I'd Read That!

Hey, hey! In this episode, we’re celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with a few incredible books from Asian American authors. We’re talking fantasy, thrillers, literary fiction, and horror. What can I say, we have genre types.

Non-Book Things

More time to enjoy - Liz

Lawn is looking better - Jerry

Book Things:

Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden

Come Closer by Sara Gran

Books Mentioned:

Jade City Trilogy by Fonda Lee

The Return of Ellie Blac...

Happy Mother's Day to all you special moms out there!

Non-Book Things:

Noah Kahan

Hacks - Season 5

Books Mentioned:

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

Mother's Day Books

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Thanks so much for listening to I’d Read That!

As a Bookshop.org affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links, which directly supports local, independent bookstores!

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This episode celebrates the "auto-buy" authors; the writers whose names alone are enough to make us hit the pre-order button. Whether it’s sweeping historical drama, sharp-witted romance, or haunting atmosphere, these four authors have our full attention!

Non-Book Thing

Paradise

Home Labbing

Books Mentioned

Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Authors We Love!!

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Ali Hazlewood

Charlotte McConaghy

Isabel Cañas

It’s a horror-heavy episode today. We’re looking at the Bram Stoker nominees, revisiting some classics from the ever-pleasant Stephen Graham Jones, and going deep on Wendy Wagner’s Girl in the Creek. That last one is for all the 'moist' fans in the audience. You're welcome!

Pronounced Bram or Bram?

Bram Stoker 2025 Nominees

Bram Stoker 2024 Awards Show

Non-Book Things:

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen

Spaaaace!! - Artemis II, Project Hail Mary, First Man

Books Mentioned:

H...

Welcome to the book club! Today we dive into a full book review and discussion of the bizarre, delightful speculative fiction novel, Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. It's a coming-of-age story with a surreal, 'is this really happening' vibe...

Also, Liz discusses her love affair with Below Deck.

Non-Book Things:

Below Deck: Down Under - Season 4

Reading the Greens: Fayetteville Public Library fundraiser

Books mentioned:

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Check & Mate by Ali Hazlewood

Set a book number goal this year and already feel behind? That goal might be working against you. In this episode, we're exploring non-numerical reading goals that are low-stress, fun, and way better at helping newer readers build a real, lasting habit. Come read with us.

Non-book Favorites

Survivor Season 50

NCAA March Madness 

Books Mentioned:

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

The Winners by Fredrik Backman

Morning S...

In this episode, we’re sharing what we’re excited to read in 2026. It’s a very normal, very balanced list; starting with the horrors of a Japanese home, sliding into the horrors of Colorado, and then skipping over to the horrors of Oakland. Ok…so we’re clearly thriving. Along with our non-book obsessions, I’m beginning to sense a theme. Join us as we preview upcoming releases that are ready to absolutely terrorize your TBR.

Oh and don’t worry. We did find one non-horror book. Just two bros on a wholesome queer adventure. Emotional damage optiona...

Hockey romance didn’t just arrive, it checked us into the boards. We’re breaking down Heated Rivalry, the rivals-to-lovers obsession on ice, and our favorite read-alikes to try next if you just can't get enough of these fire on ice passions!

Non-Book Things

2026 Winter Olympics

Book Things

The Re-Do List by Denise Williams

A Mad Called Ove by Fredrick Backman

Book Club Pick

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

Books Mentioned

Heated Rivalry by Rach...

In this absolutely special live episode,  we’re joined by science fiction and fantasy author Marina Lostetter and horror and supernatural author John Hornor Jacobs.

Together, we explore how genre becomes a storytelling lens and how science fiction and horror use different tools to examine fear, identity, and what it means to be human.

Authors 

John Hornor Jacobs

Marina Lostetter

Books Mentioned

The Revenant of Surolifia by Florence Chien

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Hy...

Did you think we were done after our Top 10?
Not so fast, my friend.

Some books demand special recognition, and that calls for an awards show.

This episode is dedicated to our most delightfully specific favorites of the year. From dream adaptations to the questionably horny, these are the books that stood out for all the right (and very specific) reasons.

Join us as we roll out the red carpet one last time for 2025 with the incredibly prestigious Riley Awards.

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It's time to wrap up 2025 with our Top 10 of 2025!

We've been saying for quite some time that this has been one of our best reading years ever, and our lists reflect that. We laugh, cry, agonize over our list, so why don't you join us in the same!!

Best Non-Book Things

Physical: Asia

Andor Season 2

Annie Bot Playlist

Honorable Mentions

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Fifth Season by NK Jemison<...

In this episode, we take a look at the “Read Your Color” framework and what it says about our reading habits. We dig into how different color profiles shape the kinds of stories people connect with, why certain books grab us right away, and how knowing your color can make choosing your next read a lot easier. 

Non Book Thing

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

Steve

Books Mentioned

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Shy by Max Porter

Read...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that one brilliant opening sentence can ruin your sleep schedule.
Join us in this episode as we gush about why first lines are so potent, how they cast their spell within seconds, and which recent ones are our current favorites!

Non-Book Things

Turkey Pastry

Asia Phsical 100

Book Things

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

Books with great opening lines:

My Friends by Fredrik...

It's our latest book club discussion, Slewffot: A Tale of Bewitchery. This spoiler-filled discussion lets us dive into the rich world that's part of our history.

