AllBooked

Local author Dr. Regina Sims joins us to talk about the history of Juneteenth, her connection to the holiday, and how all of that culminated in her writing a children's book called Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom. 

Dani dives into another retelling with Greenteeth, a brand new debut fantasy novel by Molly O'Neill. 

Our resident Suzanne Collins expert Erline is back to review the latest installment in The Hunger Games universe, Sunrise on the Reaping.

Warning: While these reads feature beaches, they are not all "beach reads".  Lesley reviews three sea-riously good books: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty, The Wager by David Grann, and Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward. 

Jake and Katie review two recent releases entrenched in the tech world: Sky Daddy by Kate Folk and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. 

Sara, Katie, and Lesley review some delightful romance reads with one theme in mind: the premise must be as ridiculous as possible. Featuring: I'm in Love With Mothman by Paige Lavoie, How to Get a Girlfriend (When You're a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardno, and I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming. 

Lesly brings us three books about mothers across genres: All the Other Mothers Hate Me, a mystery novel by Sarah Harman; The Motherload, a memoir by Sarah Hoover; and Mothers and Sons, a literary fiction novel by Adam Haslett. 

Another one bites the dust for Katie and Lesley's TBR as they respectively review Dating and Dismemberment by A. L. Brody and The Reformatory by Tananarive Due.

Jake talks about a work of historical horror from Grady Hendrix that breaks from the author's usual comedic tone: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. 

Dani serves up three piping hot titles from the Horror genre: Private Rites by Julia Armfield, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, and Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina. 

Donald and Sara review An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson, a dark academia read that didn't hit the way they were hoping.

Lesley and Katie each take another book off of their TBR: Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff and The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence respectively. 

Jake reviews a brand new novella, Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito. This dark comedy follows Victorian governess Winifred Notty as she delves into the messy details of her post at Ensor House.

Cherie talks about pies, murder, and a secret royal from the first book in the Crown of Shards fantasy series by Jennifer Estep, Kill the Queen.

Katie and Lesley each knock another book off of their TBR, The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi.

Cherie, Kathy, and Erline share fan theories, favorite moments, and more with Lesley and Katie in a lively podcast about the 3rd installment of the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. 

Sabrina, Kathy, and Mary join Katie to review Whims of the Wicked by Rebecca Grey, a fantasy romance they co-read as a chapter-a-day book club! 

Sara and Dani joined Lesley in a buddy read and a buddy review of T. Kingfisher's new fairy tale retelling A Sorceress Comes to Call.

Sara and Dani review a fantasy duology inspired by modern Egyptian history: The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai. 

Chazley joins us for her annual review of 24 books she's read in 2024 (that were also published in 2024) and has given each recommendation a special superlative. Listen to find out which books have earned the honor of "Best Fantasy Creatures", "Worst Title", "Strangest Not-Quite-Time Travel", and more! 

Cherie joins us with a holiday romance that will leave you wanting a cozy latte and a cozy latke, Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot. 

Apologies for the brief holiday hiatus, but we're back with Chazley and Sara to discuss a popular cozy fantasy read of 2024: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.

Lesley and Katie defeat another read from their TBR list! We cover Tales from the Gas Station by Jack Townsend and The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.

Jacob and Sara sit down with Katie and Lesley to discuss the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice, the meaning of "classic literature", and the benefit The Classics Club: the library's new monthly book club dedicated to reading the classics we may have missed in high school or college. 

If you want a cheesy holiday rom com with an extra helping of cheese and a dash of Halloween... say no more!

Dani joins us to talk about Chuck Tingle's new Hollywood horror novel Bury Your Gays.

Katie and Lesley explore the uncharted depths of a list that few readers are brave enough to face: The To Be Read pile. Katie reviews the YA book Saints of the Household by Ari Tison and Lesley reviews The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield.

Rachel is back to review The Imposters by Roseanna M. White, a heartfelt series set in pre-WWI England and featuring bankrupt nobles moonlighting as PIs, a Romani circus troupe, and a Coldstream guard trying to prove he still has what it takes to serve Queen and country.

Kevin Troller joins the show to talk about Hillary Clinton's autobiography... which gave him some new insight into the 2016 presidential election.

Dana and Dani review a horror novel that brings a Lovecraftian take to Scooby-Doo in Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero.

Lesley and Katie join forces to vanquish that most harrowing of foes: the To Be Read List. Lesley takes on My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh and Katie confronts Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. 

Jake joins us to talk about the publishing industry, cultural appropriation, and the danger of midnight pancakes in Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 

Rachel and Jen review a mystical, magical YA romantasy novel: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. 

Lesley and Chazley team up to review Stuart Turton's 2024 science fiction murder mystery set on a seemingly idyllic island. 

Kathy reviews a top romantasy pick, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, which also led her to discovering fanfiction! 

Jake and Lesley talked about Paul Tremblay's newest novel, Horror Movie, and have nothing but good things to say about this mindbending, meta read. 

Danielle joins the show to talk about Naomi Alderman's newest book, which explores how the wealthy navigate an end of the world scenario.

After some hurricane-related delays, we present to you our 300th episode! Lesley and I sit back to listen to our top ten hitsof the past 100(-ish) episodes and talk about what we loved, what we want more of in the next 100 episodes, and what we think brings you, the listeners, back for more.  This episode features clips from previous episodes. In order of appearance in the episode:  Episode 260: Can you judge books by their covers? Episode 264: Lies in the Darkness Episode 212: French Braid Episode 218: Digging Up Mother Episode 272: Sure, I'll Join Your Cult Episode 224: The Last Cuentista Episode 225: The Latecomer Episode 262: A Court of Thorns and Roses Episode 216: Becoming Duchess Goldblatt Episode 277: First Lie Wins

Erline has good things to say about Gareth Brown's fantasy adventure novel, The Book of Doors.

Cherie reviews a book about a zoologist who is reckoning with her famous father's mysterious disappearance and then reappearance into her life. 

Jake joins us to talk about Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, written by famed author Salman Rushdie about the attempt on his life in 2022. 

Danielle, Katie, and Lesley discuss the horror romance mashup Someone You Can Build a Nest In, which is just as unique as it sounds!

Lesley talks about a bestselling fiction novel that was recently turned into an Apple TV series: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Cherie reviews a romance comedy by Olivia Dade that features a spite house! Will Athena and Matthew get together despite their contentious proximity to one another? Or course! Find out whether or not the journey is enjoyable in this episode. 

Lesley and Kathy team up to review the dark comedy serial killer romance that took the internet by storm: Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. 

Lesley talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly in the horror novel Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison. Stick around for some bonus horror recommendations at the end! 

Lisa, Chazley and Cherie review a romantic rom-com read about professionals who help break up bad marriages before they can even start.

Lesley and Danielle set out to detail a beautiful epic fantasy that has been at the top of many reading lists over the years. 

Katie reviews a book by Abby Jimenez featuring terrible first impressions between two ER doctors. 

Kathy reviews a YA Romantasy title by Lauren Roberts. 

Chazley, Donald, and Lesley chat about a time-travel romance that has a lot of time, a lot of travel, and very little kissing. This is How You Lose the Time War is a science fiction epistolary novella written by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.