Red Wine Reads

This week, we read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Ella joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why, as two people people who don’t normally read romance, ate this s**t up. 


• The fact that our girl Diana can sure write a sex scene


• How all of the elements — romance, historical anecdotes, character development, setting — came together to create a lovely, entertaining story

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you singing a song of a lass that is gone. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Rhenish Wine, Whiskey


• TV SHOW - Reign, Game of Thrones


• BOOK - Kindred 


• MOVIE - Brave, Lady Chatterley's Lover

Quick Summary: Scottish Highlands, 1945. Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743. Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of a world that threatens her life, and may shatter her heart. Marooned amid danger, passion, and violence, Claire learns her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.

*** 

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. 

It's our birthday month, so we wanted to start off our new season with a bang (literally). This episode was originally recorded in 2022, but I have sat on it, waiting for the perfect time to post it. And now, it is the perfect time to post it! 

Today, we're reading Birthday Girl, a steamy romance in which Jordan, a 19-year-old, falls in love with the almost-40 Pike. The only snag in their romance? Jordan is dating Pike’s son, Cole. Oh, and they’re living in his house. 

Sierra joins me today to talk about how I overcame my fear of smut thanks to her book choice. 

In this episode we cover: 

• Why I was legitimately scared of this book


• How sexy books shouldn’t be shamed, but rather celebrated 


• Why this book is right up Sierra’s alley

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will leave you finding a movie theater on your birthday this year. 

This week, we read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Bekah joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• The dark past of author, Delia Owens, that may or may not influence the plot/characters of the book. 


• What order you should read the “Where the Crawdads Sing” trifecta including book, movie, and New Yorker article.


• How this book became a phenomenon among book clubs and Reese Witherspoon fans. 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you running barefoot into the marsh and talking with all the birds.  

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Sweet Tea with Whiskey


• TV SHOW - Big Little Lies, Outer Banks, The Last Thing He Told Me


• BOOK - The Great Alone, To Kill a Mockingbird 


• MOVIE - Safe Haven, Gone Girl, Girl On The Train, The Woman In the Window

Important links mentioned in the podcast:

“The Hunted” - The New Yorker 

“Where the Crawdads Sing Author Wanted for Questioning in Murder” - The Atlantic

“A Shooting in Zambia” - The New Yorker

Quick Summary: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens. 

*** 

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 month, we’re starting Season 3 off with a BANG. Outlander, ACOTAR, Kristin Hannah and Ottessa Moshfegh? Oh yeah, this month is going to be good. We got a little romance for you (it is the month of love after all). We got a little mystery and weirdness for you. We have characters you love to root for and characters you love to hate. 

Whatever your taste in books, we hope you find something you’re looking for. 

Here are our picks for February: 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - a novel that combines the best of all worlds — historical fiction, fantasy and romance — into an unforgettable ride through the 18th Century Scottish Highlands.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - a TikTok-famous romance fantasy novel that is a (very) loose retelling of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. 

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah - a heart string-pulling novel about a woman who will do anything to save a little girl’s life, while also saving herself.  

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh- a dark and twisted tale about how one girl’s obsession turns into an unforeseen friendship with many strings attached.

Which book are you most excited for? 

*** 

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!

Abby joins me on this episode to discuss: 

* The characters who really made this book such a devious, sexy inside look into the richest people in Singapore 

* The biggest plot holes in the movie that the book filled in

* Why the audiobook absolutely SLAYS 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you booking a trip to Paris with your private shopper (just kidding…more like hopping onto Amazon and getting that $30 sweatshirt set you’ve been eying for the last week).

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

* DRINK: Singapore Sling

* TV SHOW - Gossip Girl, The Fall of the House of Usher

* BOOK -  What We Were Promised, The Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy 

* MOVIE -  Crazy Rich Asians, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Meet the Fockers

Quick Summary: When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

*** 

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 Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Abby joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• The characters who really made this book such a devious, sexy inside look into the richest people in Singapore 


• The biggest plot holes in the movie that the book filled in


• Why the audiobook absolutely SLAYS 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you booking a trip to Paris with your private shopper (just kidding…more like hopping onto Amazon and getting that $30 sweatshirt set you’ve been eying for the last week).

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Singapore Sling


• TV SHOW - Gossip Girl, The Fall of the House of Usher


• BOOK -  What We Were Promised, The Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy


• MOVIE -  Crazy Rich Asians, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Meet the Fockers

Quick Summary: When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

*** 

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 Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Bekah joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why there were way too many characters in the book that it muddled up the ending


• How Bekah became the biggest Studio Ghibli stan out there


• The many discrepancies between the book and the movie, and why in this case, the movie is better. 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you wondering where you can get your own fire demon. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: London Fog, Gold Fashioned


• TV SHOW - Slice of Life on Crunchyroll


• BOOK -  Ella Enchanted, Good Omens, Matilda


• MOVIE -  Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Boy and the Heron, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke

Quick Summary: In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?

*** 

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 — and watched! — Mr. Malcolm's List by Suzanne Allain

Sierra joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why Jenna fell asleep during the movie. 


• How well this book was adapted to screen — they did a great job, almost word-for-word the same!


• Why the movie’s creative interpretation of the ending irked us both. 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you dozing off while you read on the plane…

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Bees Knees, Lavender French 75


• TV SHOW - Queen Charlotte, Emma 


• BOOK - Portrait of a Scotsman, Unequal Affections 


• MOVIE - John Tucker Must Die, Belle 

Quick Book Synopsis: This novel follows the Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm as he searches for a wife, but not just any wife. He's determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town. But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind...Mr. Malcolm's List.

*** 

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!

This week, we read Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.

This nonfiction novel follows the twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history — the Osage Murders. 

Ella joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• Why we both gave the book 5 stars


• What we missed in the movie adaptation


• The pairing that kept applying to multiple aspects of our conversation 

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you discussing both the book and movie at length with your friends and family. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Moonshine, Whiskey


• TV SHOW - When They See Us, Top of the Lake


• BOOK - Under the Banner of Heaven, Braiding Sweetgrass


• MOVIE - Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer


• SPECIAL PAIRING: White Hats - A Texas Monthly Podcast

*** 

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 Twisted Love by Ana Huang

This first book in a four book series follows Ava and Alex — a duo whose love that was never supposed to happen unleashes secrets that could destroy them both...and everything they hold dear Twisted Love is a contemporary brother's best friend/grumpy sunshine romance. 

Sierra joins me on this episode to discuss: 

• How many tropes were actually in this book


• Why we now want to read the rest of the books in the series for an unknown reason


• Why it still only took us a day to read this book

Open your book and press play on a podcast episode that will have you questioning if character development really counts as just making someone overcome their fear of water. 

Mentioned in the Pairings section of the podcast:

• DRINK: Black Velvet, Cheap Champagne 


• TV SHOW - Virgin River, Outer Banks 


• BOOK - Fifty Shades of Gray, Promises and Pomegranates


• MOVIE - 10 Things I Hate About You, Twilight, 365 Days

*** 

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.