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Explore every episode of the podcast The Book Jar Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Book Jar Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Who Would Win A Fictional Fight Between...? | Let the Fighting Begin!28 Nov 202401:04:42

Let the fighting begin! In this episode, Marissa and Megan discuss, argue, and fight over who would win between fictional characters in fictional fights. From Dracula and Rhysand to Emma and Lizzie Bennet, this episode is throwing everything down and everyone with them! So, join us while we fight it out. 

As usual, the three readers start by reviewing their most recent reads and finish by discussing their upcoming reads. They also announce their next topic from the Book Jar.

Expect us to discuss:

Please note that we do mention some SPOILERS for the ACOTAR series.

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! Want to support us? Consider buying us a book (or a coffee)!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

Marissa discussed a Blog post for the Wheel of Time. Find it here. 

00:00 Cold Open
0:34 Intro
1:11 A Memory of Light
7:48 The Hemlock Queen
8:33 Ocean's Echo
10:40 The Hurricane Wars
17:51 Today's Topic: FIGHT
1:03:31 Outro & Socials

Bookish Confessions | Dust Jackets, Reading Challenges, DNF-ing, and More14 Nov 202401:12:57

It's time to share our deepest reader secrets. In this episode, Marissa and Megan are joined by Alix Calfa from the Queens of Fantasy podcast, to discuss all those things we usually keep to ourselves. We're talking about our bookish confessions, from dust jacket behaviour to reading challenges and even cheating on reading goals. Get ready to see us in a different light!

As usual, the three readers start by reviewing their most recent reads and finish by discussing their upcoming reads. They also draw their next topic from the Book Jar.

Expect us to discuss:

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! Want to support us? Consider buying us a book (or a coffee)!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

Our Favourite – And Most Remarkable – Bookmarks | Bookmarks, Notation, Dog-Earring, And More13 Jun 202400:51:37

Do you use bookmarks? Marissa and Megan discuss the most remarkable bookmarks they've had over the years. From American one-dollar bills to a leather marker with a flower that seems one petal short, both readers talk about whether or not they use them, what will count as a bookmark, and whether dog-earring is ever an option.

We start the podcast with our most recent reads and end it by drawing our next topic from our book jar!

Expect us to discuss:

  • A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
  • Radiance by Grace Draven
  • Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
  • Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Cold Open
0:31 Intro
2:18 Marissa's Most Recent Reads
2:22 Red Rising by Pierce Brown
6:06 Megan's Most Recent Reads
8:01 Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle
9:33 Radiance by Grace Draven
12:31 A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
15:10 Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan
18:30 Today's Topic: Bookmarks
45:10 Next Topic
45:39 Upcoming Reads
47:41 Outro & Socials
48:43 After the Pod

Top Tips to Getting Out of A Reading Slump | Book Clubs, Reading Challenges, DNF-ing & More30 May 202400:49:14

Slumps suck. Reading slumps extra suck. Every avid reader has been through one reading slump or another and, while sometimes they are inevitable, there are some ways to get through them without losing your mind. Marissa and Megan discuss their experiences with their own reading slumps, and all the top tips they have to prevent them. From reading challenges and book clubs to DNF-ing and taking breaks, these two readers discuss everything related to reading slumps.

We start the podcast with our most-recent reads and end it by drawing our next topic from our book jar!

Expect us to discuss:

  • His Viking Captive by C.A. Fray
  • One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim
  • When Fate Finds Us by Sanho, B, Bbab and Ddinut
  • I've Become A True Villainess by Flowing HonEy
  • Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
  • Brimstone & Roses by Speremint
  • The Mafia Nanny by Violet Matter, Art by sh00
  • Down to Earth by Pookie Senpai
  • Red Rising by Pierce Brown
  • Riddle-Master by Patricia A. McKillip

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Sneak Peek
0:46 Intro
2:34 Most Recent Reads
7:06 Today's Topic: Top Tips to Getting Out of A Reading Slump
7:37 What Is A Reading Slump?
9:13 Just Take the Break
11:08 Re-Read Old Faves
12:47 Choose Books With Lighter Content
14:43 Change Reading Formats
17:56 Mangas & Graphic Novels
19:46 Try A Different Genre or Sub-Genre
20:51 Try Reading One Page A Day
22:42 Check Out A Book Or Reading Challenge
23:03 Join A Book Club
25:15 Don't Be Afraid to DNF – or Save For Later
28:56 Get Reccs From Reader Friends
31:11 A Shame-Free Zone
37:53 Reset Your Reading Challenge
39:20 Next Topic!

40:33 Our Upcoming Reads
46:23 Outro & Socials
47:34 After the Pod

Our Top Villains In Literature | Dracula, President Snow, Sauron & More16 May 202400:46:23

Everybody loves a good villain. From the most sinister non-human entities to the humans we start to empathize with, we've got all the best baddies from books we've read. We start with a classic President Snow and end with an even more classic villain who will suck your blood, and we hit every bad guy in between.

We start the podcast with our most-recent reads and end it by drawing our next topic from our book jar!

