RetRead Podcast

Follow RetRead Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Anna brings Surge on the great American 90's childhood literary journey that he missed out on. Reading and reviewing retro books/series from the 90's: Fear Street; Goosebumps; The BSC, Animorphs; and more. We also start each episode with a quick rundown of other books we've read recently.

RetRead Podcast

  • Sep 20, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • monthly NEW EPISODES
  • 1h 8m AVG DURATION
  • 96 EPISODES


Search for episodes from RetRead Podcast with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from RetRead Podcast

Episode 48 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The Third Horror

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2020 65:21


Fear Street review starts at 8:36.Serge and Anna finally make it out of 99 Fear Street and the House of Evil trilogy unscathed. We can't say the same for all the characters in the book.Anna reviews C Pam Zhang's "How Much of These Hills is Gold" at the start of the cast.

Episode 48 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The Third Horror

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2020 65:21


Fear Street review starts at 8:36.Serge and Anna finally make it out of 99 Fear Street and the House of Evil trilogy unscathed. We can't say the same for all the characters in the book.Anna reviews C Pam Zhang's "How Much of These Hills is Gold" at the start of the cast.

Episode 47 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The Second Horror

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 91:09


Anna and Surge make their way back to 99 Fear Street, this time with the McCloy family. Except this time, instead of a haunted house, we have to sit through Brandt's dating simulation. Oh joy!Surge reviews NK Jemisin's "The City We Became" at the start of the cast.

Episode 47 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The Second Horror

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 91:09


Anna and Surge make their way back to 99 Fear Street, this time with the McCloy family. Except this time, instead of a haunted house, we have to sit through Brandt's dating simulation. Oh joy!Surge reviews NK Jemisin's "The City We Became" at the start of the cast.

Episode 46 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The First Horror

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 95:44


Surge and Anna embark on a new Fear Street trilogy, a reader's equivalent of an open house as we tour 99 Fear Street. We noped out as quickly as we could, but the Frasier family wasn't as lucky. Join us as we recount the Frasier Family folly from their time in the House of Evil.Anna reviews the latest book in the Pendergast series, Crooked River, before our Fear Street discussion.

Episode 46 - Fear Street: 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil: The First Horror

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 95:44


Surge and Anna embark on a new Fear Street trilogy, a reader's equivalent of an open house as we tour 99 Fear Street. We noped out as quickly as we could, but the Frasier family wasn't as lucky. Join us as we recount the Frasier Family folly from their time in the House of Evil.Anna reviews the latest book in the Pendergast series, Crooked River, before our Fear Street discussion.

Episode 45 - Fear Street Super Chiller 7: Cheerleaders 4: The New Evil

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 77:07


To no one's surprise, especially not Surge and Anna, the Evil that has haunted Corky Corcoran for an entire trilogy is back. Join us as we discuss this complete non-surprise.Anna reviews the first book in Maggie Stiefvater's new Dreamers trilogy, "Call Down The Hawk" and the start of the episode.Fear Street discussion starts at 8:48.

Episode 45 - Fear Street Super Chiller 7: Cheerleaders 4: The New Evil

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2020 77:07


To no one's surprise, especially not Surge and Anna, the Evil that has haunted Corky Corcoran for an entire trilogy is back. Join us as we discuss this complete non-surprise.Anna reviews the first book in Maggie Stiefvater's new Dreamers trilogy, "Call Down The Hawk" and the start of the episode.Fear Street discussion starts at 8:48.

Episode 44 - Fear Street Super Chiller 6: The Dead Lifeguard

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2020 68:52


Serge and Anna are starting the New Year off right with their long awaited discussion of Fear Street Super Chiller: The Dead Lifeguard. Things aren't what they seem! Or are they?Anna starts the episode off by reviewing Leigh Bardugo's adult novel debut, Ninth House.

