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Read the Book First

Jenessa

At Read the Book First, we love watching book adaptations come alive on screen! Whether a movie, tv show or a YouTube mini-series, there's something magical about seeing someone's interpretation of a book come to life! We do however believe that you should always try to read the book first.

Each week we'll read a book and discuss it together. Then we'll watch one or two of the book's adaptations and consider the good, bad, and entertaining choices made throughout the adaptations.

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27 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 4 min
English

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Episodes 27

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S5 · E25
Wednesday · 1 hr 8 min
We Review Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer (with Stephanie)
It's time for our third annual Twilight Saga episode! Stephanie has returned to talk all things Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer! content warnings: vampirisms, grooming, assault, violence, suicidal ideation, death Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
- Transcript
S5 · E24
September 28 · 58 min
We Watched Sleepy Hollow (1999) (with @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
It's spooky season! Alyssa returns to discuss the 1999 Tim Burton film, Sleepy Hollow. Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
- Transcript
S5 · E23
September 21 · 26 min
We Review The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (with @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
It's officially spooky season! Join Alyssa and Jenessa as they discuss The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
- Transcript
S5 · E22
September 15 · 37 min
We Watched Practical Magic 2 (with @emma_tobias_books)
It's time for the witchiest movie of the season! Today we're discussing the 2026 film, Practical Magic 2! Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok! content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family dynamics Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
- Transcript
S5 · E21
September 7 · 1 hr 2 min
We Review The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman (with @emma_tobias_books)
In preparation for Practical Magic 2 coming to theaters, Emma joins Jenessa to discuss The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman. Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok! content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family dynamics Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E20
August 31 · 1 hr 5 min
We Watched Big Fish (with Isaac)
This week Jenessa is joined by Isaac to discuss Tim Burton's 2003 adaptation of Big Fish. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E19
August 24 · 58 min
We Review Big Fish by Daniel Wallace (with Isaac)
Isaac joins Jenessa to discuss Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. How much truth is within the stories we tell each other? Can one become immortal through stories? Listen to find out! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E18
August 11 · 1 hr 26 min
We Watched Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (with Alexa)
Today's episode is a little bit different. Even though we both read the book (epic poem) first, Jenessa and Alexa discuss Christopher Nolan's 2026 adaptation of The Odyssey. Alexa's Recommended Odyssey Reads: The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson Women of Troy series by Pat Barker Circe by Madeline Miller Emily Wilson's review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E17
July 27 · 43 min
We Watched James & the Giant Peach (with Amanda)
Amanda and Jenessa discuss the 1996 adaptation, James & the Giant Peach. Were the changes good? Is the stop motion fun or just creepy? Listen to find out! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E16
July 20 · 34 min
We Review James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (with Amanda)
We're back after our mid-season 5 hiatus! Amanda returns to help us discuss another Roald Dahl classic, James and the Giant Peach. We discuss how James doesn't know "stranger danger", giant bugs, and how sharks can't quite eat the giant peach. Check out Amanda's Shark Report, exclusively on our Patreon! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
June 8 · 14 min
Mid-Year Check-In, Q&A, and Podcast Updates with Jenessa
Welcome to the first Mid-Year Check-In with Jenessa! In this episode, Jenessa talks about what books she's read in the first half of 2026, answers some questions from listeners, and gives some updates on the podcast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E15
June 1 · 1 hr 8 min
We Watched Ella Enchanted (with Marissa)
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the whimsical, early 00's fantasy, almost juke-box musical, Ella Enchanted. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E14
May 25 · 47 min
We Review Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (with Marissa)
Today's episode is all about one of Jenessa's favorite childhood books, Ella Enchanted! Listen along as Jenessa and Marissa discuss middle grade literature, ogres, diaries, and magic! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E13
May 18 · 50 min
Cinderella - The Original Fairytale vs. Adaptations (with Marissa)
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the origins of the classic fairytale, Cinderella, as well as the many movie and book adaptations that have been made throughout the years. What version of Cinderella is your favorite? Content Warning - (via discussion of the Brothers Grimm fairytale) bodily harm, death, murder, abuse Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E12
May 4 · 53 min
We Watched Hair Love (with Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
This week we discuss the Oscar winning short film, Hair Love, and the picture book that came shortly after. Make sure you watch the short film and listen along! Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! We Review Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder We Watched Nightbitch We Review How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan We Watched How Stella Got Her Groove Back We Discuss Dinner with Vampires on @stories.and.spoilers.podcast Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E11
April 20 · 1 hr 23 min
We Watched Adventures in Love and Birding (with Marissa and Delaney)
Join Jenessa and her two favorite bird nerds, Marissa and Delaney, as they discuss the 2025 Hallmark adaptation, Adventures in Love and Birding. Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E10
April 13 · 1 hr 10 min
We Review Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb (with Marissa and Delaney)
It's the bird nerd special! We have not one, but TWO returning guests! Marissa and Delaney join us to discuss Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb! Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E9
April 6 · 1 hr 28 min
We Watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 (with Amanda)
Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of The Sea of Monster episodes with an episode all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
- Chapters
S5 · E8
March 30 · 59 min
We Watched Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (with Amanda)
Ahoy! Join Jenessa and Amanda as they dive into the 2013 adaptation, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Make sure to check out the Patreon exclusive video where Jenessa and Amanda discover their godly parent! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com
S5 · E7
March 23 · 53 min
We Review The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (with Amanda)
Jenessa and Amanda return to the world of Percy Jackson. We reread The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan and had a blast! Listen to hear our full thoughts on one of our childhood favorite books! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading! Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.com

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