Kris and Mads

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Our Season 1 Wrapped! - Favorite Moments, Guests & What’s Next! Oct 21, 2025

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Welcome to our Season 1 finale of The Kris and Mads Podcast!We’re wrapping up an unforgettable first season with a full breakdown of our year — think of it as our Spotify Wrapped, but for the podcast. 💫In this episode, we’re celebrating everything that’s made this season so special:• 14 incredible authors we had the honor to interview• 18 fellow creators we’ve collaborated with• Our most popular episodes and behind-the-scenes highlights• The books and screen adaptations we’ve read and watched together in our Patreon book club (aka our virtual family!)• Our biggest lessons, milestones, and growth moments as co-hosts• And, of course, our hopes and vision for Season 2 — which is already shaping up to be even more magical!This episode is our love letter to everyone who’s listened, shared, and joined the conversation. Thank you for helping us make this dream show come to life. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just discovered us this season, we can’t wait to bring you along for what’s next.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and join our Patreon to be part of the book club and behind-the-scenes fun!patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodOur Most Popular Episode: • Books We BOTH Rated 5 Stars 📚 Our Top Book... Our Interviews With Authors: • Pierce Brown Interview - So Do We End The ... Our Most Popular Collaboration: • 18 Must-Read Books! | Our Top Books from 2... Our Friends' Channels:‪@lynmoore_‬ ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ ‪@bronteysbooks‬ ‪@KistReadsBooks‬ ‪@Smitty1423‬ ‪@2ToRamble‬ ‪@geenahreads‬ ‪@zoranne_‬ ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #KrisAndMadsPodcast #PodcastWrapped #PodcastFinale #Season1Recap #BookPodcast #AuthorInterviews #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #BookClubCommunity #PatreonBookClub #PodcastHighlights #PodcastCommunity #BookTokPodcast #BookTubePodcast #Season2ComingSoon #PodcastGrowth #ReadingCommunity #BookishPodcast #WomenInPodcasting #BookLoversUnite

Pierce Brown Interview - So Do We End The Podcast Now? Oct 15, 2025

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THIS INTERVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!!!! Not to be dramatic, but we did start this podcast one year ago, in order to interview Pierce Brown on it someday. That day is today! The Red Rising special editions have been released, and to celebrate we had Pierce on the show to share his lore—everything from skinny jeans trauma to Freddy the snapping turtle—and talk to us about the deeper themes and inspiration in the Red Rising Saga. We almost peed our pants laughing, and also learned crazy amounts about classical philosophy and history. Pierce may be one of the most engaging and entertaining conversationalists alive. For an episode one year in the making, he did not disappoint! Hope you guys love it as much as we do!You can read The Book of Lorn and check out merch on https://shit-escalates.com/ Follow Pierce on TikTok: / piercebrownofficial Follow Pierce on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piercebrown...Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:08 Pierce Brown Tells Us Two Truths and a Lie08:43 Pierce Brown's Lore24:57 What is Red Rising?29:52 The Classic Influences on Red Rising (for dummies)36:16 What Is Meritocracy in Red Rising? 45:24 Is Peace Even Possible in Red Rising? 58:37 How Pierce Brown On Leadership 01:07:11 What’s Next for Pierce Brown and Red Rising?Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

Book Podcast Crossover! 📚 Chatting with I’ll Read What She’s Reading Oct 10, 2025

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In this episode, Kris and Mads sit down with the amazing trio behind the ‪@WhatShesReadingPod‬ podcast! We talk about everything from who’s most likely to DNF a book, cry while reading, or be intimidated by a long series, to what makes a 5-star read and the characters that inspire us most. It’s a fun, bookish deep dive into reading tastes, favorite guests, and the bookish moments we can’t stop thinking about.✨ Timestamps00:00 – Introducing our guests I’ll Read What She’s Reading01:56 – Who was the biggest reader starting out?03:19 – Who is the first to DNF04:34 – Who is most likely to cry while reading05:15 – Who is intimidated by long series05:49 – How do you know each other08:47 – IRWSR merch09:27 – Describe each other’s reading taste15:42 – Who was your favorite podcast guest20:11 – What is a book you can’t stop thinking about26:39 – What makes a 5-star read for you33:10 – What character has inspired you mostIf you love book recommendations, fun reader debates, and behind-the-scenes podcast talk, you’ll love this conversation! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments which of these questions you’d answer the same way.I’ll Read What She’s Reading Merchhttps://illreadwhatshesreading.com/Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

11 Books We Read in September and Travel Stories from Portugal and Spain! Oct 02, 2025

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Here's what we thought of the 11 books we read this month! We're loving our foray into the classics, and Kristen took down the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee, which she has had on her TBR for over a year! Maddie started three different series that she's eager to continue, and of course, there were a couple of duds. We get into all of it in this episode, and share some memories of traveling through Portugal and Spain with members of our Patreon book club this month. Reading abroad with friends is such a treat! What was your best read and favorite memory of September?All books and authors mentioned are listed in the timestamps.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood - Book Review10:45 Katabasis by R.F. Kuang - Book Review17:45 Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - Book Review22:59 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - Book Review30:22 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - Book Review41:14 The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O’Keefe - Book Review47:23 Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts - Book Review53:16 The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee - Book Review1:00:00 The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - Book ReviewLet’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

10 Years of Kaz Brekker & the Crows | Leigh Bardugo Interview Sep 30, 2025

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It’s been 10 years since Leigh Bardugo gave us Six of Crows and the unforgettable Dregs crew—and we’re celebrating in style! In this special episode, we sit down with Leigh Bardugo to talk all things Six of Crows: the heist that started it all, the found family readers still can’t get over, and the release of the gorgeous 10th Anniversary special editions. Whether you’re a longtime Grishaverse fan or brand new to the series, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, bookish nostalgia, and pure Kaz & the Crows vibes.If you love heist fantasy, witty banter, found family dynamics, and beautiful new collector’s editions, this is the story and celebration episode you don’t want to miss.Check out Leigh's tedtalk here: • The art of discomfort | Leigh Bardugo | TE... All things Leigh Bardugo here: https://www.leighbardugo.com/

#LeighBardugo⁠ ⁠#SixOfCrows⁠ ⁠#Grishaverse⁠ ⁠#CrookedKingdom⁠ ⁠#KazBrekker⁠ ⁠#InejGhafa⁠ ⁠#FoundFamily⁠ ⁠#FantasyBooks⁠ ⁠#BookTok⁠ ⁠#BookTube⁠ ⁠#HeistFantasy⁠ ⁠#SpecialEditionBooks⁠ ⁠#AnniversaryEdition⁠ ⁠#ShadowAndBone⁠ ⁠#FantasyReaders⁠Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

10 Books We've Been Gatekeeping | We Rated All of These 5 Stars! Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started:https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsWe finally spilled the tea… ☕📚 These are 10 books we’ve been gatekeeping—all rated 5 stars, but ones we rarely talk about on the pod! From epic fantasy with dragons to dark academia, from sci-fi thrillers to swoony romance, this list is packed with hidden gems across genres.If you’re hunting for your next great read (that isn’t already everywhere on BookTok or BookTube), this episode is for you. We’re covering fantasy, sci-fi, romance, memoirs, thrillers, and more—so no matter your vibe, you’ll find a book you’ll fall in love with.Spoiler-free, honest reviews only. Let’s go find you a new favorite!If you want to check out the friends we mentioned in this episode for more recommendations, you can find Will and Ed here: ‪@thebrothersgwynne‬ 📚 Timestamps so you can jump to your genre:Timestamps00:00 Intro02:32 Recursion by Blake Crouch - a techno thriller05:05 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon- an epic fantasy with dragons11:21 Educated by Tara Westover - a memoir15:08 Wellness by Nathan Hill - a contemporary literary fiction19:35 Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor - a young adult fantasy22:58 Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson - a romantic fantasy26:20 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren - a contemporary romance29:41 The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper - an ancient historical fiction33:47 Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb - a memoir 36:37 If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio - a dark academia fictionLet’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BooksWeLove #HiddenGemBooks #FiveStarReads #BookRecommendations #BookPodcast #BookTube #BookTok #FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #RomanceBooks #DarkAcademiaBooks #MemoirRecommendations #ThrillerBooks #UnderratedBooks #BookishCommunity

17 Historical Fiction Book Recs | Spanning 2,000 years Sep 16, 2025

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Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelpmakes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsLooking for your next great historical fiction read? 📚 In this podcast episode, we share 17 historical fiction book recommendations that we absolutely loved. While it’s a genre we only dabble in, some of these books have made it into our top books of all time list. From sweeping epics to intimate character-driven stories, we’ve gathered a wide range of titles perfect for any historical fiction fan.Timestamps00:00 Intro to Historic Fiction 01:18 The Wold Den by Elodie Harper 03:09 The Lost Queen by Signs Pike 06:42 The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell09:54 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon12:15 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon14:23 Hester by Laurie Albanese16:05 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan19:23 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 21:16 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr24:32 Pachinkol by Min Jin Lee27:09 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles30:34 Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler33:23 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett36:05 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid38:47 The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton41:51 11/22/63 by Stephen King 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

