To Be Read

What does it mean when a book makes you feel truly seen? In this special collaboration episode, To Be Read is joined by Adam Harper from Queerly Overthinking for a thoughtful conversation about representation in books, queer stories, diverse reading, and the power of finding yourself on the page. We talk about the books that made us feel less alone, why representation in literature matters, and ho...

Trying a new genre can feel overwhelming, so we’re making it easy. In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite gateway books for readers who want to branch out into fantasy, romantasy, sci-fi, romance, literary fiction, historical fiction, horror, thrillers, classics, and YA. These aren’t necessarily the “best books of all time.” They’re the books we think are the best place to start: approachable...

This week, we’re diving deep into Red Rising by Pierce Brown , the explosive first book in the bestselling Red Rising Saga . Part dystopian sci-fi, part brutal survival story, and part emotionally devastating rebellion, Red Rising follows Darrow of Lykos as he is torn from the mines of Mars and remade into a weapon meant to infiltrate the ruling Golds from within. In this full Red Rising book disc...

What happens when we build the ultimate fantasy task force using characters from some of the most iconic series ever? Absolute chaos, questionable strategy, and a lot of passionate character defending. In this episode, Julie and Vanessa each draft their perfect six-person task force, pulling from Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Red Rising, and The Lord of the Rings, plus one wild car...

The dystopian renaissance continues in part two of our dystopian book series. In this episode, we’re discussing Us Dark Few by Alexis Patton, Bones by K.L. Speer, and Daggermouth by H.M. Wolf. We dive into dystopian fiction, dark worldbuilding, oppressive systems, survival, rebellion, resistance, and the high-stakes tension that makes dystopian books so addictive. If you love dystopian books, spec...

Dystopian books are back, and we are fully here for it. In part one of our dystopian books deep dive, we’re discussing To Cage a Wild Bird by Brook Fast, along with Conform and Beneath by Ariel Sullivan. We get into the dark worldbuilding, high-stakes survival, oppressive systems, rebellion, and the tension that makes dystopian fiction so addictive for readers. If you love dystopian books, specula...

In this episode of To Be Read, Vanessa and Julie get deep into the weeds of their reading lives, from how they pick their next read to how they organize their lists and what makes a book-reading experience really work. But this conversation is also a bit of an intervention for the 5-star rating system, because frankly, it has lost the plot. Reading is too personal, too emotional, and too nuanced t...

Julie and Vanessa make their triumphant return to the podcasting world. After a year-long hiatus, they’re back to discuss where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to, and of course, what they’ve been reading. Join along for a recap of their favorite reads of 2025, they’re most anticipated reads of 2026, and what books they’ve read so far this year and loved. It’s a gab fest, and it’s a great ti...

As we wrap-up season one of the podcast we discuss our best lines in books. What hit us right in the feels? What was profound? What was the best declaration of love? We're all over the place and a little emo. Happy listening! Books Mentioned: Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak Air Awakens by Elise Kova The Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderso...

Happy Halloween Week! This week's episode is all about our favorite villains. Are they handsome and morally grey? Crazy and completely unpredictable? Born evil? Some we absolutely detest, and some we can't help but love. Find us on social media: Check us out on Instagram: @toberead.pod ⁠ / toberead.pod ⁠ Check us out on TikTok: @toberead.pod ⁠ / toberead.pod ⁠ Check us out on Youtube: ⁠@tobereadpo...

It's FINALLY HERE! The ACOTAR episode. Sit down and get comfy--its time to head to Prythian. Spoilers lay ahead for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City. Find us on social media: Check us out on Instagram: @toberead.pod⁠ / toberead.pod ⁠ Check us out on TikTok: @toberead.pod⁠ / toberead.pod ⁠Check us out on Youtube: ⁠@tobereadpodcast ⁠

What's better? A duology? A trilogy? A series? A standalone? Join Julie and Vanessa as they discuss and analyze what makes a series good and what they prefer. Book Series Discussed: Shepherd King Duology by Rachel Gilig Letters of Enchantment by Rebecca Ross The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson Six of Crows Duolo...

GUILTY PLEASURE: something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard. Julie and Vanessa take on Guilty Pleasure reads this week. From Julie's days buried in little babies and kindle unlimited to Vanessa's recent taking on of the book series with too many novellas, Zodiac Academy. They discuss fanfiction, gr...

This week Julie and Vanessa dive in to Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean Series. After doing a reread over the summer they have thoughts that need sharing. Find us on social media: Check us out on Instagram: @toberead.pod   / toberead.pod   Check us out on TikTok: @toberead.pod   / toberead.pod   Check us out on Youtube: ⁠@tobereadpodcast ⁠

We are three quarters of the way through 2024. So let's recap. Join Julie and Vanessa as they talk reading goals, ultimate reading set-ups, and their reading year month-by-month: the wins, the losses, and everything in between. Books talked about: Letters of Enchantment Duology by Rebecca Ross Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger Savage Lands series by Stacey Marie Brown The W...

This week Julie and Vanessa chat about their smut tolerance, tropes they love or hate, phrases that give them the ick, and their top ten book boyfriends. They also check-in with what they're currently reading. Books mentioned: Aritfical Wisdom by Thomas Weaver Done & Dusted by Lyla Sage Red Rising by Pierce Brown Check out Smutty Buddy Besties (Miranda & Lindsey) on instagram: @smuttyb...

Join us while we dive into Sarah J. Maas's beloved series, Throne of Glass. We discuss our favorite books, characters, and what makes this series stand out as a favorite series of all time. SPOILER WARNING: This goes without saying, but this is FULL of spoilers for Throne of Glass as well as soft spoilers for SJM's other series, ACOTAR and Crescent City. Books discussed: Throne of Glass Cr...

Welcome to the To Be Read Podcast. Get to know us, Julie and Vanessa, our book preferences, our ranking system, and our top 3 all time favorite reads. Books discussed: The Kindred's Curse series by Penn Cole All the Young Dudes (fanfiction) by MsKingBean89 Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card Bridge...

What do two besties do when they get together? They buddy read. Join us in our discussion of how our friendship started and the blossoming of our buddy reading together. Books Discussed: Crescent City Series by Sarah J. MaasBones by K.L. SpeerManacled by SenLinYu (Fanfiction) A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent Throne of Glass Series by S...