We Tried to Trick Each Other Into Reading Books We’d Normally Avoid And Here’s What Happened

We kicked off the episode with a bit of weather banter, lamenting the lingering cold despite the arrival of spring. This lighthearted opening tied directly into our episode’s focus on "tricks" as we wrapped up our literary podcast April’s “Tricksters” theme. We reflected on the heavier topics from previous episodes, like the intense themes in Shutter Island, and decided to end the month on a lighter, playful note with a game.

As always, we reminded listeners about the related content available on our website, Fully-Booked.ca, including recent articles like the intriguing investigation into how a book with only 444 ratings managed to top Amazon’s bestseller list.

Explaining the Game: “Trick Each Other Into Reading It”

To close out the theme of tricks and foolery, we introduced a game where we each selected a handful of books. The goal was to describe these books vaguely enough to spark interest without revealing the title. The twist? If one of us successfully "enticed "tricked" the other into saying they’d read the book, that person would have to actually read it before the end of the year.

The rules were:

• Describe the book’s plot enticingly but vaguely.
• The other host guesses if they’d want to read it.
• Only after their decision is the book’s identity revealed.
• If one of us is “tricked,” we’re committing to reading the book.

Play along with us and try to guess on your own! To reveal the book name, click on the arrow beside "Book reveal".

The Game: Guess the Book and Decide to Read

Round 1

• Arthur: Meaghan
• Describes: A brutal coming-of-age story set in a savage wasteland. Lone warrior fights terrifying beasts and deadly enemies to claim leadership. Gladiator vibes, betrayal, survival against the odds.
• Meaghan's Guess/Reaction: Doesn’t sound appealing due to gladiator associations. Declines to read.

Book reveal

Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior by Nicholas Sansbury Smith.

Round 2

• Host: Meaghan
• Describes: A doctor and a circus performer (who jumps through flaming hoops) team up. Mischievous raccoon sidekick. Somebody loses an eye.
• Arthur's Guess/Reaction: Curious about the adventure; likes the misfit vibe. Says yes to reading.

Book reveal

Syphon Sparrow by Brynn Weaver (third in the Ruinous Love trilogy). Dark romance twist - Arthur is now on the hook for reading the whole series.

Round 3

• Host: Arthur
• Describes: Locked-room murder mystery at a strange outpost where the suspects aren’t human. Amateur sleuth repeatedly finds themselves surrounded by death. Witty, quirky, Miss Marple in space energy.
• Meaghan's Guess/Reaction: Sounds fun, suspects it’s Station Eternity - and guesses correctly.

Book reveal

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty.

Round 4

• Host: Meaghan
• Describes: Narrated by a child. "The house isn’t haunted—the family is." Closets are unsafe spaces. Nonlinear storytelling reflecting a child’s mind.
• Arthur's Guess/Reaction: