Medium Lady Reads

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 36, “Beware the Spoiler Police.”

Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! Make sure you have your holds list ready because if one thing is certain, Erin and Jillian are bringing you loads more book recommendations in this episode.

In This Episode:

• Erin and Jillian start the episode like they usually do by sharing how they’re reading and life is going.
• The ladies share their reviews of 5 books. Jillian brings 2 and Erin has 3. 
• The Hot Take is up next and the ladies have a great one, this week. You’ll just need to tune in to find out what it is.
• Finally, the ladies wrap up with their Hold’s Lists and what they’re reading next.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• Private Rites by Julia Armfield
• For She is Wrath by Emily Varga 
• The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
• A Torch in the Night by Sabaa Tahir
• Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas
• Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette Mccurdy
• Red String Theory by  Lauren Kung Jessen
• The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan 
• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
• Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• John Dies At the End by Jason Pargin 
• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 
• We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
• Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
• The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay 
• The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
• Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
• The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
• The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin 
• Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 35, “We’re Back with Our 2025 Reading Goals.”

Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! Erin and Jillian are excited to be back on mic to talk books and the library. They’re returning “rested and refreshed” after their January hiatus and can’t wait to share some of their latest reads. 

In This Episode:

• The ladies welcome you back and share a check-in on how their life and reading has been going.
• Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 32 for The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• Erin jumps into her reviews first, followed by Jillian with hers.
• Jillian and Erin share their 2025 reading goals, tune in to find out what they’ll be working towards.
• It’s time to share the holds list and what’s up next, listen in to find out what the ladies have on hold from the library.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
• Onxy Storm by Rebecca Yarros
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
• You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
• Drive Your Own Darn Bus by Julia Kristina
• The 5-Second Rule by Mel Robbins
• The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins
• Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano 
• I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin
• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
• James by Percival Everett
• Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
• Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen
• The Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay
• Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
• Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
• Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu
• Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau 
• Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas
• The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune
• This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki 
• A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 34, “The end of another year of reading.”

It’s the end of another year of reading and we’re excited to celebrate all those books that we loved this year. This episode wraps up 2024 with reviews of our favourites from the second half of the year. Plus, we’ll give our final reflections on our 2024 reading goals that we set way back in January! Feels like ages ago!

In This Episode:

• As per usual, the ladies begin with a check-in.
• Mentioned in this episode: Reading Goals Episode 14 and Episode 19 plus the first half of 2024 favourites Episode 23.
• Which three books will the hosts share as rising to the top of the pile when it comes to the books they enjoyed in 2024?
• Instead of Hot Takes Erin and Jillian review their reading goals for 2024 and comment on how these goals enriched life over the past year.
• See what goals will roll over into 2025,m and what goals were forgotten about!
• There’s no doubt that our side-hustle as book podcasters also drives what we read and we’re so grateful for this community to add another precious dimension of joy and community to our reading lives.
• MLR will be on hiatus for the month of January, and the second half of season two will launch in February 2025! 

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• The Wedding People by Alison Esbach
• Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
• God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
• When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rupi Thorpe
• The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
• Brotherless Night by VV Ganeshanathan
• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
• Happy Place by Emily Henry
• Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
• An Ember In the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir
• Heir by Sabaa Tahir
• All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 
• The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
• The Millicent Quibb School of Ettiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
• NeverMoor by Jessica Townsend
• The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
• Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
• Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
• The Mutual Friend by Carter Bays
• How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
• Lovelight Farms by BK Borrison
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sandwich by Catharine Newman
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
• The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
• Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
• A Love Song for Ricky WIlde by Tia Williams
• Family Family by Laurie Frankel
• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland
• The Sun and All Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
• The Library At Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
• Entitlement by Rumaan Alam
• All Fours by Miranda July
• The Plan: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi
• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• The Blue Sisters by Coco Mellores

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 33, “Cozy Christmas Reads 2024.”

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… time for the fourth annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode! This episode is special because Jillian and Erin are joined by two additional guests, Stephanie Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender. The four women come together yearly (previous episodes are linked below), to share each year’s picks for a cozy Christmas read. 

If you’re ready for this year’s edition, just hit play wherever you listen to podcasts!

In This Episode:

• As per usual, the ladies begin with a check-in.
• Mentioned in this episode: Cozy Christmas Reads 2023, 2022, 2021
• The ladies rank their reads from scrooge to Christmas on Hallmark Street.
• It's time to share the books! The women go through and each share one book, and then they go around a second time to share their second book.
• You MUST listen in to hear Stef’s second pick. You won’t believe what she chose! 🤪🤪 Be sure to weigh in your thoughts on what Stef chose. 
• It wouldn’t be an episode of Medium Lady Reads without hot takes, tune in to find out what we’re all thinking.
• All four women share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’re reading next.
• Connect with the podcast on Instagram @mediumladyreads, Jillian or Erin.

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• Father of the Rain by Lily King
• A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
• A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss
• Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah
• When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
• Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
• The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
• NeverMoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
• Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
• Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
• A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss
• We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• Bride by Ali Hazelwood
• One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood
• What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd
• Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach
• Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
• The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley
• For She is Wrath by Emily Varga 
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 32, “Romanticize Your Reading Life.”

This week, Erin and Jillian are here to remind you that when the world is a dumpster fire, you can still count on your books! Take a break from the doom-scrolling and come join them for book chat, library love, and, of course, hot takes!

