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 NoniWe Were Liars - E LockhartAtmosphere - Taylor Jenkins ReidSunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne CollinsBlood Over Bright Haven - ML WangProject Hail Mary - Andy WeirThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonThe Strength of the Few - James IslingtonOnyx Storm - Rebecca YarrosThe Knight and the Moth - Rachel GilligOnce Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie GarberThe Poppy War - RF KuangThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - VE SchwabFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcastJaime's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefokInstagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerioInstagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @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
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1:04:22
The Realities of Publishing a Debut Fantasy with Sarah Mughal Rana | Dawn of the Firebird 📚 [EP#21]
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 RanaEdgedancer - Brandon SandersonWords of Radiance - Brandon SandersonThe Defender - Ana HuangStories of Your Life and Others - Ted ChiangFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcastJaime's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefokInstagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerioInstagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @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?
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58:10
Bookish Things We Are LEAVING in 2025 📚 [EP#20]
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 SandersonThe Vanishing Half - Brit BennettFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcastJaime's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefokInstagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerioInstagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @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
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Books you FORGOT About... But Should Still Read 📚 [EP#19]
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 KrempholtzWarbreaker - Brandon SandersonSix of Crows - Leigh BardugoPachinko - Min Jin LeeSabriel - Garth NixFive Feet Apart - Rachael LippincottThe Name of the Wind - Patrick RothfussTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Gabrielle ZevinRed, White and Royal Blue - Casey McQuistonLessons in Chemistry - Bonnie GarmusRenegades - Marissa MeyerCarrie Soto is Back - Taylor Jenkins ReidNorthern Lights - Phillip PullmanFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcastJaime's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefokInstagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerioInstagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @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
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Book Series We DNF'd... vs Series We Can't Wait to Start! 📚 [EP#18]
Let's talk about the books (series) that we gave up on and DNF'd... but also chat about some series we are SO excited to start!Books Discussed:Direbound - Sable SorensenThe Raven Scholar - Antonia HodgsonLegendborn - Tracy DeonnRed Queen - Victoria AveyardThe House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ KluneHaunting Adeline - HD CarltonTwisted Love - Ana HuangZodiac Academy - Caroline Peckham and Susanne ValentiThe Deal - Elle KennedyThe Witcher - Andrej SapkowskiThe Fifth Season - NK JemisinThe Jasad Heir - Sara HashemRed City - Marie LuThis Kingdom Will Not Kill Me - Ilona AndrewsThe Will of the Many - James IslingtonVicious - VE SchwabThe Fragile Threads of Power - VE SchwabLady of Darkness - Melissa K RoehrichJade City - Fonda LeeThe Poppy War - RF KuangFollow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepodWatch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcastJaime's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefokInstagram: @jaimefokTiktok: @jaime.fokFreya's socials:https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerioInstagram: @freyv_readsTiktok: @freyvalerio(00:00) intro & current reads(06:20) series we dnf'd(06:53) cat and mouse(10:00) the legendborn cycle(14:07) twisted(17:15) red queen(21:43) zodiac academy(25:47) cerulean chronicles(29:31) off campus(31:45) powerless(35:37) series we want to start(35:49) hierarchy(36:25) villains(39:37) the witcher(43:05) threads of power(46:09) the broken earth(48:16) lady of darkness(50:31) the scorched throne(52:40) the green bone saga(56:07) red city(58:10) the poppy war(01:00:13) maggie the undying
Two friends, two time zones, and a shared love of stories.
We are Freya (from Australia) & Jaime (from Canada), book besties who are worlds apart.
As lovers of fantasy, romance, and fiction - we'll dive into what we are reading, TBRs, recommendations, and all things books!
Join us as we bridge together our time zones, one chapter at a time 📚✨
IG: @onceuponatimezonepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast
Jaime:
https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok
IG: @jaimefok
TT: @jaime.fok
Freya:
https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio
IG: @freyv_reads
TT: @freyvalerio
Italia