Episode 44 - Fear Street Super Chiller 6: The Dead Lifeguard

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2020 68:52


Serge and Anna are starting the New Year off right with their long awaited discussion of Fear Street Super Chiller: The Dead Lifeguard. Things aren't what they seem! Or are they?Anna starts the episode off by reviewing Leigh Bardugo's adult novel debut, Ninth House.

Episode 43 - Fear Street 26: The Mind Reader

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 84:21


Surge and Anna are back and this time, they're discussing Fear Street: The Mind Reader. Despite what the title says, there's surprisingly little mind reading actually happening in the book.Before the Fear Street discussion which starts at 10:19, Anna reviews the book "Red, White, & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston.

Episode 43 - Fear Street 26: The Mind Reader

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 84:21


Surge and Anna are back and this time, they're discussing Fear Street: The Mind Reader. Despite what the title says, there's surprisingly little mind reading actually happening in the book.Before the Fear Street discussion which starts at 10:19, Anna reviews the book "Red, White, & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston.

Episode 42 - Fear Street 25: One Evil Summer

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2019 80:43


We're back with another Fear Street discussion! This time we're discussing Fear Street: One Evil Summer and boy oh boy do we get into the mythos here. Is Chrissy really the bad guy or is RL Stine doing some next level supernatural stuff?Before our Fear Street discussion:Surge reviews book 12 in the October Daye series - "Night and Silence" by Seanan McGuireAnna reviews Blake Crouch's newest book "Recursion".

Episode 42 - Fear Street 25: One Evil Summer

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 80:43


We're back with another Fear Street discussion! This time we're discussing Fear Street: One Evil Summer and boy oh boy do we get into the mythos here. Is Chrissy really the bad guy or is RL Stine doing some next level supernatural stuff?Before our Fear Street discussion:Surge reviews book 12 in the October Daye series - "Night and Silence" by Seanan McGuireAnna reviews Blake Crouch's newest book "Recursion".

Episode 41 - WE MET R.L. STINE BookExpo 2019 wrap-up

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2019 104:42


It happened, it finally happened. Thanks to BookExpo America, we, your humble hosts of RetRead Podcast, met the one and only - R.L. Stine. Hear us talk about meeting the great R.L. Stine as well as our in-depth coverage of some panels we went to at BookExpo 2019.

Episode 41 - WE MET R.L. STINE BookExpo 2019 wrap-up

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2019 104:42


It happened, it finally happened. Thanks to BookExpo America, we, your humble hosts of RetRead Podcast, met the one and only - R.L. Stine. Hear us talk about meeting the great R.L. Stine as well as our in-depth coverage of some panels we went to at BookExpo 2019.

Episode 40 - Fear Street 24: The Thrill Club

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 75:02


Surge and Anna return to review and discuss Fear Street: The Thrill Club. If you're part of a group that tells scary stories, maybe don't use the name of your friends?Before our Fear Street discussion, Anna rants about the latest book in The Field Party series, Losing the Field.

Episode 40 - Fear Street 24: The Thrill Club

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2019 75:02


Surge and Anna return to review and discuss Fear Street: The Thrill Club. If you're part of a group that tells scary stories, maybe don't use the name of your friends?Before our Fear Street discussion, Anna rants about the latest book in The Field Party series, Losing the Field.

Episode 39 - Fear Street 23: Double Date

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 77:20


Hello? Anyone there? Anna and Surge are back and we're here reviewing sleazy Bobby Newkirk's antics from Fear Street: Double Date.Before that, Surge reviews N.K. Jemisin's award-winning Broken Earth trilogy.

Episode 39 - Fear Street 23: Double Date

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2019 77:20


Hello? Anyone there? Anna and Surge are back and we're here reviewing sleazy Bobby Newkirk's antics from Fear Street: Double Date.Before that, Surge reviews N.K. Jemisin's award-winning Broken Earth trilogy.

Episode 38 - Fear Street 22: Bad Dreams

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2018 90:02


We hope we won't give anyone nightmares in our discussion of Fear Street: Bad Dreams. This book threw us into a loop of Fear Street mythos and nitpicks that we're not sure we're out of.Anna reviews Cameron Chaney's book "There Are Monsters Here" at the top of the cast.

Episode 38 - Fear Street 22: Bad Dreams

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2018 90:02


We hope we won't give anyone nightmares in our discussion of Fear Street: Bad Dreams. This book threw us into a loop of Fear Street mythos and nitpicks that we're not sure we're out of.Anna reviews Cameron Chaney's book "There Are Monsters Here" at the top of the cast.

Episode 37 - Fear Street 21: The Dare

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 89:44


We're finally back to the main Fear Street series with The Dare and we couldn't be happier. R.L. Stine starts us off with the topic he's best at, wealth discrepancy and entitlement. There's a lot to parse in this book and we get right into it.Anna reviews My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite at the top of the cast.

Episode 37 - Fear Street 21: The Dare

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2018 89:44


We're finally back to the main Fear Street series with The Dare and we couldn't be happier. R.L. Stine starts us off with the topic he's best at, wealth discrepancy and entitlement. There's a lot to parse in this book and we get right into it.Anna reviews My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite at the top of the cast.

Episode 36 - The Fear Street Saga 03: The Burning

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2018 92:01


Anna and Surge FINALLY finish up the Fear Street Saga trilogy with their discussion of The Burning. It took awhile but they finally get to the conclusion of the "epic" feud between the Fear (Fier) and Goode families.Before their Fear Street discussion: Surge reviews Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero, and Anna reviews The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee.

Episode 36 - The Fear Street Saga 03: The Burning

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2018 92:01


Anna and Surge FINALLY finish up the Fear Street Saga trilogy with their discussion of The Burning. It took awhile but they finally get to the conclusion of the "epic" feud between the Fear (Fier) and Goode families.Before their Fear Street discussion: Surge reviews Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero, and Anna reviews The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee.

Episode 35 - Edgar Cantero Interview

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2018 55:10


We interview NYT best selling author of Meddling Kids, Edgar Cantero. As always, we delve into the nitty gritty of his writing process followed by a conversation about his books: including his first English novel Supernatural Enhancements, and his latest novel This Body's Not Big Enough For Both of Us. Thanks Edgar for joining us at the Brooklyn Public Library recording studio for the interview.

Episode 35 - Edgar Cantero Interview

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2018 55:10


We interview NYT best selling author of Meddling Kids, Edgar Cantero. As always, we delve into the nitty gritty of his writing process followed by a conversation about his books: including his first English novel Supernatural Enhancements, and his latest novel This Body's Not Big Enough For Both of Us. Thanks Edgar for joining us at the Brooklyn Public Library recording studio for the interview.

Episode 34 - The Fear Street Saga 02: The Secret

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2018 69:08


Anna and Surge finally get to the second book of the Fear Street Saga trilogy. Yes it took forever, but it took awhile for the rage to simmer down. The middle book of trilogies tend to be a letdown, but this was really something special.Before they get to Fear Street Saga: The Secret, Surge reviews Edgar Cantero's This Body's Not Big Enough For Both of Us and Anna reviews Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman.Fear Street Saga: The Secret reviews starts at 18:57.

Episode 34 - The Fear Street Saga 02: The Secret

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2018 69:08


Anna and Surge finally get to the second book of the Fear Street Saga trilogy. Yes it took forever, but it took awhile for the rage to simmer down. The middle book of trilogies tend to be a letdown, but this was really something special.Before they get to Fear Street Saga: The Secret, Surge reviews Edgar Cantero's This Body's Not Big Enough For Both of Us and Anna reviews Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman.Fear Street Saga: The Secret reviews starts at 18:57.

Episode 33 - Bryce Gibson Interview

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2018 47:42


In a special interview episode, Anna and Surge interview author Bryce Gibson. His YA Southern Gothic Horror is a fresh take on the 90's teen horror genre.

