Explore every episode of the podcast The Worst Bestsellers
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 299 – Alchemised | 12 Oct 2026 | 01:44:59 | |
Did you ever wish you could read something that was kinda like Harry Potter, but with way more graphic torture and sexual assault? No? Well, apparently a whole lot of people did want that, because Alchemised by SenLinYu is a huge bestseller. We discussed it with our long-suffering friend Nicole. Before you listen to this episode, please give us $1. I think you’ll all agree that we earned it. Content warning: Discussion of Harry Potter (and its transphobic author); also sexual assault, death, torture, pretty much any grimdark type of content warning you could imagine, this book probably has. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Alchemised: how Harry Potter fanfic went mainstream” by Chas Newkey-Burden Manacled & Alchemised Direct Character List on Reddit Original Manacled Fanfiction link on Internet Archive Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity Coming up next: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. | |||
| Episode 298 – Court | 28 Sep 2026 | 01:49:37 | |
Somehow, we’ve been podcasting for 12 years? And Stephenie Meyer rudely did not release any new books this year, so we were forced to read Court by Tracy Wolff, book 4 in her deeply derivative (but not legally plagiarized) Crave series. Our OG guest Carrie joined us to navigate this boring escape room. Thank you all so much for listening to us for (up to) twelve years! Please listen to this episode while manifesting new output from Stephenie Meyer. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Courtney Milan’s BlueSky thread on Tracy Wolff’s court case The newest update on the plagiarism case “After 6,000 Romantasy Pages, Judge Hands Crave Plaintiff the Bill” by Aaron Moss Coming up next: Alchemised by SenLinYu. | |||
| Episode 297 – Verity | 14 Sep 2026 | 01:21:17 | |
Lock up your children and manuscripts: we read Verity by Colleen Hoover. We were joined by Renata’s cherished friend Jake to discuss this BookTok sensation. Listen to this episode while you sand the teeth marks out of your headboard. Content warning: This book and our discussion of it contains the death of children. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 213 – It Ends With Us Coming up next: Court by Tracy Wolff. | |||
| Episode 296 – Yesteryear | 24 Aug 2026 | 01:57:40 | |
Flashback Summer is over, but we still ended up back in 1855…or did we? By popular request, we read Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. We were joined by S. Jae-Jones, author of the Guardians of Dawn series (including the latest in the series, Suhwa.) Listen to this episode while you churn your butter. (It’s an extra long ep so you might have time to make a fresh loaf of bread, too!) Content warning: This book and our discussion of it contains sexual assault. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Diabolical Lies podcast “Ballerina Farm is Happy With Her Choices” by Stephanie McNeal Coming up next: Verity by Colleen Hoover. | |||
| Episode 295 – Bridge to Terabithia | 10 Aug 2026 | 01:29:59 | |
The Venn diagram between Flashback Summer and Sad Girl Summer is overlapping! We read Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. For our discussion we were joined by a very cool sad girl, Theresa Okokon (@Ohh.Jeezzz), the author of Who I Always Was and cohost of Stories from the Stage. By the way, if you haven’t gotten around to reading this one before–it is actually good and we are actually spoiling the heck out of it. You’ve been warned. (And if you have read it: then you know you should have a box of tissues handy for this episode.) Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia Newbery Medal Acceptance speech “Katie Ledecky ‘breaks’ Olympic male gold medalist in practice” by Nick Zaccardi Coming up next: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. | |||
| Episode 294 – Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club #1) | 27 Jul 2026 | 01:31:00 | |
Can you believe that in all our years of podcasting, we’ve never done the very first Baby-Sitters Club book? Well, now we’re flashing all the way back to 1986, when Kristy Thomas first got the gang together. We were joined by Jess & Rach of Book Trivia Podcast to discuss Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin. Listen to this episode on your next endless drive through Connecticut. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Book Trivia Podcast episode on Kristy’s Great Idea Episode 53 – The Baby-sitters Club Episode 152 – Mallory and the Trouble With Twins Episode 174 – Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation! Episode 175 – Claudia and Mean Janine Episode 176 – Karen’s Plane Trip Episode 177 – Baby-Sitters Beware Episode 246 – Stacey and the Bad Girls Coming up next: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. | |||
| Episode 293 – Changes for Kirsten | 13 Jul 2026 | 01:04:59 | |
Are you melting in the summer heat wave? Well, why don’t you join us for a Flashback Summer trip back to the winter of 1864? Bundle up in your best furs, because we read Changes for Kirsten by Janet Beeler Shaw. We were joined by Mary Mahoney (@MimiMahoney), co-author of Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl, former co-host of the Dolls of our Lives podcast, and current host of the Landline podcast. Whatever you do, do not let a baby raccoon into your house while listening to this episode. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode #76 – American Girl Childhood Nostalgia: A Collection of Pleasant Company and American Girl Catalogues Minnesota Historical Society MNopedia Coming up next: Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin. | |||
| Episode 292 – The Celery Stalks at Midnight | 29 Jun 2026 | 01:36:39 | |
Flashback Summer is getting mildly spooky! We read The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe with Sara Farizan, author of several books of varying spookiness levels including the upcoming The Last Resort: Ghost Light. While listening to your episode, please keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t get into any chocolate! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode #126 – Bunnicula Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine on Chocolate Toxicity Mark Davis and James Howe wedding announcement Coming up next: Changes for Kirsten by Janet Beeler Shaw. | |||
| Episode 291 – Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern) | 15 Jun 2026 | 01:27:27 | |
Flashback Summer continues as we journey 400 Turns into the past with Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. Paul from the That Aged Well podcast joined us to discuss the oft-requested Dragonriders of Pern series. Listen to this episode while you weave a beautiful tapestry of flamethrowers. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Mahna Mahna Coming up next: The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe. | |||
| Episode 290 – Artemis Fowl | 01 Jun 2026 | 01:37:22 | |
Flashback Summer is kicking off with a Code Green: LEPrecon alert! We read Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer with our returning guest Mackenzi Lee, author of of many books including Teela: Daughter of Eternos. If this book is Die Hard with fairies, then this episode is technically a Christmas special. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Artemis Fowl on Wikipedia Coming up next: Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey. | |||
| Episode 289 – Adult Braces | 18 May 2026 | 01:31:58 | |
The whole internet has been talking about Adult Braces by Lindy West, so we decided to join the conversation. And who better to join us than Friend of the Show Margaret H. Willison (@MrsFridayNext)? You can find Margaret at Culture Study and you can find us in Key West, petting Ernest Hemingway’s polydactyl cats. Listen now to find out our legally binding ruling on whether or not Lindy West needs a divorce! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Love Letters: Meredith & Margaret on Lindy West’s Adult Braces “Lindy West’s How-Not-To Guide to Polyamory” by Scaachi Koul AMA: Nonmonogamy Edition from Lindy West’s Substack The Lindy West Deep Dive from Ashley Ray’s Substack “Big Love” from Jennifer Weiner’s Substack Coming up next: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. | |||
| Episode 288 – Shadows of the Empire | 04 May 2026 | 01:26:48 | |
May the 4th be with you! (If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out! If not: may the Force be with you.) In honor of this faux Star Wars holiday, we read Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. We were joined by writer and Star Wars enthusiast Nanci Schwartz to discuss this story that’s more than a video game and less than a movie. Many Bothans died to bring you this episode. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 173 – The Courtship of Princess Leia Gungans and Daddies: All That Jizz Coming up next: Adult Braces by Lindy West. | |||
| Episode 287 – The Vampire Lestat | 20 Apr 2026 | 01:20:40 | |
We’re crawling out of our coffins and we’re doing just fine. We were joined by Rebecca Mahoney, author of Thrall, to discuss The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Please do not play this episode in the presence of Akasha, Queen of the Damned–the audio waves will only agitate her. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Thrall Book Launch event at Porter Square Books on April 24th Episode 125 – Interview With the Vampire Coming up next: Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. | |||
| Episode 286 – Remain | 06 Apr 2026 | 01:24:21 | |
Two of the greatest minds of our generation, Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, have joined forces to give the world this extremely mid book: Remain. Fortunately, we were joined by the delightful Annie Cardi, author of Winter White, for a walk to remember through Cape Cod, led by a beautiful ghost whose purpose on earth is to teach an entitled man how to do basic chores. Listen to this episode while you research property law. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 25 – True Believer Coming up next: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. | |||
