Kris and Mads

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

We read 23 books in July and it was a wild reading month! From standalones and surprises to potential best book of the year (Maddie is obsessed 😍), we’re breaking down everything we loved, didn’t love, and totally disagreed on. One super popular book flopped for us, and we had completely opposite reactions to Atmosphere. Come hang out with us for a cozy chat full of honest reviews, spicy ratings, and maybe a new book for your TBR 💬✨Let us know if you read any of these or disagreed with our takes!Time Stamps00:00 Intro 02:28 Prophet Song By Paul Lynch 11:51 The Guest List By Lucy Foley14:09 Death on the Nile By Agatha Christie19:08 A Memory of Light By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson25:39 A Reaper at the Gates and A Sky Beyond the Storm By Sabaa Tahir32:07 The Finish Line, One Last Rainy Day, Severed Heart By Kate Stewart39:10 Library at Mount Char By Scott Hawkins43:51 The Dead Romantics By Ashley Boston48:33 Writers and Lovers By Lily King 51:36 Onyx Storm By Rebecca Yarros55:59 Find Grace By Loretta Rothschild 57:58 Atmosphere By Taylor Jenkins Reid01:03:27 Ship of Magic By Robin Hobb01:10:53 The Dispossessed By Ursula K. Le Guin 01:14:46 Pachinko By Min Jin Lee01:116:56 Final thoughts The Dispossessed guide    • Freedom is Constant Revolution | The Dispo...  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 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

In this episode, we’re talking all about how we actually get our books—whether it’s through libraries, bookstores (big or indie!), audiobooks, eBooks, or book apps. We go through the pros and cons of each, share how we personally read and listen to books, and even dream up what our own cozy little bookstore would look like. ☕📚We also get into a big question: if more people are reading, why are library visits and checkouts going down? Is it all about convenience, funding, or something else?This was such a fun and thoughtful conversation, and we’d love to hear from you too—how do you usually access books these days? Drop your thoughts in the comments 💬Article Mentioned: https://www.thefp.com/p/front-page-de...Time stamps 00:00 Intro 01:09 Article about libraries 03:28 Libraries13:09 Barns & Noble 17:30 Indie Bookstores21:23 Thrifted bookstores24:03 Online book shopping27:32 Hardback or paperback 28:25 Reading Apps30:19 Market book selling31:02 Little Free Libraries 32:47 Bookstore combos 33:51 Bookstore of our dreams 30:04 Are more people reading42:04 Our goals 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

It’s time for the 2025 Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag—our favorite annual tradition! 🎉 In this cozy podcast-style episode, we go through all questions from the tag and give our brutally honest thoughts on our reading year so far.💥 From best books and big surprises to disappointing reads, fictional crushes, and the new releases we still haven’t gotten to… this episode is packed with laughs, strong opinions, and some tough decisions.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   00:00 Intro 00:39 Best book of the year 07:25 Best sequel 12:32 New release you haven’t yet read15:02 Most anticipated release 16:52 Biggest disappointment 26:33 Biggest surprise 29:15 New favorite author 31:48 Favorite fictional crush 37:28 Newest favorite character 41:25 Books that made us cry us happy 44:25 Books that made 47:39 Most beautiful book49:28 book to finish before the end of the year 51:06 Favorite audiobook 54:16 Favorite reread 55:31 Favorite reading moment or memory 58:26 Reading goal update Books MentionedAssassin’s Fate and Royal Assassin By Robin HobbOur Infinite FatesBy Laura Steven Atmosphere By Taylor Jenkins Reid The Strength of the FewBy James Islington The Wise Man’s FearBy Patrice RothfussAll Systems Red By Martha WellsDungeon Crawler CarlMatt Dinniman Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Caroline Peckham Suzanne Valenti The OutsidersBy S. E. Hinton This is How You Loose the Time WarBy Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone11/22/63 and Fairy tale Stephen King Severed HeartBy Kate Stewart Heartless By Elsie Silver The Knight and the MothBy Rachel Gillig The Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky The Licanius TrilogyBy James Islington Sunrise on the Reaping By Suzanne Collins Gifted and Talented By Olivia Blake Death of the Author by Nnedi OkoraforDaughter of the Empire By Janny Wurts and Raymond E. FeistThe Fires of Vengeance By Evan Winter Intermezzo By Sally Rooney The Lord of the RingsBy J.R.R. Tolkien The Wheel of TimeRobert Jordan and Brandon SandersonAn Ember in the AshesBy Sabaa Tahir #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

We read 17 books in June and had THOUGHTS. From a surprisingly good dark romance to two disappointing hyped books, this wrap-up has it all: spicy fantasy (From Blood and Ash), sci-fi (All Systems Red), classics (Emma + Picnic at Hanging Rock), a pop-culture classic (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), and even more Wheel of Time—where one of us finally gave a book in the series 5 stars! 😱We give spoiler-free takes on each read, share what worked (and what didn’t), and talk about what we’re learning from reading so many books together—especially as book club hosts. Whether you love Stephen King, Jane Austen, or graphic novels like Saga, we’ve got a recommendation—or a rant—for you.Drop your June reads in the comments, and tell us if we’re wrong for being underwhelmed by a certain viral novella 👀📚Timestamps00:00 Intro02:58 From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout04:58 Comparing FBAA to An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir15:38 All Systems Red by Martha Wells19:51 What we’ve learned about books worth reading in a book club21:51 Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor28:11 Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay34:08 Summer in the City by Alex Aster39:46 Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart46:11 Emma by Jane Austen50:25 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky56:18 Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples58:44 A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young01:00:48 Fairytale by Stephen King01:04:30 Knife of Dreams, Gathering Storm, and Tower of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time books 11-13)Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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 #ReadingWrapUp #BookRecommendations #FromBloodAndAsh #WheelOfTime #StephenKing #JaneAusten #BookClubReads #DarkRomance #BooktokReads #FantasyBooks #PodcastForReaders #BookReviewPodcast #ViralBookReviews #JuneReads

We picked one favorite book for every month of 2025 so far, and honestly? It was harder than we expected. From massive fantasy series to books that made us cry (or scream), we’re talking about the standouts that actually stuck with us.If you’re looking for what to read next, want to know which books are really worth it, or you’ve read some of these and just wanna hear us gush… this episode is for you.We’re talking:• The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, Six of Crows• Little Women, Sense and Sensibility, The Outsiders• And newer picks like Our Infinite Fates & The Knight and the MothThis is for the fantasy lovers, the BookTok browsers, the “I’m overwhelmed by my TBR” folks, and anyone who loves hearing passionate book chat.Basically, if you love books, you’ll probably vibe.Books Mentioned:The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. TolkienThe Wheel of Time by Robert JordanThis Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-MohtarWayward Pines Trilogy by Blake CrouchThe Licanius Trilogy by James IslingtonSix of Crows by Leigh BardugoLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottOur Infinite Fates by Laura StevenSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsThe Outsiders by S.E. HintonSense and Sensibility by Jane AustenThe Fires of Vengeance by Evan WinterThe Fitz and the Fool Trilogy by Robin HobbRoyal Assassin by Robin HobbThe Knight and the Moth by Rachel GilligFairytale by Stephen KingAn Ember in the Ashes by Sanaa TahirA Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. MartinLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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  Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:37 Favorite Books from January05:05 Favorite Books from February15:16 Favorite Books from March19:06 Favorite Books from April23:26 Favorite Books from May30:04 Favorite Books from June#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #FantasyBookRecommendations #BestBooks2025 #BookPodcast #MonthlyReads #BookTube #WhatToReadNext #FantasyReaders #BookTalkPodcast #EpicFantasy #YAReads #ClassicBooks #BookReviewPodcast #BestFantasyBooks #ReadingWrapUp #FavoriteBooksOfTheYear

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we're stepping away from book reviews to answer your most personal questions—straight from our private book-to-screen club on Patreon. (Thanks for the questions FAMBAM!) We're getting real about our relationship as sisters and co-workers, our crunchy health habits (yes, we talk home births and meditation), and our approach to wellness.We also dive into the stories behind our kids' names, our favorite comfort shows, what fantasy worlds we'd want to live in, our personality types, and how we built and expanded our content.Listen for:• Our top wellness values & crunchy lifestyle confessions• Childhood dreams & how we met our husbands• The fantasy worlds we’d wake up in• Books we love but hate the covers of• Enneagram deep dive + Big Five results• The truth about our sister dynamic and business partnershipJewelry Brands Mentioned ⁨@mejuri⁩   ⁨@D.Louise⁩   ⁨@katiewaltmanboutiquehttps://jenny-bird.com/Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:57 Are we crunchy: home births, naturopaths, meditation09:43 Our favorite book challenge: TBR wheel10:47 Would we ever write a book?12:42 Where do we get our jewelry?14:05 What would our animal companion be?15:30 What are our drink orders?16:17 Top 5 comfort movies/shows: You’ve Got Mail, The Holiday, Newsies, Summer Stock, Gilmore Girls, Outlander, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Sense & Sensibility18:11 Where would we live in the U.S. and abroad?19:08 Our health/wellness philosophies29:37 The story behind our kids’ names34:52 What were our childhood dreams?40:15 How did we meet our husbands?43:35 What time period would we teleport to?44:59 What places are on our bucket lists?47:55 What fantasy world would we want to wake up in?48:47 What books that we love have bad covers?49:45 Tips for getting out of a reading slump53:16 What are our enneagram numbers? The Big Five Personality Test.56:23 What is our health attitude?59:27 Our content creation journey/strategy01:03:45 Our meditation practices01:11:13 What are some of our favorite bands?01:13:33 Have we always been this close? All about our relationshipLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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 Q&A podcast episode, sisters podcast, personal Q&A, health and wellness podcast, crunchy lifestyle, behind the scenes podcast, book lovers podcast, fantasy book questions, enneagram personality types, sister co-hosts, bookish podcast, comfort movies, wellness values, private book club, TBR challenge, reading slump tips, book world we’d live in, content creator journey, podcast for women, Patreon Q&A, book influencer podcast

We’re back with a very requested video — the one where my sister and I talk about the books we totally disagree on 😅📚In our last video, we chatted about the books we both loved and rated highly, but obviously… we don’t always align when it comes to reading taste. So today, we’re getting into the stories that one of us adored and the other just did not vibe with.We’re talking about:✨ what makes a book hit (or flop) for each of us✨ our hot takes on series vs. standalones✨ how our reading preferences differ — and why that’s okay!✨ and a little sibling-style debate (but always with love 🫶)This was so fun to film, and honestly, it gave us a better understanding of what we each look for in a book. Hope it’s just as fun for you to watch!Let us know in the comments if you agree with one of us… or neither 😂And tell us what books you’ve argued about with your own reading buddies!Books MentionedThe Grace Year By Kim Liggett The Picture of Dorian Gray By Oscar WildeMistborn Trilogy By Brandon Sanderson Our Infinite FatesBy Lauren Steven Assassin’s Apprentice Robin Hobb Normal PeopleBy Sally Rooney A Discovery of WitchesBy Deborah HarknessOne for my Enemy By Olivia Blake Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagam:   / 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  Time Stamps00:00 Into 02:30 The Grace Year 08:43 The Picture of Dorian Gray 17:59 Mistborn 24:26 Our Infinite Fates33:16 Assassin’s Apprentice 41:33 Normal People 50:11 A Discovery of Witches 54:47 One For My Enemy 01:00;00 Final thoughts #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

We read 17 books in May and wow… it was A LOT. From a 1-star romantasy (sorry Onyx Storm) to one of our favorite books of the year, plus our first-ever Stephen King (which totally surprised us), this wrap-up is packed.We’re talking fantasy, sci-fi, romance, classics, self-help. Oh! And Maddie is finally out of the Wheel of Time slog. We let the TBR wheel pick some of our reads this month too, so things got a little chaotic (in the best way).Come hang out for book reviews, big opinions, and our take on why Robin Hobb is still the queen of epic fantasy (and why George R.R. Martin might need to take notes 👀). Timestamps are below so you can jump around!We mentioned our friend Gina and Michael in the episode. Here are their awesome channels:‪@geenahreads‬ ‪@KistReadsBooks‬ We also mentioned the ‪@TheDiaryOfACEO‬ podcast episode with Anna Lembke. It's this one:    • Dopamine Expert: Doing This Once A Day Fix...  And you can download Maddie's FREE Dune Reading Guide here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/12QRO...TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro01:32 Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta Book Review06:03 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Book Review10:19 The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gill Book Review17:06 The Shadowed Land by Signe Pike Book Review22:08 Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke Book Review30:32 Vilest Things by Chloe Gong Book Review33:05 11/22/63 by Stephen King Book Review37:32 Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake Book Review43:59 Dune by Frank Herbert Book Review47:05 Oathbound by Tracy Deonn Book Review50:43 Heartless by Elsie Silver Book Review55:34 Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Winter’s Heart and Crossroads of Twilight Book Reviews)01:03:23 The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb (Royal Assassin, Assassin’s Quest, Fool’s Quest, and Assassin’s Fate Book Reviews)Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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 #ReadingWrapUp #Romantasy #SciFiBooks #StephenKing #RobinHobb #WheelOfTime #BookReviews #TBRList #WhatToReadNext #MonthlyReads #BookRecommendations #BookishPodcast #ReadersOfBookTube

We're back with something a little different this month! 💫 In this May Favorites video, we're sharing all the non-bookish things we're loving right now — from our Nuuly fashion picks 👗 and colorful home decor 🖼️ to our current TBRs 📚, skincare routines 🧴, new go-to meals 🥗, and even a new car 🚗!If you're usually here for the book talk (BookTube fam, we see you! 👋), we think you’ll love this peek into the other cozy, creative, and inspiring things that bring us joy outside of reading.Maddie’s Chicken nuggets of choice https://www.target.com/p/just-bare-li...Metal meal meal prep containers https://a.co/d/imTCa39Maddie’s Airfryer https://fromourplace.com/products/won... ⁨@fromourplace⁩  Hatch https://www.hatch.co/restore/putty ⁨@hatchforsleep⁩  Website for Skincare Pore Clogging Ingredients https://acneclinicnyc.com/pore-cloggi... Celimax Ji.Woo.Gae Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad  https://a.co/d/bQGGfPbAnua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serumhttps://a.co/d/843186uPURITO Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Creamhttps://a.co/d/jiauISmNuuly  ⁨@nuuly⁩  Maddie’s Link https://share.nuuly.com/maddie6445Kristen’s Link https://share.nuuly.com/kristen2485Record Player https://a.co/d/ecBeaJeKristen’s decor account recs  / steffy    / flashesofstyle  TBR wheel inspiration from our friend Dylan Books MentionedOnyx StormBy Rebecca YarrosHer Majesty’s Royal CovenBy Juno Dawson Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagam:   / 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  Time Stamps00:00 Intro00:56 Meal prepping 03:20 Air Fryer 06:16 Macha obsession 09:27 Kristen’s Meals 10:48 Maddie’s favorite meal 12:38 Hatch 18:52 Nail Art 21:15 Accutane 22:51 Maddie’s Skincare27:46 Nuuly 33:27 Maddie’s Bronco 36:28 Record Player 38:20 Colorful Decor 42:10 To be read list #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Creating a book collection you truly love sometimes means getting rid of books—and yes, even the unread ones. In this episode, we’re doing the unexpected as book influencers: we’re decluttering our home libraries.We talk through how we decide which books to keep, which ones to donate, and how to let go of guilt in the process. Whether your shelves are your TBR, your trophy case, or your lending library, this conversation will help you curate a collection that reflects you—not just everything you've ever owned.Perfect for overwhelmed readers, recovering book hoarders, or anyone dreaming of a more intentional reading space. Let’s make your bookshelves a place of joy—not stress.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:53 How to get rid of books you have read without guilt12:59 How to get rid of books you haven't read, TBRs are too long!22:10 How do you want your book collection to feel?30:21 Practical tips and mental shifts to help with declutteringLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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 #booksofinstagram #BookDeclutter#BookshelfOrganization#BookUnhaul#MinimalistBookshelf#HomeLibraryGoals#TBRDeclutter#BookishLife#IntentionalReading#ReadingCommunity#BookLoverProblems#BookshelfMakeover#BookishContent#BookishPodcast#BooktokUnhaul#DeclutteringTips

