Rather be Reading
Episodes
RbR Episode 42 - I Think They’re Naked
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us this week as Persephone tells us all about The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightly, followed by Alissa telling us al...
RbR Minisode 32 - Lis’s Fave Book to Screen Adaptations
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listen in to hear Alissa’s fave book to screen adaptations! Have you seen any of these movies? Read any of these books??Let us know!
RbR Minisode 31- Seph's Fave Book To Screen Adaptations
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another mini where Seph shares her favorite (and least favorite) book to screen adaptations!
RbR Episode 41: The Quest for my Respect
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tune is as Lis talks about a book she read straight from her summer TBR & Seph talks about the amazing new Rachel Gillig book!!!
RbR Minisode 30 - Lis’s Summer TBR
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us this week to hear about what Alissa wants to read (but probably won’t read) this summer!!! Any books on your TBR for this season?
RbR Minisode 29- Seph's Summer TBR
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a belated summer tbr from Seph! The tbr is split into two categories: Summer vibes & priority reads for this summer. Come take a listen and...
RbR Episode 40 - PYOP
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for our FORTIETH EPISODE!!!! 40 episodes!! Time flies & we’ve loved this journey. Thank you for sharing your time with us to hear about our ...
RbR Minisode 28 - Books Seph Hates
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another minisode! In this mini, Seph digs into some books that straight up piss her off 🙈 Come take a listen to some passionate rage and...
RbR Episode 39 - Hole Phobia
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Rather be Reading duo as Seph chats about The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett & Alissa chats about The Daughter of the Pirate King by T...
RbR Minisode 27 - Books Alissa HATES
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wanna hear one of the Rather be Reading hosts hop on a soapbox & complain about all the books she hates? This week, Alissa talks about all the books s...
RbR Episode 38 - Wig Out if You Wanna Wig Out!
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Rather be Reading duo this week as Alissa talks about The Thick & the Lean by Chana Porter, followed by Seph’s discussion of The Justic...
RbR Minisode 26- Books That Made Us Cry
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini, Seph & Lis join forces to talk about April showers… aka books that have made us cry 😭 Whether a tearjerker is your jam or you’re ...
RbR Episode 37- Spottiness Symptom
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After an (unintentional) Spring break, Rather be Reading is back! This week, Seph tells us about her dip into a classic with Parable of the Sower by O...
RbR Episode 36- IDK Why I’m Full of Lies
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a new RbR episode! For March, Lis & Seph decided to dive deep into their tbrs and find a book that has lived there for wayyyy too long. And...
RbR Minisode 25- Seph’s List of Wacky Tropes
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For March’s minisode eps, we decided to share the wacky tropes we have heard of or read about. In this mini, Seph lists some of her faves (or… not...
RbR Minisode 24 - Romance Tropes Lis HATES
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the last Minisode of Love Month!! In this little ep of Rather be Reading, Alissa passionately describes her hatred towards certain romance ...
RbR Episode 35 - Twilight but Less Cringe
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Rather be Reading duo for their second romance episode in honor of Valentines Day! Yay love month!Seph kicks us off by chatting about Sorcery...
RbR Minisode 23- Romance Tropes Seph Hates
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our first minisode of the new year! It’s February, which means love, but we were feeling like being haters this month, so come listen to ...
RbR Episode 34 - Reading Between all the Lines
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HAPPY LOVE MONTH, Book lovers ♥️♥️♥️ for this month, the Rather be Reading duo has decided to read.. you guessed it.. ROMANCE NOVELS!! Aft...
RbR Minisode 22 - Alissa’s Recs with Mental Health Rep
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this minisode of RBR in honor of National Mental Health Awareness month. Alissa lists her fave books with mental health representation. If...
RbR Episode 33 - Unstick the Ick
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our Winter Wonderland Episodes! This December, we are reading winter or holiday themed books. Lis did us the honor of reading Ice Planet Ba...
RbR Minisode 21- Seph’s Recs for Mental Health Rep
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For December’s minis, we at RbR want to talk about mental health awareness through our favorite representations of mental health in books! This week...
RbR Episode 32- Wet Paper Bag
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dark Academia pt 2. In episode 32, we tackle the second half of November’s Dark Academia theme, and murder is abound in both our reads this week! Fi...
RbR Episode 31 - No one is Super
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Dark Academia month for Seph & Lis!! Join us as we talk about two very different dark academia books, each bringing a special flare to the ...