Expect us to discuss:

  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
  • The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
  • The Four Horseman by Laura Thalassa
  • An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
  • City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan
  • Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn
  • Bride by Ali Hazelwood
  • Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation by Jen Gunter
  • Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Sneak Peek
0:26 Intro
1:52 Megan's Most Recent Reads
7:17 Marissa's Most Recent Reads
10:13 Today's Topic: Our Fave Fictional Villains
11:05 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
19:29 Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
21:03 The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
21:41 The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
24:08 The Four Horseman by Laura Thalassa
26:49 An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
28:52 City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
33:43 Dracula by Bram Stoker

42:23 Next Topic!
43:17 Outro & Socials
44:23 After the Pod

Our Favourite Autobiographies & Memoirs | Vivek Shraya, Jennette Mccurdy & More02 May 202400:49:05

From the rawest insight into people's lives to illuminating spotlights on important issues, biographies and memoirs can leave a long-lasting impact. In this episode, Marissa and Megan discuss their favourite memoirs and autobiographies. Marissa discusses several dancer and a few artists' memoirs, while Megan talks about reading about therapy and dealing with trauma. We hope you enjoy hearing about our favourite autobiographies we've read so far.  

We end the podcast with our currently reading list, and then we draw our next topic from our book jar!

Expect us to discuss:

  • Blood Memory by Martha Graham
  • In the Dreamhouse by Carmen Maria Machado
  • José Limón: An Unfinished Memoir
  • I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
  • I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
  • I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee
  • Can I Say by Travis Barker

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Sneak Peek
0:32 Intro
2:12 Megan's Most Recent Reads
2:52 Marissa's Most Recent Reads
6:48 Today's Topic: Fave Autobiographies & Memoirs
10:36 Blood Memory by Martha Graham
13:56 In the Dreamhouse by Carmen Maria Machado
18:20 José Limón: An Unfinished Memoir
21:56 I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
27:52 I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
31:51 I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee
35:26 Can I Say by Travis Barker
42:58 Our Upcoming Reads
46:42 Outro & Socials
48:16 After the Pod

Poetry 101: Top Tips for Getting Into Poetry | Lang Leav, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Plath & More18 Apr 202401:00:18

Welcome to Poetry 101. Marissa is a big poetry buff, and this week we're discussing all our best tips for getting into poetry. Throughout this podcast, Marissa and Megan share their experiences with poems and poetry – and give you all the reasons why you shouldn't be scared of them, no matter what your high school English teacher made you feel. From Marissa's top tips to reading poetry to Megan's personal experience with reading poetry and enjoying it, this is your starter guide to poetry. 

We end the podcast with our currently reading list, and then we draw our next topic from our book jar! 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Meg Cabot Enchanted to Meet You
  • Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan
  • All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman and Amanda Foody
  • Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan
  • A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
  • Talon by Julie Kagawa
  •  And Yet: Poems by Kate Baer
  • Spawn by Marie-Andrée Gill
  • This Spells Love by Kate Robb
  • Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa
  • Shakespeare
  • Emily Dickinson
  • Lang Leav
  • Sylvia Plath
  • Homer
  • Shel Silverstein
  • Sappho
  • Anne Carson
  • Sawako Nakayasu
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Cold Open
0:40 Intro
1:51 Marissa's Most Recent Reads
7:16 Megan's Most Recent Reads
12:58 Today's Topic: Poetry 101
15:11 The Gist
21:45 Poetry Terms to Know
28:51 Four Categories of Poetry
35:54 Top Seven Tips for Reading Poetry
44:12 Megan's Poetry Insights
45:10 Notable Poets Worth Knowing
54:52 Next Topic!
55:37 Current & Upcoming Reads
57:52 Socials
59:24 After the Pod

Best Book Recommendations We've Given Each Other | Iron Widow, Lore Olympus, Throne of Glass & More21 Mar 202400:59:24

Will we hurt each other's feelings? You'll have to listen to find out! In this episode of The Book Jar Pod, Megan and Marissa discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the books they've recommended to each other over the years. From some classic recommendations like Sabriel and Iron Widow to some newer ones like Emma and Throne of Glass, expect to hear all about the best – and perhaps the worst – recommendations exchanged between these two readers. 

We end the podcast with our currently reading list, and then we draw our next topic from our book jar! 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
  • An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
  • Bloody Sweet, Vol. 2 by Ernest Woo & NaRae Lee
  • The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
  • Love Looks Pretty On You by Lang Leav
  • The Daevabad Series (The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper, and The Empire of Gold) by S.A. Chakraborty
  • Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
  • Bride by Ali Hazelwood
  • Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
  • Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
  • The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman 
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

00:00 Cold Open
0:48 Intro
5:08 Megan's Most Recent Reads
13:25 Alix's Most Recent Reads
18:17 Today's Topic: Best Recommendations
19:10 Sabriel by Garth Nix
22:23 Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
25:19 The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
28:44 An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
32:19 Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
37:14 Love Looks Pretty on You by Lang Leav
43:00 Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
47:34 Emma by Jane Austen
51:17 Drawing Our Next Topic
52:13 What We're Currently Reading
56:15 Outro & Socials
57:32 After the Pod

Let's Catch Up On Our Most Recent Reads! | Silver in the Bone, The Wheel of Time, Cruel Illusions & More07 Mar 202401:14:29

Megan is back! And we have some book talk to catch up. Marissa and Megan go through their most recent reads – all 25 books they've read since they've last met. From Heartstopper and Fly By Night to The Fires of Heaven and The City of Brass, join your fave readers as they rate and discuss all the books they've read to start this year. 

We end the podcast with our currently reading, and then we draw our next topic from our book jar! 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer
  • The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley
  • The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
  • Book of Night by Holly Black
  • One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
  • Love Looks Pretty On You by Lang Leav
  • The Wilderwood Series (For the Wolf & For the Throne) by Hannah Whitten
  • Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
  • A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
  • In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
  • Bloody Sweet, Vol. 1 by Ernest Woo, NaRae Lee
  • Fly By Night by Tara O'Connor
  • Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken
  • The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
  • All Systems Red by Martha Wells
  • The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
  • The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
  • The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
  • Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
  • Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston
  • Heartstopper, Vol. 1 & 2 by Alice Oseman
  • The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman 
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

Fave Female Characters in Books w/ Alix Calfa & Tay Andresen | The Poppy War, Stormlight Archive, Sabriel & The Hunger Games22 Feb 202400:50:07

Let's have some girl talk. And by girl talk, we're talking about our fave girlies in books. To top it off, Marissa is joined by both Alix Calfa and Taylor Andresen, from our sister podcast, The Queens of Fantasy. The three readers discuss an abundance of amazing female characters they've read in novels. From Sabriel and Katniss Everdeen to the leading characters in Throne of Glass and The Poppy War, the readers give credit where credit is due, recounting the best, strongest, and smartest fictional women they've read about. 

The podcast starts with Alix and Taylor recounting some of their most recent reads, and then the three readers dive into the topic. 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
  • The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore
  • The Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman
  • The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
  • & Others

Expect Spoilers: 

  • The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson 

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find Taylor on Instagram or StoryGraph. You can find Alix on Instagram or StoryGraph. And, you can find the Queens of Fantasy on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

Let's Talk About BookTok w/ Alix Calfa! | Twilight, ACOTAR, Sarah J. Maas, Fourth Wing & More08 Feb 202400:53:11

Another week, another guest. Alix Calfa, from our sister podcast, The Queens of Fantasy podcast, joins Marissa to discuss a truly industry-changing social media platform: BookTok. Both Alix and Marissa point out the good, the bad, the ugly, and the inspirational aspects of such a whirlwind force as BookTok is. We mention fave creators, fave book recommendations, and so much more in this episode of the Book Jar Podcast. Alix starts by recounting some of her most recent reads, and then the two readers dive into the topic. 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
  • Fourth Wing & Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
  • Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
  • It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
  • We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
  • & Others

Expect Spoilers: 

  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

BookTokkers We Discuss:


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find Taylor on Instagram or StoryGraph. And, you can find the Queens of Fantasy on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

Your Fave Feminist Reads w/ Taylor Andresen | Mona Eltahawy, Mikki Kendall, Xiran Jay Zhao & More25 Jan 202401:05:44

We have another guest on this episode of The Book Jar Pod: Taylor, from our sister podcast, The Queens of Fantasy podcast. Together, Marissa and Tay discuss a topic close to their hearts: What are some of your fave feminist reads? Taylor starts by recounting some of her most recent reads, and then the two readers dive into the topic. Let us know how you did in our trivia contest on our Discord channel or Instagram!

We begin with Taylor's most-recently read novels and finish the episode by discussing Tay's fave reads of all time!

Expect us to discuss:

  • Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
  • A Day of Fallen Night & The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
  • Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
  • Breasts & Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
  • A Woman's Game: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Women's Football by Suzanne Wrack
  • Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights by Helen Lewis
  • Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
  • Know My Name by Chanel Miller
  • I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
  • The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona Eltahawy
  • Off with Her Head: Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power by Eleanor Herman
  • Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez
  • The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
  • Brandon Sanderson (The Way of Kings, The Stormlight Archive Series)
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find Taylor on Instagram or StoryGraph. And, you can find the Queens of Fantasy on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

The Best Bookstores Worldwide | Portland, Edinburgh, Tokyo, and More18 Oct 202401:04:29

Besides that one overly comfortable chair in the corner, every reader's favourite place to be is a bookstore. In this episode, Marissa and Megan share the best bookstores they've explored. From local gems to international stars, these bookstores have one thing in common: they are well-loved and well-read.

As usual, the two readers start by reviewing their most recent reads and finish by discussing their upcoming reads. They also draw their next topic from the Book Jar.

Expect us to discuss:

Bookstores We Discuss In This Podcast:


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! Want to support us? Consider buying us a book (or a coffee)!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

00:00 Cold Open
0:48 Intro
2:42 Recently Read
5:39 Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe
6:15 Love on the Brain
8:14 Belladonna
12:44 Kingdom of the Wicked
15:25 Fayne
17:12 Let's Talk Book Shops!
18:04 Second Chance Reads (GP, CAN)
20:22 Slow Burn Books (Calgary, CAN)
22:24 Wee Book Inn (Edmonton, CAN)
24:17 The Next Page (Calgary, CAN)
26:17 Eliot's Books (Toronto, CAN)
28:58 The Scribe (Toronto, CAN)
30:55 Munro's Books (Victoria, CAN)
35:42 The Paper Hound Bookshop (Vancouver, CAN)
39:16 Powell's City of Books (Portland, USA)
44:01 Persephone Books (Bath, UK)
49:47 Armchair books (Edinburgh, SCO)
52:11 Jimbōchō (Tokyo, JAP)
53:55 The Gently Mad (Edinburgh, SCO)
57:31 Next Topic!
58:58 Current Reads
1:02:24 Outro & Socials
1:03:27 After the Pod

Books & Literature Trivia Contest | Featuring Tay & Alix From the Queens of Fantasy Podcast11 Jan 202401:26:24

It's a crossover episode! We have two fabulous guests from our sister podcast, The Queens of Fantasy podcast, with us and we've decided to use a totally legitimate trivia contest and not-at-all-random scoring system to determine the reader who knows the most chaotic facts. Marissa, Megan, Alix, and Tay all have ten questions to ask and far too many answers to give. From Marissa cursing how long its been since she read Lord of the Rings and Little Women to Megan treating trivia like a creative writing prompt, this episode truly does have it all! Let us know how you did in our trivia contest on our Discord channel or Instagram!

We begin with our most currently read novels and finish the episode by discussing the next few podcasts and our next few reads!

Expect us to discuss:

  • The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
  • The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
  • Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
  • Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer
  • Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Clariel, Goldenhand, Terciel & Elinor)
  • Brandon Sanderson (The Way of Kings, The Stormlight Archive Series, Mistborn)
  • Emily Dickenson
  • William Shakespeare
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find Taylor on Instagram or StoryGraph. You can find Alix on Instagram or StoryGraph. And, you can find the Queens of Fantasy on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Follow us on Storygraph!
Megan | Marissa

2023: A Year In Review | Wrapping Up Our 2023 Best & Worst Reads28 Dec 202301:17:28

It's been one heck of a year! And, we feel like we need to talk about the best – and the worst – books we read this year. So, join us, as both readers recap their year. From the number of books and pages read to the genres that filled those pages, these readers are going over it all – and we're thrilled to have you come along for the ride!

We begin with our most currently read novels and finish the episode by discussing next week's topic!

Expect us to discuss:

  • Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
  • Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
  • The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
  • A Room With A View by E.M. Forster
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
  • Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
  • Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
  • Neon Gods by Katee Robert
  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
  • A Bite Full of Death by S.J. Stewart
  • Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights, Our Violent Ends, Immortal Longings)
  • Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Clariel, Goldenhand, Terciel & Elinor)
  • Brandon Sanderson (The Way of Kings, The Stormlight Archive Series)
  • Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
  • Tao Te Ching by Laozi
  • & Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

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Megan | Marissa

Our Favourite Unproblematic Authors | R.F. Kuang, Xiran Jay Zhao, Chloe Gong & More14 Dec 202301:05:21

Megan and Marissa switch up their topic to talk about some amazing authors who also seem like great human beings. From calling out racism and misogyny and talking about hard-to-talk-about topics to donating time, money, and resources to charity, these authors are some of our favourites to read and recommend – on and off the page. Inspired by some recent events in the book world, this topic aims to talk about authors we'd happily recommend to anyone – and we're starting with you! 

We begin with our most currently read novels and finish the episode by discussing our next week's topic, and our upcoming reads! 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Xiran Jay Zhao (Iron Widow, Heavenly Tyrant)
  • R.F. Kuang (Yellowface, Babel, The Poppy War)
  • Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights, Our Violent Ends, Immortal Longings)
  • Susan Dennard (Witchlight Series, The Luminaries)
  • Hank Green (An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor)
  • Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Clariel, Goldenhand)
  • Brandon Sanderson (The Way of Kings, The Stormlight Archive Series)
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
  • Tao Te Ching by Laozi

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

Fan-Casting Popular Books (And Our Fave Novels) | Throne of Glass, Dracula, ACOTAR, Sabriel & More30 Nov 202301:07:32

Casting movies and TV shows is a hard task. Naturally, this means we have to try it out for ourselves. In this episode, Marissa and Megan fan-cast some popular and some of their favourite novels. Marissa personally takes a hand at casting for Dracula, Throne of Glass, and A Court of Thorns and Roses. Megan decides that Ninth House, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, and Sabriel are all in desperate need of an adaptation. Plus, Marissa adds a small twist of her own with a second list, just for fun.

As always, we open with the books we've recently read. And, we finish by talking about what's up next on our reading list, as well as pulling our next question from the book jar! 🫙

Expect us to discuss:

  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
  • An Absolutely Remarkable Thing & A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • Pestilence by Laura Thalassa 
  • War by Laura Thalassa
  • Famine by Laura Thalassa
  • Death by Laura Thalassa
  • The Dragon Reborn: Book Three of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
  • The Liar’s Dictionary by Eley Williams
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
  • Silenced by Ann Claycomb

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

NSFW Best and Worst Sex Scenes You've Ever Read | The Crown of Gilded Bones, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Haunting Adeline & More16 Nov 202302:00:25

Talk dirty to me... or maybe don't. In this NSFW episode of The Book Jar Podcast, Marissa and Megan share the best and the worst sex scenes they've read in novels. From terrible anatomy to euphemisms sheathed between lines, these sex scenes will leave you with questions you don't want answered.

The first portion of this podcast is safe for work, with Marissa and Megan recounting the books they've read since our last podcast. Then, after a warning, we switch to Explicit mode, talking about this episode's topic. At the end of the episode, they talk about their upcoming reads and draw the next topic from the book jar.

