Red Wine Reads

“I love when women write men. Holy s**t. It was so good.”

This week, it’s a 2 for 1! We read Poor Things by Alasdair Gray and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Bekah joins me on this episode to discuss:

1. The book vs. movie when talking about Poor Things


2. Women writing men


3. The problems and triumphs of classics

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you slogging your way through another classic novel. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK - Frankenpunch, Bloody Mary


• TV SHOW - The Fall of the House of Usher, Fullmetal Alchemist


• BOOK - The Haunting of Hill House, Bunny, Pet Sematary


• MOVIE - Fresh, Poor Things, Ex Machina

Content Warning: We talk about death, sex, and murder in the episode. Please take caution when listening.

WARNING!! SPOILERS IN THIS EPISODE!!

”She's always talking about him slouching. I'm sorry, I do not find that attractive. Be assertive!”

This week, we read and reviewed People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.

Abby joins me on this episode to discuss:

1. Why the book was just too long…360 pages for a romance?


2. Why the climax was quite anti-climatic


3. Why this was the light and fun summer read that we needed.

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you planning your next summer vaycay. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK - Piña Colada,


• TV SHOW - One Day, Dawson’s Creek (Joey and Pacey)


• BOOK - Beach Read, The People We Keep


• MOVIE - Palm Springs, Definitely, Maybe

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you!

WARNING ‼️  SPOILERS IN THIS EPISODE !!

Here's what you can expect from our newest iteration of Red Wine Reads: 

• New scripts


• Drinking games


• More social media content 


• Same old heated banter


• More books spanning across a variety of genres

We love you all and want to give you the best possible listening experience we can. So we present to you, Red Wine Reads - Season 2. 

Let's pull some corks and get reading! 

I never thought I’d open up this much on a podcast…but here we are

This week, we read All About Love by bell hooks

Ella joins me on this episode to discuss:

1. The many meanings behind “Love” and what role it plays in both Ella and I’s lives.


2. Why billionaires kind of suck.


3. Why it was tough to jump back into a dense nonfiction book.

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you journaling more than you ever thought possible.

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Cosmo, Whiskey Sour


• TV SHOW - Modern Love, I Will Destroy You, One Day


• BOOK - Help, Thanks, Wow, How to Fall in Love with Anyone, Generations


• MOVIE -Someone Great, Together

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you!

• Disclaimer * At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.

Today we're diving into which books we'll be reading and reviewing in June. From classic horror tales, to sister witch dramas, to beautiful rich people hoofin' it in upstate New York, we're reading some great books this month. 

Whether you want to read one, none or all of them, the choice is up to you. We will be having great conversations all month long, so we hope you join us!

Everyone has different tastes, but we hope this podcast is fun to listen to, no matter how you like your books. Let me know which books you are most excited for on our Instagram and TikTok at rw reads podcast.

Links to all books are down below: 

All About Love by bell hooks

The Beautiful and Damned by Scott F. Fitzgerald

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

***

Yes, I know my mic didn't work in the first half of this episode. I apologize and will do better in the future. Thanks for hanging in there with me. 

Justice for Kevin Jorgeson!

This week, we read The Push by Tommy Caldwell

Bekah joins me on this episode to discuss:

1. Why this memoir appeals to both the climbers and non-climbers of the world.


2. Why Bekah felt the need to shout, “Justice for Kevin!” about 5 times throughout the full episode.


3. How we talked for over an hour and still didn’t event scratch the surface of his wild, wonderful life.

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you shouting, “Kevin! Pitch 15!”

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: IPA brewed in CO: Station 26 Juicy Banger


• TV SHOW - Edge of the Unknown


• BOOK - Into Thin Air, Outliers: The Story of Success


• MOVIE - The Dawn Wall, Free Solo, Summit of the Gods, The Alpinist


• Special Pairing: Against the Odds: Rock Climbers Abducted

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you!

• Disclaimer * At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.

"I can't pre-game before this. Things get too crazy." 

"You can, and you should!"

This week, we read My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Sierra joins me on this episode to discuss:

• A threesome involving Marvel’s infinity gauntlet


• Why the ending really put a damper on the whole novel


• All things relating to vampires — including fruit powers

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that was fueled by wine and romance novels…which always leads to good decisions.

Mentioned in Pairings:

• DRINK: Vampire Wine, Vampire Mimosa


• TV SHOW - What We Do in the Shadows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer


• BOOK - The Ex Hex, Deal with the Elf King


• MOVIE - Twilight, Vamps, Dark Shadows

Quick Summary:

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean. . .Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire.

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you!

Disclaimer

At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.

This week, we read Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

Abby joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why Kristin Hannah will continue to be a favorite, but maybe one who we stick to the newer material 


• If we were faced with the same situation as Julia, how would we respond? 


• Is a hot doctor always necessary for an interesting plot? The answer is in this episode.

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you reaching into your desk for that bottle of whiskey you’ve been saving for a moment like this. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Desk Whiskey 


• TV SHOW - True Detective: Night Country, Shrinking, The Wilds 


• BOOK - Where the Crawdads Sing, Speak, Alice in Wonderland, Nightingale 


• MOVIE - Tarzan, Good Will Hunting 

Quick Summary: Dr. Julia Cates was one of the country's preeminent child psychiatrists until a shocking tragedy ruined her career. Retreating to her small western Washington hometown, Julia meets an extraordinary six-year-old girl who has inexplicably emerged from the deep woods nearby—a child locked in a world of unimaginable fear and isolation. To Julia, nothing is more important than saving the girl she now calls Alice. But Julia will need help from others, including the sister she barely knows and a handsome doctor with secrets of his own. What follows will test the limits of Julia's faith and strength, as she struggles to find a home for Alice . . . and for herself.

*** 

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you! 

* Disclaimer *

At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.

This week, we read Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh

Rebekah joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why Otessa continues to fascinate me, even though I’ve disliked every book I’ve read of hers


• How Otessa crossed so many lines in this book


• Why we refuse to go watch the film adaptation

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you questioning if reading this book was worth it. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Gin


• TV SHOW - Killing Eve, Dead to Me


• BOOK - The Discomfort of Evening, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Other People’s Clothes, A Certain Hunger


• MOVIE - Saltburn, The Menu

Quick Summary: The Christmas season offers little cheer for Eileen Dunlop, an unassuming yet disturbed young woman trapped between her role as her alcoholic father's caretaker in a home whose squalor is the talk of the neighborhood and a day job as a secretary at the boys' prison, filled with its own quotidian horrors. Consumed by resentment and self-loathing, Eileen tempers her dreary days with perverse fantasies and dreams of escaping to the big city. In the meantime, she fills her nights and weekends with shoplifting, stalking a buff prison guard named Randy, and cleaning up her increasingly deranged father's messes. When the bright, beautiful, and cheery Rebecca Saint John arrives on the scene as the new counselor at Moorehead, Eileen is enchanted and proves unable to resist what appears at first to be a miraculously budding friendship. In a Hitchcockian twist, her affection for Rebecca ultimately pulls her into complicity in a crime that surpasses her wildest imaginings.

*** 

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you! 

* Disclaimer *

At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.

This week, we read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Sierra joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• How I was able to steer clear of any spoilers up until this point


• Why Tamlin gives me the ick 


• The pure excitement that Sierra feels to FINALLY talk about this book with me

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you traveling Under the Mountain and through the woods to save the people you love. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Out East Cotes de Provence Rosé, Red Sangria 


• TV SHOW - Vampire Diaries, The Rings of Power


• BOOK - Crescent City, Beastly, A Court of Mist and Fury


• MOVIE - Beauty and the Beast, Twilight, Ella Enchanted

Quick Summary: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world. As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

*** 

Once you're done listening, hop onto our Instagram and TikTok @rwreadspodcast to give us your thoughts on the discussion and the book. We look forward to hearing from you! 

* Disclaimer *

At Red Wine Reads, we want to engage in the stories of people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. The value of books lies in the power of storytelling and sharing a range of perspectives. We don't want to just read what we know, we want to read stories that open our worldview. And in turn, that means getting into challenging, rewarding conversations. But we are not experts in any field — literature, race relations, politics, etc .— and we know that our reviews of these books come from a place of privilege. We encourage our community of readers to add to these conversations with their own thoughts, critiques, and questions. We want to open up a safe place for people. That being said, we also realize that getting into race, sexuality, gender, and other difficult topics can be triggering. We aim to include content warnings whenever they are applicable but we are not perfect. So as we continue to do our best, know you have the room to tell us when we can do better and even, if you want to, share resources with us. Let's learn, grow, and have fun together.