Always Booked

We’re sharing 10 books that genuinely changed the way we see the world. Not just favorites, but books that stuck with us long after we finished reading. From nonfiction books like Everything is Tuberculosis to the Hunger Games series, these stories are impactful and important. If you’re looking for books that make you think, that stay with you, or your next meaningful five star recommendation, thi...

Did Two Twisted Crowns stick the landing, or did we just want more vibes from One Dark Window? We’re breaking down the entire Shepherd King duology conclusion, the possession tropes, the magic system, and that romance subplot we didn't know we needed until now. It’s gothic, it’s moody, and we have some THOUGHTS about it all. Come hang out and let us know if you think this duology is worth the...

Reading is supposed to be FUN but for so many readers it’s turned into pressure, performance, and constant comparison. In this episode of the Always Booked Podcast, we’re breaking down the unspoken reading rules we’re officially leaving in 2025 and the *healthier* reading habits we’re taking into 2026. From DNF guilt to book count obsession to algorithm driven TBRs, we talk honestly about how mode...

We’re diving into the viral BookTok sensation Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber on this week's episode of the Always Booked podcast. It’s trending everywhere as a must-read, but do we agree? We’re breaking down the plot, the characters, and exactly why this popular book sparked a massive debate at the table. Is it a masterpiece or a total mess? Whether you loved it or DNF'd it, come h...

Our 2025 Reading Wrapped is finally here and we are breaking down the best books of the year, the worst books of the year, and everything in between in this full reading wrap up episode. From five star reads we could not stop thinking about to the books that fully betrayed us and ended up as one star ratings, nothing is safe. This is our most honest reading recap yet as we rank our top reads of 20...

We’re talking about the romantasy book boyfriends who have absolutely RUINED us. In this episode of Always Booked, we’re breaking down the most well-written romantasy men... the ones with emotional depth, vulnerability, and actual communication skills. Not just “he’s hot and broody,” but:- Men who actively listen- Men who are emotionally available (most of the time 😌)- Men who create safe, soft s...

We ADORED Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window and we're diving deep into why this gothic fantasy stole our hearts. From the haunting magic system to the dynamic between Elspeth and the Nightmare, we're breaking down everything that made this book 5 stars. If you loved the dark atmosphere, morally gray characters, and magic of One Dark Window, this episode is for you.⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: We...

We're ranking EVERY Sarah J Maas book in the entire SJM universe! From Throne of Glass to ACOTAR to Crescent City, we're placing all the books in our tier list: God Tier, Elite, Love, Good, and Just Okay. Watch us debate Tower of Dawn, agree on Kingdom of Ash, and get into heated arguments about House of Flame and Shadow and A Court of Silver Flames. Plus, find out which controversial ranking almo...

November is STACKED with incredible book releases and we're breaking down the 5 we're most excited to get our hands on. From fantasy to literary fiction, these are the books about to take over our lives (and our TBRs).BOOKS MENTIONED:- The Strength of the Few by James Islington- The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan- Hollow by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti- Brimstone by Callie Hart- The...

We’re diving into Crescent City 3: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas! From Bryce’s big choices to Hunt’s pain and all the wild lore reveals, we’re unpacking every twist and theory. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass, or ACOTAR, this one’s for you. Expect laughter, deep lore talk, questionable theories, and a few tears (because Sarah J. Maas never lets us rest).✨ In this episode:-...

Some of these reviews should be illegal. We’re reading the WORST 1-star takes on beloved books and trying not to lose our minds. From Divine Rivals to Kingdom of Ash , the opinions are unhinged and the reactions are real. In this episode of Always Booked , we dive into the world of one-star reviews and the psychology behind them. Why do people rate masterpieces like they’re personal enemies? When...

R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis isn’t just another dark academia fantasy. It’s a descent into the underworld of intellect, guilt, and ambition. Two rival grad students, Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, literally go to Hel to save their mentor, but what they find there says more about academia than it does about demons. Set in 1980s Cambridge, Katabasis turns the university into its own inferno, powered by obse...

