Read the Book First

Delaney joins us to dive into the 2016 film directed by Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children .  This film is known to be controversial to the book fans. Listen to find out our opinions! Delaney and I filmed a minisode where I had Delaney decide if certain birds were "peculiar" or not". You can watch that video exclusively on our Patreon, patreon.com/ReadtheBo...

We started a Patreon! Patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst "Why did you start a Patreon?" you may be asking. Well, it's a one woman show over here. Just me, myself, and I. In order to continue the podcast, dedicating time to read, record, edit, and market the podcast, I need some financial help. Instead of trying to chase the algorithm to monetize my podcast, I've decided to go straigh...

Welcome to Season 4 of Read the Book First ! We are so excited for this season's episodes! Delaney returns to help us dive into Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. We talked about birds, time travel, and the spooky pictures featured throughout the book. We now have a Patreon ! If you like the podcast and want to support us directly, please consider becoming a pat...

It's our Season 3 finale! Join Amanda and Jenessa as they discuss the Oscar nominated film,  The Wild Robot . Season 4 is in the works and will begin later this Spring. Thank you to every one who listened to Season 3. I love talking about books and the fact I have even one listener brings me such joy!  Join our Discord for more bookish banter and to have a say in future episodes! Send us Fan...

It's our last book episode of Season 3! Amanda joins us to discuss  The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. This chapter book was one of my favorite books I read in 2024. It's joyful, heartwarming, and challenging. Listen along to hear all our thoughts! Peter Brown's blogpost referenced in the episode - https://www.peterbrownstudio.com/the-wild-robot/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show All ep...

Kara joins us to watch and review the 2013 zomcom,  Warm Bodies .  Is this Hollywood's zombie answer to the end of the  Twilight craze? Is this a substantial  Romeo and Juliet retelling? Does the movie convince us to fall in love with zombie Nicholas Hoult? Listen and find out! content warnings: zombies, blood, cannibalism, vomit, weapons, war, death Send us Fan Mail Support the show All epis...

This week we dive into the zombified world of  Warm Bodies  by Isaac Marion. Is this a zombie love story? How similar to  Romeo and Juliet is it? Is this book really about zombies or hope? Listen to find out! content warnings: zombies, blood, cannibalism, vomit, weapons, war, death Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at p...

Isaac returns to help us discuss the tv show adaptation, Redwall . We revisit a nostalgic favorite of ours and cross our fingers that it holds up! Listen to find out our thoughts. You can watch the Redwall show here . Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate...

Isaac joins us on the podcast to revisit a childhood favorite, Redwall by Brian Jacques.  Is this the perfect cozy fantasy? Maybe... Listen to hear our full thoughts! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebook...

Bonjour! Join us as we visit Paris through the beautiful illustrations of Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans and the 1998 film adaptation starring Frances McDormand. What about this children's book makes it a beloved favorite? Check out Delaney and the "Bird of the Week" at Out to Sea Expedition! the 1955 animated  Madeline   Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at...

Alyssa joins us again to discuss Nightbitch , the 2025 film staring Amy Adams. Make sure to check out Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers! Click here for her Spotify Click here for her YouTube Click here for her Instagram episode content warnings: mentions blood, animal violence, drug use, and animal death Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.bu...

Alyssa from Stories and Spoilers Podcast joins Jenessa to discuss Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. Is this book an accurate depiction of motherhood? Is the mother ~actually~ a dog? Make sure to check out Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers! Click here for her Spotify Click here for her YouTube Click here for her Instagram To read the interview with Rachel Yoder that Jenessa mentioned in the ep...

It's our first Christmas special! Isaac and Jenessa sat down to discuss Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning picture book, The Polar Express . Jenessa also convinced Isaac to watch the 2004 adaptation starring Tom Hanks. Is the Polar Express a Christmas classic or just creepy?  We hope you and your family have a safe, peaceful holiday season. See you in 2025! Send us Fan Mail Support the s...

Amanda joins Jenessa in analyzing what makes Wicked different from other movie musicals. In this episode, we break apart Act One of the Wicked stage production and compare it to the 2024 film adaptation. Wicked Broadway Stage Production - 00:01.55 Wicked Part One 2024 film - 01:03.00 Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at...

Amanda joins us in analyzing Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. This novel has been turned into a hit Broadway play and recently a movie-musical (both will be discussed in an episode next week).  What did Maguire add to the rich world of Baum's Oz? How does Elphaba develop from a misunderstood girl to a wicked witch? Who truly decides your fate? con...

Sam joins us to discuss L. Frank Baum's children's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , and the 1939 film adaptation, The Wizard of Oz . Did Baum write the seminal American folktale? Is The Wizard of Oz the best movie in American cinema? Listen to the episode to find out! The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book discussion - 0:02.00 The Wizard of Oz film discussion - 0:42.50 final thoughts on bo...

Marissa and Jenessa discuss the first season of the critically acclaimed HBO show, True Blood . What made this show so successful? Why is it so much better than the book?  content warnings: descriptions of blood, vampirism, drug addiction, alcoholism, assault, SA, and similar topics Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at...

Marissa is back to help us figure out why we hated reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, yet we couldn't put the book down! Join us as we review the book that inspired the HBO series, True Blood . content warning: descriptions of blood, abuse, SA, and racism.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com...

Stephanie returns to help us figure out why people still love the 2008 film, Twilight . What about Twilight draws people to it year after year? If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on this google form . It'll help us create the best listening experience and help us decide the future of the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be p...

Vampire month continues with a deep dive into Twilight by Stephanie Meyer . Why were teenagers so obsessed with Twilight ? Does Twilight live up to our nostalgia? Listen to find out! If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on this google form . It'll help us create the best listening experience and help us decide the future of the podcast. Send us Fan Mail...

Welcome to the Dracula Film Festival ! Amanda and I watched four Dracula adaptations to determine which one will reign supreme! content warnings: descriptions of blood, vampirism, assault, SA, suicide, and other abuse associated with Dracula Nosferatui (1933) - 00:02.55 Horrors of Dracula (1958) - 00:23.07 Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) - 00:48.43 Renfield (2023) - 01:21.59 Dracula (1931) - 01:...

It's officially autumn so grab a copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker and get into the spooky mood! In this episode, Amanda and I figure out what makes this gothic novel so beloved. How has Dracula become ubiquitous with the modern idea of vampires? content warning: descriptions of blood, death, assault, and other vampire-related themes Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played a...

Chandler returns to help us figure out just where the Uglies movie went wrong. How bad is this adaptation? Or is it a good adaptation? If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on this google form . It'll help us create the best listening experience and help us decide the future of the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at...

Our first episode of Season 3 follows the adventure of Scott Westerfeld's YA dystopia, Uglies . In this world, when you turn 16 you get an operation to become "pretty". Tally has wanted to be a "pretty" her whole life, but when she befriends  the rebellious Shay, Tally discovers her society may not be all it seems. Listen along as Chandler and Jenessa figure out how farfet...

Read the Book First is back with Season 3! We are so excited for this season of the podcast! The first episode of Season 3 releases on September 9th! If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on this google form . It'll help us create the best listening experience as well as help us decide the future of the podcast. Remember to follow us on Instagram @readth...