To Be Read

We’re diving headfirst into the Maasverse.

From ACOTAR and Throne of Glass to Crescent City and all the chaos in between, we’re talking about the characters, relationships, crossovers, fan theories, hot takes, and emotional damage Sarah J. Maas has put us through over the years.

We’re getting into which series still owns our hearts, which characters we’ll defend forever, which ones drive us absolutely insane, the SJM love interests that actually work for us, and whether the Maasverse connections make the stories better or just give us more reasons to pull out the conspiracy corkboard.

We also talk about how our opinions have changed as we’ve read more fantasy and romantasy, the impact ACOTAR has had on the genre, and why Throne of Glass still has a permanent place in our reading lives.

Expect strong opinions, questionable character defenses, a lot of love for morally gray people, and at least one very important question: Where the hell is Vaughn?

⚠️ Major spoilers for ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City.

Tell us your favorite SJM series, the character you’d defend with your life, and your hottest Maasverse take.

⏱️⏱️ CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️

00:00 Intro to Maasverse

02:10 Upcoming books

03:39 Personal beginnings with SJM

08:27 SJM reading order preferences

10:55 ACOTAR

21:54 Throne of Glass

32:38 Crescent City

46:17 Characters

1:02:04 The Romance

1:13:03 Connections and Theories

1:21:36 Romantasy

1:23:55 Spitfire round

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We’re building the bookish dinner party nobody asked for, and the guest list gets questionable fast.In this episode, we each draft our dream fictional dinner guests, build the seating chart, and try to predict what happens when some of our favorite book characters are all stuck at the same table.We’re pulling from fantasy books, sci-fi books, romantasy, literary fiction, and BookTok favorites like Red Rising, Dungeon Crawler Carl, A Court of Mist and Fury, The Sword of Kaigen, and more.Some guests were chosen for the conversation. Some for the chaos. And some because we simply need to see what happens.If you love book podcasts, fictional character debates, fantasy and sci-fi recommendations, BookTok discussions, and wildly unnecessary literary hypotheticals, this one is for you.Dinner is served. The seating chart may have been a mistake.

Please note, this episode may contain character development style spoilers for the books.⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️00:00 Introduction and Task Force objective04:22 First Pick– Remus Lupin from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling or All the Young Dudes by mskingbean8908:32 First Pick– Emma M. Lion from The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower12:31 Clay Dunbar from The Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak15:09 Levi Williams from Beneath by Arial Sullivan17:59 Darrow au Lykos from Red Rising by Pierce Brown20:58 Princess Donut from Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman23:59 Matsuda Misaki from The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang28:06 Cassian A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas31:33 Ender Wiggin from Speaker of the Dead by Orson Scott Card35:10 Tisaanah Vytezic from Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent37:51 Seating Chart41:18 What are the vibes?45:23 Honorable mentions

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We’re diving into Morning Star by Pierce Brown, the explosive finale of the original Red Rising trilogy, and we have A LOT to discuss.

Darrow is back, the Rising is in full force, and somehow Pierce Brown still finds new ways to emotionally destroy us. We’re talking Sevro’s unwavering loyalty, Victra being an absolute force, Ragnar’s return to his people and the legacy he leaves behind, Mustang learning Darrow’s truth, Roque’s choices, Cassius surprising us, and the question hanging over the entire revolution: what exactly are they trying to build once the Society falls?

Plus, we get into the betrayals, the fake deaths, the Jackal being the Jackal, that final showdown, and why Morning Star manages to feel both devastating and hopeful at the same time.

⚠️ Major spoilers for Morning Star and the original Red Rising trilogy.

If you love Pierce Brown, the Red Rising Saga, morally complicated characters, space battles, political intrigue, found family, and being personally victimized by fictional characters, come hang out with us.

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We’re sitting down with K.L. Speer, author of Bones, for an author interview about the dark fantasy post-apocolyptic novel that helped start our friendship. We talk about the inspiration behind Bones, K.L. Speer’s writing process, fantasy worldbuilding, character development, publishing, and the creative choices behind this strange, dark, unforgettable story. We also dig into the characters, themes, and behind-the-scenes details that made Bones such a memorable read.Whether you’re already a fan of Bones by K.L. Speer, looking for a new dark fantasy post-apocolyptic book, or just love author interviews, fantasy books, BookTok, and book podcasts, come hang out with us for a conversation about writing, storytelling, publishing, and the books that bring readers together.We did try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but there may be light spoilers throughout.

Bones is traditionally published and releases September 1, 2026. Get your copies now!! Find K.L. Speer at ⁠https://www.klspeer.com/⁠

Meet Kelsey:

K.L. Speer, or Kelsey, is a writer and artist living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, two children, and numerous animals. She grew up on a quiet hobby farm in remote northwestern Montana, tending goats and chickens, exploring the woods with a vivid imagination, and devouring every book within reach.
Kelsey started writing her first novel at twelve, but tragically, the pink floppy disc holding it was lost. Over the years, she wrote countless stories—sometimes for fun, sometimes as a refuge during mental health struggles. As an adult diagnosed with ADHD, she finally completed a project and embraced self-publishing with the story Bones. Drawing on her art and design background, she created the art, covers, and layout for the indie editions of The Bones Series. Her mental health journey deeply influences her portrayal of raw, emotional characters and the transformative strength of found family.🔔 Subscribe for more book obsessions.🔔

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We’re halfway through 2026, which means it’s time to look back at the books that have completely taken over our brains.

In this episode, we’re each sharing our five favorite reads of the year so far, along with the lines that made us laugh, ache, stare dramatically intothe distance, or immediately reach for a highlighter. From epic science fiction and Norse-inspired fantasy to dark romantasy, anxious tennis players, murderous heroines, and women changing history from between the lines, these books gaveus plenty to obsess over.

We’ll give you a spoiler-light synopsis of each book, explain why it earned a spot in our top five, and read the quotes that have stayed with us long after we closed the cover. Consider this your midyear reading check-in anda warning that your TBR is about to get significantly longer.

*Please note, this episode may contain spoilers*

Books Discussed:

• The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
• The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
• The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynn
• The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
• Duskbound by Grenwich and Lennox
• The Open Era by Edward Schmit
• The Wicked and the Damned by Rebecca Robinson
• This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
• Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
• Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio
  

⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️

00:00 Introduction

02:03 The Poison Daughter

08:47 The Poet Empress

12:32 The Shadow of the Gods

18:13 The Raven Scholar

21:22 Duskbound

26:18 The Open Era

29:40 The Wicked and the Damned

35:31 This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

39:06 Spark of the Everflame

46:37 Empire of Silence

51:52 2026 Hopefuls

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If Red Rising is about survival, Golden Son is about power, and what it costs to hold onto it.In this deep dive into Pierce Brown’s second book in the Red Rising Saga, we’re breaking down Darrow’s expansion beyond the Institute and into a much more dangerous arena filled with political maneuvering, shifting loyalties, space battles, and betrayals that still hurt.We discuss Darrow’s struggle between his Red identity and the Gold persona he has built, whether he can dismantle a broken system without becoming part of it, and how his ambition affects the people closest to him. We also get into the gala scene, Ragnar’s introduction, Sevro’s unmatched loyalty, Mustang’s role, Tactus’s tragedy, the Jackal’s terrifying mind, and the betrayal that changes everything.And yes, we absolutely have to talk about that ending.Spoiler warning: This episode contains full spoilers for Golden Son and may include light discussion of the broader Red Rising Saga.

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What does it mean when a book makes you feel truly seen?

In this special collaboration episode, To Be Read is joined by Adam Harper from Queerly Overthinking for a thoughtful conversation about representation in books, queer stories, diverse reading, and the power of finding yourself on the page.

We talk about the books that made us feel less alone, why representation in literature matters, and how reading outside your own lived experience can build empathy, curiosity, and connection. Because a meaningful reading life includes both: books that reflect who you are and books that help you better understand the world around you.

Books discussed include:

The Open Era by Edward Schmit 

Him by Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick 

The Build a Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver 

The Color Purple by Alice Walker 

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang 

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar 

What If Its Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli

Beneath by Ariel Sullivan 

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak 

Listen for a heartfelt, reflective, and very overthinking-friendly conversation between To Be Read and Queerly Overthinking.

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Trying a new genre can feel overwhelming, so we’re making it easy. In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite gateway books for readers who want to branch out into fantasy, romantasy, sci-fi, romance, literary fiction, historical fiction, horror, thrillers, classics, and YA.

These aren’t necessarily the “best books of all time.” They’re the books we think are the best place to start: approachable, fun, and strong enough to make you want to keep exploring. We also talk about the biggest hang-ups readers have with each genre, from fantasy world-building and sci-fi intimidation to romance stigma, classics trauma, and the idea that YA is only for teens.

