Are we in a reading monoculture?

Greetings loved ones. This week we’re stocking up our shelves and hunkering down with some literary hunks as we share with you our winter reading lists. In many ways, this is a 10 Before The End again, or just the prep work to guide you through a long British Winter. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

This week we dissect the Elle article that shook the internet: are we existing in a reading monoculture? We also discuss literary Halloween costumes. Let us know if you dressed as the narrator or May We Feed The King or Black Bag. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

This week we read John Green’s novel “Hollywood, Ending” the same way you fall asleep. Slowly, then all at once. Elizabeth recommends Crushed by Margaret Cabourn Smith.Ems recommends some coffee places in Birmingham! :)Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

This week we turn into a segmented podcast and chat about both the newest Sense and Sensibility adaptation and whether we would go to reading parties. No recommendations as we are simply yapping. In this episode, Ems references an episode of Culture Club. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

As the end of the year is in sight, we bring you 10 books (5 each) we are looking to finish before 2026 ends and a new reading year begins! We also chat about Norwegian black metal, loving returning to beloved authors and a behind the scenes peak at some of our rogue book club suggestions. Elizabeth recommends Kome in BrightonEms recommends obtaining a stick blender and making soup! Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

Call your union reps! We’re heading to our quarterly review. We return to the best books of the last 3 months and chat about what we’ve been reading, including handing in our reading homework! We also chat about loving Sophie Mackintosh, not wanting iPhones in our stories and loving Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly. Elizabeth recommends The Love Hypothesis AND Sense and SensibilityEms recommends Popstar by TinasheListen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospod (on Insta & Tiktok!) Ems: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

This week we’re getting Switzy with it and reading Booker Longlist nominated Switzy by Emma Cline. We’re big Emma Cline fans, so how will her most critically acclaimed novel go down with us? Find out and read along with us! Elizabeth recommends 70 Up and the other episodes in the Up Series. Ems recommends I Love My Computer by Ninajirachi. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospodEms: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

This week we’re getting a bit niche and want to just yap about things we love in books. Ranging from books themselves, the format of a book and bookish instagram content, we guide you through things we love about books and reading that we can’t talk about anywhere else. We also talk about Ems’ Catholic tendencies, turning 30 and being lover girls. Elizabeth recommends The Guardian's blackberry and apple pie recipe - www.theguardian.com/food/2019/oct/02/how-to-cook-the-perfect-apple-and-blackberry-pie-recipe-felicity-cloakeEms recommends rewatching films at the cinema (especially Kiki’s Delivery Service). Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospodEms: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

In a reversey percy switcheroo, Elizabeth takes the lead in this episode to recommend Ems some love stories! Ranging from rom-coms to forgotten literary gems, this episode will give you some great stories to fall in love with. It’s a love story, baby just say “yes”. Elizabeth recommends Seconds, an intervals app. Ems recommends This Mirror Weighs A Ton by Interpol. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospodEms: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth

That’s right. We’re talking about it. As non-romantasy readers, we’re fascinated by the reading phenomenon that is sweeping women our age and the internet off their feet. We talk about discourse. We talk about all things fairy-wings, bad boys and the moral panic of it all. Cancel us, we dare you. Elizabeth recommends Taskmaster Champion of Champions. Ems recommends Manning Fireworks by MJ Lendermann. Listen to make us literary hot girls! Get in touch!Pod: @prosebeforebrospodEms: @brattyreadsElizabeth: @reads.elizabeth