Best Readalong Podcasts (2024)

1
Under a "Shhh" Spell - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 28 16:38

2h ago16:38

16:38

Episode 350 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 28 Mallory finds out her lead suspect is innocent because he's dead. Scott only gloats a little that he figured out the killer chapters ago, while Anita likes the pep-talk Diana gives. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Gro…

1
Ghost World: Death… or Rebirth? (2001 Film) ft. Jasmine Amiri | Book vs Movie 1:29:48

4h ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Comics editor Jasmine Amiri joins the show to compare Terry Zwigoff’s adaptation to the original comic by Daniel Clowes. In episode 318 Luke, James, and Jasmine discuss the value of supposedly “empty” entertainment vs what’s deemed as “important," find out what studio meddling would have ruined the movie, celebrate Steve Buscemi’s selfless actions …

1
Alex + Ada Volume 2 1:16:52

1h ago1:16:52

1:16:52

Send us a Text Message. "Technology will always advance. But we need to be careful as we advance that we have humans always at the center of our best interests." Mike and Alex are back to dive into right into Alex + Ada Volume 2 (issues #6-10) from Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna. The guys discuss how much they enjoyed this story arc versus the open…

1
Episode 212 - Author Spotlight with Juliet Grames 47:58

9h ago47:58

47:58

Welcome to Episode 212!This episode is different from all of our previous shows because Emily was unexpectedly called out of town to attend her granddaughter’s birth! Baby Neena arrived three weeks early. She and her mom, Rachel, are doing great. And yes, Emily has already read a book to her, SPOT GOES TO THE FARM, by Eric Hill.Instead of recording…

1
Confirmation Bias - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 27 14:16

1d ago14:16

14:16

Episode 349 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 27 Mallory and Diana prepare for a showdown. Anita and Scott discuss parking lights, and whether or not Mallory is in for a surprise if the Whistler turns out to be someone she didn't expect. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodre…

1
Haunted by Our Childhood Selves in “Ghost World” (1997 Graphic Novel) ft. Jasmine Amiri 1:07:58

2d ago1:07:58

1:07:58

Editor Jasmine Amiri (School Library Journal) joins the show to revisit an influential comic by Daniel Clowes from the 90s that spawned the cult classic film. In episode 317 Luke, James, and Jasmine revisit gen X cynicism, try to understand Clowes dislike of the term “graphic novel,” explore how rubylith is used for the color design, and debate the…

1
Alex + Ada Volume 01 1:13:15

2d ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Send us a Text Message. "It's complicated, what makes a person. I think... part of it is experiences- whether you seek them out or they come to you- and your reactions to them." In this new season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex jump back into the world of robots and androids and artificial intelligence as they begin their deep dive into Sarah Vaugh…

1
“Solaris” (1972 film) Book vs Movie | Which One’s Better? 1:46:32

8d ago1:46:32

1:46:32

Andrei Tarkovsky is a legendary filmmaker whose seven feature films changed the medium, but how does his vision stack up to the brilliant novel by Stanislaw Lem that he’s adapting? In episode 316, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore classical symbolism, experience time through cinema, debate whether great adaptations must be faithful, …

1
A Lot of "Aha's" Lately - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 26 13:58

17d ago13:58

13:58

Episode 348 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 26 Cornelia goes missing, but Mallory may have cracked the case. Scott was worried Mallory may have accidentally sacrificed her friend, while Anita wonders why they group was posed with a problem they immediately solve. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @there…

1
Intro to Alex + Ada & Creator Spotlight: Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn 46:17

10d ago46:17

46:17

Send us a Text Message. For the next season of Stored Arcs, Mike and Alex are jumping back into the world of androids and A.I. as they dive into Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn from Image Comics. The guys talk about what drew them to this book (and why it maybe took a little longer for them to start reading it than some other books) an…

1
Episode 211 - Deep Dive Into Summer Reading 1:22:47

11d ago1:22:47

1:22:47

We dove into summer with our first big Biblio Adventure of the season! It involved art by kids inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Hope is the thing with feathers,” lobster, a little free library, and Bank Square Books. A great day! In other Biblio Adventures, Emily went to see Ann Leary talk about her new essay collection, I’VE TRIED BEING NICE, …

1
Your Most Difficult Self - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 25 18:34

15d ago18:34

18:34

Episode 347 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 25 Mallory descends into her grief, but the team has a major "a-ha" moment. Anita wonders why the girls don't just cut and run, while Scott worries Mallory may have made a rash decision to summon a ghost. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and jo…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 05 1:40:55

17d ago1:40:55

1:40:55

Send us a Text Message. "He's always got some eminently pragmatic blanket solution for a world that's complex and irrational and... and human." We've come to the end of another season of Storied Arcs, but before we move on, we have to discuss the final part of Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' political-slash-superhero tale, Ex Machina Deluxe Volum…

