Well-Read

If you’re anything like us, you often read a book you love, add the author’s books to your TBR…and there they sit, unread. Thanks to a listener suggestion, we’re making goals this week to rectify that!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Meg Mitchell Moore books Ann’s picks: All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore – Runner by Ashton Lattimore – Ariel Lawhon books – The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – The Maidens by Alex Michaelides – The Help by Kathryn Stockett – The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett The Woman in Black by Susan Hill – The Woman in Black (film) – The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill – Simon Serrallier series by Susan Hill – Ruth Rendell books – Inspector Wexford series by Ruth Rendell Halle’s picks: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue – Sentimental Garbage (podcast) – Sex and the City (TV) – The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins – The Gifts series by Caroline O’Donoghue – Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue – Katabasis by R.F. Kuang – Yellowface by R.F. Kuang – Sarah MacLean books Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa – Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa – Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa – Mutual Discord by Liana De la Rosa Three Junes by Julia Glass – The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne – The Whole World Over by Julia Glass – The Women’s Prize for Fiction – The Correspondent by Virginia Evans What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Better the Devil by Erik J. Brown – The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Halle: Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy – Heated Rivalry (TV) – Off Campus (TV) – The Sweet Magnolias series by Sheryl Woods Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Thanks to a listener suggestion, we’re finding adult-audience readalikes for the books we loved as kids!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder The Little House Cookbook by Barbara M. Walker Ann’s picks: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright and You’ll Never Know, Dear by Hallie Ephron – Fear Street series by R.L. Stine – Christopher Pike books – The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell Halle’s picks: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman – Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia – Janice Hallett books Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal and Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings – Gossip Girl (TV) The Babysitters’ Club series by Ann L. Martin and Lovelight series by B.K. Borison – Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: L.A. Women by Ella Berman – Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Neapolitan series by Elena Ferrante Halle: Hungered by Amanda Rizkalla – Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Get in the mood for Valentine’s Day (and to clear space off your shelves) when we tackle the pink books on our TBRs!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon – Sarah Vowell books – Audie Cornish on NPR The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley – The Guncle by Steven Rowley American Fantasy by Emma Straub – New Kids on the Block (band) Halle’s picks: The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson – Jenny Colgan books – Clare Pooley books – Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan Lovely War by Julie Berry – Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm – Ali Hazelwood books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby – S.A. Cosby books Halle: Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams – The Last Word by Taylor Adams – Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

It’s a new year and we’re so excited about the roster of books coming out in 2026! Find out what we can’t wait to dive into this winter and spring.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Jane Austen books Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat Amity by Nathan Harris Buckeye by Patrick Ryan The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover Heart the Lover by Lily King An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz I, Medusa by Ayana Gray Ann’s picks:  This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman (releases February 10) – Isola by Allegra Goodman – Sam by Allegra Goodman  The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (releases February 17) – The Empress of Rome series by Kate Quinn  Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett (releases February 17) – Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett  My Grandfather, the Master Detective by Masateru Konishi (releases March 17)  The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall (releases March 17)  The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (releases April 7) – Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – The Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne  The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke (releases April 7) – V.E. Schwab books – Cat Clarke books – Anthony Horowitz books   Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker (releases April 21) – Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker Halle’s picks:  This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (releases February 3)  Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (releases February 10) – The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson  So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder (releases February 10) – People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder – People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry  Kin by Tayari Jones (releases March 17) – An American Marriage by Tayari Jones – The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali  A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman (releases March 3) – The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman  Whidbey by T. Kira Madden (releases March 10) – Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll  Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (releases April 7) – Diabolical Lies (podcast) – Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer   Unbound by Peyton Corinne (releases April 7) – Unsteady by Peyton Corinne – Unloved by Peyton Corinne What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis – Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Halle: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower – Gilmore Girls (TV) – Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – Bridgerton (TV) – Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

We’re making reading resolutions for 2026 and giving out our 2025 book superlatives! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Lauren Bacall filmography Jane Austen books Emma by Jane Austen Libba Bray books Book of the Month Club Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Emily Henry books People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Women’s Prize for Fiction Next Chapter Society Book Club The Wedding People by Alison Espach Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Romanceopoly 2026 Under the Covers (blog) @booksandlala on Instagram Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas Most Timely Ann: Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin Halle: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami Most Disappointing Ann: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez; Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See; Knife by Salman Rushdie Halle: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese; Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry; Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab – Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Favorite Reread Ann: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Persuasion by Jane Austen – Kristin Atherton filmography Halle: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry; Beartown by Fredrik Backman Biggest Surprise Ann: To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis – Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome – Terry Pratchett books – Neil Gaiman books Halle: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith; Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman Least Favorite Ann: The 23rd Hero by Rebecca Anne Nguyen; Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate Halle: The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb Book That Lived Up to the Hype: Ann: The Favorites by Layne Fargo; Long Bright River by Liz Moore; A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Halle: Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino; The Will of the Many by James Islington Best Distraction Ann: The Goldens by Lauren Wilson Halle: If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia; Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall – Broadchurch (TV) Halle: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Most Unputdownable Ann: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter; A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall Halle: Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino; Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer; Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros Better Late Than Never Ann: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara; The Housemaid by Freida McFadden; A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Halle: The Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman; Kindred by Octavia Butler Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali; The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones Halle: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett; Audition by Katie Kitamura Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty; The Lack of Light by Nino Haratischwili Halle: Wreck by Catherine Newman Author(s) we discovered in 2024 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2025 Ann: Kylie Lee Baker; Michiko Aoyama – Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker – What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama – Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker – Hot Chocolate on Thursdays by Michiko Aoyama Halle: Elizabeth O’Roark; Rachel Gillig; Ashley Manley – The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig – The Holiday Club by Ashley Manley Hidden Gem: Ann: The Bad Seed by William March – The Bad Seed (film) Halle: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden Best Audiobook Experience of the Year: Ann: Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto; Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild Halle: The Favorites by Layne Fargo; The River Has Roots by Amal el-Mohtar Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: Becoming Led Zeppelin; Friendship; Art for Everybody; Toshiro Mifune everything – Tim Robinson filmography – Paul Rudd filmography – Akira Kurosawa filmography – Toshiro Mifune filmography Halle: The Pitt; Man on the Inside; puppies! The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann: The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi Halle: Heart the Lover by Lily King What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Prize for the Fire by Rilla Askew Halle: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams – When in Rome series by Sarah Adams Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

The year is almost over, and it’s time to reveal our favorite books of 2025! Happy Holidays from your friends at Well-Read!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz Jane Austen books Agatha Christie books The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim What You’re Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Ready or Not by Cara Bastone Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Rose in Chains by Julie Soto Alchemised by SenLinYu Ann’s picks: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree – Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling Long Bright River by Liz Moore – Long Bright River (TV) The Bad Seed by William March The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto – Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes by Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn – @ahnestkitchen on Instagram – America’s Test Kitchen – Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home by Eric Kim The Crane Wife: A Memoir in Essays by CJ Hauser – “The Crane Wife” by CJ Hauser (essay) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher – “The Goose Girl” Halle’s picks: Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – And How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari The Will of the Many by James Islington – Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins – Divergent series by Veronica Roth Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett – Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe – The Wedding People by Alison Espach Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune The Names by Florence Knapp Heart the Lover by Lily King – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Writers & Lovers by Lily King What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Lack of Light by Nino Haratischwili – Persuasion by Jane Austen – The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili – The International Booker Prize Halle: The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop  

As temperatures drop, we like nothing more than getting cozy with a book. Find out our suggestions for cozy reads this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz – Susan Ryland series by Anthony Horowitz – Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama – The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai – Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa Cackle by Rachel Harrison Halle’s picks: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna – The Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches by Sanga Mandanna With Love from London by Sarah Jio Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman – While You Were Sleeping (film) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Halle: Set the Record Straight by Hannah Bonam-Young Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

We’ve been away for a bit, thanks to our travels this fall, but that just means we have a lot of books to talk about! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker The Wedding People by Alison Espach Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Ann’s picks: Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – Matt Bomer filmography – The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Outlander (TV) Halle’s picks: Wreck by Catherine Newman – We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman – Sandwich by Catherine Newman Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley – Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley – Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley Halle: Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

We’re looking back at the formative books that made us the readers we are today, and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Andrew Lang books Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder Beauty by Robin McKinley The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Ann Rinaldi books A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz Fear Street series by R.L. Stine Christopher Pike books Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol Masterpiece Mystery! (TV) The Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin Sleepover Friends series by Susan Saunders The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal Sweet Valley Twins series by Francine Pascal Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews Dollanganger series by V.C. Andrews Goosebumps series by R.L. Stein Richie Tankersley Cusick books Nora Roberts books Walden by Henry David Thoreau The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Jane Austen books Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Mary Higgins Clark books John Jakes books North and South series by John Jakes North and South (TV) A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Frances Burney books Diane Mott Davidson books Anne Perry books The Eight by Katherine Neville Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher Sarah Dessen books Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells Bird Box by Josh Malerman The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix The Martian by Andy Weir The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Mary Kay Andrews books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn Halle: The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill – Read with Jenna – Thousand Voices Books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s time to get our fall TBRs in order!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann Patchett books Taylor Jenkins Reid books Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall Broadchurch (TV) Jane Austen books The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh Succession (TV) Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan Rose in Chains by Julie Soto Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Ann’s picks:  Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat (releases September 16) – Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat – Salt Fat Acid Heat (TV)  The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller (releases October 7) – The Change by Kirsten Miller – Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller  All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles (releases October 7) – Death in the Spires by KJ Charles Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer (releases October 7) – Grady Hendrix books – Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix Happy People Don’t Live Here by Amber Sparks (releases October 14) – Only Murders in the Building (TV) – Angela Carter books The Unveiling by Quan Barry (releases October 14) – We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree (releases November 11) – Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree  Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (releases November 25) Halle’s picks: Amity by Nathan Harris (releases September 2) – The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris – Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry – Doc by Mary Doria Russell – Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee – William W. Johnstone books  Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (releases September 2) – Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – Our Town by Thornton Wilder – Wallace Stegner books  The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (releases September 16)  The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover (releases September 23)  Heart the Lover by Lily King (releases September 30) – Writers & Lovers by Lily King An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (releases November 11) Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (releases November 18) I, Medusa by Ayana Gray (releases November 18) – Circe by Madeline Miller – Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Rick Riordan books – Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian Halle: When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

We’re halfway through the year, and it’s time to check in on our bookish goals and reading lives of 2025!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: 2025 ALA Annual Conference Jane Austen books Book of the Month Club Women’s Prize for Fiction Libba Bray books Agatha Christie books Emily Henry books Abby Jimenez books Strange Pictures by Uketsu Strange Houses by Uketsu Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins Left of Forever by Tara DeWitt Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Women in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware The Favorites by Layne Fargo The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown The Names by Florence Knapp One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Heart the Lover by Lily King A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher Ready or Not by Cara Bastone The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley Alchemised by SenLinYu Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Manacled by SenLinYu Rose in Chains by Julie Soto Mate by Ali Hazelwood Bride by Ali Hazelwood Good Spirits by B.K. Borison Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer Grady Hendrix books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker Halle: The Will of the Many by James Islington – Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

It’s already summer – how!? But we’re very ready for summer reading with our lists of the books we’re most excited about. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin The Favorites by Layne Fargo Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison Sleepless in Seattle (film) When Harry Met Sally… (film) Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami Passion Project by London Sperry Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Ali Hazelwood Annabel Monaghan Ann’s picks: The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King (releases June 3) The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (releases June 3) – The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater – The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall (releases June 10) – Broadchurch (TV) Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (releases July 8) How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold (releases July 8) – And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher (releases August 19) – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves – Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher – A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill (releases August 19) – Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie – The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill – With a Vengeance by Riley Sager Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (releases August 26) – Babel by R.F. Kuang Halle’s picks: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (releases June 3) – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Top Gun (film) The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (releases June 3) Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh (releases June 3) – Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan – Succession (TV) – Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn – Gossip Girl (TV) Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (releases June 10) When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa (releases June 24) Rose in Chains by Julie Soto (releases July 3) – The Thrashers by Julie Soto – The Auction by LovesBitca8 (fanfiction) The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley (releases June 24) – Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley – The Mothers by Brit Bennett These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean (releases July 8) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Kate & Frida by Kim Fay – Love & Saffron by Kim Fay Halle: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett – Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett – A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – The Guncle by Steven Rowley – Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe – Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Do you need something to help you smile right now? We sure do, so here are some of the books that have made us laugh out loud. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto Ann’s picks: Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan – Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes – Dead Tired by Kat Ailes Halle’s picks: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano – Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich The Do-Over by Lynn Painter What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix – Rachel Harrison books Halle: Count My Lies by Sophie Stava – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

It’s time for our yearly Reading From Our TBRs episode! Listen in as we make a tiny bit of room on our shelves.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ready or Not by Cara Bastone Ann’s picks: Final Girls by Riley Sager – The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead – Pulitzer Prize for Fiction – National Book Awards The Crane Wife: A Memoir in Essays by CJ Hauser – “The Crane Wife” by CJ Hauser (essay) Halle’s picks: An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson – Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Sense and Sensibility: An Annotated Edition by Jane Austen, ed. Patricia Meyer Spacks – The Favorites by Layne Fargo – Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition by Ann Patchett Halle: Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

It’s our 150th episode (!!!!!!!) and there’s no better way to celebrate that and our friendship than to discuss female friendships in books.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Wood The Wedding People by Alison Espach Ann’s picks: Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee American Ghoul by Michelle McGill-Vargas – Dracula by Bram Stoker We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman – Sandwich by Catherine Newman Halle’s picks: The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan – The Great British Bake Off (TV) The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin – Fredrik Backman books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter – Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter – Inspector Morse (TV) Halle: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood – Bride by Ali Hazelwood – Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood – Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop    

We’re making reading resolutions for 2025 and giving out our 2024 book superlatives! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Women’s Prize for Fiction The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry From the Front Porch (podcast) Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Book of the Month Club The Bookshop Parnassus Books Brandon Sanderson books Jane Austen books Libba Bray books Colin Dexter books Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer Emily Henry books Ann Patchett books Most Timely Ann: Hum by Helen Phillips – Annie Bot by Sierra Greer Halle: Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller – The Change by Kristen Miller Most Disappointing Ann: The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson; The Women by Kristin Hannah – Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson Halle: Bride by Ali Hazelwood; Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood; The Postcard by Anne Berest – Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood – In Memoriam by Alice Winn Favorite Reread Ann: None! Halle: The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater; Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas Biggest Surprise Ann: The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August; The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff Halle: The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore – Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore – Gilmore Girls (TV) Least Favorite Ann: The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons; In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander – The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava Halle: Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey Book That Lived Up to the Hype: Ann: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley; The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez Halle: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney; James by Percival Everett – Normal People (TV) – Normal People by Sally Rooney Best Distraction Ann: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan Halle: Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal; Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: Ghost Mother by Kelly Dwyer Halle: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter Most Unputdownable Ann: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan; We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer Halle: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff; The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell Better Late Than Never Ann: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – Good Omens (TV) – Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer – The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – Coraline by Neil Gaiman Halle: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler Halle: All Fours by Miranda July Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan Halle: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar Author(s) we discovered in 2024 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2025 Ann: Kaliane Bradley; Kristen Perrin; Carmella Lowkis; Monika Kim; Cara Bastone – Fingersmith by Sarah Waters Halle: Cara Bastone; Kirsty Greenwood; Alice Wyn; Yulin Kuang; Holly Brickley; Olivia Muenter – Abby Jimenez books Hidden Gem: Ann: Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong; Ready or Not by Cara Bastone; The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd Halle: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood; Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa – The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Best Audiobook Experience of the Year: Ann: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – Meryl Streep filmography Halle: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: The Bear (TV); The Traitors (TV); Kyle Maclaughlin ads for Arby’s; Moo Deng; The Eras Tour Halle: One Day (TV); Wicked (film); Nobody Wants This (TV); The Tortured Poets Department (album by Taylor Swift); BookTube; five-year journal The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann:  Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong; The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Halle: The Wedding People by Alison Espach; Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: After Annie by Anna Quindlen Halle: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See – Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram    

Psychological suspense continues to be one of the most popular subgenres, but it can sometimes be hard to find the best. This week, we’re covering the authors we’d like to see become household names. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Sarah J. Maas books Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff Ruth Ware books Mary Kubica books Ann’s picks: Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry – Near the Bone by Christina Henry – Horseman by Christina Henry Arrowood by Laura McHugh – Safe and Sound by Laura McHugh – The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall – No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall Halle’s picks: Kala by Colin Walsh – Tana French books – Jane Harper books The Quiet Tennant by Clémence Michallon – Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll – Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez – The Push by Ashley Audrain – The Whispers by Ashley Audrain What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni – The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni – Rain Man (film) – Sherlock (TV) – The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Halle: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner – 2024 National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction – Booker Prize 2024 shortlist – Ann Patchett books – Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop    

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to reading this fall! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (releases September 3) – Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (releases September 10) The Midnight Club by Margot Harrison (releases September 24) Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera (releases September 24) – The Devil Wears Prada (film) Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (releases October 1) – Ina Garten books – Barefoot Contessa (TV) – @storeboughtisfine (Instagram) A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney (releases October 8) Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong (releases October 8) – Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong (November 5) – Travis Baldree books Halle’s picks: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (releases September 10) – The Measure by Nikki Erlick The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave (releases September 17) – The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave – The Last Thing He Told Me (TV) – Reese’s Book Club – Laura Dave books Entitlement by Rumaan Alam (releases September 17) Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (releases September 24) – Normal People by Sally Rooney – Normal People (TV) – Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney Heir by Sabaa Tahir (releases October 1) – All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir – National Book Award for Young People – Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature – Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir – The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London (releases October 1) – One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London – A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston – BuzzFeed: “This Quiz Will Determine Whether You’re More Demure Fall or Brat Summer” – Twilight (film) Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi (releases October 1) Rental House by Weike Wang (releases December 3) – Chemistry by Weike Wang What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Ready or Not by Cara Bastone – Emily Henry books Halle: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop  

There are more celebrity book clubs than ever! We’re discussing our favorites and some celebrity book club picks we love. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Read with Jenna Oprah’s Book Club Reece’s Book Club Colleen Hoover books Sarah J. Maas books A Million Little Pieces by James Frey Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Service95 Book Club Fallon Book Club Marvel Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer “How Celebrity Book Clubs Actually Work” (Esquire article) Mindy’s Book Studio SJP Lit Library Science Belletrist TeaTime Book Club The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Good Morning America Book Club The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris Ann’s picks: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay – The Audacious Book Club – The Help (film) – Tyler Perry films – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV) Starling House by Alix E. Harrow – The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Halle’s picks: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker – The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles – William Kent Krueger books Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson – Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan – Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd – An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson – Kate Morton books Halle: Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Do you have a list of authors who are auto-buys when they release a new book? We’re delving into some of ours! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann Patchett books Emily Henry books Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Abby Jimenez books Ali Hazelwood books Liz Moore books Kate Morton books Tana French books Leigh Bardugo books Celeste Ng books Anthony Horowitz books Sarah Dessen books Sarah MacLean books Ruth Ware books Ann’s picks: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters – Fingersmith by Sarah Waters – The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters – The Night Watch by Sarah Waters Still Life by Louise Penny – Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny – How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny The Diviners by Libba Bray – The Diviners series by Libba Bray – Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray Halle’s picks: The Best Man by Kristan Higgins – Katherine Center books – Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins – Blue Heron series by Kristan Higgins What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty – Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – Rainbow Rowell books – Big Little Lies (TV) Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon – I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Plus One by S.C. Lalli – Sonya Lalli books – The White Lotus (TV) – The Guest List by Lucy Foley Halle: Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

The New York Times recently published their list of the 100 best books of the 21st century, and we have THOUGHTS. Let us know your impressions of the list! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver New York Times: Readers Choose Their 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Martian by Andy Weir Elena Ferrante books The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins 11/22/63 by Stephen King Emily Henry books Abby Jimenez books The Heaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBride Ann’s picks: The Round House by Louise Erdrich - National Book Award - Thomas Cromwell series by Hilary Mantel - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - Commonwealth by Ann Patchett - The Dutch House by Ann Patchett The Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - Booker Prize - Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton Halle’s picks: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri - Pulitzer Prize in Fiction - Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra - Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Second Chance Year by Melissa Weisner - Sliding Doors (film) Halle: The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton - Book of the Month Club - Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We’re trying something new this week, as we review the books we read (or didn’t read…) from our Spring Preview 2024 episode. Let us know what you think!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Ann’s picks: Funny Story by Emily Henry  The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean Halle’s picks: The Great Divide by Christina Henríquez Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González Happily Never After by Lynn Painter The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang – People We Meet on Vacation (film) Real Americans by Rachel Khong  Happy Medium by Sarah Adler Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Ben-Hur (film) Halle: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to, publishing June through August! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Enlightenment by Sarah Perry (releases June 4) – The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry – The Essex Serpent (show) Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay (releases June 11) – A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay – The Blair Witch Project (film) It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant (releases July 9) Nicked by M.T. Anderson (releases July 23) – Feed by M.T. Anderson Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (releases July 30) – Landline by Rainbow Rowell The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (releases August 6) A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (releases August 6) – The Goose Girl We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft – “I Love the Nightlife” (song) – Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft Halle’s picks: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (releases June 11) Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller (releases June 18) – The Change by Kirsten Miller A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston (releases June 25) – The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – Rebecca Serle books The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (releases July 2) – The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamai – Elena Ferrante books – Khaled Hosseini books The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (releases July 2) – Tana French books – Long Bright River by Liza Moore – Lisa Jewell books – Jane Harper books All This & More by Peng Shepherd (releases July 9) – The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd – Blake Crouch books The Wedding People by Alison Espach (releases July 30) The Friend Zone Experiement by Zen Cho (releases August 6) – Succession (TV) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto – Jesse Q. Sutanto books – Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter Halle: The Most Famous Girl in the World by Iman Hariri-Kia Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

With summer around the corner, we’re feeling the heat in our reading! Listen in for our selection of hot books.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman – Neal Shusterman books How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala Halle’s picks: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau – Taylor Jenkins Reid books State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini Halle: Banyan Moon by Thao Thai – Real Americans by Rachel Khong – Read with Jenna Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram  

Spring is here, so we’re thinking about books that feel like sunshine! As always, we end with what we’re reading this week.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Village School by Miss Read – Fairacre series by Miss Read A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean Halle’s picks: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Good Taste by Caroline Scott – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs – The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan Halle: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – AITA on Reddit

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing March through May! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: What Should I Read Next? (podcast) Ann’s picks: The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov (releases March 5) – Stieg Larsson books The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill (releases March 19) – The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (releases April 2) Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan – Rachel Harrison books Funny Story by Emily Henry (releases April 23) – Happy Place by Emily Henry The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (releases May 7) – Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean Black Shield Maiden by Willow Smith (releases May 7) The Guncle Abroad by Stephen Rowley (releases May 21) – The Guncle by Stephen Rowley Halle’s picks: The Great Divide by Christina Henríquez (releases March 5) – The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henríquez Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González (releases March 5) – Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González Happily Never After by Lynn Painter (releases March 12) – Betting on You by Lynn Painter – When Harry Met Sally (film) The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (releases April 9) How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (releases April 9) – People We Meet on Vacation (film) – Beach Read (film) – Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld – Saturday Night Live (TV) Real Americans by Rachel Khong (releases April 30) – Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong – Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi Happy Medium by Sarah Adler (releases April 30) – Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan (releases May 21) – Crazy Rich Asians series by Kevin Kwan – Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan – Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope – A Room with a View by E.M. Forster What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta Halle: The Hunter by Tana French – The Searcher by Tana French Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop  

We love reading books but we also love getting books off our shelves, so that means we love our annual Reading From Our TBRs episode!     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Take It Back by Kia Abdullah – Kia Abdullah books Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – Audie Awards – Neil Gaiman books – Terry Pratchett books – Good Omens (TV) – The House of the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Ann Patchett books Halle’s picks: The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff – My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite The Truth and Other Hidden Things by Lea Geller – Lori Gelman books – Class Mom by Lori Gelman Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson – Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas – Booklist – Life After Life by Kate Atkinson What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Here In Avalon by Tara Isabella Burton – Tara Isabella Burton books Halle: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff – Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

In honor of Valentine’s Day, learn everything you need to know about the romance genre! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Webinar: Crash Course in Romance Nicholas Sparks books Colleen Hoover books Hello Stranger by Katherine Center Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James Sarah Adams books Mindy Klasky Tropes List Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Hating Game (film) Ali Hazelwood books Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare Knockout by Sarah MacLean The Singles Table by Sara Desai Battle Royal by Lucy Parker It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Role Playing by Cathy Yardley Scandalized by Ivy Owens Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Bridgerton (TV) How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews The Bodyguard by Katherine Center Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman Jasmine Guillory books Tia Williams books Helen Hoang books Susan Elizabeth Phillips books Christina Lauren books Mia Sosa books Olivia Dade books Natalie Caña books Beverly Jenkins books Adriana Herrera books Evie Dunmore books Courtney Milan books Jane Austen books Georgette Heyer books Julia Quinn books Cat Sebastian books Tessa Dare books Sarah MacLean books Lisa Kleypas books Judith McNaught books Jude Deveraux books Julie Garwood books Mary Balogh books Nora Roberts books Amanda Quick books Jayne Ann Krentz books Romancing the Stone (film) Carla Neggers books Sarah J. Maas books Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout Freya Marske books Olivia Atwater books Kresley Cole books J.R. Ward books Bride by Ali Hazelwood Lana Harper books April Asher books Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton Twisted series by Ana Huang Elsie Silver books Rebekah Weatherspoon books Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage Devney Perry books Jennifer Lohmann books Mariana Zupata books Icebreaker by Hannah Grace Sarina Bowen books Elle Kennedy books Windy City series by Liz Tomforde Twilight Saga series by Stephenie Meyer Kimberly Lemming books Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon Diana Biller books Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Surrender: Forty Songs, One Story by Bono Halle: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram  

We’re back with our superlatives episode – one of our favorites of the year!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Halle’s Instagram Women’s Prize for Fiction Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry From the Front Porch (podcast) Book of the Month Club Most Timely Ann: Spare by Prince Harry Halle: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Most Disappointing Ann: The Cloisters by Katy Hays and Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian Halle: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim and Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld – Miracle Creek by Angie Kim – Saturday Night Live (TV) Favorite Reread Ann: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Halle: Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Guncle by Steven Rowley – Daisy Jones & the Six (TV) Biggest Surprise Ann: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See Halle: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen – The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen Least Favorite Ann: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown Halle: Mean Baby by Selma Blair Book That Lived Up to the Hype: Ann: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Halle: Happy Place by Emily Henry Best Distraction Ann: The Last Word by Taylor Adams Halle: Katherine Center books – Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center – Hello Stranger by Katherine Center The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: Homecoming by Kate Morton Halle: Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler Most Unputdownable Ann: What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall and Look Closer by David Ellis Halle: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell and Drowning by T.J. Newman Better Late Than Never Ann: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden Halle: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline and My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle Halle: Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei and Gods of the Wyrdwood by RJ Barker – Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson Halle: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck Author(s) we discovered in 2023 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2024 Ann: Nilima Rao, T. Kingfisher, Heather Fawcett – A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao – Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett – Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett Halle: Sarah Adler and Jessica Joyce – Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler – You, With a View by Jessica Joyce Hidden Gem: Ann: A Death in Denmark by Amulya Malladi and Role Playing by Cathy Yardley and Better the Blood by Michael Bennett Halle: Talking at Night by Claire Daverley and Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn – Normal People by Sally Rooney Best Audiobook Experience of the Year: Ann: Kala by Colin Walsh and Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley – Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley Halle: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears, narrated by Michelle Williams Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: “Planet of the Bass” by DJ Crazy Times (song)    Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (film)    Barbie (film)    The Shop Around the Corner (film)    Remember the Night (film)    Bob’s Burgers (TV) Halle: Lessons in Chemistry (TV)    Daisy Jones & The Six (TV)     The Bear (TV)     The Great Canadian Baking Show (TV)     First Draft (podcast)     Sentimental Garbage (podcast)     –The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue     – You’ve Got Mail (film)     – Sleepless in Seattle (film) The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann:  Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling and Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree Halle: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Stateless by Elizabeth Wein – Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Halle: Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas – A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram  

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy Holidays from your friends at Well-Read!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Ann’s picks: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher – Sleeping Beauty Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling – Piranesi by Susanna Clarke How Can I Help You by Laura Sims – Patricia Highsmith books Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin Homecoming by Kate Morton Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree – Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree Halle’s picks: Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Exiles by Jane Harper – Tana French books Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood – Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood – Happy Place by Emily Henry Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – Bel Canto by Ann Patchett What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao Halle: Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

