Kris and Mads

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started:https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsWe finally spilled the tea… ☕📚 These are 10 books we’ve been gatekeeping—all rated 5 stars, but ones we rarely talk about on the pod! From epic fantasy with dragons to dark academia, from sci-fi thrillers to swoony romance, this list is packed with hidden gems across genres.If you’re hunting for your next great read (that isn’t already everywhere on BookTok or BookTube), this episode is for you. We’re covering fantasy, sci-fi, romance, memoirs, thrillers, and more—so no matter your vibe, you’ll find a book you’ll fall in love with.Spoiler-free, honest reviews only. Let’s go find you a new favorite!If you want to check out the friends we mentioned in this episode for more recommendations, you can find Will and Ed here: ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ 📚 Timestamps so you can jump to your genre:Timestamps00:00 Intro02:32 Recursion by Blake Crouch - a techno thriller05:05 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon- an epic fantasy with dragons11:21 Educated by Tara Westover - a memoir15:08 Wellness by Nathan Hill - a contemporary literary fiction19:35 Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor - a young adult fantasy22:58 Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - a romantic fantasy26:20 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren - a contemporary romance29:41 The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper - an ancient historical fiction33:47 Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb - a memoir 36:37 If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio - a dark academia fictionLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BooksWeLove #HiddenGemBooks #FiveStarReads #BookRecommendations #BookPodcast #BookTube #BookTok #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #RomanceBooks #DarkAcademiaBooks #MemoirRecommendations #ThrillerBooks #UnderratedBooks #BookishCommunity

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsThe professor I referenced who is making amazing gothic reading lists on tiktok can be found here:https://www.tiktok.com/@theculturedum...Looking for the perfect fall read? 🍂 In this episode, we’re sharing 15 of our top book recommendations for fall—with something for everyone! Whether you’re in the mood for dark academia, gothic fiction, vampire vibes, spooky-season romance, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, we’ve got you covered. All of our reviews are spoiler-free and include a quick premise plus why we loved each book.At the end, we’re also chatting about the books still on our fall TBR 👀—so stick around for even more cozy-spooky inspiration.If you’re a book lover searching for your next autumn read, this episode is basically your fall book guide.📚 Timestamps below so you can jump to your favorite genres!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:15 Dark Academia Recommendations02:46 The Will of the Many by James Islington04:35 The Secret History by Donna Tartt07:13 If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio11:54 Gothic Fiction Recommendations12:59 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier15:47 One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig19:14 Belladonna by Adalyn Grace22:39 Vampire Fiction Recommendations24:49 Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canes26:17 A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson29:32 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab32:53 Romance Recommendations for Spooky Season33:15 The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston37:01 Masters of Death by Olivie Blake41:23 Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid45:06 Thriller Recommendations46:44 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy48:39 Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young50:04 Vicious by V.E. Schwab52:25 What’s on OUR fall TBR?Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #FallBookRecommendations #DarkAcademiaBooks #GothicBooks #VampireBooks #RomanceBooks #ThrillerBooks #SpookySeasonReads #BookTok #BookTube #BookPodcast #CozyFallReads #FallTBR #AutumnReading #BestBooksForFall

