Well-read & Unfiltered

About Well-read & Unfiltered

Welcome to Well-Read & Unfiltered, a weekly podcast where we get together to talk about books, bookish trends, and the ever-evolving world of book culture. From new releases, underrated gems, overhyped bestsellers, and the latest conversations happening across BookTok, Bookstagram, bookstores, and beyond, we’re here for all of the unfiltered discussions about the stories and characters to impact us all. Each episode features conversational deep dives, themed book discussions, current reads, reading trends, publishing news, and occasional book club episodes where we unpack one selected title together. Whether you love literary fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, sci-fi, romance, or romantasy, there’s a place for you here. Hosted by Aaron, K, and Casey from across the United States, Well-Read & Unfiltered is less about perfect reviews and more about authentic conversations, differing opinions, and building a community around the books we cannot stop thinking about. New episodes every Monday or Tuesday, so grab your current read and join the conversation! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest news and content at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast

Publisher

Well-Read & Unfiltered Podcast

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 Jul 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Off the Radar Books for Your TBRs!

   Your next five-star read might be a book you’ve never heard of! This week on Well-Read & Unfiltered, we’re taking books off the radar and putting them onto your TBRs. From forgotten favorites to unread shelf residents we bought with the best intentions, we’re pitching books we wish we saw more often on our feeds. Expect Arthurian legends, emotional family stories, aliens on dating apps, and a cosmic entity trapped inside a cat. Our reading tastes cover a lot of ground. 😂 Some we’ve read and loved. Others we’re hoping you’ll help convince us to finally pick up. All are here to cause a little TBR chaos. And be sure to tell us: what’s one book you wish more people were talking about? BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig Ruin - John Gwynne The Calamity Club - Kathryn Stockett We Burned So Bright - TJ Klune Dominion of Blades - Matt Dinniman Somewhere Beyond the Sea - TJ Klune A Time of Dread - John Gwynne Bright Monday - David Leavitt Les Misérables - Victor Hugo Winterset Hollow - Jonathan Edward Durham The Simple Wild - K.A. Tucker The Arthurian Tales - Giles Kristian Boy's Life - Robert R. McCammon The Body - Stephen King Same As It Ever Was - Claire Lombardo Brotherhood - Mohamed Mbougar Sarr A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini Walking Practice - Dolki Min Someone You Can Build a Nest In - John Wiswell A Woman Is No Man - Etaf Rum The Wall - Marlen Haushofer The Reapers are the Angels - Alden Bell Monstrilio - Gerardo Sámano Córdova Death Valley - Karina Halle The Living Dead - Daniel Kraus and George A. Romero Hidden Pictures - Jason Rekulak The Last One at the Wedding - Jason Rekulak Look What the Cat Dragged In - Jason Rekulak This Close to Okay - Leesa Cross-Smith Mr. Whiskers: Lord of the Void - Joshua D. Koester The Secret Lives of Zombie Wives - Barbara Truelove Open, Heaven - Seán Hewitt

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Whose History Are We Reading? | Honoring Indigenous Voices

   Who tells the history we learn, and whose voices get left out? Today on Well-Read and Unfiltered, we’re honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a conversation about colonialism, displacement, belonging, and how reading can challenge the stories we grew up believing. We dive into The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, exploring generational trauma, revenge, and what happens when the real horror is rooted in history. Then we share reads and TBR picks spanning horror, literary fiction, YA, and romance. We’re approaching this conversation as readers who are still learning, with a commitment to listening to and supporting Indigenous voices throughout the year. 🎧 The new episode is out today! Which Indigenous author should we read next? Leave your recommendations below. 📚 Books Mentioned • The Buffalo Hunter Hunter — Stephen Graham Jones • The Only Good Indians — Stephen Graham Jones • I Was a Teenage Slasher — Stephen Graham Jones • Where Wolves Don’t Die — Anton Treuer • Never Whistle at Night — edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. • There There — Tommy Orange • Wandering Stars — Tommy Orange • Moon of the Crusted Snow — Waubgeshig Rice • Moon of the Turning Leaves — Waubgeshig Rice • Station Eleven — Emily St. John Mandel • Indian Burial Ground — Nick Medina • Sisters of the Lost Nation — Nick Medina • What Came West — Josh Weil • The Revenant — Michael Punke • Bad Cree — Jessica Johns • Love Is a War Song — Danica Nava • The Babysitter Lives — Stephen Graham Jones • Off the Reservation — Stephen Graham Jones

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Not Enough Orphans & Other Bookish Complaints | September Wrap-Up

   We expected a four-course meal. Some books gave us soup (you'll need to listen to understand this joke). 😂 This week, we’re unpacking September’s biggest letdowns, surprise favorites, and full-blown reading obsessions with a passionate case for looking beyond Dungeon Crawler Carl. What was your best (or most disappointing) read of the month? 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Somewhere Beyond the Sea - TJ Klune We Burned So Bright - TJ Klune The Calamity Club - Kathryn Stockett The Help - Kathryn Stockett The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig Twenty Minutes of Silence - Hélène Bessette Ruin - John Gwynne Valour - John Gwynne Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon - Matt Dinniman Bright Monday - David Leavitt The Most Fun We Ever Had - Claire Lombardo Same As It Ever Was - Claire Lombardo The Only Way Out Is Up - Django Wexler
A Time of Dread - John Gwynne The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1-6 - Beth Brower Dominion of Blades - Matt Dinniman Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Hobgoblin Riot - Matt Dinniman The Living Dead - Daniel Kraus and George A. Romero Blood Sugar - Daniel Kraus Coffin Moon - Keith Rosson The Birds - Daphne du Maurier The Sorrowstones - Felix Blackwell Stolen Tongues - Felix Blackwell ACCOUNTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE @tonytakesonbooks

4. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Banned Books: Who Gets to Decide What We Read?

   Who gets to decide what belongs on your bookshelf? This week on Well Read and Unfiltered, we’re talking banned books, the freedom to read, and where parental guidance crosses into policing everyone else’s shelves. From "1984" and "The Handmaid’s Tale" to ACOTAR, we unpack the stories that spark controversy, the value of uncomfortable reads, and why representation matters. Expect strong opinions, a few reading confessions, and a debate about whether banning a book just makes us want to read it more. What banned or challenged book has left an impression on you? Tell us in the comments. BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Harry Potter series — J. K. Rowling 1984 — George Orwell Fahrenheit 451 — Ray Bradbury The Handmaid’s Tale — Margaret Atwood The Hunger Games — Suzanne Collins A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) — Sarah J. Maas Lolita — Vladimir Nabokov The Crucible — Arthur Miller (the film adaptation is mentioned) I Am Malala — Malala Yousafzai, with Christina Lamb (edition unspecified) Animal Farm — George Orwell The Outsiders — S. E. Hinton The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time — Mark Haddon The Perks of Being a Wallflower — Stephen Chbosky To Kill a Mockingbird — Harper Lee The Buffalo Hunter Hunter — Stephen Graham Jones The Love Hypothesis — Ali Hazelwood Mein Kampf — Adolf Hitler The Giver — Lois Lowry Powerless — Lauren Roberts Beloved — Toni Morrison Billy Budd, Sailor — Herman Melville The Diary of a Young Girl — Anne Frank Looking for Alaska — John Green The Bluest Eye — Toni Morrison Desert Sons — Mark Kendrick Victorian Psycho — Virginia Feito Goosebumps series — R. L. Stine Model Home — Rivers Solomon Brave New World — Aldous Huxley The Color Purple — Alice Walker Slaughterhouse-Five — Kurt Vonnegut

5. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Our Fantasy Favorites!

