Medium Lady Reads

Jillian O'Keefe and Erin Vandeven
  • 5.0 (4)
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Medium Lady Reads is a podcast about reading as self-care, a passionate love for the public library, and plenty of thoughts and opinions about book culture having its moment.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 54: I should have DNFd it and other tales from our winter hiatus

    Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 54, “I should have DNFd it and other tales from our winter hiatus.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We are back after a winter hiatus, and still in the thick of our winter reading. While the hiatus went a bit longer than we expected, we’re still here, and we’re still reading! Sort of…and we still have a series of book reviews coming your way, plus the cozy book chat you know and love! In This Episode: Jillian and Erin kick off the show by checking in and sharing how their last couple of months have been going and what they’re currently reading.Bring on the books! The ladies share their latest 6 reads.Hot takes are up next! Tune in to hear what Erin and Jillian are dishing about this week. Time to wrap up the show… The ladies share what they’re waiting for from the library and what their next read will be.Books Mentioned In This Episode: The Mating Game by Lana FergusonBride by Ali HazelwoodI Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline HarpmanAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterThe Death of Us by Abigail DeanWhy Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu MillerRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltAll Fours by Miranda JulyAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerThis Poison Heart by Kalynn BayronThis Wicked Fate by Kalynn BayronCirce by Madeline MillerThe Mother Act by Heidi ReimerTheo of Golden by Allen Levi The Midnight Library by Matt HaigThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansVerity by Colleen HooverProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanAnd Now Back to You by B.K. BorisonSo Old, So Young by Grant GinderThe Housemaid by Freida McFaddenThe Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise WilliamsAnatomy of an Alibi by Ashley ElstonFirst Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

    46 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    Episode 53: Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year

    Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 53, “Trust your Gut and Read What You Want PLUS our Best Books of the Year.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re so happy you’re here—especially in this cozy, end-of-year stretch. Whether you’ve been listening all along or you’re finding us for the first time, thank you for choosing to spend a little reading time with us. Today we’re settling in with fresh book talk, comforting reads, and a few titles that might be just right for this quiet in-between week. In This Episode: It’s time for a check-in! The ladies check in on how their reading and life are going.After the check in, the ladies jump into their book reviews. Tune in to hear what books they’re recommending this week. Instead of Hot Takes, this week the ladies are sharing the books that stuck with them throughout the year.The ladies wrap up their last show of the year by sharing what’s on their holds list and what’s coming next on their TBR. The ladies will be taking a winter break for all of January, but will be back in February.Books Mentioned In This Episode: Alchemised by SenLinYuA Merry Little Life by Sarah MorganHalf Spent Was the Night by Ami McKayMate by Ali HazelwoodThe Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'NeillGirl Dinner by Olivie BlakeThe Will of the Many by James IslingtonThe Strength of the Few by James IslingtonSweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaHoney and Spice by Bolu BablolaCovenant of Water by Abraham VergheseThe Dirt Beneath Our Door by Pamela JonesLovelight Farms by B.K. BorisonThe Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray HintonWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyCan’t Get Enough by Kennedy RyanThe Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’CloverWeyward by Emilia HartThe Frozen River by Ariel LawhonThe Unseen World by Liz MooreWomen Who Work Too Much by Tamu ThomasOne Perfect Summer by Carley FortuneThe Gift by Danielle SteelThe Everlasting by Alix E. HarrowAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterMeet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss

    42 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Episode 52: Romantasy VS Your English Lit degree

    Hello, hi, and “Welcome back to Medium Lady Reads! This is Episode 52, “Romantasy VS Your English Lit Degree.” As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re really glad you’ve joined us today. As we ease deeper into the holiday season, maybe your reading life feels steady and cozy… or maybe it’s a little chaotic. Either way, we’ve got some great books to share that might meet you exactly where you are. In This Episode: The ladies start the show the same way they usually do by checking in on how their reading and life is going. Time to jump into the meat of the episode! Erin starts the show off with her review, and Jillian’s review follows it.Next up is hot takes! This week, the ladies discuss this Instagram reel from @kaila.books.Erin and Jillian wrap up with the holds list and share what they’re going to read next. Books Mentioned In This Episode: Sweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaThe Will of the Many by James IslingtonPrimal Intelligence by Angus FletcherIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaSisters In the Wind by Angeline BoulleyThe Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline BoulleyWreck by Catherine NewmanSandwich by Catherine NewmanWe All Want Impossible Things by Catherine NewmanBat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerCareless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsBrimstone by Callie HartRun Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James PattersonAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlisterThe Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'NeillKatabasis by R. F. Kuang Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlaneThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiThe Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson Hagitude by Sharon BlackieAlchemised by SenLinYuSnowed In For Christmas by Jaqueline Snowe

