Come in, sit down and let's talk about TikTok’s new terms of service, Elizabeth Smart’s latest documentary, Botox and aging gracefully, and the very hungry energy demands of AI. A little culture, a little beauty, a little tech anxiety, we've got a lot to say.

Welcome to our podcast where we actually talk about books. Shocking, we know. Our first banned book of 2026 is John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, and we’re not going to lie, it took some stamina to get through. Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee and join us. We’re also sharing what we’ve been influenced to buy, what’s for dinner, and plenty of our usual chit chat.

Library Bill of Rights https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

What's for Dinner

Crunch Wrap: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-crunchwrap-supreme/

Homemade Pizza dough: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-pizza-crust-recipe/

Things we love

Young Living Hand Soap

https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/product/lushious-lemon-foaming-hand-soap

Lip Gloss

https://www.sephora.com/product/glowy-lip-balm-P443563?skuId=2895126&icid2=products%20grid:p443563:product

It’s 2026 and we’re back with our first JT episode of the year. We’re easing into January with some new year goals, more TV talk, a fun story from Carey’s past, and a little post-holiday blues chat. Just the kind of catch up we needed.

Did you miss us? We’re back. Kicking off the new year with Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, a deliciously unsettling, backwards murder mystery where you already know who did it… just not why, or whether they’ll actually get away with it.

As always, we’ve got you covered with dinner ideas, a post-holiday catch-up, and a very long detour into television. Is Off the Shelves becoming a streaming series podcast? Probably not. But never say never.

Products we love:

Sephora-Perfume Sampler

https://www.sephora.com/product/h25-winter-voc-P518123?

What to eat:

Tri-tip, mashed, and broccoli salad

https://foodieandwine.com/oven-baked-tri-tip/

https://healthylittlepeach.com/broccoli-salad-recipe/

Happy holidays, friends! For our final episode of the year we went big, like beast-level banned-book big, George Orwell's 1984. Tune in for some truly shocking commentary.

Don’t worry, we’ll be back in the new year with fresh books, new recipes, and all the usual chatter you never asked for but keep coming back for. From ours to yours: Happy Holidays and best wishes for a safe, healthy New Year.

Stocking Stuffer idea:

Glow Recipe Mask

https://www.glowrecipe.com/products/watermelon-jelly-sheet-mask?_pos=23&_fid=0d8882fdc&_ss=c

Easy Dinners for this busy season:

Butternut Squash Soup

https://cookieandkate.com/roasted-butternut-squash-soup/

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

https://againstallgrain.com/2016/01/20/primal-buffalo-chicken-stuffed-sweet-potatoes-with-creamy-dressing/

Episode 6 is here and we're in a post holiday glow. We talk food, shopping fails, debate if it's a jacket or coat, and Carey wonders how we're even friends. Want the answer? You'll have to listen.

Oh hey, it’s Tuesday and Thanksgiving week which means holiday season is officially ON. We’re talking dogs and old age, a dramatic spider encounter, and yes—there’s a book. Who picked it? Unclear. Deb swears it was her because Fredrik Backman is one of her forever favs. On deck: My Friends—a gorgeous story of art, friendship, loss, and connection. Grab a hot drink, flip on the twinkle lights, and settle in for the cozy chaos.

What's for dinner:

Turkey Burgers: https://whatsgabycooking.com/guacamole-turkey-burger/

Emily Salad recreation - Coming Soon

Products you should check out:

Skirts for tall girls:

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/the-colette-corduroy-maxi-skirt-by-maeve

Splendid T-Shirt

https://splendid.com/products/josie-stretch-crewneck-tee?from_collection_handle=the-tee-shop&from_collection_title=The+Tee+Shop

Episode 5 of our mini-series: the one where we basically eat our way through New York (but wish we'd had more time). Plus, one of us has a certified fangirl moment and one of us has to walk double-time to keep up. Press play, we saved you a seat.