Pick a genre you’ve been nervous to try, and let this be your jumpstart.

Books and genres discussed include:

Fantasy:

• Assasin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer trilogy)
• Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
• Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
• Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent (The War of Lost Hearts trilogy)
• Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Romantasy:

• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
• In the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy
• The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson (Book 1: A Kiss of Deception)
• Runebreaker by Mila Finch
• The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

Sci-Fi:

• Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Martian by Andy Weir
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
• Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
• Murderbot by Martha Wells
• The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey (First book: Leviathan Wakes)
• We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor

Contemporary Romance:

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
• Unbound: A Novel by Peyton Corinne
• Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick
• The Deal by Elle Kennedy
• Book Lovers by Emily Henry
• When in Rome series by  Sarah Adams
• The Bodyguard: A Novel by Katherine Center
• The Windy City series by Liz TomForde (Book 1: Mile High)
• Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
• Problematic Summer Romance by by Ali Hazelwood
• Dear John by Nicolas Sparks
• Dusty Britches by Marcia Lynn McClure

Historical Fiction and Literary Fiction:

• Horse: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by nnie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
• James Percival Everett
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Horror and Thriller:

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
• The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
• Don't Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews
• Hazelthorne by C. G. Drews
• Anathema by Keri Lake

Classics:

• The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Young Adult:

• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• Scythe by Neal Shusterman
• Saint Anything by Sara Dessen
• John Green (author)
• Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
• Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️

00:00 Introduction

03:37 Fantasy

12:32 Romantasy

17:23 Sci-fi

22:14 Contemporary Romance

32:12 Literary Fiction and Historical Fiction

37:12 Horror and Thriller

41:03 Classics

43:10 Young Adult

45:24 Closeout

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This week, we’re diving deep into Red Rising by Pierce Brown, the explosive first book in the bestselling Red Rising Saga. Part dystopian sci-fi, part brutal survival story, and part emotionally devastating rebellion, Red Rising follows Darrow of Lykos as he is torn from the mines of Mars and remade into a weapon meant to infiltrate the ruling Golds from within.

In this full Red Rising book discussion, we break down Darrow’s transformation, the Society’s color-based caste system, the horrors of the Institute, and the book’s biggest themes of power, oppression, identity, revenge, justice, and revolution. We also talk favorite characters like Mustang, Sevro, Cassius, and Eo, the betrayals and alliances that shape Darrow’s path, and the unforgettable moments that made us realize Pierce Brown was absolutely not messing around.

From “I would have lived in peace, but my enemies brought me war” to the rise of the Reaper, we unpack why Red Rising remains one of the most gripping science fiction and dystopian fantasy books out there, and why it lays such a legendary foundation for the rest of the series.

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What happens when we build the ultimate fantasy task force using characters from some of the most iconic series ever? Absolute chaos, questionable strategy, and a lot of passionate character defending.In this episode, Julie and Vanessa each draft their perfect six-person task force, pulling from Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Red Rising, and The Lord of the Rings, plus one wild card character from any book to serve as the chaotic sixth member. We break down who made the team, who almost made the cut, and which runner-ups caused the most emotional damage.Along the way, we dive into why we love these characters so much, from their strength and loyalty to their growth, flaws, trauma, leadership, and full-blown unhinged energy. Expect character analysis, fantasy debates, chaotic hypotheticals, and plenty of “but hear me out” moments.If you love fantasy books, morally complicated characters, found family, powerful character arcs, and wildly unserious bookish debates, this episode is for you.

Please note, deep dive videos contain spoilers.

⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️

00:00 Introduction and Task Force objective

03:00 First Pick– Aragorn LOTR0

4:48 First Pick– Darrow O'Lykos Red Rising

08:13 Second Pick– Aelin Ashryver Galathynius TOG

11:46 Second Pick– Gandalf the White LOTR

14:03 Third Pick– Lorcan Salvaterre TOG

16:27 Third Pick– Sevro au Barca Red Rising

19:45 Fourth Pick– Galadriel LOTR

21:40 Fourth Pick– Nesta Archeron ACOTAR

24:35 Fifth Pick– Azriel ACOTAR

26:18 Fifth Pick– Manon Blackbeak TOG

29:47 Wild Card– Rocky Project Hail Mary

32:44 Wild Card– Ian Malcolm Jurrasic Park

35:45 Runner Ups

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