1
All the Way Gone - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 24 15:26

26d ago15:26

15:26

Episode 346 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 24 The detectives deal with the immediate aftermath of another personal loss. Anita and Scott discuss the seemingly lax and hypocritical system of justice in Occult society. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get y…

1
Meaning Is Futile in “Solaris” (1962 Novel by Stanislaw Lem) 1:20:54

25d ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Stanislaw Lem was one of the world’s most widely read science fiction writers, so why don't people talk about him more? In episode 315, Join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they take their first visit the truly alien world of the novel, see the differences in translations first hand, learn about Lem’s attitude towards American SciFi of the time, c…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 04 1:42:17

25d ago1:42:17

1:42:17

Send us a Text Message. "The 'Great Machine' was nothing but a burdened White paternalist who thought he could swoop down out of the heavens to save the helpless people of the ghetto." We're into the home stretch as this week, Mike and Alex dive right into Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 4 (issues #30-40) by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys work…

1
Episode 210 - Getting Cozy with Our Mystery Man, John Valeri 1:45:19

25d ago1:45:19

1:45:19

Welcome to Episode 210, where we have the pleasure of welcoming back Our Mystery Man, John Valeri! For those of you who are new to the Book Cougars, John is a frequent guest. He’s a reader, professional reviewer, and interviewer extraordinaire (check out his BookTube channel, CENTRAL BOOKING). John joins us to not only recommend some hot new myster…

1
Ghost Is One of the Flavours - ”The Undetectables” Perimortem IV 14:31

1M ago14:31

14:31

Episode 345 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Perimortem IV Can you kill something that's already dead? Anita revisits some of the mystery around the killer's targets, while Scott wonders if Theodore's murder years earlier is linked to the current mystery. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join…

1
Is “Forrest Gump” Still Apolitical Today? Was It Ever? (1994 Film) | Book vs Movie 1:21:22

1M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

The filmmakers behind the adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel all contend that Forrest Gump is “apolitical,” but watching it today puts that claim into serious question. Besides, was it ever really true? Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey in episode 314 as they discuss Tom Hanks running his way into American hearts with a more wholesome version of th…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 03 1:17:32

1M ago1:17:32

1:17:32

Send us a Text Message. "If the city gets too comfortable in the belief I'm going to personally fix everything, they'll stop striving to solve problems on their own." In this week's episode, Mike and Alex are here to discuss Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 3 (issues #21-29 plus Special #3) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys dive into how the …

1
An Apparent Parent - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 23 14:13

1M ago14:13

14:13

Episode 344 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 23 A recap of clues turns into deadly danger! Scott considers that one suspect hasn't necessarily been honest about their background, while Anita think Cornelia is starting to resent her privilege. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our …

1
Forrest Gump’s Nasty Heart (In the 1986 Novel) 1:05:31

1M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Winston Groom’s original character is markedly different from the Tom Hanks version that won over the world. In episode 313, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the wonder what drew Robert Zemeckis to this version of Gump, wrestle with an orangutan named “Sue,” break down what makes satire effective, and try to understand the purpose of the off-put…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 02 1:35:48

1M ago1:35:48

1:35:48

Send us a Text Message. "I don't know when I went from hero to villain in this town, but it sure as s*** happened fast." In this week's episode of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex tackle Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 2 (issues #12-29 plus Specials #1-2) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys jump right into the various storylines presented in this v…

1
Episode 209 - Author Spotlight with Sara Paretsky 1:36:43

1M ago1:36:43

1:36:43

Welcome to Episode 209! We were thrilled and honored to talk with New York Times bestselling author, mystery legend, and social justice advocate Sara Paretsky. We talk with Sara about her newly published novel, PAY DIRT, the 22nd installment in her V.I. Warshawski series, founding Sisters in Crime, and so much more. Don’t miss our conversation at t…

1
It's Very Suspicious - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 22 17:59

2M ago17:59

17:59

Episode 343 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 22 Theodore is released from jail, just in time to find himself in more peril. Scott and Anita discuss the very suspicious behavior of a very suspicious suspect. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discussi…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 01 1:35:03

2M ago1:35:03

1:35:03

Send us a Text Message. "Everyone was scared back then, and when folks are scared, they want to be surrounded by heroes. But real heroes are just a fiction we create. They don't exist outside of comic books." Welcome to the new season of Storied Arcs, where Mike and Alex are diving deep into Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' Ex Machina, originally …

1
Adaptation Magic | Is “The Prestige” Christopher Nolan’s Best? (2006 film) 1:18:51

2M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Christopher and Jonathan Nolan pulled off one of the greatest magic tricks in film history with their ambitious adaptation of Christopher Priest’s novel. In episode 312, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to crack the code, get philosophical about duplication, let Christian Bale teach them about sacrifice, marvel at Hugh Jackman’s showman…

1
A Halloween Vampire Castle - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 21 21:14

2M ago21:14

21:14

Episode 342 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 21 The girls crash a vampire funeral, and uncover some disturbing historical information. Scott wonders if the Whistler has some lofty vengeance in mind, while Anita considers if the killer's magic is contaminating some suspects. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Faceb…

1
Intro to Ex Machina & Creator Spotlight: Tony Harris, Tom Feister, Jim Clark, and JD Mettler 1:06:18

2M ago1:06:18

1:06:18

Send us a Text Message. For the new season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex strap on their jetpacks and soar into the sky as they get ready to discuss Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris, originally published by DC under the Wildstorm imprint beginning in 2004 before moving over to the Vertigo imprint and then eventually to the Black Label…

1
Episode 208 - Author Spotlight with Sara B. Franklin 1:33:17

2M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

Welcome to Episode 208, which features a fantastic author spotlight with Sara B. Franklin. Her new biography, THE EDITOR: HOW PUBLISHING LEGEND JUDITH JONES SHAPED CULTURE IN AMERICA, is a must-read. It is not hyperbole to say that everyone reading and eating today has been touched by Judith Jones’s work, and Franklin’s writing is a delight to read…

1
Ghost Jail - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 20 18:19

2M ago18:19

18:19

Episode 341 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 20 Theodore talks himself directly into jail. Anita and Scott discuss Cornelia's kind gesture to Mallory, and how Mallory is falling into the "waiting for the right time" trap to break some bad news. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join ou…

1
Illusion Is Shared Delusion in “The Prestige” (1995 Novel) 1:02:53

2M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Before Christopher Nolan’s film blew audiences minds with its shocking reveals, Christopher Priest’s book had already been dazzling readers for over a decade. In episode 311, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore the differences, enter the Pact of Acquiescent Magic, try to heal a generational rivalry, sabotage a séance, hear whispers fro…

1
Creator Interview: Lydia Sherrer 2:18:08

2M ago2:18:08

2:18:08

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to a very special bonus episode of Storied Arcs! This week, Mike and Alex are ecstatic to bring you a conversation they had with writer Lydia Sherrer, the author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series aka The Lily Singer Adventures! They get into everything here, from how Lydia built and planned her book series fr…

1
Crazy High - ”The Undetectables” Perimortem III 17:05

2M ago17:05

17:05

Episode 340 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Perimortem III Another person close to the detectives gets got. Scott assures everyone he's not reading ahead, while Anita is suspicious someone is targeting Cornelia. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discussion…

1
From the Vault: The Hobbit (1977 film) 48:48

2M ago48:48

48:48

In this former Patreon-exclusive, Luke & James see Middle Earth in a time before Peter Jackson’s films, fall in love with a cat-like Smaug, get creeped out by a frog-like Gollum, reckon with a sterner version of Gandalf, discuss the evolution of animation outside of Disney in the states, and dream about owning a piece of LOTR history. Vote on Quart…

1
Creator Interview with Erica Schultz 1:11:55

2M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

Send us a Text Message. This week, Mike and Alex are pleased to be joined by writer and letterer Erica Schultz, one of the co-creators of Bylines in Blood. They start by covering the origins of Bylines in Blood, how Erica got hooked up with both Van Jensen and Aneke to create this comic, and what the experience was like working with a co-writer in …

1
Episode 207 - Spotlight with Author & Rare Book Dealer Rebecca Romney 1:46:16

2M ago1:46:16

1:46:16

Welcome to Episode 207. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with rare book dealer and author Rebecca Romney. Her first book was PRINTER’S ERROR: Irreverent Stories from Book History, and she made a significant contribution to the world of romance fiction with her collection, THE ROMANCE NOVEL IN ENGLISH: A Rare Book Survey, 1769-1999. Y…

1
The Lily Singer Adventures & The World of Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus 35:48

2M ago35:48

35:48

Send us a Text Message. And now for something completely different (that isn't actually that different at all). Back in fall of 2023 at the Cincinnati Comic Expo, Mike got to chatting with writer Lydia Sherrer, author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series aka The Lily Singer Adventures. While not specifically comic-focused, Lydia has a passion …

1
The Beginning of Maturity - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 19 24:21

3M ago24:21

24:21

Episode 339 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 19 A late-night snack leads to Beckett getting kicked out. Anita is starting to see growth in Mallory, while Scott wonders if the next victim will be one of the suspects. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your…

1
A Wild Trip Through “Alice in Wonderland” (1951 film) | Book vs Movie 1:00:04

3M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

This just might be Walt Disney’s strangest adaptation, but that’s appropriate considering the source material with Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND & THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. In episode 310, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they take a tumble down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, eat some body altering mushrooms, get psychedelic …

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