Reading & Ranting

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. 

Classics for Fall… Groundbreaking

While fantasy fall has officially kicked off, it’s time to take a step back and dive into the timeless works of classic literary giants like Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen for those crisp fall days. Karly & Mia explore how these classics encapsulate the essence of autumn, from moody atmospheres to heartwarming romances. Grab your Nicole Kidman cardigan and a steaming cup of hot tea (or sauv blanc) for an autumnal read when you need a cozy night in. 
But it’s not only about the fall vibes; for today’s rant, the girls will unleash several thoughts about how even men written by nineteenth century women were better than what we’re working with today. The charm of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley exists because chivalry was alive and well and gentlemen knew how to treat a lady (sidewalk rule anyone?) - today’s “sassy man apocalypse” just doesn’t hold a candle to the refined characters of the past. Join the girls as they celebrate classic reads and dissect the differences between yesterday’s gents and today’s woes.

When the Moon Hatched & One Year of R&R

In this special anniversary episode of Reading & Ranting, Karly & Mia are celebrating their one-year milestone by diving into a spoiler-free discussion of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, a beautifully crafted fantasy romance novel that captivated them with its beautiful prose, stabby FMC, and sexy new book boyfriend of the week. And did we mention… dragons?
In honor of a year since launching this podcast, the girls are discussing the hard work, dedication, and countless hours that have gone into creating R&R content for you. Between the rewarding moments that have made it all worthwhile and the challenges they’ve faced along the way (see their Strava miles trying to find working mics on the streets of NYC), the girls have big dreams for the future of Reading & Ranting. Happy reading besties and thanks for listening!

Romantasy Icks and Career Moves

Fantasy romance books… we know them, we love them, and they’re great for escapism but sometimes… things just get cringe. Mia & Karly are talking about those moments that break the spellbinding world building and give them the ick—like “lactic acid” existing in Prythian. And let’s not forget: does anyone need a character named Thad in romantasy or any book for that matter? Didn’t think so.
Plus, Karly’s got some big news: she’s leaving her first "big girl job" for a new opportunity! The girls chat about career moves, why job hopping is the ultimate promotion strategy, and how burnout can push you to make a change. With tips on navigating the corporate world, the hell that is the job market, they’re here to say you’ve got to be your own biggest advocate. 
 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

In today’s episode, the girls are diving into one of their favorite author’s novels,  Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Between exploring the book’s underlying themes of familial relationships and self-discovery, memorable side characters, and romance that develops between the shelves of a bookstore (the dream), Emily Henry yet again does not disappoint. Spoiler warning: the girls discuss the plot points in detail so beware!
However, for today’s rant, the girls are getting into a topic they’ve never discussed before: the world of workout routines. Between everyone on TikTok arguing what’s the best workout for women (Pilates, lifting, HIIT, running???) there’s so much discourse and frankly it’s overwhelming. Karly is busy trying to figure out what routine works for her and Mia is just trying to recover from her bicep curl to panic attack pipeline in the middle of guy-dominated Gold’s Gym. Happy reading besties!