arts
Hosted by Jenessa · arts · EN-US
At Read the Book First, we love watching book adaptations come alive on screen! Whether a movie, tv show or a YouTube mini-series, there's something magical about seeing someone's interpretation of a book come to life! We do however believe that you should always try to read the book first. Each week we'll read a book and discuss it together. Then we'll watch one or two of the book's adaptations and consider the good, bad, and entertaining choices made throughout the adaptations.
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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
42%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchAt Read the Book First, we love watching book adaptations come alive on screen! Whether a movie, tv show or a YouTube mini-series, there's something magical about seeing someone's interpretation of a book come to life! We do however believe that you should always try to read the book first. Each week we'll read a book and discuss it together.
Read the Book First is hosted by Jenessa. The show has published 107 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "We Watched Wicker (2026) (with Marissa)" (28 October 2026, 63 minutes), "We Watched Eclipse (with Stephanie)" (21 October 2026, 63 minutes), and "We Review Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer (with Stephanie)" (14 October 2026, 68 minutes).
Read the Book First publishes roughly weekly, with episodes averaging 58 minutes across 107 episodes.
Booking probability for Read the Book First is 42%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Read the Book First requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Read the Book First's contact route on record: verified email.
Jenessa hosts Read the Book First, an arts podcast with 107 episodes published.
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Episode #27
It's the movie the bookish internet has been drooling over, Wicker ! This week, Jenessa and Marissa compare Ursula Will's The Wicker Husband , a short fable, and the 2026 film adaptation, Wicker , starring Oliva Coleman...
Episode #26
It's time for our annual Twilight Saga movie watch! This year Stephanie and Jenessa discuss the 2010 adaptation, Eclipse . Make sure you check out the previous episodes all about the first two Twilight books and movies...
Episode #25
It's time for our third annual Twilight Saga episode! Stephanie has returned to talk all things Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer! content warnings: vampirisms, grooming, assault, violence, suicidal ideation, death Send us Fan...
Episode #24
It's spooky season! Alyssa returns to discuss the 1999 Tim Burton film, Sleepy Hollow . Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes...
Episode #23
It's officially spooky season! Join Alyssa and Jenessa as they discuss The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to our past collab episodes! Send us Fan...
Episode #22
It's time for the witchiest movie of the season! Today we're discussing the 2026 film, Practical Magic 2 ! Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok ! content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family dynamics Send us...
Episode #21
In preparation for Practical Magic 2 coming to theaters, Emma joins Jenessa to discuss The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman. Follow Emma on Instagram and Tiktok ! content warning: death, witchcraft, complicated family...
Episode #20
This week Jenessa is joined by Isaac to discuss Tim Burton's 2003 adaptation of Big Fish. Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon at...
Episode #19
Isaac joins Jenessa to discuss Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. How much truth is within the stories we tell each other? Can one become immortal through stories? Listen to find out! Send us Fan...
Episode #18
Today's episode is a little bit different. Even though we both read the book (epic poem first, Jenessa and Alexa discuss Christopher Nolan's 2026 adaptation of The Odyssey . Alexa's Recommended Odyssey Reads: The...
Episode #16
We're back after our mid-season 5 hiatus! Amanda returns to help us discuss another Roald Dahl classic, James and the Giant Peach . We discuss how James doesn't know "stranger danger", giant bugs, and how sharks can't...
Read the Book First
Welcome to the first Mid-Year Check-In with Jenessa! In this episode, Jenessa talks about what books she's read in the first half of 2026, answers some questions from listeners, and gives some updates on the podcast...
Episode #15
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the whimsical, early 00's fantasy, almost juke-box musical, Ella Enchanted . Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at readthebookfirst.buzzsprout.com Join our Patreon...
Episode #14
Today's episode is all about one of Jenessa's favorite childhood books, Ella Enchanted ! Listen along as Jenessa and Marissa discuss middle grade literature, ogres, diaries, and magic! Send us Fan Mail Support the show...
Episode #13
Marissa and Jenessa discuss the origins of the classic fairytale, Cinderella , as well as the many movie and book adaptations that have been made throughout the years. What version of Cinderella is your favorite...
Episode #12
This week we discuss the Oscar winning short film, Hair Love , and the picture book that came shortly after. Make sure you watch the short film and listen along! Follow Alyssa @stories.and.spoilers.podcast and listen to...
Episode #11
Join Jenessa and her two favorite bird nerds, Marissa and Delaney, as they discuss the 2025 Hallmark adaptation, Adventures in Love and Birding . Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition Company...
Episode #10
It's the bird nerd special! We have not one, but TWO returning guests! Marissa and Delaney join us to discuss Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb ! Check out Delaney's outdoor adventure tour, Out To Sea Expedition...
Episode #9
Jenessa and Amanda finish their trio of The Sea of Monster episodes with an episode all about Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 . Send us Fan Mail Support the show All episodes can be played at...
Episode #8
Ahoy! Join Jenessa and Amanda as they dive into the 2013 adaptation, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters . Make sure to check out the Patreon exclusive video where Jenessa and Amanda discover their godly parent! Send us Fan...
Recent guests on Read the Book First. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
Senior Director of Activation Strategies, Rio Rancho public schools
If It Was a Book
Out to Sea Expeditions
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