The Jolly Reader

Maria
  • 5.0 (13)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

This may not be an audiobook, but it is a whimsical podcast where I recap and react to young adult murder mystery books, one unhinged chapter at a time. I break books down chapter by chapter, full of spoilers, bad jokes, and big opinions. I also chat with authors and share bookish chaos on social media.

  1. Last Seen Leaving Part 1

    13H AGO

    Last Seen Leaving Part 1

    We are starting the book Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig, covering Chapters 1–9 pages 1-98. When Flynn’s girlfriend January disappears without a trace, he becomes one the last person to see her alive, and immediately the spotlight turns on him. The police have questions. The town has opinions. And the cracks in Flynn and January’s relationship start looking a lot deeper than anyone realized. As suspicion builds and secrets begin surfacing, we unpack the pressure Flynn is under, what this opening section reveals about their relationship, and the uncomfortable realization that the truth might be far more complicated than it first appears. This episode also includes discussion of mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone. 📚 Grab the book here: https://amzn.to/4bWnn9n As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! 🎧 If you need a good laugh or just want to hang out with me between episodes, find all my chaos here: https://linktr.ee/thejollyreader 💜 Support The Show If you’d like to support The Jolly Reader, you can donate! 🌹 Produced by Neon Rose LLC This podcast is a Neon Rose production. All rights reserved. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    54 min
  2. Five Survive Part 3

    12/31/2025

    Five Survive Part 3

    The road trip officially goes off the rails. In this episode, we finish Five Survive by Holly Jackson, covering chapters 31–40 (pages 264–386). Someone is kicked out of the RV, shots are fired, and it becomes clear that the most dangerous threats may not be outside at all. The title of this book is starting to feel a lot less metaphorical. 📚 Grab the book here: Five Survive by Holly Jackson As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! 🎧 If you need a good laugh or just want to hang out with me between episodes, find all my chaos here: https://linktr.ee/thejollyreader 🌹 Produced by Neon Rose LLC This podcast is a Neon Rose production. All rights reserved. 💜 Support The Show If you’d like to support The Jolly Reader, you can donate! Your support helps me buy new books and keep this chaotic book club going. Thanks, Crew! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 6m
  3. Five Survive Part 2

    12/20/2025

    Five Survive Part 2

    We’re back in the RV with even more tension, more secrets, and yes, still six people… for now. In part two of Five Survive by Holly Jackson, we’re covering chapters 17–30 (pages 128–263), and the paranoia is getting real. Allegiances are shifting, trust is evaporating, and the group's “plan” is basically, panic and yell. Is anyone telling the truth? Who’s really being targeted? And how are there still six people alive? 📚 Grab the book here: Five Survive by Holly Jackson As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! 🎧 If you need a good laugh or just want to hang out with me between episodes, find all my chaos here: https://linktr.ee/thejollyreader 🌹 Produced by Neon Rose LLC This podcast is a Neon Rose production. All rights reserved. 💜 Support The Show If you’d like to support The Jolly Reader, you can donate! Your support helps me buy new books and keep this chaotic book club going. Thanks, Crew! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    53 min
  4. Bonus: Katie Bernet-Author Interview

    12/11/2025 · BONUS

    Bonus: Katie Bernet-Author Interview

    🎙️ Author Interview: Katie Bernet | Beth Is Dead Little Women reimagined in this twisty, emotional thriller about sisterhood, secrets, and murder.... In this special interview episode of The Jolly Reader, I sit down with debut author Katie Bernet to talk all things Beth Is Dead, the inaugural release from Sarah Barley Books, hitting shelves on January 6, 2026. We dive into how Katie reimagined Little Women as a modern YA murder mystery, what drew her to the March sisters, and how she brought each character to life in a world of true crime obsession, family secrets, and online fame. Katie shares behind-the-scenes insight into her writing process, her journey from creative director to published author, and advice for aspiring writers (especially my listener crew dreaming of writing their own books someday). 🛍️ Preorder/Beth Is Dead Links & 📆 Katie’s Book Tour Dates: 📚 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Beth-Is-Dead/Katie-Bernet/9781665988698 📱 Follow Katie Bernet: 🔗 https://linktr.ee/katie.bernet Thanks again to Katie for joining me and to YOU, listener friends, for showing up, screaming about books, and demanding justice for Beth March. 💜 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 7m
  5. Five Survive Part 1

    11/04/2025

    Five Survive Part 1

    We’re kicking off Five Survive by Holly Jackson, and things are already going off the rails. In this episode, I break down chapters 1-16 (pages 1–127), where six friends on a spring break road trip find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere… with a flat tire, no signal, and a lurking sense that this was no accident. 📚 Grab the book here: Five Survive by Holly Jackson As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you! 🎧 If you need a good laugh or just want to hang out with me between episodes, find all my chaos here: https://linktr.ee/thejollyreader 🌹 Produced by Neon Rose LLC This podcast is a Neon Rose production. All rights reserved. 💜 Support The Show If you’d like to support The Jolly Reader, you can donate! Your support helps me buy new books and keep this chaotic book club going. Thanks, Crew! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    55 min
  6. Seven Dirty Secrets Part 3

    08/19/2025

    Seven Dirty Secrets Part 3

    Seven Dirty Secrets – Part Three: Chapters 21–31 (Pages 210–313) Alright crew… it’s the final stretch, and the chaos is peaking. In this episode, we’re tackling the last section of Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards and everything we thought we knew is getting turned upside down. Secrets are exploding into the open, trust is completely shattered, and the danger hits way too close. We even get what I can only describe as an accusing people pizza party, before it all circles back to where it began for a dramatic and dangerous finale. 💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse: Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support. 📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781 Thanks to our sponsor TK Books, TKBooksLLC.com If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media: www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/ www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    53 min
  7. Seven Dirty Secrets Part 2

    08/07/2025

    Seven Dirty Secrets Part 2

    Part 2: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 10-20 / Pages 98–209) In this episode, we dive into the second half of Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards, and let’s just say: the paranoia is rising, the clues are coming in fast, and the trust levels are at an all-time low. We’re unraveling more of the scavenger hunt , trying to figure out who’s behind it all, and questioning everyone’s motives, yes even the ones we thought were safe. 💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse: Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support. 📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781 If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media: www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/ www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    48 min
  8. Seven Dirty Secrets Part 1

    07/15/2025

    Seven Dirty Secrets Part 1

    Part 1: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 1–9 / Pages 1–97) In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of Seven Dirty Secrets, where a mysterious scavenger hunt kicks off a tense and twisty birthday like no other. With cryptic clues and dangerous secrets waiting to be unearthed, the suspense builds fast… and no one feels safe. I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781 Our wonderful sponsor this week is Proliffic.com. Where you can find a new writing prompt everyday to help you become a better writer!! Also check out Rebecca Danzenbaker's new book SOULMATCH. https://www.amazon.com/Soulmatch-Rebecca-Danzenbaker/dp/1665963700 If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media: www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/ www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!!! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 9m
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5
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About

This may not be an audiobook, but it is a whimsical podcast where I recap and react to young adult murder mystery books, one unhinged chapter at a time. I break books down chapter by chapter, full of spoilers, bad jokes, and big opinions. I also chat with authors and share bookish chaos on social media.

Information

  • Creator
    Maria
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Jolly Reader