I Talk Sh*t and Read

My TBR pile is out of control in the best of ways. I've had more time to read this year, but less time to review and share the gems hiding among the stacks littering my living room. Thus is born a new segment: Ro's Reading List. Where I'll highlight some of the books I've read recently that you're going to want to add to your TBR list.  Top Three Recommendations:  The Faithless by C. L. Clark  Pub Date: March 07, 2023 Snapshot Review: If you've listened to the podcast before, then you already know I was all-in with C. L. Clark's Magic of the Lost trilogy before I hit the midway point of The Unbroken. The second installment, The Faithless, is here with more political intrigue, power struggles, and tumultuous relationships. Clark works all their strengths infusing this often brutal and gritty story with a simmering tension. The drama and angst between characters unravels in a painstakingly built world. Luca's locked in a battle to regain control of Balladaire from her increasingly reprehensible uncle Duke Nicolas Ancier who refuses to relinquish his regency in favor of her rule. And now Touraine must reckon with both her intense feelings for Luca and her complicated relationship with the empire that stole her youth and her freedom in order to protect the gains made by the revolution in Qazāl by being Luca's ally in truth, and in-person. Clark turns down the volume on the action to make room for deadly court intrigue. But this stellar follow-up offers enough murderous plotting and complicated heated relationship drama to be worth every single word put to page. The Faithless' a harrowing stone cold groove written by someone unafraid to drag you through your feelings, challenges your belief systems, and leave you with (problematic) favs. Nothing should be taken for granted, especially not victory in love, or war. Set aside some time. You're not going to want to put this one down once you start.  10/10 absolutely *recommend.  *** Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker Pub Date: April 4, 2023 Snapshot Review: Terry J Benton-Walker's Blood Debts builds exactly the right tale of generational magic (and curses) set in a New Orleans you need.  Sixteen year old twins Clement and Cristina Trudeau, heirs of a powerful magical legacy, are in mourning for their father and caring for their sick mother. On the anniversary of the greatest magical massacre that saw their family thrown from power, the twins discover that their mother isn't sick, she's cursed.  If they're to save their family and avoid another massacre, this estranged duo will have to rebuild their trust that's been lost with the swiftness. Benton-Walker's New Orleans lives and breaths with fierce relevance. The Trudeau's intensely personal battle happens against a backdrop rife with political artifice and dangerous societal divides as unsettled gods and the undead lurk in the shadows. Debts' shifting points of view add narrative insight with a deeply relatable edge and a side of tension. The character development keeps pace with the deepening drama offered with witty dialogue rife with biting one-liners. The allegory's unapologetic and the cliffhangers stress-inducing. So go on ahead and put in a pre-order for the sequel, Blood Justice now.  If contemporary fantasy is your bag, then Blood Debts' blood-soaked tale of family drama steeped dangerous magic and life-altering generational trauma is absolutely it. *8/10 would recommend.  *** The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe Pub Date: May 23, 2023 Snapshot Review: The Blighted Stars brings together Naira Sharp, a genetically enhanced spy intent on bringing down a wealthy corporate family by any means necessary and Tarquin Mercator, the wayward scion of said family pulled back into the fold and tasked with proving the safety of their mining processes. What do you get when you blend an enemies-to-lovers and stranded on a planet full-throttle mystery in space together?

A Conversation with Matt Wallace I had the opportunity to sit down with author Matt Wallace and discuss his epic fantasy trilogy. This epic opens with a seeming utopian society that relies on an expendable fighting force known as the Savages. Now there are plenty of books about empire building and fantasy worlds about a lurking evil beneath the surface of a seemingly peaceful society. But the Savage Rebellion offers action, intrigue, hidden dangers, and shifting loyalties bound up in an examination about the costs of ruling.  Listen in as I chat with Matt about how the Savage Rebellion came to be and writing metaphorically without off the rails. Then go read (or listen to) the three books in the trilogy. You'll thank me later.  Click the Image to buy Matt Wallace's Savage Rebellion trilogy:  Synopsis: They call them Savages. Brutal. Efficient. Expendable. The empire relies on them. The Savages are the greatest weapon they ever developed. Culled from the streets of their cities, they take the ones no one will miss and throw them, by the thousands, at the empire's enemies. If they live, they fight again. If they die, there are always more to take their place. Evie is not a Savage. She's a warrior with a mission: to find the man she once loved, the man who holds the key to exposing the secret of the Savage Legion and ending the mass conscription of the empire's poor and wretched. But to find him, she must become one of them, to be marked in her blood, to fight in their wars, and to find her purpose. Evie will die a Savage if she has to, but not before showing the world who she really is and what the Savage Legion can really do.     Synopsis: A war has begun. Savages, the empire's most valuable resource, have been thrown at their captors' enemies long enough. If their rebellion succeeds, it will undo a nation. At the helm of this Savage uprising is Evie, the Sparrow General. It isn't a title she asked for or particularly wants, but she is the last hope for several peoples at the edge of extinction. Back in the empire's city seat, Dyeawan, a brilliant young strategist…         Synopsis: The final war for the nation of Crache has begun. At the helm of the people's rebellion is Evie, the Sparrow General. She has been captured by the Skrian, Crache's vicious army, and is being brought back to the Capitol for punishment. But reinforcements are coming for her. Dyeawan, who has climbed from street urchin to Crache's highest seat of power through clever schemes and ruthless bloodshed, finds trouble on every front once she arrives. The rebellion approaches, and there are whispers of a martyr within the city who holds enough sway to stage a coup. If she doesn't act quickly, her rule will be short-lived. As the women who hold the nation's future meet each other from different sides of the battlefield, will they be able to find a shared vision of Crache, or will they destroy each other first?   The final book Savage Crowns releases June 13, 2023. It's a magnificent end to one hell of a ride  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Conversation with Kat Howard  A Sleight of Shadows released April 25, 2023 and immediately made Ro's top five list of April books. Listen in as Ro and Kat discuss her inspiration, writing process and her unflinching willingness to be ruthless when the story calls for it. Because, If you ask Ro, the best urban fantasy stories are the ones where things are dark and complicated. Enter The Unseen World where the source of magic's been corrupted and it'll take more than a single confrontation to resolve the matter. Kat Howard confronts the price of magic by creating a world that makes you stare the real cost of winning, and happiness, directly in the eye with An Unkindness of Magicians. And now returns, six years later, with A Sleight of Shadows that forces you to wrestle with the question: how do you have a happily ever after if the world doesn't want it? Click the Image to buy Kat Howard's Unseen World Duology:   Synopsis: In New York City, magic controls everything. But the power of magic is fading. No one knows what is happening, except for Sydney--a new, rare magician with incredible power that has been unmatched in decades, and she may be the only person who is able to stop the darkness that is weakening the magic. But Sydney doesn't want to help the system, she wants to destroy it. Sydney comes from the House of Shadows, which controls the magic with the help of sacrifices from magicians.       Synopsis: After taking down the source of the corruption of the Unseen World, Sydney is left with almost no magical ability. Feeling estranged from herself, she is determined to find a way back to her status as one of the world's most dangerous magicians. Unfortunately, she needs to do this quickly: the House of Shadows, the hell on earth that shaped her into who she was, the place she sacrificed everything to destroy, is rebuilding itself. "The House of shadows sits on bones. All of the sacrifices, all of the magicians who died in Shadows, they're buried beneath the foundations. Bones hold magic." The magic of the Unseen World is acting strangely, faltering, bleeding out from the edges. Determined to keep the House of Shadows from returning to power and to defeat the magicians who want nothing more than to have it back, Sydney turns to extremes in a desperate attempt to regain her sacrificed magic. She is forced to decide what she will give up and what she will lose and whether what must be destroyed is not only the House of Shadows, but the Unseen World itself.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