In This Episode:

• The ladies begin with their regular check-in. They share how their reading is going and what they’re currently reading.
• Jillian and Erin discuss the layout of their books to get to the heart of the episode.
• It’s time for the heart of the episode, each woman shares their latest reads.
• If you’re looking for a way to ethically use ChatGPT, this episode has the examples for you. 
• It’s time for Hot Takes and this week the ladies are asking whether children’s books count when it comes to the books you’ve read this year. Listen in to hear what Erin and Jillian think.
• Are you wondering what Jillian and Erin have on hold at the library? Tune in to find out! 

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• At First Spite by Olivia Dade
• How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
• The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
• Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
• The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell 
• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
• Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
• The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
• The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
• Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
• What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd 
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
• When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
• 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life by Farzana Doctor

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 31, “Your Reading Slump is Totally Normal.”

This week, Erin and Jillian are here to remind you that reading is self-care, so grab your latest read and join in for our reviews and book chat.

In This Episode:

• The ladies start the episode by checking in with each other to see how their reading is going.
• It’s time for book reviews! The ladies share their reviews of the latest books that they’ve read.
• What’s this week’s Hot Take? You’ll need to tune in to find out!
• Want to find out what Jillian and Erin are requesting from the library, tune in to this episode.
• If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment and text a friend about it so they can listen, too.

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
• The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 
• This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
• The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
• Within Arms Reach by Ann Napolitano 
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
• Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
• Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
• The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter
• The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
• The Bookbinder by Pip Williams 
• Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison 
• Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
• Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell 
• Father of the Rain by Lily King
• The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 30, “Would You Try a DNF Challenge?”  

We’re deep into the Autumn season and the temperatures in Erin and Jillian’s neck of the woods are beginning to reflect this. If you’re ready to curl up with a book and your favorite cup of tea, we’ve got you covered with more book recommendations!

In This Episode:

• It’s time for the check-in! Erin and Jillian check in to share how their reading is going. 
• The ladies are bringing 5 new book reviews to the episode, tune in to hear what they’re sharing!
• Mentioned in this Episode: The Goodreads Members’ Top Books of the Past Five Years
• Mentioned in this Episode: The Newbury Medal List
• Comin’ in hot with our Hot Takes - listen in to hear what we’re dishing on this week.
• Curious what Erin and Jillian are planning on reading next? Listen in as they share their holds list and “up next” reads. 

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• NeverMoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend 
• The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
• The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
• Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty 
• The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter
• Same as it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 
• Sandwich by Catherine Newman
• Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
• The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
• All Fours by Miranda July
• Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
• The Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 
• The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter 
• How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
• The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen
• I’m Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin 
• Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid 

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 29, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea-quel.”

October is here, as is the beautiful Autumn weather which is perfect for curling up with a great book. Erin and Jillian have 5 new books to share with you to start your autumn reading.

In this Episode:

• The ladies check-in to see how their reading has been going. 
• Time to drop into the meat of the episode! Jillian and Erin each share their thoughts and opinions on 2 books, and 1 joint book, this week. 
• Mentioned in this episode: Fourth Wing - Worth the Hype?
• Ready for this week’s hot take? Erin and Jillian dive into the hot take.
• Do you use the library? Jillian and Erin do and they love sharing what’s waiting for them at the library.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss 
• Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 
• Colored Television by Danzy Senna
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong
• Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi 
• Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
• The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
• Normal People by Sally Rooney
• Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
• The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
• Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield 
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach
• The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
• All Fours by Miranda July
• The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen 
• Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
• Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 28, “Your TBR is a Version of Your Ideal Self.”

September is over, but that doesn’t mean the book fun stops! Erin and Jillian are coming to you today with loads of new book recommendations, so get that pen and paper out, and let’s go. 

In This Episode:

• The ladies check in to see how their reading is going and even mention a few books in the process.
• Mentioned in this Episode: Our TJ Klune episode
• If you’re wondering what types of books the ladies include this week, don’t worry because we share the deets.
• Ready or not, it’s time to add 6 new books to your TBR. Jillian and Erin share 3 new books each.
• Instead of hot takes this week, the ladies share a goal’s check-in since they’re heading into the 4th quarter.
• It’s time for the holds list – Erin and Jillian share what’s on their holds list and what’s up next for them in the book world.

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland
• Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
• The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko
• Slow Burn by Rainbow Rowell
• How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
• A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson
• By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 
• Same as it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
• The Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
• Our Best Intentions by Vibhuti Jain
• You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman

Hello, Hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads this is episode 27, “Escape and Put Your Face in a Book.”

In this episode, Erin and Jillian are sharing a new selection of books. Books so good you’ll want to run to your library’s hold list and request them ASAP.

In This Episode:

• The episode begins with both woman checking-in on how their reading is going.
• Mentioned in this episode: The Joy of the Buddy Read
• Erin starts the episode off by sharing her first read of the episode.
• Jillian shares her first book, which kept her attention through the whole thing!
• The ladies share their final 2 books each.
• Mentioned in this episode: Episode 22: The BIPOC Alphabet
• @WeReadSmut IG page
• Next up - Hot Takes! Want to know what this week’s hot take is? Tune into this episode to find out. 
• Time to end the episode… Erin and Jillian share their library holds lists
• Mentioned in this Episode: Episode 23: The Best Books of 2024…so far

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuach
• Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan 
• The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
• The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
• Love, Off the Record by Samantha Markum
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
• The Mutual Friend by Carter Bays
• By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
• Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
• The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
• Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
• The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko 
• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland
• Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
• Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro 
• A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson