I think that I’m finally done with this podcast. I absolutely adore both of the hosts, but this is not really a book podcast at this point. I’m sorry to say what everybody is thinking but it’s true!! I have watched both hosts for years but I don’t care that much about their personal lives! I don’t need such long rambles about their houses or the weather or just random stuff. A quick five minute “how’s life” is one thing but it’s so much more than that at this point. I think that there are so many other book podcasts that are for me and I wish that things would go back to books on this podcast but that doesn’t seem to be happening any time soon.

The first word that comes to mind to describe this podcast is delightful. I love that the hosts read whatever they want, not just what’s popular, and their selections are always so surprising and unexpected. They talk about books like passionate English teachers (and this is coming from a passionate English teacher!). 👩🏽‍🏫 The way they update each other on their bookish lives is relatable and entertaining. They criticize gracefully, celebrate joyfully, and every episode feels like catching up with old friends who really get what it’s like to be a reader. IG: @adriennecruzva

Love this podcast soo much. It brings me joy every week, I sometimes let it add up so I can binge it all. Ariel and raeleen are so relatable

Listening to this podcast is the highlight of my week! It brings me so much joy and happiness to hear these wonderful ladies talk about books and all sorts of other random things :)

I absolutely love this pod! Thank you!

This is a luminous podcast! I love listening to these two talk thoughtful and humorously about books and life!

Love this non-pretentious dialogue. And ‘library anxiety?’ 📚🤯📚 Oh yes, totally a thing; thanks for addressing it.😘

I like that Ariel read 33 books in 2023 - much more relatable than other book lovers who are reading 80+ books

Just finishing up episode 210 and it felt like you gave a shout out to all his moms who love your show. We really do! Thank you for making a fantastic show about: books, friendship, business, family… life! Woot!

Love the joy these two bring! Books, friendship, life- I just love listening!

I adore this podcast because Raeleen’s booktube channel was the original way that I got into book related content online as a young teen about 8 years ago. Right after I found Rae, I found Ariel, and I’ve been watching the videos, following and cheering them both on since then (even though Raeleen doesn’t make videos anymore). Ariel’s home restoration is also very cathartic for me and I look forward to new videos all the time. However, I wanted to address the speaking balance between the two hosts on the show. Recently, it’s gotten a little better hopefully because of reviews from the past that pointed out that Raeleen doesn’t get to talk as much as Ariel does, but it is something that still needs to be addressed. I still find myself going back and listening to the Raeleen-heavy shows like her wedding episode, because I’m just interested to hear her talk more without interruptions I since want to hear her complete thoughts. I held off reviewing for the past couple years, mostly because I’m not really the “public reviewer” or “public critiquing type.” However, one moment in the most recent episode (#197 with Claire Fenby) made me a little sad and very annoyed so I opted to step up. At the beginning of the episode, Ariel said she was finally proud to have had all the “guests” to whose weddings she went last year on the show: Meghan’s, Claire’s, and Raeleen’s “in the adventures endgame of Ariel Bissett podcast episodes.” But isn’t Raeleen a regular co-host since she’s on every week and contributes to the planning and creation of the show? Why is she a guest on the Ariel Bissett show if she’s actually a host every week on Books Unbound? It would have been nice to have a little acknowledgment towards her for being a co-host and maybe not just casually include her as a guest for headline convenience sake. It can actually be very hurtful and contribute to the potential awkwardness and tension created by the fact that Ariel does a lot of the talking most of the time. I do really feel like the podcast gets dominated by Ariel and it frustrates me as a listener when I am an equal fan of both Ariel and Raeleen, and that I would love to hear from them both equally and consistently every week. There are a lot of “digressions” from Ariel that end up feeling very unnecessary since it cuts out more talking time from Raeleen. I can tell that she has a bit of a quieter personality but of course does not lack in confidence and I have respect for both of the hosts. As a friend, it might be polite to ask her more probing queries about her reading week without interrupting her of course, since Ariel is also great at asking good questions. I could also be nice to hear them switch off hosting every week to make it a bit more balanced. It’s exhausting to hear Ariel tell a really long story and then jump into leading the next segment as well. Sometimes, Raeleen doesn’t get to speak for 8-15 minutes at a time or longer.

Two golden walnuts short of perfection.

There is no other books podcast that compares. I don’t even share the reading taste of Ariel or Raeleen more than 50% but it doesn’t matter because this is absolutely delightful and I savor the episodes every week. Thank you guys!

Ariel and Rayleen crack me up. I listen to multiple book podcasts so it’s refreshing to have one that doesn’t talk exclusively about books. I love hearing their funny life experiences too and about Ariel’s travels!

I heard about this podcast on Ariel’s YouTube channel and scooted right over. She and Raeleen are such CHARMING hosts! They alone are responsible for getting me out of a nasty six month reading slump…oof! Ladies, thank you so much for the hilarious banter and excellent book recommendations. Listening is a pleasure!

This podcast feels like a hot cup of tea and a long hug. I love all of the book recommendations- the questions are so unique and the ladies do a marvelous job of finding something to fit the brief. I learn about so many books I never would have heard about otherwise! Ariel and Raeleen bring so much joy and thoughtfulness each week. Also excited to say I’m getting into graphic novels because Ariel is so passionate about them!

I’m 25 minutes in and they haven’t started talking about anything meaningful about books. Giddy school girl repartee gets old.

Listened to this nonstop on a 22 hour road trip and was never bored

This is one of my very favorite book podcasts, definitely in my top 3! I love the friendship of the hosts, the segments, and always ready to listen when a new episode it out!

I really enjoy listening to these girls, makes me feel young again. Witty banter and a lot of laughs. Thanks for the Sunday evening pleasure.

I listen to podcasts every now and then, but books unbound is the only one I keep up with and listen to consistently. It just feels like you’re hanging out with friends and talking about books. I get positive, happy vibes and laugh out loud almost every episode. Sometimes I’m interested in the books, sometimes I’m not, but I always have a good, stress-free time!

I’m definitely a bookish person so this podcast subject is right up my alley. But I just love listening to Ariel & Raeleen that I would listen to any podcast that they were hosts of.

I love this podcast! Sure they giggle a lot but they are clearly having such a good time! I found this podcast after picking up my first graphic novel, sheets by Brenna Thummler, whom they interview. I get so many great recommendations including graphic novels and lots to add to my TBR list. It’s light and fun and diverse. It gives me a break between heavy reads as I continue to binge old episodes to catch up.

This podcast is just such a comfort to listen to! Ariel and Raleen are so fun and have great conversation. I don’t have many book worm friends, but listening to this podcast makes me feel like I’m talking about books with my two best pals :) 10/10 would recommend!!

This podcast is such a vibe! I love the chatty nature of the conversation and listen/re-listen to episodes almost daily while at work. It’s a great pod to listen to while doing other tasks because it feels like you’re overhearing a conversation between best friends. Their enthusiasm for bookish things make me so happy.

very funny and entertaining podcast, however, y'all have a real consumerism problem with book buying!

Earlier this year I binged every episode of this podcast in a matter of weeks. I couldn’t stop listening!! Now I look forward to a new episode every week and often listen on my Monday morning commute to make it more cheerful. Ariel and Raeleen are great and honestly make me feel like I’m hanging out with bookish friends. They are genuinely so passionate not just about reading but about all aspects of books in general. And I love Ariel’s tangents! I highly recommend giving this a listen if you are looking for some good book discussion and recommendations.

podcast is more about what books they’ve bought instead of read and it’s annoying when ariel speaks for/over raeleen all the time considering raeleen actually reads more so it would be nice to hear more of her thoughts.

They have good recommendations from time to time. However, this podcast is often cringe because Ariel has virtually no self-awareness. She talks 95% of the time (even when there’s a guest), and Rayleen barely gets a word in edgewise. Ariel needs a friend to sit her down and tell her that she needs to be more self-aware… And don’t get me started on what these two did with Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age during their readathon last summer…

Not to be dramatic, but Books Unbound is the perfect podcast. Ariel and Raeleen are perfectly candid to where you feel like you are their third best friend chatting with them about all the books. Listening to this podcast each week, not only do I get great book recommendations, but I laugh out loud at Raeleen and Ariel’s crazy antics. I will stop gushing now, but really I could not recommend Books Unbound more to fellow book lovers.

This is a great book podcast, but one of the biggest turn offs is the constant interruptions from Ariel. This keeps us from hearing Raeleen’s entire thoughts. And I want to hear her thoughts! This latest episode was TERRIBLE about this. The mood tag was so interesting but I couldn’t hear anything that Raeleen said because Ariel kept talking over her. We don’t need the listening sounds, we just want to hear her full thought. Please, please listen to the criticism and apply it. I would listen more consistently if I could actually hear both perspectives. Please address this.

I look forward to this podcast every week. Love both these gals :). A consistently good time.

Listening to Books Unbound feels like I’m just hanging out with friends. It’s so calm and relaxing and just an all around good time. I love Ariel and Raeleen and love getting book recs from them. I also love just hearing them chat about their lives and be best friends on the mic! Their guest episodes are also always super fun. I look forward to new eps every week!

Always upbeat and enjoyable! They have a great rapport and I especially like Ruben’s book olds!

I love this podcast and these girls so much!! I binge the episodes at work for hours on end and it inspires me to read more / always brightens my day 😀

I am literally weeping with joy as I type ;-) good coffee, good books, great podcast!!!

I’ve been listening to Ariel and Raeleen since the beginning. I love their personalities, dedication to the pod, and care in making changes as the listeners give their input. They recommend amazing books and have convinced me to dive into many reads! If you like discourse that is easy to listen to and has great connection, give Books Unbound a listen!

It’s everything you could want in a podcast for books. My favorite!!!

Just found this podcast by way of Ariel’s youtube videos, and am so glad I stumbled upon it! Both Ariel and Raeleen are so charming and enjoyable to listen to, and I’m really excited about Ariel’s new Book Histories series! Gonna go listen to the entire back catalog now !

I love both Raeleen and Ariel, but over time I find myself less excited about new episodes. I love hearing great book recommendations and use podcast like this to stock my TBR! But I do grow tired of hearing the same books recommended over and over, especially by Ariel. I’m hoping she has more time to read soon, as I know this year has been a wild one! I’ll definitely keep listening, as these girls are so fun to listen to. It just doesn’t always give me what I hope for most in a book podcast—lots of ideas for books I should read!

This is a fav podcast. Two young women just plain excited about reading and books. Ruben (Rayleen) and Ariel are a fun duo with different reading tastes which adds an interesting balance. I loved this wrap up episode as it was jammed packed with book thoughts, reviews, and info:

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PODCAST!!!! These amazing women are my age and they talk about books. What more could you want. They are funny and charming and they even picked my submission and beautifully recommended me some books. God I just want to be friends with them. I love it so much.

^ A more suitable title. I love watching Ariel’s booktube channel, love her enthusiasm, but she really needs to let Rayleen talk more! Ariel’s constant interjections make for an unpleasant listening experience. Would love the book podcast otherwise.

I am loving this podcast so far! As someone who is getting back into reading it is really encouraging. A little something funny I found is that in episode #11 Raeleen says it’s the new year anything can happen, talking about 2020. 😂 oh how you were so correct Raeleen!!

Ruben and Ariel are a great team clever and funny. I find myself playing episodes multiple times. This dynamic duo is very entertaining. Hope everything goes well with the move during this quarantine, things will work out perhaps better than expected. I will start Steven King’s The Institute(Rubens recommendation) as soon as I finish Firefly The Ghost Machine. Dune is a great book. Ariel you enjoy reading and Dune is a great story so buckle down butter cup, THE SPICE MUST FLOW!!! I really wish you guys had more episodes!! Quite glad I found this podcast. Thank you for your enthusiasm you guys really enjoy books and it shows!! Thanks, The Dude.

I didn’t realize *just* how much I loved this podcast until they took a month long break off, and I was constantly checking for updates! So so happy they’re back. Just feels so refreshing listening to them!

You can easily tell that Ariel and Raeleen are real friends. And from that friendship a lot of joy and warmth radiates through the podcast which is a worthy feat to accomplish. Their banter and comfortability comes through and it really feels like fondly sitting with friends and discussing books. I also love the format of the show with its different sections. I think we get a wide variety of books since they make the distinctive categories. The recommendations they get are super fun too. One big pet peeve though is that there are a lot of interruptions and butting in mid sentence by Ariel. She speaks with a lot of enthusiasm but that excitement is often at the expense of Raeleens words and perspective. It happens constantly, without a doubt in every episode. Sometimes she pauses and acknowledges it and apologize before continuing with her thoughts regardless, other times it feels like releasing her words into life is her only mission. I just finished the episode where they have Caz on as a guest, and she gets interrupted all the same. The point of having a guest is to include a different (their unique) perspective, not have half finished words quelled by one of the hosts. A frustrating feeling for a listener.

Why have they not posted an episode in 3 weeks?

I do like the podcast. I think Books Unbound is fun, entertaining and light-hearted. I’ve listened to every episode that Ariel and Raeleen have released, so obviously I do enjoy the podcast, but I have two criticisms, each of which knocked an entire star off of my rating... 1) Interrupting is one of my biggest pet peeves and Ariel constantly cuts Raeleen off mid sentence. I would say Ariel probably speaks about 70% of the time, while Raeleen only speaks 30%, which is a shame because I would love to hear more from Raeleen (she’s also mentioned the fact that Ariel cuts her off/talks too much in multiple episodes, so that’s a bit uncomfortable). 2) They often recommend the same books over, and over, and over again!!! If I hear one more book recommendation for Sheets, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, or My Year of Rest and Relaxation, I will stop listening. I’m not sure they’re well read enough/qualified enough to give a diverse field of recommendations... They’re funny women, and I appreciate their witty banter, but the two cons I’ve listed above are beginning to push Books Unbound to the bottom of my feed.

Thank you. :)