It’s our first Book Club episode of the year! As tradition dictates, we’re starting 2025 with a nonfiction book, Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. 

We discuss our overall thoughts on the book, its major themes, how it connects to current events, and our evolving relationships to social media, reading, multitasking, focus, and more! We also ponder if we would go on a 3-month trip without using internet-connected devices. 

Related to this topic! A listener suggested using the screen time app Opal. We also recommend reading the newsletter Break Free From the Internet, our Social Media Habits episode with Leslie Stephens, the Search Engine episode “Is there a sane way to use the Internet?,” and Kate Lindsay’s piece in Embedded ‘You might just have to be bored.’

Obsessions

Olivia - The Book Case Podcast

Becca - Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx® Collagen Face & Eye Hydra-Gel Patches

What we read this week

Becca - Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams, One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (out May 6), Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Olivia - Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, Isola by Allegra Goodman, Schroder by Amity Gaige

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Isola by Allegra Goodman (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Master Class - Get 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/BOP.

Cozy Earth - Visit cozyearth.com and use our exclusive 40 percent off with code BOP.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

Get ready to build up your 2025 TBR because we’re chatting with some of our bookish friends about the upcoming releases they're excited to read this year! 

Alyssa Morris’s picks - The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, Misdirected by Lucy Parker| Her newsletter is Romancing the Phone

Michelle Martin’s picks - The Colony by Annika Norlin (out 3/25), The Antidote by Karen Russell (out 3/11) | Her newsletter is Literary Leanings

Thao Thai’s picks - Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (out 7/8), Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte Mcconaghey (out 3/4) | She’s the author of Banyan Moon, out now!

Josh Lora’s picks - Nothing Serious by Emily Jane Smith, Universality by Natasha Brown | His newsletter is Tell the Bees

Jordan Bogigian’s picks -  Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang, Old Soul by Susan Barker | Her newsletter is The Composite 

Becca’s picks - Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (out 2/25), The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager (out 7/1)

Olivia’s picks - Isola by Allegra Goodman (2/3), Heartwood by Amity Gaige (April 1, 2025). 

Obsessions

Olivia -  Jarlic support

Becca -  Madewell The Essential Medium Bucket Tote in Deep Merlot

What we read this week

Becca - Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

January’s Book Club Pick - Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Cozy Earth - Visit cozyearth.com and use our exclusive 40% off with code BOP. 

BetterHelp - Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER today to get 10% off your first month.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It’s been a while since our last Three Things episode! We can’t wait to discuss what’s been on our minds lately, from pop culture to books to productivity. 

Olivia’s Things

Best of 2024

Fave TV Shows - The Diplomat, Nobody Wants This

Best Song - The Bolter by Taylor Swift, Right Back to It by Waxahatchee

Best Trip - Maine, Portland and Chicago

Best Days - Maine and SABI release day

Best Purchase - OnCloud Sneakers, Beaded Necklaces, Kindle, and Cozy Earth Bath Towels.

Jenna Bush Hager’s new imprint

Microhabits

Becca’s Things

2025 Pop Culture Predictions

Reading tracker in notion (get it here)

The ‘Let Them’ Theory

Obsessions

Becca - Day of the Jackal on Peacock

What we read this week

Olivia - The Most by Jessica Anthony, Godshot by Chelsea Bieker, Sea Wife by Amity Gaige, City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim, Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash, Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

Becca - Early Thirties by Josh Duboff, Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino

January’s Book Club Pick - Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for 365-day returns and free shipping on your order!

Wayfair - Give your home the refresh it needs at Wayfair.com

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

Happy 2025! We’re back from our break and we’re so excited about this fresh start, and with fresh starts come fresh goals! This week, we’re reflecting on our 2024 goals and share our personal and professional goals for 2025. 

