We're dropping in with a mini-episode to catch up before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Hear more about our recent reads, our 2026 book goals, and our thoughts on upcoming book adaptations. See you next week to our return to regular episodes with our recap of People We Meet on Vacation!

We're back for one last deep dive of episode six of Heated Rivalry, aka the FINALE!!!! How did we get here so soon??? It's been an absolute blast recapping these with you. If you've enjoyed our show, consider following us into the new year. We'll be back every other Tuesday with more book goodness. We're also on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. Emily is everywhere at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail is on TikTok @fabigail11. We love you see you soon!!! <3

Here is our recap of episode 5. In exchange for editing this insane episode down to something consumable, please leave us a 5-star review, follow us on IG and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast, and tell a friend to tell a friend to listen. We love you, we love Hollanov, we'll see you next week!!!!

All the things she said, all the things she said, running through my head, running through my head!!!! We're back with a DEEP-DIVE of episode 4, and WOW! Did we have a lot to talk about! Join us to unpack the whole episode: ginger ale, tuna melt, hockey, montages, and that f***ing club scene. This whole episode was catharsis for us all. We'll be back with our recap of episode 5 & more regular episodes soon!! Until then, you can leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spo...

We recap Episode 3 of Heated Rivalry! You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11.

It's not quite the end of 2025, but we're checking in for our annual year-in-review episode. We celebrate a breakout year of reading and real talk: how to hit big number goals, diversify authors with intention, and find joy reading. We share five-star favorites, surprising hits, and a few fears about the 2026 release drought (let's not talk about how no new books are coming from Ali Hazelwood, Casey McQuiston, Talia Hibbert, Alison Cochrun, OR Emily Henry so far in 2026 - SAVE US!!!)&nb...

We're popping in with a check-in chat quickly discussing our initial thoughts on episodes one and two of Heated Rivalry! This long-awaited adaptation is finally here. If you were sick of us (Emily, mostly, let's be honest) before, it's only going to get worse from here! In this brief bonus episode, we're talking our expectations, viewing experiences, initial reactions, and even discussing the popularity of MM romance as a genre. Let us know what you thought & if you'd li...

Want to gift a book this holiday season, but not sure where to start? Tune in to today's episode for a thoughtful, curated holiday gift guide. Plus the Goodreads Book Awards, recent reads, and more.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Twilight's release AND to commemorate our origins as a podcast, today's episode is all about Twilight! Hear our experiences attending screenings in the theater and our updated thoughts now that we are fully formed adults and not Edward-obsessed tweens. Plus Emily's 14-year-old self's unedited thoughts on the Breaking Dawn of it all. Read: Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight by Sarah Gallagher Recent Reads: Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins ...

We're back with another series of book recommendations as submitted by our listeners! PLUS: Breaking news from Abigail, recent reads, Mate reactions, the Louvre heist (???) and more chaos! BOOK REC LINKS: Heated Rivalry The Long Game COZY MYSTERIES: Wrong Place Wrong TimeFamous Last WordsEveryone in my Family Has Killed SomeoneYou Can RunStation Eleven, The Glass Hotel, and Sea of TranquilityThe Ministry of TimeConclavePALATE CLEANSERS: A Witch's Guide to...

We're back for a chill book talk episode where Emily is definitely not going insane about Heated Rivalry for the 40th time this year. We catch up after travel, compare notes on The Thursday Murder Club film, and share a stack of recent reads. Here for the links? Request Heated Rivalry on your favorite streaming services. DO IT FOR EMILY IF NOTHING ELSE!!!! NETFLIX – https://help.netflix.com/en/titlerequestHBO – https://help.hbomax.com/us-en/Home/IndexHULU – https://hel...

Join us for a discussion on Jen Hatmaker's newest book, Awake. Unlike our other book club episodes, this is less deep dive and more vibes based discussion. That's because we enthusiastically recommend reading this book for yourself and then coming back to join us for our discussion. You're more than welcome to use this as a TLDR, and trust we are spilling the tea, but it is also impossible for us to capture the true generosity, beauty, and impact of this book in one simple episode. So l...

Today, we're doing a deep dive into Christine Brown Woolley's memoir, Sister Wife. As longtime fans of TLC's Sister Wives, we were SEATED for this tell-all from Christine. Read along or listen in for our TLDR version of this explosive book. Plus recent read from Emily, Beartown by Fredrick Backman Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast, and if you're loving the show, please leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Sharing our show with a friend is by f...

In honor of Back to School season, we're drafting our teams of our favorite fictional schools from literature, discussing what makes these educational settings compelling, terrifying, and gossip-worthy. Team Emily One-room schoolhouse from The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Shiz from Wicked by Gregory Maguire Hawkings Independent School from The Cadence of Part-Time Poets by mostwolo Elligham Academy from the Truly Devious Series by Maureen Johnson Team Abigail...

Today, we're previewing our most anticipated fall 2025 book releases! Plus a bunch of recent reads.

Today we're revisiting Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse series for a Reading Rewind episode! PLUS: Is Stephanie Meyer going to release a Jacob and Renesmee sequel for the 20th anniversary of the Twilight saga? And personal updates from Emily & Abigail to round out the episode. Stay tuned to the end for a plethora of book recommendations. Recent Reads: Real Life by Brandon TaylorSay a Little Prayer by Jenna VorisNever Let Me Go by Kazuo IshiguroSky Daddy by Kate ...

We take stock of our reading lives at the halfway point of the year, discussing our progress toward reading 100 books, favorite and least favorite reads, and what's on our TBR lists. Recent Reads: And They Were Roommates by Page PowersThe Rose Code by Kate QuinnChain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahHold Me Tight by Sue Johnson If you like our candid conversations and unedited thoughts, go on to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and let us know that you l...

Today we're discussing the world of celebrity pap walks featuring the celebs and their books. From Sarah Jessica Parker (who always seems to be caught with a book) to Timmy C. on the subway reading Dune to a SPIRITED debate over the Bradley Cooper-Suki Waterhouse Lolita fiasco... We've got it all. We're also discussing the recent trailer for Project Hail Mary (hello!!!!!) and the teaser/release date for People We Meet on Vacation. PLUS Recent Reads: Rules for Second Chances ...

Join us for our highly competitive Pride Month book draft! We each take turns selecting our team of favorite books about queer characters and/or authors who are LGBTQIA+. Team Abigail: The Song of Achilles by Madeline MillerHere We Go Again by Alison CochrunHeartstopper by Alice OsemanAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidTeam Emily: The Pairing by Casey McQuistonA Lady for a Duke by Alexis HallThe Celebrants by Steven RowleyTime to Shine by Rachel ReidFor even more of us gushing...

It's time for another jam-packed Book Talk episode! We catch up on our recent reads, from Abigail's recent Emily Henry reread journey to five-star favorites and recent DNFs, plus discuss the controversial marketing of fanfiction in traditional publishing. Abigail's complete (revised) Emily Henry reread rankings: Funny StoryHappy Place Beach ReadPeople We Meet on Vacation Book Lovers Great Big Beautiful Life Plus, we're covering: Recent DNFs including Fir...