There are some stories that sneak up on you. Luring you in with subtle descriptions and a glimpse at a  character's inner-most thoughts. You think you're about to embark on a journey, and you are, but it's definitely not the one you think following a young woman home - to the land she was stolen from - is likely to take you on.  Instead of a slowly unfolding story about a soldier trying to find her footing, the character's almost immediately thrust into thwarting an assassination attempt on a princess and carrying out orders certain to leave everyone in this squad of conscripts feeling some type of way about this homecoming.  And that's exactly how C. L. Clark's debut novel The Unbroken begins. Picking a side is where the conflict starts... This military/political fantasy centers Touraine, conscripted soldier, as she returns to the country of her birth as part of the colonizing force's army and Luca an imperial princess determined to wrestle her throne from her uncle. To prove her worthiness to rule, Luca aims to stop an colonial uprising by convincing the rebels she wants peace...when what she really wants is the means to rule unchallenged. Through a series of bloody events, Touraine finds herself under Luca's authority and thrust into a world of diplomacy, intrigue and uneasy alliances that she's in no way prepared for. ...and a bloody adventure follows after  What follows is a skillfully designed North-Africa inspired world full action and adventure. Clark puts forward the kind of character dynamics and world-building that paints a vivid picture all while building to tipping point well worth reaching. The Unbroken will challenge how you view military forces, colonial/post-colonial North Africa, power dynamics, and a women's unconflicted willingness to be violent...and be hellaciously good at it. There's magic, mayhem, love and what drives every good rebellion, tests of loyalty.  In edition to simply being a fantastic story, the world The Unbroken is multifaceted and richly diverse. The lead women characters are queer; there are other lesbian, gay, and bi characters. There is also a trans side character (you'll definitely want to see more of).  If you only add one new author to your reading list in 2021, it needs to be C. L Clark.  A Conversation with C. L. Clark  I had the pleasure of sitting down with the author to dig into how The Unbroken came to be, how the narrative hit me versus what Cherae readers would take away, and the multiple reasons to be found in this story that explain why I'm excited it's the first of (at least) three books set in this world. Listen in and then be sure to pick up The Unbroken* that hit bookshelves March 23, 2021.  C. L. Clark graduated from Indiana University’s creative writing MFA program and was a 2012 Lambda Literary Fellow. They’ve been a personal trainer, an English teacher, and an editor, and is some combination thereof as they travel the world. When they’re not writing or working, they’re learning languages, doing P90something, or reading about war and (post)colonial history. Their short fiction has appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, FIYAH, and Uncanny, and on PodCastle, where they are currently a coeditor. You can follow them on Twitter: @c_l_clark. *Ro received a review copy of The Unbroken in exchange for her honest opinion.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

I Talk Sh!t & Presents: B!tch it's a Book Club. This new segment will be a free wheeling discussion of books from various genres of speculative fiction. The set list's built around novellas and designed to introduce authors and/or stories some may not know yet. First up is horror novella, The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson.  The Murders of Molly Southbourne  Synopsis: For as long as Molly Southbourne can remember, she's been watching herself die. Whenever she bleeds, another molly is born, identical to her in every way and intent on her destruction. Molly knows every way to kill herself, but she also knows that as long as she survives she'll be hunted. No matter how well she follows the rules, eventually the mollys will find her. Can Molly find a way to stop the tide of blood, or will she meet her end at the hand of a girl who looks just like her? Listen in as we jump off a conversation cliff and unravel the themes that make Tade's horror the kind that creeps up on you and leaves you wondering what you'd do if confronted with a murderous version of yourself.  We have a lively discussion where horror, spycraft, and one epic existential crisis collide. No one's quite sure what to make of The Murders of Molly Southbourne. So it's a good thing there's a sequel for us to dig into next meet up.  Book Club Members:  Aaron  @ansfreeman He/Him Ereika  @EreikaWritesFic She/They Leslie  @bonitaflor21 She/Her Tom @TomThurman3 He/Him Bacon  @B4c0nzilla  They/Them Brent @brentclambert He/Him  TJ @kotodamaishiki  He/Him Read with us: I'm all about supporting independent shops so I've started a list on Bookshop.org where you can buy all the titles discussed on the show (this is an affiliate link so I get a small commission).   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Tuesdays Means New Books  There really isn't a better time to snuggle up somewhere with a book than in the Fall. I read regularly (which is a hobby once again gaining popularity) but during the days of distancing, it's officially my go-to activity when I want to be outside in the sun but avoid people.  If you're trying to find things to do in what spare time you've got or are in need of some escapism well then Tuesday is ALWAYS a good day to think about buying (or putting in a request at your local library) some books.  Notable Oct. 13th Releases  Synopsis:  In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain. Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created an epic adventure exploring the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in the most original series debut of the decade. Release Date: October 13, 2020   Buy the Book: Indiebound | Bookshop |    Synopsis: In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move. On top of all that, Evvie’s magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation—a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie’s talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface… And when the demons of Evvie’s past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her. Release Date: October 13, 2020   Buy the Book: Indiebound | Bookshop |    Synopsis:   Emanuela Ragno has always gotten exactly what she wanted. The privileged daughter of the House of Ragno, her daring and sharp mind has kept her from being the traditional young lady everyone wishes she would be. What other people think of her is no consequence, though--she is about to marry Ale, her best friend and heir to the first house of Occhia, despite the fact that they are both secretly gay. Through Ale, Emanuela will be able to rule the city.   However, Emanuela has another, deeper secret that could shatter her plans. In Occhia, the source of all water is the watercrea, a mysterious being with blood magic who requires all Occhians to give themselves to her when their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin. Throughout history, all Occhians have obeyed this rule. Except Emanuela. She has kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.   When the watercrea exposes her during her wedding ceremony, Emanuela fights back and kills her. But Occhia's water supply is dangerously low, and now they have no water source. In a race against time, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood red veil that surrounds their city in order to uncover the secrets of the watercrea's magic and find a way to save Occhia--by any means necessary.   Release Date: October 13, 2020   Buy the Book: Indiebound | Bookshop |  Ro Recommends: Historical Fantasy Stand Outs: I was lucky enough to get early access* to a few books releasing October 13th and I know I'll be talking about these two all year. 

I'm always a fan of books that open with a unique sense of urgency. And fairy tales. I'm a sucker for a good retelling. One of my favorites this year beautifully blends the two. Author Kalynn Bayron's debut young adult novel, Cinderella is Dead. In Cinderella is Dead, Bayron, re-imagines the world of this classic with a striking sapphic story about a determined young woman willing to risk it all to expose the secrets and lies at the very heart of Cinderella’s mythic ‘happily ever-after’ in order to free a kingdom. You can read my full review at Fiyah Literary Magazine. But, after reading and reviewing this story, I couldn't stop thinking about how much this re-imagining of Cinderella's world stayed with me. So I thought I'd take my questions to the source.  Conversation with Author Kalynn Bayron Kalynn agreed to sit down for a in-depth chat about her novel sharing what she hoped to accomplish by deconstructing the world of Cinderella and why the story and world-building took shape the way it did.  Listen as I get a look under the hood and inside this story that so much more than a remake.  Cinderella is Dead released July 7, 2020 in the US. In my opinion, it's one of the best of the summer.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Words on Bathroom Walls is the latest contemporary romance adapted to film. The novel by the same name by Julia Walton release in 2018. It was wildly popular and viewed as an emotional look into living with an mental illness by some and an unnecessarily biting commentary on the Catholic Church by others. But overall, Words was well received and stuck a chord with many readers. It's not completely surprising to see it made into a feature length film.  Official Synopsis: Diagnosed with a mental illness halfway through his senior year of high school, a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to not be defined by his condition. Words stars Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, Andy Garcia, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Walton Goggins, Molly Parker, Devin Bostic, Lobo Sebastian.  Since this film adaptation from Roadside Attractions hits theaters (yes, you read that correctly) August 21, 2020. It felt like a good time to sit down and discuss how a story initially told through journal entries translates onto the big screen.  Ro's joined by Shanna (co-host of the Supergirl recaps) for a dive into of how the film handles the book's themes, its casting and what we really think works (plot and visuals) about Words on Bathroom Walls; with a few tangents along the way.   DIRECTOR Thor Freudenthal SCRIPT BY Nick Naveda based on Julia Walton’s novel of the same name       Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter joins MTR critics Ro and Joi for a video interview about her latest project John Lewis: Good Trouble that premiering July 3, 2020. Who is Dawn Porter? Dawn Porter has a documentary style uniquely suited to walking Representative Lewis to walk through his own legacy. This isn't the first time she's turned her focus on the work for equal rights. She's turned her lens on the work Black public defenders do fighting for justice in a discriminatory southern legal system in Gideon's Army. Her 2016 film, Trapped, follows the trench war over reproductive rights in states like Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Porter's skillfully leads her subjects to the heart of the matter in ways that enlighten, humanize and challenge. Settle in as Dawn Porter fields questions, shares her motivation and the direction for this look at Elder Statesmen John Lewis, and her process for deciding how to approach his legacy.  Good Trouble is Always Relevant, but Definitely Timely This interview took place on June 2nd just as people took to the streets and Black people declared they had had enough. In the midst of the swirling upheaval and calls for redress, Good Trouble feels right on time.  Be sure to check out Ro's review and chat with Joi about the documentary.   "Good Trouble" will be available on VOD and in virtual cinemas beginning Friday, July 3. Find the Film: https://www.johnlewisgoodtrouble.com/  Like what you hear? Then be sure to Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Ro and Joi are back to further share their delight and investment in Little Fires Everywhere  with a special interview with writer Shannon M. Houston.  Shannon took lead on writing episode six, The Uncanny, my personal favorite. She agreed to sit down and talk all things LFE. If you don't know the name Shannon Houston, trust me, she's definitely one to watch. Listen in and see why we're officially declaring ourselves super fans.  Little Fires Everywhere is a dynamic and engaging adaptation. This is very much owing to it's talent packed writers' room lead by show runner Liz Tigelar.  It took a village to bring this family drama to such dynamic life. Especially since this is one series that holds together of it's entire story arc. This behind-the-scene clip of bringing this book to audiences gives a taste of what it took:  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

We're back for part two of our Little Fires Everywhere chat. This time around, Shanna decided to jump in the mix. We're picking back up with the discussion expanding beyond dragging Pearl - although there's still a bit of that - and into the themes and moments that kept us engaged, made us pause so to think, and the mess that still has us puzzled.  We give reasons to add Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere to your watch-list Little Fires Everywhere turned out to be the perfect balance of mess, emotional turmoil, and family drama. In a time when television adaptations seem to leave out the core elements that made the book work, showrunner Liz Tigelaar and the Little Fires writers' room not only preserved Celeste Ng's narrative, it cut to the heart and soul expanding on its themes and making great television.  So tune in while we chop it up and remember at the end of the day. minding your business is always free. If you haven't added    All Episodes Streaming on Hulu  Reese Witherspoon (Elena Richardson), Kerry Washington (Mia Warren), Joshua Jackson (Bill Richardson), Rosemarie DeWitt (Linda McCullough), Jade Pettyjohn (Lexie Richardson), Jordan Elsass (Trip Richardson), Gavin Lewis (Moody Richardson), Megan Stott (Izzy Richardson), Lexi Underwood (Pearl Warren), and Huang Lu (Bebe)   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Sometimes, there's a book that catches your attention because it takes a popular trope (reincarnation) and builds a story around that feels like a fresh approach especially when it's main characters are under 21. Cries from the Lost Island certain fit the bill. I had the opportunity to sit down and ask Kathleen O'Neal Gear some questions about her latest stand alone novel (and solo project) Cries from the Lost Island.  Bio: Kathleen O'Neal Gear is an archaeologist and historian. She lives in and raises bison (yes, you read that correctly) in the Owl Creek Mountains in northern Wyoming. She began writing full-time in 1986 and has been prolific (non-fiction and fiction) pretty much ever since. She's authored 10 novels under her name and 37 international bestsellers with her husband W. Michael Gear.  What started out as a pretty straightforward curiosity about what made her want to write about Cleopatra turned into an interesting discussion about her inspiration, process, and random facts I discovered while prepping for the interview.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Little Fires Everywhere is the Messy Drama/Mystery You Didn't Know You Needed... Welcome back to another I Talk Sh*t & Read Book-to-Screen chat. This time, Ro and Joi are kicking off  a new one and the topic's Hulu Original series, Little Fires Everywhere. Hulu's Series is an Adaptation that Elevates the Source Material   Adapted from the novel by acclaimed writer Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere is the story of two different worlds (we're talking class difference folks) colliding when a nomadic artist Mia Warren (Kerry Washington) and her daughter (Lexi Underwood) arrive in Shaker Heights, Ohio and meet Elena Richardson (Reese Witherspoon) and her picture perfect family.  In the hands of showrunner (and executive producer) Liz Tigelaar, this adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere masterfully adds depth and contemporary nuance to both the overall story arc and each character.  The writing, directing, and production teams bring it all together with irresistible visuals and perfectly time irreverence.  Questions At Every Turn... What starts as just another a story about two women and their journey as mothers is now moody mystery with a subtly addictive narrative in the hands of actors giving masterful performances. There's emotional complexity, clashes of privilege, angst, and dangerous upheaval. Thus far, the writing and direction seamlessly (despite the varied creators) blends shifting perspectives and dramatic highs and lows together in a way certain to keep attention. To start things off we limited our discussion to topics arising out of episodes one through four respectively. The first four episodes, 'The Spark', 'Seeds and All', 'Seventy Cents', and 'The Spider Web' set the stage for what's shaping out to be an exciting second half. We've got opinions, theories, and serious gratitude for the realness buried in all this glorious mess.  Directors: Lynn Shelton (The Spark, The Spider Web) and Michael Weaver (Seeds and All, Seventy Cents)  Writers: Liz Tigelaar (The Spark), Nancy Won (Seeds), Raamla Mohamed (Seventy Cents), Attica Locke (The Spider Web) New Episodes  Wednesdays on Hulu (Eight Episodes)              Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

New Book Tuesday: March 10th Edition  My March watch list exploded. This isn't really a surprise, it's me we're talking about here. So to keep up with my reading goals and help you add to your TBR pile, Ro Recommends is now a permanent segment on I Talk Sh*t & Read. Welcome to New Book Tuesday: March 10th Edition. Twice a month, I'll share my "must reads" from the month's new releases. First up are some fantasy picks that may just satisfy that jones you've got for sibling rivalry, arranged marriages gone awry, first love, revenge, or a dangerous quest...or two.  Historical Fantasy:    Reincarnation and Reimagining history make intriguing entry points into magical worlds and dangerous journeys with questionable guides.             Young Adult Fantasy    Fairytales and Mythology in an urban fantasy setting. Chupeco's world-building style takes a bit of getting used to, there's always more to learn but the journey's ended up being worth it in the past.  Think you maybe up for discovering if a dethroned Prince can return magic and save his kingdom?        High Fantasy    Anne Bishop returns to the Black Jewel saga and doesn't miss a step. If you're already down this rabbit hole then the eleventh installment is certain to shake things up. I hit the highlights in my audio review but simply put Bishop found a new gear to shift into that promises interesting times ahead.          Short on Time? How About an Anthology: Synopsis: Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them. Authors include: Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi. Enough Said.      If you like what you hear, click on a book cover to find an independent bookstore near you to purchase from. Shopping indie when you can may just keep someone's lights on.* *this post contains affiliate links and some books were provided by publisher's in exchange for an honest assessment and/or review.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

We're back to discuss HBO's The Outsider.  Things are getting so good, Brandon jumped on board to discuss.  Terry's been arrested and revealed his alibi. It's got rock-solid proof he was nowhere near town when the murder occurred. But the DNA evidence linking him to the crime is still seemingly unbreakable as well. Detective Anderson' starting to feel like such a public arrest was a mistake. The Maitland family's being harassed and Terry's lawyer is out for blood. More pieces of the puzzle unravel and what, at first, looked like an airtight case soon unravels as witness and evidence continue to contradict.  Then in a turn that leaves the number one suspect dead and the murder victim's family in a destroyed, The Outsider up-ends what started like an ordinary police procedural and crime thriller. Now, what's better than  story where a main character dies before the lead detective admits there may have been better ways to go about establishing the truth? Finally, Folks Seem Ready to Investigate... From this point the show begins to intertwine the supernatural into everything as the story drills down on its players in the aftermath of a double tragedy.  But something's moving around this town enjoying the fall out and it has no intention of being stopped. Anderson reaches out to other investigators and Maitland's lawyer hoping to join forces in the hunt. This is point at which private investigator Holly Gibney joins the investigation.  We're inches away from outpacing the source material and for once, it seems like the best choice to be faithful to the story's deeper themes while making for excellent television. Ro, Latoya and Phenom decided one mega recap is called for because HBO's The Outsider decided to go all the way left as each episode deepened the "what the hell" factor at the show's center.  We're all convinced there'll be a lull in the episodes, but it hasn't happened just yet.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

The Outsider: So That's How Y'all Gonna Do Him January 12th marked the premier of HBO's adaptation of Stephen King novel The Outsider.  The show's executive produced and written by HBO veteran Richard Price. The Outsider is a supernatural procedural as only King would decide to do it. There's murder, mayhem, small town upheaval, and a boogeyman. Stephen King novels are at the height of popularity once again after big film adaptations Dr. Sleep, It (Part I and II), Shudder's Creepshow and Hulu's Castle Rock.  It was only a matter of time before HBO threw it's hat in the ring. HBO's on a roll and it seemed like a good idea to keep up.  Ro and Toya, two among the many horror fans on the MTR Network, decided The Outsider was perfect for a read-along as they watch. Despite it's size (560 pages), this particular King story is a steady-building supernatural suspense story (or listen) that's easy to follow and digest. It shoves the weird directly in the middle of a police procedural and keeps you questioning. The show, however, reorders information for maximum use and plays with all the cards face up on the table. From the very start, it's best to brace because it's easy to miss something.  The Premise Cheerokee City's on the hunt for a vicious killer. A young boy's been found violated and mutilated in the woods and all the evidence points to favorite son, Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman). Everyone trusts Terry. He's been coaching Little League and Pop Warner football for years. Convinced they have an air tight case, Maitland police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) stages a public arrest. Anderson has Terry taken into custody in front of the entire town during the big Little League game.  HBO's The Outsider features a stellar cast all who bring depth and grit to a believable investigation happening under unbelievable circumstances. It's edgy and intense yet balanced with facts that keep you invested in both the investigation and the people. The Outsider's always had a contemporary feel but Richard Price brings an extra layer of authenticity to the game and it's ensured we're in for all ten episodes ride.  HBO released episode 1 and 2 back to back on the 12th. So, we'll be doing the show discussion in batches. Trust me, you'll definitely want the time to think about all the interlocking narratives before moving on.  This first review is general Stephen King discussion and our few of our favorite King novels and then we dig into the books themes and how the show kicks things off in episode one. The next review will cover episode 2 and 3. Then we'll take the show in batches (with hopefully some other folks from the network joining in the discussions) from there.  If you want to read along (or just pick up The Outsider) shop indie and thwart our would-be corporate overlords.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

The Sun is Also A Star Adaptation Is Missing It's Center On Screen  Shortly after The Sun is Also A Star hit theaters, Ro sits down with critic Joi Childs to talk about the film's adaptation and on why the story context should've mattered more in this charming day-in-the-life love story, and how it feels like the screenwriters (and possibly the actors) fell short of the mark when deciding on what angle to take. Joi and Ro both wonder if the uneven ability in the lead actors weighed in on the seeming decision to not spend much time on showing substantive backstory for an entire family or if perhaps Yara's skillset wasn't up to carrying the weight this story needed to be more than a superficial one-and-done romance story. Ro and Joy wonder does how much the seeming maturity of the actor matter should be taken into consideration.  The discussion contains a few excerpts from the book which may feel spoiler to some. So, Ro delayed sharing this chat to give folks time to see the film (or read the book) themselves. Both Ro and Joi enjoyed The Sun is Also A Star (beautiful people are never a bad thing) but each wishes that it hadn't fallen so far short of what it could've been with just a bit more care.  We talk likes, dislikes. Joi ponders accurate portrayals of chemistry between strangers and teenagers and confirms that Charles Melton is absolutely old enough for us to drool over for years to come.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

In the second episode of I Talk Shit & Read, I spent some time with  L.L. McKinney (aka Elle) about her debut novel A Blade So Black.  Guest: L. L. McKinney Because the Twitterverse has no chill, we started off discussing an online controversy surrounding a YA novel, Blood Heir, the author eventually decided to pull in order to address racially problematic elements in the writing. (I wanted to hyperlink to an article about the issue but damned if I'll promote clicks to skewed hot-takes that just want to bash anyone who vocally took issue with the novel or the marketing direction. I asked about Elle focused on pointing to the initial marketing "blurb" labeling the story "color-blind" and how that in-and-of-itself is problematic, in publishing and in life.  Our conversation took off from there. Elle went on to share how exploring fear, its physical effects, and a concept of accountability influenced the creation of "Wonderland." How race is processed by readers (and writers) and how it matters beyond being a buzz word even in fantasy.  Our discussion touched on other real-life elements that impact her writing and how that helped this world evolve. We talked about what she hopes to see in the coming television adaptation from Lionsgate. And because I have no sense, the conversation went left on more than one occasion. Thankfully, Elle was happily on board; probably because she knows she's gonna kill a character I like somewhere along the way... A Blade So Black: After barely escaping an attack with her life, Alice agrees to be trained to fight Nightmares invading her world. But to do so, she'll have to juggle a protective mother, school, friends, and her secret job as a slayer.  Set in an alternate Atalanta and a Wonderland reimagined, A Blade So Black is the tale of a young girl coming of age carrying a burden she'd like nothing better than to put down driven to sacrifice in order to save the world knowing she'll have to live with the consequences. If you like your friends snarky and jokes relatable and your heroes to carry swords, A Blade So Black may be the trip down the rabbit hole for you. This is not your typical fairy tale but it looks to have the makings of one helluva adventure. Plus, the second installment, A Dream So Dark hit shelves on September 24, 2019.               Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

In the first episode of I Talk Shit & Read, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tasha Suri about her debut novel Empire of Sand. What started out as a convo about the inspiration behind her story turned into a chat about everything from the Mughal Empire (think Taj Mahal), recognizing her own history in her writing, owning her voice, colonialism, a short geography lesson, my thoughts on the themes and relatability of her world and characters, the difficulty of fan-casting a movie when colorism is truly a thing, and why we definitely need to build a compound for supervillains. Guest: Tasha Suri Tasha Suri is a London-based librarian and author. Suri is witty, well-informed and hooked on good things like Bollywood films, history, and mythology. Her South Asian influenced fantasy is a blend of knowledge, heritage, and a damn good idea. Book Synopsis: Empire of Sand is set in a world inspired by medieval India. It's the tale of a girl named Mehr, the illegitimate daughter of a powerful nobleman and a woman from the exiled and despised nomadic people known as the Amrithi. Mehr inadvertently reveals that she's inherited - from her mother's bloodline - the ability to manipulate the dreams of sleeping gods. She swiftly draws the attention of the Empire's semi-immortal and extremely powerful religious leader known as the Maha. And that's when things go left... Shortly after we finished talking on January 17th, Variety broke the news that production companies Kronicle Media, Amyale, and Rebel Maverick partnered together to develop Empire of Sand into a television series. It's pretty safe to assume I'll be watching.   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork