Reading & Ranting

Holiday Movies & Euro Trip Recap

The holidays are here, and Karly & Mia are bringing you the ultimate cozy-girl movie list for the season. The girls break down their must-watch holiday favorites from Elf (watched a thousand times, and still iconic) to the slightly terrifying Polar Express and the nostalgic chaos of The Grinch. 
Karly & Mia are also recapping their first international girls trip together and let’s just say it was giving… chaotic 20-somethings on a budget. From arriving to their hostel and spontaneously upgrading to an Airbnb to getting swindled by a bartender, they learned some life lessons the hard way. Edinburgh brought hot waiters and new friends, while Amsterdam delivered rich Italian men and Dutch raves in a literal former prison. Cheers to the group chat making it out of the trip!

The Bindle Punk Duology with Author Desideria Mesa

Reading & Ranting is making history with its first-ever author guest, Desideria Mesa! Desi, the brilliant mind behind the Bindle Punk Duology (Bindle Punk Bruja and Bindle Punk Jefe), joins Mia & Karly to share her journey as a writer and the inspiration behind her books. 
Set in the roaring 1920s, the series follows Luna Alvarado, a Mexican-American Bruja navigating Kansas City’s bootlegging scene, blending magic, mobsters, and feminism with themes of identity and empowerment.
Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about history, culture, and the magic (pun intended) behind the Bindle Punk world. Follow Desi on Instagram @Desi_Mesa and grab your copy of her books today!

Dramione Recs & Dealing with Loneliness

Hey besties, we've got another solo episode for you today! Karly is taking the reins on this one, diving deep into her longstanding addiction—Dramione fanfiction! If you love Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger together (or even if you're just curious), you're in for a treat. This episode is part two of her Dramione recs, with everything from angsty novels to fluffy one-shots. 
Karly also opens up about the very real struggles of dealing with loneliness, especially as we head into the colder months. While loneliness is something we all grapple with at some point, it can feel especially isolating, and Karly’s hoping this rant will help you feel a little less alone in your own feelings. Tune in for an honest conversation about managing loneliness—because you're never truly alone when you’ve got good books (and friends) by your side.
 

Winter TBRs & Addictive Personalities

Mia & Karly are back from their one-week hiatus to Europe (we missed you besties!) to help you update your Goodreads and build your winter TBR. Between new releases like The Songbird and the Heart of Stone and upcoming ones (*cough* Onyx Storm) the list is truly miles long. They’re also dropping hints about some hot ARCs they’re reading (don’t worry, no spoilers... yet).
And in true chaotic R&R fashion, the girls are ranting about their addictive personalities. When they set their mind to something, they fully commit, whether its binging Outlander or heaving one too many spicy margs on a night out.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election: Our Thoughts

Waking up as a woman in this country last week was… difficult to say the least. Karly & Mia are here to offer up their thoughts, feelings, and straight up grief following the results of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. 
Please note: This episode reflects our personal opinions, thoughts, and feelings. The views expressed are our own, and we're sharing our perspectives in the hopes of fostering an open and safe space for women navigating these challenging times. 
We launched this podcast with the goal of finding others who read to cope with life in their twenties, and we’re always here for you. Happy reading besties - Karly & Mia

Reading BookTok Books So You Don’t Have To Part 2

Please note: this episode was planned and recorded before the results of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. While we are still processing the events of this past week, like so many of you, reading offers us an escape. This week, we want to ensure our podcast remains a safe space for our community and those looking to discuss books with a little humor. While this episode’s rant section discusses dating and men with funny anecdotes, we will be back next week with more thoughts. 
We launched this podcast with the goal of finding others who read to cope with life in their twenties, and we’re always here for you. Happy reading besties - Karly & Mia
Karly & Mia are back with another round of reading BookTok books so you don’t have to. So, which reads are worth your time? The girls share their thoughts on some appropriately hyped reads, including Gild, A Fate Inked in Blood, and When the Moon Hatched. Recently, they’ve also been on a kick of underhyped gems like Blood and Steel, Spark of the Everflame, and Song of the Marked. Of course, there are always a few overhyped disappointments (did the period blood in Heartless Hunter bother anyone else?)
The rant of the week: delusional men in the dating world. The girls recount various ick-inducing encounters including Karly’s ex-boyfriend hard launching his new relationship (via a joint Instagram post). If you’ve ever had a man ask you to split the bill on a third date and then watched him take the leftovers to go, you’re safe here. 

SJM Subplots & Single Girl Rights

Do any of these Sarah J. Maas quotes live in your head rent-free?
“He never married. And even when he was an old man, I’d sometimes see him sitting on that front porch. As if he were waiting for someone.”
“The next day, the theater was closed by royal decree, and no one saw the musicians or conductor again. 
 “Who cares what my father does to me?”
If so, you’ve come to the right place. Karly & Mia are diving into the most hurtful SJM subplots aka small moments that had them screaming, crying, and throwing up. From Asterin and the Hunter to the musicians in Throne of Glass and basically everything about the Autumn Court, oh, and did we mention Viktoria is still stuck in a box at the bottom of the ocean?
Per usual, Karly & Mia are demanding justice for single girls everywhere in today's rant. As the girls always say, single girls are in the trenches, but does anyone listen to their advice? Nope! 

Audiobook Virgins & Adulting 101

Did you know fan-made audiobooks of Dramione fanfics exist? Well, Karly does. Recently, your favorite podcast hosts have been dipping their toes into the world of audiobooks. So far, they seem like the perfect solution when you want to read, but also fold laundry, do a craft, or pretend to be productive at the office. We’re breaking down why audiobooks are suddenly everywhere and how they’ve turned us into multitasking queens.
Getting back to the roots of this podcast, the girls are ranting about adulting 101. Karly & Mia are here to unpack the struggles no one prepared them for, including health insurance nightmares, credit card debt, and adjusting to a 9-5 schedule.

Flesh & Fire Series by Jennifer Armentrout Deep Dive

Today, the girls welcome their best friend Gillian—a fellow book bestie and Karly’s childhood best friend! Yes, if you remember Karly talking about her Percabeth fanfiction and Harry Potter obsessed confidante, that is indeed Gill. Together, they dive deep into all four books of Jennifer Armentrout’s Flesh and Fire series. While they butcher the pronunciation of every character and location (sorry, we can’t get behind Seraphena’s name being pronounced SEE-raphena) the girls can't help but rave about the captivating characters and steamy scenes that kept them hooked. However, with the extensive world-building and the series’ role as a prequel to the beloved Blood and Ash series, there’s a lot to unpack, and the girls barely scratch the surface.
Let us know if you would like a book by book deep dive!

How To Be a Better Reader & Why Romantasy Is Redefining Women’s Standards

Mia & Karly are here to help you go from “I wish I could read more” to “I accidentally read a 700-page romantasy in one day and now I need therapy.” Whether you're looking to become a reading girly or just want to stop doomscrolling before bed, the girls have all the tips and tricks to get you into reading.
Inspired by Mia’s recent viral TikTok, the girls are ready to rant about how romance books like Sarah J. Maas’ are fueling a cultural reset. Call it faerie porn all you want, but millions of women are setting higher standards for themselves and realizing they don’t have to settle for a man who can’t even text back, let alone wield a sword and respect their boundaries.