Reading & Ranting

While fantasy fall has officially kicked off, it’s time to take a step back and dive into the timeless works of classic literary giants like Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen for those crisp fall days. Karly & Mia explore how these classics encapsulate the essence of autumn, from moody atmospheres to heartwarming romances. Grab your Nicole Kidman cardigan and a steaming cup of hot tea (or sauv blanc) for an autumnal read when you need a cozy night in. 

But it’s not only about the fall vibes; for today’s rant, the girls will unleash several thoughts about how even men written by nineteenth century women were better than what we’re working with today. The charm of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley exists because chivalry was alive and well and gentlemen knew how to treat a lady (sidewalk rule anyone?) - today’s “sassy man apocalypse” just doesn’t hold a candle to the refined characters of the past. Join the girls as they celebrate classic reads and dissect the differences between yesterday’s gents and today’s woes.

In this special anniversary episode of Reading & Ranting, Karly & Mia are celebrating their one-year milestone by diving into a spoiler-free discussion of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, a beautifully crafted fantasy romance novel that captivated them with its beautiful prose, stabby FMC, and sexy new book boyfriend of the week. And did we mention… dragons?

In honor of a year since launching this podcast, the girls are discussing the hard work, dedication, and countless hours that have gone into creating R&R content for you. Between the rewarding moments that have made it all worthwhile and the challenges they’ve faced along the way (see their Strava miles trying to find working mics on the streets of NYC), the girls have big dreams for the future of Reading & Ranting. Happy reading besties and thanks for listening!

Fantasy romance books… we know them, we love them, and they’re great for escapism but sometimes… things just get cringe. Mia & Karly are talking about those moments that break the spellbinding world building and give them the ick—like “lactic acid” existing in Prythian. And let’s not forget: does anyone need a character named Thad in romantasy or any book for that matter? Didn’t think so.

Plus, Karly’s got some big news: she’s leaving her first "big girl job" for a new opportunity! The girls chat about career moves, why job hopping is the ultimate promotion strategy, and how burnout can push you to make a change. With tips on navigating the corporate world, the hell that is the job market, they’re here to say you’ve got to be your own biggest advocate. 

In today’s episode, the girls are diving into one of their favorite author’s novels,  Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Between exploring the book’s underlying themes of familial relationships and self-discovery, memorable side characters, and romance that develops between the shelves of a bookstore (the dream), Emily Henry yet again does not disappoint. Spoiler warning: the girls discuss the plot points in detail so beware!

However, for today’s rant, the girls are getting into a topic they’ve never discussed before: the world of workout routines. Between everyone on TikTok arguing what’s the best workout for women (Pilates, lifting, HIIT, running???) there’s so much discourse and frankly it’s overwhelming. Karly is busy trying to figure out what routine works for her and Mia is just trying to recover from her bicep curl to panic attack pipeline in the middle of guy-dominated Gold’s Gym. Happy reading besties! 

Come one come all, Mia & Karly are talking about how to spread the gospel (Maasiverse) to your friends. Spoilers ahead, so listen at your own risk! The girls are spiraling through the stages of grief one experiences while watching friends dive into the Maasiverse for the first time. From pretending Tamlin’s likable to surviving the emotional pain of “take it off” and the Thirteen to the full crossover in House of Flame and Shadow, they’re breaking down the reactions from friends on their first reads.

They’re also diving into their excitement (and a little dread on Mia’s part) for the upcoming fall season. Between nostalgic fall fashion, cozy days with PSLs, and the endless scroll of FallTok inspo, the crisp autumn air is on the way. Even though Mia's a self-proclaimed fall virgin, Karly's ready to drag her into the season.

Hey besties! Welcome to the first R&R solo episode, where Mia's taking the reins to revisit the books that shaped her childhood and how reconnecting with them has been a healing experience. If you wondered what house you would be sorted into, what cabin you would live in, whether you would survive the Hunger Games, or of course, graduate from a secret academy for spies in training as a Gallagher Girl, this is the episode for you. 

Mia’s also ranting about a difficult struggle: unlearning people-pleasing tendencies. She gets personal about her journey of setting boundaries, focusing on self-care, and learning to say "no" without guilt. If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself trying to please everyone else, this one’s for you.

Inspired by a recent trip to Barnes & Noble and curating their fall romantasy reads, Mia & Karly are back with part two of their ultimate Sarah J. Maas hangover cures! They share their updated book recommendations to help fill the void, with books featuring deadly trials, epic battles, and swoon-worthy love interests (and spice.) The girls are only discussing their 4.5 and 5 star reads to ensure a swift recovery from the Maasiverse. They offer swift, spoiler free reviews of Daughter of No Worlds, Serpent and The Wings of Night, Bridge Kingdom, The Hurricane Wars, Quicksilver, An Heir Comes to Rise, A Shadow in the Ember, and When The Moon Hatched.

Plus, they tackle the reality of mid-twenties hangovers and how they (barely) survive them. Grab your iced coffee and breakfast sandwich and join them in rotting on the couch for several hours (or, you can try listening to this podcast.)

In today’s episode, join Mia & Karly as they dive into the art of pitching a book to a friend. Mia kicks things off with a pitch for Quicksilver, an addicting romantasy read brimming with enemies-to-lovers drama that has BookTok buzzing with a new book boyfriend. On the other end of the spectrum, Karly introduces Love Theoretically, a heartwarming rom-com with an Emily Henry flair that promises to be your next favorite feel-good read.

And of course, any romance reader knows the most important accessory when starting a new book is your vibrator. The girls launch into a candid and educational discussion about their favorite toys that go "bzz" in the night. Class is in session for "Vibrator 101” as they discuss different types, features, and uses. They’ll say it once and say it again, but every woman over the age of 18 must have a vibrator (regardless of relationship status).

Okay besties, welcome to Westeros! Mia & Karly are breaking down their thoughts on House of the Dragon Season Two. TL;DR, the plot was definitely a slow burn, and not in a good way. The girls want to shout “Dracarys” at the scripts that kept Daemon at Harrenhal for an entire season and the lack of a follow up on Rhaenyra and Mysaria. But, of course, the season was filled with characters they love (Baela the Brave) and love to hate (looking at you, Crispy Cole) as Team Black and Team Green solidified.

Plus, they’re ranting about the frustrating struggle of finding birth control that doesn’t suck—because apparently, science still hasn’t figured out how to make one that doesn’t make your body freak out. 

Discover Karly and Mia’s book preferences in today’s Q&A episode! The two are asking each other questions they’ve never asked before, ranging from book guilty pleasures to the first book they ever read. The real question is whether Karly prefers fanfiction over published books. Spoiler alert: if it’s a Dramione fic, the answer is probably yes.