   This week on "Well Read and Unfiltered", we’re sharing our fantasy favorites, the books that hooked us on the genre, and the fictional worlds we can’t stop thinking about. From epic series and dark standalones to unforgettable characters and magic systems, we’re getting into what makes a fantasy worth the commitment, and whether a little romance helps or hurts. Expect nostalgic favorites, unfiltered opinions, and more books for your already impossible TBR. What fantasy book or series will you always recommend? BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare Chain of Thorns - Cassandra Clare Twilight - Stephenie Meyer The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien The Faithful and the Fallen - John Gwynne His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas Tress of the Emerald Sea - Brandon Sanderson Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros The Will of the Many - James Islington The Strength of the Few - James Islington The Bloodsworn Saga - John Gwynne Of Blood and Bone - John Gwynne Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin Villains Series - V. E. Schwab Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson The Spellshop - Sarah Beth Durst The Enchanted Greenhouse - Sarah Beth Durst Sea of Charms - Sarah Beth Durst Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree Assistant to the Villain - Hannah Nicole Maehrer The Sword of Kaigen - M. L. Wang Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang The Grace of Kings - Ken Liu The Last Tale of the Flower Bride - Roshani Chokshi Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry Life of Pi - Yann Martel Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt Between Two Fires - Christopher Buehlman The Works of Vermin - Hiron Ennes Of Blood and Fire - Ryan Cahill Farseer trilogy - Robin Hobb One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig Shades of Magic - V. E. Schwab Nettle & Bone - T. Kingfisher Liveship Traders - Robin Hobb Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson The Dandelion Dynasty - Ken Liu Jade City - Fonda Lee Valour - John Gwynne The Blacktongue Thief - Christopher Buehlman The Knave and the Moon - Rachel Gillig The Poet Empress - Shen Tao The Poppy War - R. F. Kuang Babel - R. F. Kuang Yellowface - R. F. Kuang Katabasis - R. F. Kuang

6. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Upcoming Releases We're Excited About for the Remainder of 2026!

   We are looking ahead to the releases they’re most excited about for the rest of 2026, and your TBR is about to get longer! From unsettling horror and sweeping historical fiction to spicy holiday romances and highly anticipated fantasy, there’s something for every kind of reader. Along the way, we share our current reads, debate whether rereading can change your opinion of a book, and discuss the pressure on authors to deliver the next installment. Expect Shakespeare enthusiasm, romantasy FOMO, and a spirited disagreement about Christmas creeping into spooky season. Which upcoming releases are on your radar? BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon — Matt Dinniman Dungeon Crawler Carl — Matt Dinniman Dominion of Blades — Matt Dinniman Trailer Park Fairy Tales — Matt Dinniman The Knight and the Moth — Rachel Gillig The Knave and the Moon — Rachel Gillig One Dark Window — Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns — Rachel Gillig Bad Tourists — Caro Carver Mazywood — Tananarive Due The Reformatory — Tananarive Due Threshing Day — Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing / Empyrean series — Rebecca Yarros A Court of Thorns and Roses / ACOTAR series — Sarah J. Maas The Disappearers — Marlon James Scorpion Deep — C. G. Drews Don’t Let the Forest In — C. G. Drews You Did Nothing Wrong — C. G. Drews It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder — Ally Carter The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year — Ally Carter Exit Party — Emily St. John Mandel Station Eleven — Emily St. John Mandel Sea of Tranquility — Emily St. John Mandel Pin Feathers — Christina Henry The Girl in Red — Christina Henry Bunny — Mona Awad Christmas Staycation — Meghan Quinn How My Neighbor Stole Christmas — Meghan Quinn Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal — Meghan Quinn The Nightmare Before Kissmas — Sara Raasch American Hagwon — Min Jin Lee Pachinko — Min Jin Lee Off the Reservation — Stephen Graham Jones The Only Good Indians — Stephen Graham Jones The Buffalo Hunter Hunter — Stephen Graham Jones Cardinal Rule — Liz Tomforde Windy City series — Liz Tomforde The Two Wills — Blair Fell A Court of Splintered Harmony — Sarah J. Maas The Last King of Faerie — Cassandra Clare Shadowhunters series — Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments series — Cassandra Clare The Infernal Devices series — Cassandra Clare The Dark Artifices series — Cassandra Clare The Wicked Powers series — Cassandra Clare The Wolves of War — John Gwynne The Shadow of the Gods — John Gwynne The Faithful and the Fallen series — John Gwynne Valor — John Gwynne

7. 

