Kris and Mads

Around our birthdays, we like to reflect on the year gone by. What were the big moments, good and bad? What have we learned? Where do we go from here? This year, Kristen got divorced, Maddie is no longer friends with her best friend of 10 years, and we both had to lean into new mental health practices and get clear about our business goals and approach. We're getting candid in this episode, and we hope you'll share your reflections and vision for the future with us! Thank you for being here, and talking stories—in our books, on the screen, and in our own lives.Timestamps0:00 - Intro 2:25 - End of 202511:04 - Divorce and being newly single18:44 - Mental health and reprogramming 22:12 - Friend breakups31:41 - Seasons in business33:24 - Pinch-me moments & creativity42:37 - Being open & ready to receive 53:22 - Looking forwardLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #divorce #mentalhealth #friendbreakups #lifeupdate #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #lifestory #sisterhood #sisters #podcast

Welcome back, friends! 📚✨

We have a VERY special video for you today! Maddie and I had the incredible opportunity to host a live author interview with Thomas R. Weaver in London to celebrate Infinite Wisdom, the second and final book in his series that began with Artificial Wisdom!

The event took place at the Penguin Random House headquarters in London, and we were joined by fellow book influencer Michael Kist for an amazing panel discussion with Thomas. We talked about the series, his writing, and the highly anticipated conclusion to this story.

But one of the BEST parts of the day was getting to meet so many members of our virtual book club in person! 🥹 Seeing so many of you show up to hear the interview, celebrate this series, and get your special edition copies signed made the whole experience even more meaningful. We are so grateful for this little bookish community we've built together!

Whether you've read Artificial Wisdom, are excited to pick up Infinite Wisdom, or simply love hearing authors talk about their books and creative process, we hope you enjoy getting a behind-the-scenes look at this special London book event.

A huge thank you to Thomas R. Weaver, Michael Kist, Penguin Random House, and everyone from our virtual book club who came out to join us. You made this such a memorable experience!

Spilling the tea on everything we read this month! Lots of thrillers, some romance, a chunky classic, and some duds. What was your best read of the month??Timestamps0:00 - Intro 4:11 - Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall9:31 - The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood13:31 - Verity by Colleen Hoover22:01 - The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante28:02 - Upgrade by Blake Crouch32:21 - A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins37:50 - Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton42:21 - Foe by Iain Reid46:03 - Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb50:50 - The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky56:56 - Wrap-upLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Join our Patreon read-and-watch club! In September, we're doing palate cleansers: Imperfect Women, The Love Hypothesis, and Verity! You can try out the Fellowship Tier for free for 7 days!   / krisandmadssisterhood  We had an awesome August, with a bunch of 5-star books and a variety of genres! What was your best read of August??Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 7:15 - The Good Parts by Evann Normandin12:35 - When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi18:23 - I’m thinking of ending things by Iain Reid22:02 - Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen25:10 - Book Club updates!29:34 - Pachinko by Min Jin Lee33:41 - The Knight & The Moth by Rachel Gillig37:31 - Love Poems by Rupi Kaur42:59 - Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake48:17 - Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery51:13 - The Wolves of War by John Gwynne56:28 - Fool’s Fate by Robin Hobb1:02:57 - Wrap-up!Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Bestselling fantasy author Rachel Gillig joins us for a conversation we’ve been dreaming about ever since we read her Shepherd King Duology in 2023! In this episode, we sit down with the author of One Dark Window and the bestselling Shepherd King duology to talk about her new series, The Stonewater Kingdom and its conclusion, The Knave and the Moon, out September 1, 2026 from Orbit.If you love adult fantasy romance, but with a dark fairy tale spin, and lush worldbuilding, complicated characters, and unforgettable romance, this is an episode you absolutely won’t want to miss.Rachel takes us behind the scenes of The Knave and the Moon and her new series, while also revealing plenty about the person behind some of our favorite fantasy books. We talk about her secret nerdom, her love of classic literature, the hills she is willing to die on, and the hamlet where she would most want to live.We also get into BookTok, online book reviews, book influencers, and the ways the online book community can be our best. Rachel shares her thoughts on the rapidly evolving world of book culture, readers, reviewers, and the conversations surrounding books online.If you want to find more from Rachel Gillig, you can find her here:https://www.instagram.com/rmgillig/?h...https://rachelgillig.substack.com/Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Rachel’s 2 Truths & 1 Lie7:08 - On artists drawing inspiration from her work9:19 - Rachel’s literary hot takes15:40 - Rachel’s fandoms19:02 - The Five Hamlets as a Personality Quiz20:44 - Duologies!25:01 - What hill will you die on?27:46 - On the inspiration from old fairy tales35:33 - Was Rachel a scene kid?40:05 - On propaganda 43:58 - A novella?!47:08 - Future projects & other genres!50:12 - Rachel’s dream tea party52:53 - Rachel’s book recLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club for free for 7 days:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  This episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.co/

#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #RachelGillig #TheShepherdKingDuology #OneDarkWindow #TwoTwistedCrowns #TheKnaveandtheMoon #TheKnightandtheMoth #romantasybooks #adultfantasyromance #gothicromance #gothicfantasy #darkfantasy #fairytalefantasy #BookTok #fantasy

If you want to read some classics with us, join our Patreon read-and-watch club for free for 7 days:   / krisandmadssisterhood  If you want to read more classic books but don't know where to start, this episode is for you! Today we're talking about 10 classic books everyone should read at least once — from gothic romances and sweeping love stories to family sagas, historical adventures, and literary masterpieces.We’re sharing the classics we genuinely think are worth reading, including Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, A Room with a View by E.M. Forster, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.Whether you're building a classic books TBR, looking for the best classic literature to read, trying to get into classic novels for beginners, or just wondering which classics are actually worth your time, we're breaking down why we love these books and why we think they still hold up today.📚 BOOKS MENTIONED0:00 — Intro1:11 — Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier6:21 — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas13:21 — Little Women by Louisa May Alcott19:18 — Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen25:13 — A Room with a View by E.M. Forster29:55 — Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë37:15 — The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde42:10 — Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë46:23 — Frankenstein by Mary Shelley51:56 — Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy57:03 — Wrap-upLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club for free for 7 days:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

It's time for our July reading recap! 📚 We're sharing everything we read this month, what surprised us, what disappointed us, and which books we'd recommend.Books discussed:The Odyssey by Stephen FryThe Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily WilsonLucky by Marissa StapleyThe Vanishing Half by Brit BennettThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansWellness by Nathan HillA Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanMansfield Park by Jane AustenThe Bone Ships by R. J. BarkerTheo of Golden by Allen LeviLand by Maggie O'FarrellThe Housemaid by Freida McFaddenAnna Karenina by Leo TolstoyLet us know what your favorite read of the month was!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club for free for 7 days: https://patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly

#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

✨ This week on the podcast, we're joined by New York Times bestselling author Marissa Stapley! ✨Marissa sits down with us to talk about her bestselling novel Lucky, the Reese's Book Club pick that has now been adapted into the brand-new Apple TV+ series Lucky, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Timothy Olyphant, and Drew Starkey.We dive into the incredible journey from page to screen, what it was like seeing her story come to life, the inspiration behind Lucky, and the highs and challenges of being a bestselling author. Marissa also shares behind-the-scenes insights into the adaptation process, her writing career, and what it feels like to watch an all-star cast bring her characters to life.Whether you're a longtime fan of Marissa's books, have already started watching the series, or are curious about the writing and adaptation process, this conversation is full of behind-the-scenes stories, inspiration, and plenty of laughs!You can find Marissa here! https://www.instagram.com/marissastapley/?hl=enhttps://marissastapley.substack.com/Timestamps0:00 - Intro 3:06 - How ‘Lucky’ came to life9:01 - Reese’s Book Club!14:28 - Anya Taylor Joy is Lucky!17:04 - Marissa’s involvement in the show18:54 - Researching con artists21:00 - Themes translated from page to screen25;40 - Drew Starkey!!!27:13 - The Anne of Green Gables lore30:10 - Lucky & her dad33:49 - Blurbs!37:02 - Marissa’s recs!44:59 - Upcoming for Marissa!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: https://patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Welcome back to the show you guys! June was one of our favorite reading months of the year...especially for Kristen, who somehow managed to read five books and give every single one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! 🤯📚In today's June Reading Wrap Up, we're sharing honest reviews, ratings, favorite moments, disappointments (or lack thereof!), and whether each book is worth adding to your TBR. From cozy summer romance and timeless classics to epic fantasy, literary fiction, nonfiction, and mythology, this month had a little bit of everything.Whether you're looking for your next five-star read or just love hearing readers passionately discuss books, grab a cozy drink and join us for another month of bookish conversations!Timestamps0:00 - Intro 3:06 - Every Summer After by Carley Fortune9:38 - One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune12:53 - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte21:20 - Maame by Jessica George25:49 - Everything is Tuberculosis by John Greene29:41 - Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid33:24 - Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney38:52 - Persuasion by Jane Austen46:08 - The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer58:10 - Infinite Wisdom by Tom Weaver1:03:52 - The Golden Fool by Robin Hobb1:08:29 - Troy by Stephen Fry1:13:20 - Wrap-upLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #JuneReadingWrapUp #BookReviews #ReadingWrapUp #BookRecommendations #FantasyBooks #ClassicBooks #LiteraryFiction #BookLovers #Readers

We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with bestselling fantasy author Chloe Gong in New York City for one of our favorite conversations we've ever had.Chloe's tumblr:   / chloegong  Chloe's tiktok:   / thechloegong  Chloe's instagram:   / thechloegong  Chloe's website: https://thechloegong.com/Chloe's debut novel, *These Violent Delights*, holds a special place in our hearts because it was the very first book our online book club ever read together. It became a gateway into fantasy for us and helped shape so much of our reading journey, so getting to interview Chloe in person truly felt like meeting one of our literary heroes.In this author interview, Chloe Gong shares the story behind her career, growing up in New Zealand before moving to the United States for college and work, and how those experiences have influenced her writing. We also dive into the differences between writing young adult fantasy, new adult fantasy, and adult fantasy, how her writing process has evolved throughout her career, and why Shakespeare continues to inspire so much of her work.Whether you're a longtime Chloe Gong fan, love fantasy books, enjoy Shakespeare retellings, or are curious about the publishing and writing process, this conversation is packed with insights and behind-the-scenes stories.✨ In this interview, we discuss:

• The inspiration behind These Violent Delights
• The worlds of Immortal Longings and Coldwire
• Writing YA, new adult, and adult fantasy
• Shakespeare's influence on her novels
• Chloe Gong's writing process
• Growing up in New Zealand and building a career in the United States
• Advice for aspiring fantasy writers

• These Violent Delights
• Our Violent Ends
• Foul Lady Fortune
• Foul Heart Huntsman
• Immortal Longings
• Vilest Things
• Coldwire

📚 Books Discussed:If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to subscribe for more author interviews, fantasy book discussions, reading vlogs, book recommendations, and conversations with your favorite authors.Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: [email protected]:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #ChloeGong #TheseViolentDelights #ImmortalLongings #Coldwire #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #BookTube #FantasyAuthor #WritingProcess #ShakespeareRetelling #YoungAdultBooks #AdultFantasy