In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Ross Montgomery to talk about his latest release, The Murder at World’s End, published on October 30, 2025.

Ross shares insights into his career as a beloved children’s author, what it was like transitioning to writing murder mysteries for adults, and the books he read as a child that completely blew his mind. It’s a fun and fascinating conversation about creative evolution, storytelling across genres, and the stories that shape us.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into To Love a Liar by L. V. Matthews, released on September 11, 2025.

We chat about the joy of exploring different genres, our feelings about Jackson the dog, and which characters had us second-guessing their every move. It’s a lively discussion full of twists, suspicions, and the thrill of a well-crafted mystery.

Thank you to Penguin for sending us advanced reader copies of To Love a Liar.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Brief Life Updates

02:00 - Introduction to L. V. Matthews

05:05 - Spoiler Warning

05:40 - The Blurb

06:00 - Our Discussion of To Love a Liar

01:03:55 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:05:00 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Serra Swift to talk about her upcoming fantasy novel Kill the Beast, out October 14, 2025.

Serra shares her thoughts on navigating the pitfalls of professional jealousy, the differences between YA and adult fantasy from the author's perspective, and how to strike the balance between being a great writer and a great storyteller. It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the craft of writing fantasy.

Thank you to Tor Books for sending us advanced copies of Kill the Beast!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Interview with Serra Swift

01:04:50 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Nuala Ellw0od, also known as Iris Costello, to talk about her newest novel The Paris Bookshop Secret, released in July 2025.

Nuala shares how a haunted Georgian mansion inspired her current project, the power of books to help readers process grief, and the rituals she uses to get into the writing zone.

It’s a rich and reflective conversation about creativity, emotion, and the healing power of storytelling.

Thank you to Penguin to sending us proofs of The Paris Bookshop Secret.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Our interview with Nuala Ellwood

01:05:00 - Outro

In this week's episode we dive into Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher (released August 19th, 2025).

Join us as we share why Anja quickly became one of our favourite heroines, dig into what makes a retelling succeed (or stumble), and chat about why we’d happily return to this darkly magical world for more.

Thank you to Tor for sending us an advanced reader copy of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Life Updates

02:20 - A Brief Introduction to T. Kingfisher

06:25 - Spoiler Warning

07:00 - The Blurb

07:40 - Our Discussion of 'Hemlock & Silver'

01:01:35 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:02:35 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we sit down with L. V. Matthews to discuss her gripping new thriller To Love A Liar, out September 11, 2025.

We explore the art of plotting twists that keep readers guessing, the secrets behind her book dedications, and how she manages to write chilling mysteries while raising two children.

Join us for a conversation full of insight, intrigue, and a peek behind the curtain of a masterful storyteller.

Thank you to Viking and Penguin for sending us advanced copies of To Love a Liar.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we discuss Rie Qudan's Sympathy Tower Tokyo (released on August 21st, 2025). We enter into a deep discussion about the ins and outs of judicial systems, ponder the differences between Eastern and Western culture, and explore language and its evolution, including the use of AI in literature.

Join us for an interesting exploration of this translation of Rie Qudan's Tōkyō-to Dōjō Tō, originally published in 2024 in Japan, and winner of the Akutagawa Prize.

Thank you to Penguin for sending us advanced copies of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

05:45 - A Brief Introduction to the Author

08:20 - Spoiler Alert

08:50 - The Blurb

10:10 - Our Discussion of Sympathy Tower Tokyo

01:11:10 - Next Time on the Reading Materials Podcast

01:12:06 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we discuss Carissa Broadbent’s The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk (released on August 5th, 2025). We unpack our frustrations with the lack of chemistry between the main characters, the repetitiveness of the plot compared to the first book in the duology, and our lingering confusion around the world-building.

Join us for an honest conversation about what worked for us—and what didn’t—in this much-anticipated sequel.

Thank you to Tor and Pan Macmillan for sending us advanced copies of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

02:35 - Spoiler Alert

03:30 - A Brief Introduction to the Author

08:50 - The Blurb

09:50 - Our Discussion of The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk

53:15 - Next Time on the Reading Materials Podcast

53:55 - Outro

We are so excited to welcome our eighth author to our podcast! In this episode we speak with debut author Sarah Hamdan about her powerful first novel, 'What Will People Think?', released in May 2025.

Sarah shares how her own life experiences shaped the narrative, the vital role characters and setting play in telling authentic stories, and her hope to shine a light on Palestinian culture through fiction. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about identity, storytelling, and writing with purpose.

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 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

07:10 - Spoiler Alert

07:25 - An Introduction To the Author

12:00 - The Blurb

13:20 - Our Discussion of Slow Burn Summer

54:20 - Next Time on Reading Materials

55:15 - Outro

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 - Spoiler Alert

06:05 - The Blurb

06:50 - Our Discussion of 'The Other Wife'

56:40 - Next Time on Reading Materials

57:45 - Outro

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 fuels her creativity and how poetry can inspire.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Interview with Jackie Thomas-Kennedy

47:45 - Outro

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 Updates

02:30 - An Introduction to the Author

05:00 - A Brief Chat About 'The Spellshop'

07:55 - The Blurb

09:15 - Our Discussion of 'The Enchanted Greenhouse'

58:30 - Next Time on the Reading Materials Podcast

59:30 - Outro

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 thank you so much to Sarah Beth for being our guest!

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 fears, subtle power dynamics, and tender monstrosities that make this story linger like a whisper in the dark.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:15 - Life Updates

02:50 - Spoiler Warning

03:20 - Introduction to V. E. Schwab

05:10 - The Blurb

06:30 - Our Discussion of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

01:17:35 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:18:15 - Outro

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.

Thank you to Viking and Penguin Random House for sending us advanced reader copies of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

01:45 - Spoiler Warning

02:00 - Author Biography

04:05 - Book Blurb

05:30 - Our Discussion of Favourite Daughter

01:06:30 - Next Episode

01:07:15 - Outro

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 our guest!

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!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Life Updates

07:40 - Spoiler Warning

08:30 - The Blurb

09:20 - Our Discussion of Great Big Beautiful Life

47:10 - Next Time on Reading Materials

49:15 - Outro

Other Books Mentioned:

You and Me on Vacation / People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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 Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Spoiler Warning

01:50 - The Blurb

02:55 - What actually happened in Empire of Storms

06:45 - Our Discussion

01:47:50 - Outro