Judging By The Cover

Judging By The Cover
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Judging By The Cover, the podcast for readers who love discovering their next favorite book. Each week, Brittany Barry dives into the fascinating world of books through in-depth genre guides, conversations with bestselling and debut authors, and discussions about the stories that stay with us long after the final page. From epic fantasy and science fiction to thrillers, horror, romance, and literary fiction, every episode is designed to help you find books you'll genuinely love.

  1. 5d ago

    Waiting for Red God? 10 Books to Read If You Love Red Rising

    Calling all Howlers! 🐺 Still impatiently waiting for Red God? If Pierce Brown's Red Rising series left you desperately searching for your next obsession, this episode is for you. Red Rising is so much more than a science fiction series about rebellion. It's political intrigue, brutal competition, found family, morally gray characters, devastating betrayals, and the kind of emotional damage that apparently keeps us coming back for more. So what should you read next? In this episode of Judging by the Cover, I'm sharing 10 science fiction and fantasy books that capture different elements of what makes Red Rising so addictive. We're talking about The Will of the Many by James Islington, The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, The Expanse by James S.A. Corey, and more. Whether you loved the Institute, the Howlers, Darrow's relentless determination, the political maneuvering, or the enormous scale of the later books, there's a recommendation here for you. And yes, a few of these might surprise you! Books discussed:The Will of the Many, The Rage of Dragons, Leviathan Wakes, The Hunger Games, Dungeon Crawler Carl, An Ember in the Ashes, Dune, Throne of Glass, The Sword of Kaigen, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Let's talk books!What would YOU recommend to a Red Rising fan? And which part of the series are you always trying to find in another book? Find more fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller, and romance recommendations from Judging by the Cover. Connect with me: https://linktr.ee/judgingbythecover Hail Reaper! 🐺 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro: Waiting for Red God?01:40 - The Will of the Many03:00 - The Rage of Dragons04:14 - Leviathan Wakes05:19 - The Hunger Games06:29 - Dungeon Crawler Carl07:54 - An Ember in the Ashes10:02 - Dune11:07 - Throne of Glass12:16 - The Sword of Kaigen13:24 - The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress15:07 - Final Thoughts & More Red Rising Content

  2. Oct 18

    Indie Horror & the Art of the Apocalypse with Kylo Kirby | Eden

    What happens when a lifelong reader and Bookstagrammer decides to write his own nightmare? In this episode of Judging By The Cover, I'm sitting down with indie horror author Kylo Kirby to discuss his debut novel, Eden, the first installment in the Destruction of Eden series. Imagine a world where a parasitic mushroom has transformed animals into bloodthirsty predators, civilization has collapsed, and the greatest threat to survival might actually be other humans. That's the terrifying world of Eden. But this isn't just a conversation about monsters and the apocalypse. Kylo and I explore his journey from the online book community to independent publishing, the authors who inspired his writing, and the creative decisions behind his brutal yet surprisingly beautiful post-apocalyptic world. We also dive into eco-horror, body horror, cinematic storytelling, the use of scientific documents and transcripts, and why the emotional relationships at the heart of Eden matter just as much as the terrifying creatures. Plus, we discuss the challenges of being an indie author, the experience of seeing your own book reviewed, and what readers might expect from the next installment in the series. If you love dystopian fiction, post-apocalyptic horror, survival stories, or discovering new independent horror authors, this episode is for you. 📚 Featured Book: Eden by Kylo Kirby (Destruction of Eden, Book 1) 📖 Get the book: https://bookshop.org/a/122891/9798196696350 Follow Kylo: https://www.instagram.com/kylos.bookclub/ Have you read Eden? What's your favorite fictional apocalypse? Come find me on Instagram and let's talk books! New episodes feature author interviews, book recommendations, genre discussions, and deep dives into the stories we can't stop thinking about. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to Kylo Kirby and Eden 01:13 - From Bookstagrammer to Indie Horror Author 08:30 - Creating the Fungal Apocalypse in Eden 12:30 - The Infected Animals and Body Horror 15:35 - Why Humans Are the Real Monsters 20:01 - Grief, Family, and Emotional Storytelling 24:18 - The Ending of Eden and Book Two 29:28 - Rapid-Fire Book Questions

  3. Oct 13

    Where to Start With Stephen King: 10 Books for Every Type of Reader

    Want to read Stephen King but have no idea where to start? From psychological thrillers and supernatural horror to historical fiction, fantasy, and dystopian novels, there's a Stephen King book for almost every kind of reader. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 Stephen King books I'd recommend to beginners, including Misery, The Shining, Pet Sematary, 11/22/63, Fairy Tale, and more. We'll talk about what makes each book a good entry point, which readers will enjoy it most, and a few things to know before diving in. Because your first Stephen King book doesn't have to be his most famous. It just has to be the right one for you. 🎧 Find more book recommendations, genre deep dives, and author conversations on the podcast. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Where Should You Start With Stephen King?01:28 - Misery: Best First Stephen King Book03:02 - The Shining: For Supernatural Horror Readers04:55 - Pet Sematary: For Dark Horror Readers06:56 - Mr. Mercedes: For Crime & Thriller Readers08:53 - 11/22/63: For Historical Fiction Readers11:15 - Fairy Tale: For Fantasy Readers13:50 - The Long Walk: For Dystopian Readers16:05 - ’Salem's Lot: For Vampire Horror Fans18:24 - Christine: For Coming-of-Age Horror Readers20:37 - The Gunslinger: For Series Readers22:53 - Which Stephen King Book Should You Read First?

  4. Oct 11

    Historical Fantasy, Resistance, & the Power of Silence | Mona Tewari

    What happens when historical fiction meets fantasy, and a powerful woman from history finally gets the spotlight she deserves? In this episode, I'm joined by author Mona Tewari for a conversation about Abbakka Chowta, the historical figure who inspired her fantasy storytelling, and the complicated relationship between history, colonization, resistance, and power. We explore what it takes to blend historical events with fantastical elements, the symbolism behind her villains, and Abbakka's evolution as a leader. Mona also shares her experience publishing with Bindery Books, the inspiration behind her book's cover, and a little news about Book 2! One of my favorite moments of our conversation was discussing why silence can sometimes be the most terrifying thing in a conflict. It's an idea that extends far beyond fantasy and gets at the heart of how we understand power, resistance, and the stories history chooses to remember. Of course, we also found time to bond over our shared love of Redwall, talk about Indian food, and reflect on how the fantasy genre continues to evolve. If you love historical fantasy, complex female characters, stories rooted in resistance, or simply hearing authors talk about the ideas behind their books, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we discuss: The history and legacy of Abbakka Chowta Balancing historical accuracy with fantasy storytelling Colonization, resistance, and the consequences of silence Villain symbolism and the complexities of leadership Mona's publishing journey with Bindery Books Cover design, Book 2 updates, and the evolution of fantasy If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show on Spotify, leave a rating, and share the episode with a fellow fantasy reader! You can also watch the full video interview on YouTube and follow me on Instagram for more author conversations, book recommendations, and all things reading. 00:00 - Introduction 01:05 - Meet Mona Tewari 04:11 - Who Was Abbakka Chowta? 07:13 - Blending Historical Fiction and Fantasy 10:42 - Colonization, Resistance & Power 12:57 - The Symbolism Behind the Villains 16:11 - Abbakka's Journey as a Leader 23:00 - Publishing with Bindery Books 27:40 - The Story Behind the Cover 29:12 - Book 2 Updates 29:34 - How the Fantasy Genre Is Evolving

  5. Oct 6

    31 Stephen King Books Ranked: From My Least Favorite to #1

    I’ve read 31 Stephen King books. Now I’m ranking every single one, from the book I genuinely hated to my favorite Stephen King book of all time. And there are some HOT takes in this one. Carrie is almost dead last. Fairy Tale beats The Shining. Some of King’s most underrated books crack my top 15. And after finally reading IT for the first time, I had to decide whether Pennywise could dethrone the Stephen King book that has held my #1 spot for years. Along the way, I’m talking about the King books that terrified me, emotionally destroyed me, completely surprised me, and proved that Stephen King is so much more than just a horror writer. We’re getting into The Stand, IT, The Shining, Misery, 11/22/63, Pet Sematary, The Long Walk, Fairy Tale, Carrie, ’Salem’s Lot, the Bill Hodges trilogy, Richard Bachman, and plenty of underrated King. What’s YOUR #1 Stephen King book? And which one of my rankings would you fight me over? If you’re just starting with Stephen King, stay tuned: next up, I’m breaking down exactly where to start based on the genres you already love. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:36 - #31–26: The Bottom of My Ranking 06:19 - #25–21: Good, But King Has Better 10:13 - #20–16: Now It Gets Difficult 13:51 - #15–11: The Books I Really Love 17:28 - #10–6: My Stephen King Top 10 21:19 - #5–3: The Personal Favorites 25:48 - #2: IT 27:19 - #1: My Favorite Stephen King Book 30:00 - Final Ranking + What’s Next

