Off the Shelves Podcast

Add this book to your must-read list ASAP. The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali was brilliant. We loved this historical novel about friendship, love, revolution, and the fight for women's rights. Which feels especially relevant today, doesn't it?
You know we've got the usual chatter about what's happening in our lives and the world around us. Grab a summer beverage, jump in, and let us know what you think!
 
What to buy:
The boujee notebook of your dreams, Louise Carmen
Drink of the season, Waterloo Coconut Lime Cooler
What to eat:
Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Crispy Sheet Pan Tacos

According to a new report from PEN America, nonfiction book bans are on the rise, and nearly 4,000 books were pulled from American public school libraries during the 2024–2025 school year. We’ve also got an early product review of Mary Claire Haver’s supplements, and Carey may have found her new favorite beverage.
PEN America report
Cutest coloring book
 

This week, we drop back into banned books with Stephen King’s Bag of Bones. To be clear, we probably never would have picked this one up if Utah hadn’t recently added it to its banned book list, so… thanks, Utah? Actually, no. Seriously. Stop banning books.
Let's Shop:
Gorjana Jewelry 
Caffe Ibis Coffee
Let's Eat:
Steak and Shiitake Mushrooms
Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
 

This week, we break down the real and slightly alarming cost of “doing all the right things” for perimenopause. Sexy Jesus makes an appearance, rising travel costs test our patience, and password resets might become our final straw. Grab a coffee and your supplements and let's get in to it.

It’s our 25th book, and we’re marking the occasion with The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver, MD, which feels less like a book recommendation and more like required reading for women, especially those in their 30s wondering why everything suddenly feels… chaotic.
We’re also talking about the massive week in sports for the gals, Kentucky Derby, and the woman who absolutely shattered expectations by winning the Cocodona 250 and setting a new course record in the process. Hormones, horses, and 250-mile trail races. Just another week around here.
What's for dinner?
Eggroll in a bowl
https://therealfooddietitians.com/easy-egg-roll-in-a-bowl/
Asian Beef noodle bowls with rice noodles and local beef
https://asianinspiredeats.com/asian-beef-noodle-bowls/
Products we love:
Colorscience total protection face sunscreen
colorscience.com 
Verve Decaf coffee
https://www.vervecoffee.com/products/vancouver-swiss-water-decaf
Podcasts to listen to:
AI Data Center Revolt in Missouri https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/a-data-center-revolt-in-missouri/05e598af-f37a-4c91-b6ec-602ffb4b798a 
AI’s Power Grid Problem
https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/the-power-grid-ai-problem/d662e838-3f78-4ae9-98b7-c5524044b41d

Utah is at it again and banning two more books, Carey finally found mahi mahi after a nine-month search, and Deb accidentally bought a book because apparently Amazon now accepts “looking at it” as consent to purchase. (To be fair, this one may not have been Amazon’s fault.)
Also, spoiler alert: neither of us has watched Game of Thrones. Listen in to hear us figure that out.

This week, we’re talking about Know My Name by Chanel Miller. It’s not currently classified as a banned book, but given the topics it covers, you can see how it might end up on someone’s list. This memoir is authentic, raw, and takes a hard look at sexual assault, trauma, and the legal system. It’s a must-read.
We’ve also got plenty of updates for you, including things giving us the ick, broken mugs, a chance encounter with an Aussie, and more. Let’s get into it.
Go Shop:
For a fresh no make-up look with glowy, creamy tinted balm:
https://goop.com/goop-beauty-colorblur-glow-balm/p/?Color=Afterglow
 
The most delicious body wash:
https://naturium.com/products/the-glowing-body-bundle?variant=39962100990007&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23087372559&gbraid=0AAAAACvIUqND4Ofg6U1Ekgcacoz9wzYc-&gclid=CjwKCAjwqazPBhALEiwAOuXqdDUo9CrJ1yqdkFP5zJ-nEQEOTNcYJEMuuacdBxgLIvJ_0zTdf2nprxoCJc4QAvD_BwE
 
Let's Eat:
Super Green Mushroom and Orzo Soup 
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a40384/supergreen-mushroom-orzo-soup-recipe/
Butter Chicken with Naan 
https://whatsgabycooking.com/butter-chicken/

This week on Just This we have true crime podcasts, catfishing schemes, cookies that may or may not fix everything, and voter law changes that definitely won't. Grab a cookie and let’s get into it.
 

Welcome to the episode that almost didn’t happen because… um… well, Deb is not a computer genius. Luckily, ChatGPT is, thanks Chatty.
This week, we read our first thriller, and it was perfection: Tiffany Crum’s debut novel, This Story Might Save Your Life, a story about two podcasters, their friendship, a stalker, narcolepsy, and survival.
And, of course, we’re sharing some yard woes, podcasts you should listen to, and products we can’t get our hands on but desperately want. Grab your shovel and lawn mower, a beverage, and let’s get into it.
Dinner Time: 
One Pan Fajitas: https://nomnompaleo.com/20170613sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas-avocado-crema
Let's Shop:
Carey's Fav Granola  https://amzn.to/4chqTtt
 

Hey there! This week we’ve got music, shopping regrets, and a book that is asking more of us than we agreed to give.
We’ll report back if we make it through.