Medium Lady Reads

Episode 53: Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year

Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 53, “Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share!We’re so happy you’re here—especially in this cozy, end-of-year stretch. Whether you’ve been listening all along or you’re finding us for the first time, thank you for choosing to spend a little reading time with us. Today we’re settling in with fresh book talk, comforting reads, and a few titles that might be just right for this quiet in-between week.In This Episode:It’s time for a check-in! The ladies check in on how their reading and life are going.After the check in, the ladies jump into their book reviews. Tune in to hear what books they’re recommending this week. Instead of Hot Takes, this week the ladies are sharing the books that stuck with them throughout the year.The ladies wrap up their last show of the year by sharing what’s on their holds list and what’s coming next on their TBR. The ladies will be taking a winter break for all of January, but will be back in February.Books Mentioned In This Episode:Alchemised by SenLinYuA Merry Little Life by Sarah MorganHalf Spent Was the Night by Ami McKayMate by Ali HazelwoodThe Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'NeillGirl Dinner by Olivie BlakeThe Will of the Many by James IslingtonThe Strength of the Few by James IslingtonSweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaHoney and Spice by Bolu BablolaCovenant of Water by Abraham VergheseThe Dirt Beneath Our Door by Pamela JonesLovelight Farms by B.K. BorisonThe Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray HintonWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyCan’t Get Enough by Kennedy RyanThe Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’CloverWeyward by Emilia HartThe Frozen River by Ariel LawhonThe Unseen World by Liz MooreWomen Who Work Too Much by Tamu ThomasOne Perfect Summer by Carley FortuneThe Gift by Danielle SteelThe Everlasting by Alix E. HarrowAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterMeet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss

Episode 52: Romantasy VS Your English Lit degree

Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 52, “Romantasy VS Your English Lit Degree.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share!We’re really glad you’ve joined us today. As we ease deeper into the holiday season, maybe your reading life feels steady and cozy… or maybe it’s a little chaotic. Either way, we’ve got some great books to share that might meet you exactly where you are.In This Episode:The ladies start the show the same way they usually do by checking in on how their reading and life is going. Time to jump into the meat of the episode! Erin starts the show off with her review, and Jillian’s review follows it.Next up is hot takes! This week, the ladies discuss this Instagram reel from @kaila.books.Erin and Jillian wrap up with the holds list and share what they’re going to read next. Books Mentioned In This Episode:Sweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaThe Will of the Many by James IslingtonPrimal Intelligence by Angus FletcherIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaSisters In the Wind by Angeline BoulleyThe Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline BoulleyWreck by Catherine NewmanSandwich by Catherine NewmanWe All Want Impossible Things by Catherine NewmanBat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerCareless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsBrimstone by Callie HartRun Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James PattersonAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterThe Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'NeillKatabasis by R. F. Kuang Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlaneThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiThe Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson Hagitude by Sharon BlackieAlchemised by SenLinYuSnowed In For Christmas by Jaqueline Snowe

Episode 51: Cozy Christmas Reads 2025

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 51 - A VERY special episode, our FIFTH annual Cozy Christmas Reads! This is the perfect time of year for some emotional junk food in book form!We are celebrating the fifth season of our annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode. Here are the links to 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024. For those who know the Cozy Christmas episode traditions well, you know that means we’re joined by two amazing and special guests Stef Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender.In This Episode:The show starts how it always does, with the ladies & their special guests checking in on how their reading is going.The ladies rank their reads from Scrooge to Christmas on Hallmark Street.Next up, the friends share the books they brought to the episode. Listener, you’ll be walking away with 8 cozy books for your holiday listening.It wouldn’t be an episode of Medium Lady Reads without hot takes. Tune in to find out what we’re all thinking.All four women share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’re reading next.Books Mentioned in This Episode:All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker Maple Syrup: A Short History of Canada's Sweetest Obsession by Peter KuitenbrouwerMistborn by Brandon SandersonTress and The Emerald Sea by Brandon SandersonHot Desk by Laura DickermanGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryGirl Dinner by Olivie BlakeI’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny BaylissSeason for Second Chances by Jenny BaylissMeet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny BaylissThe Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny BaylissDecember to Remember by Jenny BaylissKiss Me at Christmas by Jenny BaylissHalf Spent was the Night by Ami McKay The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella by Nita ProseA Merry Little Lie by Sarah MorganThe Book Club Hotel by Sarah MorganThe Bookbinder by Pip WilliamsThe Dictionary of Lost of Words by Pip WilliamsGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonLove Light Farms by B.K. BorisonFirst Time Caller by B.K. BorisonThe Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally CarterChristmas at the Ranch by Julia McKayHow to Read a Book by Monica WoodOne In A Million Boy by Monica WoodThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaSweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaIn the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie CassidyAlchemised by SenLinYu Spectacular by Stephanie GarberWinterhouse by Ben GutersonWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyThe Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeanWreck by Catherine NewmanThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans Walking with Beth by Merilyn SimondsAccomplish to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer August Lane by Regina Black

Episode 50: Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We've All Been Waiting For

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 50 - “Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We’ve All Been Waiting For.”  As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share!We’re so happy you’re tuning in for episode 50!! The days are getting a little shorter, the reading spots a little cozier, and we’ve got some wonderful books to keep you company this season. Pour yourself something warm, settle in, and let’s talk about the stories we’ve been loving lately.In This Episode:Erin and Jillian open the show with some celebratory words for their 50th episode! The ladies check in to see how their reading and life is going.Time to jump into the meat of this week’s episode; the ladies share their 3 books each. Next up is hot takes! This week’s hot take comes from our buddy read friend Stef Cunningham. Tune in to hear what it is!The Holds List wraps up the show! Jillian and Erin share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’ll be reading next.Books Mentioned In This Episode:The Book of Guilt by Catherine ChidgeyGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonThe House of My Mother by Shari FrankeDream By the Shadows by Logan KarlieDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanThe Hike by Drew MagaryZoey is Too Drunk for This Dystopia by Jason ParginLauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna RobinsonThe Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’CloverThe Wilderness by Angela FlournoyThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansMate by Ali HazelwoodFlashlight by Susan ChoiThe Hunger We Pass Down by Jen Sookfong LeeSisters in the Wind by Angeline BoulleyPeople Watching by Hannah Bonam-YoungReWitched by Lucy Jane WoodWreck by Catherine Newman Girl Dinner by Olivie BlakeIt’s Different This Time by Joss RichardIf It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

Episode 49: The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst

Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 49 - “The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst!”  As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share!Grab your beverage of choice, find your coziest corner, and join Jillian and Erin for their latest reads. They love having you as their honorary third reader, and who knows—maybe one of today’s picks will be your next five-star favorite.In This Episode:Erin and Jillian check in on how their reading and lives have been going. Time to jump into the reviews for this episode. Jillian and Erin share their latest 3 books. Mentioned in This Episode: Embracing Enchantment with Megan Hamilton.Mentioned in This Episode: Leila Mottley on The Stacks Podcast.Hot Takes is up next. Tune in to learn what we’re talking about this week. Last but not least, the ladies share what they have on hold and what they’ll be reading next. Books Mentioned In This Episode:Carry On by Rainbow RowellBirding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb Weyward by Emilia HartThe Secret History by Donna TarttSister Snake by Amanda Lee KoeA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaThe Girls Who Grew Big by Leila MottleyNightcrawling by Leila MottleyCrazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver Kooky Spooky Love by Josie Silver The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie MackesyDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanI’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny BaylissHot Desk by Laura DickermanPeriod Power by Maisie HillThe Compound by Aisling RawleMaggie; or, a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie YeeThe Secret Book Society by Madeline MartinOne Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad