Reading & Ranting

Onyx Storm Theories

IT’S TIIIIIIIIIME!! Karly & Mia (along with book bestie Gill) are headed back to Basgiath War College to celebrate the upcoming release of Onyx Storm on January 21st! They kick things off with recaps of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, revisiting the unforgettable moments that introduced us to Violet, her dragons Tairn and Andarna, and everyone’s favorite dragon riding shadow daddy, Xaden Riorson himself. 
Mia, the resident theory master, has been preparing for this book like an AP Navarrian History test. The girls unleash their most elaborate theories about what’s coming next in Onyx Storm. Could Violet’s second signet be tied to intinnsic abilities or resurrection? Is Brennan hiding something? And of course, what is going to happen to Xaden?? Whether you're a seasoned Empyrean rereader or are in desperate need of a refresher before the next installment, this episode is packed with enough hype to make January 21st feel just a little closer.
And besties, with TikTok likely going away, please follow us @readingandrantingpodcast on Instagram and subscribe to Reading & Ranting on YouTube for video content of the podcast!

Current Reads & 2025 Ins and Outs

Hey besties, Karly & Mia are reunited at last (AKA going 3 weeks without seeing each other) and are recapping their current reads. The girls could not be on more different vibes as Mia continues to tackle Romantasy books, and Karly has found herself in a LGBTQ hockey romance wormhole. Sound… interesting? Listen in and get some inspiration for your 2025 TBR! 
They’re also ranting about their 2025 ins and outs, which include but are not limited to drunk cigs, dry January, and QR code menus. They’ll see you guys at the end of the year to recap what stayed in and what made it to out purgatory. Happy reading besties!

Mia's 2024 Best Reads & Lessons Learned

In this solo episode, Mia kicks off 2025 by reflecting on her top 10 reads of 2024 and the lessons that shaped her year.
She’s dropping short and sweet spoiler-free reviews of her standout books, including 6 romantasy reads, 3 rom coms, and even 1 memoir (thank you Drew Afualo!) Oh, and here’s your annual reminder to switch from Goodreads to The StoryGraph for all your book tracking needs in 2025!
Mia also opens up about the personal growth she experienced in 2024, from learning to live intentionally and embracing financial mindfulness to building new friendships and setting boundaries. Happy new year and happy reading besties!

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!