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsWelcome back, friends! 📚🤍Today we’re breaking down all 20 books we read in November — yes, TWENTY! We covered a huge mix of genres this month: fantasy, romance, self-help, contemporary fiction, and more. There was one book that seriously disappointed us (hello, 1-star 👎), but also multiple new favorites that earned glowing 5-stars… which we saved for the end because they deserve the spotlight. ✨With the year almost over, we’re in full “finish every series we’ve started” mode so we can hit our 2025 reading goals. We’re excited, motivated, and ready to enter December with the best reading energy possible!Timestamps00:00 Intro 04:03 Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu06:39 Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson11:48 Today’s sponsor Better Help 13:57 Holly by Adalyn Grace 17:26 Nevernight by Jay Kristoff23:25 To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn 29:12 Fallen City Adriene Young34:45 Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel42:30 The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower47:03 Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir53:33 This is How you Loose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone49:43 The Lost Queen by Signe Pike01:04:30 The Wall of Storms by Kin Liu01:11:33 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy01:14:49 Breaking the Habit of being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza 01:18:20 Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell01:29:54 Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 01:33:32 The Strength of the Few by James Islington Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Finding Grace is one of our favorite stand-alone novels of the year, as well as one of our favorite love stories we've read in such a long time! We HAD to interview the debut author, Loretta Rothschild, all about it. Plus, after a little social media lurking, we became obsessed with Loretta's style, personality, and original approach to marketing the novel! If we could describe her in a word, it would be ICONIC. So, we couldn't wait to learn all about her hyperfixations, obsessions, her writing process, the adventure of getting published and picked up by her dream agent, and her spoiler-free insights on writing the book itself.Loretta is such a kindred spirit. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did, and that you pick up Finding Grace! https://amzlink.to/az0Eo1yLDw4zaGo in blind, read the first chapter, and then message us with your reaction. This is definitely a book to put on your TBR.If you'd like to watch the video Loretta mentions in the conversation about the house tour that inspired her setting, you can watch it here:    • In Residence: Rose Uniacke - inside the in...  If you'd like the check out the red socks, you can find them here:https://freightstore.co.uk/products/r...If you'd like to learn more about the John Truby writing method, check out his book here:https://amzlink.to/az045Y0Aly8tuThe pots (ceramics) Loretta likes are here: https://jwanderson.com/en-us/collections/wedgwood-x-jw-andersonThe books Loretta recommends are:The Picture of Dorian Gray https://amzlink.to/az0xwl2INBEM9Rebecca https://amzlink.to/az0KlGXaEZjsLReunion https://amzlink.to/az0bPzQxxe2b0Connect with Loretta by following her on socials, or check out her website!https://www.lorettarothschild.com/  Instagram: / lorettarothschild    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lorettarothschildTo check out a favorite part of the episode, jump to any chapter from the timestamps below!TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro02:15 Loretta Rothschild tells us two truths and a lie07:47 How Loretta came up with the idea for Finding Grace11:20 Connecting with the perfect agent and publisher 18:05 There aren’t any comps for Finding Grace21:03 The themes of Finding Grace26:40 Loretta Rothschild’s writing process 35:27 Loretta’s background and becoming a writer41:30 How Loretta utilizes social media as an author44:09 The iconic red socks, and other niche hyper fixations54:30 What makes the perfect book for Loretta 59:11 Loretta’s top three book recommendationsLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #lovestory #romancenovel #findinggrace #lorettarothschild #debutauthor #bookrecommendations #authorinterview

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsFor the past 6 months we’ve been doing something wild: committing to read every single book on our physical TBRs using our TBR Wheel. Today we’re breaking down the entire experience — the highs, the lows, the surprises, and whether we’d ever do this again. 👀📚Grab a drink, settle in, and let’s talk about the chaotic journey of sticking to a wheel that does not care about our moods.Shout out to @dylanjosephwrites for inspiring this journey! Timestamps 00:00 intro 01:28 Where did the Wheel come from03:34 The rules 05:05 Biggest disappointments 15:07 What we learned 20:41 tbr wheel disrupters 26:01 biggest challenges 29:49 Wins40:16 books that were the biggest surprises 01:01:15 Would we do a wheel againBooks mentioned Onyx StormRebecca Yarros Prophet Songby Paul LynchHer Majesties Royal Coven by Juno DawsonThe Bombshell By Darrow Far A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesKatabasis By R. F. Kuag A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. PeckThe Library at Mount Char  by Scott HawkinsThe Book that Wouldn’t Burn by Mark LawrenceOf Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Spellshop by Sarah Beth DurstNot in Love By Ali HazelwoodAtmosphere By Taylor Jenkins Reid Finding GraceBy Loretta Rothschild Wild Dark Shoreby Charlotte McConaghySIlvercloak By L. K. StevenBurry our Bones in the Midnight SoilV. E. Schwab Fallen City By Adrien Young The Strength of the FewBy James Islington Gifted and Talented By Olivia Blake This is How You Loose the Tme Warby Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneUnreasonable hHospitality by Will GuidaraThe Knight and the Moth Rachel GilligBreaking the Habit of Being Yourself By Joe Dispenza WellnessBy Nathan Hill Fairytale By Stephen KingPachinkoby Min Jin LeeAn Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa TahirDeath of the Author Nnedi OkoraforThe Unselected Journals of Emma M LionBy Beth BrowerGideon the Ninthby Tamsyn MuirThe Lost QueenBy Signe PikeThe Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le GuinThe Dead Romantics By Ashley Poston Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Welcome back, book lovers! Today’s episode is the MOTHER of all TBR lists — our most over-ambitious, chaotic, and exciting reading plans of the entire year. Most people do a “10 Before the End” reading challenge… but we blew right past ten and kept going. These are all the books we’re trying to finish in the next 6 weeks before we hit 2026, and honestly? Our best book of the year might be hiding somewhere in these stacks. From fantasy epics to romance series to backlist bucket-list reads, we’re covering everything we're desperate to read before the new year.We also share what’s coming up on the podcast before year’s end, now is the perfect time to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro02:27 Bridgerton Series — Julia Quinn05:03 The Dandelion Dynasty — Ken Liu07:49 The Empire Trilogy — Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts09:41 The Lost Queen Series — Signe Pike10:33 The Neapolitan Quartet — Elena Ferrante12:43 Chestnut Springs Series — Elsie Silver16:26 The Devoured Worlds Trilogy — Megan E. O’Keefe17:33 The Tawny Man Trilogy — Robin Hobb18:56 Holly — Adalyn Grace20:05 Daughter of the Otherworld — Shauna Lawless21:12 The Strength of the Few — James Islington21:34 Mara, Daughter of the Nile — Eloise Jarvis McGraw22:17 Wild Dark Shore — Charlotte McConaghy22:26 Poems & Prayers — Matthew McConaughey23:22 Maddie’s TBR Wheel26:36 Kristen’s TBR Wheel29:16 What we’re reading with our book club in Nov/Dec#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #TBR #EndOfYearTBR #10BeforeTheEnd #BookTubePodcast #BookTokPodcast #ReadingChallenge2025 #FantasyBooks #RomanceBooks #BestBooksOfTheYear #BookRecommendations #ReadersOfYouTube #BookClubReads #MustReadBooks #EpicFantasy #CozyReading #PatreonBookClub #SisterhoodBookClub #BookishPodcast #BookContentCreators #NewYearReadingChallenge

This episode is SPOILER-FREE!!! Connect with Fonda Lee: https://www.fondalee.com/Enjoy this highly anticipated conversation with Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga — one of the most iconic modern fantasy trilogies of our time (Jade City, Jade War, Jade Legacy). In this episode, we dive deep into her storytelling process, worldbuilding, and the powerful themes behind her unforgettable characters and cinematic action scenes.Fonda also shares how she was approached for an incredible collaboration with Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee, to co-create a YA duology called Breathmarked — with book two set to release in 2026. And for fans of sci-fi and cyberpunk, we get a sneak peek at her upcoming adult standalone novel, The Last Contract of Isako — a futuristic samurai story releasing in 2026 that promises to blend everything we love about her sharp, sparse, and emotionally charged storytelling.This was a dream interview for us as long-time fans of the Green Bone Saga. If you love fantasy, sci-fi, epic worldbuilding, and powerful character-driven stories, you don’t want to miss this one.Timestamps00:00 Intro00:59 Two Truths and a Lie with Fonda Lee04:52 How far did the Green Bone Saga get as a screen adaptation?05:58 How did the Green Bone Saga come to be?12:27 Was it always going to be a trilogy?14:00 Heroism and moral ambiguity in the Green Bone Saga22:04 Family obligation and identity in the Green Bone Saga26:20 Tradition vs. progress in the Green Bone Saga31:03 How the new covers reflect the vibe and cinematic tone of the trilogy34:54 Sex and romance in the Green Bone Saga39:34 The difference between Fonda Lee’s YA and Adult books41:46 Co-writing Breath of the Dragon with Shannon Lee44:51 The themes of the Breathmarked Duology49:52 Breath of the Dragon works for adult and young adult readers51:33 The collaboration process with Shannon Lee56:05 NEXT BOOK! A cyberpunk samurai standalone: The Last Contract of Isako 📚 Books Mentioned:Jade City, Jade War, Jade Legacy — The Green Bone SagaBreathmarked (YA duology with Shannon Lee)The Last Contract of Isako (coming 2026)Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #FondaLee #GreenBoneSaga #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #Breathmarked #TheLastContractofIsako #FantasyReaders #BookTube #SciFiFantasy

Join our Patreon read-and-watch club here: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodWelcome to Season 2 of The Kris and Mads Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a massive October reading wrap-up — 16 books across fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror, and literary fiction. Every review in this episode is completely spoiler-free, so you can listen without fear that we'll wreck the book for ya.Between us, we read everything from classics like Frankenstein by Mary Shelley to award winners like Stay True by Hua Hsu — and yes, one book was so good we had to reread it. Whether you’re hunting for your next five-star read, looking to discover hidden gems, or just love hearing passionate book talk, this episode is for you.In this episode:• Honest, spoiler-free reviews of 16 books we read in October• Genre-spanning recommendations for every kind of reader• The reread that lived up to the hype• Cozy fall reading vibes and lots of laughterTell us in the comments what you read in October and which of these books you’ve either already picked up or are adding to your TBR!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:57 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley09:56 The Compound by Aisling Rawle13:48 Dissolution by Nicholas Binge20:02 The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O’Keefe22:54 The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare26:29 The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence30:04 A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck34:22 Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara36:41 Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild45:42 The Will of the Many by James Islington50:13 Madhouse Promenade by ‪@lynmoore_‬ 54:30 Upgrade by Blake Crouch59:56 Stay True by Hua Hsu01:04:09 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry01:08:35 The Grace of Kings by Ken LiuSubscribe to The Kris and Mads Podcast for weekly book discussions, author interviews, and spoiler-free reviews every Tuesday!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BookPodcast #ReadingWrapUp #BookRecommendations #OctoberBooks #BookTube #PodcastForReaders #SpoilerFreeReviews #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #RomanceBooks #BookTok #BookishPodcast #BestBooks2025 #TBRList #BookReviewPodcast #TheKrisAndMadsPodcast #WhatToReadNext #FallReading #BookLovers #BookCommunity

Welcome to our Season 1 finale of The Kris and Mads Podcast!We’re wrapping up an unforgettable first season with a full breakdown of our year — think of it as our Spotify Wrapped, but for the podcast. 💫In this episode, we’re celebrating everything that’s made this season so special:• 14 incredible authors we had the honor to interview• 18 fellow creators we’ve collaborated with• Our most popular episodes and behind-the-scenes highlights• The books and screen adaptations we’ve read and watched together in our Patreon book club (aka our virtual family!)• Our biggest lessons, milestones, and growth moments as co-hosts• And, of course, our hopes and vision for Season 2 — which is already shaping up to be even more magical!This episode is our love letter to everyone who’s listened, shared, and joined the conversation. Thank you for helping us make this dream show come to life. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just discovered us this season, we can’t wait to bring you along for what’s next.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and join our Patreon to be part of the book club and behind-the-scenes fun!patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodOur Most Popular Episode:    • Books We BOTH Rated 5 Stars 📚 Our Top Book...  Our Interviews With Authors:    • Pierce Brown Interview - So Do We End The ...  Our Most Popular Collaboration:    • 18 Must-Read Books! | Our Top Books from 2...  Our Friends' Channels:‪@lynmoore_‬ ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ ‪@bronteysbooks‬ ‪@KistReadsBooks‬ ‪@Smitty1423‬ ‪@2ToRamble‬ ‪@geenahreads‬ ‪@zoranne_‬ ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #KrisAndMadsPodcast #PodcastWrapped #PodcastFinale #Season1Recap #BookPodcast #AuthorInterviews #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookClubCommunity #PatreonBookClub #PodcastHighlights #PodcastCommunity #BookTokPodcast #BookTubePodcast #Season2ComingSoon #PodcastGrowth #ReadingCommunity #BookishPodcast #WomenInPodcasting #BookLoversUnite

