back and laughed with my chest the whole way

[@abi_rose]

there’s a woman called CJ Reads on youtube who ran a mobile book truck called Sunny’s, which had some gorge branding! she just transitioned into opening a brick and mortar indie bookshop a few months ago

[@lynncornelissen]

Raeleen!!! I am joining you on the anna karenina train. It’s my year of big books and that fits the bill.

[@kitthereader]

New subscriber here after this was recommended in my feed. I used to watch you guys years and years ago and didn't realise you did this podcast. I'm halfway through and don't want the episode to end! Will definitely be going back and watching more. Hope you both have a great 2024!

[@irhonda31]

You gals really know how to set some GOALS!! OMG! Boy, this is gonna be a fun year to watch!! I think I finally have to join your Patreon. Another great episode! Raeleen has to read slowly, and Ariel has to speed up over the break week. 😂

[@salamalmahi541]

I had a similar shirt like Ariel’s, and I was happy that we match lol But I got rid of it in a closet clear out and seeing her wear it now makes me regret that.

[@alyssalm34]

Love the episode! I am turning 34 and my 30s have been my favorite decade so far! I have felt so much more stable and self aware than i ever did in my 20s

[@bugs1729]

What a coincidence. I was just trying to decide what to read and Norwegian Wood called out to me. I've owned it for years! I bought it second hand from Pulp Fiction Used Bookstore on The Drive, East Van. A lifetime ago. I keep meaning to donate it, but maybe I will read it after all. Some really old mashed potatoes.

[@amandaelizabeth21]

You should vlog your visits to bookstores for your KZbin channel!

[@meredith2488]

Raeleen! I set a goal to read fewer books too! And you’re the 5th person I’ve heard doing the same thing! I want to read SLOW and DEEP!

[@MJ-in-Canada]

GOAL INSANITY!!!🤣

[@circleofleaves2676]

I punched the air in excitement when Raeleen chose A Prayer for the Crown-shy for Ariel to kick off the year with. That was the first book I read in 2023.

[@jamgart]

For all I’m looking forward to the kitchen renovation.. the book-van is exciting! I can picture the two of you in the van from a camera mounted on the windscreen. Driving around, chatting about books, having a laugh and parking up in town squares and chatting to locals. Could it be a mini tv series? It would totally be one in the uk! 😁

[@wt042]

Oh my gosh! I had a very similar reading resolution switch up as Raeleen! I have been striving for that 100 book goal for a while and the past few years I attained it. But this year I felt a need to slow down. Not necessarily because I feel like I am missing out on doing other things, like rollerblading or dancing in the rain, but because I felt this need to read more, more, MORE as fast as I could and so I was letting the need for reaching a number limit the books I was choosing. This year I am lowering it to 30 books so that I can focus more on some of those potatoes that are getting moldy on my shelves. I am not limiting myself to 30 books but now there is no rush and I can dig into those chunkier books if I want to.

[@aisling_90]

Now I want Studious Potato on a T-shirt 🥔

[@marija2177]

I second that!

[@juliaawesome555]

Love the goals and wanted to recommend reading for 30 mins first thing in the morning, a lovely start to the day and because its a fixed amount of time it leaves you wanting more

[@shareuhlin]

Prayer of Crown Shy was my last read of 2023! and a comfort re-read at that because it's just that good 🥰 happy new year ladies, thank you for the delightful bookish content

[@circleofleaves2676]

Becky Chambers is a champ. I want to re-read her books because I could do with that comfort. Even her dedications in the front of the book just... oh, my heart. Have you read her 4-book Wayfarers series?

[@rachelboole55]

Ariel have you read Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley? It’s about a woman who buys a travelling book wagon and it’s only short. The main character basically ditches everything to travel around selling books from her wagon 😊

[@adriennestapleton]

Ariel's goal of the bookmobile reminds me of Luis Humberto Soriano Bohórquez's Biblioburro. Excited to hear more about this. ❤

[@justamaybe]

My goal has already changed 1 month in. I started with wanting to read 100 books. I want to focus on my tbr bookshelf (which is more books than I'm willing to count at this time). My new goal is to read 100-200 pages per day on average because with most books being around 300 pages, that means I could read 150-200 books. So instead of a book count, I'm doing a page count. My second goal is the projects I started, meaning the series, the authors, and collections. My third goal is to get my books organized and properly categorized. Not sure what that means or looks like, but it is a goal

[@beepbeep24]

Samurai William (the true version) was the inspiration behind James Clavell's Shogun!

[@bethmw28]

I definitely didn't expect this outcome at the start of the podcast but you've inspired me to reduce my reading goal on the second day of the year 🤣🤣 p.s. I'm 35 and the 30s are the absolute BEST! (obviously with a healthy dose of crisis thrown in...) You couldn't pay me to go back to before 28/29 at this point so I hope your last year of your 20s is absolutely magical before the ride begins!

[@paolamaltez8468]

i didnt even realize i could watch you guy’s podcast on here ive been just listening the past 4 months this whole time 😅

[@asophcalledskye]

The greatest goals & episode!! Haha 😍

[@authorrin7086]

Favorite episode every year! Also, I have always wanted to have a mobile book shop also! ❤

[@Anna-pd6dc]

CJ from CJ reads did exactly what you're describing, definitely watch her videos about it

[@shake_ikura_mentaiko.]

The most unhinged reading goals I've ever hard!😂 This was so fun. I'm so excited for both of you and I wish you a happy new year🥳

[@meamela9820]

You are a delight to listen to! I laughed out loud several times and got really excited for the coming year. You have such a hopeful but grounded vibe!

[@carolb801]

I had Anna Karenina in 2023 after wanting to read it for many, many years and not only did I LOVE it, I felt such a sense of accomplishment, so, Raelene, you go girl!!!

[@bel5475]

Quick thing before I forget. For the Biography challenge, Ariel you should give "Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel a chance. You've probably already heard about it (if you've already read it, ups 😬) but it's a dark and funny graphic novel, AND it has a sequel that totally counts as another biography.

[@madisonrulong4958]

Ariel, will you please make a vlog about being off Instagram? I deleted mine for the new year too and I’d be so interested to see how it’s going for you!❤️

[@jille9650]

Ariel, for your biography goals check out Lucy Worsley's book about Agatha Christie. It's amazing!

[@daysleeper1989]

This episode is the key to define my goals! So excited for 2024!

[@LoOnYaSyLum]

I love you guys! I recently discovered y'all and had to download Spotify so I can start at the beginning 😂 So I've been binging through it all to catch up. I've already read some books you recommended. My year of Rest and Relaxation and some Agatha Christie books.

[@cosybaggins]

This was a lot of fun! I've never set a reading goal for myself before and I don't track my reading but I think I'll try it out this year for fun. ^_^

[@jessiestrauss5973]

I just read weasels in the attic, too!

[@covergirlbooks]

Ee! 2 of my favorite books- Anna Karenina and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Listen, AK has a ridiculous amount of hype as a big book, but it’s really very easy to read, and I think you’re gonna like it!

[@reminiscentoss681]

I LOVED A Tree Grows In Brooklyn! One of my best reads the year I picked it up, it genuinely feels like a ya coming of age story before such a thing existed, and it is the benchmark for them as far as I'm concerned.

[@megbern2416]

discovered you ladies only last week and am so happy to be able to enter the new year with you and catch up on all the eps, i really enjoy your convos and the energy is always so good

[@traveljournal9928]

It's so funny because Ariel is me but x10000. Last year I started keeping a box in the trunk of my car and creating a little free mobile library out of my car. Mostly, just to my friends, but if I'm in a parking lot and someone sees us browsing books I'll let them know they can have one. I would LOVE a bookmobile. I hope you achieve your goals and can't wait to see the book truck!

[@throughherpages]

Omg if Ariel makes a book truck I will personally fly to the East coast just to see it

[@lexiscardinale6186]

Raeleen, we need a review on practical magic from you! I dnfed that book and feel guilty about it

[@Carla0297]

LOVED THIS EPISODE 🩷

[@vmpapillon8984]

Those goals are hilarious love it! I almost feel that if Ariel finished all the books from the last years that she stopped reading (without starting them completely anew ) the goal could really be doable. Good luck, you can do it!

[@ochoheido]

I love Raeleen's read-less-live-more goal because I feel the same way! I want to dance and go places and do things! And my kids are at really fun ages right now where they're like "I wanna go ice skating" "i want to go roller skating" or ride a train or plane or whatever and it's their FIRST TIME doing all those things so I'm like "Yes! Let's go! Let's do it!"

[@ashleystark6390]

WHERE IS THE PICTURE OF THE SHOES

[@hannahschneider9761]

Boy Swallows Universe is set in Brisbane Australia, where I live; and I am childhood friends with Bri Li who wrote Eggshell Skull! 🤩

[@UconnFever]

Underground overground is one of my favourite books, really hope you end up reading it this year. Another really interesting read is walk the lines by Mark Mason. He decided to walk the streets along the lines of the London underground - but above the ground? Which is such a cool idea.

[@Katie_DelTaco]

That sounds amazing 😍 To this list I'd like to add London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets by Peter Ackroyd

[@StephanieLuff]

I’ve already listened to the podcast but now that I learned it’s a video, I need to watch it for the reactions 😂

[@cruelaz]

wooo never been this early to an episode.🎉 its currently past two am where I live and now I am considering staying up listening to the episode 😂 edit: as someone who actually needs to dnf books more often rather than suffering through them i would count dnf books towards a read x amount of books of x genre. especially if its not one your go to genre. not your fault the book didnt work for you you gave it and the genre an honest try and that should count!

[@that_silly_ginger]

Regarding The Way of Kings- it makes me sad that Raeleen gave up on it, but i also completely understand. The series in general is SO GOOD once you really get into it, but it's commonly known that the first half of The Way of Kings is an extremely slow build-up for the rest of the series. If you're willing to give Sanderson another shot his stand-alone novels like Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter are much shorter and way more approachable

[@LouieLaCompte]

Re: Raeleen's goal of 24 A24 films - It was announced late last year that Max now has the exclusive licensing to their entire catalog, including new releases. So a subscription to that service might help with that goal.

[@moniquebaham]

This was such a fun episode. I love this podcast!

[@glendaleereads]

I would love to donate books for your truck! Especially when I unhaul books

[@RyansBookshelf]

Ok but I’m also turning 30 this year and have a bunch of the same goals for this year (I’ve even looked into starting a mobile book truck in Nova Scotia but gave up pretty quick so I’m so stoked for Ariel’s adventure!) Very excited that I’ve booked a reading vacation already - my only goals for the trip are to read and visit some favourite bookstores

[@krystinareads]

This year I also want to mash my mashed potato books.

[@takewhisks8193]

"What My Bones Know" is amazing. Hard to read at times but so well written and makes you think and feel and I learned a lot too ❤

[@paperbackenthusiast]

HAPPY NEW YEAR (also turning 30 [bo burnham voice] this year ahhhh) Excited for all the great things we’ll take on this year!

[@Hillary429]

I’ll never forget turning 30 same time as Bo and dancing half-mad to that song in my tiny lockdown apartment 🤪 such a weird highlight

[@ricardaseven6083]

Yesss my favourite episode!! Murakami story: Colourless was actually the first book of his i ever read, back when i didn't even know who he was, and i loved it, it left such a deep impression on me. however, since then, i've tried multiple of his other novels and short stories and did not like a single one of them. love his nonfiction. cannot read his fiction. very weird....

[@burninembers]

Woah, what turn of events with the reading goals! Love it! Best of luck🙌🙌🙌😁

[@Lisa-zx5kb]

Just so you know, Brii Lee has over books out beside Eggshell Skull already, one is called 'who gets to be smart' been meaning to read it forever. Excited to hear she has a novel coming. 😍

[@michellehoehne]

Ariel, if you’re in the market for another book on your “letters collection,” I would recommend Letters From Max by Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvo. 😊

[@shaylabateman07]

Oh my gosh. So stoked to follow the journey

[@marianacoelho8746]

Incredible episode!! So excited for both of your goals this year and to see how you get along, but also super inspired to go into the year with intentional and enriching goals for myself! Love you guys, keep being super!

[@TiliaHaggstrom]

I never really make new years goals but you really hard core inspired me here Ariel! I'm really rootin for you and I also really want to focus on the stuff I want to be a part of my life this year

[@batsanddewdrops]

I got rid of Instagram too and it’s been great! Life is better without it🎉

[@Hillary429]

You guys should invite Safiya Nygard and Christine to talk about their Holo Taco Nail Polish Van! 💅🏻 🚐 📚

[@knitnkitten]

Re: Margaret Atwood - Handmaid's Tale is not representative of most of her novel writing. It is a big departure from her regular style & content. I suggest reading Cat's Eye. Or The Edible Woman. Or Oryx & Crake.

[@sarahnoll9018]

I think Raeleen should do you Median year of all the books she reads rather than the average because otherwise she could read like the Epic of Gilgamesh once, throw the data and pass automatically

[@jorjastonej]

Rockin’ ‘24 reading already!

[@eleanorransom6008]

I read A Trillion Trees and loved it, my fave take away was learning about 'sky rivers' very cool

[@ann-kathrinmeyenburg7265]

Thanks for this Video! I need to think about my TBR … I wish you both a very happy new year!

[@VivianBB27]

Guys is Ariel okay 😂😂😂

[@MJ-in-Canada]

She may be exhibiting signs of insanity but she's more than okay, and in the best possible way. 🤣

[@erintrolley3074]

book truck!!!!!!!! the chrysalids!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

[@EnragedTiefling]

"This is my one giant scary Russian potato" 😂

[@readingkate]

I hope Eggshell Skull is everything you hoped! 🥚💀 and hoo boy Ariel your goals are right there with mine!! yeehaw