Read the Book First

Welcome to the first Mid-Year Check-In with Jenessa! In this episode, Jenessa talks about what books she's read in the first half of 2026, answers some questions from listeners, and gives some updates on the podcast.  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,...

Marissa and Jenessa discuss the whimsical, early 00's fantasy, almost juke-box musical, Ella Enchanted .  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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only -...

Today's episode is all about one of Jenessa's favorite childhood books,  Ella Enchanted ! Listen along as Jenessa and Marissa discuss middle grade literature, ogres, diaries, and magic! 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...

Marissa and Jenessa discuss the origins of the classic fairytale, Cinderella , as well as the many movie and book adaptations that have been made throughout the years. What version of Cinderella is your favorite? Content Warning - (via discussion of the Brothers Grimm fairytale) bodily harm, death, murder, abuse Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzs...

This week we discuss the Oscar winning short film, Hair Love , and the picture book that came shortly after. Make sure you watch the short film and listen along! Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! We Review Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder We Watched Nightbitch We Review How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan We Watched How Stella Got Her Groove...

Join Jenessa and her two favorite bird nerds, Marissa and Delaney, as they discuss the 2025 Hallmark adaptation,  Adventures in Love and Birding .  Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company ! 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 subsc...

It's the bird nerd special! We have not one, but TWO returning guests! Marissa and Delaney join us to discuss  Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb ! Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company ! 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...

Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of  The Sea of Monster  episodes with an episode all about  Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 . 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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy readi...

Ahoy! Join Jenessa and Amanda as they dive into the 2013 adaptation, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters . Make sure to check out the Patreon exclusive video where Jenessa and Amanda discover their godly parent! 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,...

Jenessa and Amanda return to the world of Percy Jackson. We reread  The Sea of Monsters  by Rick Riordan and had a blast! Listen to hear our full thoughts on one of our childhood favorite books! 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...

Marissa joins us to discuss the 2026 film  People We Meet On Vacation . Can men and women be "just friends"? Is this the beginning of the romcom-aissance? Listen to find out! 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 Inst...

Romance is so back!  Marissa joins the pod to discuss People We Meet on Vacation  by Emily Henry.  Which Emily Henry book is your favorite?! 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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy readi...

Spencer and Jenessa discuss the ups, downs, and "what in the world" of Emerald Fennell's 2026 adaptation, "Wuthering Heights" . content warnings: death, sexual content, explicit language 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 s...

Dive into this Victorian gothic novel with Jenessa and returning guest, Spencer ! This was Jenessa's first time reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and WOW was it an enthralling read! Next week we'll be discussing the 2026 Emerald Fennel adaptation. content warning: abuse, death, trauma, supernatural, gothic themes Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at rea...

We've been obsessed with Heated Rivalry since November 2025 and we are so excited to discuss all six episodes of Season 1 with Jenn ! This episode is a long one. Check out the chapter markers for specific time stamps of when we discuss each of the 6 episodes.  Episode 1 - 00:02.28 - 00:34.11 Episode 2 - 00:34.12 - 00:55.57 Episode 3 - 00:55.58 - 01:24.27 Episode 4 - 01:24.28 - 01:39.57 Episod...

Welcome back to Read the Book First ! For our Season 5 premier, we're talking all things Game Changer and Heated Rivalry ! These books by Rachel Reid have taken over the internet and our brains. Jenn, from @lit.with.jenn , returns to help us break down these two best-selling hockey romances! Next week we'll discuss Season 1 of Heated Rivalry . Our schedule of upcoming episodes can be fou...

Welcome to the Season 4 finale! Amanda joins us to break down  Wicked: For Good . Thank you all for listening in this season. We're already planning Season 5! Keep an eye out for that in Spring 2026. Make sure to follow us on Instagram to get all the updates and to give your input on what books we read and which adaptations we watch! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be playe...

Surprise! A bonus episode! Jenessa and Amanda discuss the second act of Broadway's Wicked  and their hopes and worries about  Wicked: For Good . Make sure to check out Jenessa and Amanda's ranking of the Wicked soundtrack on our Patreon! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don&apo...

Stephanie returns to join us as we watch and review New Moon . Make sure to check out our Patreon in order to find out how I "stumped Stephanie with a truck" in the guess the character game we played. content warnings: depression, suicidal ideation, werewolves, vampires, blood, death, self harm Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.co...

Stephanie returns to help us continue reading and reviewing the Twilight Saga , with this discussion of New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. Make sure you check out last year's episode discussing Twilight ! blog post mentioned in the episode - https://stepheniemeyer.com/the-books/new-moon/new-moon-the-story/  content warnings: vampirism, death, self-harm, suicide, abandonment, emotional abuse, depres...

Join Marissa and Jenessa as they discuss and compare the 1975 and 2004 adaptations of  The Stepford Wives . Which movie is the more accurate adaptation?  Check out the Patreon exclusive episode where Marissa and Jenessa play "F Marry K*ll"! content warnings - brain washing, robots, misogyny, kidnapping, death  Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfir...

Marissa joins us to discuss the 1972 sci-fi, horror novella, The Stepford Wives . Is this a satire? Is this still relevant over 50 years later? Listen to find out! content warnings: brain washing, lack of consent, kidnapping, domestic violence 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...

Spencer returns to help Jenessa analyze the 1995 film adaptation, Sense and Sensibility .  Is this the best Austen adaptation? Is Emma Thompson the greatest actress of all time? You can follow Spencer on her bookstagram, @septemberance . 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...

It's time to dive into the podcast's first Jane Austen novel! Jenessa and Spencer discuss what is "sense" and "sensibility", the f-boy-ness of a certain love interest, and whether or not this book is a love story. 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...

Amanda and Jenessa watch the 2007 film adaptation,  Bridge to Terabithia . Make sure to check out our Patreon to watch more Jenessa and Amanda shenanigans.  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 @readthebookfirstpodca...