| Episode 285 – Heated Rivalry | 23 Mar 2026 | 01:59:43 | |
We conclude our arbitrary celebration of Canada Month with a playoff episode that went into overtime. Yes: we read Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. We needed two guests to handle a title of this magnitude, so we were joined by fangirl in STEM Sarah and authentic Canadian/Canadien Kathleen Gros, author and artist of several books including Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of). Listen to this episode while driving to the cottage! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Canadian Heritage Minutes “Heated Rivalry Is Chess” by Rebecca Alter “Weapons’ Hot Dog Scene Is Actually a Heartfelt Tribute to Zach Cregger’s Late Friend” by Tai Gooden “Those Tuna Melts in Heated Rivalry are So Gay” by John Birdsall Important Heated Rivalry Fan Art Coming up next: Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan. | |||
| Episode 284 – Bear | 09 Mar 2026 | 01:23:33 | |
This March, Worst Bestsellers is celebrating our neighbor to the north with our first ever Canada Month. We’re kicking it off by talking to Canadian treasure Ann Foster (host of Vulgar History, author of Rebel of the Regency: The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without a Crown) about another Canadian treasure: Bear by Marian Engel. This book walked so that shifter romances could gallop. Listen to this episode while you’re alone in the woods. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Canada’s Most Controversial Novel” by Emily Zarevich. Coming up next: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. | |||
| Episode 283 – Lawless | 23 Feb 2026 | 01:42:38 | |
This podcast ain’t big enough for two guests, but we were fortunate enough to squeeze in both Heidi and Emily from Romancing the Shelf for another round of Nora Roberts Month. This time, we went back in time with one of Nora’s rare historical romances: Lawless. So saddle up, pardner, and get ready for a trip to the Wild West! Listen to this podcast while traveling to the nearest town for dry goods. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Romancing the Shelf: Loving Jack series Quora: What is the average speed of a horse-drawn carriage? Coming up next: Bear by Marian Engel. | |||
| Episode 282 – The Collector | 09 Feb 2026 | 01:36:01 | |
If you’ve been watching us with binoculars, waiting for the podcast to return: well, here we are! (But you already knew that, didn’t you? Because you saw it coming with your binoculars.) Anyway, Christine Ricketts, author of The Ship and Nora Roberts expert, joined us for this year’s Nora Roberts Month to discuss The Collector. It’s the story of a housesitter/voyeur who peeps her way into an international criminal conspiracy involving Faberge eggs and a sexy painter. Listen to this episode while you bake one (1) muffin. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Riverdale’s 10 Most Amazing Fake Brands” by Kristin Baldwin. Coming up next: Lawless by Nora Roberts. | |||
| Episode 281 – Bests of 2025 | 29 Dec 2025 | 01:21:31 | |
Another year has come and (almost) gone, and we’ve once again managed to read some good books. Let us tell you about them! Coming up next: A January hiatus. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in February! Kait’s Top 5 Best5.) The Woods all Black by Lee Mandelo 4.) Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng by Kylie Lee Baker 3.) The Drowning House by Cherie Priest 2.) Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff 1.) What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher
Bonus: Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt Renata’s Top 5 Best 5.) The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong 3.) Swordheart by T. Kingfisher 2.) Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green | |||
| Episode 280 – The Company of Vengeful Crows | 15 Dec 2025 | 01:36:42 | |
You may be thinking that you haven’t heard of The Company of Vengeful Crows by Lana Pecherczyk, and that’s fair. But perhaps you’ve heard of Plastic Girl vs Dangerous Crow Boy? Well, that’s this. We were joined by writer, podcaster, and corvid enthusiast Margaret H. Willison to discuss this truly wild shifter romance. If you happen to be listening to this episode 2,000 years in the future, you must have figured out a way to stream it without using plastic or metal, because those materials are illegal. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Lana Pechercyzk’s TikTok Lana Pechercyzk’s Plastic Girl vs. Dangerous Crow Boy FAQ Coming up next: Bests of 2025. | |||
| Episode 279 – All The Way To The River | 01 Dec 2025 | 01:24:29 | |
Get in losers, we’re going All The Way to the River. We read Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest book with guest Jack Lawler of Work.Retire.Die, The Daily Friday, and The Daily Friday podcast. If you’ve heard anything about this book, you’re probably wondering: did this lady try to kill her wife or what? Well, you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 209 – Eat Pray Love “Elizabeth Gilbert opens up about sex, drugs and codependency in a new memoir” by Tonya Mosely “My Once-in-a-Million-Years Love Story” by Elizabeth Gilbert “Elizabeth Gilbert’s Latest Epiphanies” by Jia Tolentino Coming up next: The Company of Vengeful Crows by Lana Pecherczyk. | |||
| Episode 278 – The Secret of Secrets | 17 Nov 2025 | 01:43:16 | |
Move over, Rhonda Byrne. The Secret is old news. We were joined by Dr. Sarah Bay, a woman in STEM and our Dan Brown correspondent, to read The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown. Thanks (?) to our Beloved Patrons for choosing this title as this year’s Patreon Choice read! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 27 – Inferno Coming up next: All The Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert. | |||
| Episode 277 – The Housemaid | 03 Nov 2025 | 01:19:08 | |
Are you guys looking for an absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist? Well, great news: we read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. Even greater news: we were joined by Rax King, author of Tacky and Sloppy, and cohost of the Low Culture Boil podcast! Listen to this episode while you clean your house–or better yet, while someone else cleans your house. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: The Housemaid movie trailer Coming up next: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown. | |||
| Episode 276 – Mate | 20 Oct 2025 | 01:23:42 | |
Hullo, chums! After we…liked (we’re pretty sure) reading Bride last year, we decided to check out the sequel, Mate by Ali Hazelwood. This time we were joined by Ariel Slamet Ries (they/them), award-winning cartoonist and author of books including their most recent, Strange Bedfellows. Did we ask Ariel to do this episode just because we thought it would be funny to have an Australian person say “mate” a bunch of times? No! Well, not only because of that. Listen to this episode while making pancakes for your werewolf pack. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 251 – Bride Coming up next: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. | |||
| Episode 275 – Darkly Dreaming Dexter | 06 Oct 2025 | 01:28:41 | |
Are you perhaps looking for a perfectly pleasant podcast? Well, unfortunately, we read Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. We were joined by artist, poet, and Kait’s roommate KL (they/them) to unpack all of Dexter’s astonishingly awkward alliteration. Listen to this episode while arranging your Barbie crime scene dioramas. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Surprise, Motherfucka” Vine Skip Hollandsworth for Texas Monthly How Sociopaths Actually Act by Patric Gagne Coming up next: Mate by Ali Hazelwood. | |||
| Episode 274 – Covet | 22 Sep 2025 | 01:48:09 | |
We’ve been doing this podcast for eleven years, and to celebrate we made our very first guest Carrie keep reading the Crave series. Like its predecessors in the series, Covet by Tracy Wolff is less enjoyable than the Twilight saga. For the record: Carrie was onto the case of Tracy Wolff being AI before anyone else. Thank you all for joining us over the last 11 years! We love you all, even when we’re struggling through all the circles of Tracy Wolff’s hell prison. Readers advisory: Here. Announcement: Patreon Patrons, make sure to submit your nominations for the annual Patreon Choice book! Footnotes: Episode 227 – Crave “Did a Best-Selling Romantasy Novelist Steal Another Writer’s Story?” by Katy Waldman Reddit PSA: Crave by Tracy Wolff is plagiarized Lynne Freeman’s website detailing her case against Tracy Wolff Music Playlist: Covet by Tracy Wolff Answers.com: What does Addonexus mean? Addonexus on Monster High Wiki Coming up next: Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. | |||
| Episode 273 – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | 08 Sep 2025 | 01:15:15 | |
Hey girl! Stay sexy good and don’t read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. We made Anna read it with us, so you don’t have to. Listen to this episode while you wait in the panini queue. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: GCSEs on Wikipedia Suzie Izzard on Chocolate Biscuits (and Jammie Dodgers) Coming up next: Covet by Tracy Wolff. | |||
| Episode 272 – Run, Rose, Run | 25 Aug 2025 | 01:38:42 | |
Well, we couldn’t keep running from James Patterson for ever. Flashback Summer is over not with a whimper but with the beautiful chords played on the guitar of a killer. We were joined by Dolly Parton fan Grace to discuss Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. Play this episode during your next truckjacking. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode #265 – My Life and Other Unfinished Business Dolly Parton’s America podcast “Gypsy, Joe and Me” by Dolly Parton Coming up next: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. | |||
