The Readirect Podcast

We reflect on our holiday reading experiences and recap our ambitious goals for 2024. Join us as we discuss our favorite books, share insights into reading strategies, and anticipate exciting upcoming releases to fill our TBRs.

Emily's Mentions (we know there were many)

• The Natural Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
• Never Lie and The Housemaid Series by Freida McFadden
• I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston 
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Abigail's Mentions

• Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
• Fourth Wing Audiobook on Hoopla
• Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

2025 Releases We're Excited About

• Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar
• Onyx Storm by Rebeccas Yarros
• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Join us for a Buddy Read of Onyx Storm on Storygraph! Follow us at @fabigail and @emilyrojasreads. And as always, follow us on Instagram and TikTok (while you still can) at @readirectpodcast! We love you! 

Our latest episode revisits the beloved Chronicles of Narnia, focusing particularly on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, exploring its impact on faith, morality, and our childhood memories. Together, we navigate how these themes resonate differently in adulthood, the complexities of C.S. Lewis’s biography, and the cultural conversations surrounding the stories.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @readirectpodcast! 

In today's episode, we're taking a walk down memory lane for a recap of our reading in 2024!

First, we'll revisit our goals for the year and update you on our successes and failures. Then, we're reviewing our five-star reads from 2024 (hint: Abigail is a little more judicious with this honor than Emily). Finally, we'll give you our BEST tips for success in 2025!

Books we've read recently...

Abigail

• Winter Street Series by Elin Hilderbrand
• Under the Mistletoe Series

Emily

• A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
• The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
• Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram & TikTok at @readirectpodcast! 

SIGN UP FOR OUR HOLIDAY BOOK SWAP: Click here to participate!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your book-obsessed friend? Look no further, we're here to guide you this year! 

Listen to this episode to find the perfect gift for...

• The coastal grandmother in your life
• The goal-oriented, resolution-setter
• The person who's committed to protecting their peace
• The fired-up advocate
• The fan-fiction obsessed friend
• The Bridgerton fan who's looking to move into the modern era

And give us a gift by leaving a five-star review and following us on TikTok and Instagram!

Recent Reads: 

• Conclave by Robert Harris
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
• The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

In preparation for the upcoming movie adaptation of beloved musical, Wicked, we're reading the source material by Gregory Maguire!

Let's just be honest, we're not the biggest fans of this book, so if it's one of your beloveds please know we're approaching this with a critical eye. Fair warning! We love the musical, and we're apprehensively excited for the movie adaptation.

For more on the Wizard of Oz curse, read this article from Time. 

As always, let us know your thoughts on our TikTok or Instagram at @readirectpodcast. 

Escape your Election Day anxiety by exploring an imaginary world where book characters run for office!

As always, follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @readirectpodcast. And if you're seeing this before the polls close, don't forget to VOTE!

We're turning to our listeners for another round of book recommendations! We asked, and boy did you answer. We did our best to fit the brief and recommend books to add to your TBR.

Plus a discussion of the cover reveals for the new Emily Henry and Hunger Games books! AHH! 

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @readirectpodcast.  

What happens when childhood friends reunite on a European food and wine tour? Join us as we explore this story of second chances and personal growth, while also celebrating McQuiston's knack for creating relatable, complex characters.

We really liked this interview with Casey McQuiston in Rolling Stone. Abigail also recommends pairing this book with the Somm documentary.

Books We Read Recently: 

• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
• A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
• You're the Problem, It's You by Emma Alban

We'd also recommend chasing this episode with our book club episode covering Red, White, and Royal Blue, also by Casey McQuiston.

As always, we'd love for you to join us on our Instagram and TikTok at @readirectpodcast.

We're here to deep dive and debunk the allure of Nicholas Sparks. What were beloved books to us at one point in our lives, are now bizarre, hilarious, and at times, genuinely disturbing.

First, some...concerning allegations about Nicholas Sparks, with receipts. If it's not clear by the content of this episode, we strongly disavow any homophobia, racism, or other discriminatory practices. And, there are simply much better authors to give your time and money to! 

As for books we've read recently: 

• The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
• The Will of the Many by James Islington
• The Charm Offensive by Allison Chochrun

As always, we're on TikTok and Instagram @readirectpodcast! Follow us over there for more fun and unhinged bookish content. 

Get ready to expand your fall reading list with our carefully selected book recommendations. Grab your favorite fall beverage and settle in for an episode packed with books that have rich storytelling, emotional depth, and the perfect vibes for autumn. Happy reading!

Emily's Fall Picks: 

• Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody
• Blake Crouch's entire catalog (specifically Dark Matter, Recursion, or Upgrade!)
• A Witch's Guide to Fake-Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

Abigail's Fall Picks: 

• Conclave by Robert Harris
• The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
• Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
• The Will of the Many by James Islington

Plus Recent Read:
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram & TikTok @readirectpodcast!