Booktails Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Gothic Romance 3

It's a slightly different one for the third week of gothic romance as instead of a novel we are looking at the British Library's anthology, Doomed Romances: Strange Tales of Uncanny Love edited by Joanne Ella Parsons (2024). This book features the OG vampire novella Carmilla and a whole host of short stories from hundreds of years ago to present day, featuring a ghost bride, fairytale retellings, a dance with the devil and a surprising number of sailors!

The Tiger's Charm Cocktail: 2 shots black forest liqueur, cava and apple juice to taste! We're helping you out with these reusable ingredients - enjoy!

Gothic Romance 2 (Serena's rec)

Get lost on the Yorkshire moors with Rachel and Serena as they debate how much of a red flag Heathcliff and Cathy really are (spoiler alert: very), in Emily Brontë's classic gothic romance Wuthering Heights (1847), plus - why is Nelly so very annoying? (We know you were thinking it!) And actually - are there ANY redeemable characters in this book? Let's find out!

The Heathcliff Cocktail: 1 shot vodka, Cava and Elderflower Cordial to taste! Enjoy!

Gothic Romance 1 (Rachel's rec)

Is Van Helsing sexy? This and other burning questions will be answered by Serena and Rachel as they examine the plot, characters, tropes and spice of Bram Stoker's classic 1897 vampire novel, complete with analysis of gender politics, Twilight comparisons (of course) and a lot of hatred for Lucy's mum. 

Dracula's Kiss Cocktail: 1 shot vodka, 1 shot Black forest Liqueur, cava and cranberry juice to taste. garnish with frozen cherries and enjoy!

Romantasy 1: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

This week Rachel found a dead fox in her garden and was whisked away to a fairy kingdom. Do you have the hots for Tamlin or Rhysand, our red flag kings? Or do you prefer cartoon lions or beasts? We listen and we don't judge. We all know what we're here for, and that's some good old fairy smut. But nevertheless this one may get controversial...

*NOTES*

- The scrapped ACOTAR streaming series was in fact, Hulu 

- Rhysand's eyes are described as "violet"

Romantasy 2: Outlander (Rachel's recommendation)

Trigger warnings: Discussions of Sexual assault and violence.

The moment has come! Two real Scottish lassies discussing Outlander in the homeland. We are shameful Scots who don't like whiskey, but we're drinking it anyway - in cocktail form! We would not be chill with just moving to the 1700s and would have very few useful skills, would you? Message us on social media to share yours! 

*Notes*

- The Outlander book series is not yet complete.

- If you have been affected by the themes of this episode help is available: https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk