Podcasts about Mary Shelley

When Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was a kid growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, he would draw monsters all day. His deeply Catholic grandmother even had him exorcised because of it. But when del Toro saw the 1931 film ‘Frankenstein,' his life changed. "I realized I understood my faith or my dogmas better through Frankenstein than through Sunday mass." His adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic book is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Del Toro spoke with Terry Gross about getting over his fear of death, the design of Frankenstein's creature, and his opinion on generative AI.Also, John Powers reviews the noirish drama ‘Islands.' Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How We Seeez It! Episode 321, Frankenstein (2025) “In you, I have created something truly horrible.”– Dr. Victor Frankenstein.  Guillermo Del Toro was so inspired by Mary Shelley's book as a child; he has always wanted to take his shot telling this story. The movie he has made is up for many Oscars as well as other awards. Best picture being one of them. So, join us for the discussion on our thoughts and don't forget about our cocktails for this episode. There should be some good ones.         As always, mix a drink, have a listen, and let us know what you think. Or if there is something you watched that we might enjoy or a can't miss series. Also please rate and review show on all your favorite podcast apps. Drinks for the episode: "The Blunderbuss" 1 oz Svöl Danish-Style Aquavit ¾ oz Cherry Heering ¾ oz Hamilton 151 Overproof Rum 2 dashes Smoked Salt & Pepper Bitters Stir until very cold Strain into a rocks glass Express a lemon peel and discard “Oedipus Complex” 1.5 oz Caramel Vodka 1.5 oz Amaretto  1 oz Grind Espresso liquor Add in a “Breast Milk shot” .33 oz Crème de Cacao  .33 oz salted caramel Irish cream  .33 oz butterscotch schnapps  .33 oz Milk   Show links: https://hwsi.podbean.com/e/frankenstein-2025/  HWSI LinkTree HWSI Facebook Link HWSI Instagram Link HWSI Youtube link !! You can also email the Podcast at the.HWSI.podcast@gmail.com

**THIS EPISODE CONTAINS FULL SPOILERS**Film is Lit comes ROARING back, covering a pop sensation: 9-time Oscar nominee "Frankenstein!" We just can't stop talking about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein! And we welcome Dr. Sean Flory back to the pod, the *actual* literature expert. Join our discussion of Guillermo del Toro's creature feature adaptation of Shelley's classic.#JacobElordi #Guillermo del Toro #MaryShelley #Frankenstein #FilmIsLit #movie #Oscars #filmtobook #MiaGoth #CreatureFeature #booktoscreen #OscarIsaac

Abrimos La Ventana de los libros para recibir a Luis Solano, editor de Libros del Asteroide, sello que ha publicado 'Hamnet' en lengua castellana, y a Joaquín Palau, editor de Arpa, en septiembre publicaron una nueva edición de 'Frankenstein o el moderno Prometeo' de Mary Shelley. Sigue el concurso de relatos para conocer al relato ganador de enero. Nieves Concostrina hace un nuevo repaso por la historia. Y por último, Isaías Lafuente repasa los mejores momentos del día. 

Jala is joined by Moxie (The Level) and new guest Ryn (Neon Pantheon) to discuss Guillermo del Toro's 2025 movie, Frankenstein. This episode covers production, artistry, characters and design. Mentioned During the Episode: Dolls of the main cast, part 1 Dolls of the main cast, part 2 The National Wallace Monument Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) by Salvador Dalí Saint Bartholomew Flayed Shattered Reminiscence, Jala's game Related Episode: Jala-chan's Place Ep 87: Frankenstein (Novel) - Jala and Dave Jackson discuss the original novel as well as the life and times of author Mary Shelley. Music: Opening: “Frankenstein” by Alexandre Desplat featuring Eldbjørg Hemsing Ending: “Victor & Elizabeth” by Alexandre Desplat featuring Eldbjørg Hemsing Articles & Resources Frankenstein: Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro by Sheila O'Malley LA Times Interview Collider Interview Take a Look Interview CBS Sunday Morning Interview Marvelous Videos Netflix Deep Dive Check out the Swag Shop to share your love with the world! Support this show via Ko-fi! Just like Patreon, there are subscription tiers (with bonus content!) in addition to the ability to drop us a one-time donation. Every little bit helps us put out better quality content and keep the lights on, and gets a shout out in a future episode. Check out ko-fi.com/fireheartmedia for the details! Don't forget to rate & review us on your podcasting platform of choice~ Jala Prendes Bluesky - @jalachan Bluesky - @fireheartmedia The Level Twitch Moxie The Level Ryn Bluesky Neon PantheonSpecial Guests: Moxie and Ryn.

Hello! Our Oscar Series for this year continues with another Best Picture frontrunner--Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein. It's a visionary adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic fantasy novel. The film features a top-notch cast, including Oscar Isaac as the titular doctor. We have strong opinions, even if they don't match the raves we had for last week's film. Enjoy!

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein continues to captivate audiences centuries after its publication, but not all adaptations emphasize the same ethical questions. Matthew and returning guest AK dive into both the original novel and Guillermo del Toro's recent film adaptation—not to catalog their differences, but to explore how each medium handles the story's core moral dilemmas and which approach proves more compelling.How Does the Film Emphasize “The Other” Differently?While both the book and film explore themes of parentage, responsibility, and scientific hubris, they emphasize different ethical questions. AK notes that the novel places stronger emphasis on the responsibilities of individuals in medicine and parenting, particularly through the lens of abandonment. The film, however, foregrounds questions about the grotesque other, the monstrous other, and how appearance shapes moral judgment. The visual decisions in del Toro's adaptation—juxtaposing the creature against beautiful backdrops that shift with emotional moments—underscore this emphasis.How Does the Shift from Abandonment to Abuse Change Victor's Responsibility?One of the most striking differences between the book and film lies in Victor Frankenstein's initial interaction with his creation. In Shelley's novel, Victor creates the monster, goes to bed, wakes up, and immediately flees—abandoning the creature with almost no interaction. Del Toro's film takes a dramatically different approach: Victor spends considerable time with the creature, engaging with it in ways impossible in the book. This changes the fundamental ethical question. Does Victor bear responsibility for abandonment and neglect, or for intentional, directed abuse? The film's choice to show an extended period of interaction—where Victor treats the creature as an object rather than a being—shifts the moral weight of his culpability.Why Does the Composite Body Matter More Now Than Ever?Victor's method of selecting “optimal” body parts from different corpses to create his creature resonates uncomfortably with contemporary debates about human enhancement and biotechnology. The discussion explores how Victor's approach—viewing the creature as an optimization project rather than a living being—connects to modern questions about CRISPR, genetic modification, and who decides what constitutes an “optimal” human body. These questions inevitably involve ableism and the commodification of bodies. The film's emphasis on Victor literally selecting bodies at prisons raises urgent parallels to current concerns: Who becomes test subjects for experimental procedures like Neuralink? Are they being viewed as humans or as subjects for experimentation?Other Topics Covered:Why the novel's nested narrative structure (stories within stories) creates a unique moral complexityHow both works explore humanity's relationship to nature, science, and the line between achievement and hubrisThe challenge of adapting works from different historical contexts when what counted as scientific hubris has radically changedThe concept of viewing people as player characters (with their own interiority) versus non-player characters (existing only to advance your plot)Why Frankenstein's relevance grows as biotechnology makes questions of life preservation more immediateThe conversation reveals how both Shelley's novel and del Toro's film use the Frankenstein story to explore timeless questions through different emphases—one focusing on neglect and parental failure, the other on abuse and the othering of those who don't meet conventional standards of beauty or normalcy. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

What if the most transformative thing you can do for your writing craft and author business is to face what you fear? How can you can find gold in your Shadow in the year ahead? In this episode, I share chapters from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. In the intro, curated book boxes from Bridgerton's Julia Quinn; Google's agentic shopping, and powering Apple's Siri; ChatGPT Ads; and Claude CoWork. Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty [MoonShots with Tony Robbins]; and three trends for authors with me and Orna Ross [Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast]; plus, Bones of the Deep, Business for Authors, and Indie Author Lab. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. What is the Shadow? The ‘creative wound' and the Shadow in writing The Shadow in traditional publishing The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author The Shadow in work The Shadow in money You can find Writing the Shadow in all formats on all stores, as well as special edition, workbook and bundles at www.TheCreativePenn.com/shadowbook Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words The following chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn. Introduction. What is the Shadow? “How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.” —C.G. Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul We all have a Shadow side and it is the work of a lifetime to recognise what lies within and spin that base material into gold. Think of it as a seedling in a little pot that you're given when you're young. It's a bit misshapen and weird, not something you would display in your living room, so you place it in a dark corner of the basement. You don't look at it for years. You almost forget about it. Then one day you notice tendrils of something wild poking up through the floorboards. They're ugly and don't fit with your Scandi-minimalist interior design. You chop the tendrils away and pour weedkiller on what's left, trying to hide the fact that they were ever there. But the creeping stems keep coming. At some point, you know you have to go down there and face the wild thing your seedling has become. When you eventually pluck up enough courage to go down into the basement, you discover that the plant has wound its roots deep into the foundations of your home. Its vines weave in and out of the cracks in the walls, and it has beautiful flowers and strange fruit. It holds your world together. Perhaps you don't need to destroy the wild tendrils. Perhaps you can let them wind up into the light and allow their rich beauty to weave through your home. It will change the look you have so carefully cultivated, but maybe that's just what the place needs. The Shadow in psychology Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist and the founder of analytical psychology. He described the Shadow as an unconscious aspect of the human personality, those parts of us that don't match up to what is expected of us by family and society, or to our own ideals. The Shadow is not necessarily evil or illegal or immoral, although of course it can be. It's also not necessarily caused by trauma, abuse, or any other severely damaging event, although again, it can be. It depends on the individual. What is in your Shadow is based on your life and your experiences, as well as your culture and society, so it will be different for everyone. Psychologist Connie Zweig, in The Inner Work of Age, explains, “The Shadow is that part of us that lies beneath or behind the light of awareness. It contains our rejected, unacceptable traits and feelings. It contains our hidden gifts and talents that have remained unexpressed or unlived. As Jung put it, the essence of the Shadow is pure gold.” To further illustrate the concept, Robert Bly, in A Little Book on the Human Shadow,uses the following metaphor: “When we are young, we carry behind us an invisible bag, into which we stuff any feelings, thoughts, or behaviours that bring disapproval or loss of love—anger, tears, neediness, laziness. By the time we go to school, our bags are already a mile long. In high school, our peer groups pressure us to stuff the bags with even more—individuality, sexuality, spontaneity, different opinions. We spend our life until we're twenty deciding which parts of ourselves to put into the bag and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.” As authors, we can use what's in the ‘bag' to enrich our writing — but only if we can access it. My intention with this book is to help you venture into your Shadow and bring some of what's hidden into the light and into your words. I'll reveal aspects of my Shadow in these pages but ultimately, this book is about you. Your Shadow is unique. There may be elements we share, but much will be different. Each chapter has questions for you to consider that may help you explore at least the edges of your Shadow, but it's not easy. As Jung said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.” But take heart, Creative. You don't need courage when things are easy. You need it when you know what you face will be difficult, but you do it anyway. We are authors. We know how to do hard things. We turn ideas into books. We manifest thoughts into ink on paper. We change lives with our writing. First, our own, then other people's. It's worth the effort to delve into Shadow, so I hope you will join me on the journey. The creative wound and the Shadow in writing “Whatever pain you can't get rid of, make it your creative offering.” —Susan Cain, Bittersweet  The more we long for something, the more extreme our desire, the more likely it is to have a Shadow side. For those of us who love books, the author life may well be a long-held dream and thus, it is filled with Shadow. Books have long been objects of desire, power, and authority. They hold a mythic status in our lives. We escaped into stories as children; we studied books at school and college; we read them now for escape and entertainment, education and inspiration. We collect beautiful books to put on our shelves. We go to them for solace and answers to the deepest questions of life. Writers are similarly held in high esteem. They shape culture, win literary prizes, give important speeches, and are quoted in the mainstream media. Their books are on the shelves in libraries and bookstores. Writers are revered, held up as rare, talented creatures made separate from us by their brilliance and insight. For bibliophile children, books were everything and to write one was a cherished dream. To become an author? Well, that would mean we might be someone special, someone worthy. Perhaps when you were young, you thought the dream of being a writer was possible — then you told someone about it. That's probably when you heard the first criticism of such a ridiculous idea, the first laughter, the first dismissal. So you abandoned the dream, pushed the idea of being a writer into the Shadow, and got on with your life. Or if it wasn't then, it came later, when you actually put pen to paper and someone — a parent, teacher, partner, or friend, perhaps even a literary agent or publisher, someone whose opinion you valued — told you it was worthless. Here are some things you might have heard: Writing is a hobby. Get a real job. You're not good enough. You don't have any writing talent. You don't have enough education. You don't know what you're doing. Your writing is derivative / unoriginal / boring / useless / doesn't make sense. The genre you write in is dead / worthless / unacceptable / morally wrong / frivolous / useless.  Who do you think you are? No one would want to read what you write. You can't even use proper grammar, so how could you write a whole book? You're wasting your time. You'll never make it as a writer. You shouldn't write those things (or even think about those things). Why don't you write something nice? Insert other derogatory comment here! Mark Pierce describes the effect of this experience in his book The Creative Wound, which “occurs when an event, or someone's actions or words, pierce you, causing a kind of rift in your soul. A comment—even offhand and unintentional—is enough to cause one.” He goes on to say that such words can inflict “damage to the core of who we are as creators. It is an attack on our artistic identity, resulting in us believing that whatever we make is somehow tainted or invalid, because shame has convinced us there is something intrinsically tainted or invalid about ourselves.” As adults, we might brush off such wounds, belittling them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We might even find ourselves saying the same words to other people. After all, it's easier to criticise than to create. But if you picture your younger self, bright eyed as you lose yourself in your favourite book, perhaps you might catch a glimpse of what you longed for before your dreams were dashed on the rocks of other people's reality. As Mark Pierce goes on to say, “A Creative Wound has the power to delay our pursuits—sometimes for years—and it can even derail our lives completely… Anything that makes us feel ashamed of ourselves or our work can render us incapable of the self-expression we yearn for.” This is certainly what happened to me, and it took decades to unwind. Your creative wounds will differ to mine but perhaps my experience will help you explore your own. To be clear, your Shadow may not reside in elements of horror as mine do, but hopefully you can use my example to consider where your creative wounds might lie. “You shouldn't write things like that.” It happened at secondary school around 1986 or 1987, so I would have been around eleven or twelve years old. English was one of my favourite subjects and the room we had our lessons in looked out onto a vibrant garden. I loved going to that class because it was all about books, and they were always my favourite things. One day, we were asked to write a story. I can't remember the specifics of what the teacher asked us to write, but I fictionalised a recurring nightmare. I stood in a dark room. On one side, my mum and my brother, Rod, were tied up next to a cauldron of boiling oil, ready to be thrown in. On the other side, my dad and my little sister, Lucy, were threatened with decapitation by men with machetes. I had to choose who would die. I always woke up, my heart pounding, before I had to choose. Looking back now, it clearly represented an internal conflict about having to pick sides between the two halves of my family. Not an unexpected issue from a child of divorce. Perhaps these days, I might have been sent to the school counsellor, but it was the eighties and I don't think we even had such a thing. Even so, the meaning of the story isn't the point. It was the reaction to it that left scars. “You shouldn't write things like that,” my teacher said, and I still remember her look of disappointment, even disgust. Certainly judgment. She said my writing was too dark. It wasn't a proper story. It wasn't appropriate for the class. As if horrible things never happened in stories — or in life. As if literature could not include dark tales. As if the only acceptable writing was the kind she approved of. We were taught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that year, which says a lot about the type of writing considered appropriate. Or perhaps the issue stemmed from the school motto, “So hateth she derknesse,” from Chaucer's The Legend of Good Women: “For fear of night, so she hates the darkness.” I had won a scholarship to a private girls' school, and their mission was to turn us all into proper young ladies. Horror was never on the curriculum. Perhaps if my teacher had encouraged me to write my darkness back then, my nightmares would have dissolved on the page. Perhaps if we had studied Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or H.P. Lovecraft stories, or Bram Stoker's Dracula, I could have embraced the darker side of literature earlier in my life. My need to push darker thoughts into my Shadow was compounded by my (wonderful) mum's best intentions. We were brought up on the principles of The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and she tried to shield me and my brother from anything harmful or horrible. We weren't allowed to watch TV much, and even the British school drama Grange Hill was deemed inappropriate. So much of what I've achieved is because my mum instilled in me a “can do” attitude that anything is possible. I'm so grateful to her for that. (I love you, Mum!) But all that happy positivity, my desire to please her, to be a good girl, to make my teachers proud, and to be acceptable to society, meant that I pushed my darker thoughts into Shadow. They were inappropriate. They were taboo. They must be repressed, kept secret, and I must be outwardly