Best Tbr List Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep. 127 - Recent Reads: 8 Gothic Fantasy & Spooky Cozy Horror Books | 2 Five-Star Novels 56:56

Play Pause

2h ago56:56

56:56

This past autumn, I was in the mood for gothic fantasies and cozy horror books for Spooky Season. I even had two five-star reads. Come find out which novels I read and what I thought about them. You can find the companion blog here. Books I Review in This Episode: A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid Stalking Jack the R…

1
Build-A-Baddie: Ideal FMCs from Sass to Strength 1:13:31

6h ago1:13:31

1:13:31

Badass FMCs: Crafting the Ultimate Leading LadyJoin us as we dive into the world of female main characters (FMCs) that embody strength, independence, and badassery across various genres. We discuss the traits that make a great FMC, share our favorite leading ladies, and even craft their ideal FMC from scratch. We also introduce a new cocktail recip…

1
From Mary Shelley To Del Toro: A Monster, A Maker, And The Cost Of Creation 59:59

1d ago59:59

59:59

Send us a text A stitched body, a bruised heart, and a question that won’t let go: who bears the burden for what we make? We dive into Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and trace its roots from Mary Shelley’s storm-lit summer to a modern, war-shadowed tale about creation, responsibility, and the cost of love. This isn’t just another gothic retellin…

1
“Tangles” & the Hidden History of Hanford Nuclear Site with Kay Smith-Blum (E184) 45:46

2d ago45:46

45:46

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kay Smith-Blum. Kay is a former fashionista and Seattle School Board President, spends her days debunking the tropes of the mid-20th-century history. An odd dream and the recent upheaval over leaking radioactive waste tanks at the Hanford Nuclear site compelled her to write Tangles. Smith-Blum, a…

1
Proof That Your TBR Might Actually Help You Live Longer (E183) 9:26

4d ago9:26

9:26

Send us a text In this solo episode, Kara explores the fascinating research behind how daily reading may support a longer, healthier life. She breaks down the landmark Yale study showing that people who read books for just 30 minutes a day lived an average of 23 months longer than non-readers, examines why book-length reading provides unique cognit…

1
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden - November 2025 Book Club 32:37

9d ago32:37

32:37

Have you read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm), or maybe watched one of the adaptations, and wondered how it holds up today? In Episode 301, Jen and Ashley dive into this beloved classic as our November Book Club pick. We start with a Bookish Check-in before diving into our discussion. We talk about what surpris…

1
Ho-Ho-Holiday Reads 2025 48:12

10d ago48:12

48:12

Christmas TBR List for 2025: Must-Read Festive Books & Holiday Recommendations!Join us as we dive into our holiday TBR (To Be Read) list for 2025! In this special Christmas-themed episode, we discuss the latest festive book releases, share our holiday reading plans, and offer recommendations ranging from Christmas romcoms to darker holiday reads. A…

1
Episode 51: Cozy Christmas Reads 2025 51:43

10d ago51:43

51:43

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 51 - A VERY special episode, our FIFTH annual Cozy Christmas Reads! This is the perfect time of year for some emotional junk food in book form! We are celebrating the fifth season of our annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode. Here are the links to 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024. For those who…

1
Finding Home in Fiction: Arlon Jay Staggs on Magical Realism & Southern Storytelling (E182) 42:06

10d ago42:06

42:06

Send us a text In today’s episode, I am chatting with Arlon Jay Staggs. Arlon is a native of Florence, Alabama, and a Southern storyteller with deep roots, a sharp sense of humor, and a heart for connection. His novel Leta Pearl’s Love Biscuits is his debut work of fiction. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Rive…

1
Ep. 126 - Recent Reads: 10 Magical Witch Fantasy Books (Cozy, Romance, Historical) | 3 Five-Star Books 1:07:53

11d ago1:07:53

1:07:53

This past Halloween season, I was really in the mood to read some witchy fantasy books. I haven’t had the best luck with this genre in the past; however, I think I broke that streak because not only did I find some new favorite authors, but I even had three five-star reads. Come find out which witchy fantasy books I read and what I thought about th…

1
Wicked: Power, Friendship, Popularity, Love 59:26

15d ago59:26

59:26

Send us a text Oz isn’t just emerald and glitter; it’s a lesson in how stories get made and weaponized. We jump from Gregory Maguire’s Wicked to the Broadway phenomenon and the record-breaking film to unpack how a green-skinned girl became a political problem, a best friend, and a cultural icon. Along the way, we contrast the novel’s darker theolog…

1
Libraries, Representation, & Life on the Move: Chatting with Author Sarah Monzon (E180) 33:13

17d ago33:13

33:13

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Sarah Monzon. Sarah is the winner of the Holt Medallion and Selah Award. Sarah is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a Navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and …

1
S2:E31 Build-a-Book BF: Ideal MMCs from Character to C*ck 1:08:17

17d ago1:08:17

1:08:17

Building the Ultimate Book Boyfriend: Our Perfect Male Main CharacterJoin us as we dive into crafting our ideal male main character (MMC). From physical traits to personality attributes, we blend the best qualities from our favorite bookish heartthrobs and anti-heros. Expect laughter, heartfelt debates, and ALL the smut as we build a man who ticks …

1
Complex Relationships & The Art of the Short Story with Marina Rubin (E180) 46:45

23d ago46:45

46:45

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Marina Rubin, author of Knockout Beauty and Other Afflictions. Born in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, Marina immigrated to the United States in 1989 and has since published work in more than eighty magazines and anthologies. She serves as an associate editor of Mudfish, and her acclaimed short story collecti…

1
Bonus: Inside Monsterotica BookCon 2025 56:21

23d ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text What if a convention put comfort, consent, and community first—and it actually worked? We unpack our weekend at the first Monsterotica BookCon in Baltimore, where a color-coded lanyard system, pronoun stickers, and clear badges turned awkward small talk into easy connection, and digital queues set us free from hours of standing in li…

1
S2:E31 Unhinged by Steph Macca: Spoilery and Spoiler-Free Book Review 54:23

23d ago54:23

54:23

Reviewing Unhinged by Steph Macca | Plot with a Twist PodcastJoin Allorah and Roe in this episode of 'The Plot with a Twist' where they dive into 'Unhinged' by Steph Macca. This discussion blends spoiler and spoiler-free content, touching on themes, characters, and plot twists. We rate the book, discuss narration highlights, and share our honest th…

1
Celebrating the 300th Episode of Unabridged! 45:02

24d ago45:02

45:02

Have you been with us since the early days, or are you just finding your way to our bookish corner? In Episode 300, we celebrate a huge milestone with a very special guest… our beloved former co-host, Sara! We kick things off with a Bookish Check-In, then look back at standout reads and moments from eight years and 300 episodes of Unabridged. We re…

1
Bringing the Bible to Life Through Story: Tessa Afshar on The Royal Artisan and Writing Biblical Fiction (E179) 38:54

25d ago38:54

38:54

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Tessa Afshar. Tessa’s award-winning novels have been on Publishers Weekly and CBA bestseller lists and have been translated into 13 languages. Winner of the ECPA Bronze Milestone award, the Christy, the INSPY, and the ECPA Christian Book Award for her Bible study, The Way Home. Tessa holds a Mast…

1
Totally Biased Reviews with Jason Ezell | For a Spell 46:55

24d ago46:55

46:55

Buy For a Spell, here - https://uncpress.org/9781469690445/for-a-spell/ More about the book: In the Southeastern United States of the late 1970s, a regional network of radical communal gay households formed in the face of rising New Right terror. Consisting of primarily white, self-described sissies, the Southeast Network, as it came to be known, s…

1
Episode 50: Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We've All Been Waiting For 44:37

25d ago44:37

44:37

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 50 - “Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We’ve All Been Waiting For.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re so happy you’re tuning in for episode 50!! The days are getting a little shorter, the reading spots a little cozier, and we’ve got s…

1
Inside A Sold-Out Romantasy Convention: Authors, Panels, And Merch 59:37

1M ago59:37

59:37

Send us a text Our Romantasy BookCon Orlando 2025 recap takes you inside Orlando’s packed romantasy gathering—where authors, panels, and pop-up shops turned a sprawling venue into a surprisingly smooth reader playground. We break down what scaled well, what didn’t, and the small fixes that could make next year even better. We start with the basics:…

1
Totally Biased Reviews with Eamon Dolan | The Power of Parting 59:13

29d ago59:13

59:13

Buy The Power of Parting here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/733809/the-power-of-parting-by-eamon-dolan/ Find Eamon Dolan Here: https://www.instagram.com/eamondolan?igsh=bjk3YTdrcXRmZnBw&utm_source=qr About the book: A myth-shattering, inspiring book that combines research, reportage, and memoir to explore the growing phenomenon of estra…

1
Totally Biased Reviews with Anna Ioanes | Painful Forms 31:05

29d ago31:05

31:05

Buy Painful Forms: https://uncpress.org/9781469688947/painful-forms/ Find out more about Anna at her website or follow her on Bluesky: https://annaioanes.com/ @annaioanes.bsky.social About the book: Unsettling art unsettles our normalization of violence In the wake of World War II, Americans struggled to grasp the shifting scale of violence brought…

1
Grace, Love, and Second Chances: Chatting Christian Romance with Kelly Jo Wilson (E178) 50:46

1M ago50:46

50:46

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kelly Jo Wilson, Kelly lives in the woods of Pennsylvania with her husband, two boys, and sweet Rottweiler. As a Christian romance author, she creates love stories that delve into many forms of brokenness, showcasing God’s incredible grace and love. God’s never-ending grace through Jesus Christ h…

1
Books & Booze: 2025's Top Reads and Our Year-End TBR List Unveiled 1:06:40

1M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Join Roe and Allorah on this episode as they delve into their favorite reads of 2025 and share the 10 must-reads they plan to conquer before the end of the year. From dark romance and mafia thrillers to dystopian fantasies and cowboy romances, discover the books that have captured their hearts and those still on their towering TBR lists. Plus, don'…

1
Ep. 125 - 12 Closed-Door Cozy Autumn Romance Books | November TBR Book List 55:51

1M ago55:51

55:51

Still wanting to take advantage of the autumn season, I’ve curated a list of cozy fall romance books that I want to read this month. Come find out which titles I’m excited to check out during this autumnal season. Plus, I'll let you know about 12 NEW books coming out in November! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read …

1
Ep. 124 - Pages to Popcorn: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman 1:11:00

1M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

It’s finally time to read the modern-day witchy classic, Practical Magic. In this Pages to Popcorn episode, I’ll be reading the book while giving you my thoughts in real time, and then watching the movie. Come find out if I think this popular witchy book lives up to all the hype. You can find the companion blog here. Shop at Book Outlet and use my …

1
BFF Book Club - The Bitter End Birding Society with Amanda Cox (E177) 31:26

1M ago31:26

31:26

Send us a text This episode brings you the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club—a monthly celebration of reading, meaningful author conversations, and book-loving community. This month, we’re joined once again by Amanda Cox, author of The Bitter End Birding Society. You might remember Amanda from Episode 95, and in this return conversation, she sh…

1
Stephen Graham Jones's THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER - October 2025 Book Club 40:04

1M ago40:04

40:04

Have you picked up Stephen Graham Jones’s The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) yet? We dig into this brilliant work in our October book club discussion. We start with a Bookish Check-In: Jen’s reading Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm), and Ashley just started V. E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Mi…

1
Strong Women in Harsh Climates with Denise Smith Cline (E176) 41:51

1M ago41:51

41:51

Send us a text In today’s episode, I am chatting with Denise Smith Cline. Denise grew up in a textile town in Upstate South Carolina before the world got so complicated. The youngest of 5 spirited siblings, Denise realized early on to survive, she’d need to master the dual arts of watchfulness and eavesdropping. A shy kid, she buried her face in bo…

1
Episode 49: The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst 43:00

1M ago43:00

43:00

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 49 - “The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst!” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! Grab your beverage of choice, find your coziest corner, and join Jillian and Erin for their latest reads. They love having you as their honorary third reader, and who k…

1
"The Cruel Dark" - I went to a ghostly manor and all I got was... 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Send us a text A crumbling manor, a lost past, and a love that refuses to stay buried—this one had us arguing, laughing, and rethinking what makes a gothic romance actually work. We dive into The Cruel Dark’s 1928 setting, the eerie allure of overgrown gardens and empty halls, and a professor whose grief and magnetism complicate everything. Along t…

1
Motherhood, Military Life, and the Oregon Trail: A Chat with Kaci Curtis (E175) 46:40

2M ago46:40

46:40

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kaci Curtis. Kaci is a military spouse and mom of two. She just spent two years living on the island of Guam, where she loved to explore the jungles and beaches with her husband and kids. She loves all things National Parks, hiking, camping, reading while sipping coffee, and cackling with her boo…

1
Beyond Spooky: Exploring Halloween Book Tropes with Sass 52:08

2M ago52:08

52:08

Exploring Halloween Book Tropes: Spooky Season Favorites🎃Join bookish hosts Allorah and Roe as they dive into the best and worst Halloween book tropes. From eerie haunted houses to captivating dark romances, they explore what makes these spooky reads so compelling. Grab your favorite spooky season drink and tune in to discover their favorite tropes…

1
The End of an Era: Discussing Raila Odinga's Significance to Kenyan Democracy 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

Send us a text Join us for a special and deeply personal episode as we pause to honor the life and immense legacy of the late Raila Odinga, one of Kenya's most formidable and enduring political figures. We connect with our guest, Leonard, who joins us directly from Kenya to give us an intimate, on-the-ground report. What is the mood like in the cou…

1
Episode 48: Five Stars, Please. 39:04

2M ago39:04

39:04

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 48 - “Five Stars, Please.” As always, Jillian and Erin have a fresh batch of book recommendations they’re excited to share. So pour yourself something warm, grab a blanket, and let’s talk about what we’ve been reading lately. Erin and Jillian always want you to feel like the third reader …

1
Spooky Reads 2025 Edition 25:08

2M ago25:08

25:08

Do you like spooky reads, or do you tend to steer clear of anything too creepy? In Episode 298, Jen and Ashley share our favorite books for the season, and we talk about what makes the perfect fall read. We start with our Bookish Check-in: Ashley is listening to Thorn Season (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) by Kiera Cass, and Jen’s revisiting Richard Math…

1
How to Feel Your Feelings (and Teach Your Kids to Do the Same) with Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Juli Fraga (E174) 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

Send us a text In today’s episode, we have not just one incredible guest—but two! I’m joined by Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Juli Fraga, co-authors of Parents Have Feelings, Too: A Guide to Navigating Your Emotions So You and Your Family Can Thrive. This practical, compassionate guide helps parents understand and process their own emotions—and teaches …

1
Witchy, Creepy & Depraved: Halloween Book Recommendations 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

Spooky Season Spectacular: Halloween Book Recommendations!Join Roe and Allorah of 'The Plot With A Twist' as they dive into their favorite Halloween reads, from gothic mysteries to dark romance and creepy ghost stories. Grab your bloody drink and settle in as they discuss their top book picks for October, the latest releases, and what makes for a t…

1
Ep. 123 - Pages to Popcorn: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

I’m ready for a murder mystery on the high seas. In this Pages to Popcorn episode, I’m checking out The Woman in Cabin 10, both the book and the movie. Come find out what I think of this isolated thriller story as I share my thoughts and reactions in real time. You can find the companion blog here. Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off…

1
"Vampires of El Norte" - Vaqueros, Vampires, and a Choice of Freedom 59:45

2M ago59:45

59:45

Send us a text Love might not stop a war, but it can teach you how to survive one. We head to the 1840s Texas–Mexico border for a deep dive on Vampires of El Norte—a gothic western where a curandera’s courage, a vaquero’s haunted past, and a community’s quiet wisdom collide with empire, folklore, and the brutal math of power. We talk about what the…

1
Exploring Fathers, Sons, and the Lowcountry: Author Scott Gould on Peace Like a River (E173) 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m joined by Scott Gould, award-winning author of the new novel Peace Like a River. Scott has published five additional books, including The Hammerhead Chronicles (winner of the Eric Hoffer Award for Fiction) and Things That Crash, Things That Fly (winner of the 2022 Memoir Prize for Books). His work has also ear…

1
Ep. 122 - RTR: Reading BookTubers' Best Books - Part 3 | 3 Popular Thriller Books 2:08:19

2M ago2:08:19

2:08:19

By Kelly

1
Life Between the Pages 2: The Power of Books & Community, Weekly Reflections 18:02

2M ago18:02

18:02

Send us a text Welcome to your weekly dose of reflections, recommendations, and gentle chaos! This week, we're diving deep into the literary, convalent and musical moments that shaped my past days. I'll be reviewing the book I’m currently deep into a short stories collection by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and sharing a highly recommended read: Ocean…

1
BFF Book Club - What the Silent Say with Emerson Ford (E172) 36:59

2M ago36:59

36:59

Send us a text This episode brings you the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club—a monthly celebration of reading, meaningful author conversations, and book-loving community. If you enjoy diving deep into unforgettable stories and connecting with the minds behind them, you’re in the right place! This month, we’re discussing What the Silent Say with…

1
Ep. 121 - 13 Paranormal Romance & Spooky Cozy Books for Halloween | October 2025 TBR Book List 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

Spooky Reading Season is here, and Halloween is right around the corner. This year, I’m choosing more light-hearted, cozy reads for this seasonal time of year. Come find out which 13 spooky books I’m excited to read. Plus, I'll let you know about 14 NEW books coming out in October! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not rea…