*Heavy content warning*-while we are talking about a dystopian fiction novel and fictional characters, some of the concepts we discuss are real-life and can be pretty heavy to listen to. Feel free to come back to this one when you feel ready.

In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna dive further into the haunting world of Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, unpacking the psychological toll of trauma through the lens of one of its most complex characters: Melinoë, the “angel” assassin. We explore how Melinoë copes with the unbearable reality of her role in the brutal Gauntlet: a deadly spectacle where children are hunted to pay off inherited debts. (Brandi says sorry to Deanna for making her read another book where children are k*lled)

"Fable" brings up the concepts of “wiping,” and “echoing," and we talk about how these mirror the different ways people attempt to manage traumatic memories. Melinoë’s forced memory erasure sounds a lot like real-life avoidance strategies like substance use, overworking, and emotional numbing. We also get in our feelings again when we talk about the portrayal of “echoing” and why this is *not* exposure therapy! We also talk about how and why true healing requires safety, skill-building, and connection with others. As Melinoë begins to recover fragments of her past and share them with Inesa, we see the transformative power of empathy and trust. Shame begins to loosen its grip, and something unexpected emerges: the ability to feel again.

We've got our themed mocktail (“The Memory Wipe”), Deanna almost gives a Star Trek reference but stops herself, Brandi describes her actual perfect ending for the next book, and we really really really want you to know it is important to talk to a safe person about your trauma and that "wiping" (blocking things out) really doesn't work for long; something seems to keep those memories coming back.

...........

The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

Get ready for a sweet and heartfelt kickoff to a brand-new book for the month of April. In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna jump into Fable for the End of the World with their usual mix of banter, side stories, and psychological insight. From mispronounced names to rage over that infuriating ending, our hosts take you on an emotional rollercoaster that mirrors the book itself.

At the heart of the discussion is Inesa, a compassionate, “loves-the-unloved” heroine navigating a brutal, dystopian world and what it really means to live in alignment with your values when everything around you says not to. We talk about kindness vs. survival, peer pressure, and those all-too-relatable moments when our actions don’t quite match who we want to be.

And oh my gosh, there is enemies-to-lovers scenes-WLW scenes!!! We gush over the cabin scenes, and that devastating ending that had us ready to throw the book (Deanna did actually throw the book)… but also we can't wait for the sequel.

Join us as we chat, sip our cocktail-"Drowned World" (and not spill it this time!) giggle, and chat about real-life reflections on compassion, connection, and staying true to yourself; this episode is equal parts therapy session and fangirl meltdown and you won’t want to miss a second.

...........

The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

🎉 Surprise Bonus Episode: What Are We Really Reading?! 🦖📚

Surprise!! We just couldn't stay away from you all. In this delightfully silly (pro-tip-this was filmed after 2 drinks....) bonus episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna take a break from their usual deep dive format and answer the question every book lover secretly waits for: “What else are you reading right now?”

Join us for a fun jump back into the vault of our first book Sunrise on the Reaping, and a nice little spiral with Deanna's unexpected (but very passionate) love proclamation of dinosaurs.

We also make a quick return to the world of Panem where we swap thoughts on favorite and least favorite characters. From love for fierce, scene-stealing Maysilee to strong feelings (*cough**cough* Drusilla); we think this is just a fun little bumper to get you through your day.

It’s cozy, candid, and full of the kind of bookish tangents that make you feel like you’re right there in our clubhouse🖤

...........

The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub