We’re back from a November–December hiatus and kicking off the new year with a cozy (and slightly chaotic) reading reset. In this episode of Reeding Between the Lines, we look back on their 2025 reading, compare notes on buzzy picks vs. surprise favorites, and do the most 2026 thing imaginable: ask ChatGPT what our book choices say about us.Nicole shares her 2025 highlights, including three widely-loved “BookTok/BookTube” titles—The Correspondent (Virginia Evans), Broken Country (Claire Leslie Hall), and What Kind of Paradise (Janelle Brown)—plus three lesser-known 5-star backlist gems: Someone at a Distance (Dorothy Whipple), The Caretaker (Ron Rash), and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (Elizabeth Taylor). She also reveals her stats (a casual 136 books in 2025), how she uses “palate cleanser” romances, and what she’s aiming for in 2026 (more audiobooks, more intentional TBR reading, and donating/unhauling over 100 books).Sara shares her own 2025 buzzy reads (including a couple hard “no’s”), highlights a standout cozy fantasy—A Teller of Small Fortunes (Julie Leong). Nicole also convinces Sara to preorder a March release on the spot: Lady Tremaine, a Cinderella retelling from the stepmother’s POV.Plus: a full-on book journaling segment, including Nicole’s Archer & Olive journal setup, seasonal TBRs, monthly favorites, a “DNF graveyard,” sticker systems, and why journaling counts as reading-adjacent joy (because we support hobbies that require glue).Books mentioned for winter reading include The Ghostwriter (Julie Clark), The Frozen People (Elly Griffiths), and The Land in Winter (Andrew Miller), plus a food-and-memory pairing featuring The Kamogawa Food Detectives and a similar-premise pick, Aftertaste.If you’ve ever wondered what your reading habits say about you—or you just want permission to be both “deep” and “trash goblin” in the same month—this episode is for you.Question for you: If you asked ChatGPT to analyze your reading taste, what do you hope it would say?📷 Instagram: @reedingpod

This month, we’re leaning into the cozy chaos of autumn with gothic reads, witchy retellings, and darkly enchanting novels that pair perfectly with a warm mug and candlelight. From the small-town secrets of Buckeye by Patrick Ryan to the spell-tinged retellings in Salt and Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher, this episode of Reeding Between the Lines unpacks the books that carried us through September — and the ones casting a spell over our October TBR.We talk about The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano, a chilling reimagining of the first woman executed for witchcraft in Massachusetts, and A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney, a lush, atmospheric love letter to anyone who keeps a little bit of witch in their heart all year long. We also revisit The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson — an 18th-century mystery perfect for fans of Dickens — and Babel by R.F. Kuang, a dark academia masterpiece that asks how far you’ll go for knowledge and power.📚 Whether you’re craving haunted mansions, found family in the stars (Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei), or cozy witch-next-door vibes, this episode delivers a perfectly balanced cauldron of bookish recommendations.

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Step into the world of dark fairy tales, haunted coal mines, and unforgettable characters with award-winning author Ursula Vernon — who many readers also know as T. Kingfisher.In this episode, we dive into her two newest releases:Hemlock & Silver (Aug 19, 2025) — a chilling, witty retelling of Snow White that asks what happens when a poison healer is summoned to save a princess trapped between worlds.What Stalks the Deep (Sept 30, 2025) — the third installment of the Sworn Soldier novellas, where Alex Easton ventures into a haunted West Virginia coal mine in search of a missing cousin.We also talk about Ursula’s inspiration, her process of writing for both kids and adults, and how her art continues to shape the way she tells stories. If you love fairy tales with teeth, horror with heart, and characters you’ll never forget, this conversation is for you.🔗 Learn more about Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher:Website: https://www.redwombatstudio.comT. Kingfisher’s Books: https://tkingfisher.com🌑 Dark Fairy-Tale Retellings by T. KingfisherThe Seventh Bride (2014) – BluebeardBryony and Roses (2015) – Beauty and the BeastThe Raven & the Reindeer (2016) – The Snow QueenThornhedge (2023) – Sleeping BeautyA Sorceress Comes to Call (2024) – The Goose GirlHemlock & Silver (2025) – Snow White⚠️ Footnote for AccuracyCorrection: In this episode, I mistakenly referred to Alex Easton (the protagonist of the Sworn Soldier series) as “she.” Alex’s pronouns are they/them.

On this episode of Reeding Between the Lines, we’re diving into the book world from every angle—subscription platforms, backlist gems, thrillers, fantasy, and even some spicy mythology retellings.📚 Book Platforms We Tried:Kindle Unlimited – is it really worth the $11.99/month?Spotify vs Audible – which audiobook service gives you more value?Libby – the library app that might just be the best deal in books.Along the way, we chat about backlist finds, audiobook quirks, and yes… even a few grumpy ponies.If you’re looking for your next read (or listen), this episode is packed with recommendations, laughs, and honest takes on which platforms and books are worth your time.

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We’re officially halfway through 2024—so it’s time for a mid-year reading check-in! In this episode, Nicole (aka my mom and book BFF) and I are recapping the books that have taken over our lives in the best ways... and a few that didn’t quite hit the mark.

We cover:
📚 Our current favorite reads of the year
😬 A few DNF-worthy disappointments
😱 The books that surprised us in the best way
📖 What we’re reading right now
👀 What’s at the top of our summer TBR

From urban fantasy (Neverwhere forever) to twisty thrillers, cozy magic, and deeply emotional literary fiction—we’re talking about the full spectrum of stories that have kept us turning pages in 2024. If you’re a mood reader or just looking for that next guaranteed 5-star pick, you’ll love this episode.

Books we discuss include:

• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

• 13th Child by Erin A. Craig

• Bunny by Mona Awad

• A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

• The Compound by Aisling Rawle

• The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins

• The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

• The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza

• The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

• The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

• Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

• Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

🎧 Listen in for honest book reviews, a little side chatter (as usual), and a whole lot of passion for storytelling.

—

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This week on Reeding Between the Lines, I’m joined by my mom and fellow book-lover Nicole for a cozy, laughter-filled episode all about summer reading—what defines it, what we’re loving, and what’s on our TBR as the weather warms up.

We unpack the idea of the “beach read,” share our personal picks (spoiler: thrillers, fantasy, and romantic chaos all made the list), and talk about how our reading habits shift in summer mode. Whether you're packing for vacation, chasing kids around the yard, or just trying to carve out some porch-reading peace, this episode is for you.

✨ In this episode:
• What makes a book a good “summer read”?
• Light vs. escapist vs. emotionally rich—what works and when
• Mood reading while traveling
• Our favorite books from past and upcoming summers
• Series we're continuing this season (looking at you, Rebecca Ross and S.D. Smith)
• Quick-fire recommendations: thrillers, romance, fantasy, and contemporary gems

📚 Some books we mention:

• One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

• Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

• A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

• The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

• Drowning by T.J. Newman

• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

• Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner

• The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

• Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

• The Ex-Girlfriends’ Murder Club by Gloria Chao

• Upcoming: Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson, It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

🎧 Listen now and build your ultimate summer TBR with us.

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Step into the eerie world of The Wild Things with bestselling author London Clarke, known for her supernatural thrillers and gothic suspense. In this episode of Reeding Between the Lines, we dive deep into the inspiration, research, and writing process behind her chilling novel that blends true crime, cults, and the paranormal in a haunting North Carolina setting.📚 What you'll discover in this episode:The real-life inspirations behind The Wild ThingsHow London Clarke creates atmosphere and psychological tensionThe symbolism behind Kendall Casey’s visionsWhat it takes to write ethically about true crime and traumaWhy Eau de Lune and the Robinettes will give you chills🔮 If you're a fan of gothic fiction, cult mysteries, and slow-burn supernatural suspense, this episode is for you!👉 Learn more about London Clarke and her books: https://www.londonclarke.com🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment if you love chilling mysteries and author deep-dives.📚 Follow Reeding Between the Lines:Instagram: @reedingpodYouTube: / @reedingbetweenthelines Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reeding-between-the-lines/id1744436935📓 Free Book Tracker: https://reeding-between-the-lines.kit.com/tracker#LondonClarke #TheWildThings #AuthorInterview #SupernaturalThriller #GothicSuspense #TrueCrimeFiction #BookPodcast #CultThriller #HauntedBooks #ParanormalMystery #ReedingBetweenTheLines

April flew by, and we’re wrapping it up with all the books we loved (and didn’t!) this month! 📚 Plus, we dive into a big question: Are book clubs really a good idea? Whether you’re already in a book club or thinking about joining one, we’re sharing the pros, cons, and tips for making the experience more fun and less stressful.Grab a cozy drink and settle in for this bookish conversation! ☕✨🔗 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more cozy chats and book recommendations every week!💬 Tell us in the comments: Are you in a book club? Love it or hate it?📚 Follow Reeding Between the Lines:Instagram: @reedingpodYouTube: / @reedingbetweenthelines Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...📓 Free Book Tracker: https://reeding-between-the-lines.kit...#BookClubDiscussion

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