Watch What You Read

Hannah and Justin cover the early 2000's blockbuster "I Am Legend" in this week's podcast. We talk about the surprisingly big differences in the movie versus book, Will Smith owning the screen, how Covid makes this scenario more plausible, and much more!

In this episode, Hannah and I break down the psychological thriller Gone Girl. We explore which character- Amy or Nick- is more sympathetic, and how the book’s point of view gives readers direct insight into each character’s mind in a way the film can’t fully replicate. We also dive into the relationship dynamics at play, especially the idea of trying to be someone you’re not. Finally, we discuss why Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike were perfectly cast to portray the ice-cold marriage between Nick and Amy.

Hannah Savaso and I have an action packed episode as we break down the very popular Friday Night Lights show and compare it to the book. We talk about the intents of the show versus book, the outsized role football plays in identity and culture of these towns, and a comparison of characters with Coach Gaines vs Coach Taylor, Booby vs Smash, Winchell vs Saracen, and much more!

Join Hannah and Justin as the two of them discuss why Katniss and Peeta are the perfect complimentary team, the heavy underlying political commentary on capitalism, corruption and violence, and Hannah gives some great recs at the end for similar works.

In this episode of the pod, Hannah watches the newly released Frankenstein film while Justin reads the original novel. We dig into Mary Shelley’s wild backstory (published at just 18), who the real monster might be—the creator or the creature—and whether the book’s take on human prejudice still holds up.

In this special edition of the podcast, Hannah and Justin breakdown the books they read in 2025 outside of the podcast. They nominate books that lived up to the hype, disappointed, pleasantly surprised, and much more. Join us on this edition for ideas on your next read.

In this episode, Hannah watches the movie while Justin reads the classic Holes, by Louis Sachar. They talk about why it appeals to such a broad range of ages (pre-teen to adults), themes of karma and fate, and the memorable characters of Stanley, Zero, the Warden, and many more.

Hannah tackles the book while Justin covers the movie and together they go through one of the most popular stories of the 21st century. They hit on themes of free will versus determinism, the dangers of fantasy (Mirror of Erised), and how the trio triumphs over the obstacles guarding the Sorcerer's Stone.

In this episode, Justin and Hannah explore Fight Club, the late-20th-century book and film that still draw strong reactions. We discuss why Hannah really enjoyed the movie while Justin couldn’t even finish the book.Additionally, we explore the story’s themes of anarchy and anti-consumerism, how those ideas land 25 years later in 2025, the famous plot twist, and whether a story so centered on male identity can still appeal to female readers and viewers.

In this special Halloween episode, Hannah heroically powers through all 600 pages of The Shining in just 10 days, while Justin takes on the classic film adaptation. We dive into whether Jack’s sinister descent is driven by his own nature or the hotel’s dark influence, explore themes of isolation and the supernatural, and discuss Stephen King’s thoughts on how the movie differs from his original novel.

Hannah reads The Great Gatsby while Justin explores the 2013 film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. We unpack the themes of the American Dream, whether ignorance truly is bliss, and how post–World War I modernism shaped the story’s tone. Lastly, we dive into whether Jay Gatsby’s hope is something to admire or pity.

In this week’s episode of The Martian, Hannah watches the film while Justin dives into the book. Together, they unpack what makes Mark Watney’s extraordinary resourcefulness so compelling, and what we can learn from his grit and humor under pressure. They explore how public perception shaped NASA’s decision-making in the rescue mission and the powerful bond of the crew—even after leaving Mark stranded on Mars (!)

In this episode of Watch What You Read, Hannah reads the classic young adult novel Bridge to Terabithia while Justin watches the film adaptation. They talk about what makes Leslie’s character so memorable, the challenges Jessie faces at home, and whether the accident could have been avoided.Join us as we step into the imaginative world of Terabithia and explore how both the book and movie bring it to life.

In this episode, we cover Jurassic Park as Hannah reads Michael Crichton’s original novel while Justin watches the 1993 Spielberg blockbuster. We talk about the ethics of cloning, the chaos of controlling nature, unpack why the female characters come off better in the movie, and much more!

Hannah watches the film and Justin reads the book "The Road to Jonestown" by Jeff Guinn on the cult of Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre. Hannah and Justin discuss the timeline of events that led to Jonestown, how he was able to draw such a large following, and what exactly makes a cult a cult.

In this week's very special episode of the pod, Hannah and Justin hand out awards for book/movies we have covered thus far. Timestamp below: “The Knife-in-the-Back ” (1:27)“Wait, WHAT?! (4:54)“Who Wrote Me Into This Book” (8:22) The Castaway Companion Award (12:17) Best Villain (14:23)Best Protagonist (18:06)Setting You’d Most Want to Live In (20:13)Secret Crush (22:15)Read This, Trust Me (24:00) Least Recommend (27:13)The Just-One-More-Chapter Award (29:21) Truest to Form (32:18)PLEASE Give us a Sequel (35:10)Best Book Club Book (41:30)Favorite Pod to Record (43:30)

In this episode of Little Fires Everywhere, Hannah watches the TV series (yes the whole series!) and Justin reads the book. They cover the different dramas that play out in these memorable characters lives, the impossible decisions of motherhood, and attitude on race in the 90's versus present day.

In this episode, Hannah watches the movie and Justin reads the book as they dive into Dave Eggers’ dystopian novel The Circle. Together, they explore the unsettling overlap between private tech giants and government, why social media often equates to empty calorie junk food, and how the film adaptation missed the mark on almost every level. Lastly, they breakdown the very strong parallels to "1984", including the Circle mottos of Sharing is Caring, Privacy is Theft, and Secrets are Lies.

Justin watched the movie, Hannah read the book — now they’re diving into Where the Crawdads Sing. They break down what the movie missed, the big plot twist, and how far Kya goes to survive.

Siblings Hannah and Justin tackle Life of Pi this week on Watch What You Read! Justin read the book, Hannah watched the movie, and together they explore themes of storytelling versus truth, the magical realism of the mysterious island, and faith versus rationality. Plus, they break down all the major animals aboard the lifeboat!

In this episode of Watch What You Read, siblings Justin and Hannah dive into the wild and wonderful world of Matilda by Roald Dahl. They break down what makes Matilda such an iconic character—and why Miss Trunchbull still haunts our dreams. Along the way, they talk about the dark humor and sharp wit that makes Dahl’s writing so unforgettable, plus a few fun connections to Harry Potter.

Justin and Hannah dive into the debauchery, deception, and sheer madness of The Wolf of Wall Street. We break down the fine line between critique and glorification of the outlandish Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film). We also discuss whether the the book, which Hannah may or may not have abandoned, offers anything beyond shock value and self-promotion.

Watch What You Read brings together two perspectives—Hannah, who watched the movie, and Justin, who read the book—as they dive into all things Narnia. In this episode, they explore the world of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, discussing key themes like good versus evil, Edmund’s betrayal, Aslan’s sacrifice, and the subtle (or not-so-subtle) Christian symbolism woven throughout C.S. Lewis’s classic story. Whether you're a longtime fan of the books or just discovering Narnia through the films, join the conversation as Hannah and Justin break down the magic, mystery, and meaning behind this beloved tale.

In this episode, Hannah and Justin Savaso dive into Lord of the Flies, comparing the novel and its film adaptation. Hannah read the book, Justin watched the movie, and together, they explore key themes, characters, and the deeper meanings behind the story. We discuss resource as power, the breakdown of civilization, and how leadership and survival instincts play out in extreme situations. Along the way, we draw modern-day political parallels and even speculate on how the story might have unfolded if it had been an all-female cast instead of all boys.