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
92 episodes
We Watched Hair Love (with Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
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!Fo...
We Watched Adventures in Love and Birding (with Marissa and Delaney)
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 Delane...
We Review Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb (with Marissa and Delaney)
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
We Watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 (with Amanda)
Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of The Sea of Monster episodes with an episode all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2.
We Watched Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (with Amanda)
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!
We Review The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (with Amanda)
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!
We Watched People We Meet On Vacation (with Marissa)
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!
We Review People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (with Marissa)
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?!
We Watched Wuthering Heights (2026) (with Spencer @Septemberance)
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 la...
We Review Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (with Spencer @septemberance)
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 enth...
We Watched Heated Rivalry - Season 1 (with Jenn @lit.with.jenn)
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...
We Review Game Changer and Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (with Jenn @lit.with.Jenn)
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 ...
We Watched Wicked: For Good (with Amanda)
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 ...
Jenessa and Amanda are very excited for Wicked: For Good - Bonus Episode!
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 so...
We Watched New Moon (with Stephanie)
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 th...
We Review New Moon by Stephanie Meyer (with Stephanie)
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 ment...
We Watched the 1975 and 2004 Adaptations of The Stepford Wives (with Marissa)
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 p...
We Review The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin (with Marissa)
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,...
We Watched Sense and Sensibility (1995) (with Spencer from @septemberance)
Spencer returns to help Jenessa analyze the 1995 film adaptation, Sense and Sensibility. Is this the best Austen adaptation? Is Emma Thompson the greatest actress of all time?You can follow Spencer on her bookstagram...
We Review Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (with Spencer from @septemberance)
It's time to dive into the podcast's first Jane Austen novel! Jenessa and Spencer discuss what is "sense" and "sensibility", the f-boy-ness of a certain love interest, and whether or not this book is a love story.
We Watched Bridge to Terabithia (2007) (with Amanda)
Amanda and Jenessa watch the 2007 film adaptation, Bridge to Terabithia.Make sure to check out our Patreon to watch more Jenessa and Amanda shenanigans.
We Review Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (with Amanda)
Amanda joins us to reread the heartbreaking children's classic, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Read and cry along as we discuss childhood lonely, friendship, and grief.Content Warnings: neglect, abuse, grief, d...
We Watched Much Ado About Nothing (1993) (with Neha from @thenoveltea.pod)
Neha returns to discuss the 1993 film adaptation, Much Ado About Nothing. Neha and Jenessa also discuss Anyone But You (2023) and Jenessa briefly recaps Much Ado About Nothing (2012).Follow