    45 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Episode 51: Cozy Christmas Reads 2025

    Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 51 - A VERY special episode, our FIFTH annual Cozy Christmas Reads! This is the perfect time of year for some emotional junk food in book form! We are celebrating the fifth season of our annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode. Here are the links to 2021, 2022 and 2023 and 2024. For those who know the Cozy Christmas episode traditions well, you know that means we’re joined by two amazing and special guests Stef Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender. In This Episode: The show starts how it always does, with the ladies & their special guests checking in on how their reading is going.The ladies rank their reads from Scrooge to Christmas on Hallmark Street.Next up, the friends share the books they brought to the episode. Listener, you’ll be walking away with 8 cozy books for your holiday listening.It wouldn’t be an episode of Medium Lady Reads without hot takes. Tune in to find out what we’re all thinking.All four women share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’re reading next.Books Mentioned in This Episode: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker Maple Syrup: A Short History of Canada's Sweetest Obsession by Peter KuitenbrouwerMistborn by Brandon SandersonTress and The Emerald Sea by Brandon SandersonHot Desk by Laura DickermanGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryGirl Dinner by Olivie BlakeI’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny BaylissSeason for Second Chances by Jenny BaylissMeet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny BaylissThe Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny BaylissDecember to Remember by Jenny BaylissKiss Me at Christmas by Jenny BaylissHalf Spent was the Night by Ami McKay The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella by Nita ProseA Merry Little Lie by Sarah MorganThe Book Club Hotel by Sarah MorganThe Bookbinder by Pip WilliamsThe Dictionary of Lost of Words by Pip WilliamsGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonLove Light Farms by B.K. BorisonFirst Time Caller by B.K. BorisonThe Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally CarterChristmas at the Ranch by Julia McKayHow to Read a Book by Monica WoodOne In A Million Boy by Monica WoodThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaSweet Heat by Bolu BabalolaIn the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie CassidyAlchemised by SenLinYu Spectacular by Stephanie GarberWinterhouse by Ben GutersonWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyThe Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeanWreck by Catherine NewmanThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans Walking with Beth by Merilyn SimondsAccomplish to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer August Lane by Regina Black

    52 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    Episode 50: Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We've All Been Waiting For

    Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 50 - “Celebrating Fifty Episodes plus the Book Review We’ve All Been Waiting For.”  As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! We’re so happy you’re tuning in for episode 50!! The days are getting a little shorter, the reading spots a little cozier, and we’ve got some wonderful books to keep you company this season. Pour yourself something warm, settle in, and let’s talk about the stories we’ve been loving lately. In This Episode: Erin and Jillian open the show with some celebratory words for their 50th episode! The ladies check in to see how their reading and life is going.Time to jump into the meat of this week’s episode; the ladies share their 3 books each. Next up is hot takes! This week’s hot take comes from our buddy read friend Stef Cunningham. Tune in to hear what it is!The Holds List wraps up the show! Jillian and Erin share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’ll be reading next.Books Mentioned In This Episode: The Book of Guilt by Catherine ChidgeyGood Spirits by B.K. BorisonThe House of My Mother by Shari FrankeDream By the Shadows by Logan KarlieDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanThe Hike by Drew MagaryZoey is Too Drunk for This Dystopia by Jason ParginLauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna RobinsonThe Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’CloverThe Wilderness by Angela FlournoyThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansMate by Ali HazelwoodFlashlight by Susan ChoiThe Hunger We Pass Down by Jen Sookfong LeeSisters in the Wind by Angeline BoulleyPeople Watching by Hannah Bonam-YoungReWitched by Lucy Jane WoodWreck by Catherine Newman Girl Dinner by Olivie BlakeIt’s Different This Time by Joss RichardIf It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

    45 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    Episode 49: The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst

    Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 49 - “The First Ten Percent of a Book is the Worst!”  As always, Erin and Jillian have new book recommendations to share! Grab your beverage of choice, find your coziest corner, and join Jillian and Erin for their latest reads. They love having you as their honorary third reader, and who knows—maybe one of today’s picks will be your next five-star favorite. In This Episode: Erin and Jillian check in on how their reading and lives have been going. Time to jump into the reviews for this episode. Jillian and Erin share their latest 3 books. Mentioned in This Episode: Embracing Enchantment with Megan Hamilton.Mentioned in This Episode: Leila Mottley on The Stacks Podcast.Hot Takes is up next. Tune in to learn what we’re talking about this week. Last but not least, the ladies share what they have on hold and what they’ll be reading next. Books Mentioned In This Episode: Carry On by Rainbow RowellBirding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb Weyward by Emilia HartThe Secret History by Donna TarttSister Snake by Amanda Lee KoeA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaThe Girls Who Grew Big by Leila MottleyNightcrawling by Leila MottleyCrazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver Kooky Spooky Love by Josie Silver The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie MackesyDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanI’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny BaylissHot Desk by Laura DickermanPeriod Power by Maisie HillThe Compound by Aisling RawleMaggie; or, a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie YeeThe Secret Book Society by Madeline MartinOne Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

    43 min

  7. 10/15/2025

    Episode 48: Five Stars, Please.

    Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 48 - “Five Stars, Please.” As always, Jillian and Erin have a fresh batch of book recommendations they’re excited to share. So pour yourself something warm, grab a blanket, and let’s talk about what we’ve been reading lately. Erin and Jillian always want you to feel like the third reader in our chat. With any luck, you’ll leave this episode with at least one new title to put on your library holds list—and maybe even your next favorite book.” In This Episode: Erin and Jillian check in on how their reading and lives have been going. It’s time to share their 3 books each! What will the ladies bring to the show this week? Tune in to find out. Mentioned in This Episode: Cozy Christmas Reads 2024Next up, is Hot Takes and today Jillian and Erin are talking about a reel that Mychal Threets put out about rating books. Watch it HERE.Mentioned in this Episode: Medium Lady Reads 45.Jillian and Erin wrap up with the holds list. Listen in to find out what’s on each woman’s hold list.Books Mentioned In This Episode: The Wilderness by Angela FlournoyCrazy Spooky Love by Josie SilverWinging It with You by Chip PonsI Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo ChongThe Breakaway by Jennifer WeinerMe, But Better by Olga KhazanOnce Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley JordanWe Are All Guilty Here by Karin SlaughterAll The Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerThe Plan by Kendra AdachiIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaGideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirDungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanPeople Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young

    39 min

  8. 09/16/2025

    Episode 47: Is Romantasy Just a Marketing Ploy

    Hello, hi, and welcome to Medium Lady Reads. This is episode 47 - “Is Romantasy Just a Marketing Ploy?” Time to set up a fresh TBR for fall, and Jillian and Erin are ready to help you pick your next perfect read. Fall is here, and there’s just something about this season that makes reading feel a little more magical. The days are shorter, the air is cooler, and books start to feel like the perfect way to spend your free time (if you get any!). This episode is your reminder that stories are always waiting to welcome you back, so even if it’s been a while since you finished a book, let’s find your next favorite read together! In This Episode: Jillian and Erin check in with their reading and life. Mentioned in this Episode: Embracing Enchantment - The Magic of BooksMentioned in this Episode: The Tiny Bookshop Game by Neoludic InstagramNext up, Erin and Jillian bring their books to the episode. Wonder what they’re bringing this week? Tune in!This week’s hot take is all about Romantasy. Where do each of the ladies stand? Listen in to find out.Finally, the ladies end with the holds list and what they have waiting for them at the library. Books Mentioned In This Episode: Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley JordanWeyward by Emilia Hart Run for the Hills by Kevin WilsonHome of the American Circus by Allison LarkinFamily Family by Laurie FrankelThe Safekeep by Yael van der WoudenThe Summers Between Us by Noreen NanjaEvery Summer After by Carley FortuneOne Golden Summer by Carley FortuneAftertaste by Daria LavelleAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerUnder the Whispering Door by TJ KluneTill Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosTo the Moon and Back by Eliana RamageOrbital by Samantha HarveyAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidShopgirls by Jessica Anya BlauA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThe Borrower by Rebecca MakkaiA Witch’s Guide to Burning by Aminder Dhaliwal Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt DinnimanBlood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

    41 min
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About

Medium Lady Reads is a podcast about reading as self-care, a passionate love for the public library, and plenty of thoughts and opinions about book culture having its moment.

Information

  • Creator
    Jillian O'Keefe and Erin Vandeven
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Medium Lady Reads
  • Show Website
    Medium Lady Reads