In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author Emma Brodie to talk all things Into the Blue—a Reese’s Book Club Pick and one of the most buzzed-about romance releases of 2026. From Star Trek references and fan fiction roots to improv acting, SNL dreams, and Comic Con culture, this is a love story that feels tailor-made for nerds, creatives, and anyone who has ever been obsessed with a fictional world.Emma Brodie is not just a novelist—she’s a longtime publishing insider and Executive Editor at Clarkson Potter, with over 15 years in the industry. Her debut novel Songs in Ursa Major earned the American Book Award, and her latest release is already earning major praise from bestselling authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid (“intoxicating”) and Gabrielle Zevin (“smart and romantic”).In Into the Blue, Brodie blends romance, sci-fi fandom, improv comedy, and the chaos of the entertainment industry into a sweeping, decade-spanning love story about two creatives navigating ambition, identity, and a connection that feels almost cosmic. Think: SNL writers’ rooms, intergalactic TV shows, acting partnerships, and the blurred line between fiction and reality.We talk about:✨ Writing a romance rooted in nerd culture and fandom✨ Star Trek, sci-fi influences, and fan fiction energy✨ The world of improv, acting, and comedy writing✨ Building a love story across time, fame, and creative ambition✨ What the future holds for Emma, and creative freedomIf you love books like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, stories about artists and performers, or romance with a nerdy, pop culture twist—this episode is for you.You can purchase a signed edition of Into the Blue from the following independent bookstores:https://bookshop.org/p/books/into-the...https://bunchofgrapes.indielite.org/s...Find Emma on Stubstack and Instagram:https://emmabrodie.substack.com/  / emma.c.brodie  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.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

If you're looking for your next great read, and are determined to avoid a reading slump, this episode is packed with book recommendations across fantasy, romantasy, thrillers, classics, historical fiction, literary fiction, and contemporary fiction! The best strategy we've found to stay interested in our TBRs is to make sure there is a lot of variety!Today we’re sharing our Priority Q2 TBR—the books we absolutely HAVE to read this quarter. From epic fantasy like A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin, to new romantasy like Dire Bound, to classics like The Count of Monte Cristo, psychological thrillers like Yesteryear, and buzzy contemporary fiction like Margo’s Got Money Troubles, this list has something for every reader.We’re talking about the books we’re most excited for, the titles we think could become new favorites, and the reads we know everyone will be talking about this year.Whether you love fantasy romance, literary fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, or book club books, this episode is full of recommendations to add to your TBR.Books Mentioned:📖 A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin📖 Emma M. Lion Vol. 5–8 by Beth Brower📖 Direbound & Furybound by Sable Sorensen📖 A Court of Thorns and Roses / Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas📖 The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas📖 Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe📖 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans📖 I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid📖 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho📖 Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon📖 Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeTell us in the comments: What’s the #1 book on your TBR right now?Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:56 - Ditching the TBR wheel!5:10 - Storm of Swords by George RR Martin10:29 - The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower (5-8)15:09 - Dire Bound & Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen18:50 - ACOTAR & Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass20:06 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas22:56 - Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe26:35 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans28:49 - I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid30:51 - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho32:00 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green33:08 - Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon35:20 - Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeLet’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.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  

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What does it take to write morally complex characters, handle dark subject matter with care, and bring ancient women's lives vividly to the page? We sat down with historical fiction author Elodie Harper — writer of The Wolf Den trilogy and her latest, Boudicca's Daughter — to talk about exactly that. No spoilers, no required reading. Just a genuinely fascinating conversation about craft, journalism, research, and why the "grey" characters are always the most interesting ones. Perfect for readers, writers, history lovers, and anyone who's ever wondered how authors make hard stories feel human.You can find Elodie online:https://elodieharper.substack.com/ 

 / elodielharper  

https://www.elodieharper.com/Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:14 - Elodie’s 2 Truths & 1 Lie3:17 - How journalism led Elodie to fiction7:01 - Elodie’s morally grey characters12:30 - Elodie’s female characters in The Wolf Den17:27 - Violence against women in fiction22:40 - Researching for historical fiction29:17 - Why the focus is on Boudicca’s daughter31:38 - The Druids in Roman history33:21 - What’s next for Elodie Harper39:49 - Boudicca’s Daughter new paperback!43:08 - The reception to Elodie’s writing44:16 - Where does Elodie want to be in 5 years?49:45 - Wrap-up!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.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

In case you missed it, check out Part 1 and 2 here: • The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 1    • The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 1   • The Great War (WWI) - Part 2    • The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 2  While we are mostly a fiction-loving show, the more we read classics and historical fiction, the more we want to know the context of what really happened. One HUGE gap we have is the First World War, a.k.a. the Great War. Lucky for us, Mitch loves to read nonfiction history books and listen to history podcasts and has been amassing knowledge for like 20 years! He's joining us for a three-part series on the war to give us a little insight and fill in those gaps, so we can be prepared and knowledgeable going into our other fiction reading. Plus, our favorite fiction author of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien, fought in the First World War, so this gives us some insight into the lives of authors as well.Hope this episode is fun, approachable and entertaining!Timestamps:0:00 - Intro0:54 - Recap of Part 23:21 - 19174:59 - The Beginning of the Russian Revolution7:52 - Britain & France in April 191712:08 - Russia in July 191716:33 - Russian Revolution20:21 - 191825:23 - Operation Michael31:44 - The US in November 191835:33 - The Armistice on November 11th37:07 - Woodrow Wilson & the Treaty of Versailles44:08 - France after the War & the Big Three46:26 - What the world looks like Post-War55:56 - Germany excluded from the treaty58:25 - The Middle East Post-War1:02:10 - Germany finally gets the invite1:10:22 - The end of Woodrow Wilson1:13:24 - In ConclusionLet’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

let us know your best read of march!!Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:10 - Our reading experience in March5:35 - Kindred by Octavia Butler15:34 - This month’s book club pick!16:39 - The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower23:58 - Reunion by Fred Uhlman26:01 - There is No Antimemetics Division by QNTM29:17 - The Second World by Jake Korell35:50 - The Expanse (7-9) by James S.A. Corey41:36 - Into The Blue by Emma Brodie51:38 - Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson57:33 - Boudicca’s Daughter, The Wolf Den & The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper1:06:52 - Kristen’s March DNF…1:11:00 - Looking to AprilJoin 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.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

In case you missed it, check out Part 1 here:    • The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 1  While we are mostly a fiction-loving show, the more we read classics and historical fiction, the more we want to know the context of what really happened. One HUGE gap we have is the First World War, a.k.a. the Great War. Lucky for us, Mitch loves to read nonfiction history books and listen to history podcasts and has been amassing knowledge for like 20 years! He's joining us for a three-part series on the war to give us a little insight and fill in those gaps, so we can be prepared and knowledgeable going into our other fiction reading. Plus, our favorite fiction author of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien, fought in the First World War, so this gives us some insight into the lives of authors as well.Hope this episode is fun, approachable, and entertaining, and that you'll join us again next week as we wrap up in Part 3!Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:41 - Recap of Part 12:47 - Germany invades Luxembourg4:58 - The Beginning of the War21:35 - The First Battle of the Marne26:45 - The Hells of WW129:03 - Propaganda32:04 - What happened to the bodies?35:08 - What everyone else is up to37:25 - Power struggle in Germany42:23 - In Austria47:41 - The Ottoman Subplot50:46 - 191554:44 - Mental health & mindset of soldiers1:02:00 - In the trenches1:03:32 - Tipping the scales (The Battle of 1915)1:09:05 - What’s happening on the Eastern front?1:13:36 - Going into 19161:14:44 - Germany breaks the rules1:17:32 - The US gets involved1:23:50 - The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania1:29:09 - 19161:33:30 - 19171:37:35 - Wrap-upBook Referenced for this overview:The Sleepwalkers by Christopher ClarkThe World Remade by G. J. MeyerStorm of Steel by Ernst Jünger A World Undone by G. J. MeyerTrench by Stephen BullLet’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.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 #HistoryBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #worldwar1 #thegreatwar #historypodcast

This interview was made possible by ‪@GoodStoryGuild‬ in partnership with their project In Media Res, a full-cast podcast story, nominated for the Ambie Awards. Thanks so much to The Good Story Guild and Kyle Prue for making this episode possible!We're so honored to chat with ‪@kyleprueofficial‬, the star of In Media Res from ‪@GoodStoryGuild‬. This full-cast drama podcast was nominated for the Ambie Awards for good reason! We loved listening to it and discovering this new form of storytelling. Tune in for a peek behind the curtain of bringing this project to life, and get to know Kyle better as a creative across mediums, from books, to television, and voice acting! Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:04 - The Ambies!2:30 - About ‘In Media Res’13:12 - Kyle’s Background17:16 - Audiobooks19:42 - Kyle’s Book Recs24:00 - The acting process on ‘In Media Res’35:05 - Reminiscing on the project38:12 - Kyle’s upcoming projects39:53 - Kyle’s 2 Truths & 1 Lie48:54 - Impersonations!51:35 - Wrap-upYou can check out In Media Res for FREE anywhere you listen to your podcasts!In Media Res Trailer:    • In Media Res - Trailer  In Media Res on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5JiCDwh...Check out the other projects from The Good Story Guild:https://goodstoryguild.co/listenConnect with Kyle here: https://www.instagram.com/kyleprue/?h...https://kyleprue.com/Check out his YouTube show Rabbit here:    • RABBIT EPISODE ONE: BREAK MY NOSE  Check out Kyle's book "How to Piss Off Men" here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-...Other Books Mentioned:Butter by Asako YuzukiThis Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael PollanOn Beauty and Being Just by Elaine ScarryThis episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.coLet’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.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #BookClub #Reading #Books #NewMedia #KylePrue #InMediaRes #goodstoryguild

This is usually a fiction-loving channel, but the more we read classics and historical fiction, the more we want to know the context of what really happened. One HUGE gap we have is the First World War, or the Great War. Lucky for us, Mitch loves to read non-fiction history books and listen to history podcasts and has been amassing knowledge for like 20 years! He's joining us for a three-part series on the war to give us a little insight and fill in those gaps, so we can be prepared and knowledgeable going into our other fiction reading. Plus, our favorite fiction author of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien, fought in the First World War, so this gives us some insight into the lives of authors as well.Hope this episode is fun, approachable, and entertaining, and that you'll join us again next week as we dive into Part 2!Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:02 - What we already know about WW16:32 - Where to start with WW1 (Pre-War Context)7:37 - Here’s why you should care about WW113:00 - Setting the stage (The Major Players)17:51 - What classifies a “World War”? 19:34 - What started The Great War (The Murder of Franz Ferdinand)29:37 - The Central Powers: The Austrian-Hungarian Empire33:29 - The Central Powers: Germany43:14 - The Allied Powers: Russia46:08 - The Allied Powers: France52:40 - Initial Aftermath of Ferdinand’s murderBook Referenced for this Deep Dive:The Sleepwalkers by Christopher ClarkLet’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.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 #HistoryBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #worldwar1 #thegreatwar #historypodcast

Is Maddie in her first EVER reading slump? We gotta get her some 5-star reads in March, or at least make her cry! Overall, Kristen had an AMAZING reading month, rating four books 5 stars! We have lots of books to discuss in this episode across genres. Grab your tea and a sweet treat for this one!Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:05 - Our February Reads3:24 - Maddie’s Reading Slump9:03 - A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin14:41 - The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow17:00 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 21:28 - Extremity by Nicholas Binge23:12 - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman 26:41 - ACADIA by Sterling Nixon31:30 - Cibola Burn/Nemesis Games/Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey35:34 - Pachinko by Min Jin Lee42:22 - Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones49:14 - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky53:51 - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte58:08 - Wrap-up!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.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

Welcome back, readers! 📚✨In today’s podcast episode, we’re creating the ultimate Reader Starter Pack — a guide designed to help you fall in love with more genres and get the most enjoyment out of your reading life.We’re breaking down 12 popular book genres and sharing:✔️ the best entry-level book to start with✔️ the book you can work your way up to once you’re ready✔️ how to approach each genre so you don’t feel overwhelmedWhether you’re new to reading, trying to expand beyond your comfort zone, or building your next TBR, this episode gives you a clear path into fantasy, classics, sci-fi, literary fiction, romantasy, and more.Think of this as your roadmap to becoming a well-rounded reader — without forcing yourself through books you’re not ready for yet.Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:54 - Our Starter Pack!2:52 - Historical Fiction6:43 - Romantic Historical Fiction8:51 - Fantasy: Start Here!15:31 - Fantasy: Don’t Start Here…19:20 - Dystopian25:43 - Contemporary Fiction29:48 - Magical Realism36:21 - Lit Fic43:05 - Memoirs48:49 - Classics54:33 - Romantasy1:00:33 - Sci-Fi1:06:40 - Techno-Thrillers1:10:15 - Wrap-UpBooks Mentioned The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Outlander by Diana GabaldonShowdown and Bone and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Blood over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Secret History by Donna Tartt The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young V. E. Schwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyIntermezzo by Sally Rooney Green Lights  by Matthew McConaugheyMan’s search for Meaning by Viktor FranklLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottEast of Eden by John SteinbeckSerpent and the Wings of Night Sarah J Maas Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Crescent City Red Rising by Pierce Brown Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio Techno ThrillerArtificial Wisdom by Thomas WeaverDark Matter by Blake CrouchAscension by Nicolas Binge Favorite: Silo by Hugh HoweyLet’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  Post production provided by Doppler Cow Studioshttps://dopplercowstudios.com#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books