Reading Materials

In this episode we dive into Josie Silver’s  Slow Burn Summer . We share our honest reactions to the novel, from the lack of real chemistry between the main love interests to some of the over-the-top moments that pulled us out of the story. We also reflect on the challenge of giving critical reviews, especially when we’ve had the chance to speak directly with the author. Episode Timepoints: 00:00...

In this week's episode, we chat with bestselling author Josie Silver about her latest novel,  Slow Burn Summer , released on July 17th. Josie opens up about the experience of writing under pseudonyms, how fleeting real-life moments can spark entire stories, and what’s next on her horizon—including a delightful shift into cosy paranormal romance.

In this episode, we unpack  The Other Wife   - the sharp, intimate debut by Jackie Thomas-Kennedy (published July 17th, 2025). Join us for a conversation about unlikeable characters, its ambiguous title and cover, and how it made us reflect on our own lives in unexpected ways. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - Life Updates 03:00 - A Brief Introduction to Jackie Thomas-Kennedy 05:35 - Spoil...

In this week's episode, we sit down with author Jackie Thomas-Kennedy, whose debut novel  The Other Wife  hits shelves on July 15th. Jackie shares the journey of transforming short stories into a full-length novel, the intricacies of crafting character-driven narratives, and how she explores the texture of time in her writing. We dive into how reading books at the start of her writing sessions fue...

In this episode, we dig into  The Enchanted Greenhouse  by Sarah Beth Durst — where the plants have opinions, the family reunions come with emotional baggage, and the magic is as warm as a fresh-baked honey cake. Join us as we talk about sentient flora, hark back to our love of The Spellshop, and why the greenhouses were more confusing than magical. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Life U...

In this week's bonus episode we are so excited to be talking to New York Times Bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst, whose newest novel The Enchanted Greenhouse will be published on July 15th, 2025. Join us as we talk finding joy, sentient plants, writing for different age groups and ... bunnies? Thank you to Pan MacMillan for sending us an advanced reader copy of The Enchanted Greenhouse, and than...

In this episode, we sink our teeth into  Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil  by V. E. Schwab. From the haunting pull of vampire lore to the raw portrayal of anxiety and mental health, we explore how Schwab reshapes the gothic tradition. We ask: How would this story shift if its characters were older? What role does the setting play in how we perceive the vampires? Join us as we unearth the buried...

This week, we’re diving into  Favourite Daughter  by Morgan Dick—a novel that had us flipping pages and raising eyebrows. Join Corrie and Lucia as we unpack complicated mother-daughter dynamics, messy characters that felt  a little too real, and the hazy line between bad choices and full-on disaster. From addiction to manipulation, this one gave us a lot to talk about—and even more to side-eye. Th...

In this week's bonus episode we are joined by author Morgan Dick, whose debut novel Favourite Daughter was published on May 1st, 2025. Join us as we talk inspiration, writer's block, Morgan's advice to authors just starting and where she finds her next read. Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending us an advanced reader copy of Favourite Daughter , and thank you so much to Morgan for being ou...

In this bonus episode, Corrie and Lucia dive into Emily Henry’s latest release,  Great Big Beautiful Life . From the perks of getting an ARC to the emotional weight of the final chapters, we unpack what worked (the characters), what felt familiar, and why we were left with some very mixed feelings. Thank you to Viking and Penguin Random House for sending us advanced reader copies of this book! Epi...

In this season finale of the  Reading Materials Podcast , we wrap up our full Sarah J. Maas era by looking back at  Throne of Glass ,  A Court of Thorns and Roses , and  Crescent City . We crown our favorite female and male main characters, debate our ultimate villain, and rank the couples who absolutely wrecked us. From the most epic, scream-worthy moments to the emotional scenes that left us sta...

In this episode of the  Reading Materials Podcast , we finish our journey through  Kingdom of Ash  by Sarah J. Maas and unpack the choices that define the series’ endgame. We talk about how Aelin isn’t the one to vanquish the big bad, share our very real feelings about the Thirteen’s devastating sacrifice, and debate whether this epic deserved an epilogue. From triumph to heartbreak, we break down...

In this episode of the Reading Materials, we dive into Part 1 of Kingdom of Ash  and unpack the first 67 chapters of Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale. We talk through the most badass moments, share our favorite character pairings as alliances start to shift, and explore what has us most excited (and nervous) for the second half of the book. From survival and strategy to sparks of hope in the darkest pl...

In this episode of the  Reading Materials Podcast , we journey to the Southern Continent with  Tower of Dawn  and dive deep into the revelations and relationships that redefine the series. We unpack the bombshell twist that Maeve is Valg, we vent our continuing frustration with Chaol as his healing arc tests everyone’s patience, and we talk through why Yrene’s choices left us more disappointed tha...

Maria is back this week as co-host to continue diving into the Throne of Glass series with Lucia. This week, we are tackling the gut-wrenching Empire of Storms . Join us for our thoughts on Aelin’s epic trust issues, that long-awaited “we’re mates” moment with Rowan, and the sizzling slow burn between Dorian and Manon. Plus—Elena, the gods, and that cursed lock that ruined  everything . Episode Ti...

Lucia and Maria are half-way through their re-read of the  Throne of Glass  series by Sarah J. Maas. In this week's episode, Aelin has accepted her destiny as the rightful Queen of Terrasen and returns to Rifthold to enact revenge upon Arobynn... Join us for our discussion of  Queen of Shadows  and hear our thoughts on Aelin’s masterminding, Lysandra’s powers, Aedion’s comedic relief, Rowan’s mixe...

Lucia and Maria are half-way through their re-read of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. In this week's episode, we leave Rifthold behind as Celaena travels to Wendlyn, confronts her past and ultimately decides her future... Join us for our thoughts on Celaena's magical training, Rowan's grouchiness, Dorian's new relationship, Chaol's changing allegiances, rebellious generals and wing le...

Lucia and Maria have embarked upon a re-read of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. In this week's episode, the plot thickens in Crown of Midnight, as Celaena is now the King's champion and must decide where her loyalties lie... Join us for our thoughts on Celaena's morality, Dorian's powers, Nehemia's betrayal, Chaol's loyalty and more! Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Spoiler W...

Lucia and Maria continue their re-read of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. After the harrowing events of the previous book, Celaena is called to the castle to take part in a deadly competition where the prize is her freedom. Join us this week for our thoughts on crown princes, the captain of the guard, love triangles, secret plots and more! Episode timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Spo...

We raved about  A Court of Thorns and Roses , then raged about  Crescent City  … it was perhaps inevitable that we would round-off our deep dive into Sarah J. Maas’s works by discussing the  Throne of Glass  series. Maria returns once again as co-host for this season and she has a lot to say! Join us for our thoughts on young assassins, first loves, pirates, betrayals and more! Episode Timepoints:...

2024 went by in a blur of babies and books - a combined 35 books, in fact. In this bonus episode we reflect on our reading journeys in 2024 and look ahead at what 2025 has in store. Join us to hear about our favourite books, favourite podcast moments and more! Disclaimer: Both hosts' babies decided to wake up during the recording of this episode, so there are baby noises throughout. We hope this d...

We are super excited to present our third author interview - thank you so much to Emily Rath for being our guest again! Emily Rath is an author of fantasy and romance. Her works include the Amazon international bestselling Jacksonville Rays Hockey series , the Second Sons Regency romance series and North Is The Night . Join us as we catch up with Emily and ask her about book covers, writing male c...

After almost a year of recording, Lucia and Jess finally finish their deep-dive into Crescent City 3, a.k.a. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas. This week they discuss chapters 81 through to 102. Join us for our thoughts on powering up, black holes, mother figures and betrayals. Disclaimer: We had some technical issues during the recording of this episode and as such, some of the audio is...

Lucia and Jess continue their deep dive into Crescent City 3, a.k.a. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas. This week they discuss chapters 61 through to 80. Join us for our thoughts on Bryce as queen, Ithan being the definition of falling upwards, and the lack of redemption arcs. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Spoiler Warning 01:00 - The Story So Far 01:40 - Our Discussion of Chap...

Lucia and Jess continue their deep dive into Crescent City 3, a.k.a. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas. This week they discuss chapters 41 through to 60. Join us for our thoughts on necromancy, relationship developments and characters not acting like themselves. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Spoiler Warning 01:15 - The Story So Far 02:25 - Our Discussion of chapters 41-60 of H...