Based on a Book

S4:E16 The Amber Spyglass & His Dark Materials

This week, we’re discussing The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman and the third and final season of His Dark Materials. As we wrap up this trilogy, we’re diving into the book, the adaptation, and all the big emotions, themes, and character moments that come with the final chapter of Lyra and Will’s story. From Dust to destiny to the emotional weight of saying goodbye to these characters, The Amber Spyglass gave us plenty to unpack. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: * The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/14492d9b-a393-4d67-8fb6-2ab54ca0d0ea] * His Dark Materials (TV Series) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5607976/] Listen to The Amber Spyglass on LibroFM with Our Affiliate Link [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781400085699]! Want to follow our entire journey through reading and watching His Dark Materials from the very beginning? Start here! [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVUt2fEjNXoNYD85PA5r3XLwtCR6v4DnQ] Question of the Episode: * There are quite a few more related short stories and novellas set in this universe, which story do you want to see adapted if they made another limited series? Connect with Us [https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast] Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place! * 💌 Contact us directly via email * 📱 Follow us on all our socials * 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms * 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover! Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) [https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky] License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter! Chapters: (00:00) Introductions (01:22) Book Ratings (04:21) Series Recap & Book vs Series Breakdown (50:26) Final Verdicts (52:15) Question of the Episode

S4:E15 Reading Christian Grey's POV So You Don't Have To

We read Grey, Darker, and Freed—the Fifty Shades trilogy told from Christian Grey’s POV—and now we have thoughts. In this episode, we’re talking about what it was like to revisit the story through Christian’s eyes, whether these books gave us new insight, and how his narration changed the overall experience of the series. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Crystal and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: * Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian by E.L. James [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/7984c613-6aa8-4e0a-a219-872abee7a847] * Darker by E.L. James [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/04a50b35-24d2-4008-a6bf-77b365d8467b] * Freed by E.L. James [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ce75e506-fdac-4e52-8b96-ca0f01264c20] Listen to Grey, Darker, and Freed on LibroFM with Our Affiliate Links: * Grey [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9780399565304] * Darker [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9780525634638] * Freed [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9780593453568] Want to follow our entire journey through reading and watching Fifty Shades of Grey from the very beginning? Start here! [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVUt2fEjNXoNBFvZM_4mSi56SeeZ1q3i1&si=u8BSRfyYuhXNNswy] Question of the Episode: * If you've read other POV retellings, which ones work or totally miss the mark? Connect with Us [https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast] Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place! * 💌 Contact us directly via email * 📱 Follow us on all our socials * 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms * 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover! Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) [https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky] License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter! Chapters: (00:00) Introductions (03:05) "Christian Said What??" Game (09:51) Book Ratings/Ranking (16:47) Series Breakdown (39:50) Final Verdicts & Question of the Episode

S4:E14 Fifty Shades Freed (2018 Film)

We’re kicking off our Finishing Our Series theme with Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment in the original Fifty Shades trilogy. In this episode, we discuss how the adaptation wraps up the series, sharing our thoughts on the story, the characters, the drama, and whether the ending delivered for us. We also look back on the trilogy, compare this final movie to the others, and talk about where we ultimately landed by the end of it all. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Crystal and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: * Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James [https://beta.thestorygraph.com/books/900441fa-fec9-4db9-a056-3b24935a8dc2] * Fifty Shades Freed (2018 Film) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4477536/] Listen to Fifty Shades Freed on LibroFM with Our Affiliate Link! [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781004141333] Want to follow our entire journey through reading and watching Fifty Shades of Grey from the very beginning? Start here! [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVUt2fEjNXoNBFvZM_4mSi56SeeZ1q3i1&si=u8BSRfyYuhXNNswy] Question of the Episode: * What's something you thought was romantic when you were younger but now see totally differently? Connect with Us [https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast] Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place! * 💌 Contact us directly via email * 📱 Follow us on all our socials * 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms * 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover! Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) [https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky] License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter! Chapters: (00:00) Introductions (00:54) Recap & Spoiler Warning (03:13) Book Ratings (09:53) Book vs Movie Breakdown (54:36) Final Verdict & Question of the Episode

S4:E13 The Thursday Murder Club (2025 Film)

This week, we’re discussing The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. This episode closes out our Anything Goes April theme with a mystery full of charm, humor, clever twists, and a very memorable cast of characters. We’re diving into the mystery itself, the dynamics between the members of the Thursday Murder Club, the tone of the story, and what made this one such a fun read to talk about. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: * The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/bdc207d9-da4c-4983-9b83-f143827fddbe] * The Thursday Murder Club (2025 Film) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12001534/] Question of the Episode: * Joyce is always baking up some goodies for guests. What is your favorite treat to offer company, or your favorite treat to be offered when you visit others? Connect with Us [https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast] Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place! * 💌 Contact us directly via email * 📱 Follow us on all our socials * 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms * 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover! Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) [https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky] License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter! Chapters: (00:00) Introductions (01:18) Book Ratings (08:58) Book vs Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS) (48:33) Final Verdicts & Question of the Episode

S4:E12 Vladimir (2026 Series)

This week, we’re diving into Vladimir by Julia May Jonas and its 2026 Netflix adaptation. In this episode, we talk about the book’s dark humor, unsettling tone, unreliable narration, and the obsession at the center of the story, along with how those elements translated to the screen. We break down our thoughts on the narrator, the character dynamics, the social commentary, and the adaptation choices that worked for us—and the ones that didn’t. From uncomfortable tension to messy characters and very different reactions to the book and series, Vladimir gave us a lot to discuss. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Crystal and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: * Vladimir by Julia May Jonas [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/da86f127-e910-48bb-9709-48300ec3d692] * Vladimir (2026 Netflix Series) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35997699/] Listen to Vladimir with Our Affiliate Link! [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2111371&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781797137032] Question of the Episode: * What is a character that is unliked by many but you actually love? Connect with Us [https://beacons.ai/basedonabookpodcast] Want to keep up with all things Based on a Book? Head to our Beacons page linked above for everything in one place! * 💌 Contact us directly via email * 📱 Follow us on all our socials * 🎧 Catch our latest episodes on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms * 📖 Submit a book-to-screen adaptation you want us to cover! Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) [https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/get-freaky] License code: OAZT1MIMW1Y3V3HP Thanks for listening to Based on a Book—see you in the next chapter! Chapters: 00:00) Introductions (01:31) Book Ratings (05:46) Adaptation Breakdown (SPOILERS) (58:17) Final Verdicts (1:09:12) Question of the Episode