This week we dive into the fourth series on the podcast, His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman. We cover the first half of the first book, The Golden Compass, and we get introduced to Lyra and her world of daemons. The worldbuilding in this series is darker and more complex, and Asia rightfully calls Charles out on picking another complicated series. Lyra starts her journey in Oxford, then heads to London, and finally up north as she tries to find the missing children and learns how to read her alethiometer.
Next week we will be reading chapters 14-23 of book 1 in the series, The Golden Compass.
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This week we spend one more episode with Stephenie Meyer’s vampires. We cover all of Midnight Sun in this episode which means we get to relive the initial falling-in-love but from a new vantage point. We have fun pointing out the little tidbits that Midnight Sun provides. We flesh out some frustrations with Edward, which while not justifying Jacob’s behavior in Eclipse, at least make it more bearable.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-13 of The Golden Compass, book 1 in our new series, His Dark Materials. 
This week, we finish the plot of the Twilight Saga. This episode and reading really tie the whole series together into one neat ending. We get to enjoy Bella as a vampire and Edward’s equal. We get her whole family: Charlie, the wolves, and the Cullens. We also harken back to previous books with more of the Volturi and more of the vampire world-building. This was probably our favorite Twilight Saga reading, so we’re really glad to spend one more week with these characters next week when we cover Midnight Sun.
Next week we will be reading the entire extra book in the series, Midnight Sun. 
It is finally time to dive into the last book of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. This section covers Bella’s wedding, honeymoon, and scary scary pregnancy. We do finally get to get some sympathy for Jacob because we do get to hear his thoughts, but that still doesn’t make us fully like him. We get more insight into pack dynamics and a rather strange ebbing and flowing bromance between Edward and Jacob. We can also feel the tension building all the way until Bella goes into labor!
Next week we will be reading chapters 19-39 of book 4 in the series, Breaking Dawn. 
TW: This episode includes a discussion of sexual assault and rape. Please take care of yourself, and only listen if these are safe topics for you. If you need to talk to someone or need further resources, the national sexual assault hotline is: 1-800-656-4673. Please listen at your discretion.
We wrap up Eclipse by having Bella’s high school graduation and an alliance between the werewolves and the Cullens. Tensions continue to rise within the love triangle, and they do finally boil over. Bella does ultimately make the right choice in partner, at least according to Asia and Charles. We have the big newborn battle and Edward’s chivalry as always. Finally, we prepare for the final book of the series. Bella’s transformation and departure from the human world gets ever closer, and we are already getting excited for the wedding and Bella and Edward’s future together. Next week we will be reading chapters 1-18 of book 4 in the series, Breaking Dawn. 
In this mini bonus episode, Charles and Asia discuss the Eclipse novella, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. The novella covers the last week of Bree Tanner’s life as a vampire as a member of Victoria’s revenge coven. We thoroughly enjoy getting the insight of a vampire’s perspective as this is our first time in the series that we get a true 1st person account of “the thirst.” The novella also provides more insight and drama into the Volturi which we can’t wait to discuss in Breaking Dawn.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-18 of book 4 in the series, Breaking Dawn. 
TW: This episode includes a discussion of sexual assault and rape. Please take care of yourself, and only listen if these are safe topics for you. If you need to talk to someone or need further resources, the national sexual assault hotline is: 1-800-656-4673. Please listen at your discretion.
Diving into Eclipse, the love triangle gets more tenuous, and we also see tension building in Bella’s relationship with Charlie. As graduation grows closer, the worst is brought out in basically all of our characters except Edward, so we fawn over him, and get pretty frustrated with Bella and as always Jacob. This reading also provides a lot of stories and world building, both vampire and werewolf origins, so we also enjoy that quite a bit. Bella also seems to have vampire transformation second thoughts. Next week we will be reading chapters 16-27 of book 3 in the series, Eclipse. 
We wrap up New Moon with, as always, a huge amount of action. Alice returns, Bella and her run to Italy. The Cullens return; they say they want Bella to become a vampire, and Jacob breaks Bella’s heart. We have a lot of relationship material to catch up on. The startings of a love triangle is forming with Jacob, and Bella continues to be clear that those feelings are not reciprocal. Men not respecting Bella’s feelings. But what else is new!
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-15 of book 3 in the series, Eclipse. 
This week we discuss the first half of New Moon as Edward and the Cullens leave, Bella spirals into a deep depression, and Jacob becomes a werewolf. We have a lot to say about Edward’s behavior, as well as the lack of respect for Bella’s feelings that most of the boys display. We dig into Bella’s depression and rebellion and we tap into some new discoveries for both Asia and Charles. The back and forth in this episode really shows our favorite aspect of our podcast, the difference in perspective that a new reader and a re-reader bring to a book.
Next week we will be reading chapters 14-24 of book 2 in the series, New Moon. 
Edward and Bella’s relationship quickly escalates, and then chaos ensues. Just as Bella gets truly comfortable with her relationship with Charlie as well, Bella gets to meet the rest of the Cullens. Then there is a big chase and big drama. We discuss their relationship dynamics and merits. Charles has lots to say and of course Asia has to back up her beloved Twilight. Should Edward convert Bella into a vampire? If so, when? What do you think? Find out what we think!
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-13 of book 2 in the series, New Moon. |
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