This week, we’re talking about book trends! Whether you’re deep in romantasy or cozy everything, we’re covering some of the biggest trends in publishing right now.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros The Maid by Nita Prose Anne McCaffrey books Game of Thrones (TV) A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin The Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R Tolkein Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai Debbie Macomber books Sweet Magnolias (TV) Virgin River (TV) The Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods Virgin River series by Robin Carr A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson Helen Mirren filmography A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins @beachreadsandbubbly on Instagram Jennifer L. Armentrout books Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka Serial (podcast) Role Playing by Cathy Yardley People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Get Out (film) Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Victor LaValle books Mexican Gothic by Silvia Morena-Garcia Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror edited by Jordan Peele Circe by Madeline Miller Queen Hereafter by Isabelle Schuler Macbeth by William Shakespeare Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig Halle: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley – Uzma Jalaluddin books – Maggie Knox books – Karma Brown books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Depending on which co-host you ask, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween! We have plenty of books for all your spooky reading needs this season. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 11 – Spooky Books for Halloween The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young ALA RUSA CODES Reading List Hocus Pocus (film) Bleeding Hart Yard by Elly Griffiths Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths Ann’s picks: Bad Cree by Jessica Johns Overdue by Richie Tankersley Cusick – Christopher Pike books – Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine – Fear Street series by R.L. Stine – The Mall by Richie Tankersley Cusick – The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux – Silent Stalker by Richie Tankersley Cusick – Inferno by Dante Alighieri Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo Halle’s picks: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell The Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll – The Whispers by Ashley Audrain – The Push by Ashley Audrain What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison Halle: Meet the Benedettos by Katie Cotugno – Keeping Up with the Kardashians (TV) – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – The Kardashians (TV) – Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram  

It’s time to revisit books about books! We discuss some recent and evergreen favorites. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Ann’s picks: The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths – Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film) The Last Word by Taylor Adams Halle’s picks: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer – Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn – Booklist (magazine) – One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris – The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer The Dictionary of Lost World by Pip Williams – The Bookbinder by Pip Williams What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Lone Women by Victor LaValle – Midsommar (film) – The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle Halle: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young – Weyward by Emilia Hart – Practical Magic (film) – Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman – Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

September puts us in the mood for back-to-school books, but why not add a mysterious twist? We’re talking dark academia titles this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop) Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop) The Likeness by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) The Magicians by Lev Grossman (buy from Bookshop) Dead Poets Society (film) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Joanna Gaines Ann’s picks: The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton (buy from Bookshop) Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (buy from Bookshop) – Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson Babel by R.F. Kuang (buy from Bookshop) – The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop) – Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (buy from Bookshop) – Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: The Cartographers by Peng Shephard (buy from Bookshop) Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian (buy from Bookshop) – Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay – Dexter (TV) Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (buy from Bookshop) – The Secret Place by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Cloisters by Katy Hays (buy from Bookshop) – The Met Cloisters Halle: The Lost Husband by Katherine Center (buy from Bookshop) – Halle’s Instagram – Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center (buy from Bookshop) – Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (buy from Bookshop) – Katherine Center books – The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

It’s that time again…the books we’re looking forward to the most publishing September through February! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Reykjavík by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdottír (releases September 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Arnaldur Indriðason books – Parnassus Books – Ann Patchett books – Independent People by Halldór Laxness (buy from Bookshop) Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison (releases September 19) (buy from Bookshop) – Cackle by Rachel Harrison (buy from Bookshop) – The Return by Rachel Harrison (buy from Bookshop) Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot (releases September 19) (buy from Bookshop) – The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones (buy from Bookshop) Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling (releases October 10) (buy from Bookshop) – The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling (buy from Bookshop) Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (releases November 7) (buy from Bookshop) – Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (buy from Bookshop) The Excitements by C.J. Wray (releases January 30) (buy from Bookshop) – The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (buy from Bookshop) – Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (buy from Bookshop) The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (releases February 13) (buy from Bookshop) – The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (buy from Bookshop) The Kamowaga Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai (releases February 13) (buy from Bookshop) – Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman (releases September 26) (buy from Bookshop) – Bad on Paper (podcast) The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab (releases September 26) (buy from Bookshop) – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (buy from Bookshop) – Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab Family Meal by Bryan Washington (releases October 10) (buy from Bookshop) – Memorial by Bryan Washington (buy from Bookshop) – Lot by Bryan Washington (buy from Bookshop) – Bryan Washington at New York Times Cooking The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (releases October 10) (buy from Bookshop) – Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (buy from Bookshop) – Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (buy from Bookshop) Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (releases November 7) (buy from Bookshop) – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (buy from Bookshop) – A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas – The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare (releases January 15) (buy from Bookshop) – Girl Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (releases January 9) (buy from Bookshop) Bride by Ali Hazelwood (releases February 6) (buy from Bookshop) – Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Ascension by Nicholas Binge (buy from Bookshop) – Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (buy from Bookshop) – The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo (buy from Bookshop) – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (buy from Bookshop) – With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

You know the feeling…you finish a book you adored and instantly wish you could read it again for the first time. These are the books we wish we could experience again, and boy was it hard to pare them down!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) In the Woods by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (buy from Bookshop) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Ann’s picks: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (buy from Bookshop) – Homecoming by Kate Morton (buy from Bookshop) Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (buy from Bookshop) – The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature – Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (buy from Bookshop) –YALLfest Passing by Nella Larsen (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (buy from Bookshop) – Oprah’s Book Club The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne (buy from Bookshop) – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (buy from Bookshop) Atonement by Ian McEwan (buy from Bookshop) – The Booker Prize – Amsterdam by Ian McEwan (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch (buy from Bookshop) Halle: An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir – All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Road trips are the perfect summer getaway! But if you can't hit the road right now, these books are full of long drives, snacks, singalongs, hijinks, and adventure. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (buy from Bookshop) Me (Moth) by Amber McBride (buy from Bookshop) - The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature The Farewell Tour by Stephanie Clifford (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler (buy from Bookshop) - Christina Lauren books The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (buy from Bookshop) - Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (buy from Bookshop) - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (buy from Bookshop) The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang (buy from Bookshop) - Schitt's Creek (TV) - Episode 122: Books Like Succession - Succession (TV) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Daydreams by Laura Hankin (buy from Bookshop) - Saved by the Bell (TV) - The All New Mickey Mouse Club (TV) - Bad on Paper (podcast) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

If you're missing your weekly dose of the Roy family like us, here are some books that we think will help fill the void after the finale of Succession. As always, we'll end with what we're reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Succession (TV) Gossip Girl (TV) Veep (TV) Taylor Swift Eras Tour Ann’s picks: The Heiresses by Sara Shepard (buy from Bookshop) - Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie (buy from Bookshop) The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur (buy from Bookshop) - Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (buy from Bookshop) - The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (buy from Bookshop) A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (buy from Bookshop) - King Lear by William Shakespeare (buy from Bookshop) Trust by Hernan Diaz (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Going Zero by Anthony McCarten (buy from Bookshop) - Michael Chrichton books - John Grisham books - Robin Cook books Halle: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (buy from Bookshop) - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

It’s one of the best feelings a reader can have: that feeling of finding a book that you just can’t put down. We’re discussing some of our favorites and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (buy from Bookshop) – The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (buy from Bookshop) Monster by Walter Dean Myers (buy from Bookshop) – Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature – Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (buy from Bookshop) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (buy from Bookshop) – Clue (film) – And Then There Were None (TV) – And Then There Were None (film) Halle’s picks: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (buy from Bookshop) Until You by Judith McNaught (buy from Bookshop) – A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux (buy from Bookshop) – Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught (buy from Bookshop) River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett (buy from Bookshop) – @maryreadsandsips (Instagram) Halle: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (buy from Bookshop) – Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal (buy from Bookshop) – The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Halle thought it wasn’t possible to love a Taylor Swift-themed episode any more, until her sister Heather joined in as a special guest! (Ann was there too, as a casual fan.) Listen in for book pairings for some of our favorite T.Swift songs, along with general Swifty gushing and the books we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Taylor Jenkins Reid books Red (Taylor Swift album) Fearless (Taylor Swift album) 1989 (Taylor Swift album) “Blank Space” Reputation (Taylor Swift album) “…Ready For It?” “The Man” Ann’s picks: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (buy from Bookshop) and “exile (feat. Bon Iver)” – Justin Vernon/Bon Iver – “Death By a Thousand Cuts” Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (buy from Bookshop) and “Bejeweled” – Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich Halle’s picks: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (buy from Bookshop) and “Enchanted” and “Dress” Someday Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli (buy from Bookshop) and “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” – Midnights (Taylor Swift album) – Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) Heather’s picks: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) and “august” – “This Love” – “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed (buy from Bookshop) and “Dear Reader” – Dear Sugar column on The Rumpus – Dear Sugars (podcast) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths (buy from Bookshop) – Harbinder Kaur series by Elly Griffiths – The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor (buy from Bookshop) – Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese (buy from Bookshop) – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (buy from Bookshop) Heather: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) – Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) – Daisy Jones & The Six (TV) – “Anti-Hero” – Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

It’s back…..our occasional episode where we pick books for each other from our massive “to be read” shelves! Listen to what we liked – and what we didn’t! – and find out what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Maid by Nita Prose (buy from Bookshop) – Good Morning America Book Club – The Maid (film) – Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (buy from Bookshop) – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) – Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (buy from Bookshop) – Goodreads Choice Awards – Book of the Month Club – The Verifiers by Jane Pek (buy from Bookshop) The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (buy from Bookshop) – The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen (buy from Bookshop) – You’ve Got Mail (film) The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson (buy from Bookshop) – The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson (buy from Bookshop) Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun (buy from Bookshop) – The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we have some ideas for romance novels, even if you’re not a romance reader. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: James Patterson books Elin Hilderbrand books Danielle Steel books Colleen Hoover books David Mitchell books Ann’s picks: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) – Emily Henry books – Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) – ALA RUSA CODES The Reading List – the committee we reference all the time – Beth O’Leary books The Bodyguard by Katherine Center (buy from Bookshop) – Victoria Christopher Murray books – Tracie Peterson books – Shelley Shephard Gray books – A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli (buy from Bookshop) Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (buy from Bookshop) – Love By Numbers series by Sarah MacLean Halle’s picks: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (buy from Bookshop) – Bridgerton (TV) – Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn – Beauty and the Beast – Eloisa James books – Pop Culture Happy Hour (podcast) – The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (buy from Bookshop) – Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught (buy from Bookshop) Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (buy from Bookshop) – Abby Jimenez books – The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez (buy from Bookshop) Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (buy from Bookshop) – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) – Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (buy from Bookshop) – The Guest List by Lucy Foley (buy from Bookshop) – Rear Window (film) Halle: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake (buy from Bookshop) – Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Okay, this is actually our favorite episode of the year: our annual superlatives! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: RUSA Reading List Halle’s Instagram Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead Women’s Prize for Fiction Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Bel Canto by Ann Patchett Most Timely Ann:  Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang, Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li Halle: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, pandemic books: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout Most Disappointing Ann: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas Halle: Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan, The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd – My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan Favorite Reread Ann: Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie – Poirot (TV) Halle: Broken Harbor by Tana French – Bridgerton (TV) – In the Woods by Tana French Biggest Surprise Ann: Spear by Nicola Griffith, Two Storm Wood by Philip Gray Halle: Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese, Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close  – The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Least Favorite Ann: The Boys by Katie Hafner, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi – Am I The A*****e on Reddit Halle: Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka Best Distraction Ann: Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson  Halle: The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys – Nicolae Ceaușescu’s Last Speech (YouTube) Halle: Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim Most Unputdownable Ann: WAKE by Shelley Burr; The It Girl by Ruth Ware Halle: Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid; The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen Better Late Than Never Ann: White Oleander by Janet Fitch, If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin – If Beale Street Could Talk (film) Halle: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: Love & Saffron by Kim Fay, Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey Halle: The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan, Stories to Tell by Richard Marx – Richard Marx on YouTube Halle: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec Author(s) we discovered in 2022 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2023 Ann: Alex Jennings, R. F. Kuang, Gillian McAllister, Emiko Jean – The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang – Yellowface by R.F. Kuang – Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister – Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean Halle: Annabel Monaghan, Roselle Lim, Sabaa Tahir Book we wish more people knew about Ann: The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks, Leech by Hiron Ennes – The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Halle: This is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan Our best audiobook experience and/or the book that was BETTER as an audiobook Ann: A Promised Land by Barack Obama, Spear by Nicola Griffith – Audie Awards Halle: Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet, The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith, Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: Cobra Kai (TV); Dickinson (TV); The Jackie Daytona episode of What We Do In the Shadows (TV); Everything Everywhere All At Once (film); Barbarian (film); Greta Thunberg owning Andrew Tate on Twitter; phone games: Wordle, NYT Crossword, Redactle Halle: The White Lotus: Season 2 (TV), Julia (TV), Junior Bake Off (TV), Midnights by Taylor Swift (album) The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann: The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings, The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill Halle: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau – Taylor Jenkins Reid books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham – A Time to Kill by John Grisham – The Pelican Brief by John Grisham Halle: Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivener – Jane Harper books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy New Year from your friends at Well-Read! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings (buy from Bookshop) - N.K. Jemisen books - Marlon James books Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang (buy from Bookshop) Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (buy from Bookshop) - Anthony Horowitz books Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean (buy from Bookshop) Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (buy from Bookshop) Small Angels by Lauren Owen (buy from Bookshop) The It Girl by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) - Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (buy from Bookshop) The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood (buy from Bookshop) Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monahan (buy from Bookshop) The Verifiers by Jane Pek (buy from Bookshop) Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) - Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) - Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (buy from Bookshop) Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (buy from Bookshop) - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (buy from Bookshop) The Crane Wife: A Memoir in Essays by C.J. Hauser (buy from Bookshop) - "The Crane Wife" by C.J. Hauser (essay from The Paris Review) All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (buy from Bookshop) Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) - Julia (TV) - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV) Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead (buy from Bookshop) - The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towels (buy from Bookshop) - The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Look Closer by David Ellis (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

The holidays are here! We’ve got some books to get you in the festive spirit, and we’ll share what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Halle’s Instagram Ann’s picks: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James (buy from Bookshop) – Adam Dalgliesh series by P.D. James – Agatha Christie books Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (buy from Bookshop) – “The SantaLand Diaries” by David Sedaris on NPR A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: One Last Gift by Emily Stone (buy from Bookshop) Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh (buy from Bookshop) – People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (buy from Bookshop) – The Princess Switch (film) – The Holiday (film) – The Parent Trap (film) – All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Babel by R.F. Kuang (buy from Bookshop) – The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop) – Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (buy from Bookshop) – Charles Dickens books – The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang Halle: All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

This week, we’re responding to a listener request to talk about books with characters who live with chronic illnesses. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (buy at Bookshop) – Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy at Bookshop) – National Book Award – Neal Shusterman books The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle (buy at Bookshop) Let’s Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry (buy at Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Luster by Raven Leilani (buy at Bookshop) – Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams (buy at Bookshop) Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (buy at Bookshop) – Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (buy at Bookshop) Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood (buy at Bookshop) – Pentecost and Parker series by Stephen Spotswood What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer J. Chow (buy at Bookshop) – Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer J. Chow (buy at Bookshop) Halle: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker (buy at Bookshop) – The Great British Bake Off (TV) – Junior Bake Off (TV) – Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall (buy at Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks:  The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (releases September 20) (buy from Bookshop) – LibraryReads  Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson (releases September 27) (buy from Bookshop) – Kate Atkinson books  Jackal by Erin E. Adams (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop)  Marmee by Sarah Miller (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop) – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (buy from Bookshop) – Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller (buy from Bookshop) – Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens (buy from Bookshop) – The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (buy from Bookshop) The Cloisters by Katy Hayes (releases November 1) (buy from Bookshop) – The Secret History by Donna Tartt (buy from Bookshop) – Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop)  Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (releases January 10) (buy from Bookshop)  Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie (releases January 24)  Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown (releases February 28) (buy from Bookshop) – Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks:  Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese (releases October 4) (buy from Bookshop) – The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (buy from Bookshop)  Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen (releases October 18) (buy from Bookshop) The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch (releases November 1) (buy from Bookshop) Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning (releases November 1) (buy from Bookshop) – Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead (buy from Bookshop) Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin (releases November 8) (buy from Bookshop) – Playbook series by Alexa Martin – Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes by Alexa Martin (buy from Bookshop)  Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan (releases November 15) (buy from Bookshop) – Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (buy from Bookshop) Maame by Jessica George (releases February 7) – Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop)  I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (releases February 21) (buy from Bookshop) – The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (buy from Bookshop) – The It Girl by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) – The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (buy from Bookshop) – Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (buy from Bookshop) – Pomander Walk Halle: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (buy from Bookshop) – The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Thanks to a listener request (hi Ann!), we’re discussing the difficulty of adapting a well-loved book, and what makes a good transition from page to screen. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Persuasion by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) Persuasion (film) Dickinson (TV) Clueless (film) The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkein Lord of the Rings (films) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (buy from Bookshop) Big Little Lies (TV) Outlander (TV) Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon Sam Heughan filmography The Great American Read (TV) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (film) Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer Twilight (film) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (film) Divergent series by Veronica Roth Divergent (film) The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (film) Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore I Am Number Four (film) Shadowhunters (TV) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) Gone Girl (film) Ben Affleck filmography Rosamund Pike filmography Gillian Flynn books The Sandman (TV) The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman books Downton Abbey (TV) Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) Daisy Jones & the Six (TV) Elvis Presley filmography Riley Keough filmography Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (buy from Bookshop) Killers of the Flower Moon (TV) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (buy from Bookshop) Red, White & Royal Blue (film) Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) Lessons in Chemistry (TV) Brie Larson filmography The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (buy from Bookshop) The Idea of You (film) Harry Styles discography Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka (buy from Bookshop) Bullet Train (film) Brad Pitt filmography Coen Brothers filmography Quentin Tarantino filmography Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (buy from Bookshop) Where the Crawdads Sing (film) Loot (TV) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) – Deep Water (film) – The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Measure by Nikki Erlick (buy from Bookshop) – The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We’re finally back! After travel, work, and a wedding (!!!!), we have lots of books to fill you in on. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Bull Durham (film) Eurovision Song Contest RUSA Reading List New York Times Crossword Book Lovers by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) Pride & Prejudice (TV) Hallmark Channel The It Girl by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s Instagram @halle770 Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore (buy from Bookshop) Meg Mitchell Moore books Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (buy from Bookshop) All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (buy from Bookshop) Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (buy from Bookshop) Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman (buy from Bookshop) Chris Evans filmography Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (buy from Bookshop) Julia (TV) Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim (buy from Bookshop) The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks (buy from Bookshop) The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (buy from Bookshop) Game of Thrones (TV) The Maid by Nita Prose (buy from Bookshop) The Beach Trap by Ali Brady (buy from Bookshop) Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close (buy from Bookshop) Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (buy from Bookshop) The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa (buy from Bookshop) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (buy from Bookshop) Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor (buy from Bookshop) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean (buy from Bookshop) – Fleabag (TV) – Good Morning American Book Club Halle: The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas (buy from Bookshop) – The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We’re exploring fiction that depicts the immigrant and refugee experience, and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez (buy from Bookshop) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (buy from Bookshop) – Titanic (film) – Ruta Sepetys books The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (buy from Bookshop) – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (buy from Bookshop) – Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (buy from Bookshop) – Exit West (film) The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (buy from Bookshop) – Liz Moore books – Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (buy from Bookshop) The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez (buy from Bookshop) – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Art of Escapism Cooking: A Survival Story, with Intensely Good Flavors by Mandy Lee (buy from Bookshop) – Mandy Lee’s Flattening the Bird – Lady and Pups (blog) – @ladyandpups Halle: The Verifiers by Jane Pek (buy from Bookshop) – Book of the Month Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama by Bob Odenkirk (releases March 1) (buy from Bookshop) – Mr. Show with Bob and David (TV) – David Cross filmography – Saturday Night Live (TV) – Breaking Bad (TV) Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum (releases April 5) (buy from Bookshop) The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas (releases May 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (buy from Bookshop) – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (buy from Bookshop) Renovated to Death by Frank Anthony Polito (releases May 31) (buy from Bookshop) – The Grinder (TV) The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (releases June 7) (buy from Bookshop) – Sulari Gentill books The Crane Wife by CJ Hauser (releases July 12) (buy from Bookshop) – “The Crane Wife” (essay by CJ Hauser) – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Family of Origin by CJ Hauser (buy from Bookshop) Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (releases August 16) (buy from Bookshop) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (releases August 23) (buy from Bookshop) – The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Memphis by Tara Stringfellow (releases April 5) (buy from Bookshop) The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa (releases April 5) (buy from Bookshop) – The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (buy from Bookshop) – Mia Sosa books Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (releases April 12) (buy from Bookshop) – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (buy from Bookshop) – Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (buy from Bookshop) – Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain (buy from Bookshop) Book Lovers by Emily Henry (releases May 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Emily Henry books – As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr (buy from Bookshop) – Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan (buy from Bookshop) – The Chicken Sisters by K.J. Dell’Antonia (buy from Bookshop) This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (releases May 17) (buy from Bookshop) – Emma Straub books Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore (releases July 5) (buy from Bookshop) – Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (buy from Bookshop) Upgrade by Blake Crouch (releases July 12) (buy from Bookshop) – Blake Crouch books Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier (releases July 19) – Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Love and Saffron by Kim Fay (buy from Bookshop) – Julia Child – Sunset Magazine Halle: Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

After a year of hard work, we’re happy to share the results of the 2022 Reading List! We’ll share the winners and the shortlist, along with our thoughts. As always, we end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Adrenaline Winner Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (buy from Bookshop) Short List Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka (buy from Bookshop) Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian (buy from Bookshop) The Push by Ashley Audrain (buy from Bookshop) Red Widow by Alma Katsu (buy from Bookshop) Fantasy Winner A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark (buy from Bookshop) Short List Black Water Sister by Zen Cho (buy from Bookshop) The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman (buy from Bookshop) When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo (buy from Bookshop) The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec (buy from Bookshop) Historical fiction Winner The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris (buy from Bookshop) Short List Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood (buy from Bookshop) – A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes (buy from Bookshop) Leonora in the Morning Light by Michaela Carter (buy from Bookshop) The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (buy from Bookshop) A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein (buy from Bookshop) Horror Winner Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw (buy from Bookshop) – The Ring (film) – The Grudge (film) Short List The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling (buy from Bookshop) My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones (buy from Bookshop) Near the Bone by Christina Henry (buy from Bookshop) This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno (buy from Bookshop) Mystery Winner Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala (buy from Bookshop) – A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette (buy from Bookshop) Short List Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest (buy from Bookshop) The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson (buy from Bookshop) Sleep Well, My Lady by Kwei Quartey (buy from Bookshop) Under Color of Law by Aaron Philip Clark (buy from Bookshop) – Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz (buy from Bookshop) – Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (buy from Bookshop) – Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (buy from Bookshop) – Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (buy from Bookshop) Relationship fiction Winner The Guncle by Steven Rowley (buy from Bookshop) Short List Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto (buy from Bookshop) The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (buy from Bookshop) Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) – Arrested Development (TV) The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (buy from Bookshop) Romance Winner One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (buy from Bookshop) Short List The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (buy from Bookshop) The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod (buy from Bookshop) People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes (buy from Bookshop) Science fiction Winner A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (buy from Bookshop) Short List Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill (buy from Bookshop) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (buy from Bookshop) One Day All This Will Be Yours by Adrian Tchaikovsky Unity by Elly Bangs (buy from Bookshop) – The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Going There by Katie Couric (buy from Bookshop) – The Today Show (TV) – The Morning Show (TV) – Jennifer Aniston filmography – Reese Witherspoon filmography Halle: First Comes Like by Alisha Rai (buy from Bookshop) – Modern Love series by Alisha Rai – A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We're back with one of our favorite Well-Read traditions: book superlatives! Listen in for the books that stood out to us this year. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 87 – 2021 Resolutions and Year in Review Beloved by Toni Morrison (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s Instagram Episode 86 – 2020 Superlatives Most Timely Ann:  The Night Swim by Megan Goldin (buy from Bookshop) and The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton (buy from Bookshop) Most Disappointing Ann: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse (buy from Bookshop) and Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan (buy from Bookshop) – Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle Halle: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix (buy from Bookshop) – The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (buy from Bookshop) Favorite Reread Ann: Evelina by Francis Burney (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Likeness by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) – Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French Biggest Surprise Ann: Stealing Home by Sheryl Wood (buy from Bookshop) and Mordew by Alex Pheby (buy from Bookshop) – Sweet Magnolias (TV) – Charles Dickens novels Halle: Red Widow by Alma Katsu (buy from Bookshop) and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto (buy from Bookshop) Least Favorite Ann: For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day (buy from Bookshop) – Agatha Christie books Best Distraction Ann: Cackle by Rachel Harrison (buy from Bookshop) – Hocus Pocus (film) Halle: Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez (buy from Bookshop) The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes by Alexa Martin (buy from Bookshop) – Alexa Martin books Halle: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (buy from Bookshop) Better Late Than Never Ann: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (buy from Bookshop) Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (buy from Bookshop) – National Book Award – Printz Award Halle: Take It Back by Kia Abdullah (buy from Bookshop) Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill (buy from Bookshop) and Red Widow by Alma Katsu (buy from Bookshop) Halle: One Day All This Will Be Yours by Adrian Tchaikovsky and Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (buy from Bookshop) Author(s) we discovered in 2021 that we’re most excited to read more from in 2022 Ann: Emily Henry, Nghi Vo, Camilla Sten, Gus Moreno – People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) – The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (buy from Bookshop) – When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo (buy from Bookshop) – The Lost Village by Camilla Sten (buy from Bookshop) – This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno (buy from Bookshop) – Beach Read by Emily Henry (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Kate Clayborn, Nathan Harris, and Meg Mason – Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (buy from Bookshop) – Love at First by Kate Clayborn (buy from Bookshop) – The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris (buy from Bookshop) – Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: Taco Chronicles (TV) and The White Lotus (TV) Halle: The White Lotus (TV) and Only Murders in the Building (TV) The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Guncle by Steven Rowley (buy from Bookshop) – The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: A Promised Land by Barack Obama (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (buy from Bookshop) – From the Front Porch (podcast) – From the Front Porch episode 350 – Literary Therapy Vol. 12 Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Our favorite episode of the year, full of our favorite books of the year. Happy Holidays from your friends at Well-Read! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia (buy from Bookshop) The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod (buy from Bookshop) This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno (buy from Bookshop) Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr (buy from Bookshop) A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes (buy from Bookshop) Horseman by Christina Henry (buy from Bookshop) - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (buy from Bookshop) The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (buy from Bookshop) Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz (buy from Bookshop) - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (buy from Bookshop) Mrs. March by Virginia Feito (buy from Bookshop) - Patricia Highsmith books Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (buy from Bookshop) - Reese's Book Club Halle’s picks: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (buy from Bookshop) Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny (buy from Bookshop) Arsenic & Adobo by Mia P. Manansala (buy from Bookshop) - Tana French books - Louise Penny books Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall (buy from Bookshop) - The Great British Baking Show (TV) - The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (buy from Bookshop) - Battle Royal by Lucy Parker (buy from Bookshop) - One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (buy from Bookshop) The Push by Ashley Audrain (buy from Bookshop) - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) - Take It Back by Kia Abdullah (buy from Bookshop) The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (buy from Bookshop) - Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon (buy from Bookshop) The Guncle by Steven Rowley (buy from Bookshop) - The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris (buy from Bookshop) Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) - Fleabag (TV) - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (buy from Bookshop) The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews (buy from Bookshop) - Elena Ferrante books - The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (buy from Bookshop)

We didn’t get a chance to do a publishing preview this season, but we wanted to share some books we’re excited to read soon. Ann picks three forthcoming titles and Halle went with books she didn’t have time for this year. And we end with what we’re reading this week! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Maid by Nita Prose (buy from Bookshop) – Florence Pugh movies – Little Women (film) Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour (buy from Bookshop) – Nina LaCour books Body and Soul Food by Abby Collette (buy from Bookshop) – A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collete (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann (buy from Bookshop) – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Succession (TV) Battle Royal by Lucy Parker (buy from Bookshop) Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka (buy from Bookshop) – Brad Pitt movies Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Our annual Halloween episode is back – and so are we! We have some major life updates and books that show that people are much scarier than the paranormal. As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 77 – Cookbooks! Ann’s picks: There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins (buy from Bookshop) – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (buy from Bookshop) – Scream (film) – There’s Someone Inside Your House (TV) – The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins (buy from Bookshop) Knife by Jø Nesbo (buy from Bookshop) – Harry Hole series by Jø Nesbo The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 1 – Beach Reads – The Talented Mr. Ripley (film) Halle’s picks: Last Girl Ghosted by Lisa Unger (buy from Bookshop) – Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari (buy from Bookshop) The Silence of the White City by Eva García Sáenz (buy from Bookshop) – Tana French books – Jane Harper books The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: When Things Get Dark edited by Ellen Datlow (buy from Bookshop) – Shirley Jackson books – Ellen Datlow books – Joyce Carol Oates books – Josh Malerman books – Carmen Maria Machado books – Paul Tremblay books – Kelly Link books – Elizabeth Hand books – Cassandra Khaw books – The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (buy from Bookshop) – “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang (buy from Bookshop) – The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Hi all  - Due to a death in Ann's family, we will be taking a brief break for the next month. Thanks and happy reading!

Thanks to a fabulous listener suggestion (hi Rikke!), we’re pairing books that inform each other or benefit from reading them back-to-back. What books would you pair up? As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (buy from Bookshop) My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (buy from Bookshop) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: The Seducer’s Diary by Søren Kierkegaard (buy from Bookshop) and Ehrengard by Isak Dinesen (buy from Bookshop) and BONUS City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (buy from Bookshop) – Either/Or by Søren Kierkegaard (buy from Bookshop) – Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (buy from Bookshop) – Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen (buy from Bookshop) Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson (buy from Bookshop) and Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (buy from Bookshop) The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (buy from Bookshop) and Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (buy from Bookshop) – Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie – Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood – Miss Marple (TV) – Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (TV) Halle’s picks: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterley (buy from Bookshop) and The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (buy from Bookshop) – Lady Astronaut Universe series by Mary Robinette Kowal Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (buy from Bookshop) and Chemistry by Weike Wang (buy from Bookshop) The Push by Ashley Audrain (buy from Bookshop) and Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips (buy from Bookshop) – Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (buy from Bookshop) – An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (buy from Bookshop) – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (buy from Bookshop) – Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams (buy from Bookshop) – The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard (buy from Bookshop) – Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

This week, we’re responding to a listener request to delve into our favorite bookish media and how we balance it all with our reading. We have some tips and recommendations to help you get the most out of your reading life. As always, we end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: For Real (podcast) Underground: A Human History of the World Beneath Our Feet by Will Hunt (buy from Bookshop) Audie Awards Get Booked (podcast) From the Front Porch (podcast) @shelfbyshelf (Instagram) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (buy from Bookshop) Middlemarch by George Eliot (buy from Bookshop) All About Agatha (podcast) Agatha Christie books Litsy Poirot (TV) The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (buy from Bookshop) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (buy from Bookshop) What Should I Read Next? (podcast) Modern Mrs. Darcy (blog) When In Romance (podcast) Book Riot: The Podcast (podcast) Currently Reading (podcast) Reading Glasses (podcast) @thebookshopnashville (Instagram) @melanatedreader (Instagram) @james_travino (Instagram) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling @wellreadblackgirl (Instagram) @parnassusbooks (Instagram) @booksaremagicbk (Instagram) Emma Straub books @ashleyspivey (Instagram) The Bachelor (TV) Go Fug Yourself (blog) @spiveysbookclub (Instagram) @hithapalepu (Instagram) @graceatwood (Instagram) Bad On Paper (podcast) @beccamfreeman (Instagram) The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (buy from Bookshop) Reese’s Book Club Read With Jenna Book of the Month @halle770 (Instagram) @ferskner (Instagram)   What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia (buy from Bookshop) – Prince’s Hot Chicken Halle: The Lost Manuscript by Cathy Bonidan (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Our memories may be terrible but these memoirs aren’t. We’re revisiting memoirs this week, and end with what we’re currently reading.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South by Michael W. Twitty (buy from Bookshop) – Afroculinaria (blog) – BTS (band) Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris (buy from Bookshop) – The New Yorker (magazine) – Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Mary Norris (buy from Bookshop) – Ann Patchett books Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark (buy from Bookshop) – My Favorite Murder (podcast) – Mr. Show with Bob and David (TV) – Georgia Hardstark on Cooking Channel Halle’s picks: Open Book by Jessica Simpson (buy from Bookshop) – Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica (TV) – Nick Lachey (singer) – John Mayer (singer) – Dukes of Hazard (film) – Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick (buy from Bookshop) Becoming by Michelle Obama (buy from Bookshop) – A Promised Land by Barack Obama (buy from Bookshop) Here For It; Or, How to Save Your Soul in America: Essays by R. Eric Thomas (buy from Bookshop) – Elle (magazine) – Bossypants by Tina Fey (buy from Bookshop) – Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham (buy from Bookshop) – Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (TV) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson (buy from Bookshop) – The Women (film) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Do you like sports? No? Do you like stories of drama surrounding sports? Then we have some books for you! As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ted Lasso (TV) Friday Night Lights (TV) Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger (buy on Bookshop) Friday Night Lights (film) Ann’s picks: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (buy on Bookshop) – Newbery Medal – YALLfest – Booked by Kwame Alexander (buy on Bookshop) Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (buy on Bookshop) – Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (buy on Bookshop) – Sarah MacLean books The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (buy on Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Beartown by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – Beartown (TV) – Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (buy on Bookshop) – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Check, Please! series by Ngozi Ukazu You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott (buy on Bookshop) – Megan Abbott books – Dare Me by Megan Abbott (buy on Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: First Comes Like by Alisha Rai (buy on Bookshop) – Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai (buy on Bookshop) – Modern Love series by Alisha Rai Halle: The Survivors by Jane Harper (buy on Bookshop) – Jane Harper books – The Likeness by Tana French (buy on Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Galentine’s Day is here! Gather your girlfriends together, or if you can’t thanks to a worldwide pandemic, pick up one of our suggestions for books about female friendships. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Parks and Recreation (TV) My Korea: Traditional Flavors, Modern Recipes by Hooni Kim (buy from Bookshop) Episode 77 – Cookbooks Bridgerton (TV) Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (buy from Bookshop) The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante (buy from Bookshop) My Brilliant Friend (TV) Ann’s picks: The Milk Lady of Bangalore by Shoba Narayan (buy from Bookshop) Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods (buy from Bookshop) – Sweet Magnolias (TV) – The Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (buy from Bookshop) – Code Name Verity series by Elizabeth Wein – Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe (buy from Bookshop) The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker (buy from Bookshop) – The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (buy from Bookshop) A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (buy from Bookshop) – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (buy from Bookshop) – The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris (buy from Bookshop) – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) – Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (buy from Bookshop) –Lord Byron books Halle: The Push by Ashley Audrain (buy from Bookshop) – Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage (buy from Bookshop) – We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We love goals and years in review, especially when they involve books! Find out how we did last year with our reading resolutions and what we’re planning for 2021. As always, we’ll finish with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: RUSA CODES Reading List Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (buy from Bookshop) Julia Quinn books Bridgerton (TV) The Bachelor (TV) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (buy from Bookshop) Tana French books Isak Dinesen books Jane Austen books Libba Bray books The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2021 NoveList Book Challenge The Bookshop (bookstore) Book Riot Read Harder 2021 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2021 What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley (buy from Bookshop) – Malcolm X (film) – Boyz n the Hood (film) Halle: The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (buy from Bookshop) – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (buy from Bookshop) – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We’ve started (what we hope becomes) a new tradition: book superlatives! Listen in for the books that stood out to us for a range of reasons this year. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week.     Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 68 – Out of Our Comfort Zone Part III Episode 76 – Tackling Our TBRs Part II Most Timely Ann: When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (buy from Bookshop) Most Disappointing Ann: White Elephant by Trish Harnetiaux (buy from Bookshop) and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (buy from Bookshop) – Tana French books Halle: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop); Honorable Mention: The Bright Lands by John Fram (buy from Bookshop) – Friday Night Lights (TV) Favorite Reread Ann: The Likeness by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) – In the Woods by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (buy from Bookshop) Biggest Surprise Ann: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (buy from Bookshop) Least Favorite Ann: Space Opera by Cathrynne M. Valente (buy from Bookshop) – Eurovision Song Contest (TV) Halle: The Deep by Rivers Solomon (buy from Bookshop) – Drexciya (techno group) – “The Deep” (song by clipping.) Best Distraction Ann: The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (buy from Bookshop) – The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay (buy from Bookshop) and All Adults Here by Emma Straub (buy from Bookshop) The Book That Ended a Mini Reading Slump Ann: Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan (buy from Bookshop) – A Room With a View by E.M. Forster (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters (buy from Bookshop) Better Late Than Never Ann: On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (buy from Bookshop) Halle: The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan (buy from Bookshop) Book That Has Stayed With Me Ann: When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (buy from Bookshop) or Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (buy from Bookshop) Book That We Didn’t Think We’d Like, But Then We Did! Ann: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (kind of) (buy from Bookshop) – Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn – Bridgerton (TV) Halle: Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood (buy from Bookshop) –  The Human Son by Adrian J. Walker (buy from Bookshop) Best Quality Read of the Year Ann: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, duh (buy from Bookshop) – Jane Austen books Halle: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (buy from Bookshop) Our Favorite Non-Book Media Property of the Year Ann: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (TV) and Sarah Cooper anything – Will Ferrell filmography – Sarah Cooper on TikTok – Sarah Cooper: Everything’s Fine (TV) Halle: Normal People (TV) and Ted Lasso (TV) – Normal People by Sally Rooney (buy from Bookshop) – Major League (film) – Jason Sudeikis filmography – “An American Coach in London” (commercial) – The Great British Bake Off (TV) – folklore (Taylor Swift album) – evermore (Taylor Swift album) The Book We Recommended the Most This Year Ann: A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Colette (buy from Bookshop) and Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon (buy from Bookshop) and A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight (buy from Bookshop) and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour (buy from Bookshop) – Nina LaCour books – John Wayne filmography – Patsy Cline discography Halle: The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi (buy from Bookshop) – Agatha Christie books – The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (buy from Bookshop) – Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

It’s our favorite episode of the year featuring our favorite books of the year! Books and other media mentioned in this episode: VH1 (TV) Ann’s picks: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (buy from Bookshop) Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop) Circe by Madeline Miller (buy from Bookshop) – The Odyssey by Homer (buy from Bookshop) A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Colette (buy from Bookshop) – A Game of Cones by Abby Colette (buy from Bookshop) Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal (buy from Bookshop) – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (buy from Bookshop) Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (buy from Bookshop) – I Await the Devil’s Coming by Mary MacLane (buy from Bookshop) How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny (buy from Bookshop) – Three Pines series by Louise Penny Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (buy from Bookshop) – One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (buy from Bookshop) The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) – The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (buy from Bookshop) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (buy from Bookshop) – Moby Dick by Herman Melville (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 72 – Fiction by Black Authors – Lena Waithe filmography The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (buy from Bookshop) – The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (buy from Bookshop) – A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (buy from Bookshop) Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (buy from Bookshop) – Game of Thrones (TV) A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight (buy from Bookshop) – Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (buy from Bookshop) The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (buy from Bookshop) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (buy from Bookshop) – Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (buy from Bookshop) Long Bright River by Liz Moore (buy from Bookshop) – Liz Moore books Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon (buy from Bookshop) – The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon (buy from Bookshop) The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (buy from Bookshop) – A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (buy from Bookshop) – Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (buy from Bookshop) – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (buy from Bookshop) The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 66 – Spring/Summer 2020 Preview – Episode 71 – Beach Reads What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: White Elephant by Trish Harnetiaux (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 55 – Fall 2019 Book Preview Halle: The Human Son by Adrian J. Walker (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

When you're having a rough week (and aren't we all?), there's nothing better than sinking into a guilty pleasure read. Or is there such a thing? We'll discuss, and end with what we're reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Mary Kay Andrews books Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (buy at Bookshop) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James (buy at Bookshop) America's Next Top Model (TV) Eurovision Song Contest Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones Pacific Rim (film) Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard Agatha Christie books Jane Austen books What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Spell Booked by Joyce and James Lavene (buy at Bookshop) - Retired Witches Mystery series by Joyce and James Lavene Halle:  Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots (buy at Bookshop) - Pop Culture Happy Hour (podcast) - Man of Steel (film) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

Halloween is here! Halloween is here! Get into the spirit with us as we explore some deliciously creepy books. As always, we’ll finish with what we’re reading this week.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 66 – Spring/Summer 2020 Preview – Wilkie Collins books – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (buy from Bookshop) Come Closer by Sara Gran (buy from Bookshop) – A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay (buy from Bookshop) The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco (buy from Bookshop) – The Ring (film) – Ring by Kōji Suzuki (buy from Bookshop) – The Grudge (film) – There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey (buy from Bookshop) – Room by Emma Donoghue (buy from Bookshop) The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager (buy from Bookshop) – Rosemary’s Baby (film) – Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (buy from Bookshop) – Sleepaway Camp (film) The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James (buy from Bookshop) – The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (buy from Bookshop) –The Cemetery of Lost Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (film) – The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (buy from Bookshop) Halle:  Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (buy from Bookshop) – Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

With so many of our travel plans canceled this year (RIP Ukraine trip), many of us are heading outside for our vacations. We're talking about books that get us back to nature and we'll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Wine Country (movie) Walden by Henry David Thoreau (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: Force of Nature by Jane Harper (buy from Bookshop) - Aaron Falk series by Jane Harper - Jane Harper books Minnow by James E. McTeer II (buy from Bookshop) - Pat Conroy books Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbäck (buy from Bookshop) - Svartåsen series by Cecilia Ekbäck Halle’s picks: One by One by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) - Episode 78 - Fall/Winter 2020 Book Preview Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (buy from Bookshop) - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (buy from Bookshop) - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (buy from Bookshop) - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (buy from Bookshop) - Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed (buy from Bookshop) - Mary Oliver books - Wild (movie) Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver (buy from Bookshop) - The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann:  Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland (buy from Bookshop) - Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (buy from Bookshop) - The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (buy from Bookshop) - The Good Lord Bird by James McBride (buy from Bookshop) Halle:  Aria by Nazanine Hozar (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram    

If we can't go back to school in September, we can at least live it through campus novels! We share some of our favorites and what we're reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop) - Leigh Bardugo books - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (buy from Bookshop) Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher (buy from Bookshop) - The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher (buy from Bookshop) - C.S. Lewis books Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) - Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) - Landline by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Catherine House by Elizabeth Thomas (buy from Bookshop) Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (buy from Bookshop) - Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz (buy from Bookshop) - Admission (film) - Admission by Julie Buxbaum (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Things in Jars by Jess Kidd (buy from Bookshop) - Charles Dickens books - The Deep by Rivers Solomon (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We love bringing you previews of books we’re so excited about! Listen in for the books we’re looking forward to this fall and winter.   Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Jennifer Weiner books Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner (buy from Bookshop) The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (buy from Bookshop) Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (buy from Bookshop) Ann’s picks: Eat a Peach by David Chang (releases September 8) (buy from Bookshop) – Momofuku Noodle Bar – David Chang filmography The Searcher by Tana French (releases October 6) (buy from Bookshop) – The Witch Elm by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) – Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (releases October 6) (buy from Bookshop) – Rumaan Alam books The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow (releases October 13) (buy from Bookshop) Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (releases October 20) (buy from Bookshop) White Ivy by Susie Yang  (releases November 3) (buy from Bookshop) The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard (releases January 19) (buy from Bookshop) – The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard (buy from Bookshop) – Upstairs Downstairs (TV) – Parasite (film) – @notyourmommashistory on Instagram In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce  (releases January 19) (buy from Bookshop) – My Favorite Murder (podcast) Halle’s picks: When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole  (releases September 1) (buy from Bookshop) – Get Out (film) – Alyssa Cole books – “Alyssa Cole’s New Thriller Looks at Gentrification in Brooklyn” (Buzzfeed article) His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie (releases September 1) (buy from Bookshop) – Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan One by One by Ruth Ware (releases September 8) (buy from Bookshop) – The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (buy from Bookshop) Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar (releases September 15) (buy from Bookshop) Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (releases September 15) (buy from Bookshop) – Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (buy from Bookshop) – The Deep by Rivers Solomon (buy from Bookshop) – The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (releases September 22) (buy from Bookshop) – The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi (buy from Bookshop) – Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson (buy from Bookshop) Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (releases October 6) (buy from Bookshop) – Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (buy from Bookshop) The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (releases October 27) (buy from Bookshop) – Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (buy from Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (buy from Bookshop) – Jane the Virgin (TV) – Ugly Betty (TV) Halle: Atomic Love by Jennie Fields (buy from Bookshop) – A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette (buy from Bookshop) – Book of the Month Club – Kate Atkinson books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

This week….welcome to Well-FED! Haha! Based on a listener suggestion, we’re discussing and cooking from some cookbooks we enjoy, along with our special guest, Halle’s boyfriend Jeremy! Plus what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Episode 74 – Our Favorite Bookish Places Ann’s picks: Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook (buy from Bookshop) – Jerusalem by Yottom Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi (buy from Bookshop) – Zahav (restaurant) Chinese Soul Food: A Friendly Guide for Homemade Dumplings, Stir-Fries, Soups, and More by Hsiao-Ching Chou (buy from Bookshop) – @madhungry on Instagram – Martha Stewart Living – The Food of Sichuan by Fuchsia Dunlop (buy from Bookshop) Bravetart: Iconic American Desserts by Stella Parks (buy from Bookshop) – Bravetart (blog) – Serious Eats – The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt (buy from Bookshop) – @bravetart on Instagram Halle and Jeremy’s picks: Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes From My African American Kitchen by Alexander Smalls (buy from Bookshop) – Minton’s Playhouse (restaurant) My Korea: Traditional Flavors, Modern Recipes by Hooni Kim (buy from Bookshop) – Daniel (restaurant) – Masa (restaurant) – Danji (restaurant) – Hanjan (restaurant) A Blissful Feast: Culinary Adventures in Italy’s Piedmont, Maremma, and Le Marche by Teresa Lust (buy from Bookshop) – The Great British Bakeoff (TV) – Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Evelina by Frances Burney (buy from Bookshop) – Jane Austen books Halle: The Comeback by Ella Berman (buy from Bookshop) – Jennifer Lawrence filmography – Darren Aronofsky filmography Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

We love assigning each other books, so this week we picked books from each other’s massive TBRs (that’s “to be read”) so we could finally check them off our lists. Opinions ensue. We’ll end with what we’re reading this week!   Books and other media mentioned in this episode:   Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (buy from Bookshop) Episode 29 – Tackling Our TBRs ALA RUSA CODES Reading List   Ann’s picks: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (buy from Bookshop) – V.E. Schwab books – Victoria Schwab books – Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (releases October 6) (buy from Bookshop) The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey (buy from Bookshop) – Maise Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear – Perveen Mistry series by Sujata Massey Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (buy from Bookshop) – Kate Atkinson books – A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson (buy from Bookshop) Halle’s picks: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (buy from Bookshop) – Episode 8 – Back to School – The Witch Elm by Tana French (buy from Bookshop) These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer (buy from Bookshop) – Jane Austen books – The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (buy from Bookshop) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (buy from Bookshop) – The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin – The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (buy from Bookshop) – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin (buy from Bookshop) – The Inheritence trilogy by N.K. Jemisin What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe (releases September 29) (buy from Bookshop) – The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (buy from Bookshop) – Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (buy from Bookshop) – Catch Me If You Can by Frank W. Abagnale (buy from Bookshop) Halle: Jackie and Maria by Gill Paul (buy from Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram