Reading Materials

In this episode, we sink our teeth into Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. From the haunting pull of vampire lore to the raw portrayal of anxiety and mental health, we explore how Schwab reshapes the gothic tradition. We ask: How would this story shift if its characters were older? What role does the setting play in how we perceive the vampires? Join us as we unearth the buried fears, subtle power dynamics, and tender monstrosities that make this story linger like a whisper in the dark.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:15 - Life Updates

02:50 - Spoiler Warning

03:20 - Introduction to V. E. Schwab

05:10 - The Blurb

06:30 - Our Discussion of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

01:17:35 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:18:15 - Outro

This week, we’re diving into Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick—a novel that had us flipping pages and raising eyebrows.

Join Corrie and Lucia as we unpack complicated mother-daughter dynamics, messy characters that felt a little too real, and the hazy line between bad choices and full-on disaster. From addiction to manipulation, this one gave us a lot to talk about—and even more to side-eye.

Thank you to Viking and Penguin Random House for sending us advanced reader copies of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

01:45 - Spoiler Warning

02:00 - Author Biography

04:05 - Book Blurb

05:30 - Our Discussion of Favourite Daughter

01:06:30 - Next Episode

01:07:15 - Outro

In this week's bonus episode we are joined by author Morgan Dick, whose debut novel Favourite Daughter was published on May 1st, 2025.

Join us as we talk inspiration, writer's block, Morgan's advice to authors just starting and where she finds her next read.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending us an advanced reader copy of Favourite Daughter, and thank you so much to Morgan for being our guest!

In this bonus episode, Corrie and Lucia dive into Emily Henry’s latest release, Great Big Beautiful Life. From the perks of getting an ARC to the emotional weight of the final chapters, we unpack what worked (the characters), what felt familiar, and why we were left with some very mixed feelings.

Thank you to Viking and Penguin Random House for sending us advanced reader copies of this book!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Life Updates

07:40 - Spoiler Warning

08:30 - The Blurb

09:20 - Our Discussion of Great Big Beautiful Life

47:10 - Next Time on Reading Materials

49:15 - Outro

Other Books Mentioned:

You and Me on Vacation / People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In this season finale of the Reading Materials Podcast, we wrap up our full Sarah J. Maas era by looking back at Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City.

We crown our favorite female and male main characters, debate our ultimate villain, and rank the couples who absolutely wrecked us. From the most epic, scream-worthy moments to the emotional scenes that left us staring at the wall, we revisit the highs, the heartbreak, and the absolute chaos that defines these series.

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we finish our journey through Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas and unpack the choices that define the series’ endgame.

We talk about how Aelin isn’t the one to vanquish the big bad, share our very real feelings about the Thirteen’s devastating sacrifice, and debate whether this epic deserved an epilogue.

From triumph to heartbreak, we break down what worked, what surprised us, and what still lingers after closing the final page.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - Spoiler Warning

00:55 - Summary of Kingdom of Ash (part 2)

03:30 - Our Discussion

01:23:25 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials, we dive into Part 1 of Kingdom of Ash and unpack the first 67 chapters of Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale.

We talk through the most badass moments, share our favorite character pairings as alliances start to shift, and explore what has us most excited (and nervous) for the second half of the book. From survival and strategy to sparks of hope in the darkest places, this is where the endgame truly begins.

Disclaimer: We had some audio issues during the recording of this episode, which can be heard in the second half as a crackling sound. We apologise for this and hope you enjoy listening nonetheless.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Spoiler Warning

03:00 - The Blurb

03:45 - The Actual Plot

08:30 - Our Discussion of Kingdom of Ash (part 1)

01:09:15 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:09:45 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we journey to the Southern Continent with Tower of Dawn and dive deep into the revelations and relationships that redefine the series.

We unpack the bombshell twist that Maeve is Valg, we vent our continuing frustration with Chaol as his healing arc tests everyone’s patience, and we talk through why Yrene’s choices left us more disappointed than inspired.

From political intrigue to personal upheaval, we explore how this installment expands the world, reframes key characters, and sets the stage for the explosive finale to come.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Spoiler Warning

00:50 - Life Updates

02:00 - The Blurb

03:15 - What Actually Happened in Tower of Dawn

06:30 - Our Discussion

01:03:50 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:05:00 - Outro

Maria is back this week as co-host to continue diving into the Throne of Glass series with Lucia. This week, we are tackling the gut-wrenching Empire of Storms.

Join us for our thoughts on Aelin’s epic trust issues, that long-awaited “we’re mates” moment with Rowan, and the sizzling slow burn between Dorian and Manon. Plus—Elena, the gods, and that cursed lock that ruined everything.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Spoiler Warning

01:50 - The Blurb

02:55 - What actually happened in Empire of Storms

06:45 - Our Discussion

01:47:50 - Outro

Lucia and Maria are half-way through their re-read of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. In this week's episode, Aelin has accepted her destiny as the rightful Queen of Terrasen and returns to Rifthold to enact revenge upon Arobynn...

Join us for our discussion of Queen of Shadows and hear our thoughts on Aelin’s masterminding, Lysandra’s powers, Aedion’s comedic relief, Rowan’s mixed feelings, Manon’s humanity, Dorian’s fate, Chaol’s double standards, Arobynn’s downfall and more!

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - Spoiler Warning

01:30 - The Blurb

02:25 - Summary of Queen of Shadows

05:40 - Our Discussion of the Book

01:59:00 - Outro