THIS INTERVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!!!! Not to be dramatic, but we did start this podcast one year ago, in order to interview Pierce Brown on it someday. That day is today! The Red Rising special editions have been released, and to celebrate we had Pierce on the show to share his lore—everything from skinny jeans trauma to Freddy the snapping turtle—and talk to us about the deeper themes and inspiration in the Red Rising Saga. We almost peed our pants laughing, and also learned crazy amounts about classical philosophy and history. Pierce may be one of the most engaging and entertaining conversationalists alive. For an episode one year in the making, he did not disappoint! Hope you guys love it as much as we do!You can read The Book of Lorn and check out merch on https://shit-escalates.com/ Follow Pierce on TikTok:   / piercebrownofficial  Follow Pierce on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piercebrown...Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:08 Pierce Brown Tells Us Two Truths and a Lie08:43 Pierce Brown's Lore24:57 What is Red Rising?29:52 The Classic Influences on Red Rising (for dummies)36:16 What Is Meritocracy in Red Rising? 45:24 Is Peace Even Possible in Red Rising? 58:37 How Pierce Brown On Leadership 01:07:11 What’s Next for Pierce Brown and Red Rising?Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

In this episode, Kris and Mads sit down with the amazing trio behind the ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ podcast! We talk about everything from who’s most likely to DNF a book, cry while reading, or be intimidated by a long series, to what makes a 5-star read and the characters that inspire us most. It’s a fun, bookish deep dive into reading tastes, favorite guests, and the bookish moments we can’t stop thinking about.✨ Timestamps00:00 – Introducing our guests I’ll Read What She’s Reading01:56 – Who was the biggest reader starting out?03:19 – Who is the first to DNF04:34 – Who is most likely to cry while reading05:15 – Who is intimidated by long series05:49 – How do you know each other08:47 – IRWSR merch09:27 – Describe each other’s reading taste15:42 – Who was your favorite podcast guest20:11 – What is a book you can’t stop thinking about26:39 – What makes a 5-star read for you33:10 – What character has inspired you mostIf you love book recommendations, fun reader debates, and behind-the-scenes podcast talk, you’ll love this conversation! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments which of these questions you’d answer the same way.I’ll Read What She’s Reading Merchhttps://illreadwhatshesreading.com/Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Here's what we thought of the 11 books we read this month! We're loving our foray into the classics, and Kristen took down the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, which she has had on her TBR for over a year! Maddie started three different series that she's eager to continue, and of course, there were a couple of duds. We get into all of it in this episode, and share some memories of traveling through Portugal and Spain with members of our Patreon book club this month. Reading abroad with friends is such a treat! What was your best read and favorite memory of September?All books and authors mentioned are listed in the timestamps.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood - Book Review10:45 Katabasis by R.F. Kuang - Book Review17:45 Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - Book Review22:59 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - Book Review30:22 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - Book Review41:14 The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O’Keefe - Book Review47:23 Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts - Book Review53:16 The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee - Book Review1:00:00 The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - Book ReviewLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

It’s been 10 years since Leigh Bardugo gave us Six of Crows and the unforgettable Dregs crew—and we’re celebrating in style! In this special episode, we sit down with Leigh Bardugo to talk all things Six of Crows: the heist that started it all, the found family readers still can’t get over, and the release of the gorgeous 10th Anniversary special editions. Whether you’re a longtime Grishaverse fan or brand new to the series, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, bookish nostalgia, and pure Kaz & the Crows vibes.If you love heist fantasy, witty banter, found family dynamics, and beautiful new collector’s editions, this is the story and celebration episode you don’t want to miss.Check out Leigh's tedtalk here:    • The art of discomfort | Leigh Bardugo | TE...  All things Leigh Bardugo here: https://www.leighbardugo.com/#LeighBardugo⁠ ⁠#SixOfCrows⁠ ⁠#Grishaverse⁠ ⁠#CrookedKingdom⁠ ⁠#KazBrekker⁠ ⁠#InejGhafa⁠ ⁠#FoundFamily⁠ ⁠#FantasyBooks⁠ ⁠#BookTok⁠ ⁠#BookTube⁠ ⁠#HeistFantasy⁠ ⁠#SpecialEditionBooks⁠ ⁠#AnniversaryEdition⁠ ⁠#ShadowAndBone⁠ ⁠#FantasyReaders⁠Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelpmakes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsLooking for your next great historical fiction read? 📚 In this podcast episode, we share 17 historical fiction book recommendations that we absolutely loved. While it’s a genre we only dabble in, some of these books have made it into our top books of all time list. From sweeping epics to intimate character-driven stories, we’ve gathered a wide range of titles perfect for any historical fiction fan.Timestamps00:00 Intro to Historic Fiction 01:18 The Wold Den by Elodie Harper 03:09 The Lost Queen by Signs Pike 06:42 The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell09:54 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon12:15 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon14:23 Hester by Laurie Albanese16:05 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan19:23 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 21:16 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr24:32 Pachinkol by Min Jin Lee27:09 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles30:34 Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler33:23 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett36:05 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid38:47 The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton41:51 11/22/63 by Stephen King Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Welcome to our August Reading Wrap-Up! This month we each read 9 books, buddy read 4, and ended up chatting about 14 amazing (and some surprising) reads. If you’re looking for fantasy, romance, thrillers, and literary fiction book recommendations, you’re in the right place!Here’s what we read in August:📚 Books Featured in This Video:01:50 The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb08:30 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy11:52 Powerless by Elsie Silver14:16 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman19:57 Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee & Shannon Lee25:18 The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley28:01 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab33:59 Silver Cloak by L. K. Steven38:59 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn41:46 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles46:33 The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst49:14 Wellness by Nathan Hill55:22 Final Thoughts✔ Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Thrillers, Literary Fiction✔ Includes: New releases, series continuations, and backlist favorites✔ Our honest thoughts + ratings on every bookIf you love reading wrap-ups, book reviews, and buddy reads, hit subscribe for more monthly book recaps, TBR lists, and bookish chats!✨ Which was your favorite August read? Tell us in the comments!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

We got to sit down with ROBIN HOBB. Yes, THE Robin Hobb. Our favorite living author. Fifteen minutes that honestly felt like the best of our lives. She told us how she writes characters that feel so real, how she allows the reader to find and explore themes in her work, what she does when she’s stuck, and even the stories she made sure her own kids grew up with—because she believes a love of reading can change the world.If you love The Realm of the Elderlings, Farseer Trilogy, or just want to hear one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time talk about her process—this is it. We’re still freaking out.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:27 How is WorldCon Seattle 2025?!01:20 How Robin Hobb does research for her stories03:32 Robin Hobb's writing process, and what she does when she's stuck 04:55 How Robin Hobb writes REAL characters across ages07:12 Robin Hobb on the themes in her stories08:33 On the importance of stories for children, and which she recommends10:43 Would Robin Hobb collaborate with other authors?11:43 The origin story of the pen name "Robin Hobb"13:31 What is Robin Hobb writing now? What comes next?14:42 What message does Robin Hobb have for the Sisterhood Bookclub?Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #RobinHobb #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #FarseerTrilogy #RealmOfTheElderlings #BookPodcast #FantasyReaders

It’s publication day for Artificial Wisdom—the gripping 2050 techno-thriller murder mystery that blends AI, politics, and climate catastrophe! We sit down with author Thomas Weaver to celebrate the U.S. release with Penguin Random House’s Del Rey. Tom shares his journey from indie publishing to Amazon bestseller to landing an agent and selling Artificial Wisdom—and its unwritten sequel!—to a major publisher. We talk AI vs. human leadership, writing high-stakes thrillers, and what it’s like to relaunch a book to the world. Plus: live audience Q&A on the craft, the business, and what’s next for Thomas Weaver.If you love sci-fi thrillers, climate fiction, political intrigue, or stories of publishing success, this interview is a must-watch.#ArtificialWisdom #ThomasWeaver #BookReleaseDay #PenguinRandomHouse #DelReyBooks #AIElectionThriller #TechnoThriller #ClimateFiction #SciFiThriller #AuthorInterview #Booktube #WritingCommunity #AIThriller #PoliticalThriller #NewBookRelease #SciFiBooks #PublishingJourney #FromIndieToTrad #BookLaunchDay #scifiauthor Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

So you’re thinking about reading The Wheel of Time… but 14 books? A thousand characters? Constant skirt-smoothing?? We get it. In this episode, we’re spilling all the spoiler-free tea to help you decide if this iconic fantasy series is for you—and how to actually enjoy the ride.Here’s what we cover:• The forming, storming, norming, and performing phases of reading the series• What it’s like reading a series the original author didn’t finish (shoutout to Brandon Sanderson for saving the day)• The tools that will actually help you keep characters, maps, and timelines straighthttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/wot-com...https://wheeloftimelines.com/ @DanielGreeneReviews recap videos:    • Let's Summarize The Wheel of Time  • Cringe alerts: the gender dynamics, the braid-tugging, the constant clothing descriptions 😅• Why fans still love it: a killer magic system, rich themes, and an iconic fandom• Who should read it—and who might want to skip it (we won’t judge)If you love massive worlds, fandom lore, magical systems, and long-haul reading with payoff—The Wheel of Time might be your next obsession. We’re here to help you go in with eyes wide open and a solid game plan.Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:04 Breaking the Wheel of Time Into Sections03:02 The Forming Phase05:45 The Storming Phase09:42 The Norming Phase15:05 The Performing Phase19:57 Reading Resources for Wheel of Time25:55 The Cringey Parts of Wheel of Time33:01 The Best Aspects of Wheel of Time40:56 Who Should Read The Wheel of Time and When?Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books#WheelOfTime #RobertJordan #BrandonSanderson #FantasySeries #WheelOfTimePodcast #EpicFantasy #LongSeriesReading #WoTCompendium #WheelOfTimelines #DanielGreene #FantasyFandom #SpoilerFreeGuide #HowToReadWheelOfTime #BookPodcast #FantasyBooks #ReadingTips

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Severed Heart author Kate Stewart—a queen of dark romance. We dive into her latest release Severed Heart, now out in audio from Podium, and the process of bringing it to life as a fully produced audiobook.Kate opens up about her incredibly loyal reader base, known as the "Ravens," a passionate community that's not only obsessed with the series but also committed to doing good in the world through local state chapters.We also talk about her hands-on role in the audiobook production, what’s next for her as an author, and the exciting news that she’s now screenwriting and producing her own film adaptation of Flock. If you love dark romance, fandoms that matter, and behind-the-scenes creative stories, this one’s for you.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:43 Kate Tells Us Two Truths and a Lie02:16 The Inspiration and Origin of the Ravenhood Series04:32 All About Severed Heart - The Audiobook09:48 More Books Coming in the Ravenhood Legacy!13:42 Delays in Publishing and Kate's Amazing Team of Publishers14:41 Who is Kate's Favorite Character to Write15:12 Kate's "Pinch Me" Moments from Book Tour16:29 The Readers ("Ravens") and How Kate Considers Them Family19:56 What Does Kate Love to Read?23:16 Why Romance? What Pulls Kate to the Genre?24:31 What Are Kate's Writing Rituals? What's the Writing Process?26:48 All About Flock's Screen Adaptation33:43 Kate's Hopes for the FutureLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #KateStewart #SeveredHeart #DarkRomance #RomanceBooks #PodiumAudio #AudiobookLaunch #RavensFandom #FlockSeries #RomanceAuthors #IndieRomance #BookToScreen #ScreenAdaptation #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #RomanceCommunity #BookishPodcast #RomanceBookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #BookTok #RomanceTikTok

Today Kristen's dream came true when we sat down with New York Times bestselling author Laura Steven, whose novel Our Infinite Fates has been a breakout fantasy favorite of 2025! Her new adult fantasy release Silvercloak, is coming July 29th, and we couldn’t wait to ask her everything.This conversation felt like a FaceTime with a friend—relaxed, inspiring, and packed with behind-the-scenes details on Laura’s writing process, the magic of Silvercloak, her thoughts on romance in fantasy, and what’s coming next. If you’re a fan of immersive fantasy worlds, witty characters, or just want to hang out with your new favorite author, this one’s for you.Laura Steven website https://www.laura-steven.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurasteven...Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@authorlaurast...Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 02:01 Silvercloak book launch 02:30 Two truths and a lie 08:41 Laura’s background in writing 21:25 Why adult fantasy 25:09 Is Silvercloak romantic31:48 Authors and books Laura loves34:01 Who did you write Silvercloak for36:54 How do you use social media44:45 Is Silvercloak going to have more books41:21 Is writing a series intimidating 48:10 Foreshadowing 48:59 Do you have arc readers 51:07 2025 book tour 52:00 What do your readers mean to you55:40 Laura’s writing rituals 59:21 Future dream and plans 01:01:35 Movie adaptation 01:03:58 Where to follow Laura Steven Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books