Read the Book First
At Read the Book First, we love watching book adaptations come alive on screen! Whether a movie, tv show or a YouTube mini-series, there's something magical about seeing someone's interpretation of a book come to life! We do however believe that you should always try to read the book first. Each week we'll read a book and discuss it together. Then we'll watch one or two of the book's adaptations and consider the good, bad, and entertaining choices made throughout the adaptations.
Episodes
Ashley of If It Was a Book joins Jenessa to discuss the teenage star-cross lovers movie, Five Feet Apart.
Follow Ashley and If it Was a Book! Jenessa was a guest on Ashley's podcast, so definitely check that out as well!
content warnings: cystic fibrosis, chronic illness, death of a loved one
Join Ashley, from If It Was a Book, and Jenessa as they discuss Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis.
This book was written at the same time as the film's screenplay, so did the book actually come first? Listen to find out!
Follow Ashley and If it Was a Book! Jenessa was a guest on Ashley's podcast, so definitely check that out as well!
Alyssa and Jenessa discuss the 90s classic starring Angela Bassett and Taye Diggs, How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Follow Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers!
@stories.and.spoilers.podcast on Instagram
@Stories.and.spoilers.booktalks on YouTube
content warning: age gap romance, steamy scenes, cursing
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Alyssa returns to help us dive into the tropical romance, How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan.
We discuss the age gap featured and what is the "groove" Stella was looking to get back.
Follow Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers
@stories.and.spoilers.podcast on Instagram
@Stories.and.spoilers.booktalks on YouTube
Marissa joins us to discuss the 2025 sci-fi film, Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson.
We discuss how cute the creepers were, the accent work done by Pattinson, and the fact that there was too much bodily fluids used.
Check out the Vanity Fair interview Jenessa referenced.
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBo...
Marissa joins us to discuss Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton.
We discuss the Ship of Theseus, the pros and cons of space travel, and how much we enjoyed the "creepers".
Make sure to check out our Patreon! We have exclusive minisodes with guests, reading vlogs from Jenessa, early access to episodes, and more!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/R...
Delaney joins us to dive into the 2016 film directed by Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
This film is known to be controversial to the book fans. Listen to find out our opinions!
Delaney and I filmed a minisode where I had Delaney decide if certain birds were "peculiar" or not". You can watch that video exclusively on our Patreon, patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
We started a Patreon! Patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
"Why did you start a Patreon?" you may be asking. Well, it's a one woman show over here. Just me, myself, and I. In order to continue the podcast, dedicating time to read, record, edit, and market the podcast, I need some financial help.
Instead of trying to chase the algorithm to monetize my podcast, I've decided to go straight to you, my lovely listeners! I want...
Welcome to Season 4 of Read the Book First! We are so excited for this season's episodes!
Delaney returns to help us dive into Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. We talked about birds, time travel, and the spooky pictures featured throughout the book.
We now have a Patreon! If you like the podcast and want to support us directly, please consider becoming a patron! We will have exclusive episodes, v...
It's our Season 3 finale! Join Amanda and Jenessa as they discuss the Oscar nominated film, The Wild Robot.
Season 4 is in the works and will begin later this Spring. Thank you to every one who listened to Season 3. I love talking about books and the fact I have even one listener brings me such joy!
Join our Discord for more bookish banter and to have a say in future episodes!
It's our last book episode of Season 3!
Amanda joins us to discuss The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. This chapter book was one of my favorite books I read in 2024. It's joyful, heartwarming, and challenging. Listen along to hear all our thoughts!
Peter Brown's blogpost referenced in the episode - https://www.peterbrownstudio.com/the-wild-robot/
All episodes can be played at readthebookfir...
Kara joins us to watch and review the 2013 zomcom, Warm Bodies.
Is this Hollywood's zombie answer to the end of the Twilight craze? Is this a substantial Romeo and Juliet retelling? Does the movie convince us to fall in love with zombie Nicholas Hoult? Listen and find out!
content warnings: zombies, blood, cannibalism, vomit, weapons, war, death
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzspr...
This week we dive into the zombified world of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Is this a zombie love story? How similar to Romeo and Juliet is it? Is this book really about zombies or hope? Listen to find out!
content warnings: zombies, blood, cannibalism, vomit, weapons, war, death
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
Don&apo...
Isaac returns to help us discuss the tv show adaptation, Redwall. We revisit a nostalgic favorite of ours and cross our fingers that it holds up! Listen to find out our thoughts.
You can watch the Redwall show here.
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Insta...
Isaac joins us on the podcast to revisit a childhood favorite, Redwall by Brian Jacques.
Is this the perfect cozy fantasy? Maybe... Listen to hear our full thoughts!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy r...
Bonjour! Join us as we visit Paris through the beautiful illustrations of Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans and the 1998 film adaptation starring Frances McDormand. What about this children's book makes it a beloved favorite?
Check out Delaney and the "Bird of the Week" at Out to Sea Expedition!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Alyssa joins us again to discuss Nightbitch, the 2025 film staring Amy Adams.
Make sure to check out Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers!
Click here for her Spotify
Click here for her YouTube
Click here for her Instagram
episode content warnings: mentions blood, animal violence, drug use, and animal death
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.c...
Alyssa from Stories and Spoilers Podcast joins Jenessa to discuss Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder.
Is this book an accurate depiction of motherhood? Is the mother ~actually~ a dog?
Make sure to check out Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers!
Click here for her Spotify
Click here for her YouTube
Click here for her Instagram
To read the interview with Rachel Yoder that Jenessa mentioned in ...
It's our first Christmas special! Isaac and Jenessa sat down to discuss Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning picture book, The Polar Express. Jenessa also convinced Isaac to watch the 2004 adaptation starring Tom Hanks.
Is the Polar Express a Christmas classic or just creepy?
We hope you and your family have a safe, peaceful holiday season. See you in 2025!
Amanda joins Jenessa in analyzing what makes Wicked different from other movie musicals. In this episode, we break apart Act One of the Wicked stage production and compare it to the 2024 film adaptation.
Wicked Broadway Stage Production - 00:01.55
Wicked Part One 2024 film - 01:03.00
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com...
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