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
It's time for the witchiest movie of the season! Today we're discussing the 2026 film, Practical Magic2!
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content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family dynamics
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In preparation for Practical Magic 2 coming to theaters, Emma joins Jenessa to discuss The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman.
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content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family dynamics
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, ...
This week Jenessa is joined by Isaac to discuss Tim Burton's 2003 adaptation of Big Fish.
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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading!
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Isaac joins Jenessa to discuss Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. How much truth is within the stories we tell each other? Can one become immortal through stories? Listen to find out!
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Today's episode is a little bit different. Even though we both read the book (epic poem) first, Jenessa and Alexa discuss Christopher Nolan's 2026 adaptation of The Odyssey.
Alexa's Recommended Odyssey Reads:
The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson
Women of Troyseries by Pat Barker
Circe by Madeline Miller
Emily Wilson's review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
Amanda and Jenessa discuss the 1996 adaptation, James & the Giant Peach.
Were the changes good? Is the stop motion fun or just creepy? 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 - Happy reading!
Busi...
We're back after our mid-season 5 hiatus! Amanda returns to help us discuss another Roald Dahl classic, James and the Giant Peach.
We discuss how James doesn't know "stranger danger", giant bugs, and how sharks can't quite eat the giant peach. Check out Amanda's Shark Report, exclusively on our Patreon!
All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com
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Welcome to the first Mid-Year Check-In with Jenessa!
In this episode, Jenessa talks about what books she's read in the first half of 2026, answers some questions from listeners, and gives some updates on the podcast.
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Marissa and Jenessa discuss the whimsical, early 00's fantasy, almost juke-box musical, Ella Enchanted.
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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happy reading!
Business inquiries only - readthebookfirstpodcast@gmail.c...
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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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
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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
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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, and follow us ...
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 inquir...
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 @readtheboo...
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 @readthebookf...
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 - Happy readi...
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 inqui...
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 @readthebookfirstpodcast - Happ...
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