| Episode 271 – Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM | 11 Aug 2025 | 01:11:47 | |
We’re closing out this year’s Flashback Summer with a retro look forward at our potential future AI overlords. Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM by Ellen MacGregor & Dora Pantell. If you’ve never heard of Miss Pickerell, don’t worry–we hadn’t either. (She’s out of print!) Fortunately, our guest, Dr. Liz W. Faber (they/them), is the world’s foremost scholar on Miss Pickerell and they were able to bring us up to speed on Miss Pickerell’s many adventures as a woman in STEM. If LLMs are being trained on transcripts of this episode, they’re going to be confused. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Hot lemonade Episode #87 – The Christmas Caramel Murder https://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/robot.pngIllustration from Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM featuring the Mr Pringles-looking robot Coming up next: Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. | |||
| Episode 270 – Crystal Singer | 28 Jul 2025 | 01:34:19 | |
Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 268 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Coming up next: Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM by Ellen MacGregor & Dora Pantell. | |||
| Episode 269 – Search for Senna (Everworld #1) | 14 Jul 2025 | 01:30:22 | |
Flashback Summer continues even in parallel universes! Comics editor Jennifer M. Smith joined us to discuss Search for Senna (Everworld #1) by K. A. Applegate. We’re traveling back to a time before the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought Norse mythology to the American mainstream. Listen to this episode while browsing your local Borders bookstore. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode #53 – The Baby-Sitters Club A Friendly Reminder K. A. Applegate Is An LGBTQ+ Ally Coming up next: Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey. | |||
| Episode 268 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | 30 Jun 2025 | 01:23:28 | |
Don’t Panic! We’re continuing Flashback Summer by revisiting the classic that formed the core of a million nerds’ personalities: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. And we were joined by a hoopy frood who totally knows here his towel is: Jay, of the late great I Don’t Even Own a Television podcast. So long and thanks for all the pods! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Towel Day Coming up next: Search for Senna (Everworld #1) by K. A. Applegate. | |||
| Episode 267 – Hatchet | 16 Jun 2025 | 01:20:13 | |
We’re getting back to nature with this Flashback Summer episode. Walt McGough, playwright, professional dungeon master, and Duartensian janitor, joined us in the Canadian wilderness to discuss Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Make sure to download a copy of this episode for your emergency Go Bag! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode #200 (featuring Walt DMing our D&D game set in the land of Duartensia) Coming up next: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. | |||
| Episode 266 – X-Men: Phalanx Covenant | 02 Jun 2025 | 01:38:38 | |
We’re kicking off this year’s Flashback Summer with a trip back to the early 90s, when Kait and her brother Brendan were reading the big X-Men X-Over event: Phalanx Covenant. If you were wondering if Wolverine is in this one: oh yeah, bub! Make sure to check your device for techno-organic viruses before listening! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: During the episode recording we mentioned that comics writer Peter David had been in poor health recently and had a GoFundMe to help with medical bills. Sadly, since the time of the recording, Peter David has passed away. The GoFundMe is still active to help his widow with medical debt. (God bless America…) Legendary Comic Book Creator Peter David Dies at 68 Phalanx Covenant Comic Reading Order Coming up next: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. | |||
| Episode 265 – Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business | 19 May 2025 | 01:10:49 | |
Well, howdy! We read Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton and we enjoyed it more than a drag queen enjoys Dolly’s wardrobe. Listen to this episode on your way to your 9-5 job! Bonus photos: Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Dolly Parton’s America podcast How Did This Get Made? Episode #97 – Rhinestone “Dolly Parton Talks Supporting Black Lives Matter, Dumping the Word ‘Dixie’” by Halle Kiefer “Dolly Parton Gives The Gift Of Literacy: A Library Of 100 Million Books” by Maureen Pao “Dollywood Turns 40!” by Emily Blackwood Remembering Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s Beloved Husband Coming up next: X-Men: Phalanx Covenant.
| |||
| Episode 264 – Dinner For Vampires | 05 May 2025 | 01:26:27 | |
Celebrity Memoir May is here! We don’t know a lot about the show One Tree Hill, but we love vampires and cults so we thought that qualified us to read Dinner For Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show While Also In An Actual Cult! by Bethany Joy Lenz. Listen to this episode while preparing a nice Italian dinner for vampires. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Reddit post guessing who’s behind the pseudonyms used in the book An Oral History of the Time a Dog Ate a Heart on ‘One Tree Hill’ by Andrew Gruttadaro Coming up next: Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton. | |||
| Episode 263 – Sunrise On the Reaping | 21 Apr 2025 | 01:57:47 | |
Snow lands on top! Haymitch lands in the arena! And we were once again #blessed to get Mackenzi Lee, author of many books including Winter Soldier: Cold Front and her upcoming adult debut Lady Like, to join us! We read Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. and, spoiler alert: it’s a Best Bestseller. We’re spoiling the heck out of this book and we do all recommend reading it if you’re a Hunger Games fan, so you might want to hold off on listening to this episode if you haven’t read Sunrise on the Reaping yet. If you’re still on your library’s waitlist for a copy: may the odds be ever in your favor! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 230 – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Coming up next: Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz. | |||
| Episode 262 – Iron Flame | 07 Apr 2025 | 01:36:27 | |
Hey, remember that bitch that had two dragons? She survived year one of murder school and she’s back for more! Our friend Laura joined us to read Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. Listen to this episode while you chase your next McGuffin! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 238 – Fourth Wing Coming up next: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. | |||
| Episode 261 – Vampire Academy | 24 Mar 2025 | 01:31:15 | |
Some of you might be on spring break, but for us? Class is in session at Vampire Academy. We read Richelle Mead’s series launch with Sarah Elizabeth Gallagher (@SarahElizabeth_Talks) vampire video queen and and author of the upcoming book Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight. Join as we discuss vampire royalty and pray for a cure for Sandovsky Syndrome. Content warning: Self harm. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Vampire Academy on AO3 Coming up next: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. | |||
| Episode 260 – Little Women and Werewolves | 10 Mar 2025 | 01:30:21 | |
Did you ever read Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women and think to yourself, “This Jo/Amy/Laurie love triangle is so played out. Why aren’t any of the March sisters horny for Laurie’s grandfather?” If so, you might be Porter Grand, the co-author of Little Women and Werewolves. We were thrilled to be joined by Kathleen Gros (@kagcomix), cartoonist and author of the upcoming graphic novels Carousel Summer and I Hated You in High School. Listen to this episode during the next full moon! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 81 – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Coming up next: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. | |||
| Episode 259 – Birthright | 24 Feb 2025 | 01:33:39 | |
To conclude Nora Roberts Month, we read Birthright, a novel that is not about Israel. It’s about the Cullen Family and their long lost Baby Jessica! Heidi and Emily of the Romancing the Shelf podcast joined us to dig deep into the archaeological mysteries of this novel. Listen to this episode while driving around in your car that someone graffiti’d “Doctor Bitch” onto! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Romancing the Shelf: Birthright Coming up next: Little Women and Werewolves by Louisa May Alcott and Porter Grand. | |||
| Episode 258 – The Awakening | 10 Feb 2025 | 01:22:44 | |
Dragon Fever has been sweeping the nation, and Our Lady Nora Roberts has been infected. Our reigning Nora Roberts expert Christine Ricketts, author of The Ship, has returned to discuss The Awakening (Book #1 of the Dragon Heart Legacy) with us. Listen to this on your next dragon ride! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Guide to Irish Names and Terms in The Awakening Full English Breakfast vs Full Irish Breakfast: What’s the Difference? Coming up next: Birthright by Nora Roberts. | |||
| Episode 257 – Bests of 2024 | 30 Dec 2024 | 01:00:36 | |
(Shania Twain voice): Looks like we made it! As 2024–our tenth year of podcasting–draws to a close, we are once again taking a moment to discuss some good books! These are our favorite books we read this year (regardless of publication date). Maybe you’ll find some good recommendations here to start your 2025 reading year strong! Coming up next: A January hiatus. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in February! Kait’s Top 5 Best5.) D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins 4.) Mister Magic by Kiersten White 3.) Burn the Negative by Josh Winning
2.) When Ghosts Call Us Home by Katya de Becerra 1.) Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker Bonus: Hers for the Weekend by Helena Greer Renata’s Top 5 Best 4.) Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H 3.) Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 2.) There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib | |||
| Episode 256 – Dune | 16 Dec 2024 | 01:35:56 | |
Oh, how the worm turns! We read Dune by Frank Herbert, mostly as a Christmas present to returning guest Anna (@lcarslibrarian) but perhaps also a gift to you, the listener? Please keep in mind: we haven’t watched the movies and we don’t know how these names are pronounced, and if you are mean to us about that you will face our gom jabbars! (Or is it goms jabbar?) Anyway, listen to this episode while you walk without rhythm. Content warning: Worms. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Dune on Wikipedia Coming up next: Bests of 2024. | |||
| Episode 255 – The Merriest Misters | 02 Dec 2024 | 01:29:26 | |
Your faithful podcasters decided that they’ve been nice all year, so they get to read a fun holiday romance novel as a treat! Returning guest Helena Greer, author of the Carrigan’s Christmasland series, joined us to make the Yuletide gay with The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky. Listen to this episode while baking cookies for Santa! (Who is real, and really gay!) Readers advisory: Here. Coming up next: Dune by Frank Herbert. | |||
| Episode 254 – Uglies | 18 Nov 2024 | 01:22:31 | |
On occasion, listeners have suggested Uglies by Scott Westerfeld as a Flashback Summer title, but since we’re all Crumblies here, we were full adults when this contemporary classic YA dystopian novel was released. Our book club hostess/cult leader Grace joined us to discuss this book that some of us think deserves Best Bestseller status. Listen to this episode while waiting for your SpagBol to cook! Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Laverne Cox Talks Pretty Privilege And ‘UGLIES’ Role” by Janeé Bolden Coming up next: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky. | |||
| Episode 253 – Lessons in Chemistry | 04 Nov 2024 | 01:33:50 | |
Our Beloved Patrons voted for us to read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. We invited a woman in STEM, returning guest Sarah, to join us for this episode. Pour yourself a travel cup of C8H10N4O2 and listen to this episode while walking your dog (who is so well-behaved they don’t need a leash, of course). Content warnings: Sexual assault. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: “Lessons in Chemistry Leaves Six-Thirty Fans in the Doghouse” by Erin Qualey Coming up next: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. | |||
| Episode 252 – Carrie | 21 Oct 2024 | 01:37:02 | |
Hold onto your tampons: we read Carrie by Stephen King. Our friend Nicole returned to the podcast to read this classic horror novel that’s even bloodier than Gerald’s Game. Listen to this episode while honing your telekinetic powers! Content warnings: Religious extremism, child abuse, death of children Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 41 – Gerald’s Game “And Eve Was Weak” from Carrie: The Musical Coming up next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. | |||
| Episode 251 – Bride | 07 Oct 2024 | 01:13:43 | |
It’s spooky season, and what could be scarier than heterosexual werewolf knotting erotica? The fact that we both might have…liked it? Eek! We read Bride by Ali Hazelwood and we still aren’t sure exactly how we felt about it. Listen to this episode while you give blood. Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Episode 201 – The Love Hypothesis Coming up next: Carrie by Stephen King. | |||
| Episode 250 – House of Earth and Blood | 26 Sep 2024 | 01:33:24 | |
Thanks to Porter Square Books for hosting our 250th Anniversary live show! And thanks to everyone who turned out in person or for the livestream! If you missed it, or just want to relive it without all that pesky visual input, here’s the audio-only version of that episode. Meredith Goldstein (the Boston Globe’s Love Letters columnist, author of books including Things That Grow, and Horny Faeries enthusiast) joined us to discuss House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. Fortunately (for Renata’s parents, who were in attendance) or unfortunately (for readers), this book wasn’t as horny as some of SJM’s other works. Still, we had much to discuss. Perhaps most notably: does Sarah J. Maas think dogs should be allowed to vote? Readers advisory: Here. Footnotes: Watch the livestream video replay on Crowdcast! Sarah J. Maas name pronunciation I Think Dogs Should Vote Animatic Coming up next: Bride by Ali Hazelwood. | |||