Episode 33 - Bryce Gibson Interview

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2018 47:42


In a special interview episode, Anna and Surge interview author Bryce Gibson. His YA Southern Gothic Horror is a fresh take on the 90's teen horror genre.

Episode 32 - Book Expo Wrapup

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2018 136:16


Surge has come back from his Asia worktrip and we FINALLY have our post BookExpo wrap up! This isn't like a normal episode. We talk about a lot of what's going on in the publishing industry, diversity, and some politics (and it's effects on the book world). It's really long, it's more nuanced than either one of us can manage, but we really tried our best.

Episode 32 - Book Expo Wrapup

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2018 136:16


Surge has come back from his Asia worktrip and we FINALLY have our post BookExpo wrap up! This isn't like a normal episode. We talk about a lot of what's going on in the publishing industry, diversity, and some politics (and it's effects on the book world). It's really long, it's more nuanced than either one of us can manage, but we really tried our best.

Episode 31 - The Fear Street Saga 01: The Betrayal

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2018 76:57


Surge and Anna finally made it to the highly anticipated Fear Street Saga series. Finally learning about the history of the Fear or Fier family and the start of the blood feud between them and the Goode family. Before that, Surge reviews Myth and Madness by Daniel Hryhorczuk and Anna reviews The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan.

Episode 31 - The Fear Street Saga 01: The Betrayal

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2018 76:57


Surge and Anna finally made it to the highly anticipated Fear Street Saga series. Finally learning about the history of the Fear or Fier family and the start of the blood feud between them and the Goode family. Before that, Surge reviews Myth and Madness by Daniel Hryhorczuk and Anna reviews The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan.

Episode 30 - Fear Street Super Chiller 5: Silent Night 2

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2018 60:52


Reva Dalby is back for another holiday season of snide remarks and attempted murder. All is never calm when Reva's around.Before the discussion of Silent Night 2, we review two other books. Surge kicks us off with his review of "Evolutions - Fifteen Myths that Explain Our World" by Oren Harman. Anna reviews the final book in the Themis Files Trilogy, "Only Human" by Sylvain Neuvel.

Episode 30 - Fear Street Super Chiller 5: Silent Night 2

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2018 60:52


Reva Dalby is back for another holiday season of snide remarks and attempted murder. All is never calm when Reva's around.Before the discussion of Silent Night 2, we review two other books. Surge kicks us off with his review of "Evolutions - Fifteen Myths that Explain Our World" by Oren Harman. Anna reviews the final book in the Themis Files Trilogy, "Only Human" by Sylvain Neuvel.

Episode 29 - Fear Street Super Chiller 4: Broken Hearts

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2018 80:08


A Valentine's Day surprise that no one really wants in the latest book of the Fear Street Super Chiller series. Anna and Surge also go full bore in developing their Fear Street mythos.Before the Fear Street deep dive, Anna and Surge review the first book in VE Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy. The trilogy has a surprising link to the Fear Street mythos. Take a listen.

Episode 29 - Fear Street Super Chiller 4: Broken Hearts

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2018 80:08


A Valentine's Day surprise that no one really wants in the latest book of the Fear Street Super Chiller series. Anna and Surge also go full bore in developing their Fear Street mythos.Before the Fear Street deep dive, Anna and Surge review the first book in VE Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy. The trilogy has a surprising link to the Fear Street mythos. Take a listen.

Episode 28 - Fear Street 20: The New Boy

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2018 66:48


Anna and Surge dissect The New Boy, which isn't as gross as it might sound. It's the next Fear Street book in the series and it doesn't quite mirror The New Girl content wise. Which was too be expected, except if you're Surge.Before that, they review a book of short stories called Saints and Charlatans by Sarim Baig.

Episode 28 - Fear Street 20: The New Boy

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2018 66:48


Anna and Surge dissect The New Boy, which isn't as gross as it might sound. It's the next Fear Street book in the series and it doesn't quite mirror The New Girl content wise. Which was too be expected, except if you're Surge.Before that, they review a book of short stories called Saints and Charlatans by Sarim Baig.

Episode 27 - Fear Street 19: Sunburn

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 58:51


Anna and Surge slather themselves with sunblock so they can discuss Fear Street: Sunburn.The peeling skin and intense pain are bad enough, why add murder to the mix?At the top of the cast, Surge and Anna also review Gloria Chao's American Panda. The most easily relatable book Anna has read in awhile.

Episode 27 - Fear Street 19: Sunburn

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2018 58:51


Anna and Surge slather themselves with sunblock so they can discuss Fear Street: Sunburn.The peeling skin and intense pain are bad enough, why add murder to the mix?At the top of the cast, Surge and Anna also review Gloria Chao's American Panda. The most easily relatable book Anna has read in awhile.

Episode 26 - Fear Street 18: The Cheater

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2018 52:47


The second season of RetRead Podcast starts out with a bang. We didn't cheat to get this episode out, but Carter sure cheated in the book. Anna and Surge talk about the ramifications of cheating in the Fear Street universe. Cheating vs justice, who will prevail?Before our discussion of The Cheater, Surge reviews Coyote Tales by Thomas King, illustrations by Byron Eggenschwiler. Book courtesy of Groundwood Books.

Episode 26 - Fear Street 18: The Cheater

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2018 52:47


The second season of RetRead Podcast starts out with a bang. We didn't cheat to get this episode out, but Carter sure cheated in the book. Anna and Surge talk about the ramifications of cheating in the Fear Street universe. Cheating vs justice, who will prevail?Before our discussion of The Cheater, Surge reviews Coyote Tales by Thomas King, illustrations by Byron Eggenschwiler. Book courtesy of Groundwood Books.

Episode 25 - Fear Street Super Chiller 3: Goodnight Kiss

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2018 68:12


Surge and Anna discuss how Fear Street Super Chiller: Goodnight Kiss compares to other vampire books out there. It's dangerous to be a vacationing Shadyside student.Before our Fear Street review, Anna reviews City of Endless Night, the latest offering from the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

Episode 25 - Fear Street Super Chiller 3: Goodnight Kiss

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2018 68:12


Surge and Anna discuss how Fear Street Super Chiller: Goodnight Kiss compares to other vampire books out there. It's dangerous to be a vacationing Shadyside student.Before our Fear Street review, Anna reviews City of Endless Night, the latest offering from the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

Episode 24 - Fear Street Cheerleaders 03 - The Third Evil

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2018 74:31


Surge and Anna finish up the Fear Street Cheerleaders trilogy (we assume New Evil doesn't count). How did RL Stine wrap up this brief series? Check it out in our episode.Before we get into Fear Street, Surge discusses a book of myths and legends called Tatterhood, and Anna discusses an anthology of short stories called Where the Stars Rise.

Episode 24 - Fear Street Cheerleaders 03 - The Third Evil

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2018 74:31


Surge and Anna finish up the Fear Street Cheerleaders trilogy (we assume New Evil doesn't count). How did RL Stine wrap up this brief series? Check it out in our episode.Before we get into Fear Street, Surge discusses a book of myths and legends called Tatterhood, and Anna discusses an anthology of short stories called Where the Stars Rise.

Episode 23 - Fear Street Cheerleaders 02 - The Second Evil

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2018 60:15


Our first review of the year! Anna and Surge go in depth on the second installment of the Fear Street Cheerleaders series, The Second Evil. From grave rubbings to more deaths, we've upped the ante in this book.Before our Fear Street discussion, we review C. Robert Cargill's Sea of Rust and Nina Berkhout's The Mosaic. Both books were featured in our last minute holiday gift guide.

Claim RetRead Podcast

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel