The Readirect Podcast

If you or someone you know claims they "don't like romance," do we have the episode for you!!! This is our full-throated defense of the genre, plus where to start if you're looking to give romance a try.  Links:   If you're new to romance... Emily Henry (author) Cara Bastone (author) If you like mystery/thrillers... The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen You Can Run by Rebecca...

Here's what's in store for today's short & sweet book talk episode:  Mid-year reading goals check-in (and how we're both woefully behind)  Recent reads (including Abigail's NEW favorite read for this year)  The Beach Read still posted to Instagram and its accompanying ChatGPT-sounding caption  Love Hypothesis good vibes and release date Books we're looking forward...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Readirect Podcast—happy Pride!!! 🏳️‍🌈 To celebrate Pride Month, we are back with our second annual Pride Book Draft! This highly competitive episode pits Emily against Abigail as we each draft our team of books by LGBTQIA+ authors and/or featuring queer characters.  Abigail’s Picks:  Conversion Therapy Dropout by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez  Take a...

We take famous and not-so-famous book couples and fast-forward their relationships to 2026 to answer the question: Where are they now?  Divorced, still together but deeply resentful, or madly in love until their dying breath? We know the answer!  Couples:  Bella and Edward from the Twilight Saga  Scarlett Vandermeer and Lucas Blomqvist from Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Eric and Kyle from Common Goal...

Today we're deep-diving Noah Kahan's new album, The Great Divide, and discussing the books we'd pair with some of his songs.  Mentioned Books:  Heated Rivalry & The Long Game The Everlasting Happy Place Beartown The Dutch House (and Ann Patchett books in general) Love and Other Words No Matter What East of Eden Malibu Rising Recent Reads Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian You Should...

We're summoning summer reading energy to get us out of reading slumps and to balance our sorrow at the Beach Read casting news.  Links:  TikTok creator mentioned @vivafalastinleen Margo's Got Money Troubles Official Trailer don't look much like a lover (doesn't mean that i won't try) by barkatthemoon - wolfstar beach read-ish au Paladin's Grace The Everlasting Recent...

CONTENT WARNING:  In this episode, we discuss themes from David's book, which include sexual abuse, parental abuse, suicidal ideation, and homophobia. Please take care when listening!  We are joined by special guest Jubilee Dawn for today's book club, focusing on David Archuleta's memoir, Devout .  About Jubilee: You can find Jubilee on YouTube , Instagram , and TikTok @jubileedawns...

Today we're talking about the Project Hail Mary movie adaptation! Plus: Bridgerton season 5 announcement & All the Young Dudes being published (gross!!!) 

For today's episode, we're crawling deep into the trenches of our youth group past and revisiting the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn. Let's discuss why we hate Todd, love/hate Bob and Marti, and question all of Christy's decisions.  Recent Reads: The Complete Maus No Matter What

Join us for a very special book talk episode starting off with BIG NEWS!!!  Links:  Readirect Podcast WEBSITE!!! SHOP MERCH!!!!!! Recent Reads:  Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Ready or Not by Cara Bastone I Think They Love You by Julian Winters Old Dogs Fest on AO3 The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa The Sweet Spot by Amy Poppel Fun Home by Alison Bec...

Dearest Gentle Reader,  For this episode, we are deep-diving Julia Quinn's An Offer From a Gentleman , as well as Bridgerton Season 4 (part one). We have been THOROUGHLY charmed by Benedict and Sophie, and had just the best time discussing their season, the changes from the book, and our excitement for part 2.  Recent Reads:  Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee One Day in December by Josie Silver Crash...

Heavy content warning for this episode, please listen with care! While we do not go into gratuitous detail in our recap, this book does contain references to many serious subjects. Proceed with caution & definitely don't listen to this episode around children!  Today we're revisiting Redeeming Love and...we did not like what we read!  Skip to the recent reads: To hear our letters to...

We're going to be honest, we were  not  fans of Netflix's People We Meet on Vacation adaptation. This was not helped by us loving  the book! But we're here to deep dive the movie and share all of our thoughts.  Just a fair warning if you loved the movie, this episode may not be for you.  Plus:  New Game Changers book, Unrivaled !  Wuthering Heights trailer reactions Recent Reads: Th...

We're dropping in with a mini-episode to catch up before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Hear more about our recent reads, our 2026 book goals, and our thoughts on upcoming book adaptations. See you next week to our return to regular episodes with our recap of People We Meet on Vacation! 

We're back for one last deep dive of episode six of Heated Rivalry, aka the FINALE!!!! How did we get here so soon???  It's been an absolute blast recapping these with you. If you've enjoyed our show, consider following us into the new year. We'll be back every other Tuesday with more book goodness.  We're also on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. Emily is everyw...

Here is our recap of episode 5. In exchange for editing this insane episode down to something consumable, please leave us a 5-star review, follow us on IG and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast, and tell a friend to tell a friend to listen.  We love you, we love Hollanov, we'll see you next week!!!!

All the things she said, all the things she said, running through my head, running through my head!!!! We're back with a DEEP-DIVE of episode 4, and WOW! Did we have a lot to talk about!  Join us to unpack the whole episode: ginger ale, tuna melt, hockey, montages, and that f***ing club scene. This whole episode was catharsis for us all.  We'll be back with our recap of episode 5 & m...

We recap Episode 3 of Heated Rivalry!  You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11.

It's not quite the end of 2025, but we're checking in for our annual year-in-review episode.  We celebrate a breakout year of reading and real talk: how to hit big number goals, diversify authors with intention, and find joy reading. We share five-star favorites, surprising hits, and a few fears about the 2026 release drought (let's not talk about how no new books are coming from Al...

We're popping in with a check-in chat quickly discussing our initial thoughts on episodes one and two of Heated Rivalry!   This long-awaited adaptation is finally here. If you were sick of us (Emily, mostly, let's be honest) before, it's only going to get worse from here!  In this brief bonus episode, we're talking our expectations, viewing experiences, initial reactions, and e...

Want to gift a book this holiday season, but not sure where to start? Tune in to today's episode for a thoughtful, curated holiday gift guide. Plus the Goodreads Book Awards, recent reads, and more. 

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Twilight's release AND to commemorate our origins as a podcast, today's episode is all about Twilight! Hear our experiences attending screenings in the theater and our updated thoughts now that we are fully formed adults and not Edward-obsessed tweens. Plus Emily's 14-year-old self's unedited thoughts on the Breaking Dawn of it all.  Read: Wh...

We're back with another series of book recommendations as submitted by our listeners!  PLUS: Breaking news from Abigail, recent reads, Mate reactions, the Louvre heist (???) and more chaos!  BOOK REC LINKS:  Heated Rivalry  The Long Game  COZY MYSTERIES:  Wrong Place Wrong Time Famous Last Words Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone You Can Run Station Eleven , The Glass Hotel , and Sea of...

We're back for a chill book talk episode where Emily is definitely not going insane about Heated Rivalry for the 40th time this year.   We catch up after travel, compare notes on The Thursday Murder Club film, and share a stack of recent reads.  Here for the links?  Request Heated Rivalry on your favorite streaming services. DO IT FOR EMILY IF NOTHING ELSE!!!!  NETFLIX – https://help.netflix....

Join us for a discussion on Jen Hatmaker's newest book, Awake . Unlike our other book club episodes, this is less deep dive and more vibes based discussion. That's because we enthusiastically recommend reading this book for yourself and then coming back to join us for our discussion.  You're more than welcome to use this as a TLDR, and trust we are spilling the tea, but it is also i...