RbR Minisode 20- Seph’s Haven’t Read But Haven’t Forgotten
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to November’s second minisode where Seph tells us about reads that have been recommended to her that, alas, still reside on her tbr BUT… s...
RbR Minisode 19 - Alissa’s Haven’t Read but Haven’t Forgotten
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the Rather be Reading November minisodes, Persephone & Alissa each talk about books that have been recommended to them that they have not read, bu...
RbR Episode 30 - All About the Gist
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Seph & Lis wrap up Spooktober with two wild, spooky tales! Listen in, if you dare!
RbR Minisode 18 - Seph & Lis Mystery Recs
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcoming in Spooktober, Persephone & Alissa decided to spend their October mini, sharing their favorite mystery book recommendations. Have you read a...
RbR Episode 29 - Popcorn Pumpkins!
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Spooktober, Book Lovers!In this episode, Lis dives into the campy wonders of Hampton Heights by Dan Kois & Seph tells us about the heavy, g...
RbR Episode 28 - Granny in Training
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Persephone & Alissa wrap up their Great Escape theme for August, tune in for Seph’s review of To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers & Lis’...
RbR Episode 27 - That Might Not Be My Kink
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Rather be Reading, Persephone & Alissa dive into their immersive reads, rating their literary escape experiences!
RbR Minisode 17 - Lis’s Bookish Interview
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I (Alissa), answer questions that Seph created about my bookish life! This was such a fun interview & the HARDEST part about answerin...
RbR Minisode 16 - Seph’s Bookish Interview
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey y’all! Tune in for this mini where we get to learn more about the lovely Persephone through a series of bookish questions! Can you believe that ...
RbR Episode 26 - Is it Sweater Weather?
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The nautical theme continues for the Rather be Reading team!! Check out this ep to hear which stories we set sail for this episode!!
RbR Minisode 15- Seph’s Beach Read Recs
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s beach season! Here are Seph’s recommendations for the perfect book to read while lounging in the sun on the beach. Enjoy!
RbR Minisode 14 - Lis’s Beach Read Recs
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us this week while Lis tells us all about her top Beach Read Recs!! What are your fave beach reads?
RbR Episode 25 - Swashbuckling Vibes
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month, the Rather be Reading duo decided to set sail & read some nautical books! During this episode, Seph read Dark Water Daughter & Lis read Ho...
RbR Episode 24 - The La Croix of Queer
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we discuss queer rep novels we just finished!!! Have you read either of them??
RbR Minisode 13- Seph’s LGBTQIA+ Book Recs
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pride is year round here at RbR, but we love getting to put a little extra emphasis during this special month. In this episode, Seph details her fave ...
RbR Episode 23 - One Single Carrot
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
HAPPY PRIDE!!!!! For our main episodes this month, we discuss books with queer rep! In this episode, Alissa tiptoes on eggshells while discussing a hi...
RbR Minisode 12 - Lis’s LGBTQIA+ Book Recs
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
HAPPY PRIDE!!! At Rather be Reading, we are so excited to dive into discussions about our fave books with LGBTQIA+ rep. As a queer woman myself (Lis h...
RbR Episode 22 - Gettin’ Back Into It!
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WE’RE BACK!! After many life transitions & chaos, Persephone & Alissa are back at it again, talking about their most recent reads & all things booki...
RbR Minisode 11- Seph’s Fave Literary Couples
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to February’s second minisode where we celebrate the month of love with Seph’s all-time favorite book couples!
RbR Episode 21 - Bummer Ass Society
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WELCOME TO LOVE MONTH, BOOKISH LOVELIES ♥️💕♥️💕♥️ in this episode, Alissa kicks us off with her review of Butcher & Blackbird by Bryn...
RbR Minisode 10 - Lis’s Fave Literary Couples
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of love month, we at Rather be Reading decided to dedicate our minisodes to discussing our favorite literary couples. This week, we’ll hear...
RbR Episode 20 - Breadcrumbs Galore
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Persephone tells us all about the book she read: The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller. This book sounds absolutely phenomenal & Seph b...
RbR Minisode 9- Seph’s 2024 Hopefuls
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s all the books on Seph’s physical TBR that she hopes to get to in 2024 (plus a couple honorable mentions).
RbR Episode 19 - Bone it Out
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello book lovers! In this episode, Alissa talks about Wretched by Emily McIntire & Persephone talks about The Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas! ...
RbR Minisode 8- Lis’s 2024 Hopefuls
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our first minisode of 2024! In this mini, Alissa goes over all the books that she really hopes to get to in this next year!
RbR Ep. 18 - Lis’s Top 23 of 2023
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello bookish beauties!! In this episode of Rather be Reading, Alissa talks about her top 23 fave books of 2023!! This is our last episode of 2023 & w...
RbR Ep. 17- Seph’s Top 23 of 2023
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here at Rather be Reading, we are closing out the year with a reflection of our top 23 reads of 2023. If you’re a listener of the podcast, you might...
RbR Ep. 16- Hunky Dude, Can’t Communicate
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 16, Seph and Lis each share their winter read for this December! Seph read For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten, and Lis read You’re a Mean One...
RbR Minisode 7- Seph’s Winter Wonderland List
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this minisode, Seph touches on her favorite “hint-o-winter” books for this holiday season!
RbR Minisode 6- Lis’s Winter Wonderland List
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Winter! In this minisode, Lis shares her favorite winter books- a lil snowy, cold, holiday cheer lies ahead!
RbR Ep. 15- Slug & Snail Season, Baby!
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the end of our cozy episodes, and we are so excited to share our reads for this week! Lis read The Dead Romantics and Seph read A Wizard’s Gu...
RbR Minisode 5- Seph & Lis’s Top 3 Found Family
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Seph and Lis’s first combined minisode! Come listen to us talk about our top 3 favorite found/chosen family books!
RbR Ep. 14- The Cottagecore Manual
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Come join us for a cozy November! In this episode, Seph tells us about Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and Lis digs into Assistant to the Vi...
RbR Minisode 4- Seph’s Spooky Superlatives
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween! In this episode, Seph tells you about her favorite books that fit into 5 spooky superlative categories!
RbR Ep. 13- Where did Usher go?
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 13 of RbR has arrived! Come listen as Lis tell us about Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones and Seph talks about Slewfoot by Brom....
RbR Minisode 3- Lis’s Spooky Superlatives
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our 3rd minisode and our first minisode to air this October, Lis tells us about her favorite books that fit under 5 Spooky Superlative categories! ...
RbR Ep. 12- Never a Good Sign
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SPOOKY MONTH HAS BEGUN AT RATHER BE READING!! In this first spooky-themed October episode, Seph read The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chok...
RbR Ep. 11- Man Bun Energy
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome, listeners, to episode 11! This is our final week of September’s Dark Academia month! In this episode, Lis kicks us off strong with The Maid...
RbR Minisode 2- Lis’s Top 5 Back-to-School Books
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Minisode #2! Come listen to Lis as she talks about her top 5 favorite back-to-school books (plus some honorable mentions).
RbR Ep. 10- Vigilante Jane
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dark Academia month has begun at Rather be Reading! In this episode, Seph tells us about Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang and Lis dives into They Ne...
RbR Minisode 1- Seph’s Top 5 Back-to-School Books
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to RbR’s first minisode! Here, Seph talks about her top 5 favorite back-to-school books (plus some honorable mentions).
RbR Ep. 9- Frisky on the Rocks
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 9! In this episode, things start out delightfully weird as Lis tells us about The Pisces by Melissa Broder. Then, Seph has an unpop...
RbR Ep. 8- All the Therapy Funds
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 8! In this episode, Lis tells us about The House in the Cerulean Sea, and Seph talks about The Bone Ships. We also are hosting a gi...
RbR Ep. 7- Tattoos Everywhere
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week Rather be Reading had some technical difficulties, so only 1/2 the RbR team will be sharing their reads with you: this week Seph boards the ...
RbR Ep. 6- It’s Always A Brandon
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 6!! In this episode, Seph talks about her time reading Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher. Then, Lis tells us about her read, How to b...
RbR Ep. 5- Turmoil, Turmoil, Turmoil
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 5 of Rather be Reading! This week, Lis kicks us off with a summary and her thoughts of The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James, ...
RbR Ep. 4- Fly High and Kill Monsters
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 4 of Rather be Reading, Seph talks about Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee . Then Lis tells us about her time with A Marvelous Light by Freya Mar...
RbR Ep. 3 - Not the Menstrual Institution
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 3 of Rather be Reading starts off with Lis taking us on an emotional rollercoaster ride with Go Ask Alice by anonymous. Then Seph discusses Th...
RbR Ep. 2- Sparkling Cyanide, Hold the Death
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Rather be Reading, Persephone kicks us off with a summary and review of The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah. Next, Alissa walks ...
RbR Ep.1 - Give me a Flopper
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us this week for our FIRST EPISODE EVER!!! In this introduction of Rather be Reading, we answer some reading-related questions & lay the foundati...