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The Readirect Podcast

Emily Rojas & Abigail Freshley

Shifting the conversation back to books. Hosted by Abigail Freshley and Emily Rojas.

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#106
Today · 1 hr 31 min
Book Club: In the Shadow of Eight by Collin Gosselin
We are here to take you through Collin Gosselin's heartbreaking memoir, In the Shadow of Eight. But first, we're giving you book news, including: Violet and Xaden's casting announcement for the Fourth Wing adaptation The Modelland re-release The bizarre collab of Knix x ACOTAR The dumb af Hot for Hockey marketing campaign And motswolo on Tumblr and what that might mean for The Cadence of Part-Time Poets (pt 2) Plus, recent reads: The Compound by Aisling Rowle The Good Parts by Evann Normandin
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#105
October 6 · 1 hr 16 min
Modelland by Tyra Banks (Ch. 13-17)
The Day of Discovery is done, and we're finally landing in Modelland! Deep dive chapters 13-17 with us. Warning: things get dark! Follow Us on Storygraph Abigail @fabigail Emily @emilyrojasreads Recent Reads Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Pairing by Casey McQuiston A Gentleman Never Keeps the Score by Cat Sebastian Bel Canto by Ann Patchett Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
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#104
September 25 · 1 hr 9 min
The Love Hypothesis Book + Movie
We did a re-read of The Love Hypothesis before diving into the movie, and found ourselves once again asking: WHERE IS THE YEARNING??? If it seems like nobody wants to yearn these days, you're not alone in your feelings. Join us for some laughs and commiseration—all while praising the parts of the movie we loved (looking at you, Lili Reinhart). Recent Reads: Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister The Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian Culpability by Bruce Holsinger The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
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#103
September 8 · 53 min
Book Talk: Fall Releases, Recent Reads, Heated Rivalry Filming
We catch up on our reading lives in this much needed Modelland break!
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#102
August 25 · 1 hr 5 min
Modelland by Tyra Banks (Ch. 8-12)
We have FINALLY made it to The Day of Discovery (aka T-DOD)! Join us as we dive deep into chapters 8-12 of Modelland! Recent Reads: DM Emily and/or Abigail for fic recs! Ice Planet Barbarians Sex on Murder Island Just a Highland Fling
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#101
August 11 · 1 hr 12 min
Modelland by Tyra Banks (Ch. 4-7)
Part two of our Modelland deep dive! This week, we're recapping chapters 4-7.
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#100
July 28 · 1 hr 1 min
The Readirect Podcast's 100th Episode & Reverse Interview!
Tune in for our 100th Episode!!!! We're celebrating by inviting Friend of the Pod Emma Sandoval back to conduct a reverse interview. Thank you for being here for our first 100 episodes. We can't wait to get to 100 more! Recent Reads: We Will Be Jaguars by Nemonte Nenquimo Good Material by Dolly Alderton The Ghost by Robert Harris Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
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#99
July 14 · 1 hr 22 min
Book Club: Modelland by Tyra Banks (Ch. 1-3)
We are reading Modelland by Tyra Banks so you don't have to (and please, we're begging you, don't read along). It took us an HOUR to get through the first three chapters, so this is part one of who knows how many. If you enjoy this, let us know, and we'll consider continuing the series! Whether you’re hate-reading along, curiosity-listening, or just here for the chaos, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review to help us grow our community of book-loving nerds. Recent Reads: Conversion Therapy Dropout by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram Heartstopper vol. 6 by Alice Oseman Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian Let Us Play by Harrison Browne and Rachel Browne
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#98
June 30 · 1 hr 18 min
In Defense of Romance Books
If you or someone you know claims they "don't like romance," do we have the episode for you!!! This is our full-throated defense of the genre, plus where to start if you're looking to give romance a try. Links: If you're new to romance... Emily Henry (author) Cara Bastone (author) If you like mystery/thrillers... The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti Loreth Ann White (author) If you like literary fiction... We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld You like nonfiction/memoirs... Love is a War Song by Danica Nava Jane Eyre You like historical fiction... The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan In Memoriam by Alice Winn A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Lisa Kleypas Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo If you like science fiction... The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon If you like fantasy... Bride and Mate by Ali Hazelwood The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher Recent Reads: Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr. CASE CLOSED 👩‍⚖️👩‍⚖️👩‍⚖️
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#97
June 16 · 45 min
Book Talk: Mid-Year Check-In, Beach Read Movie Update, and Love Hypothesis Release Date!
Here's what's in store for today's short & sweet book talk episode: Mid-year reading goals check-in (and how we're both woefully behind) Recent reads (including Abigail's NEW favorite read for this year) The Beach Read still posted to Instagram and its accompanying ChatGPT-sounding caption Love Hypothesis good vibes and release date Books we're looking forward to in 2027 and later this year (looking at you CMQ) and more!! Recent Reads The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke My Friends by Fredrick Backman Everyone in this Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson
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#96
June 2 · 53 min
2026 Pride Month Book Draft
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Readirect Podcast—happy Pride!!! 🏳️‍🌈 To celebrate Pride Month, we are back with our second annual Pride Book Draft! This highly competitive episode pits Emily against Abigail as we each draft our team of books by LGBTQIA+ authors and/or featuring queer characters. Abigail’s Picks: Conversion Therapy Dropout by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Come and Get It by Kiley Reid Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun Emily’s Picks: Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfeld Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa The Prospects by KT Hoffman Honorable Mentions The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Recent Reads: Paladin’s Hope by T Kingfisher Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian Charming Puckboy by Eden Finley, Saxon James
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#95
May 19 · 1 hr 6 min
Book Couples: Where Are They Now? | Bella & Edward, Marianne & Connell, Ron & Hermione, and more!
We take famous and not-so-famous book couples and fast-forward their relationships to 2026 to answer the question: Where are they now? Divorced, still together but deeply resentful, or madly in love until their dying breath? We know the answer! Couples: Bella and Edward from the Twilight Saga Scarlett Vandermeer and Lucas Blomqvist from Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Eric and Kyle from Common Goal by Rachel Reid Hayden and Alice from Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry Marianne and Connell from Normal People by Sally Rooney Kit and Theo from The Pairing by Casey McQuiston Ron and Hermione from [REDACTED - F*CK JKR DO NOT BUY HER BOOKS] Nick and Andy from We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Joan and Vanessa from Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Misc. Links: Queer Liberation Library Sarah Gallagher on TikTok Recent Reads: Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian After Hours at Dooryard Books by Cat Sebastian Girl Next Door by Rachel Meredith Follow us on social media @readirectpodcast. Visit our website at readirectpodcast.com. See you next time we love you!!<3
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#94
May 5 · 1 hr 2 min
Noah Kahan Songs as Books
Today we're deep-diving Noah Kahan's new album, The Great Divide, and discussing the books we'd pair with some of his songs. Mentioned Books: Heated Rivalry & The Long Game The Everlasting Happy Place Beartown The Dutch House (and Ann Patchett books in general) Love and Other Words No Matter What East of Eden Malibu Rising Recent Reads Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza Follow us on Instagram & TikTok @readirectpodcast. Abigail is on TikTok @fabigail11 and Instagram @fabigailinsta. Emily is on all platforms @emilyrojasreads. Shop merch & contact us & learn more on our website, readirectpodcast.com!
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#93
April 21 · 1 hr 16 min
Book Talk: Beach Read Casting News, Summer Reads, and More
We're summoning summer reading energy to get us out of reading slumps and to balance our sorrow at the Beach Read casting news. Links: TikTok creator mentioned @vivafalastinleen Margo's Got Money Troubles Official Trailer don't look much like a lover (doesn't mean that i won't try) by barkatthemoon - wolfstar beach read-ish au Paladin's Grace The Everlasting Recent Reads: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
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#92
April 7 · 1 hr 26 min
Book Club: Devout by David Archuleta with Jubilee Dawn
CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, we discuss themes from David's book, which include sexual abuse, parental abuse, suicidal ideation, and homophobia. Please take care when listening! We are joined by special guest Jubilee Dawn for today's book club, focusing on David Archuleta's memoir, Devout. About Jubilee: You can find Jubilee on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @jubileedawns. Her podcasts are Healed-ish and The Overshare Hour. Recent Reads: The Love of My Afterlife The Night We Met
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#91
March 24 · 58 min
Project Hail Mary Book + Movie
Today we're talking about the Project Hail Mary movie adaptation! Plus: Bridgerton season 5 announcement & All the Young Dudes being published (gross!!!)
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#90
March 10 · 1 hr 30 min
Reading Rewind: Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn
For today's episode, we're crawling deep into the trenches of our youth group past and revisiting the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn. Let's discuss why we hate Todd, love/hate Bob and Marti, and question all of Christy's decisions. Recent Reads: The Complete Maus No Matter What
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#89
February 24 · 53 min
Book Talk: Recent Reads, Q&As, and Big News!!!
Join us for a very special book talk episode starting off with BIG NEWS!!! Links: Readirect Podcast WEBSITE!!! SHOP MERCH!!!!!! Recent Reads: Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Ready or Not by Cara Bastone I Think They Love You by Julian Winters Old Dogs Fest on AO3 The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa The Sweet Spot by Amy Poppel Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
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#88
February 10 · 56 min
An Offer from a Gentleman + Bridgerton Season 4
Dearest Gentle Reader, For this episode, we are deep-diving Julia Quinn's An Offer From a Gentleman, as well as Bridgerton Season 4 (part one). We have been THOROUGHLY charmed by Benedict and Sophie, and had just the best time discussing their season, the changes from the book, and our excitement for part 2. Recent Reads: Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee One Day in December by Josie Silver Crash Test by Amy James You can follow The Readirect Podcast on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok at @readirectpodcast!
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#87
January 27 · 1 hr 9 min
Reading Rewind: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Heavy content warning for this episode, please listen with care! While we do not go into gratuitous detail in our recap, this book does contain references to many serious subjects. Proceed with caution & definitely don't listen to this episode around children! Today we're revisiting Redeeming Love and...we did not like what we read! Skip to the recent reads: To hear our letters to our future husbands following our fraught Redeeming Love discussion, skip to 53:11. Recent reads start at 59:33. Recent Reads: The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? by Pierre Novellie Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
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