PODCAST · arts
Reading & Ranting
by readingandrantingpod
Welcome to Reading & Ranting, a podcast hosted by two book besties, Mia and Karly. If you’re a bookworm, a BookTok enthusiast, or a Gen-Z trying to lower your screen time, this is the podcast for you!Each week, Mia and Karly will dive into their latest book obsessions, share their thoughts and opinions, and of course, rant about life. From the struggles of adulting to the joys of finding a new favorite read, these two co-hosts will dive into it all. Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, or just need a good laugh and some relatable content, Reading & Ranting has got you covered. So sit back, relax, and join Mia and Karly as they use books to escape the trials of their early 20s.
Episodes
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Introducing R&R Seasons + Summer Break Update!
Hey besties, Karly and Mia have an exciting announcement for y'all! Reading & Ranting is officially announcing seasons - and this is the official end to Season 1! The girls are taking a brief hiatus to come back bigger and better than ever with more book recs, life updates, tips on how to survive...
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Great Big Beautiful Life Deep Dive
In today's episode, Karly and Mia are diving deep into A Great Big Beautiful Life, the brand-new release from their favorite rom-com author, Emily Henry. Honestly, enough said there - full spoilers ahead for this debrief of Henry's latest book (and yet another 5-star hit)!
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Is Dating Rigged?
Your favorite podcast hosts are spiraling over how dating in your 20s seriously feels like a man’s world. Why is it that guys can go on three dates and end up in a relationship, while the most beautiful, emotionally intelligent women they know are out here getting ghosted by men whose best Hinge...
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Pitching A Book To A Friend Part 2
Mia & Karly are back and swapping book recs like it’s their full-time job (they wish it was)! This week, Karly dives into People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, because who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers moment? Meanwhile, Mia’s bringing the spice with Heavenly Bodies, the latest...
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25 at 25 - Life Lessons from Books
It’s Mia’s birthday, and she’s turning 25 in the most on-brand way possible - by making it about books. In this special solo episode, she reflects on 25 life lessons she's learned through books, from childhood fables to dystopian rebels to 20th century classics and ultimately, faeries. Whether...
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SJM Rankings & Defrosting for Spring
Okay besties, time for a heated debate… Mia & Karly are dropping their official Sarah J. Maas book rankings! In this episode, the girls rank all 16 books from Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City, comparing their favorites (and least favorites) and discussing the plot...
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Reading & Life Updates (Karly is Back from Down Under)
Karly is finally back from her incredible two week trip to Australia! Now that the besties and co hosts are reunited, they’re here to tell all about their latest reads and life updates. Karly has lots to share about her trip down under (inclusive of blackout uber eatsing $80 worth of drunk eats…
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Taylor Swift By The Book Pt. 2 (Lover - TTPD)
Besties, welcome back for part two of Mia’s deep dive into Taylor Swift’s literary influences! With Karly still off living her best life in Australia, Mia takes the mic solo to continue unpacking the insights from Taylor Swift By The Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, From Fairy Tales to...
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Taylor Swift By The Book Pt. 1 (Debut - Reputation)
It’s been a long time coming… Karly may be off living her Wildest Dreams in Australia, but Mia is here with a solo episode topic she’s been waiting for: Taylor Swift. Inspired by Taylor Swift By The Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, From Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets by Rachel Feder and...
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Psychoanalyzing Xaden & the Existential Crisis of Choosing a City
Mia & Karly are still deep in their Onyx Storm hangover, so naturally, it’s time for a full-blown therapy session psychoanalyzing Xaden Riorson. The girls discuss his mommy and daddy issues, his self-sacrificing streak, and his relationship with Violet. But let’s be honest, they’re really just…
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How to Cure Your Onyx Storm Hangover
Karly & Mia are here to save you from that post-Onyx Storm book hangover! If you’re still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster and just can't seem to recover, don’t worry—the girls have got you covered with some romantasy recommendations that'll have you out of your reading slump and back on...
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Onyx Storm Reactions & Deep Dive
FULL Spoilers for the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros! Cadets, welcome to Battle Brief! Mia, Karly & book bestie Gill are here to break down Onyx Storm, sharing their raw reactions to the book. But most importantly, it’s time to break out the tin foil hats because it’s time to theorize. What...
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Surviving January & The Year of Dramione
2025 is already off to a chaotic start, but at least the Dramione girlies are winning! This year, three iconic fics are getting traditionally published (The Auction → Rose in Chains, DMATMOBIL → Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, Manacled → Alchemised), and Karly & Mia are gnawing at the...
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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,...
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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…...
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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…
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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....
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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Stages of the Maasiverse & Fall Feels
Come one come all, Mia & Karly are talking about how to spread the gospel (Maasiverse) to your friends. Spoilers ahead, so listen at your own risk! The girls are spiraling through the stages of grief one experiences while watching friends dive into the Maasiverse for the first time. From…
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Heal Your Inner Book Girl & Stop Living to Please Others
Hey besties! Welcome to the first R&R solo episode, where Mia's taking the reins to revisit the books that shaped her childhood and how reconnecting with them has been a healing experience. If you wondered what house you would be sorted into, what cabin you would live in, whether you would…
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How To Cure Your SJM Hangover Part Two
Inspired by a recent trip to Barnes & Noble and curating their fall romantasy reads, Mia & Karly are back with part two of their ultimate Sarah J. Maas hangover cures! They share their updated book recommendations to help fill the void, with books featuring deadly trials, epic battles, and...
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The Art of Pitching a Book to a Friend
In today’s episode, join Mia & Karly as they dive into the art of pitching a book to a friend. Mia kicks things off with a pitch for Quicksilver, an addicting romantasy read brimming with enemies-to-lovers drama that has BookTok buzzing with a new book boyfriend. On the other end of the spectrum,...
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House Of The Dragon Season Two Review
Okay besties, welcome to Westeros! Mia & Karly are breaking down their thoughts on House of the Dragon Season Two. TL;DR, the plot was definitely a slow burn, and not in a good way. The girls want to shout “Dracarys” at the scripts that kept Daemon at Harrenhal for an entire season and the lack…
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Book Q&A with Karly and Mia
Discover Karly and Mia’s book preferences in today’s Q&A episode! The two are asking each other questions they’ve never asked before, ranging from book guilty pleasures to the first book they ever read. The real question is whether Karly prefers fanfiction over published books. Spoiler alert: if...
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Microtropes & Euro Summer
This week, Mia & Karly are breaking down their favorite oddly specific book tropes. From knife-wielding heroines (The Cruel Prince), dramatic "who hurt you?" moments (Heir of Fire always hits different), angsty betrayals (Bridge Kingdom), romance-filled training montages (Fourth Wing), the…
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Texts from an Ex
In Karly & Mia’s opinion, one of the worst jumpscares you can receive is a text from your ex. And that begs the question: how do you respond? They share personal stories of shock, anger, and hurt, exploring the disrespect and gaslighting often encountered when dealing with an immature ex. And…
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Happy Place
Karly & Mia are completely enamored with Emily Henry's "Happy Place," set against a coastal Maine backdrop which, be warned, sparks an intense craving for buttery lobster rolls. Among the book’s several tropes, including fake dating and found family, Happy Place weaves together themes of mature...
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SJM Presidential Debate: Aelin vs. Rhysand
In honor of using fantasy faerie books to escape reality, today’s episode takes a special twist on last week’s U.S. presidential debate, Maasiverse style. Karly & Mia are breaking down presidential campaigns with a showdown between Aelin and Rhysand. They firmly believe the country would be in...
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Reading BookTok Books So You Don’t Have To Part 1
POV: you finally picked up that “FIVE STAR MUST READ” book you’ve seen all over BookTok, and it left you less than satisfied. Well you’re in luck, because today Karly & Mia settle in for a candid conversation separating the overhyped from the underrated. Brace yourselves as they share their...
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Eloise Bridgerton is So Real for Wanting Single Friends
Dearest Gentle Listeners, Karly & Mia are back with their thoughts on Bridgerton Season Three Part Two! To be honest, the girls feel like Part One was all foreplay, and Part Two offered no climax. Some of the most unexpected plot lines stuck with them (Michaela Stirling and Benedict’s random...
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Hunger Games x Ozempic
Dystopian is so back baby. Karly & Mia’s jaws were on the floor when they heard the news that Suzanne Collins is dropping Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth installment in the Hunger Games series. The girls can’t wait until March 2025, but until then they will have to be content with speculating...
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Why We’re Gay For The SJM Girlies
Happy Pride Month! In the wise words of Chappell Roan, what we really need is a… femininomenon! And Sarah J. Maas consistently delivers. Today, Karly & Mia dive into their not so secret obsessions with the leading ladies, from Aelin’s sass to Bryce’s body-ody-ody, they break down why these badass...
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Book Wars: Dystopian Edition
Today Karly & Mia are throwing it back to the 2010s YA Dystopian Fiction era and diving into the worlds of "Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi and "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld. In this episode, they provide spoiler-free background insights into both captivating series, exploring the dystopian landscapes...
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Dearest Gentle Reader, Bumble Fumbled
What’s that song playing in the background? Oh… no… it’s actually just the carriage scene with classical Pitbull in the background. Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, as Mia & Karly are swooning over the Polin in the air. The girls were giggling and kicking their feet binge watching…
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What Makes a Five-Star Read and Our Biggest Flops
Have you ever wondered what makes a book a 5 star read? Although it varies from person to person (see also: “I didn’t say it was a GOOD book, I said I ENJOYED it”), the girls have some thoughts. Karly & Mia weigh the importance of character depth, world-building, romance tropes, pacing, and the...
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Funny Story
Emily Henry has done it again folks! Join the girls as they dissect Funny Story, arguably their first 5-star read of 2024! With forced proximity, friends to lovers, and fake dating tropes all packaged into a small-town whirlwind summer romance with a sexy Nick Miller coded tatted bartender…
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Rules for Hot Girl Summer
While Karly & Mia’s relationship status has remained firmly single in the dating world, their relationship status with reading has taken a turn, and it’s complicated. Dare they say they have hit a Romantasy overload. The girls are ready to branch out a little, and you know they already have reads...
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Psychoanalyzing Rhysand
It was all over when Karly & Mia realized Rhys is pronounced Reese, and therefore Rhysand is not, in fact, pronounced Rice-and. In this episode, Karly & Mia unravel the inner world of Rhysand from ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas. From his initial introduction as a mysterious...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Reading & Ranting, a podcast hosted by two book besties, Mia and Karly. If you’re a bookworm, a BookTok enthusiast, or a Gen-Z trying to lower your screen time, this is the podcast for you!Each week, Mia and Karly will dive into their latest book obsessions, share their thoughts and opinions, and of course, rant about life. From the struggles of adulting to the joys of finding a new favorite read, these two co-hosts will dive into it all. Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, or just need a good laugh and some relatable content, Reading & Ranting has got you covered. So sit back, relax, and join Mia and Karly as they use books to escape the trials of their early 20s.
HOSTED BY
readingandrantingpod
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