   7 Sept 2026

   From Page to Screen: The Best Adaptations

   This week on "Well Read and Unfiltered", we debate the hits and misses of book-to-screen adaptations, from "Project Hail Mary" and "Off Campus" to "Jurassic Park" and "The Ruins". We unpack casting choices, changed endings, and what it takes to capture a story’s heart, then wrap up with a lightning round of adaptations they’re excited to watch or happy to skip. And all of this begs this question: Is the book always better? As always, please follow, like, share, and comment to help us find more avid readers and lovers of all things books! This truly helps us reach new people and improve our podcast! And be sure to follow us on Instagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast for more! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (Sci-fi) Off-Campus Series - Elle Kennedy (Romance) Heated Rivalry - Rachel Reid (Romance) The Ruins - Scott Smith (Horror) Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton (Sci-fi) Every Summer After - Carley Fortune (Romance) The Golden Summer - Carley Fortune (Romance) Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (Historical Fiction) Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (Fantasy) The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien (Fantasy) Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling (Fantasy) The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare (Romantasy) Sword Catcher - Cassandra Clare (Fantasy) Life of Pi - Yann Martel (Psychological Fiction) Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt (Literary Fiction) Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins (Dystopian Fiction) Verity - Colleen Hoover (Thriller) Odyssey - Homer (Epic Poem) The Love Hypothesis (Ali Hazelwood) Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros (Romantasy) The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction) Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin (Literary Fiction) The God of the Woods - Liz Moore (Thriller/Mystery) The Correspondent - Virginia Evans (Literary Fiction) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Historical Fiction/Romance) Whalefall - Daniel Kraus (Survival Horror) Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman (Horror) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) The Villains Series - V.E. Schwab (Sci-fi/Fantasy) East of Eden - John Steinbeck (Classic)

8. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Our August 2026 Reading Recap!

   August reading brought five-star surprises, major disappointments, and plenty of unfiltered opinions. We’re recapping the romances, fantasy epics, literary fiction, sci-fi, and horror that defined our month, then revealing the one book each of us recommends above all the rest. Pour yourself a drink, prepare to add to your TBR, and join the conversation! What was your best—or most disappointing—read of August? BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Blood Over Bright Haven — M. L. Wang The Sword of Kaigen — M. L. Wang Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros A Photo Finish — Elsie Silver Heartless — Elsie Silver Seed — Ania Ahlborn The Unseen — Ania Ahlborn The Shuddering — Ania Ahlborn Brother — Ania Ahlborn The Night We Met — Abby Jimenez Say You’ll Remember Me — Abby Jimenez Just for the Summer — Abby Jimenez I Leave It Up to You — Jinwoo Chong Them — W. H. Chizmar Scion — James Islington The Will of the Many — James Islington The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 — Beth Brower The Renovation — Kenan Orhan Malice — John Gwynne Valor — John Gwynne Ruin — John Gwynne A Time of Dread — John Gwynne The Wolves of War — John Gwynne We Burn So Bright — T. J. Klune The House in the Cerulean Sea — T. J. Klune Somewhere Beyond the Sea — T. J. Klune The Bones Beneath My Skin — T. J. Klune The Knight and the Moth — Rachel Gillig The Knave and the Moon — Rachel Gillig One Dark Window — Rachel Gillig Two Twisted Crowns — Rachel Gillig The Calamity Club — Kathryn Stockett The Help — Kathryn Stockett The Murderbot Diaries — Martha Wells

9. 

   24 Aug 2026

   Class is Back in Session: The Good, the Bad & "Billy Budd"

   Class is back in session, and so is the assigned reading trauma! This week on Well-Read and Unfiltered, we revisit the books and plays we were required to read in high school: the ones we loved, the ones we faked our way through with SparkNotes, and the ones we’re still holding a grudge against. From 1984, Lord of the Flies, and Macbeth to Casey's and K's mutual disdain for, Billy Budd, we’re talking literary crushes, confusing symbolism, unforgettable characters, and which books we’d assign to students today. What required-reading book left the biggest mark on you—for better or worse? Tell us in the comments! 🎓🍷 BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Giver - Lois Lowry Lord of the Flies - William Golding The Pearl - John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck 1984 - George Orwell The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon Much Ado About Nothing - William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare Macbeth - William Shakespeare Billy Budd - Herman Melville Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad All the King's Men - Robert Penn Warren To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens Les Misérables - Victor Hugo The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka Odyssey - Homer The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald Nuclear War: A Scenario - Annie Jacobsen Life of Pi - Yann Martel Beartown - Fredrik Backman Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer The Tao of Pooh - Benjamin Hoff Mythology - Edith Hamilton

10. 

    17 Aug 2026

    Books That Made Us Feel

    Some books entertain us. Others absolutely wreck us. 📚💔 This week on Well Read & Unfiltered, we’re talking about the books that made us feel: the ones that shattered our hearts, made us angry, left us speechless, or somehow became the stories we still think about years later. We ourselves (and the listeners!): Why do certain books affect us so deeply? And how much do our own experiences shape the way we connect with them? We also talk comfort reads, rereading old favorites, trigger warnings, and whether a book can ever be too emotionally devastating. Be sure to sound off in the comments: What book made the biggest emotional impact on you? The one that broke your heart, made you ugly cry, filled you with rage, or simply stayed with you long after you finished it? And be sure to follow us on Instagram at wellreadandfunfilteredpodcast! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST The Women — Kristin Hannah The Nightingale — Kristin Hannah The Great Alone — Kristin Hannah Hamnet — Maggie O’Farrell A Little Life — Hanya Yanagihara Theo of Golden — Allen Levi The Kite Runner — Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid Suns — Khaled Hosseini And the Mountains Echoed — Khaled Hosseini A Language of Limbs — Dylin Hardcastle My Friends — Fredrik Backman All the Colors of the Dark — Chris Whitaker Shark Heart — Emily Habeck Bird Box — Josh Malerman To Shake the Sleeping Self — Jedidiah Jenkins Small Town Horror — Ronald Malfi Red Rising — Pierce Brown Golden Son — Pierce Brown Morning Star — Pierce Brown I Was a Teenage Slasher — Stephen Graham Jones The Buffalo Hunter Hunter — Stephen Graham Jones American Rapture — C.J. Leede Liveship Traders Trilogy — Robin Hobb Farseer Trilogy — Robin Hobb Realm of the Elderlings — Robin Hobb The House in the Cerulean Sea — TJ Klune The Spellshop — Sarah Beth Durst Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir Dungeon Crawler Carl — Matt Dinniman The Caretaker — Marcus Kliewer Beartown — Fredrik Backman Tender Is the Flesh — Agustina Bazterrica The First Witch of Boston — Andrea Catalano The Fury of the Gods — John Gwynne It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over — Anne de Marcken

11. 

    11 Aug 2026

    Top 5 Books of 2026 (So Far!)

    We're a little more than halfway through the year means one thing: it’s time to crown our favorite books of 2026...thus far! In this episode of Well Read & Unfiltered, we each share: Our Top 5 books of the year One honorable mention Our biggest reading disappointments The stories we still can’t stop thinking about From literary fiction and horror to fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and nonfiction, this episode has recommendations for every kind of reader. Now we want to hear from you: What’s your favorite book you’ve read in 2026 so far? Drop it in the comments because we’re always looking to add more books to our TBR. Aaron's Top 5: "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi "The Bloodsworn Trilogy" by John Gwynne "Light Bringer" by Pierce Brown "Nuclear War: A Scenario" by Annie Jacobsen "Last Seen" by Christopher Castellani Honorable Mention: "So Old, So Young" by Grant Ginder Karen's Top 5: "A Parade of Horribles" by Matt Dinniman "Between Two Fires" by Christopher Buehlman "A Short Stay in Hell" by Steven L. Peck "Good Boy" by Neil McRobert "Vengeful" by VE Schwab Honorable mention - "Project Hail Nary" by Andy Weir Casey's Top 5: "One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig "Light Bringer" by Pierce Brown "Dark Age" by Pierce Brown "Rites of the Starling" by Devney Perry "In Her Own League" by Liz Tomforde Honorable Mention: "The Shippers" by Katherine Center

12. 

    4 Aug 2026

    Episode 5: Our July 2026 Reading Recap!

    July gave us everything: five-star classics, bizarre sci-fi, heartbreaking historical fiction, horror that left us speechless, and a few books that missed the mark! In this episode we’re sharing our biggest surprise reads, the books that didn’t quite live up to the hype, our favorite book of July, and the books we’re most excited to read next. What’s the best book you read in July? Let us know in the comments wherever you listened to this podcast! And be sure to follow us on Instagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast to get the latest updates! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Luminous Dead - Caitlin Starling (Horror) The Starving Saints - Caitlin Starling (Horror) Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton (Sci-fi) Congo - Michael Crichton (Sci-fi) My Friends - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) Beartown - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Romance) Forever, Interrupted - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Romance) A (Dead) Thing Like Me - E. G. Young (Cozy Horror)
The Boyhood of Cain - Michael Amherst (Literary Fiction) The Sixth Nik - Daniel Kraus (Sci-fi Horror) Whalefall - Daniel Kraus (Sci-fi Horror) A Darker Shade of Magic - V. E. Schwab (Fantasy) Villains Series - V. E. Schwab (Sci-fi Fantasy) Of Blood and Fire - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi) The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy) The Fall - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) John Dies at the End - Jason Pargin (Horror Comedy) There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel - Jason Pargin (Horror Comedy) East of Eden - John Steinbeck (Classic) Pachinko - Min Jin Lee (Historical Fiction) Off to the Races - Elsie Silver (Romance) Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (Historical Fiction) Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash (Satire Fiction) Angel Down - Daniel Kraus (Historical Horror) Valour - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Only Way Out Is Up - Django Wexler (Sci-fi) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) John of John - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction) Young Mungo - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction) Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction)

13. 

    27 Jul 2026

    Bookish Characters: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

    Episode 4 is all about the characters that stay with us long after we finish a book. We dive into what makes a truly unforgettable character, debate whether flawed protagonists are better than perfect heroes, celebrate our favorite sidekicks (human and animal), and reveal the book characters we simply can’t stand. From Red Rising and Dungeon Crawler Carl to Project Hail Mary, The Sword of Kaigen, Fourth Wing, Lord of the Rings, and more, it’s a fun, spoiler-light conversation about the fictional people who make us laugh, cry, rage, and keep turning the pages. BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satire Fiction) The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig (Romantasy) One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig (Romantasy) The Faithful and the Fallen Series - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Mean Ones - Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (Horror) Mile High - Liz Tomforde (Romance) A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) A Court of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Giovanni's Room - James Baldwin (Literary Fiction) The Sword of Kaigen - M. L. Wang (Fantasy) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (Sci-fi) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros (Romantasy) Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) The Bloodsworn Trilogy - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (Fantasy) The Devils - Joe Abercrombie (Fantasy) Between Two Fires - Christopher Buehlman (Horror/Fantasy) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) Deep End - Ali Hazelwood (Romance) We Are Legion (We Are Bob) - Dennis E. Taylor (Sci-fi) The Stormlight Archive series - Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) Adrift - Will Dean (Thriller) The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) North Woods - Daniel Mason (Historical Fiction) Land - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction)
Of Blood and Fire - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune (Romance) Sarafina - Philip Fracassi (Horror) Fabulous Bodies - Chuck Tingle (horror) ACCOUNTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE @thewindedbibliophile

14. 

    20 Jul 2026

    The Next Read Dilemma

    This week on Well-Read & Unfiltered, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions every reader faces: How do you decide what to read next? From meticulously planned TBRs to chaotic mood reading, social media recommendations, book clubs, and the pressure of FOMO, we’re unpacking how our reading choices are shaped, and whether that’s a good thing. Are you a planner, a mood reader, or a full-on chaos gremlin? We’d love to hear your process! After listening to this episode, come back and join the conversation below. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, save, and share this post, and please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review because it helps more readers discover Well-Read & Unfiltered. And as always, be sure to follow our account on Instagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast for the latest news and updates! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Recursion - Blake Crouch (Sci-fi) Heartless - Elsie Silver (Romance) Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang (Sci-fi/Fantasy) East of Eden - John Steinbeck (Classic) The Second Death of Locke - V. L. Bovalino (Romantasy) Empire of the Vampire -Jay Kristoff (Fantasy) Iron Gold - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) The Shining - Stephen King (Horror) Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak (Classic) Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satire Fiction) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (LitRPG) The Birds - Daphne du Maurier (Classic Horror) Hollow Kingdom - Kira Jane Buxton (Horror The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller (Fantasy) Earthlings - Sayaka Murata (Literary Horror)
Land - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction) The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (DDC3)- Matt Dinniman (LitRPG) North Woods - Daniel Mason (Literary Fiction) Trad Wife - Sarah Langan (Horror) Trad Wife - Saratoga Schaefer (Horror) Sarafina - Philip Fracassi (Horror) Rise of the Ranger - Philip C. Quaintrell (Fantasy) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A. Parker (Romantasy) The Everlasting - Alix E. Harrow (Fantasy) Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune (Romance) Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy (Literary Thriller) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy)

15. 

    13 Jul 2026

    Are Book Reviews Dead on Social Media?

    Are book reviews dead on social media, or have they simply been forced to evolve? In this episode, we talk about how the Bookstagram algorithm favors pretty photos, quick reactions, and trope lists over thoughtful reviews. We also compare our different rating styles, discuss review burnout, and ask what really makes a book five stars. Listeners: Are book reviews dead on social media? Comment below, and be sure to go check out our account on Bookstagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast for our latest post about this week's episode! Books Mentioned in this Episode The Open Era - Edward Schmit (LGBTQIA+ Romance) Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) The Caretaker - Marcus Kliewer (Horror) Small Town Horror - Ronald Malfi (Horror) The Tell-Tale Butt - Chuck Tingle (Sentient Romance) A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Shy Girl - Mia Ballard (Horror) A Language of Limbs - Dylin Hardcastle (Literary Fiction) Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One - Jack Townsend (Horror Comedy) The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller (Fantasy/Romance) Celestial Lights - Cecile Pin (Sci-fi/(Literary Fiction) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (Sci-fi) Dark Age - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Cold Sweat - Vera Valentine (Sentient Romance) Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) The Spellshop - Sarah Beth Durst (Cozy Fantasy) Assistant to the Villain - Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Cozy Romantasy) The Bloodsworn Saga - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Faithful and the Fallen - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A. Parker (Romantasy) Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satirical Fiction) A Parade of Horribles - Matt Dinniman (Lit RPG) The Butcher's Masquerade - Matt Dinniman (Lit RPG) Bookstagram Accounts Mentioned in Episode @bookwyrm.beth

16. 

    7 Jul 2026

    Introducing Well-read & Unfiltered and Your Hosts: Aaron, K, Casey, and Hillary!

    Welcome to Episode 1 of Well-Read & Unfiltered! In our debut episode, we're introducing ourselves through the books and experiences that shaped us as readers. We share how we found Bookstagram, our favorite and least favorite genres, our auto-buy authors, and the stories that continue to define our reading lives. Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and join us for the very first unfiltered conversation. 📚🎙️

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

7 ratings

Contact Well-read & Unfiltered

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.