Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s time to get our fall TBRs in order!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann Patchett booksTaylor Jenkins Reid booksDeath at the White Hart by Chris ChibnallBroadchurch (TV)Jane Austen booksThe Listeners by Maggie StiefvaterHow to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory ArnoldFive Found Dead by Sulari GentillKatabasis by R.F. KuangAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Girls Who Grew Big by Leila MottleyPark Avenue by Renée AhdiehSuccession (TV)Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin KwanRose in Chains by Julie SotoHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingBury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. SchwabThe Ghostwriter by Julie ClarkWhen Javi Dumped Mari by Mia SosaThese Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Ann’s picks:  Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat (releases September 16)– Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat– Salt Fat Acid Heat (TV)  The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller (releases October 7)– The Change by Kirsten Miller– Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller  All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles (releases October 7)– Death in the Spires by KJ Charles Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer (releases October 7)– Grady Hendrix books– Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix Happy People Don’t Live Here by Amber Sparks (releases October 14)– Only Murders in the Building (TV)– Angela Carter books The Unveiling by Quan Barry (releases October 14)– We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree (releases November 11)– Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree  Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (releases November 25) Halle’s picks: Amity by Nathan Harris (releases September 2)– The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris– Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry– Doc by Mary Doria Russell– Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee– William W. Johnstone books  Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (releases September 2)– Commonwealth by Ann Patchett– Our Town by Thornton Wilder– Wallace Stegner books  The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (releases September 16)  The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover (releases September 23)  Heart the Lover by Lily King (releases September 30)– Writers & Lovers by Lily King An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (releases November 11) Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (releases November 18) I, Medusa by Ayana Gray (releases November 18)– Circe by Madeline Miller– Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller– Rick Riordan books– Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian Halle: When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop

We’re halfway through the year, and it’s time to check in on our bookish goals and reading lives of 2025!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: 2025 ALA Annual ConferenceJane Austen booksBook of the Month ClubWomen’s Prize for FictionLibba Bray booksAgatha Christie booksEmily Henry booksAbby Jimenez booksStrange Pictures by UketsuStrange Houses by UketsuDeep Cuts by Holly BrickleyBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallGifted & Talented by Olivie BlakeA Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu MandannaThe Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth DurstThe Spellshop by Sarah Beth DurstSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne CollinsThe Hunger Games series by Suzanne CollinsLeft of Forever by Tara DeWittImmaculate Conception by Ling Ling HuangNatural Beauty by Ling Ling HuangOnyx Storm by Rebecca YarrosAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Women in Suite 11 by Ruth WareThe Favorites by Layne FargoThe Secret of Secrets by Dan BrownThe Names by Florence KnappOne Golden Summer by Carley FortuneHeart the Lover by Lily KingA Sorceress Comes to Call by T. KingfisherReady or Not by Cara BastoneThe Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham JonesThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseCutting for Stone by Abraham VergheseDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverKatabasis by R.F. KuangBrigands & Breadknives by Travis BaldreeSisters in the Wind by Angeline BoulleyAlchemised by SenLinYuHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret AtwoodManacled by SenLinYuRose in Chains by Julie SotoMate by Ali HazelwoodBride by Ali HazelwoodGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonCrafting for Sinners by Jenny KieferGrady Hendrix books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker Halle: The Will of the Many by James Islington– Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop

It’s already summer – how!? But we’re very ready for summer reading with our lists of the books we’re most excited about. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Under the Same Stars by Libba BrayMutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-SmithThe Starving Saints by Caitlin StarlingMarble Hall Murders by Anthony HorowitzHow to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen PerrinThe Favorites by Layne FargoDeep Cuts by Holly BrickleyDream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGood Dirt by Charmaine WilkersonBlack Cake by Charmaine WilkersonFirst-Time Caller by B.K. BorisonSleepless in Seattle (film)When Harry Met Sally… (film)Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyThe Dream Hotel by Laila LalamiPassion Project by London SperryPromise Me Sunshine by Cara BastoneAli HazelwoodAnnabel Monaghan Ann’s picks: The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King (releases June 3) The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (releases June 3)– The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater– The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall (releases June 10)– Broadchurch (TV) Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (releases July 8) How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold (releases July 8)– And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie– The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher (releases August 19)– Snow White and the Seven Dwarves– Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher– A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill (releases August 19)– Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie– The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill– With a Vengeance by Riley Sager Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (releases August 26)– Babel by R.F. Kuang Halle’s picks: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (releases June 3)– The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid– Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid– Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid– Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid– Top Gun (film) The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (releases June 3) Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh (releases June 3)– Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan– Succession (TV)– Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn– Gossip Girl (TV) Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (releases June 10) When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa (releases June 24) Rose in Chains by Julie Soto (releases July 3)– The Thrashers by Julie Soto– The Auction by LovesBitca8 (fanfiction) The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley (releases June 24)– Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley– The Mothers by Brit Bennett These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean (releases July 8) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Kate & Frida by Kim Fay– Love & Saffron by Kim Fay Halle: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett– Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett– A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman– The Guncle by Steven Rowley– Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe– Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop

Do you need something to help you smile right now? We sure do, so here are some of the books that have made us laugh out loud. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi ThorpeLove and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza HartongVera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto Ann’s picks: Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan– Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes– Dead Tired by Kat Ailes Halle’s picks: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano– Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich The Do-Over by Lynn Painter What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix– Rachel Harrison books Halle: Count My Lies by Sophie Stava– Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop

It’s our 150th episode (!!!!!!!) and there’s no better way to celebrate that and our friendship than to discuss female friendships in books.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl WoodThe Wedding People by Alison Espach Ann’s picks: Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee American Ghoul by Michelle McGill-Vargas– Dracula by Bram Stoker We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman– Sandwich by Catherine Newman Halle’s picks: The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan– The Great British Bake Off (TV) The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin– Fredrik Backman books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter– Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter– Inspector Morse (TV) Halle: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood– Bride by Ali Hazelwood– Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood– Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop    

We’re making reading resolutions for 2025 and giving out our 2024 book superlatives! Books and other media mentioned in this episode:Women’s Prize for FictionThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseLonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryFrom the Front Porch (podcast)Demon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverBook of the Month ClubThe BookshopParnassus BooksBrandon Sanderson booksJane Austen booksLibba Bray booksColin Dexter booksAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearBraiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererEmily Henry booksAnn Patchett books Most TimelyAnn: Hum by Helen Phillips– Annie Bot by Sierra GreerHalle: Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller– The Change by Kristen Miller Most DisappointingAnn: The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson; The Women by Kristin Hannah– Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia ThompsonHalle: Bride by Ali Hazelwood; Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood; The Postcard by Anne Berest– Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood– In Memoriam by Alice Winn Favorite RereadAnn: None!Halle: The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater; Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas Biggest SurpriseAnn: The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August; The Witchstone by Henry H. NeffHalle: The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore– Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore– Gilmore Girls (TV) Least FavoriteAnn: The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons; In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander– The Truth According to Ember by Danica NavaHalle: Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey Book That Lived Up to the Hype:Ann: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley; The Great Divide by Cristina HenríquezHalle: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney; James by Percival Everett– Normal People (TV)– Normal People by Sally RooneyBest DistractionAnn: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernanHalle: Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal; Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas The Book That Ended a Mini Reading SlumpAnn: Ghost Mother by Kelly DwyerHalle: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter Most UnputdownableAnn: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan; We Used to Live Here by Marcus KliewerHalle: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff; The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell Better Late Than NeverAnn: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett– Good Omens (TV)– Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer– The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman– Coraline by Neil GaimanHalle: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Book That Has Stayed With MeAnn: The Tusks of Extinction by Ray NaylerHalle: All Fours by Miranda July Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did!Ann: The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ RozanHalle: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar Author(s) we discovered in 2024 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2025Ann: Kaliane Bradley; Kristen Perrin; Carmella Lowkis; Monika Kim; Cara Bastone– Fingersmith by Sarah WatersHalle: Cara Bastone; Kirsty Greenwood; Alice Wyn; Yulin Kuang; Holly Brickley; Olivia Muenter– Abby Jimenez books Hidden Gem:Ann: Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong; Ready or Not by Cara Bastone; The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery LloydHalle: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood; Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa– The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ KluneBest Audiobook Experience of the Year:Ann: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett– Meryl Streep filmographyHalle: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the YearAnn: The Bear (TV); The Traitors (TV); Kyle Maclaughlin ads for Arby’s; Moo Deng; The Eras TourHalle: One Day (TV); Wicked (film); Nobody Wants This (TV); The Tortured Poets Department (album by Taylor Swift); BookTube; five-year journal The Book We Recommended the Most This YearAnn:  Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong; The Ministry of Time by Kaliane BradleyHalle: The Wedding People by Alison Espach;

Psychological suspense continues to be one of the most popular subgenres, but it can sometimes be hard to find the best. This week, we’re covering the authors we’d like to see become household names. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnSarah J. Maas booksWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensFates and Furies by Lauren GroffRuth Ware booksMary Kubica books Ann’s picks: Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry– Near the Bone by Christina Henry– Horseman by Christina Henry Arrowood by Laura McHugh– Safe and Sound by Laura McHugh– The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall– No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall Halle’s picks: Kala by Colin Walsh– Tana French books– Jane Harper books The Quiet Tennant by Clémence Michallon– Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll– Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez– The Push by Ashley Audrain– The Whispers by Ashley Audrain What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni– The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni– Rain Man (film)– Sherlock (TV)– The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Halle: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner– 2024 National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction– Booker Prize 2024 shortlist– Ann Patchett books– Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop    

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to reading this fall! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (releases September 3)– Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (releases September 10) The Midnight Club by Margot Harrison (releases September 24) Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera (releases September 24)– The Devil Wears Prada (film) Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (releases October 1)– Ina Garten books– Barefoot Contessa (TV)– @storeboughtisfine (Instagram) A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney (releases October 8) Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong (releases October 8)– Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong (November 5)– Travis Baldree books Halle’s picks: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (releases September 10)– The Measure by Nikki Erlick The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave (releases September 17)– The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave– The Last Thing He Told Me (TV)– Reese’s Book Club– Laura Dave books Entitlement by Rumaan Alam (releases September 17) Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (releases September 24)– Normal People by Sally Rooney– Normal People (TV)– Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney Heir by Sabaa Tahir (releases October 1)– All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir– National Book Award for Young People– Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature– Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir– The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London (releases October 1)– One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London– A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston– BuzzFeed: “This Quiz Will Determine Whether You’re More Demure Fall or Brat Summer”– Twilight (film) Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi (releases October 1) Rental House by Weike Wang (releases December 3)– Chemistry by Weike Wang What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Ready or Not by Cara Bastone– Emily Henry books Halle: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on TwitterWell-Read on InstagramWell-Read on Bookshop  

There are more celebrity book clubs than ever! We’re discussing our favorites and some celebrity book club picks we love. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Read with JennaOprah’s Book ClubReece’s Book ClubColleen Hoover booksSarah J. Maas booksA Million Little Pieces by James FreyWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensService95 Book ClubFallon Book ClubMarvelHarry Potter series by J.K. RowlingTwilight series by Stephenie Meyer“How Celebrity Book Clubs Actually Work” (Esquire article)Mindy’s Book StudioSJP LitLibrary ScienceBelletristTeaTime Book ClubThe God of the Woods by Liz MooreGood Morning America Book ClubThe Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris Ann’s picks: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay– The Audacious Book Club– The Help (film)– Tyler Perry films– Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV) Starling House by Alix E. Harrow– The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Halle’s picks: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker– The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles– William Kent Krueger books Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson– Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan– Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd– An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson– Kate Morton books Halle: Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang Well-Read on FacebookWell-Read on BookshopWell-Read on Instagram