Connecticut, 1666: An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector. The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil. To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help.

Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bl...

In this episode, we discuss books that don't fit into one genre box neatly. We delved into novels that add a twist to familiar stories; horror that becomes healing, sci-fi that becomes terrifying, and fantasy with real-world emotional stakes.

Non-Book Things

Below Deck Mediterranean

Peacemaker Season 2

Books Mentioned

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

Genre Bending Books

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie...

It's time to reveal how Jerry handled his Spicy Romance Challenge. There were laughs, tears, pearl clutching; it's all here and more!

Non-Book Things

Alice in Borderland

More Lawn Work!

Book Things

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Absolutely No Thoughts of Pounding During My Fun Day with This Kind T-Rex Because I'm Aromantic and Asexual and That's a Wonderfully Valid Way of Proving Love Is Real by Chuck Tingle

Liz's Spicy Romance Challenge 

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 This week, we're doing a deep dive into seven essential short story collections. We cover books that span the entire emotional spectrum: from Argentine gothic horror and Korean surrealism to sharp American satire and the most swoon-worthy love stories you've ever read. If you only listen to one episode about short stories, make it this one! 

Non-Book Things

3rd Annual Ostomy Race for Awareness

28 Years Later

Books Mentioned

Exhaltations  by Ted Chaing

Gang, what a special episode for all this go round. We're celebrating our 50th episode!

In honor of that, we are revisiting our first episode where we discuss our Mt. Rushmore of books...and there have been changes!

Find out what they are and drop a note via email or on our Substack.

Non-Book Things

TruFru Snacks

Jerry's Lawn

Irish Works: Episode 39

Book Things

The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas

The Unmaking of June Farrow...

In this episode, we let ourselves gush over all things Riley Sager—the twists, the thrills, the atmosphere, and why his books are such addictive reads. From favorite characters to unforgettable reveals, we dig into what makes Sager’s work so compulsively bingeable and why we can’t stop coming back for more.

Non Book Things

America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys

Alien: Earth

Books Mentioned

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

Riley Sager books:

Middle of the Night

The Last T...

It's hot. So hot.

July is a good time to reflect on 2025 so far and share some thoughts about how our reading journey is progressing. 

Spoiler Alert, it's going great!

What are your favorite reads so far in 2025?

Non-Book Things

The Bear - Season 4 Trailer

Summer 5K Training

Book Things

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohammed

Mid-Year Highlights

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

In this special episode, we explore the Enneagram through the lens of literature—matching all 9 personality types with unforgettable characters and storylines that reflect their deepest motivations, struggles, and growth arcs. Whether you're a loyal Type 6, a passionate Type 4, or a driven Type 3, there’s a book on this list that will feel like it was written for you.

Non Book Things:

Lorde - "Shapeshifter"

Pink Pony Club - Kids Bop

Book Things

Caught Up by Navessa Allen

Love Theoretically by Ali Hazlewood

In today's episode, Jerry & Liz discuss their next book club pick, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker.

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, washing away the remains of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. But none of that seems so terrible when she’s already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister, Delilah, being pushed in front of a train.

Before fleeing the scene, the murderer shouted two words: bat eater.

We discuss all the gory details in this spoiler filled episode. There's a lot of...

Hello, in today's episode Jerry breaks down his head cannon when reading a book. As a visual reader, he creates scenes, finds playlists, and more importantly casts the main characters with actors to play out the movie version in his head. 

This creates a slow, but deeply immersive experience. Do you do this?

Someone give me the movie version of all my books!

Books Mentioned:

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R...

Well well well...

Today we discuss the bizarre, the confusing, and the unhinged. Some of the most memorable books we have read could be discussed as "What the F did I just read?" and we're here for it.

Books Mentioned:

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

Unhinged: An Erotic Door Romance by Vera Valentine

Non-Book Things:

Hacks...

In this episode we take a look at the nominees from the Nebula Awards list. It's always a reliable way to see what you can add to your TBR.

Do you have any awards you follow?

Non Book Things:

Pope Leo XIV

New dog!

2025 Nebula Finalists 

Books Mentioned:

In this episode, we dive into the rich and diverse world of translated books. Join Liz & Jerry as we explore how reading books from different cultures and languages can broaden our perspectives, foster empathy, and enhance our understanding of the world.  Whether you're a seasoned reader of translated books or just curious about where to start, this episode will inspire you to discover new voices and narratives that transcend borders.

Non-Book Favorites:

Top Chef

The Pitt

Recent Reads:

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

B...

Time for another book club show!

This time around  we discuss 'Vicious' by V. E. Schwab

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

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Thanks so much for lis...

In this episode, Liz & Jerry share their thoughts on modern classics. Should what we read in schools be refreshed and updated? We don't want to think about it, but we're 25 YEARS into the 2000s. Yikes!!

So have a listen as we discuss our suggestions for modern classics.

Non-Book Things:

KIND Frozen Treat Bars

American Primeval

Books Mentioned:

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession...

In today's episode, we take some time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by discussing Irish authors.

Allow us to whisk you away to that magical island.

Books Mentioned:

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Ulysses by James Joyce

Non-Book Things:

How to Crochet

Abracadabra by Lady Gaga