Expect us to talk about:

  • The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses Trilogy by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
  • Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
  • Soul Feud by Juniper Jackson
  • Talk Flirty to Me by Livy Hart
  • Radiance by Grace Draven
  • Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
  • Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton
  • Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
  • & Others

Link to Worst Sex Writing of 2018
Link to Literary Review Worst Sex Writing Competition
Link to Tampon Scene from Fifty Shades of Grey 


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Tropes That Belong In Trope Jail | Talking About ACOTAR, Ninth House, City of Bones & More02 Nov 202300:53:07

Content Warnings: Incest, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, pedophilia

Straight to Trope Jail! Alright, we're talking about all the tropes that make us the most irritated. In short, the ones that make us wish we could make writing those tropes absolutely illegal.

As always, we start by discussing our most recent reads and then dive straight into our topic. At the end of the pod, we discuss our upcoming reads and reveal our next topic (which, be warned, is a bit spicy 🥵)

Expect us to talk about:

  • Talk Dirty to Me by Livy Hart
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
  • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
  • Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
  • Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
  • The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
  • A Court of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • And Others

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Books Took You Forever to Read? | Dracula, The Burning Gods, Emma & More19 Oct 202301:01:43

No matter your reading speed, some books just sit on your "currently reading" shelf for longer than others. From being a bit on the slow side to being a more challenging read, these books aren't necessarily bad (though, sometimes, they are) but they do take extra time, dedication, and perserverance to finish. We're talking about those books this week: the ones who carried around for a bit longer than normal in order to finish. 

We start the pod as always by talking about our most recent reads and then move on to our topic. At the end, we talk about what we're currently reading and what the next topic is that you can expect.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • Talk Flirty to Me by Livy Hart
  • The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
  • The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
  • Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
  • Yume by Sifton Tracey Anipare
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King
  • The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
  • The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis
  • Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston
  • Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
  • Cold Queen by K Webster
  • A Bite Full Of Death by S.J. Stewart
  • What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, Oprah Winfrey


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

All Of Our Most Recent Reads | Megan & Marissa Play Catch Up05 Oct 202301:02:16

Megan returns and we're using the first podcast to catch up on all the great books both readers have read over the past few months. They end by discussing their current reads and revealing the next topic pulled from the book jar.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • Angel Mage by Garth Nix
  • A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
  • All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman & Amanda Foody
  • Paper Girls, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
  • Strike the Zither by Joan He
  • The Hating Game by Sally Throne
  • The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
  • The Awakening and Selected Stories of Kate Chopin by Kate Chopin
  • Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
  • Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories by Paul Dini
  • The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
  • Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
  • Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
  • Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen
  • Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
  • The Da Vinci Code by Robert Langdon
  • The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
  • What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

What Is Your Favourite Fantasy Series Or Books w/ Alix & Tay | Stormlight Archives, The Wheel of Time, Percy Jackson & More21 Sep 202300:47:07

Dragons, elves, witches, warlocks, adventures with Hobbits, fae kings and queens: what's not to love about fantasy novels? While fantasy is a fun and captivating genre to read, some fantasy books hit us harder. From high fantasy worlds dreamt up by Tolkien, Sanderson, and Maas to gripping low fantasy adventures from Chloe Gong and Leigh Bardugo, this week we're talking about the fantasy books and series we love.

Oh, and we're doing it with two guests! Meet Alix and Tay, two queens of fantasy.

We end with an exciting announcement about our newest project, The Queens of Fantasy Podcast! 👑 

Expect us to talk about:

  • The Way of Kings & Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson)
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
  • These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
  • Six of Crows & Shadow of Bone by Leigh Bardugo
  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan
  • Sabriel (The Old Kingdom Series) by Garth Nix
  • & More


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

The Best Book Endings With Alix Calfa | The Awakening, Lord of the Rings & Throne of Glass07 Sep 202300:52:31

What makes a good book ending? From the nicely wrapped-up books written by Jane Austen to the frustrating, hand-wringing cliffhangers by Sarah J. Maas, Marissa and Alix, our guest star, discuss all the books that ended perfectly – at least for them.

We end with an exciting announcement about our newest project!

Expect us to talk about:

  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • The Way of Kings & Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson)
  • The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
  • & More


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

The History of Audiobooks | A Lesson From Megan 03 Oct 202401:06:25

Ever heard of audiobooks? How much do you really know about them? In this episode, Megan explores everything audiobook. From the history of audiobooks to its formats, uses, and styles, join along as your two favourite readers explore the world of audiobooks!

As usual, the two readers start by reviewing their most recent reads and finish by discussing their upcoming reads. They also draw their next topic from the Book Jar.

Expect us to discuss:

Episode References:


Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! Want to support us? Consider buying us a book (or a coffee)!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

00:00 Cold Open
0:32 Intro
3:16 Recently Read
4:06 Silver Wings, Golden Games
13:15 Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe
14:34 Today's Topic!
1:02:00 Drawing the Next Topic
1:02:48 Current & Future Reads
1:03:59 Outro & Socials
1:05:16 After the Pod

What Books Influenced You As A Reader? | Twilight, The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass & More24 Aug 202300:58:45

Alix is back with Marissa to discuss all the books that influenced them. From changing what type of main characters they looked for to reminding them of the value of a fast and fun read, Marissa and guest, Alix, are diving into a wonderful world of books that left their mark. 

The two readers end this episode by pulling next week's out of the jar. 

Expect us to discuss:

  • Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (& Brandon Sanderson)
  • Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  • & More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Is Your Best Literary Brag? | Talking About Fast Reading, Classics & Owning A Lot Of Books10 Aug 202300:55:53

Marissa is joined by a different reader this week, Alix Calfa. Together, Alix and Marissa discuss their biggest and greatest literary brags. From accounting the many books they've read over the years to the amazing feat of being able to read in a car, the two readers use this rare opportunity to brag it up.

Expect us to discuss:

  • Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
  • Persuasion by Jane Austen
  • Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
  • Multiple Works by William Shakespeare
  • The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
  • Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (& Brandon Sanderson)
  • Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Genres Are You Surprised Are Popular & Which Do You Wish Would Get More Love?27 Jul 202300:58:59

Trends are often surprising. In this episode, our two readers discuss all the surprise trends they've seen recently – and some they wish would come back around. From the surge of love for historical romance novels to the desire to find a few more steampunk novels on the shelf, we're here to discuss it all.

Expect us to start with a recap of Marissa's past two weeks of reading, which might take a while. And then, the two readers dive right in, finishing off with some news, an announcement of a guest, and their upcoming reads.

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Is Your Favourite Book With A Sad Or Tragic Ending? | Romeo & Juliet, We Were Liars, No One Is Talking About This & More13 Jul 202301:05:26

Sometimes, a happily ever after just isn't possible. This week, Megan and Marissa discuss their fave books that end in sadness and tragedy. From Romeo & Juliet to No One Is Talking About This, get ready to hear about the saddest stories that we loved reading. Please be warned that this episode does contain spoilers.

As always, we start with a discussion on our most recent reads and we end with our upcoming reads and the drawing of our next topic.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson
  • Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
  • A Room with a View by E.M. Forster with Oliver Stallybrass
  • No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
  • We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
  • The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
  • Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
  • Hamlet by William Shakespeare
  • The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky by Kyril FitzLyon, Joan Acocella & Vaslav Nijinsky
  • José Limon: An Unfinished Memoir by Lynn Garafola, José Limon
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green
  • The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  • Never Let Me Go by Kazoo Ishiguro
  • Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Facts We Get Wrong: 1) Leviathan Wakes is a novel written by two writers joined under the pen name James S.A. Corey. Marissa incorrectly states that this is one person, and also misses the S. initial. 
2) A copy of Vaslav Nijinksy's diary is available in full, without omissions previously made by his wife.

Who Are Your Favourite Popular Young Adult (YA) Characters? | The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass, The Hate U Give & Sailor Moon29 Jun 202300:54:21

Young adult characters are some of the most memorable characters in literature. Whether inspired by real-life events or for the purpose of flying around mythical lands, YA characters can obtain their popularity for many reasons. In this episode, Marissa and Megan discuss which popular YA characters are their favourites and why. 

We also discuss our most recent reads, the end of Marissa's reading slump, upcoming reads, and our next topic.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • Soul Feud by Juniper Jackson
  • ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas
  • Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  • Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
  • Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
  • Cruel Prince by Holly Black
  • Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Books Do You Wish Would Get An Adaptation? | The Shining, A Magic Steeped In Poison & More01 Jun 202300:56:35

The book might be better, but sometimes the movie just hits the spot. In this episode, Megan and Marissa discuss the books they'd love to see come to life on the screen. From favourites they want to see come alive to stories that had potential but didn't marvel, we dive into these books and what makes them perfect for the big screen.

We also discuss our most recent reads, the end of Marissa's reading slump, upcoming reads, and our next topic.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • The Shining by Stephen King
  • Jane Austen's Novel Collection
  • A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
  • An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
  • Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • & Many More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

How Do You Decide Which Books You Keep On Your Shelf? | A Series of Unfortunate Events, Twilight, Ruth Ware & More18 May 202300:57:52

Are you a book hoarder or a careful collector? In this episode, Marissa and Megan discuss how they decide which books get to grace their shelves and which ones get donated or sent away. From beautiful copies to nostalgic editions and everything in between, these two readers are discussing the biggest question for book lovers: how do you decide which ones to let go of? 

We also discuss our most recent reads, Marissa's reading slump, upcoming reads, and our next topic.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • Ruth Ware
  • Susan Dennard
  • Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
  • A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickets (Daniel Handler)
  • Sarah J. Maas
  • Gossip Girl Series by Cecily von Ziegesar 
  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  • Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
  • & Many More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Our Favourite Plot-Based Tropes | The Hunger Games, Sailor Moon, Lord of the Rings & More04 May 202300:59:16

When it comes to plots, we all have tropes we love. From enemies becoming friends to found family and more, Megan and Marissa discuss the plot tropes they can't get enough of. Both readers dive into the specifics of the tropes that they love – and expect us to gush about our absolute favourite examples as well! 

Expect us to discuss: 

  • Some Kind of Animal by Maria Romansco-Moore
  • The Princess Bride by William Goldman
  • I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
  • The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins
  • Panic by Lauren Oliver
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 
  • Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
  • & Many More

We finish the episode by drawing our next topic!

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Book-Related Questions Have We Always Wanted to Ask Each Other? | Megan & Marissa Quiz Each Other20 Apr 202301:02:39

It's like 20 questions, but all about books! Megan and Marissa ask each other book-related questions that they've always wanted to ask each other. From debating who would win a crossover Hunger Games between Sabriel and Katniss to discovering the best and worst book recommendations we've given each other, this episode is all about answering the easy, the fun, and the hard questions we have for each other.

Expect us to discuss: 

  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • Allegiant by Veronica Roth
  • Red Queen & War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
  • Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • & Many More

We finish the episode by drawing our next topic!

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

If You Could Make One Change To A Book, What Would It Be? | Twilight, City of Bones, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes & More07 Apr 202301:02:48

This one is dedicated to all the books that were almost a favourite – if it weren't for that one thing. In this episode, our beloved readers, Megan and Marissa, reveal the changes they'd make to a few novels to improve the story for them. Removing tropes, changing character arcs, and removing a character's death: we're bringing it all up this week.

Expect us to discuss:

  • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
  • Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
  • Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
  • The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
  • Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot
  • The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
  • And More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Literary Terms 101 With Marissa | Metaphor, Similes, Character Foils & More19 Sep 202401:05:42

It's time to go back to school! And, what better way to celebrate school than with a test? In this episode, Marissa and Megan review literary terms. Or rather, Marissa quizzes Megan on this terminology while putting her friendship at risk. From metaphor and simile to allusions and character foils, Marissa puts on her teaching hat to share the top literary terms every reader should know -- or learn!

As usual, the two readers start by reviewing their most recent reads and finish by discussing their upcoming reads. They also draw their next topic from the Book Jar.

Expect us to discuss:

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You can find our sister podcast, the Queens of Fantasy Podcast, on Instagram as well.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! Want to support us? Consider buying us a book (or a coffee)!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here

00:00 Cold Open
0:32 Intro
1:28 Recent Reads
1:37 White Horse, Black Nights
2:54 Siren Queen
3:18 Sky in the Deep
4:09 The Gathering Storm
5:45 ACOTAR
7:03 Without Words
12:48 Literary 101
13:54 Easy Vocab
25:18 Harder Vocab
29:12 Metaphors & Similes
37:28 Even Harder Vocab
40:39 Isn't It Ironic?
57:50 Megan's Score
59:27 Drawing the Next Topic
1:00:17 Current & Upcoming Reads
1:02:17 Outro & Socials
1:04:31 After the Pod

Meet The Readers: Marissa & Megan Talk Books, Hobbies & More23 Mar 202300:57:56

Megan and Marissa are answering questions about themselves this week. From discussing their non-book-related interests and hobbies to recalling how they started reading and met, the two readers are deep diving to help you get to know them better.

Expect us to discuss:

  • The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
  • The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • And More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Books That Were Our Quickest Reads | Sue Lynn Tan, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, Colleen Hoover & Many More09 Mar 202300:49:36

This one's for those readers still reading at 2 am, even though they have to work the next day. In this episode, Megan and Marissa are recounting the books that they burned through quickly – for both good and bad reasons.

We start by discussing our most recent reads and then move into the topic, discussing what kind of books we read quickly and why. Lastly, we discuss our upcoming and current reads and draw our next topic from our book jar!

Expect us to discuss:

  • The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
  • It Ends With Us & Verity by Colleen Hoover
  • Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
  • Throne of Glass & A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
  • Lost At Sea & Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley
  • Codename: Sailor V by Naoko Takeuchi
  • Eon by Alison Goodman
  • Neon Gods & Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
  • & More

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Books We've Read With the Worst Endings | It Ends With Us, The Burning God, My Name Is Memory & More23 Feb 202301:03:18

A good ending is important. A bad ending can ruin the book. In this episode, Megan and Marissa discuss the worst endings to books they've read. From leaving a sour taste in our mouths to completely destroying a beloved series, the worst endings come in all shapes and sizes.

We start this episode by talking over our most recent reads, which leads us straight into this week's topic: The worst book endings we've ever read. Marissa and Megan discuss the "one year later" epilogue and how it's ruined more books than it's saved. Expect us to also discuss Allegiant by Veronica Roth, The Death Cure by James Dashner, The Burning God by R.F. Kuang, My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares, and others.

Lastly, we discuss our upcoming and current reads and draw our next topic from our book jar!

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Why Do YA (Young Adult) Authors & Books Get So Much Hate? | Twilight, The Hunger Games & More09 Feb 202300:58:47

It's easy to find hate about the YA genre. From protesting that these books aren't valuable to keeping adults from reading YA, it seems there are so many reasons people hate on YA. But is the hate deserved? We think not.

Megan and Marissa discuss all the most popular reasons cited for people to hate YA – and we argue about which points are valid (lack of diversity, etc.) and which ones are not (lack of literary value, for one).

We begin as always by talking about our most recent reads and, of course, finish off by mentioning upcoming reads and drawing our next topic from our book jar.

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

What Are Your Favourite Movie And TV Show Adaptations? | Emma, The Hunger Games, Holes & More26 Jan 202300:59:31

Is the book better? Or the movie? How about both? In this week's episode of the Book Jar Podcast, Marissa and Megan compare notes on their favourite book-to-movie/tv-series adaptations. From Jane Austen's plethora of movies to nostalgic numbers like Holes by Louis Sachar, we're talking about all the movies and tv shows we've adored, even though they started on the page. As always, we start our podcast by discussing our most recent reads and finish up by looking towards the books that are moving up our TBR lists. Oh, and to end the whole thing, we draw our next topic from our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Our Reading Goals: A Year in Review & A Glance Forward12 Jan 202300:56:36

Everyone loves a reading goal. Marissa and Megan are back to discuss their reading goals for 2023 – plus a review of how 2022 has been for us! We start by discussing 2022 and how our reading looked throughout the year. Then, we make new reading goals for the upcoming year. We end it off by discussing upcoming reads and drawing our next topic for our book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here!

Overhyped Books That We Didn't Fall In Love With 15 Dec 202201:02:11

Marissa and Megan discuss some overhyped books in this week's episode of the Book Jar Podcast. From some self-help books that didn't help to TikTok recommendations that didn't stick, we're talking about it all. 

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

The Top Dedication Pages in Books We've Found19 Nov 202200:53:49

Dedication pages are fun – and sometimes they're just a bit sweet, sad, or beautiful. We're resisting favourite dedication pages we've discovered through our reading history. The two readers also discuss their most recent reads, upcoming reads, their book club, and other bookish things!

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Books You Wish You Could Read For The First Time Again | Sabriel, The Ones We're Meant to Find & Jane Eyre03 Nov 202200:58:56

There's nothing like the first time. Megan and Marissa discuss which books they wish they could read again for the first time. Marissa takes into consideration her all-time faves, while Meg wonders what it might be like if she read books she doesn't think she would like the second time around. The two readers also discuss their most recent reads, upcoming reads, their book club, and other bookish things! 

Expect them to discuss: 

  • Harry Potter
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  • The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
  • Sabriel by Garth Nix
  • The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan 
  • Eon by Alison Goodman


Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Favourite Book Fan Theories | Discussing Twilight, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter & More 20 Oct 202200:51:57

**Spoiler Warnings for Harry Potter, Twilight, Sailor Moon, A Series of Unfortunate Events, A Court of Thorns & Roses & Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde**

Fan theories make reading communities better! So, in this episode, we're diving into our personal faves. From Draco Malfoy being a werewolf to Reneesme being a villain, we're breaking down some theories you may or may not have heard of. 

Make sure to join us on social media to tell us your fave fan theory! 

We also discuss our most recent reads and draw our topic for next week.

For the Hagrid Fan Theory, check out this website.

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar.

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us!

Want to be in a community full of readers? Join our Discord server to discuss books and join our book club (if you want!). You can do that right here.

Banned Books: Which Ones We've Read And Our Thoughts | Elana K. Arnold, Judy Blume, J.D. Salinger, and More05 Sep 202401:04:52

Books are made to be read, not banned. In this episode, Megan and Marissa discuss banned books. From the most commonly banned novels to their favourite illicit reads, these two readers dive into why the books are banned and why they disagree. As always, they start the podcast with their most recent reads and end it by drawing a new topic from the jar.

Articles referenced in the episode:

Expect us to discuss:

Have a question you want us to discuss? Send us an email or message our Instagram account with your question, and we'll add it to our book jar.

You...

Books That Hooked Us From The First Line, Page & Chapter | Percy Jackson, Jane Eyre, Turn of the Key & More06 Oct 202200:50:47

**Content Warning: Mentions of death, dying, and sex.**

We are talking about books that have great hooks. From renowned classics to our fave modern books (and audiobooks), some books get you right from the start. Marissa and Megan read a few of their faves.

Expect us to discuss:

  • The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
  • The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
  • Emma by Jane Austen
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  • The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
  • Panic by Lauren Oliver
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  • & Many More

We also discuss our most recent reads and draw our topic for next week. 

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar. 

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! 

Extra, Extra | Upcoming Book Releases & Movie Adaptations for September & October 202202 Oct 202200:50:06

Extra, extra, we've got book news! From new releases to new announcements, Megan and Marissa bring you some of the top headlines for October and a recap of September 2022.


Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar. 


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Manga, Comic Books & Graphic Novels We Love | The Walking Dead, Archie Comics & More22 Sep 202200:58:31

**Spoilers for The Walking Dead.**
**Content Warning: We do talk about sex and mention some violent content from The Walking Dead graphic novels.**

What do Bryan Lee O'Malley, Rachel Smythe, Shaun Tan, and Lights have in common? They're all comics whose graphic novels we loved reading. In this episode, we're talking about graphic novels, comics, and manga. And we're starting with Archie. 

We also discuss our most recent reads and draw our topic for next week. 

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar. 

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! 

Books That Had The Biggest Emotional Impact On You | John Green, Jim Wooten & More08 Sep 202200:59:24

We're getting emotional this week. Join us on a deep dive into the books that made us feel the most: anger, sadness, hope, and disgust. We also discuss our most recent reads and draw our topic for next week. 

From there, we discuss our upcoming reads and announce our next podcast topic.

Want your question featured on our podcast? DM us your question on Insta and we'll add it to the book jar. 

Like our podcast? Leave us a review so more people can find us! 

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