Kris and Mads

Welcome back, readers! 📚✨In today’s podcast episode, we’re creating the ultimate Reader Starter Pack — a guide designed to help you fall in love with more genres and get the most enjoyment out of your reading life.We’re breaking down 12 popular book genres and sharing:✔️ the best entry-level book to start with✔️ the book you can work your way up to once you’re ready✔️ how to approach each genre so you don’t feel overwhelmedWhether you’re new to reading, trying to expand beyond your comfort zone, or building your next TBR, this episode gives you a clear path into fantasy, classics, sci-fi, literary fiction, romantasy, and more.Think of this as your roadmap to becoming a well-rounded reader — without forcing yourself through books you’re not ready for yet.Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:54 - Our Starter Pack!2:52 - Historical Fiction6:43 - Romantic Historical Fiction8:51 - Fantasy: Start Here!15:31 - Fantasy: Don’t Start Here…19:20 - Dystopian25:43 - Contemporary Fiction29:48 - Magical Realism36:21 - Lit Fic43:05 - Memoirs48:49 - Classics54:33 - Romantasy1:00:33 - Sci-Fi1:06:40 - Techno-Thrillers1:10:15 - Wrap-UpBooks Mentioned The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Outlander by Diana GabaldonShowdown and Bone and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Blood over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Secret History by Donna Tartt The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young V. E. Schwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyIntermezzo by Sally Rooney Green Lights by Matthew McConaugheyMan’s search for Meaning by Viktor FranklLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottEast of Eden by John SteinbeckSerpent and the Wings of Night Sarah J Maas Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Crescent City Red Rising by Pierce Brown Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio Techno ThrillerArtificial Wisdom by Thomas WeaverDark Matter by Blake CrouchAscension by Nicolas Binge Favorite: Silo by Hugh HoweyLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: / kris.and.mads Instagram: / krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: / @seerayhardly Post production provided by Doppler Cow Studioshttps://dopplercowstudios.com#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

It's time to talk about spicy books...and more mild ones too. We're finally broaching the romance genre. What do we like? What do we hate? Which ones actually do it for us? And why!In this episode of the Kris and Mads Podcast, we’re talking about the love stories that go far beyond meet-cutes and tropes. Yes, we joke about sex (because obviously), but at the heart of this episode are powerful, unconventional romance book recommendations that explore enduring love, self-discovery, sacrifice, healing, and second chances.These are love stories that linger. Stories about choosing each other again and again. About intimacy, vulnerability, and connection — emotional and physical. Whether you love romance, literary fiction, fantasy with romantic elements, or books that blur genres, these recommendations are for readers who want big feelings and meaningful love stories.If you’re looking for romance books with depth, unconventional love stories, or book recommendations about healing, longing, and transformative relationships, this episode is for you.Books Mentioned by Category:SELF DISCOVERYAlone With You in the Ether by Olivia Blake Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid TRANSCENDENT LOVEThe Invisible Life of Addie Laure By V.E. Schwab Masters of Death by Olivie Blake The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon JimenezSECOND CHANCE HEALINGSeven Days in June by Tia WilliamsHappy Place by Emily Henry SACRIFICIAL LOVESense and Sensibility by Jane Austen The Wolf Den by Elodie HarperMORE THAN ONE LOVEThe Lost Queen by Signe Pike Outlander by Diana GabaldonCONTEMPORARY ROMANCE First Time Caller by B.K. Borison Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: / krisandmadssisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: / kris.and.mads Instagram: / krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: / @seerayhardly #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

We hate it every year, but the time has come to find out what our best book of 2025 was, bracket style! Prepare to experience us highly stressed and sweating as we go through our year of reading and choose one book to rule them all!Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:03 - How the Bracket is set up3:56 - Maddie: This Is How You Lose The Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-MohtarVS. The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington7:20 - Kristen: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn VS. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 9:59 - Maddie: The Light of All That Falls by James Islington VS. The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winer12:39 - Kristen: Our Infinite Fates by Lauren Steven VS. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen 19:00 - Maddie: Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb VS. The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson22:00 - Kristen: Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb VS. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 25:57 - Maddie: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee VS. Wellness by Nathan Hill31:19 - Kristen: Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb VS. Mad Ship by Robin Hobb35:00 - Maddie: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante VS. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 39:20 - Kristen: Jade City by Fonda Lee VS. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 46:55 - Maddie: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrel VS. Speaking Bones by Ken Liu50:31 - Kristen: Piranesi by Suzanna Clarke VS. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower 53:53 - Lightning Round56:35 - Elimination Round58:44 - Final Round & Winning Books!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: / krisandmadssisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: / kris.and.mads Instagram: / krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: / @seerayhardly This episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.co#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #bestbookof2025 #bookrecommendations #readingbracket #readingchallenge

It's ambitious and full of variety this year! We can't wait to reread some books we love, start some chunky new fantasy series, read even more classics, and pair some amazing stories with screen adaptations with our Patreon bookclub!We've never been so excited to share a list like this with you. There's something about knowing our taste, trusting the recommendations, and feeling like at the end of the year we will have read so many different kinds of books from different voices and different times, across genres. We're so stoked.We'll report back every month on what we've read and whether we recommend it! Stay tuned for weekly episodes in between featuring genre discussions, thematic topics, and more amazing book recommendations.Thanks so much for watching!Timestamps:0:00 - Intro1:29 - How we built our TBR5:14 - What counts as an automatic TBR7:52 - Book Recommendations12:12 - Why we have a TBR18:25 - 2026 rules for The Wheel24:09 - Series TBR for 202636:24 - Classics TBR for 202641:39 - 5 books we’re super excited for44:58 - Re-reads for 202648:43 - What we want to read with our Patreon Book Club51:23 - What could disrupt the TBRLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: / krisandmadssisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: / kris.and.mads Instagram: / krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: / @seerayhardly #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #2026tbr #tbr

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsWelcome back, friends! ✨While visiting London, we had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Nicholas Binge, the bestselling author of speculative sci-fi thrillers that blend massive concepts with psychological horror.Nicholas Binge is the author of Ascension, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, Goodreads Choice Awards finalist, and one of the best books of 2023 according to Vulture, Goodreads, The LA Times, and The Sunday Times. His latest novel, Dissolution, was named one of the best thrillers of 2025 by The New York Times, and we dive deep into its premise, themes, and inspirations in this interview.In this conversation, we talk about Nick’s writing process, why he loves techno-thrillers, how living in Edinburgh influences his work, and his journey to becoming a full-time author. Plus, we wrap things up with book recommendations, a fun round of two truths and a lie, and where you can find him online.Whether you love sci-fi thrillers, psychological horror, or are curious about life as an author, this interview is for you.📖 Check out Nicholas Binge:👉 Website: NicholasBinge.com0:00 Intro 01:47 Nicolas Binge’s successful books04:40 Where do you get the inspiration for your books07:02 The premise of Dissolution 10:12 Premise of Acensison 16:13 Themes of Nick’s books 22:15 Why Techno-thrillers 24:00 Life as an author 27:18 Nicks’s Background 29:29 Does living Edinburgh impact your settings 33:37 What is your writing process 40:04 The perfect book give us 3 recommendations47:45 Two truths and a lie 53:25 Where to find Nicholas Binge online Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books