Well-Read

Some News and Our Fall 2026 Book Preview Picks

Ann’s picks: Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea by Emily Wilson (releases September 1) Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo (releases September 15) Bread on Uncle Milad’s Table by Mohammed Husayn Alnaas (releases October 6) Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova (releases October 13) Solace House by Will Maclean (releases October 13) Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards (releases October 13) Rottenheart by Kat Dunn (releases October 13) The Bookkeeper by Mary McGarry Morris (releases November 17) Halle’s picks: Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason (releases September 29) The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (releases September 29) Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson (releases October 6) Once Again, Always by Amanda Gayle (releases October 6) Hollywood, Ending by John Green (releases October 6) Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li (releases October 13) Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (releases November 3) Rabbit Rabbit by Jennifer E. Smith (releases December 15) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage Halle: The Land and Its People by David Sedaris Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Episode 176 - NYT 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century

Like many readers, we’re eager to talk about the recent list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century, according to the New York Times. But we have a lot of questions… Books and other media mentioned in this episode: The New York Times: The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century The New York Times: The 100 Best Books of 21st Century Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn The New York Times: Readers Pick Their 100 Best Books of 21st Century The New York Times: Let’s Talk About the 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century People Magazine The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Stieg Larsson books Jo Nesbø books Jussi Adler-Olsen books Ruth Ware books Harlem Trilogy series by Colson Whitehead Don Winslow books Freida McFadden books Carl Hiaasen books Sarah Pinborough books Ruth Rendell books The Window in the Window by A.J. Finn The Housemaid by Freida McFadden Verity by Collen Hoover Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell John Marrs books The One by John Marrs The Marriage Act by John Marrs James Patterson books The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Along Came a Spider by James Patterson Daniel Silva books Ann’s picks: Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane – Mystic River by Dennis Lehane – Shutter Island (film) All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby The Witch Elm by Tana French Halle’s picks: The Push by Ashley Audrain – The Whispers by Ashley Audrain – The Things You’ll Never Know by Ashley Audrain Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush – @maryoliversdrunkcousin on Instagram Halle: Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty – Read with Jenna – Jaclyn Moriarty books – Nicola Moriarty books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Episode 175 - Reading From Our TBRs Again

We love a TBR episode, and even better is a TBR episode when we pick books for each other! Listen in for our selections, and we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ann’s picks: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore – Long Bright River by Liz Moore The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill – The Woman in the Library in Sulari Gentill – Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill Enlightenment by Sarah Perry – Charles Dickens books – Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi – The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton Halle’s picks: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn – The Empress of Rome series by Kate Quinn – Kate Quinn books Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni – Our Ex’s Wedding by Taleen Voskuni Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Strange Houses by Uketsu – Strange Buildings by Uketsu Halle: Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti – Tessa Dare books – Swipe Bite by Alexandra Vasti – Judith McNaught books – Loretta Chase books Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Episode 174 - 2026 Mid-Year Check-In

Somehow this year is already halfway over (!!!!!), so it’s time to check in on our reading goals and parts of our book lives. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Litsy Next Chapter Society Book Club Libba Bray books @mysterymanon on Instagram @mother.horror on Instagram @ash.reads.horror on Instagram Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights (film) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Romanceopoly 2026 @booksandlala on Instagram Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy Sarah J. Maas books New York Times Bestsellers list J.D. Robb books C.J. Box books Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Burn Down Master’s House by Clay Cane This Land Is Your Land by Beverly Gage A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman Land by Maggie O’Farrell Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Strangers by Belle Burden Famesick by Lena Dunham Whistler by Ann Patchett Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen books Naked in Death by J.D. Robb Sue Grafton books Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino A Good Person by Kirsten King Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum Sky Daddy by Kate Folk The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo Alex Stern series by Leigh Bardugo Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason Partita by Barbara Kingsolver Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton Halle: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett – The Help by Kathryn Stockett Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Instagram Well-Read on Bookshop

Episode 173 - Pride Month Reads

Episode 172 – Authors We Want To Read More From

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

Episode 171 - Summer 2026 Book Preview

Summer is here, and so is a new crop of books! Relax by the pool, go on vacation, or just hang out in air conditioning with our picks. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman Ann Patchett books Catherine Newman books Katherine Center books The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder Kin by Tayari Jones A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman Whidbey by T. Kira Madden Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Unbound by Peyton Corinne The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monahan Whistler by Ann Patchett Ann’s picks: A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman (releases May 19) - Upstairs, Downstairs (TV) - Downton Abbey (TV) The Children by Melissa Albert (releases June 2) - The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - Starling House by Alix E. Harrow The Pinnacle by Abir Mukherjee (releases June 16) - The White Lotus (TV) - Only Murders in the Building (TV) Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh (releases June 23) - Marion by Leah Rowan - Psycho (film) The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders (releases July 7) - The Wedding People by Alison Espach Hide and Seek by Søren Sveistrup (releases July 7) - The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup - The Chestnut Man (TV) Time to Burn by Ellery Lloyd (releases August 4) - The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd Meet Me in the Garden by Nina LaCour (releases August 4) Halle’s picks: Five by Ilona Bannister (releases May 5) - Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister - The Passengers by John Marrs The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (releases May 19) - The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh (releases June 2) - As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh Tropesick by Lauren Okie (releases June 16) - How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang - Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood (releases June 16) - The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (releases June 16) The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (releases June 30) Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi (releases July 14) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: Greedy by Callie Kazumi - The Menu (film) Halle: Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray - Book of the Month - Presumed Innocent (TV) - Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow - Presumed Innocent (film) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Instagram

Our Bookish Confessions

Episode 169 - Readalikes for Our Childhood Favorites

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

Celebrating Irish Stories

Episode 167 - Reading from our TBRs: Pink Covers

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

Episode 166 - Winter/Spring 2026 Book Preview

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

Episode 165 - Reading Resolutions and 2025 Superlatives

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

Episode 164 - Our Favorite Books of 2025

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

Episode 163 - Cozy Reads

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

Episode 162 - What We Read On Our Fall Vacations

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

Episode 161 - The Books that Made Us the Readers We Are

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

Episode 160 - Fall 2025 Preview

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

Reading the Oldest Books on our TBRs

Episode 158 - 2025 Mid-Year Check-in

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