Kris and Mads

Kristen and Maddie
  • 5.0 (43)
  • BOOKS
Kris and Mads

This is a show about stories for storytellers and story lovers, hosted by sisters Kristen and Maddie, lifelong readers and recent booktokers with a 100k+ following. We're here for unfiltered, unhinged conversations with fellow content creators and storytellers, and we will feature the occasional rant or rave about the stories that are ripping our hearts out and putting them back together again, or maybe making us pee our pants, so long as they are telling us the truth about what it is to be human. Welcome to the Sisterhood!

  1. MAR 27

    Adalyn Grace Interview: The Dark & Romantic World of Belladonna and What's Next!

    Join us for an exclusive interview with Adalyn Grace, the bestselling author of the Belladonna series! We dive into the gothic romance, haunting mysteries, and swoon-worthy characters that make this series a must-read. Adalyn shares behind-the-scenes insights into Signa and Death’s dynamic relationship, her inspiration for the lush, eerie world of Thorn Grove, and what fans can expect next.If you love dark fantasy, romantic gothic fiction, and books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more author interviews, book discussions, and fantasy recommendations!Here's Adalyn's website: https://adalyngraceauthor.com/You can follow Adalyn Grace on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradalyngrace/📚 Get Belladonna here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Belladonna-by-Adalyn-Grace/9781399736961🔔 Subscribe for more bookish content!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #Belladonna #AdalynGrace #FantasyBooks #GothicRomance #BookTok #DarkFantasy #Romantasy #AuthorInterview

    58 min

  2. MAR 20

    There's NO WAY That’s YA! The Blurred Lines of Young Adult, New Adult & Adult Fantasy

    What really defines a Young Adult (YA) book versus a New Adult (NA) or Adult Fantasy? And why do these distinctions feel more confusing than ever? In this episode, we explore the blurred lines between YA, NA, and Adult books, particularly in the fantasy genre. Our perspectives on YA fantasy have shifted. Kristen now gravitates toward YA fantasy series because they tend to be shorter, more efficient in storytelling, and plot-driven. Plus, when romance is included, it can have more depth and emotional substance instead of relying on spice or smut. Maddie, on the other hand, champions Adult Fantasy but also investigates the publishing industry’s role in categorizing and marketing books. We dive into: 📖 Why YA books often earn their page count 📖 How the presence of “spice” is (or isn’t) a defining factor 📖 The challenges booksellers face in shelving YA vs. NA vs. Adult books 📖 How the publishing industry influences these categories 📖 Why marketing books appropriately is crucial for the right audience If you’ve ever wondered why some books feel miscategorized or why you love (or avoid) YA books as an adult, this discussion is for you! Let us know your thoughts: Should “Young Adult” still be a genre, or is it just confusing readers? Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #YoungAdultBooks #NewAdult #AdultFantasy #BookishPodcast #BookCommunity #FantasyReaders #BookDiscussion #PublishingIndustry #YAbooks #NAbooks #BookMarketing #SpicyBooks #FantasyBookSeries #BookTok #Bookstagram

    57 min

  3. MAR 12

    Never-Ending TBR? We Have the Cure!

    🚨 STOP rushing through your TBR! 🚨 Books don’t expire, and there’s NO reason to stress about reading books while they’re trending. In this episode, we break down our mantra: Good Books Will Be Good Forever and prove our point with 10 books that have stood the test of time 📖✨We’re talking about:✔️ Why the pressure to read new releases is unnecessary✔️ The problem with hype-driven reading✔️ 10 books over 10 years old that still SLAP 🔥Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien07:57 Dune – Frank Herbert11:33 Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card14:26 Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl17:05 Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen19:41 The Infernal Devices Trilogy – Cassandra Clare21:26 Mistborn Trilogy – Brandon Sanderson23:01 And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie24:42 Wayward Pines Trilogy – Blake Crouch26:59 The Realm of the Elderlings – Robin Hobb🔔 Subscribe for more bookish deep dives and hot takes! Let’s savor our reading and stop letting hype dictate our TBRs.Would love to hear your thoughts! Do you feel pressure to read books ASAP before they fade from popularity? Drop a comment! 👇Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BookPodcast #TimelessBooks #MustReadBooks #BacklistBooks #TBRProblems #GoodBooksWillBeGoodForever #ReadingFOMO #NoRushReading #ClassicReads

    31 min

  4. MAR 6

    Are Book Reviews Trash?! We Have Thoughts…

    As the 20th best reviewer on Goodreads (out of 150 million users!), Maddie shares the truth about book ratings, how reviews impact our reading experiences, and why they might not be as objective as we think. Kristen, on the other hand, is overcoming her doubts about whether reviewing books is worth the effort. We break down how we rate books, the difference between popularity and quality, and whether our ratings actually change over time. Whether you're a dedicated reviewer or just want to know if that viral book is actually good, this episode is for you! Mentioned in this Episode Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Artificial Wisdom by Thomas Weaver The Grace Year by Kim Liggett The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Brandon Sanderson’s lectures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEUh_y1IFZY Timestamps00:00 – Intro 00:13 – Maddie is the 20th top reviewer on Goodreads! 01:56 – Kristen’s reluctance to write book reviews 02:40 – How writing reviews helps Maddie think critically & guide readers 06:07 – Why good reviews include both strengths & weaknesses 08:58 – Maddie’s reading tracking spreadsheet: why she made it 10:16 – Maddie’s rubric for rating & reviewing books 14:25 – How reviewing books helps you learn your taste 16:30 – What earns 5 stars in the character category? 21:20 – Are popular books actually good? Does hype = quality? 25:04 – How we rate plot differently 28:36 – Can ratings change over time? Are reviews even objective? 33:08 – How we analyze themes in books 41:18 – Final thoughts on rating & reviewing Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.madsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmadsAll our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BookReview #Goodreads #BookTok #BookPodcast #BookRatings #ReadingCommunity #BookLover #Bookish

    45 min

  5. FEB 19

    The Self-Help Books That Transformed Our Money, Manifesting, Mental Health & More

    In this episode, we get raw and honest, sharing our biggest mistakes and breakthroughs in each of these areas: finances, authenticity, manifesting, simplifying, parenting, physical health, mental health, and career. From hard lessons learned to the transformative books that reshaped our mindsets, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real, messy, and often unpopular truths behind our self-improvement. If you’ve ever wondered what non-fiction books changed how we think, tune in! Books Mentioned: Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks Simple Matters by Erin Boyle Heart Thoughts by Louise L. Hay Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman Moon Time by Lucy H. Pearce Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols 10% Happier by Dan Harris Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:48 Finances 06:42 Authenticity  10:13 Manifesting 13:58 Simplifying 21:34 Parenting 29:41 Physical Health 33:36 Mental Health 36:56 Entrepreneurship  Let’s connect! Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.mads Instagam: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads To check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly #BookTube #selfhelpbooks #selfdiscovery #selfimprovement #selfgrowth #BookClub #Reading #Books #manifesting #meditation #mimimalism #money #parentingbooks #careerbooks #health #wellness #wellnessbooks

    44 min

  6. FEB 14

    Books We BOTH Rated 5 Stars 📚 Our Top Book Recommendations Across 8 Genres!

    In this episode, we’re recommending 16 incredible books that we both rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ across 8 genres—even though we don’t always agree! Whether you love sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, magical realism, romantasy, contemporary romance, literary fiction, or YA fantasy books, you'll find a recommendation on this list. If you enjoy deep themes, analyzing entertainment, discussing popular media, and being part of a book club-style conversation, join us for this episode! Subscribe for more book recommendations, in-depth discussions, and literary deep dives! 📚✨ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:02 Two sci-fi books that we both rated 5 stars 11:31 Two high fantasy books that we both rated 5 stars 22:03 Two poetic books with flowery prose that we both rated 5 stars 27:08 Two romantasy romance books that we both rated 5 stars 33:46 Two contemporary books that we both rated 5 stars 38:56 Two magical realism books that we both rated 5 stars 46:50 Two literary fiction books that we both rated 5 stars 54:10 Two young adult fantasy books that we both rated 5 stars 59:42 Is there such a thing as a perfect book? Books Mentioned: Red Rising by Pierce Brown Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang The Will of the Many by James Islington If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio Masters of Death by Olivie Blake One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig Belladonna by Adalyn Grace Happy Place by Emily Henry The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Let’s connect! Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kris.and.mads Instagam: https://www.instagram.com/krisandmads All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads To check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here: https://www.youtube.com/@SeeRayHardly #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #BookRecommendations #5StarBooks #ThrillerBooks #SciFiBooks #YAFantasy #Romantasy #LiteraryFiction #MagicalRealism #MustReadBooks #BookClubReads #PopularBooks #BooksWorthTheHype #DeepThemes #StoryAnalysis #BestBooks2025 #BookLovers #TBRList #ReadingRecommendations #FictionLovers

    1h 3m

  7. FEB 6

    Exposing Ourselves: Shadow Work with Existential Kink’s Carolyn Elliott

    Are you ready to break free from repeating patterns and uncover the hidden desires shaping your life? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Carolyn Elliott, author of Existential Kink, to explore the transformative practice of shadow work. If you're a reader who loves self-help books, personal development, and discovering new tools for growth, this interview is for you. Carolyn shares how embracing the unconscious parts of ourselves—yes, even the uncomfortable ones—can lead to profound breakthroughs in relationships, finances, and creativity. Whether you're stuck in a cycle you can't escape or just looking for your next must-read book, Existential Kink offers a fresh, fun, and empowering approach to leveling up your life. Tune in to hear how this book became essential in our journey and why it might just be the missing piece in yours! You can find out more about Carolyn's work and her book Existential Kink here: https://carolynlovewell.com/ Let’s connect! Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood Have a business inquiry? Email us: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com TikTok:   / kris.and.mads   Instagam:   / krisandmads   All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads To check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:    / @seerayhardly   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Two Truths and a Lie 04:42 What is Existential Kink? - Shadow Work and Radical Acceptance 11:36 Why Change if you already have everything you want? 14:44 Maddie’s kink 18:05 The knight and the lady - conscious and unconscious love story 21:42 Aligning the subconscious and conscious selves 23:58 What about collective kinks of society? Feeling like a victim. 26:27 Kristen’s kink - and what our favorite romance tropes teach us about our unconscious selves 30:18 What about global patterns of pain and violence? Can shadow work have an impact? 36:14 Maddie’s thoughts on impacting the collective experience 38:53 Is magic real? #ShadowWork #ExistentialKink #CarolynElliott #PersonalGrowth #SelfHelpBooks #BreakTheCycle #InnerWork #BookLovers #TBRList #MindsetShift #UnconsciousDesires #SpiritualAwakening #TransformYourLife #BookClubReads #EmpowermentJourney #SelfDiscovery #HealingJourney #GrowthMindset #NewBookRecommendations #OvercomingPatterns #BookClub #Reading #Books

    45 min

  8. JAN 29

    The Best & Worst Book Club Reads of 2024 | What We Loved, Hated, & Wish We Hadn’t Read

    ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Find Our Other Links and Resources⁠ Email: contact.kris.and.mads@gmail.com 📚 We read 12 books with our book club in 2024 – and let’s just say, some were incredible, some were just okay, and a few we seriously regretted! In this episode, we rank our book club picks, sharing which books sparked deep discussions (including our deep thoughts on death and life’s meaning) and which ones fell flat. If you're looking for the best books to read with your book club (or want to avoid the duds), this episode is for you!👀 Books we discuss: All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks Butcher and Blackbird by Brynn Weaver Powerless by Lauren Roberts Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings Normal People by Sally Rooney Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom Wool by Hugh Howey The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie The Book of Doors by Garreth Brown Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Listen to find out which ones were hits and misses! ✅ Perfect for: Finding must-read book club books Choosing books that spark discussion Avoiding book club books that don’t work Hearing honest book reviews from fellow readers ✨ What was YOUR favorite (or least favorite) book club read this year? Drop it in the comments! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:31 The members of our book club 05:47 All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks 09:33 Butcher and Blackbird by Brynn Weaver 12:42 Powerless by Lauren Roberts 16:05 Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings 20:27 Normal People by Sally Rooney 24:31 Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom 33:05 A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 37:19 Wool by Hugh Howey 40:52 The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne 47:20 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 49:48 The Book of Doors by Garreth Brown 52:28 Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Other Books Mentioned: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

    1 hr
See All (33)

    5
    out of 5
    43 Ratings

    About

    This is a show about stories for storytellers and story lovers, hosted by sisters Kristen and Maddie, lifelong readers and recent booktokers with a 100k+ following. We're here for unfiltered, unhinged conversations with fellow content creators and storytellers, and we will feature the occasional rant or rave about the stories that are ripping our hearts out and putting them back together again, or maybe making us pee our pants, so long as they are telling us the truth about what it is to be human. Welcome to the Sisterhood!

    Information

    • Creator
      Kristen and Maddie
    • Years Active
      2024 - 2025
    • Episodes
      33
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Kristen and Maddie
    • Show Website
      Kris and Mads

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