I'll Read What She's Reading Podcast
Episode: Winter TBR 2025™
Released: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Mikayla, Reggie, and Kennedy
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, the hosts of "I'll Read What She's Reading"—Mikayla, Reggie, and Kennedy—unveil their Winter TBR (To Be Read) lists for 2025, revisit their Fall reading goals, and discuss their evolving book club format. Listeners get an engaging, honest rundown of each host's reading habits, plans, successes, setbacks, and anticipated reads for the coming season. True to their brand, the conversation is full of relatable reader struggles, #BookTok references, and cozy, chaotic energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Book Club Updates & Format Changes
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Seasonal Book Club Switch:
- The group announces they’re moving from a monthly to a seasonal book club. The reason: to allow more time for thoughtful reading, better discussion, and increased participation from listeners.
- “We realized that maybe we were rushing our episodes a little bit, and we couldn't give the books as much thought and intention...” — Mikayla (03:19)
- More time means bigger, "meatier" books can be tackled and there will be a chance to interact more deeply in community spaces like Fable.
- Instagram will feature advanced notice of future episodes, so listeners can read along for non–book club books too.
- The group announces they’re moving from a monthly to a seasonal book club. The reason: to allow more time for thoughtful reading, better discussion, and increased participation from listeners.
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Winter Book Club Pick Announced:
- The Will of the Many & The Strength of the Few by James Islington wins the poll.
- “The magic system basically is kind of like a pyramid scheme…” — Kennedy (01:38)
- The book is described as: having a unique, social hierarchy-based magic system (“classic bottom-tier MC”), mixing "Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Red Rising" vibes.
- The Will of the Many & The Strength of the Few by James Islington wins the poll.
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Excitement for Potential Adaptations:
- “Isn't it picked up for a TV show or a movie?” — Reggie (06:11)
- “I saw a TikTok about it but I'm not seeing anything on Google!” — Kennedy (06:34)
2. Fall TBR Recap: Wins & Misses
Reggie’s Fall Recap:
- Admits confusion over her own past lists and was overly optimistic (“I was Delulu and I thought my list was different…” — (07:21))
- Books read:
- Indigo Ridge by Devney Perry (expected more mystery; mostly romance)
- Soul Searching by Lila Sage (read for book club, not initially planned)
- Not completed:
- Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (commits to reading it by end of next year, feeling “FOMO” after missing out at Dragonsteel Con)
- Famous by Blake Crouch (pushed back after Kennedy’s lukewarm review)
- God of the Woods (likely abandoned permanently)
Kennedy’s Fall Recap:
- Famous by Blake Crouch (“It’s one of his early works… just kind of boring… but the ending was great” — (11:26); predicts movie will be better)
- The One and The Passengers by John Marrs (strongly recommends reading in order; high-stakes techno-thrillers with "Black Mirror" vibes)
- Soul Searching by Lila Sage (3.5 stars)
- 11/22/63 by Stephen King (liked the premise but not the prose; “just don’t know if I jive super well with Stephen King's writing”—(14:48))
- Did not get to: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (“The Cosmere intimidates the heck out of me”—16:23; plans to continue with Mistborn era two instead)
Mikayla’s Fall Recap:
- Did not finish:
- Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
- The Devils by Joe Abercrombie (tried 10 pages, “words are so small...” (19:16))
- Did finish:
- Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (“cute, really cute”; understands Hoid a bit more)
- War by Laura Thalassa (loves the post-apocalyptic vibes; currently reading the next, Famine)
- One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake (first by Blake, fast start, “execution wasn’t great”; discussion of her signature pacing)
- General consensus: The group’s fall reading habits were less successful than hoped—many DNF’s (Did Not Finish) and hit-or-miss experiences.
3. Setting Up Winter TBRs
Each host reveals their carefully (or not-so-carefully) chosen list for the winter season, discussing their rationale, hopes, and anxieties.
Reggie's Winter TBR:
- We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
- “It's a found family story… a lot of reviews say it could be a classic one day.” (24:44)
- The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
- Strong recommendation from a friend and Kennedy; magical bookstore premise.
- Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
- Set in the Divine Rivals universe but functions as a standalone; “big, over 500 pages, but I think it’s a good winter fantasy” (33:50)
- Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
- “I love a romance book set in like a continuation…”; looking forward to the mature relationship depiction (39:20)
- The Crash by Freida McFadden
- Seeking a “quick, twisty thriller,” picks this wintery option: “Quick, can't put it down, they're just so twisty and crazy.” (45:43)
Mikayla’s Winter TBR:
- Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
- For Patreon book club; “heard very polarizing opinions... either gonna really enjoy it, or I might not at all.” (26:18)
- Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
- “You did inspire me [Reggie], but I had it on Libby before you started reading it… excited, the audiobook is really good.” (31:04)
- Crown of Gilded Bones (From Blood and Ash #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Continuing series, didn’t love book two but has heard good things about book three (35:21)
- The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bologna
- “Need to stop trying to branch out; want something that brings back my love for fantasy…” (41:36)
- Play Along by Liz Tomforde
- “Excited for this one... she has playlists for all her books, and it made me love the book even more.” (47:57)
Kennedy’s Winter TBR:
- And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison
- Follows a radio element like First Time Caller. “New romance, comes out in February, and the cover’s blue—so that says winter to me.” (27:33)
- Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown
- Set in the same magical world as The Book of Doors: “Whimsical magical realism with emotional underlying themes.” (32:04)
- The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
- “Excited to see what it’s all about, but definitely need to be in the right mood for it.” (37:00)
- From Blood and Ash (#1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- “One of those iconic Romantasy series... hopefully will revive my love for Romantasy.” (42:54)
- A Man Called Uwe by Fredrik Backman
- Currently reading: “You’re following a very grumpy, grumpy man through his day-to-day life and you can’t help but love him.” (49:40)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Reading Slumps & Bookish FOMO:
- “I thought I was gonna have all the time in the world to just like chill, cozy reading vibes. No, we had a lot going on.” — Reggie (10:44)
- “The Cosmere intimidates the heck out of me. It really does.” — Kennedy (16:23)
- “My fall TBR was not great... I’m in the worst reading slump, like since October.” — Mikayla (19:33)
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On Changing Book Club Structure:
- “I feel like an average reader—a month is actually a short period of time to read a book.” — Mikayla (03:19)
- “I think overall, it’s just going to benefit a lot of people.” — Mikayla (03:19)
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On Genre Preferences & Mood Reading:
- “I'm just going to read what I enjoy. I know I enjoy Fredrik Backman. I’m sure I’ll enjoy From Blood and Ash. There’s nothing wrong with choosing what you know you’re going to like. Especially when you’re in a month-long reading slump.” — Kennedy (52:04)
- “I think there’s times where I’ve added something that I’m like, I am NOT going to be in the mood to read it... I’m trying to be not like other girls. And then it doesn’t work out.” — Reggie (52:49)
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On Bookish Community Life:
- “We’re here to make your reading life more fun, more chaotic, and definitely more relatable.” — (intro spirit, throughout)
Notable Timestamps
- 00:22 — Season’s TBR tradition intro
- 01:19 — Book club pick revealed: The Will of the Many
- 03:01 — Book club format changes detailed
- 07:03 — Fall TBR recap begins
- 23:38 — Hosts begin building Winter TBRs
- 24:08 — Reggie introduces We Begin at the End
- 31:04 — Mikayla & Reggie discuss Wild Dark Shore
- 33:08 — Reggie on Wild Reverence
- 35:12 — Mikayla on Crown of Gilded Bones (From Blood and Ash #3)
- 37:00 — Kennedy adds The Devils to her list
- 44:08 — Kennedy commits to trying From Blood and Ash
- 45:01 — Reggie votes for a Frida McFadden thriller, settles on The Crash
- 47:56 — Mikayla includes Play Along by Liz Tomforde
Tone & Vibe
The conversation is candid, honest, and full of playful banter. The hosts tease each other, commiserate about recurring reading slumps, and share both hype and skepticism about hyped books. There’s a real sense of community—both among the hosts and with their listeners—emphasizing participation and relatability.
Final Thoughts
The Winter TBR 2025 episode captures the perennial hopes and realities of reader life: plans made, plans broken, but always with enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor. The podcast continues to offer not just recommendations, but also solidarity for anyone whose ambitions are occasionally derailed by life, mood, or simply the lure of an ever-growing TBR pile.