YA, We Read It!

The Return: Nightfall - Part 1 (The Vampire Diaries #5)

Ten years after the fourth book ended, the fifth book of Vampire Diaries came into the world and picked up right where it left off. Elena is alive! Weirdly she has some baby energy as she's learning to be human again? Something is once again amiss in Fell's Church and Damon is too busy brooding to help at all. He's too busy focusing on how to get Stefan out of the picture so he can make Elena all his. Will he prevail? Or will a new mysterious creature get in his way?

Dark Reunion (The Vampire Diaries #4)

Okay, we'll admit it: we didn't expect the main character to die at the end of the third book! Bonnie takes over as our main point of view and she even starts keeping a diary to cope with Elena's death (aw cute!). Just when we thought the people of Fell's Church were destined for some peace and quiet, more trouble is brewing in the shadows and Bonnie's powers might be the only way the gang can get some answers to finally destroy it. Laura and Meggie are dishing HARD as things honestly get kinda terrifying in this book.

The Fury (The Vampire Diaries #3)

Rejoice dear listeners! Meggie and Laura are back to talk about the third book in The Vampire Diaries series: The Fury. Elena is a freakin vampire now! And it's finally discovered that all the badthat's been going down around town might not be Damon's fault at all? It's the ultimate mystery turned boss battle brawl as Elena, Stefan, and Damon team up to tackle the evil force that's haunting Fells Church.

The Struggle (The Vampire Diaries #2)

This week on YA, We Read It! Laura and Meggie are amped to continue right where the first book left off. Our new favorite protagonist Elena is not having ANY of Damon's bullshit. So what's the struggle here? Literally everything! We've got Elena trying to prove that Stefan didn't murder their history teacher, we've got the intro of creepy new teacher Alaric Saltzman, and we've definitely got jealous ex-friend Caroline trying to destroy Elena's reputation. Oh, and we have a whole lot of blood-sucking that you do not want to miss.

The Awakening (The Vampire Diaries #1)

Awakening from their short break between seasons, Meggie and Laura are flying high into season 5 where they are set to tackle The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith. Originally coming out with the first 4 books in the 1990s before continuing the series in the 2010s and inspiring a hit tv-show, this YA series is anything but ordinary. This episode, your hosts and best friends cover "The Awakening" where we are introduced to popular girl Elena and her quest to make the new student Stefan her brand new beau. Will she succeed? Or will she awaken a whole mess she didn't see coming?

Final Thoughts: The Hunger Games Trilogy

Let the final thoughts of YA, We Read It's 4th season begin! Join your resident hosts + best friends Laura and Meggie as they rehash their favorite thoughts and feelings about The Hunger Games trilogy and prequel. We're talking things we would have loved to see in the prequel, Katniss as a relatable protagonist, and (most importantly) Team Gale v. Team Peeta. It's safe to say that this series that originally debuted in 2008 still holds a special place in both our hearts. And, of course, we say where we are heading for season 5!!!

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Part 2 (The Hunger Games Prequel)

Meggie and Laura are once again joined by Brooke Smith and Ryan Stevens (hosts of Nation of Animation) to wrap up all their thoughts and feelings on the second half of the Hunger Games prequel. Coriolanus Snow really wants just three things: Lucy, Sejanus to leave him alone, and all the birds to go away. Let's just say it's a ... unprecedented turn for the story to take? Either way you don't want to miss this foursome's hot takes as they rehash their likes (and mostly dislikes) from their time reading. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Part 1 (The Hunger Games Prequel)

The Hunger Games adventure continues on YA, We Read It! Joining in on this episode are special guests Ryan Stevens and Brooke Smith (hosts of Nation of Animation) to break down the newest novel by Suzanne Collins. This book details the origin of our antagonist in the original trilogy, President Snow, as he deals with life after the war in The Capital. Described as a popular pretty boy, can Snow rise to the fame and glory he desperately thinks he's entitled to? Or will he fall short as he and his classmates mentor the tributes in the 10th annual Hunger Games?

Mockingjay - Part 2 (The Hunger Games Trilogy)

Katniss wakes up once again in the hospital and soon springs into action. We're talking training for war, befriending Johanna, still dealing with Peeta's hijacked brain, and in general not trying to think about her suitors (literally leave her alone Gale!!!). When her and the star squad go out into combat to shoot another promo, things quickly turn dire and Katniss leads everyone through a chaos maze of death and destruction as she ventures out to kill President Snow. Join Meggie and Laura for the epic (and sort of confusing?) wrap up of the Hunger Games Trilogy.

Mockingjay - Part 1 (The Hunger Games Trilogy)

You already know what time it is: Time for Katniss to be the face of the revolution!!! The good news? Katniss and her family and Gale are safe and sound and building new lives in District 13. The bad news? District 12 was bombed into oblivion, Peeta has been captured, and Katniss has to film a bunch of promotional videos and is pretty lackluster on camera. The dance between Katniss doing promos and winding up in the hospital has just begun! And Laura and Meggie can't wait to talk about how it all plays out.This show is a part of Audio Mint. If you want to follow us, check us out on Instagram and Facebook, @audiomintchi, and if you want to support us, check out our Patreon by searching, “Audio Mint” on the app or website!Intro music by Richard BrassealeShow poster by Andreas Aristides