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
Today's episode is all about one of Jenessa's favorite childhood books, Ella Enchanted! Listen along as Jenessa and Marissa discuss middle grade literature, ogres, diaries, and magic!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and follow us on Instagram @readthebookfir...
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the origins of the classic fairytale, Cinderella, as well as the many movie and book adaptations that have been made throughout the years. What version of Cinderella is your favorite?
Content Warning - (via discussion of the Brothers Grimm fairytale) bodily harm, death, murder, abuse
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com...
This week we discuss the Oscar winning short film, Hair Love, and the picture book that came shortly after. Make sure you watch the short film and listen along!
Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes!
We Review Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
We Review How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan
Join Jenessa and her two favorite bird nerds, Marissa and Delaney, as they discuss the 2025 Hallmark adaptation, Adventures in Love and Birding.
Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company!
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 ...
It's the bird nerd special! We have not one, but TWO returning guests! Marissa and Delaney join us to discuss Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb!
Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company!
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, an...
Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of The Sea of Monster episodes with an episode all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2.
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 reading!
Business inquiri...
Ahoy! Join Jenessa and Amanda as they dive into the 2013 adaptation, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.
Make sure to check out the Patreon exclusive video where Jenessa and Amanda discover their godly parent!
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 @rea...
Jenessa and Amanda return to the world of Percy Jackson. We reread The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan and had a blast! Listen to hear our full thoughts on one of our childhood favorite books!
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 @readthebookfirs...
Marissa joins us to discuss the 2026 film People We Meet On Vacation. Can men and women be "just friends"? Is this the beginning of the romcom-aissance? Listen to find out!
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 -...
Romance is so back!
Marissa joins the pod to discuss People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.
Which Emily Henry book is your favorite?!
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 reading!
Business inquiries o...
Spencer and Jenessa discuss the ups, downs, and "what in the world" of Emerald Fennell's 2026 adaptation, "Wuthering Heights".
content warnings: death, sexual content, explicit language
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...
Dive into this Victorian gothic novel with Jenessa and returning guest, Spencer!
This was Jenessa's first time reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and WOW was it an enthralling read!
Next week we'll be discussing the 2026 Emerald Fennel adaptation.
content warning: abuse, death, trauma, supernatural, gothic themes
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
We've been obsessed with Heated Rivalry since November 2025 and we are so excited to discuss all six episodes of Season 1 with Jenn!
This episode is a long one. Check out the chapter markers for specific time stamps of when we discuss each of the 6 episodes.
Episode 1 - 00:02.28 - 00:34.11
Episode 2 - 00:34.12 - 00:55.57
Episode 3 - 00:55.58 - 01:24.27
Episode 4 - 01:24.28 - 01:39.57
Episode 5 - 01:39.58 - ...
Welcome back to Read the Book First!
For our Season 5 premier, we're talking all things Game Changer and Heated Rivalry! These books by Rachel Reid have taken over the internet and our brains. Jenn, from @lit.with.jenn, returns to help us break down these two best-selling hockey romances!
Next week we'll discuss Season 1 of Heated Rivalry. Our schedule of upcoming episodes can be found on our Instagram, @reathebookfirstpodc...
Welcome to the Season 4 finale! Amanda joins us to break down Wicked: For Good.
Thank you all for listening in this season. We're already planning Season 5! Keep an eye out for that in Spring 2026. Make sure to follow us on Instagram to get all the updates and to give your input on what books we read and which adaptations we watch!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Surprise! A bonus episode! Jenessa and Amanda discuss the second act of Broadway's Wicked and their hopes and worries about Wicked: For Good.
Make sure to check out Jenessa and Amanda's ranking of the Wicked soundtrack on our Patreon!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
Don't forget to subscribe, rate us 5...
Stephanie returns to join us as we watch and review New Moon.
Make sure to check out our Patreon in order to find out how I "stumped Stephanie with a truck" in the guess the character game we played.
content warnings: depression, suicidal ideation, werewolves, vampires, blood, death, self harm
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheB...
Stephanie returns to help us continue reading and reviewing the Twilight Saga, with this discussion of New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. Make sure you check out last year's episode discussing Twilight!
blog post mentioned in the episode - https://stepheniemeyer.com/the-books/new-moon/new-moon-the-story/
content warnings: vampirism, death, self-harm, suicide, abandonment, emotional abuse, depression
Join Marissa and Jenessa as they discuss and compare the 1975 and 2004 adaptations of The Stepford Wives. Which movie is the more accurate adaptation?
Check out the Patreon exclusive episode where Marissa and Jenessa play "F Marry K*ll"!
content warnings - brain washing, robots, misogyny, kidnapping, death
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patre...
Marissa joins us to discuss the 1972 sci-fi, horror novella, The Stepford Wives.
Is this a satire? Is this still relevant over 50 years later? Listen to find out!
content warnings: brain washing, lack of consent, kidnapping, domestic violence
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst
Don't forget to subscribe, rate us...
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