Kris and Mads

In this episode of The Sisterhood Podcast, we’re checking in on our 2025 reading goals after Q1—what’s working, what’s not, and the tweaks we’re making for Q2! 📚We also share 10-20 book titles we’re excited to dive into this spring, perfect for anyone looking to build their Q2 TBR or stay motivated on their own reading journey.Whether you're someone who made New Year reading resolutions, loves a good wrap-up and reset, or just wants a peek behind the scenes at how we approach reading as content creators, this one’s for you.✨ We talk accountability, routines, and keeping things fun and flexible—and yes, we mention some seriously exciting 2025 book releases too.💬 Drop your Q2 reading plans in the comments—we love hearing from fellow book lovers and helping you stay inspired.Timestamps & book list in the description below!Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:27 Checkin: Maddie’s 2025 Reading Goals02:03 Checkin: Kristen’s 2025 Reading Goals04:41 2025 Releases Maddie’s Excited to Read06:49 Kristen’s Slower More Intentional Approach to Her TBR 09:59 2025 Releases Kristen’s Excited About10:51 Series Maddie is Continuing14:54 Series for Kristen19:58 Books We Won’t Read on Audiobook20:57 Starting Our First Stephen King Book23:03 Romance Books on Kristen’s TBR25:19 New Series Maddie Is Anticipating27:14 Kristen is Tackling Liveship Traders Trilogy31:52 Resolutions Can Shift! Let’s Have A Great Q2!BOOKS MENTIONEDGifted and TalentedBy Olivie BlakeKatabasisBy R.F. KuangBury Our Bones In the Midnight SoilBy V.E. SchwabFirst-Time CallerBy B.K. BorisonFlawlessBy Elsie SilverSunrise on the ReapingBy Suzanne CollinsThe Burning SeriesThe Rage of Dragons and Fires of VengeanceBy Evan WintersAudiobook Narrator: Prentice OnayemiThe Lost Queen seriesBy Signe PikeThe Bound and the Broken SeriesBy Ryan CahillVilest ThingsBy Chloe GongAn Ember in the Ashes SeriesBy Sabaa TahirInfernal DevicesBy Cassandra ClareLegendborn CycleBy Tracy DeonnDungeon Crawler CarlBy Matt DinnimanA Sea of Unspoken ThingsBy Adrienne YoungDeath of the Author By Nnedi OkoraforMurderbotBy Martha Wells11/22/63Stephen KingChestnut SpringsBy Elsie SilverAge of Madness Trilogy By Joe AbercrombieThe Fitz and the Fool TrilogyBy Robin HobbWheel of TimeBy Robert JordanDaughter of the EmpireBy Raymond E. Feist and Jenny WurstDandelion DynastyBy Ken LiuThe ExpanseBy James S.A. CoreyA Song of Ice and FireBy George R.R. MartinLiveship Traders By Robin Hobb

Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] TikTok: 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 #readinggoals #TBR2025 #bookpodcast #ReadingGoals2025 #Quarter2TBR #TBRUpdate #BookPodcast #ReadingWrapUp #ReadersOfYouTube #ContentCreatorLife #BehindTheScenes #ReadingAccountability #BookishCommunity #BooksToRead2025 #MidYearCheckIn #BookLoversUnite #ReadingMotivation #GoalSettingForReaders

Join us for an exclusive interview with Adalyn Grace, the bestselling author of the Belladonna series! We dive into the gothic romance, haunting mysteries, and swoon-worthy characters that make this series a must-read. Adalyn shares behind-the-scenes insights into Signa and Death’s dynamic relationship, her inspiration for the lush, eerie world of Thorn Grove, and what fans can expect next.If you love dark fantasy, romantic gothic fiction, and books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more author interviews, book discussions, and fantasy recommendations!Here's Adalyn's website: https://adalyngraceauthor.com/You can follow Adalyn Grace on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradalyngrace/📚 Get Belladonna here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Belladonna-by-Adalyn-Grace/9781399736961🔔 Subscribe for more bookish content!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] TikTok: 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 #Belladonna #AdalynGrace #FantasyBooks #GothicRomance #BookTok #DarkFantasy #Romantasy #AuthorInterview

What really defines a Young Adult (YA) book versus a New Adult (NA) or Adult Fantasy? And why do these distinctions feel more confusing than ever? In this episode, we explore the blurred lines between YA, NA, and Adult books, particularly in the fantasy genre.

Our perspectives on YA fantasy have shifted. Kristen now gravitates toward YA fantasy series because they tend to be shorter, more efficient in storytelling, and plot-driven. Plus, when romance is included, it can have more depth and emotional substance instead of relying on spice or smut. Maddie, on the other hand, champions Adult Fantasy but also investigates the publishing industry’s role in categorizing and marketing books.

We dive into:

📖 Why YA books often earn their page count

📖 How the presence of “spice” is (or isn’t) a defining factor

📖 The challenges booksellers face in shelving YA vs. NA vs. Adult books

📖 How the publishing industry influences these categories

📖 Why marketing books appropriately is crucial for the right audience

If you’ve ever wondered why some books feel miscategorized or why you love (or avoid) YA books as an adult, this discussion is for you! Let us know your thoughts: Should “Young Adult” still be a genre, or is it just confusing readers?

Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] TikTok: 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 #YoungAdultBooks #NewAdult #AdultFantasy #BookishPodcast #BookCommunity #FantasyReaders #BookDiscussion #PublishingIndustry #YAbooks #NAbooks #BookMarketing #SpicyBooks #FantasyBookSeries #BookTok #Bookstagram

🚨 STOP rushing through your TBR! 🚨 Books don’t expire, and there’s NO reason to stress about reading books while they’re trending. In this episode, we break down our mantra: Good Books Will Be Good Forever and prove our point with 10 books that have stood the test of time 📖✨We’re talking about:✔️ Why the pressure to read new releases is unnecessary✔️ The problem with hype-driven reading✔️ 10 books over 10 years old that still SLAP 🔥Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien07:57 Dune – Frank Herbert11:33 Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card14:26 Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl17:05 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen19:41 The Infernal Devices Trilogy – Cassandra Clare21:26 Mistborn Trilogy – Brandon Sanderson23:01 And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie24:42 Wayward Pines Trilogy – Blake Crouch26:59 The Realm of the Elderlings – Robin Hobb🔔 Subscribe for more bookish deep dives and hot takes! Let’s savor our reading and stop letting hype dictate our TBRs.Would love to hear your thoughts! Do you feel pressure to read books ASAP before they fade from popularity? Drop a comment! 👇Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] TikTok: 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 #BookPodcast #TimelessBooks #MustReadBooks #BacklistBooks #TBRProblems #GoodBooksWillBeGoodForever #ReadingFOMO #NoRushReading #ClassicReads

As the 20th best reviewer on Goodreads (out of 150 million users!), Maddie shares the truth about book ratings, how reviews impact our reading experiences, and why they might not be as objective as we think. Kristen, on the other hand, is overcoming her doubts about whether reviewing books is worth the effort. We break down how we rate books, the difference between popularity and quality, and whether our ratings actually change over time. Whether you're a dedicated reviewer or just want to know if that viral book is actually good, this episode is for you!

Mentioned in this Episode

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb

Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

Artificial Wisdom by Thomas Weaver

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

Brandon Sanderson’s lectures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEUh_y1IFZY

Timestamps00:00 – Intro

00:13 – Maddie is the 20th top reviewer on Goodreads!

01:56 – Kristen’s reluctance to write book reviews

02:40 – How writing reviews helps Maddie think critically & guide readers

06:07 – Why good reviews include both strengths & weaknesses

08:58 – Maddie’s reading tracking spreadsheet: why she made it

10:16 – Maddie’s rubric for rating & reviewing books

14:25 – How reviewing books helps you learn your taste

16:30 – What earns 5 stars in the character category?

21:20 – Are popular books actually good? Does hype = quality?

25:04 – How we rate plot differently

28:36 – Can ratings change over time? Are reviews even objective?

33:08 – How we analyze themes in books

41:18 – Final thoughts on rating & reviewing

Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] TikTok: 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 #BookReview #Goodreads #BookTok #BookPodcast #BookRatings #ReadingCommunity #BookLover #Bookish

In this episode, we get raw and honest, sharing our biggest mistakes and breakthroughs in each of these areas: finances, authenticity, manifesting, simplifying, parenting, physical health, mental health, and career. From hard lessons learned to the transformative books that reshaped our mindsets, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real, messy, and often unpopular truths behind our self-improvement. If you’ve ever wondered what non-fiction books changed how we think, tune in!

Books Mentioned:

1. Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny
2. Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser
3. Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks
4. Simple Matters by Erin Boyle
5. Heart Thoughts by Louise L. Hay
6. Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
7. Moon Time by Lucy H. Pearce
8. Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols
9. 10% Happier by Dan Harris
10. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:48 Finances

06:42 Authenticity 

10:13 Manifesting

13:58 Simplifying

21:34 Parenting

29:41 Physical Health

33:36 Mental Health

36:56 Entrepreneurship 

Let’s connect!

Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood

Have a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected] 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.mads

Instagam: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmads

All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads

To 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 #selfhelpbooks #selfdiscovery #selfimprovement #selfgrowth #BookClub #Reading #Books #manifesting #meditation #mimimalism #money #parentingbooks #careerbooks #health #wellness #wellnessbooks

In this episode, we’re recommending 16 incredible books that we both rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ across 8 genres—even though we don’t always agree! Whether you love sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, magical realism, romantasy, contemporary romance, literary fiction, or YA fantasy books, you'll find a recommendation on this list. If you enjoy deep themes, analyzing entertainment, discussing popular media, and being part of a book club-style conversation, join us for this episode! Subscribe for more book recommendations, in-depth discussions, and literary deep dives! 📚✨

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:02 Two sci-fi books that we both rated 5 stars

11:31 Two high fantasy books that we both rated 5 stars

22:03 Two poetic books with flowery prose that we both rated 5 stars

27:08 Two romantasy romance books that we both rated 5 stars

33:46 Two contemporary books that we both rated 5 stars

38:56 Two magical realism books that we both rated 5 stars

46:50 Two literary fiction books that we both rated 5 stars

54:10 Two young adult fantasy books that we both rated 5 stars

59:42 Is there such a thing as a perfect book?

Books Mentioned:

• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
• Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver
• The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
• The Will of the Many by James Islington
• If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
• Masters of Death by Olivie Blake
• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
• Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
• Happy Place by Emily Henry
• The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
• The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
• The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
• Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Let’s connect!

Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood

Have a business inquiry? Email us: [email protected]

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.mads

Instagam: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmads

All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads

To 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 #BookRecommendations #5StarBooks #ThrillerBooks #SciFiBooks #YAFantasy #Romantasy #LiteraryFiction #MagicalRealism #MustReadBooks #BookClubReads #PopularBooks #BooksWorthTheHype #DeepThemes #StoryAnalysis #BestBooks2025 #BookLovers #TBRList #ReadingRecommendations #FictionLovers

Are you ready to break free from repeating patterns and uncover the hidden desires shaping your life? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Carolyn Elliott, author of Existential Kink, to explore the transformative practice of shadow work. If you're a reader who loves self-help books, personal development, and discovering new tools for growth, this interview is for you. Carolyn shares how embracing the unconscious parts of ourselves—yes, even the uncomfortable ones—can lead to profound breakthroughs in relationships, finances, and creativity. Whether you're stuck in a cycle you can't escape or just looking for your next must-read book, Existential Kink offers a fresh, fun, and empowering approach to leveling up your life. Tune in to hear how this book became essential in our journey and why it might just be the missing piece in yours!

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Email: [email protected]

📚 We read 12 books with our book club in 2024 – and let’s just say, some were incredible, some were just okay, and a few we seriously regretted! In this episode, we rank our book club picks, sharing which books sparked deep discussions (including our deep thoughts on death and life’s meaning) and which ones fell flat. If you're looking for the best books to read with your book club (or want to avoid the duds), this episode is for you!👀

Books we discuss:

Listen to find out which ones were hits and misses!

✅ Perfect for:

✨ What was YOUR favorite (or least favorite) book club read this year? Drop it in the comments!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:31 The members of our book club

05:47 All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks

09:33 Butcher and Blackbird by Brynn Weaver

12:42 Powerless by Lauren Roberts

16:05 Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

20:27 Normal People by Sally Rooney

24:31 Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

33:05 A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

37:19 Wool by Hugh Howey

40:52 The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

47:20 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

49:48 The Book of Doors by Garreth Brown

52:28 Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Other Books Mentioned:

It’s Onyx Storm release day, and we’re diving into the world of romantasy! In this episode, we explore the irresistible magic of fantasy romance: why it resonates with millennials, how it blends Tolkien’s epic world-building with Austen’s swoon-worthy romance, and what makes the genre thrive (and sometimes fail). From closed-door YA to spicy, explicit favorites like Zodiac Academy, we share our top recommendations and air our biggest gripes about modern romantasy—like bloated page counts and rushed writing. Plus, we reflect on the genre’s fairytale origins, debate the perfect balance of spice and story, and talk about what makes a romantic fantasy truly unforgettable. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the genre, this episode has something for every romantasy reader.