Is it time to stop forcing yourself to finish mediocre series? In this fiery, bookish episode, we’re diving into over 20 book series where the first book is the best one—and yes, we're naming names 👀. Whether you're a fantasy fan, romance reader, or sci-fi binge addict, we're here to save you time, money, and reading energy by spilling the truth about series that peak at book one.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:54 – Series we’ve read where Book One is the strongest (but the rest is still good!)08:36 – Series we’ve read where Book One is the best (and the rest gets worse)16:16 – Series where we only read Book One and it works as a standalone18:11 – Our theories on why series often peak with Book One25:18 – Series we haven’t read, but we’ve heard you should stop after Book One27:25 – A wild card: Dune by Frank Herbert—whether to continue depends on what you wantBooks Mentioned:📚 Book One is the strongest, but the rest is still good:Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosMistborn by Brandon SandersonOutlander by Diana GabaldonThe Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa BroadbentPines by Blake Crouch📉 Book One is the best—skip the rest:Red Queen by Victoria AveyardA Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. SchwabFrom Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. ArmentroutHouse of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. MaasThe Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussEnder’s Game by Orson Scott Card🛑 We only read Book One—it works as a standalone:Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri ManiscalcoSilver Under Nightfall by Rin ChupecoReady Player One by Ernest ClineDune by Frank HerbertVicious by V.E. SchwabThe House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune👂 Haven’t read, but heard you should stop after Book One:Eragon by Christopher PaoliniLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryScythe by Neal ShustermanTrial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. TuliLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: 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

Are you a new or aspiring book content creator wondering how to stand out online? In this episode, we sit down with our friend and fellow creator ‪@zoranne_‬ to talk about how she built her community, started a publishing imprint, avoided burnout, and became a recognized tastemaker in the book world.Whether you're dreaming of BookTok success, building a YouTube channel, or launching your first brand collab, this conversation is full of real, actionable advice—plus encouragement for the hard days.⏳Timestamps included so you can skip to the good stuff!💬 Leave a comment with your favorite takeaway or advice you wish you had when you started.💡Made for small, new, or aspiring bookish creators ready to grow their platforms and connect deeper with their audience.Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:26 Meet Zoranne – Two Truths and a Lie04:48 How Zoranne Started Creating & Took Off07:16 Growing Beyond Regular Posting08:22 Business vs. Community Building09:47 Nurturing vs. Growing an Audience11:27 Luck, Manifesting, or Grit?13:54 Starting a Publishing Imprint with Bindery19:58 Becoming a Tastemaker with Bindery21:00 Avoiding Burnout as a Creator24:09 Connecting Through Books & Intentionality26:27 Why Content Creation Can Be Life-Giving28:44 Networking = Talking to People33:08 Prepping for Rejection36:07 Defining Success as a Creator42:07 How to Fill Your Cup Creatively46:22 What Zoranne's Excited About Next50:06 Zoranne’s Top 3 Tips for Bookish CreatorsSubscribe for more conversations like this every week! 🧡Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / 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 #BookTok #BookCreator #ContentCreatorTips #BookInfluencer #AuthorTube #ReadingCommunity #SmallCreatorSupport #Zoranne #BehindTheScenes #CreatorAdvice #HowToGrowOnline #BookishContent #PublishingTips #BookNerd #Bindery #BurnoutPrevention #ManifestingSuccess #BookTalkInterview #GrowYourPlatform

✈️ Come with us as our online book club takes on the Italian Riviera — a week of adventure, laughter, and unexpected twists! From the sun-soaked shores of Alassio to the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre, from the magical bridges of Dolceacqua to the glamour of Portofino, we journeyed through Italy with open hearts (and a few plot twists we definitely didn’t plan for!).In this episode, you’ll see how we embrace the adventure of group travel, stay flexible through the surprises, and create deep, meaningful connections with fellow book lovers at every stage of life. This isn’t just about travel — it’s about growth, friendship, and the magic of stepping outside your comfort zone.Whether you’re an aspiring traveler, a woman looking for real community, or a bookworm dreaming of meeting kindred spirits around the world, this episode will inspire you to say yes to something new.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:04 Alassio14:29 Sanremo17:01 Dolceacqua28:42 Camogli29:48 Larici33:23 Cinque Terre38:31 Fruttuoso40:12 Portofino🌍 Ready to join us on our next bookish adventure? Find out more on Patreon this week patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood and join women who are ready to grow, connect, and explore!🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more travel vlogs, book recommendations, reviews, and more!All thumbnail photos courtesy of Kailee Welp: https://www.kaileealsens.com/Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: 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#ItalianRiviera #TravelVlog #BookClubTravel #WomenTravelers #ItalyTravelVlog #BookishTravel #GroupTravelForWomen #PlotTwistTravel #FriendshipThroughTravel #CinqueTerreVlog #PortofinoTravel #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

In this episode of The Sisterhood Podcast, we’re checking in on our 2025 reading goals after Q1—what’s working, what’s not, and the tweaks we’re making for Q2! 📚We also share 10-20 book titles we’re excited to dive into this spring, perfect for anyone looking to build their Q2 TBR or stay motivated on their own reading journey.Whether you're someone who made New Year reading resolutions, loves a good wrap-up and reset, or just wants a peek behind the scenes at how we approach reading as content creators, this one’s for you.✨ We talk accountability, routines, and keeping things fun and flexible—and yes, we mention some seriously exciting 2025 book releases too.💬 Drop your Q2 reading plans in the comments—we love hearing from fellow book lovers and helping you stay inspired.Timestamps & book list in the description below!Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:27 Checkin: Maddie’s 2025 Reading Goals02:03 Checkin: Kristen’s 2025 Reading Goals04:41 2025 Releases Maddie’s Excited to Read06:49 Kristen’s Slower More Intentional Approach to Her TBR 09:59 2025 Releases Kristen’s Excited About10:51 Series Maddie is Continuing14:54 Series for Kristen19:58 Books We Won’t Read on Audiobook20:57 Starting Our First Stephen King Book23:03 Romance Books on Kristen’s TBR25:19 New Series Maddie Is Anticipating27:14 Kristen is Tackling Liveship Traders Trilogy31:52 Resolutions Can Shift! Let’s Have A Great Q2!BOOKS MENTIONEDGifted and TalentedBy Olivie BlakeKatabasisBy R.F. KuangBury Our Bones In the Midnight SoilBy V.E. SchwabFirst-Time CallerBy B.K. BorisonFlawlessBy Elsie SilverSunrise on the ReapingBy Suzanne CollinsThe Burning SeriesThe Rage of Dragons and Fires of VengeanceBy Evan WintersAudiobook Narrator: Prentice OnayemiThe Lost Queen seriesBy Signe PikeThe Bound and the Broken SeriesBy Ryan CahillVilest ThingsBy Chloe GongAn Ember in the Ashes SeriesBy Sabaa TahirInfernal DevicesBy Cassandra ClareLegendborn CycleBy Tracy DeonnDungeon Crawler CarlBy Matt DinnimanA Sea of Unspoken ThingsBy Adrienne YoungDeath of the Author By Nnedi OkoraforMurderbotBy Martha Wells11/22/63Stephen KingChestnut SpringsBy Elsie SilverAge of Madness Trilogy By Joe AbercrombieThe Fitz and the Fool TrilogyBy Robin HobbWheel of TimeBy Robert JordanDaughter of the EmpireBy Raymond E. Feist and Jenny WurstDandelion DynastyBy Ken LiuThe ExpanseBy James S.A. CoreyA Song of Ice and FireBy George R.R. MartinLiveship Traders By Robin HobbLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: 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 #readinggoals #TBR2025 #bookpodcast #ReadingGoals2025 #Quarter2TBR #TBRUpdate #BookPodcast #ReadingWrapUp #ReadersOfYouTube #ContentCreatorLife #BehindTheScenes #ReadingAccountability #BookishCommunity #BooksToRead2025 #MidYearCheckIn #BookLoversUnite #ReadingMotivation #GoalSettingForReaders