Obsessions

Oliva: The Lullaby Club

Becca: Settlers of Catan

What we read this week

Olivia - Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff, Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su (Out Jan 28), The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Becca - Any Trope But You by Victoria Levine (Out April 1), The Favorites by Layne Fargo (out Jan 14), Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

January’s Book Club Pick - Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Prose - get 50% off your first haircare subscription order at Prose.com/bop

This is Small Business - Follow This is Small Business: Behind the Buy wherever you get your podcasts. 

Masterclass - get an additional 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/BOP.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to celebrate with our best books of the year episode! We share our top 10 lists, and listen to voicemails about your favorite books of the year. See ya in 2025! 

Olivia

Sharkheart by Emily Habeck

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra 

Long Bright River by Liz Moore

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue 

Becca Pt 1

The Wedding People by Allison Espach

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

I'll Have What She's Having: How Nora Ephron's Three Iconic Films Saved the Romantic Comedy by Erin Carlson

Such A Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

All Fours by Miranda July

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Listeners

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Sky

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

Bye Baby by Carola Lovering

Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

Any Trope but You by Victoria Levine

Family Family by Laurie Frankel

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNichol

The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica

Obsessions

B: Amazon Tissue Box Cover 

O: Shrinking S2

January’s Book Club Pick - Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! 

Book of the Month - Get your first book on BOTM for $5 with code TINSEL at bookofthemonth.com.

Prose - Get your exclusive trial offer of 50% off your first haircare subscription order at prose.com/bop. 

This is Small Business - Listen to This is Small Business: Behind the Buy wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We weren’t sure what to get you for the holidays this year, so we thought we’d gift you the best present in our sack (ha), a holiday-themed edition of obscure erotica. We scoured Kindle Unlimited to find the absolute most unhinged smut for your enjoyment—there are sexy Santas, engorged elves, and so many female protagonists named Holly. Get in the sleigh, we’re going somewhere absolutely unhinged!

(Likely goes without saying, but NSFW content ahead!)

The books we read

Santa Claus is Going to Town On Me by M.L. Eliza 

Elf'd: Spicy & Sweet Holiday Monster Erotica by Ginger Kane

Obsessions

Becca - Using our merch account to make custom gifts for friends (a good reminder to get your BOP listeners in your life some merch!)

Olivia - Antiques Roadshow

What we read this week

Becca - Nothing

Olivia - The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Sponsors

Book of the Month - Get your first book on bookofthemonth.com for $5 with code TINSEL.

Cozy Earth - go to cozyearth.com/badonpaper to enjoy 40% off using the code BOP.

Prose - take 50% off your first haircare subscription order at prose.com/bop

Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER today to get 10% off your first month. 

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It’s our last book club of 2024! We’re so excited to discuss Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. It was the comfort read we needed this month, and we were surprised by how much we didn’t know about her! 

Obsessions

Becca - The Nanny on Peacock

Olivia - Disclaimer on Apple TV

What we read this week

Becca -  The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V E Schwab, Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood

Olivia - Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, Heartwood by Amity Gaige (out in April 2025!) Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

This Month’s Book Club Pick - No December book club, but we want to hear about the best book you read this year! Share via voicemail at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected]

Sponsors

Book of the Month - Get your first book on bookofthemonth.com for $5 with code TINSEL.

Cozy Earth - Go to cozyearth.com/badonpaper to enjoy 40% off using the code BOP.

This is Small Business - Follow This is Small Business: Behind the Buy wherever you get your podcasts.

Babbel - Get up to 60% off your Babbel at Babbel.com/BOP

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. 

Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It’s about that time for a holly jolly gift guide! We gathered gift ideas for every price point from 5-year journals to candy to candles and more!

Under $25

Furbish Studio Matchbook Ornament - $28

BonBon holiday gift box - Med - $28

Book Person Mug ($15) + a book

Weleda Skin Food - $13

Thrifted Matchstrike W/ Matches

Framebridge ornaments ($25)

$25-$50

LEUCHTTURM1917 - Some Lines A Day ($33) + a nice pen

Custom Pet Stamp - $33

Confetti Flutes ($24) + Bottle of champagne

Watercolor Set ($29.99) + Watercolor coloring book ($15)

Rooms of Their Own: Where Great Writers Write book ($26) 

Photo prints 

Necessaire Body Serum ($48)

$50-$100

Fredricks & Mae cutting board (med $95; small $40) and a cookbook like More Is More and Cook this Book by Molly Baz, What Goes With What by Julia Turshen, and What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers

Free People Classic Striped Crewneck ($98) or Malibu Surf Sweater Set ($88)

Goldbelly Essa Bagel Brunch for 6 - $99

Etsy Handmade ceramic mugs (so many to choose from, usually $60 - $80)

Maya Base Perfume Oil $72 

Target gift card and a friend date

$100+

Hotel lobby candle votive candle - $145

Lingua Franca Sweatshirt - $175 (LFBECCA10 for 10% off)

Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket

Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones - $350

Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 $495

Engraved Locket/Jewelry from Monica Vinader - $130 - $178

Obsessions

Becca - Grossy Pelosi Big Italian Sandwich Puzzle

Olivia - Little Women (2019)

What we read this week

Becca - The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

Olivia - Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young, The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Babbel - Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at Babbel.com/BOP.

This is Small Business - Follow This is Small Business: Behind the Buy wherever you get your podcasts.

Better Help -  Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER to get 10% off your first month.

831 Stories - Use the code BOP for 15% off their first order on 831stories.com.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week, we talked to four debut authors with books that came out in 2024 or are coming out in 2025 about their paths to publication! Get ready to load up your TBR and hear their advice for writers and recent favorite books. 

We chatted with

Marian Schembari, author of A Little Less Broken

Amanda Eisenberg, author of People Are Talking 

Lauren Evans, author of Casket Case 

Courtney Preiss, author of Welcome Home, Caroline Kline

Obsessions

Olivia - Puzzles

Becca - McIntosh apples

What we read this week

Becca - Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (out 2/24)

Olivia - Babel by RF Kuang, We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Prose - See the difference custom haircare can make with FIFTY percent off at prose.com/bop

Rifle Paper Co - Through Wednesday, December 31, 2024, Bad on Paper listeners can use code BOP30 for 30% off sitewide at riflepaperco.com

Follow This is Small Business wherever you get your podcasts.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We’re keeping things light this week by sharing a fun batch of Three Things!

Becca’s Things

The Real Housewives of New York City

Diving into the Holiday Season

‘The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books’ in The Atlantic

Olivia’s Things

Netflix’s upcoming holiday programming: Hot Frosty, The Merry Gentleman, Is it Cake Holiday, and Carry-On (here’s a full list!) 

The ‘Hear me out’ trend

Obsessions:

Olivia - That’s So True by Gracie Abrams

Becca - The Is BookTok Actually About Reading? Episode of Culture Study

Books:

Becca - Trust by Hernan Diaz; The Getaway Car by Ann Patchett

Olivia - Casket Case by Lauren Evans, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Farmacy - Visit farmacybeauty.com and use code BADONPAPER for 20% off your order.

Follow This is Small Business: Behind the Buy wherever you get your podcasts. 

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

October Book Club is here! It's time to share our feelings about Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. We covered our reading experience, the real-life stories that inspired the book, side characters we loved, and if we enjoyed the controversial epilogue, and more! 

If you liked this book, you may like Anxious People by Fredrik Backman!

Obsessions

Olivia: Andrew Garfield (shoutout to his Chicken Shop Date)

Becca: Viviaia Maryjanes in black

What we read this week

Olivia: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Cozy Earth -  cozyearth.com/badonpaper and use code BOP for an exclusive discount of up to 40% off!

Prose - get 50% off your first haircare subscription order at prose.com/bop.

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.