Kris and Mads

Welcome back, book lovers! Today’s episode is the MOTHER of all TBR lists — our most over-ambitious, chaotic, and exciting reading plans of the entire year. Most people do a “10 Before the End” reading challenge… but we blew right past ten and kept going. These are all the books we’re trying to finish in the next 6 weeks before we hit 2026, and honestly? Our best book of the year might be hiding somewhere in these stacks. From fantasy epics to romance series to backlist bucket-list reads, we’re covering everything we're desperate to read before the new year.We also share what’s coming up on the podcast before year’s end, now is the perfect time to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can 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  TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro02:27 Bridgerton Series — Julia Quinn05:03 The Dandelion Dynasty — Ken Liu07:49 The Empire Trilogy — Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts09:41 The Lost Queen Series — Signe Pike10:33 The Neapolitan Quartet — Elena Ferrante12:43 Chestnut Springs Series — Elsie Silver16:26 The Devoured Worlds Trilogy — Megan E. O’Keefe17:33 The Tawny Man Trilogy — Robin Hobb18:56 Holly — Adalyn Grace20:05 Daughter of the Otherworld — Shauna Lawless21:12 The Strength of the Few — James Islington21:34 Mara, Daughter of the Nile — Eloise Jarvis McGraw22:17 Wild Dark Shore — Charlotte McConaghy22:26 Poems & Prayers — Matthew McConaughey23:22 Maddie’s TBR Wheel26:36 Kristen’s TBR Wheel29:16 What we’re reading with our book club in Nov/Dec#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #TBR #EndOfYearTBR #10BeforeTheEnd #BookTubePodcast #BookTokPodcast #ReadingChallenge2025 #FantasyBooks #RomanceBooks #BestBooksOfTheYear #BookRecommendations #ReadersOfYouTube #BookClubReads #MustReadBooks #EpicFantasy #CozyReading #PatreonBookClub #SisterhoodBookClub #BookishPodcast #BookContentCreators #NewYearReadingChallenge

This episode is SPOILER-FREE!!! Connect with Fonda Lee: https://www.fondalee.com/Enjoy this highly anticipated conversation with Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga — one of the most iconic modern fantasy trilogies of our time (Jade City, Jade War, Jade Legacy). In this episode, we dive deep into her storytelling process, worldbuilding, and the powerful themes behind her unforgettable characters and cinematic action scenes.Fonda also shares how she was approached for an incredible collaboration with Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee, to co-create a YA duology called Breathmarked — with book two set to release in 2026. And for fans of sci-fi and cyberpunk, we get a sneak peek at her upcoming adult standalone novel, The Last Contract of Isako — a futuristic samurai story releasing in 2026 that promises to blend everything we love about her sharp, sparse, and emotionally charged storytelling.This was a dream interview for us as long-time fans of the Green Bone Saga. If you love fantasy, sci-fi, epic worldbuilding, and powerful character-driven stories, you don’t want to miss this one.Timestamps00:00 Intro00:59 Two Truths and a Lie with Fonda Lee04:52 How far did the Green Bone Saga get as a screen adaptation?05:58 How did the Green Bone Saga come to be?12:27 Was it always going to be a trilogy?14:00 Heroism and moral ambiguity in the Green Bone Saga22:04 Family obligation and identity in the Green Bone Saga26:20 Tradition vs. progress in the Green Bone Saga31:03 How the new covers reflect the vibe and cinematic tone of the trilogy34:54 Sex and romance in the Green Bone Saga39:34 The difference between Fonda Lee’s YA and Adult books41:46 Co-writing Breath of the Dragon with Shannon Lee44:51 The themes of the Breathmarked Duology49:52 Breath of the Dragon works for adult and young adult readers51:33 The collaboration process with Shannon Lee56:05 NEXT BOOK! A cyberpunk samurai standalone: The Last Contract of Isako 📚 Books Mentioned:Jade City, Jade War, Jade Legacy — The Green Bone SagaBreathmarked (YA duology with Shannon Lee)The Last Contract of Isako (coming 2026)Let’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 #FondaLee #GreenBoneSaga #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #Breathmarked #TheLastContractofIsako #FantasyReaders #BookTube #SciFiFantasy

Join our Patreon read-and-watch club here: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodWelcome to Season 2 of The Kris and Mads Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a massive October reading wrap-up — 16 books across fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror, and literary fiction. Every review in this episode is completely spoiler-free, so you can listen without fear that we'll wreck the book for ya.Between us, we read everything from classics like Frankenstein by Mary Shelley to award winners like Stay True by Hua Hsu — and yes, one book was so good we had to reread it. Whether you’re hunting for your next five-star read, looking to discover hidden gems, or just love hearing passionate book talk, this episode is for you.In this episode:• Honest, spoiler-free reviews of 16 books we read in October• Genre-spanning recommendations for every kind of reader• The reread that lived up to the hype• Cozy fall reading vibes and lots of laughterTell us in the comments what you read in October and which of these books you’ve either already picked up or are adding to your TBR!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:57 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley09:56 The Compound by Aisling Rawle13:48 Dissolution by Nicholas Binge20:02 The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O’Keefe22:54 The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare26:29 The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence30:04 A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck34:22 Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara36:41 Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild45:42 The Will of the Many by James Islington50:13 Madhouse Promenade by ‪@lynmoore_‬ 54:30 Upgrade by Blake Crouch59:56 Stay True by Hua Hsu01:04:09 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry01:08:35 The Grace of Kings by Ken LiuSubscribe to The Kris and Mads Podcast for weekly book discussions, author interviews, and spoiler-free reviews every Tuesday!Let’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 #BookPodcast #ReadingWrapUp #BookRecommendations #OctoberBooks #BookTube #PodcastForReaders #SpoilerFreeReviews #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #RomanceBooks #BookTok #BookishPodcast #BestBooks2025 #TBRList #BookReviewPodcast #TheKrisAndMadsPodcast #WhatToReadNext #FallReading #BookLovers #BookCommunity

Welcome to our Season 1 finale of The Kris and Mads Podcast!We’re wrapping up an unforgettable first season with a full breakdown of our year — think of it as our Spotify Wrapped, but for the podcast. 💫In this episode, we’re celebrating everything that’s made this season so special:• 14 incredible authors we had the honor to interview• 18 fellow creators we’ve collaborated with• Our most popular episodes and behind-the-scenes highlights• The books and screen adaptations we’ve read and watched together in our Patreon book club (aka our virtual family!)• Our biggest lessons, milestones, and growth moments as co-hosts• And, of course, our hopes and vision for Season 2 — which is already shaping up to be even more magical!This episode is our love letter to everyone who’s listened, shared, and joined the conversation. Thank you for helping us make this dream show come to life. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just discovered us this season, we can’t wait to bring you along for what’s next.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and join our Patreon to be part of the book club and behind-the-scenes fun!patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodOur Most Popular Episode:    • Books We BOTH Rated 5 Stars 📚 Our Top Book...  Our Interviews With Authors:    • Pierce Brown Interview - So Do We End The ...  Our Most Popular Collaboration:    • 18 Must-Read Books! | Our Top Books from 2...  Our Friends' Channels:‪@lynmoore_‬ ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ ‪@bronteysbooks‬ ‪@KistReadsBooks‬ ‪@Smitty1423‬ ‪@2ToRamble‬ ‪@geenahreads‬ ‪@zoranne_‬ ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ Let’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 #KrisAndMadsPodcast #PodcastWrapped #PodcastFinale #Season1Recap #BookPodcast #AuthorInterviews #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookClubCommunity #PatreonBookClub #PodcastHighlights #PodcastCommunity #BookTokPodcast #BookTubePodcast #Season2ComingSoon #PodcastGrowth #ReadingCommunity #BookishPodcast #WomenInPodcasting #BookLoversUnite

THIS INTERVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!!!! Not to be dramatic, but we did start this podcast one year ago, in order to interview Pierce Brown on it someday. That day is today! The Red Rising special editions have been released, and to celebrate we had Pierce on the show to share his lore—everything from skinny jeans trauma to Freddy the snapping turtle—and talk to us about the deeper themes and inspiration in the Red Rising Saga. We almost peed our pants laughing, and also learned crazy amounts about classical philosophy and history. Pierce may be one of the most engaging and entertaining conversationalists alive. For an episode one year in the making, he did not disappoint! Hope you guys love it as much as we do!You can read The Book of Lorn and check out merch on https://shit-escalates.com/ Follow Pierce on TikTok:   / piercebrownofficial  Follow Pierce on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piercebrown...Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:08 Pierce Brown Tells Us Two Truths and a Lie08:43 Pierce Brown's Lore24:57 What is Red Rising?29:52 The Classic Influences on Red Rising (for dummies)36:16 What Is Meritocracy in Red Rising? 45:24 Is Peace Even Possible in Red Rising? 58:37 How Pierce Brown On Leadership 01:07:11 What’s Next for Pierce Brown and Red Rising?Let’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

In this episode, Kris and Mads sit down with the amazing trio behind the ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ podcast! We talk about everything from who’s most likely to DNF a book, cry while reading, or be intimidated by a long series, to what makes a 5-star read and the characters that inspire us most. It’s a fun, bookish deep dive into reading tastes, favorite guests, and the bookish moments we can’t stop thinking about.✨ Timestamps00:00 – Introducing our guests I’ll Read What She’s Reading01:56 – Who was the biggest reader starting out?03:19 – Who is the first to DNF04:34 – Who is most likely to cry while reading05:15 – Who is intimidated by long series05:49 – How do you know each other08:47 – IRWSR merch09:27 – Describe each other’s reading taste15:42 – Who was your favorite podcast guest20:11 – What is a book you can’t stop thinking about26:39 – What makes a 5-star read for you33:10 – What character has inspired you mostIf you love book recommendations, fun reader debates, and behind-the-scenes podcast talk, you’ll love this conversation! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments which of these questions you’d answer the same way.I’ll Read What She’s Reading Merchhttps://illreadwhatshesreading.com/Let’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

Here's what we thought of the 11 books we read this month! We're loving our foray into the classics, and Kristen took down the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, which she has had on her TBR for over a year! Maddie started three different series that she's eager to continue, and of course, there were a couple of duds. We get into all of it in this episode, and share some memories of traveling through Portugal and Spain with members of our Patreon book club this month. Reading abroad with friends is such a treat! What was your best read and favorite memory of September?All books and authors mentioned are listed in the timestamps.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood - Book Review10:45 Katabasis by R.F. Kuang - Book Review17:45 Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - Book Review22:59 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - Book Review30:22 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - Book Review41:14 The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O’Keefe - Book Review47:23 Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts - Book Review53:16 The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee - Book Review1:00:00 The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - Book ReviewLet’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

It’s been 10 years since Leigh Bardugo gave us Six of Crows and the unforgettable Dregs crew—and we’re celebrating in style! In this special episode, we sit down with Leigh Bardugo to talk all things Six of Crows: the heist that started it all, the found family readers still can’t get over, and the release of the gorgeous 10th Anniversary special editions. Whether you’re a longtime Grishaverse fan or brand new to the series, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, bookish nostalgia, and pure Kaz & the Crows vibes.If you love heist fantasy, witty banter, found family dynamics, and beautiful new collector’s editions, this is the story and celebration episode you don’t want to miss.Check out Leigh's tedtalk here:    • The art of discomfort | Leigh Bardugo | TE...  All things Leigh Bardugo here: https://www.leighbardugo.com/

#LeighBardugo⁠ ⁠#SixOfCrows⁠ ⁠#Grishaverse⁠ ⁠#CrookedKingdom⁠ ⁠#KazBrekker⁠ ⁠#InejGhafa⁠ ⁠#FoundFamily⁠ ⁠#FantasyBooks⁠ ⁠#BookTok⁠ ⁠#BookTube⁠ ⁠#HeistFantasy⁠ ⁠#SpecialEditionBooks⁠ ⁠#AnniversaryEdition⁠ ⁠#ShadowAndBone⁠ ⁠#FantasyReaders⁠Let’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

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started:https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsWe finally spilled the tea… ☕📚 These are 10 books we’ve been gatekeeping—all rated 5 stars, but ones we rarely talk about on the pod! From epic fantasy with dragons to dark academia, from sci-fi thrillers to swoony romance, this list is packed with hidden gems across genres.If you’re hunting for your next great read (that isn’t already everywhere on BookTok or BookTube), this episode is for you. We’re covering fantasy, sci-fi, romance, memoirs, thrillers, and more—so no matter your vibe, you’ll find a book you’ll fall in love with.Spoiler-free, honest reviews only. Let’s go find you a new favorite!If you want to check out the friends we mentioned in this episode for more recommendations, you can find Will and Ed here: ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ 📚 Timestamps so you can jump to your genre:Timestamps00:00 Intro02:32 Recursion by Blake Crouch - a techno thriller05:05 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon- an epic fantasy with dragons11:21 Educated by Tara Westover - a memoir15:08 Wellness by Nathan Hill - a contemporary literary fiction19:35 Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor - a young adult fantasy22:58 Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - a romantic fantasy26:20 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren - a contemporary romance29:41 The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper - an ancient historical fiction33:47 Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb - a memoir 36:37 If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio - a dark academia fictionLet’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 #BooksWeLove #HiddenGemBooks #FiveStarReads #BookRecommendations #BookPodcast #BookTube #BookTok #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #RomanceBooks #DarkAcademiaBooks #MemoirRecommendations #ThrillerBooks #UnderratedBooks #BookishCommunity

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelpmakes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsLooking for your next great historical fiction read? 📚 In this podcast episode, we share 17 historical fiction book recommendations that we absolutely loved. While it’s a genre we only dabble in, some of these books have made it into our top books of all time list. From sweeping epics to intimate character-driven stories, we’ve gathered a wide range of titles perfect for any historical fiction fan.Timestamps00:00 Intro to Historic Fiction 01:18 The Wold Den by Elodie Harper 03:09 The Lost Queen by Signs Pike 06:42 The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell09:54 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon12:15 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon14:23 Hester by Laurie Albanese16:05 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan19:23 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 21:16 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr24:32 Pachinkol by Min Jin Lee27:09 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles30:34 Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler33:23 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett36:05 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid38:47 The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton41:51 11/22/63 by Stephen King Let’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 #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books