  6. Oct 4

    Tom Ryan on Return to Breakneck Island, Treasure Hunts, & Writing the Perfect Twist

    Bestselling author Tom Ryan joins me to talk about Return to Breakneck Island, the newest mystery in his Treasure Hunters Club series. Nearly a century ago, an entire lighthouse-keeper family disappeared from Breakneck Island without a trace. Now Cass, Dandy, and Peter are being pulled toward the island's secrets, and a mystery that has been waiting generations to be solved. Tom and I talk about returning to Maple Bay after The Treasure Hunters Club, creating the 1932 storyline, writing mysteries across multiple timelines, planting clues and red herrings, and crafting twists readers won't see coming. We also get into his love of mystery and suspense, the nostalgic adventure stories woven into his work, and whether there might be more Treasure Hunters Club mysteries in the future. Return to Breakneck Island: A Treasure Hunters Club Mystery releases October 6, 2026. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Meet Tom Ryan01:50 - Becoming a Mystery Writer10:02 - Creating The Treasure Hunters Club14:02 - Writing Multiple POVs19:47 - Returning to Maple Bay24:35 - How Book 2 Differs from Book 127:55 - Writing the Perfect Epilogue29:44 - How to Write a Successful Mystery30:28 - Will There Be a Third Treasure Hunters Club Book?33:57 - Rapid Fire

  7. Sep 29

    From Book Creator to Fantasy Author: Noah Brisk on The Tethered God

    What happens when a book content creator becomes the author whose book everyone else gets to review? Indie author and book creator Noah Brisk joins me to talk about his debut fantasy novel, The Tethered God, the first book in The Shattered Song series. We talk about Noah’s journey from book creator to fantasy author, why he chose indie publishing, and how he built a world that feels layered and immersive without becoming inaccessible to newer fantasy readers. We also dive into Brann, his wonderfully grumpy, broken, and unconventional protagonist, his evolving relationship with Seren, the book’s magic system, epigraphs, lore, and unreliable history, and why Noah wanted the violence in this world to feel genuinely visceral. But The Tethered God isn’t all darkness. We also talk about finding hope in dark fantasy, what’s coming next for The Shattered Song, and what Noah has learned from publishing his first novel. If you love dark fantasy, complicated characters, immersive worldbuilding, and stories that find hope in very dark places, this conversation is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro / Meet Noah Brisk01:38 - From Book Creator to Fantasy Author04:07 - Why Indie Publishing?08:38 - Creating The Tethered God10:58 - Making Fantasy Accessible12:32 - Creating Brann: An Unconventional Hero17:49 - Brann & Seren21:46 - Building the Magic System23:44 - Epigraphs, Lore & Unreliable History26:26 - Making Fantasy Violence Feel Real29:00 - Finding Hope in Dark Fantasy30:44 - What’s Next for The Shattered Song?35:48 - Rapid Fire37:01 - Outro

  8. Sep 22

    Dark Academia, Campus Novels, & More: 4 Literary Genres Explained

    What makes a book dark academia instead of simply a campus novel? And where do experimental, postmodern, and speculative literary fiction fit into all of this? In this episode of Judging By The Cover, I’m breaking down four literary genres and categories that constantly overlap: dark academia, campus novels, experimental and postmodern fiction, and speculative literary fiction. We’re talking about what defines each one, what these books are actually exploring, where the lines get blurry, and where to start if you want to read more. Books discussed include The Secret History, Babel, The Will of the Many, Real Life, House of Leaves, Slaughterhouse-Five, Never Let Me Go, Station Eleven, Piranesi, and more. 🎧 New bookish episodes every Tuesday at 12 PM ET.

See All (20)

Trailer

About

Welcome to Judging By The Cover, the podcast for readers who love discovering their next favorite book. Each week, Brittany Barry dives into the fascinating world of books through in-depth genre guides, conversations with bestselling and debut authors, and discussions about the stories that stay with us long after the final page. From epic fantasy and science fiction to thrillers, horror, romance, and literary fiction, every episode is designed to help you find books you'll genuinely love.

Information

  • Creator
    Judging By The Cover
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Judging By The Cover
  • Show Website
    Judging By The Cover