The Readirect Podcast

We're here to deep dive and debunk the allure of Nicholas Sparks. What were beloved books to us at one point in our lives, are now bizarre, hilarious, and at times, genuinely disturbing. First, some... concerning allegations about Nicholas Sparks , with receipts. If it's not clear by the content of this episode, we strongly disavow any homophobia, racism, or other discriminatory practice...

Get ready to expand your fall reading list with our carefully selected book recommendations. Grab your favorite fall beverage and settle in for an episode packed with books that have rich storytelling, emotional depth, and the perfect vibes for autumn. Happy reading! Emily's Fall Picks:  Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody Blake Crouch's entire catalog (specifically Dark Matter , Recursion , or Up...

Travis, we gotta talk about it. Eternal disclaimer that we do not support JK Rowling in any way, and encourage partaking in only fanfiction and avoiding her altogether. ANYWAYS! When we tell you to, you can skip to 51:56 to miss all Marauders talk. Abigail has FINALLY read All the Young Dudes by the legendary MsKingBean89, and WE GOTTA TALK ABOUT IT. This is now a Wolfstar podcast, we will not be...

In today’s episode, we’re doing a deep dive into one of our FAVORITE playthings from childhood—American Girl Dolls and their accompanying books. Joined by very special guest and leading American Girl expert Emma Wright, we’re revisiting the stories that shaped our childhood. Today, we’re revisiting Kit and Addy’s stories, plus a brief mention of Dolls of Our Lives, another book.  For more about th...

Did you know that Stephanie Meyer wrote a gender-swapped Twilight book for the 10-year anniversary of Twilight? Are you looking for your next summer read that will start to make you question what you ever saw in this godforsaken book series in the first place?? Look no further babes, it's Life and Death, Twilight Reimagined! When we say there is fanfiction better than most books, this is the...

We are back with our third (AND FINAL) installment in our Harry Potter Deep Dive. Did we intend for this to be a full and lengthy three parts? Clearly not. However, it was fun, unhinged, and chaotic in the best ways. Listen to this deep dive where we're covering books five, six, and seven. Emily tries to be normal about Sirius and Remus, and chicken-wing Voldemort makes a long-awaited reappea...

In the second installment of our Harry Potter deep dive, we're covering Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. Did we assure you we could wrap this series up in two parts? Yes. Did we fail miserably? Also yes. As a reminder, we're raising money for the Trevor Project as long as this series continues. Donate at this link to enter for a chance to win the rights to pick a book for us to di...

Major Disclaimer: This podcast and its hosts do not in any way, shape, or form endorse or support or agree with JKR and her awful, transphobic viewpoints. We encourage you to avoid supporting her financially or in any other way. All June, we are raising funds for The Trevor Project in honor of Pride Month. Consider donating at this link! For part one of this deep dive, we're discussing backgr...

For today's episode, we're sharing our summer reading bucket lists, filled with exciting new releases like "The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley, envisioning perfect reading spots from beachside getaways to cozy backyard hammocks. With plans for a season filled with adventure, relaxation, and great books, we capture the whimsical spirit of summer through our cherished memories a...

For today's episode, we read Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn and watched part one of Bridgerton Season 3. We're comparing the book to the tv show, and discussing our  many  feelings about Collin and Penelope. Plus, recent reads All The Young Dudes by MsKingBean89 and How to Fall Out of Love Madly by Jana Casale . Follow us on IG at @readirectpodcast .

Today we're convening our Book Club for a deep discussion on Emily Henry's newest release, Funny Story ! Join us for a discussion of the key plot points, the characters, and find out where we rank this book in the Emily Henry universe. You will feel like you're chatting with your friends about this book, so join in on the conversation with today's episode! Plus, Emily's re...

Join us today for a little wine and cheese pairing, if you will. That's right, we're picking out some of our favorite books and pairing them up with the perfect companion Taylor Swift song and lyrics. Books Mentioned:  Circe by Madeline Miller The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Al...

For today's episode, we are swapping reads that challenge our literary comfort zones. Emily chose One Day by David Nicholls for Abigail to read, and Abigail selected Heartsopper, vol. 1 by Alice Oseman for Emily to read. We're sharing our thoughts, FEELINGS, expectations, and recommendations after reading each other's chosen books.  In addition, we're recommending recent reads...

Today, we're inviting you along for an intimate book club discussion that's all about our recent book goals.  We're talking about the following books... Bride by Ali Hazelwood The Wallflower Series Chain-Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah And exciting upcoming relesaes... The Guncle Abroad The Paradise Problem  One of Us Knows Funny Story by Emily Henry  (Join us for book cl...

Today, we're revisiting a childhood favorite, " The Boxcar Children " by Gertrude Chandler Warner.  Diving into the historical context surrounding the tale's publication, we discuss the stark differences between the 1924 original and the 1942 revision, revealing how time can color a story's message. Take the Personality Quiz ! Explore the Boxcar Children Cookbook (someone...

Crack open the pages of controversy with us as we venture through the tangled web of banned and challenged books.  Today, we're drafting our team of banned books, each picking three books we love that are frequently banned or challenged. Join us and discover how these books are more than just stories; they're crucial conversations on racism, marginalized communities, and the raw truths o...

Join us as we sit down with debut-author Jason Kirk, whose novel " Hell is a World Without You " paints a visceral portrait of life growing up in the grip of Southern evangelical culture. Whether or not your story follows a similar path to main-character Isaac's, we think you'll find something to relate to in this novel. Join us as we sit down for an interview with the author!...

Ever find yourself in a literary rut, wondering what book to pick up next? Fear not, we are here with a treasure trove of curated reads that promise to ignite your passion for books.  We asked our listeners to share their recent favorite and least favorite reads, and created a list of personalized recommendations for them!  Here's a list of our recommendations: Anything by Lucy Foley  ( The P...

It's a jam-packed Book Talk episode today, as we have A LOT to discuss. First, we're talking Manacled , the Dramione story that rivals the original Harry Potter series. Emily may have gone on a deep dive into more Draco/Hermione pairings, and is also recommending Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love . To avoid Manacled spoilers, skip to 18:20. Then we're talking r...

We're back from holiday break with a fresh episode where we recap our recent reads and look forward to 2024.  Books Mentioned I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam Heartstopper (series) by Alice Oseman Joseph Smith and the Mormans by Noah Van Sciver Manacled (fanfiction) by senlinyu Plus, a Sam Claflin Count of Mont...

We're on a holiday break, but we're re-releasing one of our favorite bonus episodes, all about Judy Blume's cherished novel, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."  Having both missed out on this gem in our tween years, we unpack the novel's continued relevance. This deep dive sheds light on the book's educational value in navigating the roaring tides of pu...

Ready for a literary adventure? Buckle up as we, your hosts Abigail Hewins and Emily Rojas, invite you to remanence about 2023's year of books, featuring our dear friend and book-lover, Hannah (@dollhousebooks on IG!).  A soon-to-be librarian and an active bookstagrammer, Hannah adds an enriching perspective to our animated discussion on our top reads, reading experiences, and the books we ar...

We're back today for another Book Talk episode to discuss all things book-related we've been meaning to talk about! Mostly, this is a deep dive into our initial reactions of Iron Flame, sequel to Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. We're talking about the book's plot, THAT SHOCKING ENDING, and our theories for future installments. Spoiler alert!! Plus, we're discussing our thou...

Join us for a very exciting interview with NYT bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout! Jennifer is the author of the renowned 'Blood and Ash' series, and she's here today to discuss her newest release, A Fire in the Flesh , book #3 in the prequel 'Flesh and Fire' series. We're discussing world-building, writing a prequel series while simultaneously writing the ori...

For today's episode we're deep-diving the newest celeb memoir release - The Woman in Me by Britney Spears. Join us as we discuss the things you've already read from the headlines about this book, and the parts that haven't made as big of a splash. We surprisingly really loved this book, and found it heartbreaking, devastating and insightful. Read Britney's memoir, or just...