Can I Bring My Book

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy: An In-Depth Chat with Your Book Besties

Can I Bring My Book

Show Notes

This week, your book besties dive into Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy, and… whew. We have thoughts. Told from the perspective of 17-year-old Waldo, the novel follows her relationship with her much older, married teacher- and nothing about it is comfortable. Kat and Amanda unpack the audiobook experience (yes, we have narrator opinions), the pacing differences between audio and print, and whether this book feels “flowery” or sharply direct. We talk:

Teacher/student dynamics and why that trope hits different when it’s not romanticized

Whether the story glorifies the relationship, or intentionally makes it grotesque

Waldo as a cry for help

The role of neglectful parents and failed adults

That closet scene (if you know, you know)

And why Mr. Korgy being “Mr. Korgy” the entire time matters

This one is uncomfortable. It’s messy. It’s layered. And it sparked a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about agency, power, trauma, and perspective. Final ratings? We didn’t fully agree, but we did have a lot to say. 💙📚 Want to join our book club? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. You can signup here Can I Bring My Book Social Links:Instagram: @canibringmybook_clubTikTok: @canibringmybook_clubFacebook: www.facebook.com/canibringmybook

More from Can I Bring My Book

Jul 8, 2026

This week your book besties are completely obsessed with Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. After putting it off for months, we finally picked it up... and immediately wanted book two. We break down the biggest twists (without spoiling everything), compare it to Fourth Wing, Quicksilver, and ACOTAR, debate who the real villain might be, and share our completely unhinged dragon theories. Then we tackle a surprisingly heated question: What actually is the difference between romantasy and fantasy romance? Buddy Read Chat

Jun 30, 2026

This week your book besties celebrate Amanda's birthday by diving into Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy. And, let's just say we did not have the same reading experience. Amanda fell for the Nantucket setting, second-chance romance, and emotional family dynamics, while Kat couldn't get past the miscommunication, immature characters, and the "Gilmore Girls meets Jane Austen" comparison. We debate whether the marketing set impossible expectations, unpack the Persuasion inspiration behind the title, and somehow end up talking about Christopher from Gilmore Girls. Buddy Read Chat

Jun 23, 2026

This week your book besties are diving into Tropesick by Lauren Okie, a romance built around every trope imaginable. Did it work? Well... let's just say Amanda and Kat didn't exactly have the same reading experience. We discuss grief, second chances, childhood friends-to-lovers, ghostwriting, magical realism (or was it?), and whether a book can become a victim of its own premise. Along the way, Kat develops an unexpected vendetta against excessive description, Amanda defends the romance, and we both try to make sense of that ending. Buddy Read Chat

Jun 16, 2026

This week your book besties are diving into Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver, the second installment in the Cape Carnage series. And, we have thoughts. Lots of thoughts! We discuss shocking reveals, serial killer theories, Arthur's fate, Harper and Nolan's relationship, and whether that ending was genuinely shocking or just frustrating. Along the way, we speculate about who might secretly be a murderer, debate the future of Cape Carnage, and accidentally turn part of the episode into a public service announcement. Spoiler alert: we are not fans of the miscommunication trope. Buddy Read Chat

Jun 11, 2026

Your book besties are back, and this week we're discussing a book that asks an important question: What happens when the high-achieving ad executive who's built his entire identity around success suddenly... opts out? This week's Buddy Read Chat is Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum, a sharp, funny satire about consumerism, ambition, family, status, and what really matters when life doesn't go according to plan. We discuss talking-to-animals children, secret social clubs, doomsday communities, surprise betrayals, and why every member of this family desperately needed therapy (and maybe a hug). Buddy Read Chat

See all episodes →