I'll Read What She's Reading

Convincing Us To Read a Book In One Line

September 24, 2025

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  • The podcast "I'll Read What She's Reading" episode "Convincing Us To Read a Book In One Line" features hosts Michaela, Kennedy, and Reggie challenging listeners to pitch books in a single line, leading to a diverse array of recommendations and personal reading experiences. 
  • The hosts shared their recent reads, including "The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown (highly recommended by Kennedy), "Mile High" by Liz Tom Ford (mixed reviews), "The Compound" by Aceling Rawl (interesting premise, unsatisfying ending), "From Blood and Ash" by Jennifer L. Armentrout (enjoyed despite predictable plot), "Cash" by Aceling Rawl (mature characters but lacking emotional depth), and "Wildcard" by Elsie Silver (controversial but appreciated by Michaela). 
  • The episode highlighted the subjective nature of reading enjoyment, with hosts expressing differing opinions on books like "The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk" by Carissa Broadbent (disappointing for Reggie due to pacing and audio, despite epic moments) and "Dear Future Husband" by Taryn Christine (sweet and proud moment for Reggie). 

Segments

Podcast Introduction and Challenge
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(00:01:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast “I’ll Read What She’s Reading” kicks off its “Convincing Us To Read a Book In One Line” episode with hosts Michaela, Kennedy, and Reggie introducing the listener-driven challenge.
  • Summary: Hosts Michaela, Kennedy, and Reggie welcome listeners to the “Convincing Us To Read a Book In One Line” episode. The core premise involves listeners submitting one-line pitches to persuade the hosts to add books to their reading lists.
Kennedy’s Recent Reads
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(00:01:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Kennedy highly recommends “The Book of Doors” by Gareth Brown, rating it five stars and comparing its blend of sci-fi, emotional depth, and unique feel to authors like Blake Crouch and Frederick Bachman.
  • Summary: Kennedy shares her enthusiastic five-star review of “The Book of Doors,” praising its genre-bending qualities and comparing it favorably to “The Midnight Library.” She highlights its thrilling sci-fi elements, emotional resonance, and unique narrative style.
Reggie and Michaela on “Mile High”
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(00:03:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Both Reggie and Michaela express significant disappointment with “Mile High” by Liz Tom Ford, with Reggie rating it two stars and Michaela DNFing due to unlikable main characters and a jarring opening.
  • Summary: Reggie and Michaela found “Mile High” to be a disappointing read, with mixed listener feedback on its worth. Reggie rated it two stars, noting some character development but listening at high speed, while Michaela was immediately turned off by the male lead and did not finish the book.
Reggie’s Review of “The Compound”
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(00:05:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Reggie describes “The Compound” by Aceling Rawl as a short, thrilling read with “Love Island” and “Survivor” vibes, though she found the ending unsatisfying.
  • Summary: “The Compound” is presented as a quick read with a compelling premise involving contestants competing for necessities in a confined setting. While it offers a unique blend of reality TV drama and suspense, the conclusion left Reggie wanting more.
Michaela’s “From Blood and Ash” Experience
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(00:08:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Michaela enjoyed “From Blood and Ash” immensely, finding it unputdownable and comparing its pacing and dark vibes to Carissa Broadbent’s “Serpent and the Wings of Night.”
  • Summary: Michaela found “From Blood and Ash” to be a captivating read that she couldn’t put down, even taking it to a baseball game. She enjoyed its pacing and dark fantasy elements, drawing parallels to Carissa Broadbent’s writing style.
Reggie’s Thoughts on “Cash” and “Wildcard”
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(00:11:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Reggie appreciated the maturity of characters in “Cash” by Aceling Rawl but felt it lacked emotional depth, while she thoroughly enjoyed “Wildcard” by Elsie Silver, defending its premise against negative reviews.
  • Summary: Reggie found “Cash” to be mature but emotionally shallow, contrasting with her strong positive reaction to “Wildcard.” She defended the latter’s pro-wrestler character against criticism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the book’s intent.
Reggie’s Reading Slump and Recent Reads
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(00:15:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Reggie has been in a significant reading slump, managing only three books: “Kingdom of Ash,” “Dear Future Husband” by Taryn Christine, and “May Luna,” which she loved despite a slightly unsatisfying ending.
  • Summary: Reggie details her recent reading progress during a prolonged slump, highlighting “Dear Future Husband” as a sweet self-published success and “May Luna” as a beloved rockstar romance. Despite enjoying “May Luna,” she found its ending slightly disappointing.
Reggie’s “The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk” Review
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(00:18:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Reggie gave “The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk” by Carissa Broadbent three stars, attributing her lower rating to reading it during a slump, audio narration issues, and pacing, despite acknowledging epic moments.
  • Summary: Reggie’s three-star rating for “The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk” stems from a combination of personal slump, an annoying female narrator, and pacing concerns. Despite these issues, she recognized the book’s epic moments and is excited for the next installment.
Listener Pitches: Fantasy and Dystopian
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(00:24:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners pitched “The Infernal Devices” by Cassandra Clare, described as a fantasy series with a compelling love triangle, and “The Scarlet Princess” by Lochlan Fued, a Viking-inspired story with land-based action.
  • Summary: The hosts react to listener pitches for “The Infernal Devices,” a fantasy series known for its iconic status and love triangle. “The Scarlet Princess” is introduced as a land-based, Viking-themed story that avoids maritime elements.
Listener Pitches: Horror and Unique Concepts
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(00:27:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The “Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” is pitched as “Fried Green Tomatoes meets Dracula,” while “Ella Minnow P” by Mark Dunn is highlighted for its unique premise of letters disappearing from the alphabet as the story progresses.
  • Summary: “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” is described as a blend of Southern charm and vampire horror. “Ella Minnow P” presents a fascinating literary experiment where the narrative itself adapts to the progressive loss of letters.
Listener Pitches: Dystopian and Sci-Fi
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(00:31:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners recommend “Delirium” by Lauren Oliver, a 2012 dystopian novel about love being a disease, and “Wheel of the Many” by James Islington, a fantasy with a unique magic system and a second book releasing soon.
  • Summary: “Delirium” is presented as a dystopian novel where love is considered a dangerous illness. “Wheel of the Many” features a pyramid-scheme-like magic system and is recommended for its engaging fantasy elements, with a sequel anticipated.
Listener Pitches: Romance and Thriller
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(00:33:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Pitches include a romance with a “wedding crashers” vibe, “Tree of Ash” by Kayla Ann (a dark, dystopian fantasy), and a thriller “The Last One” by Will Dean about being alone on an empty cruise ship.
  • Summary: A romance described as a “wedding crashers” scenario is pitched, alongside “Tree of Ash,” a dark fantasy with a morally gray protagonist. “The Last One” offers a suspenseful thriller premise of isolation on a deserted cruise ship.
Listener Pitches: Fantasy and Romance
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(00:40:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners recommend “All of Us Villains” by Amanda Lovelace, a dark fantasy compared to “The Hunger Games” with morally gray characters, and “Magnolia Parks” by Jessica Hastings, known for its impactful one-liners.
  • Summary: “All of Us Villains” is pitched as a dark fantasy with a “Hunger Games”-like feel and morally ambiguous characters. “Magnolia Parks” is highlighted for its compelling and memorable one-liners, suggesting strong character voice.
Listener Pitches: Sci-Fi and Romance
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(00:43:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Pitches include “Car of the Mark” by Veronica Roth, a bodyguard romance with gladiator fights in space, and “Unloved” by Peyton Corin, a hockey romance with a compelling confession.
  • Summary: “Car of the Mark” by Veronica Roth offers a unique blend of bodyguard romance, space gladiators, and enemies-to-lovers tropes. “Unloved” is a hockey romance that intrigues with a simple yet powerful confession of affection.
Listener Pitches: Survivor Romance and Fantasy
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(00:45:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners pitch “Attached at the Hip,” a romance set during a “Survivor”-like competition, and “Iron Reign” by James Islington, a fantasy with a unique magic system and a cliffhanger ending.
  • Summary: “Attached at the Hip” combines survival elements with romance, inspired by the author’s love for the show “Survivor.” “Iron Reign” is a fantasy novel featuring a distinct magic system and a compelling narrative that leaves readers eager for more.
Podcast Outro and Social Media
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(00:47:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts encourage listeners to follow them on social media and check out their merchandise, reinforcing the community aspect of the podcast and its related offerings.
  • Summary: The podcast “I’ll Read What She’s Reading” concludes by inviting listeners to engage on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. They also promote their merchandise available at illreadwhatshesreading.com, featuring various book-lover items.