Well-Read

Episode 137 - Hot Books

With summer around the corner, we’re feeling the heat in our reading! Listen in for our selection of hot books.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman – Neal Shusterman books How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala Halle’s picks: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau – Taylor Jenkins Reid books State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – Commonwealth by Ann P...

Getting Out of a Reading Slump

Episode 135 - Here Comes the Sun

Spring is here, so we’re thinking about books that feel like sunshine! As always, we end with what we’re reading this week.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Village School by Miss Read – Fairacre series by Miss Read A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean Halle’s picks: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman Act Your Age, Ev...

Well-Read Episode 134 - Spring 2024 Book Preview

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing March through May! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: What Should I Read Next? (podcast) Ann’s picks: The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov (releases March 5) – Stieg Larsson books The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill (releases March 19) – The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (releases April 2) Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan – Rachel Harrison books...

Episode 134 - Spring 2024 Book Preview

Well-Read Episode 133 - Reading from our TBRs 2024

We love reading books but we also love getting books off our shelves, so that means we love our annual Reading From Our TBRs episode!     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Take It Back by Kia Abdullah – Kia Abdullah books Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – Audie Awards – Neil Gaiman books – Terry Pratchett books – Good Omens (TV) – The House of the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Ann...

Well-Read Episode 132 - Deep Dive into Romance

In honor of Valentine’s Day, learn everything you need to know about the romance genre! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Webinar: Crash Course in Romance Nicholas Sparks books Colleen Hoover books Hello Stranger by Katherine Center Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James Sarah Adams books Mindy Klasky Tropes List Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Hating Game (fil...

Well-Read Episode 131 - 2023 Superlatives

We’re back with our superlatives episode – one of our favorites of the year!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Halle’s Instagram Women’s Prize for Fiction Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry From the Front Porch (podcast) Book of the Month Club Most Timely Ann: Spare by Prince Harry Halle: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Most Disappointing Ann: The Cloisters by Katy Hays and Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi...

Well-Read Episode 130 - Our Favorite Books of 2023

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy Holidays from your friends at Well-Read!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Ann’s picks: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher – Sleeping Beauty Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling – Piranesi by Susanna Clarke How Can I Help You by Laura Sims – Patricia Highsmith books Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabr...

Well-Read Episode 129 - Trends

This week, we’re talking about book trends! Whether you’re deep in romantasy or cozy everything, we’re covering some of the biggest trends in publishing right now.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros The Maid by Nita Prose Anne McCaffrey books Game of Thrones (TV) A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin The Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R Tolkein L...

Well-Read Episode 128 Halloween Books

Depending on which co-host you ask, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween! We have plenty of books for all your spooky reading needs this season. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 11 – Spooky Books for Halloween The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young ALA RUSA CODES Reading List Hocus Pocus (film) Bleeding Hart Yard by Elly Griffiths Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths The Postscript Murd...

Well-Read episode 127 - Books About Books...Again!

It’s time to revisit books about books! We discuss some recent and evergreen favorites. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Ann’s picks: The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths – Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film) The Last Word by Taylor Adams Halle’s picks: The...

Well-Read Episode 127 - Books About Books...Again!

It’s time to revisit books about books! We discuss some recent and evergreen favorites. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Ann’s picks: The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths – Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film) The Last Word by Taylor Adams Halle’s picks: The...

Well-Read Episode 126 - Dark Academia

September puts us in the mood for back-to-school books, but why not add a mysterious twist? We’re talking dark academia titles this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop) Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop) The Likeness by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) The Magicians by Lev Grossman (buy from Bookshop) Dead Poets Society (film) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Joanna Gaines Ann’s picks: The World Ca...

Well-Read Episode 125 - Fall/Winter 2023 Preview

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing September through February! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Reykjavík by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdottír (releases September 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Arnaldur Indriðason books – Parnassus Books – Ann Patchett books – Independent People by Halldór Laxness (buy from Bookshop) Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison (releases September 19) (buy from Bookshop) – Cackle by Rachel Harrison ...

Well-Read Episode 124 - Books We Wish We Could Read Again for the First Time

You know the feeling…you finish a book you adored and instantly wish you could read it again for the first time. These are the books we wish we could experience again, and boy was it hard to pare them down!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) In the Woods by Tana French (buy from ...

Well-Read Episode 123 - Books About Road Trips

Road trips are the perfect summer getaway! But if you can't hit the road right now, these books are full of long drives, snacks, singalongs, hijinks, and adventure. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (buy from Bookshop) Me (Moth) by Amber McBride (buy from Bookshop) - The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature The Farewell Tour by...

Well-Read Episode 122 - Books Like Succession

If you're missing your weekly dose of the Roy family like us, here are some books that we think will help fill the void after the finale of Succession. As always, we'll end with what we're reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Succession (TV) Gossip Girl (TV) Veep (TV) Taylor Swift Eras Tour Ann’s picks: The Heiresses by Sara Shepard (buy from Bookshop) - Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie (buy from Booksho...

Well-Read Episode 121 - Beach Reads

Well-Read Episode 120 - Books We Couldn’t Put Down

It’s one of the best feelings a reader can have: that feeling of finding a book that you just can’t put down. We’re discussing some of our favorites and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (buy from Bookshop) – The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (buy from Bookshop) Monster by Walter Dean Myers (buy from Bookshop) – Michael L. Printz Award f...

Well-Read Episode 119 - Spring & Summer 2023 Book Preview

Well-Read Episode 118: Read-alikes for Taylor Swift songs (with a special guest!)

Halle thought it wasn’t possible to love a Taylor Swift-themed episode any more, until her sister Heather joined in as a special guest! (Ann was there too, as a casual fan.) Listen in for book pairings for some of our favorite T.Swift songs, along with general Swifty gushing and the books we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Taylor Jenkins Reid books Red (Taylor Swift album) Fearless (Taylor Swift album) 1989 (Taylor Swift album) “Blank Space” Reputation...

Well-Read 117 - Reading From Our TBRs

It’s back…..our occasional episode where we pick books for each other from our massive “to be read” shelves! Listen to what we liked – and what we didn’t! – and find out what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Maid by Nita Prose (buy from Bookshop) – Good Morning America Book Club – The Maid (film) – Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (buy from Bookshop) – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) – ...

Well-Read Episode 117 - Reading From Our TBRs

It’s back…..our occasional episode where we pick books for each other from our massive “to be read” shelves! Listen to what we liked – and what we didn’t! – and find out what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Maid by Nita Prose (buy from Bookshop) – Good Morning America Book Club – The Maid (film) – Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (buy from Bookshop) – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) – ...

Well-Read Episode 116 - Collecting and Organizing our Books

Well-Read Episode 115 - Romances for People Who Don’t Read Romance

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we have some ideas for romance novels, even if you’re not a romance reader. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: James Patterson books Elin Hilderbrand books Danielle Steel books Colleen Hoover books David Mitchell books Ann’s picks: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) – Emily Henry books – Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) – ALA RUSA CODES Th...

Well-Read Episode 114 - Resolutions and 2022 Superlatives

Well-Read Episode 113 - Our Favorite Books of 2022

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy New Year from your friends at Well-Read! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings (buy from Bookshop) - N.K. Jemisen books - Marlon James books Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang (buy from Bookshop) Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) The Woman in the Librar...

Well-Read Episode 112 - Holiday Books

The holidays are here! We’ve got some books to get you in the festive spirit, and we’ll share what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Halle’s Instagram Ann’s picks: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James (buy from Bookshop) – Adam Dalgliesh series by P.D. James – Agatha Christie books Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (buy from Bookshop) – “The SantaLand Diaries” by David Sedaris on NPR A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli (buy from Bo...

Well-Read Episode 111 - Defining Confusing Genres

Well-Read Episode 110 - Halloween!

Well-Read Episode 109 - Books about Chronic Illness

This week, we’re responding to a listener request to talk about books with characters who live with chronic illnesses. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (buy at Bookshop) – Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy at Bookshop) – National Book Award – Neal Shusterman books The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle (buy at Bookshop) Let’s Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry (buy at B...

Well-Read Episode 108 - Fall/Winter 2022 Preview

Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks:  The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (releases September 20) (buy from Bookshop) – LibraryReads  Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson (releases September 27) (buy from Bookshop) – Kate Atkinson books  Jackal by Erin E. Adams (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop)  Marmee by Sarah Miller (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop) – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (buy from Bookshop) – Caroline: Little House, Rev...

Well-Read Episode #108 - Fall/Winter 2022 Preview

Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks:  The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (releases September 20) (buy from Bookshop) – LibraryReads  Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson (releases September 27) (buy from Bookshop) – Kate Atkinson books  Jackal by Erin E. Adams (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop)  Marmee by Sarah Miller (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop) – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (buy from Bookshop) – Caroline: Little House, Rev...

Well-Read Episode 107 - Adaptations

Thanks to a listener request (hi Ann!), we’re discussing the difficulty of adapting a well-loved book, and what makes a good transition from page to screen. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Persuasion by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) Persuasion (film) Dickinson (TV) Clueless (film) The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkein Lord of the Rings (films) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (buy from Bookshop) Big Little Lies (T...

Well-Read Episode 106 - Summer Hiatus Recap

We’re finally back! After travel, work, and a wedding (!!!!), we have lots of books to fill you in on. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Bull Durham (film) Eurovision Song Contest RUSA Reading List New York Times Crossword Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) Pride & Prejudice (TV) Hallmark Channel The It Girl by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s Instagram @halle770 Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore (b...

Well-Read Episode 105 - Weddings

Well-Read Episode104 - Bridgerton

Well-Read Episode 104 - Bridgerton

Well-Read Episode 103 - On Re-reading

Well-Read episode #103 - On Re-reading

Well-Read Episode 102 - Immigrant and Refugee Stories

We’re exploring fiction that depicts the immigrant and refugee experience, and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez (buy from Bookshop) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (buy from Bookshop) – Titanic (film) – Ruta Sepetys books The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (buy from Bookshop) – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (buy from Bookshop) – Little Fire...

Well-Read Episode 101- 2022 Spring/Summer Book Preview

Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama by Bob Odenkirk (releases March 1) (buy from Bookshop) – Mr. Show with Bob and David (TV) – David Cross filmography – Saturday Night Live (TV) – Breaking Bad (TV) Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum (releases April 5) (buy from Bookshop) The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas (releases May 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (buy from Bookshop) – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (buy from B...

Well-Read Episode 100 - Ask Us Anything

Well-Read Episode #100 - Ask Us Anything

Well-Read episode 99 - The 2022 Reading List

Well-Read Episode 99 - The 2022 Reading List

After a year of hard work, we’re happy to share the results of the 2022 Reading List! We’ll share the winners and the shortlist, along with our thoughts. As always, we end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Adrenaline Winner Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (buy from Bookshop) Short List Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka (buy from Bookshop) Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian (buy from Bookshop) The Push by Ashley Audrain (buy from Bookshop) Red ...

Well-Read Episode 98: 2021 Superlatives

We're back with one of our favorite Well-Read traditions: book superlatives! Listen in for the books that stood out to us this year. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 87 – 2021 Resolutions and Year in Review Beloved by Toni Morrison (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s Instagram Episode 86 – 2020 Superlatives Most Timely Ann:  The Night Swim by Megan Goldin (buy from Bookshop) and The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris (buy from...

Well-Read Episode 98 - 2021 Superlatives

We're back with one of our favorite Well-Read traditions: book superlatives! Listen in for the books that stood out to us this year. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 87 – 2021 Resolutions and Year in Review Beloved by Toni Morrison (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s Instagram Episode 86 – 2020 Superlatives Most Timely Ann:  The Night Swim by Megan Goldin (buy from Bookshop) and The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris (buy from...

Well-Read Episode #97 - Our Favorite Books of 2021

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy Holidays from your friends at Well-Read! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia (buy from Bookshop) The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod (buy from Bookshop) This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno (buy from Bookshop) Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (buy from Bookshop) A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes (buy from Bookshop) Horseman by ...