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
57 episodes
We Started a Patreon!
We started a Patreon! Patreon.com/ReadtheBookFirst"Why did you start a Patreon?" you may be asking. Well, it's a one woman show over here. Just me, myself, and I. In order t...
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2:19
We Read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (with Delaney)
Welcome to Season 4 of Read the Book First! We are so excited for this season's episodes!Delaney returns to help us dive into Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. We talked about birds, ti...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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1:30:36
We Watched the Wild Robot (with Amanda)
It's our Season 3 finale! Join Amanda and Jenessa as they discuss the Oscar nominated film, The Wild Robot.Season 4 is in the works and will begin later this Spring. Thank you to every one who listened to Season 3. I love t...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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1:13:37
We Review The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (with Amanda)
It's our last book episode of Season 3!Amanda joins us to discuss The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. This chapter book was one of my favorite books I read in 2024. It's joyful, heartwarming, and challenging. Listen along to hea...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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55:29
We Watched Warm Bodies (with Kara)
Kara joins us to watch and review the 2013 zomcom, Warm Bodies. Is this Hollywood's zombie answer to the end of the Twilight craze? Is this a substantial Romeo and Juliet retelling? Does the...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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55:02
We Review Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (with Kara)
This week we dive into the zombified world of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Is this a zombie love story? How similar to Romeo and Juliet is it? Is this book really about zombies or hope? Listen to find out!
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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54:48
We Watched Redwall Season 1 (with Isaac)
Isaac returns to help us discuss the tv show adaptation, Redwall. We revisit a nostalgic favorite of ours and cross our fingers that it holds up! Listen to find out our thoughts.You can watch the Redwall show
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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1:10:27
We Review Redwall by Brian Jacques (with Isaac)
Isaac joins us on the podcast to revisit a childhood favorite, Redwall by Brian Jacques. Is this the perfect cozy fantasy? Maybe... Listen to hear our full thoughts!
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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1:01:05
Madeline Book vs Film (with Delaney)
Bonjour! Join us as we visit Paris through the beautiful illustrations of Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans and the 1998 film adaptation starring Frances McDormand. What about this children's book makes it a beloved favorite?Check ou...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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1:09:59
We Watched Nightbitch (with Alyssa from @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
Alyssa joins us again to discuss Nightbitch, the 2025 film staring Amy Adams. Make sure to check out Alyssa and her podcast, Stories and Spoilers!
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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1:26:19
We Review Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder (with Alyssa from @stories.and.spoilers.podcast)
Alyssa from Stories and Spoilers Podcast joins Jenessa to discuss Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. Is this book an accurate depiction of motherho...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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1:46:14
The Polar Express Book vs. Movie (with Isaac)
It's our first Christmas special! Isaac and Jenessa sat down to discuss Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning picture book, The Polar Express. Jenessa also convinced Isaac to watch the 2004 adaptation starring Tom Hanks. Is the <...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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51:00
We Watched Wicked Part 1 (with Amanda)
Amanda joins Jenessa in analyzing what makes Wicked different from other movie musicals. In this episode, we break apart Act One of the Wicked stage production and compare it to the 2024 film adaptation.Wicked...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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2:24:47
We Review Wicked by Gregory Maguire (with Amanda)
Amanda joins us in analyzing Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. This novel has been turned into a hit Broadway play and recently a movie-musical (both will be discussed in an episode next wee...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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2:01:56
The Wizard of Oz Book vs. Film (with Sam)
Sam joins us to discuss L. Frank Baum's children's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the 1939 film adaptation, The Wizard of Oz. Did Baum write the seminal American folktale? Is The Wizard of Oz the best movie ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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1:31:42
We Watched True Blood Season 1 (with Marissa)
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the first season of the critically acclaimed HBO show, True Blood. What made this show so successful? Why is it so much better than the book? content warnings: descriptions of blood, vampirism, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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1:28:30
We Review Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (with Marissa)
Marissa is back to help us figure out why we hated reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, yet we couldn't put the book down! Join us as we review the book that inspired the HBO series, True Blood.content warning:...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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1:25:32
We Watched Twilight (with Stephanie)
Stephanie returns to help us figure out why people still love the 2008 film, Twilight. What about Twilight draws people to it year after year?If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on <...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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1:27:01
We Review Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (with Stephanie)
Vampire month continues with a deep dive into Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Why were teenagers so obsessed with Twilight? Does Twilight live up to our nostalgia? Listen to find out!If you've enjoy...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:30:57
Which Dracula movie is the best adaptation? (with Amanda)
Welcome to the Dracula Film Festival! Amanda and I watched four Dracula adaptations to determine which one will reign supreme! content warnings: descriptions of blood, vampirism, assault, SA, suicide, a...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:43:07
We Review Dracula by Bram Stoker (with Amanda)
It's officially autumn so grab a copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker and get into the spooky mood! In this episode, Amanda and I figure out what makes this gothic novel so beloved. How has Dracula become ubiquitous wi...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:44:29
We Watched Uglies (with Chandler)
Chandler returns to help us figure out just where the Uglies movie went wrong. How bad is this adaptation? Or is it a good adaptation?If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:19:59
We Review Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (with Chandler)
Our first episode of Season 3 follows the adventure of Scott Westerfeld's YA dystopia, Uglies. In this world, when you turn 16 you get an operation to become "pretty". Tally has wanted to be a "pretty" her whole life, but when she befr...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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1:07:15
Season 3 Trailer
Read the Book First is back with Season 3! We are so excited for this season of the podcast! The first episode of Season 3 releases on September 9th! If you've enjoyed the podcast, please consider answering five questions on
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2:33
Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman vs. Aquamarine - the 2006 movie (with Charlotte)
It's our Season 2 finale!! Charlotte joins me as we diiive in (heh, get it?) and explore the middle-grade chapter book, Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman, and the 2006 teen movie adaptation, Aquamarine. Thank you to everyone...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:41:30