TOP 15 Book Recommendations - For Your Fall TBR Sep 12, 2025

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Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/krisandmadsThe professor I referenced who is making amazing gothic reading lists on tiktok can be found here:https://www.tiktok.com/@theculturedum...Looking for the perfect fall read? 🍂 In this episode, we’re sharing 15 of our top book recommendations for fall—with something for everyone! Whether you’re in the mood for dark academia, gothic fiction, vampire vibes, spooky-season romance, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, we’ve got you covered. All of our reviews are spoiler-free and include a quick premise plus why we loved each book.At the end, we’re also chatting about the books still on our fall TBR 👀—so stick around for even more cozy-spooky inspiration.If you’re a book lover searching for your next autumn read, this episode is basically your fall book guide.📚 Timestamps below so you can jump to your favorite genres!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:15 Dark Academia Recommendations02:46 The Will of the Many by James Islington04:35 The Secret History by Donna Tartt07:13 If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio11:54 Gothic Fiction Recommendations12:59 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier15:47 One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig19:14 Belladonna by Adalyn Grace22:39 Vampire Fiction Recommendations24:49 Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canes26:17 A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson29:32 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab32:53 Romance Recommendations for Spooky Season33:15 The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston37:01 Masters of Death by Olivie Blake41:23 Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid45:06 Thriller Recommendations46:44 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy48:39 Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young50:04 Vicious by V.E. Schwab52:25 What’s on OUR fall TBR?Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #FallBookRecommendations #DarkAcademiaBooks #GothicBooks #VampireBooks #RomanceBooks #ThrillerBooks #SpookySeasonReads #BookTok #BookTube #BookPodcast #CozyFallReads #FallTBR #AutumnReading #BestBooksForFall

August Reading Wrap-Up | 14 Books Reviewed + Buddy Reads! Sep 03, 2025

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Welcome to our August Reading Wrap-Up! This month we each read 9 books, buddy read 4, and ended up chatting about 14 amazing (and some surprising) reads. If you’re looking for fantasy, romance, thrillers, and literary fiction book recommendations, you’re in the right place!Here’s what we read in August:📚 Books Featured in This Video:01:50 The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb08:30 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy11:52 Powerless by Elsie Silver14:16 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman19:57 Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee & Shannon Lee25:18 The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley28:01 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab33:59 Silver Cloak by L. K. Steven38:59 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn41:46 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles46:33 The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst49:14 Wellness by Nathan Hill55:22 Final Thoughts✔ Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Thrillers, Literary Fiction✔ Includes: New releases, series continuations, and backlist favorites✔ Our honest thoughts + ratings on every bookIf you love reading wrap-ups, book reviews, and buddy reads, hit subscribe for more monthly book recaps, TBR lists, and bookish chats!✨ Which was your favorite August read? Tell us in the comments!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

INTERVIEWING OUR FAVORITE LIVING AUTHOR!!! We Interviewed Robin Hobb at WorldCon Seattle 2025 Aug 18, 2025

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We got to sit down with ROBIN HOBB. Yes, THE Robin Hobb. Our favorite living author. Fifteen minutes that honestly felt like the best of our lives. She told us how she writes characters that feel so real, how she allows the reader to find and explore themes in her work, what she does when she’s stuck, and even the stories she made sure her own kids grew up with—because she believes a love of reading can change the world.If you love The Realm of the Elderlings, Farseer Trilogy, or just want to hear one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time talk about her process—this is it. We’re still freaking out.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:27 How is WorldCon Seattle 2025?!01:20 How Robin Hobb does research for her stories03:32 Robin Hobb's writing process, and what she does when she's stuck 04:55 How Robin Hobb writes REAL characters across ages07:12 Robin Hobb on the themes in her stories08:33 On the importance of stories for children, and which she recommends10:43 Would Robin Hobb collaborate with other authors?11:43 The origin story of the pen name "Robin Hobb"13:31 What is Robin Hobb writing now? What comes next?14:42 What message does Robin Hobb have for the Sisterhood Bookclub?Let’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 #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #RobinHobb #FantasyBooks #AuthorInterview #FarseerTrilogy #RealmOfTheElderlings #BookPodcast #FantasyReaders

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