Think you know your favorite books? Think again. In this episode of Always Booked, we’re testing our literary knowledge with the most chaotic book summaries ever written. From fantasy favorites to literary classics, we’re turning iconic stories into unhinged descriptions that’ll make you question everything you’ve ever read. In this episode:- Try to guess the book from the world’s most ridiculous...

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas delivers one of the most jaw-dropping endings in fantasy history. In this episode of Always Booked, we dive into every detail of Crescent City 2 — the characters we love, the storylines we can’t get over, and the moments that made us SCREAM. Of course, spoilers ahead!✨ In this episode:- Honest takes on Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn, and the whole Crescent City cast- Fa...

Are you a red flag reader? Let’s be honest… we all have a few. From dog earing pages and buying books we’ll definitely read “someday,” to never finishing that one series everyone loves, we’re calling out the red and green flags of readers everywhere. NO ONE IS SAFE. And yes, we’re guilty of most of them too. 💅📚We’re breaking down the most relatable bookish habits and what they say about you. Whe...

✨ Discover the magic of Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross in this episode of Always Booked! ✨We dive deep into the world of Wild Reverence and explore the characters, themes, and emotional layers that make this novel unforgettable. From its focus on human connection and unspoken bonds to its rich sense of nature and belonging, Rebecca Ross delivers a story that lingers long after the final page. Wh...

Looking for the best fall book recommendations? We’ve got you covered. In this episode of Always Booked, we’re sharing our must read books for fall 2025, including cozy romances, atmospheric fantasies, and annoying fiction. If you’re building your autumn TBR, these fall reads are perfect for curling up with a blanket, sipping something warm, and soaking in the seasonal vibes. DROP your fav fall re...

This week, we’re getting vulnerable about our Crescent City obsession. From the moment we opened House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas had us completely hooked. We’re breaking down exactly what makes this book so addictive, why these characters live rent free in our heads, and how this fantasy world became our comfort read. In this episode:- What hooked us from page one and never let go- Charact...

Friendships in books are everything. They're the bonds that shape characters, move the plot forward, and give us some of the most emotional reading experiences. In this episode of Always Booked, we are talking about the friendships that truly stand out in literature and why they matter so much to readers. From iconic duos to complicated squads, we are breaking down the best bookish friendships and...

We finally read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein and it wrecked us. This heartbreaking World War II historical fiction novel is a beautiful book about friendship, sacrifice, and survival. In this episode, we share our raw reactions, emotional takeaways. Included in this episode:- Code Name Verity summary and spoiler discussion- Why this WWII historical fiction novel stands out- Friendship, betra...

From The Hunger Games to It Ends With Us, we break down some of the biggest book to movie adaptations, the wins, the flops, and everything in between. We talk about poor casting choices, surprising plot changes that actually worked, and the adaptations that completely missed the mark. Whether it is Twilight, The Hunger Games, or the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, we rank our favorite and least...

Welcome to our Kingdom of Ash deep dive part 2 and somehow Sarah J. Maas found new ways to destroy us. This book doesn’t hold back and neither do we. Expect raw reactions, emotional recaps, and plenty of laughter through the tears as we survive the final chapters together. Included in this episode:- The scenes that completely shattered us- Which character arcs healed us vs broke us- Our hottest ta...

We’re diving deep into Kingdom of Ash, Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale to the Throne of Glass series. This episode is packed with big emotions, the moments that broke us (and the ones that healed us), hot takes you might not see coming, and all the reasons this book still lives rent-free in our heads. Whether you sobbed through the last chapters or had strong feelings about certain character arcs, we’...

Tired of the same BookTok recommendations? We’re sharing 8 underrated books you need to read—hidden gems across cozy fantasy, literary fiction, memoir, and twisty slow burns. We’re talking about the books no one’s talking about... but should be. These are the under-the-radar reads that totally wrecked us, surprised us, or just made us fall in love with reading all over again. So if your TBR needs...

Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights has everyone talking but is it actually packed with life-changing wisdom, or is it just another celebrity memoir dressed up as philosophy? In this episode, we're diving DEEP into the hype, the controversy, and the life lessons that have BookTok divided. Is McConaughey a genius, or is this book totally overrated? Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:- The “greenl...