About this podcast
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
The newest 20 of 108 episodes
- We Watched Wicker (2026) (with Marissa) · 1 h 2 min · Season 5 Episode 27It's the movie the bookish internet has been drooling over, Wicker! This week, Jenessa and Marissa compare Ursula Will's The Wicker Husband, a short fable, and the 2026 film…
- We Watched Eclipse (with Stephanie) · 1 h 2 min · Season 5 Episode 26It's time for our annual Twilight Saga movie watch! This year Stephanie and Jenessa discuss the 2010 adaptation, Eclipse. Make sure you check out the previous episodes all about…
- We Review Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (with Stephanie) · 1 h 8 min · Season 5 Episode 25It's time for our third annual Twilight Saga episode! Stephanie has returned to talk all things Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer! content warnings: vampirisms, grooming, assault…
- We Watched Sleepy Hollow (1999) (with @stories.and.spoilers.podcast) · 58 min · Season 5 Episode 24It's spooky season! Alyssa returns to discuss the 1999 Tim Burton film, Sleepy Hollow. Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! Send us…
- We Review The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (with @stories.and.spoilers.podcast) · 27 min · Season 5 Episode 23It's officially spooky season! Join Alyssa and Jenessa as they discuss The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to…
- We Watched Practical Magic 2 (with @emma_tobias_books) · 38 min · Season 5 Episode 22It's time for the witchiest movie of the season! Today we're discussing the 2026 film, Practical Magic 2! Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok! content warning: death, witchcraft…
- We Review The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman (with @emma_tobias_books) · 1 h 2 min · Season 5 Episode 21In preparation for Practical Magic 2 coming to theaters, Emma joins Jenessa to discuss The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman. Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok! content warning…
- We Watched Big Fish (with Isaac) · 1 h 5 min · Season 5 Episode 20This week Jenessa is joined by Isaac to discuss Tim Burton's 2003 adaptation of Big Fish. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at…
- We Review Big Fish by Daniel Wallace (with Isaac) · 59 min · Season 5 Episode 19Isaac joins Jenessa to discuss Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. How much truth is within the stories we tell each other? Can one become immortal through…
- We Watched Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (with Alexa) · 1 h 26 min · Season 5 Episode 18Today's episode is a little bit different. Even though we both read the book (epic poem) first, Jenessa and Alexa discuss Christopher Nolan's 2026 adaptation of The Odyssey…
- We Watched James & the Giant Peach (with Amanda) · 43 min · Season 5 Episode 17Amanda and Jenessa discuss the 1996 adaptation, James & the Giant Peach. Were the changes good? Is the stop motion fun or just creepy? Listen to find out! Send us Fan Mail…
- We Review James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (with Amanda) · 35 min · Season 5 Episode 16We're back after our mid-season 5 hiatus! Amanda returns to help us discuss another Roald Dahl classic, James and the Giant Peach. We discuss how James doesn't know "stranger…
- Mid-Year Check-In, Q&A, and Podcast Updates with Jenessa · 15 min · Season 5Welcome to the first Mid-Year Check-In with Jenessa! In this episode, Jenessa talks about what books she's read in the first half of 2026, answers some questions from listeners…
- We Watched Ella Enchanted (with Marissa) · 1 h 8 min · Season 5 Episode 15Marissa and Jenessa discuss the whimsical, early 00's fantasy, almost juke-box musical, Ella Enchanted. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at…
- We Review Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (with Marissa) · 47 min · Season 5 Episode 14Today's episode is all about one of Jenessa's favorite childhood books, Ella Enchanted! Listen along as Jenessa and Marissa discuss middle grade literature, ogres, diaries, and…
- Cinderella - The Original Fairytale vs. Adaptations (with Marissa) · 50 min · Season 5 Episode 13Marissa and Jenessa discuss the origins of the classic fairytale, Cinderella, as well as the many movie and book adaptations that have been made throughout the years. What…
- We Watched Hair Love (with Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast) · 53 min · Season 5 Episode 12This 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! Follow Alyssa…
- We Watched Adventures in Love and Birding (with Marissa and Delaney) · 1 h 23 min · Season 5 Episode 11Join Jenessa and her two favorite bird nerds, Marissa and Delaney, as they discuss the 2025 Hallmark adaptation, Adventures in Love and Birding. Check out Delaney's outdoor…
- We Review Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb (with Marissa and Delaney) · 1 h 10 min · Season 5 Episode 10It'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 Delaney's outdoor…
- We Watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 (with Amanda) · 1 h 28 min · Season 5 Episode 9Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of The Sea of Monster episodes with an episode all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All…