happy and positive at all times. You cannot hold back the darkness “The night is dark and full of terrors.” —George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords It turned out that horror was on the curriculum, much of it in the form of educational films we watched during lessons. In English Literature, we watched Romeo drink poison and Juliet stab herself in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. In Religious Studies, we watched Jesus beaten, tortured, and crucified in The Greatest Story Ever Told, and learned of the variety of gruesome ways that Christian saints were martyred. In Classical Civilisation, we watched gladiators slaughter each other in Spartacus. In Sex Education at the peak of the AIDS crisis in the mid-'80s, we were told of the many ways we could get infected and die. In History, we studied the Holocaust with images of skeletal bodies thrown into mass graves, medical experiments on humans, and grainy videos of marching soldiers giving the Nazi salute. One of my first overseas school field trips was to the World War I battlegrounds of Flanders Fields in Belgium, where we studied the inhuman conditions of the trenches, walked through mass graves, and read war poetry by candlelight. As John McCrae wrote: We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Did the teachers not realise how deeply a sensitive teenager might feel the darkness of that place? Or have I always been unusual in that places of blood echo deep inside me? And the horrors kept coming. We lived in Bristol, England back then and I learned at school how the city had been part of the slave trade, its wealth built on the backs of people stolen from their homes, sold, and worked to death in the colonies. I had been at school for a year in Malawi, Africa and imagined the Black people I knew drowning, being beaten, and dying on those ships. In my teenage years, the news was filled with ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and massacres during the Balkan wars, and images of bodies hacked apart during the Rwandan genocide. Evil committed by humans against other humans was not a historical aberration. I'm lucky and I certainly acknowledge my privilege. Nothing terrible or horrifying has happened to me — but bad things certainly happen to others. I wasn't bullied or abused. I wasn't raped or beaten or tortured. But you don't have to go through things to be afraid of them, and for your imagination to conjure the possibility of them. My mum doesn't read my fiction now as it gives her nightmares (Sorry, Mum!). I know she worries that somehow she's responsible for my darkness, but I've had a safe and (mostly) happy life, for which I'm truly grateful. But the world is not an entirely safe and happy place, and for a sensitive child with a vivid imagination, the world is dark and scary. It can be brutal and violent, and bad things happen, even to good people. No parent can shield their child from the reality of the world. They can only help them do their best to live in it, develop resilience, and find ways to deal with whatever comes. Story has always been a way that humans have used to learn how to live and deal with difficult times. The best authors, the ones that readers adore and can't get enough of, write their darkness into story to channel their experience, and help others who fear the same. In an interview on writing the Shadow on The Creative Penn Podcast, Michaelbrent Collings shared how he incorporated a personally devastating experience into his writing:  “My wife and I lost a child years back, and that became the root of one of my most terrifying books, Apparition. It's not terrifying because it's the greatest book of all time, but just the concept that there's this thing out there… like a demon, and it consumes the blood and fear of the children, and then it withdraws and consumes the madness of the parents… I wrote that in large measure as a way of working through what I was experiencing.” I've learned much from Michaelbrent. I've read many of his (excellent) books and he's been on my podcast multiple times talking about his depression and mental health issues, as well as difficulties in his author career. Writing darkness is not in Michaelbrent's Shadow and only he can say what lies there for him. But from his example, and from that of other authors, I too learned how to write my Shadow into my books. Twenty-three years after that English lesson, in November 2009, I did NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and wrote five thousand words of what eventually became Stone of Fire, my first novel. In the initial chapter, I burned a nun alive on the ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River. I had watched the bodies burn by night on pyres from a boat bobbing in the current a few years before, and the image was still crystal clear in my mind. The only way to deal with how it made me feel about death was to write about it — and since then, I've never stopped writing. Returning to the nightmare from my school days, I've never had to choose between the two halves of my family, but the threat of losing them remains a theme in my fiction. In my ARKANE thriller series, Morgan Sierra will do anything to save her sister and her niece. Their safety drives her to continue to fight against evil. Our deepest fears emerge in our writing, and that's the safest place for them. I wish I'd been taught how to turn my nightmares into words back at school, but at least now I've learned to write my Shadow onto the page. I wish the same for you. The Shadow in traditional publishing If becoming an author is your dream, then publishing a book is deeply entwined with that. But as Mark Pierce says in The Creative Wound, “We feel pain the most where it matters the most… Desire highlights whatever we consider to be truly significant.” There is a lot of desire around publishing for those of us who love books! It can give you: Validation that your writing is good enough Status and credibility Acceptance by an industry held in esteem  The potential of financial reward and critical acclaim Support from a team of professionals who know how to make fantastic books A sense of belonging to an elite community Pride in achieving a long-held goal, resulting in a confidence boost and self-esteem Although not guaranteed, traditional publishing can give you all these things and more, but as with everything, there is a potential Shadow side. Denying it risks the potential of being disillusioned, disappointed, and even damaged. But remember, forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Preparation can help you avoid potential issues and help you feel less alone if you encounter them. The myth of success… and the reality of experience There is a pervasive myth of success in the traditional publishing industry, perpetuated by media reporting on brand name and breakout authors, those few outliers whose experience is almost impossible to replicate. Because of such examples, many new traditionally published authors think that their first book will hit the top of the bestseller charts or win an award, as well as make them a million dollars — or at least a big chunk of cash. They will be able to leave their job, write in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean, and swan around the world attending conferences, while writing more bestselling books. It will be a charmed life. But that is not the reality. Perhaps it never was. Even so, the life of a traditionally published author represents a mythic career with the truth hidden behind a veil of obscurity. In April 2023, The Bookseller in the UK reported that “more than half of authors (54%) responding to a survey on their experiences of publishing their debut book have said the process negatively affected their mental health. Though views were mixed, just 22%… described a positive experience overall… Among the majority who said they had a negative experience of debut publication, anxiety, stress, depression and ‘lowered' self-esteem were cited, with lack of support, guidance or clear and professional communication from their publisher among the factors that contributed.” Many authors who have negative experiences around publishing will push them into the Shadow with denial or self-blame, preferring to keep the dream alive. They won't talk about things in public as this may negatively affect their careers, but private discussions are often held in the corners of writing conferences or social media groups online. Some of the issues are as follows: Repeated rejection by agents and publishers may lead to the author thinking they are not good enough as a writer, which can lead to feeling unworthy as a person. If an author gets a deal, the amount of advance and the name and status of the publisher compared to others create a hierarchy that impacts self-esteem. A deal for a book may be much lower than an author might have been expecting, with low or no advance, and the resulting experience with the publisher beneath expectations. The launch process may be disappointing, and the book may appear without fanfare, with few sales and no bestseller chart position. In The Bookseller report, one author described her launch day as “a total wasteland… You have expectations about what publication day will be like, but in reality, nothing really happens.” The book may receive negative reviews by critics or readers or more publicly on social media, which can make an author feel attacked. The book might not sell as well as expected, and the author may feel like it's their fault. Commercial success can sometimes feel tied to self-worth and an author can't help but compare their sales to others, with resulting embarrassment or shame. The communication from the publisher may be less than expected. One author in The Bookseller report said, “I was shocked by the lack of clarity and shared information and the cynicism that underlies the superficial charm of this industry.” There is often more of a focus on debut authors in publishing houses, so those who have been writing and publishing in the midlist for years can feel ignored and undervalued. In The Bookseller report, 48 percent of authors reported “their publisher supported them for less than a year,” with one saying, “I got no support and felt like a commodity, like the team had moved on completely to the next book.” If an author is not successful enough, the next deal may be lower than the last, less effort is made with marketing, and they may be let go. In The Bookseller report, “six authors—debut and otherwise—cited being dropped by their publisher, some with no explanation.” Even if everything goes well and an author is considered successful by others, they may experience imposter syndrome, feeling like a fraud when speaking at conferences or doing book signings. And the list goes on … All these things can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and embarrassment; loss of status in the eyes of peers; and a sense of failure if a publishing career is not successful enough. The author feels like it's their fault, like they weren't good enough — although, of course, the reality is that the conditions were not right at the time. A failure of a book is not a failure of the person, but it can certainly feel like it! When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Despite all the potential negatives of traditional publishing, if you know what could happen, you can mitigate them. You can prepare yourself for various scenarios and protect yourself from potential fall-out. It's clear from The Bookseller report that too many authors have unrealistic expectations of the industry. But publishers are businesses, not charities. It's not their job to make you feel good as an author. It's their job to sell books and pay you. The best thing they can do is to continue to be a viable business so they can keep putting books on the shelves and keep paying authors, staff, and company shareholders. When you license your creative work to a publisher, you're giving up control of your intellectual property in exchange for money and status. Bring your fears and issues out of the Shadow, acknowledge them, and deal with them early, so they do not get pushed down and re-emerge later in blame and bitterness. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. Be clear on what you want to achieve with any deal. Empower yourself as an author, take responsibility for your career, and you will have a much better experience. The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author Self-publishing, or being an independent (indie) author, can be a fantastic, pro-active choice for getting your book into the world. Holding your first book in your hand and saying “I made this” is pretty exciting, and even after more than forty books, I still get excited about seeing ideas in my head turn into a physical product in the world. Self-publishing can give an author: Creative control over what to write, editorial and cover design choices, when and how often to publish, and how to market Empowerment over your author career and the ability to make choices that impact success without asking for permission Ownership and control of intellectual property assets, resulting in increased opportunity around licensing and new markets Independence and the potential for recurring income for the long term Autonomy and flexibility around timelines, publishing options, and the ability to easily pivot into new genres and business models Validation based on positive reader reviews and money earned Personal growth and learning through the acquisition of new skills, resulting in a boost in confidence and self-esteem A sense of belonging to an active and vibrant community of indie authors around the world Being an indie author can give you all this and more, but once again, there is a Shadow side and preparation can help you navigate potential issues. The myth of success… and the reality of experience As with traditional publishing, the indie author world has perpetuated a myth of success in the example of the breakout indie author like E.L. James with Fifty Shades of Grey, Hugh Howey with Wool, or Andy Weir with The Martian. The emphasis on financial success is also fuelled online by authors who share screenshots showing six-figure months or seven-figure years, without sharing marketing costs and other outgoings, or the amount of time spent on the business. Yes, these can inspire some, but it can also make others feel inadequate and potentially lead to bad choices about how to publish and market based on comparison. The indie author world is full of just as much ego and a desire for status and money as traditional publishing. This is not a surprise! Most authors, regardless of publishing choices, are a mix of massive ego and chronic self-doubt. We are human, so the same issues will re-occur. A different publishing method doesn't cure all ills. Some of the issues are as follows: You learn everything you need to know about writing and editing, only to find that you need to learn a whole new set of skills in order to self-publish and market your book. This can take a lot of time and effort you did not expect, and things change all the time so you have to keep learning. Being in control of every aspect of the publishing process, from writing to cover design to marketing, can be overwhelming, leading to indecision, perfectionism, stress, and even burnout as you try to do all the things. You try to find people to help, but building your team is a challenge, and working with others has its own difficulties. People say negative things about self-publishing that may arouse feelings of embarrassment or shame. These might be little niggles, but they needle you, nonetheless. You wonder whether you made the right choice. You struggle with self-doubt and if you go to an event with traditional published authors, you compare yourself to them and feel like an imposter. Are you good enough to be an author if a traditional publisher hasn't chosen you? Is it just vanity to self-publish? Are your books unworthy? Even though you worked with a professional editor, you still get one-star reviews and you hate criticism from readers. You wonder whether you're wasting your time. You might be ripped off by an author services company who promise the world, only to leave you with a pile of printed books in your garage and no way to sell them. When you finally publish your book, it languishes at the bottom of the charts while other authors hit the top of the list over and over, raking in the cash while you are left out of pocket. You don't admit to over-spending on marketing as it makes you ashamed. You resist book marketing and make critical comments about writers who embrace it. You believe that quality rises to the top and if a book is good enough, people will buy it anyway. This can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when you launch your book and it doesn't sell many copies because nobody knows about it. You try to do what everyone advises, but you still can't make decent money as an author. You're jealous of other authors' success and put it down to them ‘selling out' or writing things you can't or ‘using AI' or ‘using a ghostwriter' or having a specific business model you consider impossible to replicate. And the list goes on… When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Being in control of your books and your author career is a double-edged sword. Traditionally published authors can criticise their publishers or agents or the marketing team or the bookstores or the media, but indie authors have to take responsibility for it all. Sure, we can blame ‘the algorithms' or social media platforms, or criticise other authors for having more experience or more money to invest in marketing, or attribute their success to writing in a more popular genre — but we also know there are always people who do well regardless of the challenges. Once more, we're back to acknowledging and integrating the Shadow side of our choices. We are flawed humans. There will always be good times and bad, and difficulties to offset the high points. This too shall pass, as the old saying goes. I know that being an indie author has plenty of Shadow. I've been doing this since 2008 and despite the hard times, I'm still here. I'm still writing. I'm still publishing. This life is not for everyone, but it's my choice. You must make yours. The Shadow in work You work hard. You make a living. Nothing wrong with that attitude, right? It's what we're taught from an early age and, like so much of life, it's not a problem until it goes to extremes. Not achieving what you want to? Work harder. Can't get ahead? Work harder. Not making a good enough living? Work harder. People who don't work hard are lazy. They don't deserve handouts or benefits. People who don't work hard aren't useful, so they are not valued members of our culture and community. But what about the old or the sick, the mentally ill, or those with disabilities? What about children? What about the unemployed? The under-employed? What about those who are — or will be — displaced by technology, those called “the useless class” by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his book Homo Deus? What if we become one of these in the future? Who am I if I cannot work? The Shadow side of my attitude to work became clear when I caught COVID in the summer of 2021. I was the sickest I'd ever been. I spent two weeks in bed unable to even think properly, and six weeks after that, I was barely able to work more than an hour a day before lying in the dark and waiting for my energy to return. I was limited in what I could do for another six months after that. At times, I wondered if I would ever get better. Jonathan kept urging me to be patient and rest. But I don't know how to rest. I know how to work and how to sleep. I can do ‘active rest,' which usually involves walking a long way or traveling somewhere interesting, but those require a stronger mind and body than I had during those months. It struck me that even if I recovered from the virus, I had glimpsed my future self. One day, I will be weak in body and mind. If I'm lucky, that will be many years away and hopefully for a short time before I die — but it will happen. I am an animal. I will die. My body and mind will pass on and I will be no more. Before then I will be weak. Before then, I will be useless. Before then, I will be a burden. I will not be able to work… But who am I if I cannot work? What is the point of me? I can't answer these questions right now, because although I recognise them as part of my Shadow, I've not progressed far enough to have dealt with them entirely. My months of COVID gave me some much-needed empathy for those who cannot work, even if they want to. We need to reframe what work is as a society, and value humans for different things, especially as technology changes what work even means. That starts with each of us. “Illness, affliction of body and soul, can be life-altering. It has the potential to reveal the most fundamental conflict of the human condition: the tension between our infinite, glorious dreams and desires and our limited, vulnerable, decaying physicality.” —Connie Zweig, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul The Shadow in money In the Greek myth, King Midas was a wealthy ruler who loved gold above all else. His palace was adorned with golden sculptures and furniture, and he took immense pleasure in his riches. Yet, despite his vast wealth, he yearned for more. After doing a favour for Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, Midas was granted a single wish. Intoxicated by greed, he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold — and it was so. At first, it was a lot of fun. Midas turned everything else in his palace to gold, even the trees and stones of his estate. After a morning of turning things to gold, he fancied a spot of lunch. But when he tried to eat, the food and drink turned to gold in his mouth. He became thirsty and hungry — and increasingly desperate. As he sat in despair on his golden throne, his beloved young daughter ran to comfort him. For a moment, he forgot his wish — and as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, she turned into a golden statue, frozen in precious metal. King Midas cried out to the gods to forgive him, to reverse the wish. He renounced his greed and gave away all his wealth, and his daughter was returned to life. The moral of the story: Wealth and greed are bad. In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.” He's wealthy but does not share, considering Christmas spending to be frivolous and giving to charity to be worthless. He's saved by a confrontation with his lonely future and becomes a generous man and benefactor of the poor. Wealth is good if you share it with others. The gospel of Matthew, chapter 25: 14-30, tells the parable of the bags of gold, in which a rich man goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with varying amounts of gold. On his return, the servants who multiplied the gold through their efforts and investments are rewarded, while the one who merely returned the gold with no interest is punished: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Making money is good, making more money is even better. If you can't make any money, you don't deserve to have any. Within the same gospel, in Matthew 19:24, Jesus encounters a wealthy man and tells him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, which the man is unable to do. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth is bad. Give it all away and you'll go to heaven. With all these contradictory messages, no wonder we're so conflicted about money! How do you think and feel about money? While money is mostly tied to our work, it's far more than just a transactional object for most people. It's loaded with complex symbolism and judgment handed down by family, religion, and culture. You are likely to find elements of Shadow by examining your attitudes around money. Consider which of the following statements resonate with you or write your own. Money stresses me out. I don't want to talk about it or think about it. Some people hoard money, so there is inequality. Rich people are bad and we should take away their wealth and give it to the poor.  I can never make enough money to pay the bills, or to give my family what I want to provide. Money doesn't grow on trees.  It's wasteful to spend money as you might need it later, so I'm frugal and don't spend money unless absolutely necessary. It is better and more ethical to be poor than to be rich. I want more money. I read books and watch TV shows about rich people because I want to live like that. Sometimes I spend too much on things for a glimpse of what that might be like.  I buy lottery tickets and dream of winning all that money.  I'm jealous of people who have money. I want more of it and I resent those who have it. I'm no good with money. I don't like to look at my bank statement or credit card statement. I live off my overdraft and I'm in debt. I will never earn enough to get out of debt and start saving, so I don't think too much about it. I don't know enough about money. Talking about it makes me feel stupid, so I just ignore it. People like me aren't educated about money.  I need to make more money. If I can make lots of money, then people will look up to me. If I make lots of money, I will be secure, nothing can touch me, I will be safe.  I never want to be poor. I would be ashamed to be poor. I will never go on benefits. My net worth is my self worth. Money is good. We have the best standard of living in history because of the increase in wealth over time. Even the richest kings of the past didn't have what many middle-class people have today in terms of access to food, water, technology, healthcare, education, and more. The richest people give the most money to the poor through taxation and charity, as well as through building companies that employ people and invent new things. The very richest give away much of their fortunes. They provide far more benefit to the world than the poor.  I love money. Money loves me. Money comes easily and quickly to me. I attract money in multiple streams of income. It flows to me in so many ways. I spend money. I invest money. I give money. I'm happy and grateful for all that I receive. The Shadow around money for authors in particular Many writers and other creatives have issues around money and wealth. How often have you heard the following, and which do you agree with? You can't make money with your writing. You'll be a poor author in a garret, a starving artist.  You can't write ‘good quality' books and make money. If you make money writing, you're a hack, you're selling out. You are less worthy than someone who writes only for the Muse. Your books are commercial, not artistic. If you spend money on marketing, then your books are clearly not good enough to sell on their own. My agent / publisher / accountant / partner deals with the money side. I like to focus on the creative side of things. My money story Note: This is not financial or investment advice. Please talk to a professional about your situation. I've had money issues over the years — haven't we all! But I have been through a (long) process to bring money out of my Shadow and into the light. There will always be more to discover, but hopefully my money story will help you, or at least give you an opportunity to reflect. Like most people, I didn't grow up with a lot of money. My parents started out as teachers, but later my mum — who I lived with, along with my brother — became a change management consultant, moving to the USA and earning a lot more. I'm grateful that she moved into business because her example changed the way I saw money and provided some valuable lessons. (1) You can change your circumstances by learning more and then applying that to leverage opportunity into a new job or career Mum taught English at a school in Bristol when we moved back from Malawi, Africa, in the mid '80s but I remember how stressful it was for her, and how little money she made. She wanted a better future for us all, so she took a year out to do a master's degree in management. In the same way, when I wanted to change careers and leave consulting to become an author, I spent time and money learning about the writing craft and the business of publishing. I still invest a considerable chunk on continuous learning, as this industry changes all the time. (2) You might have to downsize in order to leap forward The year my mum did her degree, we lived in the attic of another family's house; we ate a lot of one-pot casserole and our treat was having a Yorkie bar on the walk back from the museum. We wore hand-me-down clothes, and I remember one day at school when another girl said I was wearing her dress. I denied it, of course, but there in back of the dress was her name tag. I still remember her name and I can still feel that flush of shame and embarrassment. I was determined to never feel like that again. But what I didn't realize at the time was that I was also learning the power of downsizing. Mum got her degree and then a new job in management in Bristol. She bought a house, and we settled for a few years. I had lots of different jobs as a teenager. My favourite was working in the delicatessen because we got a free lunch made from delicious produce. After I finished A-levels, I went to the University of Oxford, and my mum and brother moved to the USA for further opportunities. I've downsized multiple times over the years, taking a step back in order to take a step forward. The biggest was in 2010 when I decided to leave consulting. Jonathan and I sold our three-bedroom house and investments in Brisbane, Australia, and rented a one-bedroom flat in London, so we could be debt-free and live on less while I built up a new career. It was a decade before we bought another house. (3) Comparison can be deadly: there will always be people with more money than you Oxford was an education in many ways and relevant to this chapter is how much I didn't know about things people with money took for granted. I learned about formal hall and wine pairings, and how to make a perfect gin and tonic. I ate smoked salmon for the first time. I learned how to fit in with people who had a lot more money than I did, and I definitely wanted to have money of my own to play with. (4) Income is not wealth You can earn lots but have nothing to show for it after years of working. I learned this in my first few years of IT consulting after university. I earned a great salary and then went contracting, earning even more money at a daily rate. I had a wonderful time. I traveled, ate and drank and generally made merry, but I always had to go back to the day job when the money ran out. I couldn't work out how I could ever stop this cycle. Then I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, a book I still recommend, especially if you're from a family that values academic over financial education. I learned how to escape the rat race by building and/or accumulating assets that pay even when you're not working. It was a revelation! The ‘poor dad' in the book is a university professor. He knows so much about so many things, but he ends up poor as he did not educate himself about money. The ‘rich dad' has little formal education, but he knows about money and wealth because he learned about it, as we can do at any stage in our lives. (5) Not all investments suit every person, so find the right one for you Once I discovered the world of investing, I read all the books and did courses and in-person events. I joined communities and I up-skilled big time. Of course, I made mistakes and learned lots along the way. I tried property investing and renovated a couple of houses for rental (with more practical partners and skilled contractors). But while I could see that property investing might work for some people, I did not care enough about the details to make it work for me, and it was certainly not passive income. I tried other things. My first husband was a boat skipper and scuba diving instructor, so we started a charter. With the variable costs of fuel, the vagaries of New Zealand weather — and our divorce — it didn't last long! From all these experiments, I learned I wanted to run a business, but it needed to be online and not based on a physical location, physical premises, or other people. That was 2006, around the time that blogging started taking off and it became possible to make a living online. I could see the potential and a year later, the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle launched, which became the basis of my business as an author. (6) Boring, automatic saving and investing works best Between 2007 and 2011, I contracted in Australia, where they have compulsory superannuation contributions, meaning you have to save and invest a percentage of your salary or self-employed income. I'd never done that before, because I didn't understand it. I'd ploughed all my excess income into property or the business instead. But in Australia I didn't notice the money going out because it was automatic. I chose a particular fund and it auto-invested every month. The pot grew pretty fast since I didn't touch it, and years later, it's still growing. I discovered the power of compound interest and time in the market, both of which are super boring. This type of investing is not a get rich quick scheme. It's a slow process of automatically putting money into boring investments and doing that month in, month out, year in, year out, automatically for decades while you get on with your life. I still do this. I earn money as an author entrepreneur and I put a percentage of that into boring investments automatically every month. I also have a small amount which is for fun and higher risk investments, but mostly I'm a conservative, risk-averse investor planning ahead for the future. This is not financial advice, so I'm not giving any specifics. I have a list of recommended money books at www.TheCreativePenn.com/moneybooks if you want to learn more. Learning from the Shadow When I look back, my Shadow side around money eventually drove me to learn more and resulted in a better outcome (so far!). I was ashamed of being poor when I had to wear hand-me-down clothes at school. That drove a fear of not having any money, which partially explains my workaholism. I was embarrassed at Oxford because I didn't know how to behave in certain settings, and I wanted to be like the rich people I saw there. I spent too much money in my early years as a consultant because I wanted to experience a “rich” life and didn't understand saving and investing would lead to better things in the future. I invested too much in the wrong things because I didn't know myself well enough and I was trying to get rich quick so I could leave my job and ‘be happy.' But eventually, I discovered that I could grow my net worth with boring, long-term investments while doing a job I loved as an author entrepreneur. My only regret is that I didn't discover this earlier and put a percentage of my income into investments as soon as I started work. It took several decades to get started, but at least I did (eventually) start. My money story isn't over yet, and I keep learning new things, but hopefully my experience will help you reflect on your own and avoid the issue if it's still in Shadow. These chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn  The post Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

This week on the Video Store Podcast I am recommending four sequels that understood what they were doing. Not every follow up needs to top the original. Sometimes the smarter move is to change perspective, lean into experience, or admit that the audience already knows the rules. These films take different approaches, but all of them show intent rather than obligation.Bride of Frankenstein (1935)James Whale treats the sequel as a chance to reshape the story rather than extend it. The film is openly stylized, emotionally direct, and comfortable mixing humor with unease. Elsa Lanchester appearing as both Mary Shelley and the Bride signals how self aware the film is from the start. At just over an hour it wastes nothing, and every choice feels deliberate. Universal horror rarely let directors put this much personality on screen, which makes it stand out even now.Psycho II (1983)Instead of chasing shock, this film focuses on Norman Bates after years of confinement. Anthony Perkins plays him with restraint and patience, letting the tension come from uncertainty rather than spectacle. The movie also knows the audience brings baggage with them, and it uses that knowledge carefully. Released at a time when many horror sequels went broader, this one went inward.The Color of Money (1986)Paul Newman returns to Fast Eddie Felson as someone shaped by time and compromise. Martin Scorsese treats The Hustler as history, not a template to be copied. The film is about pride, mentorship, and what it means to keep competing when winning is no longer simple. Newman earned his Oscar here, and it feels tied to the character's accumulated weight rather than a single performance beat.Gremlins 2 The New Batch (1990)Joe Dante uses the sequel to tear the whole idea apart. The film is packed with effects, jokes, and commentary, and it never pauses to justify itself. It openly mocks sequels, corporate culture, and even the audience's expectations. The commitment is total, and that confidence is why it works.These four films do not share a tone, a genre, or a strategy. What they share is clarity. Each one knows why it exists and what it wants to explore next. That is what makes them worth renting again, not as curiosities, but as examples of sequels that made real successful choices.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

On the 96th episode of Bomb Squad Matinee, Joe V, Tanner, Austin, Cody, and Tim discuss Guillermo Del Toro's latest gothic epic Frankenstein. Is Del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's horror classic the greatest yet? Did the film's limited theatrical run enhance the viewing experience? Was the gang more captivated by Victor's Tale or The Creature's Tale? Tune in to find out!

Brea and Mallory discuss their most anticipated books for the start of 2026! Plus, they talk to Danika Ellis from Book Riot about their 2026 Read Harder Challenge! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreThe Reading Glasses Book!Sponsors -Apron Notebookswww.apronnotebooks.comCODE: GLASSESGreenChefwww.greenchef.com/GLASSESGRAZACODE: GLASSESGRAZALinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupWish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/join2026 Read HarderThe LesbraryDanika EllisRead Harder Newsletter Books Mentioned -Bright Young Women by Jessica KnollLove in Exile by Shon FayeJoy to the Girls by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson DerrickReally Cute People by Markus Harwood JonesLu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology by Angela HsiehJanuaryCall Me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu GuoLiterary fiction, feminist retelling of Moby DickThe Hitch by Sara LevineMagical realism, funny, woman trying to help nephew who is possessed by a dead corgiIs This a Cry for Help? by Emily AustinLiterary fiction, queer, lesbian, librarians fighting book bannersIf I Ruled the World by Amy DuboisLiterary fiction, late 1990s, hip hop, magazine industryScavengers by Kathleen BolandLiterary fiction, dysfunctional mother-daughter team looking for buried treasureThe Charmed Library by Jennifer MoormanMagical realism, books about books, small town, librarian protagonist, book magicThe Jills by Karen ParkmanThriller, Buffalo Bills cheerleader solving the murder of a fellow cheerleadersThe Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper RossFantasy, magic typewriter, grief, three generations of women, family historyDandelion is Dead by Rosie StoreyContemporary romance, woman sets up a date on her dead sister's dating appThe Future Saints by Ashley WinsteadLiterary fiction, music executive trying to bring band back from the brink, sisters, friendshipLost Lambs by Madeline CashLiterary fiction, humor, family dysfunctionThe Old Fire by Elisa ShuaLiterary fiction, translated, family drama in a crumbling house in the French countrysideSheer by Vanessa LawrenceLiterary fiction, beauty industry, female mogul, secrets, queerHow to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigleyLiterary, historical, 1980s, murder mystery, Indian-American tween protagonist who murders her uncle but she blames it on the BritishThe Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise WilliamsLiterary, multi-generational epic family saga, secretsThe Last of Earth by Deepa AnapparaHistorical, 1800s Tibet, journey, Indian schoolteacher spying for the empire, English lady explorer disguising herself as a manThe Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. BellHistorical fiction, thriller, bookbinder finds confession hidden in a burned book and hunts a story of murder and loveWomen of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna EverhartHistorical fiction, 1940s North Carolina, a young woman subjected to involuntary medical treatment fights backMeet the Newmans by Jennifer NivenHistorical fiction, behind the scenes drama on a 1960s family sitcomNowhere Burning by Catriona WardHorror, Peter Pan inspired, gothic, two fleeing siblings find sanctuary at mysterious ranchDefinitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah FoxMystery, romcom, woman's fake detective agency accidentally hired to solve a real murderCross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder MokeMystery, romcom, rich people behaving badlyAll the Little Houses by May CobbThriller, 1980s Texas, mean girls and mean moms, family secretMy Husband's Wife by Alice FeeneyThriller, mind-bending psychological marriage mysteryThe Storm by Rachel HawkinsThriller, Alabama, hurricane, old hotel, gothic, old murderMissing Sam by Thrity UmrigarThriller, queer, lesbian, missing wife, suburban dreadHumboldt Cut by Allison MickHorror, eco-horror, northern California, dark humor, bark monstersHollow by Celina MyersHorror, paranormal romance, romantasy, vampires, found familyOn Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah ScholfieldHorror, southern gothic, Georgia, ghosts, haintsA Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. JamesHorror, siblings returning to childhood home after being called by dead brotherThis House Will Feed by Maria TureaudHistorical horror, 1840s Ireland, haunted house, gothic, suspenseNine Goblins: A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief by T. KingfisherYA fantasy, novella, humor, band of hapless goblins on a questA Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa, translated by Slin JungFantasy, Korean, cozy, woman who inherits magical bakeryThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoRomantasy, epic fantasy, historical, hot evil prince, poetry magicThrough Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McQuireNext Wayward Children bookWe Who Have No Gods by Liza AndersonRomantasy, witches, gothic, dark academia, magic academy, secret societiesGraceless Heart by Isabel IbañezRomantasy, historical, renaissance Italy, competition hosted by secret immortal familyThe Wolf and His King by Finn LongmanQueer retelling of Bisclavret the werewolf, historical, 12 century, court intrigueA Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn RodriquezRomantasy, tarot, magic, dark academia, enemies to lovers, forced proximityThe Book of Blood and Roses by Annie SummerleeRomantasy, sapphic, paranormal, vampires, mysterious universityThe Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotta YambaoCozy fantasy, train that takes you to your life's purposeTwo Left Feet by Kallie EmblidgeQueer romance, MLM, contemporary sports romance, British premier league footballMost Eligible by Isabelle EngelContemporary romance, journalist sneaks onto a reality TV dating showThe Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann KrentzParanormal romance, romantic suspense, psychic dangers, warring paranormal familiesGreta Gets the Girl by Melissa MarrContemporary sapphic romance, forbidden romance, publishingThe Lust Crusade by Jo SeguraContemporary romance, librarian and archaeologist fake dating, Greek mythologyLast First Kiss by Julian WintersQueer romance, contemporary, MLM, second chance, rom comAin't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha AckmannNonfictionThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King, and Princess Diana by Paul BurrellNonfiction, memoirFly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself, and China by Jung ChangNonfiction, memoir, three generations of womenThe Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza GriffithsNonfiction, memoir, grief, death of a sister, friendship, marriageBlood Bible: An American History by DaMaris HillNonfiction, history, racism, slave trade history, national identity, personal identityWinter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermidCreative nonfiction, history of winter community events, ScotlandWhen Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. MontgomeryNonfiction, history of Black botany through seven treesHalf His Age by Jennette McCurdyLiterary fiction, drama, age gap romance,Catch Her if You Can by Tessa BaileyRomance, contemporary, sports, baseball, marriage of convenienceVigil by George SaundersLiterary fiction, magical realism, eco-drama, dying oil CEOFruit of the Flesh by I.V. OpheliaHistorical fantasy, gothic romance, marriage of convenience, dark appetitesThe Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. KluneQueer thriller, MLM, 1990s, gay couple helping little girl with powersFootball by Chuck KlostermanNonfiction about footballCry Havoc by Rebecca WaitHistorical mystery, 1980s failing English boarding school, dark academia, funny, strange contagion among studentsHemlock by Melissa FalivenoLiterary, gothic, queer, woman investigating mother's disappearenceFebruaryLaws of Love and Logic by Debra CurtisLiterary fiction, love triangle - first love vs devoted husbandOne of Us by Elizabeth DayLiterary thriller, drama between old friends and wealth, murderEverything Lost Returns by Sarah DometLiterary fiction, historical, twin timelines, 1910s and 1980s, friendshipWhere the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton HarrisLiterary fiction, fugitive hides out at rural Alabama flower farm, found familyBad Asians by Lillian LiLiterary fiction, friend group sagaI Hope You Find What You're Looking For by Bsrat MezghebeLiterary fiction, historical, 1990s Washington DC, Ethiopian immigrant communityThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PageLiterary fiction, woman receives books recommended by her dead husbandRoyal Spin by Robin Benway and Omid ScobieLiterary fiction, workplace drama inside Buckingham PalaceSuperfan by Jenny Tinghui ZhangLiterary fiction, popstar and his superfan collide, fandom, lonelinessBelgrave Road: A Love Story by Manish ChauhanLiterary fiction, two young immigrants in a forbidden romanceThis is Not About Us by Allegra GoodmanLiterary fiction, funny, multi generational family drama, griefRebel English Academy by Hanif MohammedLiterary fiction, Pakistan, political power, language, friendshipThe Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk, translated by Alice MenziesLiterary fiction, elderly couple crosses paths with two twentysomethings and discovers surprising shared historyThe Renovation by Kenan OrhanLiterary fiction, woman discovers her bathroom has been remodeled into a prison cellMessenger Cat Cafe by Nagi Shimeno, translated by M. JeanMagical realism, cozy, cat in the afterlife who must deliver 5 messages to people on earth before he can see his beloved owner againA Crown of Stars by Shana AbéHistorical fiction, retelling of the last days of the LusitaniaThe Fourth Princess by Janie ChangHistorical fiction, gothic, 1910s Shanghai, crumbling mansion, secretsCleopatra by Saara El-ArifiHistorical fiction, retelling of Cleopatra's life from her POVBook of Forbidden Words by Louise FeinHistorical fiction, 1500s Paris, 1950s NYC, book banning, inspired by Voynich manuscriptThe Pohaku by Jasmi ‘Iolani HakesHistorical fiction, generations of women tasked with protecting Hawaiian historyA Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella LowkisHistorical Gothic thriller, 1900s England, young gardener at lush manor falls for her mysterious bossMurder Will Out by Jennifer BreedloveMystery, gothic, Maine, heartwarmingI'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus CraigMystery, recently released from prison serial killer moves into retirement home when a murder happens and she has to prove she didn't do itDirty Metal by Allison LaMotheHistorical mystery, 1990s NYC, reporter investigating two huge storiesWolf Hour by Jo Nesbø, translated by Robert FergusonThriller, Minnesota, true crime, serial killer, secretsThe Final Problem by Arturo Perez-Reverte, translated by Frances RiddleHistorical mystery, locked room, 1960s Greek island resort, washed up actor turned detectiveHer Last Breath by Taylor AdamsThriller, two friends go on a cave expedition and one gets murdered!!!Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse, translated by Florian DuijsensThriller, lawyer finds peace through mindfulness and will do anything to protect it, even murderPinky Swear by Danielle GirardThriller, an expecting mother whose surrogate disappears days before birthThe Girls Before by Kate Alice MarshallThriller, search and rescue expert looking for missing womanPaper Cut by Rachel TaffThriller, woman infamous for escaping a cult as a teen has secrets that come back to haunt herMaria the Wanted by V. CastroHorror, thriller, newly turned vampire in Mexico is on the runDead First by Johnny ComptonHorror, private investigator hired by mysterious billionaire to find out why he can't dieShe Made Herself a Monster by Anna KovatchevaHorror, gothic thriller, 1800s Bulgaria, fake vampire slayer joins forces with teen to make a monsterThe Body by Bethany C MorrowHorror, woman must survive bizarre attacks on her failing marriageDollface by Lindy RyanHorror, serial killer, 1990s, Barbie meets ScreamThe Glowing Hours by Leila SiddiquiHorror, gothic, retelling of the fabled summer Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, as told by her Indian housemaid, Mehrunissa “Mehr” BegumWeavingshaw by Heba Al-WasityFantasy, gothic, young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a mysterious and ruthless merchant to save her brother's lifeAfter the Fall by Edward AshtonSci fi, buddy comedy, alien invasion, humans as petsThe Fox Hunt by Caitlin BreezeFantasy, boarding school, secret society, girl transforms into magical beastOperation Bounce House by Matt DinnimanFantasy, a man must fight for his planet when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate itSing the Night by Megan Jauregui EcclesFantasy, inspired by Phantom of the Opera, musical magician competitionThe Hospital at the End of the World by Justin C. KeySci fi, near future where AI runs the world, medical student unravels family secretsThe Forest on the Edge of Time by Jasmin KirkbrideSci fi, Future of Another Timeline meets The Bone Clocks, time travel, cli-fiNightshade and Oak by Molly O'NeillFantasy, Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human, historical, magicThe Astral Library by Kate QuinnFantasy, book about books, magic books that are portals to worldsThe Iron Garden Sutra by A.D. SuiSci fi, locked room murder mystery, monk and researchers trapped on a spaceshipThe Obake Code by Makana YamamotoSci fi, caper, hacker forced by gangsters to take down crooked politicianThe Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi OkoraforSci fi, She Who Knows book 3Wicked Onyx by Debbie CassidyRomantasy, magical academy, girl must unravel dark family secrets, make alliances, and get revengeAgnes Auburt's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather FawcettRomantasy, gentle fantasy, woman running cat rescue in 1920s Montreal and a grouchy charming magician who helps save her shelterHalf City by Kate GoldenRomantasy, young demon hunter enrolls in Harker Academy for Deviant DefenseThe Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina KwanRomantasy, a nine-tailed fox and the hunter who captured her are banished to the underworld togetherThe Lies that Summon the Night by Tessonaja OdetteRomantasy, world where making art is illegal, revenge, sexy monster hunterCrown of War and Shadow by J.R. WardRomantasy, fated mated, magic, hot mercenary, only one bed, touch her and dieThrone of Nightmares by Kerri ManiscaloRomantasy, librarian, dangerous book magic, perilous questThe Ballad of Fallen Dragons by Sarah A. ParkerMoonfall, book 2Dawn of the North by Demi WintersAshen, book 3The Heir and the Spare by Harper L. WoodsA Of Flesh and Bone novellaBrawler by Lauren GroffLiterary fiction, short storiesKin by Tayari JonesLiterary fiction, lifelong female friendship in the American SouthLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah BrohmContemporary romance, academic rivals to lovers, two neuroscientists fake datingInsignificant Others by Sarah JioSci fi romance, woman stuck in time loop of one day relationships with past boyfriendsSkate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faither MazaruaContemporary sports romance, female hockey player, fake dating, rom-comThe Ex-Perimento by Maria J MorilloContemporary romance, woman enlists her favorite musician to win her ex back, rom-com, VenezuelaTwo Can Play by Ali HazelwoodContemporary romance, novella, enemies to loves, world of video gamesGet Over It, April Evans by Ashely Herring BlakeContemporary romance, sapphic, lake town resortAnd Now, Back to You by B.K. BorisonContemporary romance, competing meteorologists, opposites attractIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingContemporary romance, sapphic, second chance, film industryA Hymn to Life by Gisele PelicotNonfiction, memoirThe Company of Owls by Polly AtkinMemoir, chronic illness, owlsBernie for Burlington: The Rise of the People's Politician by Dan ChiassonNonfiction, biographyStarry and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World by Julia CookeNonfiction, biography of three groundbreaking female journalistsThe Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema by Paul FisherBiographyLeaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour by Mark HaddonMemoir of the author who wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night TimeUnread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) To Read on TikTok by Oliver JamesMemoir about learning how to read as an adultNonviolent: A Memoir of Resistance, Agitation, and Love by James Lawson Jr & Emily YellinNonfiction, posthumous memoir of Rev. James Lawson Jr, a principal architect of a nonviolent resistance movementWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America by Norah O'DonnellNonfiction, history I Told You So!: Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right by Matt KaplanNonfiction, science, historyA World Appear: A Journey into Consciousness by Michael PollanNonfiction, scienceThe Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender's Search for Justice in America by Emily Galvin AlmanzaNonfictionThe People Can Fly: American Promise, Black Prodigies, and the Greatest Miracle of All Time by Joshua BennettNonfictionCitizenship: Notes on an American Myth by Daisy HernándezNonfictionFear and Fury: Bernie Goetz, the Reagan '80s, and the Rebirth of White Rage by Heather Ann ThompsonNonfictionOn Morrison by Namwali SerpellNonfiction, dive into work of Toni Morrison 

A scrap of Coleridge's handwriting. The sugar that Wordsworth stirred into his teacup. A bracelet made of Mary Shelley's hair... In this episode, Jacke talks to award-winning scholar and literary sleuth Mathelinda Nabugodi (The Trembling Hand: Reflections of a Black Woman in the Romantic Archive) about what she found in the Romantic archive - and why it matters. PLUS Richard Kopley (Edgar Allan Poe: A Life) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Will this biographer of Edgar Allan Poe choose one of Poe's works? Or opt for something else? Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Act soon - there are limited spots available! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Help support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's road trip time! Charming beach cottages, lively reunions, and a whole lot of sleeping in boats are just a tidbit of what's in store for Vic.This reading of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has been sleepified as much as possible, but there are unavoidable references to the Big Farm, religion, and mental health. These topics may not be sleepy for all listeners.This episode originally aired on Sleep With Me Plus. If you'd like to hear more bonus episodes (and get episodes without ads), you can start a free trial at sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusGet your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeLearn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleepEVERYDAY DOSE - Everyday Dose combines high quality coffee with powerful ingredients like Lion's Mane and Chaga, collagen protein, and nootropics to fuel your brain, boost focus, and give you clean, sustained energy all day long. Head to EverydayDose.com/SLEEP for 61% off your first Coffee+ Starter Kit, a free A2 Probiotic Creamer, and over $100 in free gifts.PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.com Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the revered Oscar winner behind masterpieces like 'Cronos' and 'The Shape of Water' reflects on the roots of his infatuation with monsters, the importance of practical movie sets and effects, and finally realizing his 50-year dream of adaptating Mary Shelley's gothic horror novel about a Creator and his Creature into a movie of his own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guillermo Del Toro finally got his vision for an adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel to the big screen (or small screen in your home) this past year. It's Brendan's birthday pick and we're here to review it! Come back next episode as we start up our Avatar series with the 2009 original!

Today we're diving into the wildly dramatic life of Mary Shelley, the mother of science fiction and the ultimate OG Goth Girl. From radical feminist and revolutionary parents, to graveyard hookups, to the stormy summer that gave us Frankenstein, Mary's life was just as haunting as her work. In this episode, we unpack how Mary Shelley's grief, genius, and chaotic social circle shaped one of the most influential novels of all time and how she remained quietly radical long after the world tried to tame her. In this episode, we cover: Mary Shelley's radical upbringing and goth childhood Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and the messiest friend group imaginable The true origins of Frankenstein Grief, motherhood, and loss Mary Shelley's underrated radical legacy Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 03:26 Mary Shelley's Early Life and Family 04:37 Mary Wollstonecraft & William Godwin: Radical Parents 16:53 Teenage Years in Scotland (Emotional Glow-Up) 19:43 Percy Shelley has entered the chat 24:09 The Graveyard Scene & Running Away 31:53 Return to England and Family Rejection 36:58 The Birth of Frankenstein 47:26 Loss, Grief & Moving to Italy 54:14 Mary Shelley's Later Life and Legacy Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, check out our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ merch store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sheila O'Malley, film critic and author of Art and Making of Frankenstein, shares tales of being on the set of the Guillermo del Toro movie, as well as insights on the original story by Mary Shelley herself and how the whole monster myth came to be. Plus, the scariest movies we've ever seen! A fun and insightful conversation filled with chills, thrills and woo woo! Hosts: Rachel Dratch, Irene Bremis Guest: Sheila O'Malley Follow us on Instagram! @raedratch @irenebremis [Guest Insta] https://www.youtube.com/@WooWooPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Shelley is known as the mother of the science fiction genre for her groundbreaking novel, ​Frankenstein​. But beyond the page, she faced a life of personal tragedy and a society unprepared to grapple with her public persona. As the daughter of legendary proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley was born into controversy. In her adult life, her entanglements with celebrity Romantic poets kept her at the center of high society gossip. In this episode, Lena and Alissa weave together the various elements of this complex life (featuring a graveyard tryst!), and discuss what it meant to be a woman ahead of her time.  This episode was first published on 07/23/2020. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There aren't any numbers here because that would imply a ranking. (Or at the very least, can draw the question about ranking.) Here are this movies that at least one of dug this year: SINNERS Directed by Ryan Coogler Written by Ryan Coogler From IMDB: Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. When this was announced, I wasn't sure of what to make of it. Surely, a dip into the From Dusk Til Dawn pond wasn't a thing that crossed my mind, but we got a wee bit of that here. Currently on HBO Max WEAPONS Directed by Zach Cregger Written by Zach Cregger From IMDB: When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. What a great follow-up to Gregger's Barbarian. Not quite as What-The-Fuck-y as Barbarian, but it's not in short supply of nuttiness. Currently on HBO Max PREDATOR: BADLANDS Directed by Dan Trachtenberg Written by Patrick Aison and Dan Trachtenberg From IMDB: A young Predator outcast from his clan finds an unlikely ally on his journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Dan Trachtenberg returns to the Predator franchise for the third time in his career and the second time in 2025. (See below,) This time, telling the story through a young Predator out to prove to his father and his clan he is worthy of his armor. Currently in theaters with Cinema AT Home rentals coming soon.   PREDATOR: KILLER of KILLERS Directed by Dan Trachtenberg Written by Micho Robert Rutare From IMDB: Three of the fiercest warriors in human history become prey to the ultimate killer of killers. With only his third feature film of his career, Trachtenberg tells his latest stories from Man versus Predator saga in animation form this time. Great storytelling all around, with a TON of Easter Eggs to be had. Currently on Hulu   FRANKENSTEIN Directed by Guillermo del Toro Written by Guillermo del Toro From IMDB: Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation. Del Toro makes his way back into the class monster stories with his own take on Mary Shelley's well-worn story of the same name. But he does it only in a way that GDT can. Currently on Netflix   SORRY, BABY Directed by Eva Victor Written by Eva Victor From IMDB: After a tragic event, a woman finds herself alone while everyone else continues with their lives as if nothing had happened.   *THUNDERBOLTS Directed by Jake Schreier Written by Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo, and Kurt Busiek From IMDB: After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must go on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Currently on Disney +   COMPANION Directed by Drew Hancock Written by Drew Hancock From IMDB: A weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin turns into chaos after it's revealed that one of the guests is not what they seem. Currently on Prime Video and HBO Max   Superman Directed by James Gunn Written by James Gunn From IMDB: Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned. Wake Up, Dead Man Directed by Rian Johnson From IMDB: Detective Benoit Blanc teams up with an earnest young priest to investigate a perfectly impossible crime at a small-town church with a dark history.   BLACK BAG Directed by Steven Soderbergh Written by David Koepp From IMDB: When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband - also a legendary agent - faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country. Currently on Prime Video, and Available to Rent on All Rental Platforms, as well as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. CHAINSAW MAN THE MOVIE - REZE ARC Directed by Tatsuya YoshiharaWritten by Tatsuki Fujimoto and Hiroshi Seko From IMDB: Denji encounters a new romantic interest, Reze, who works at a coffee café.   2025 had a really nice mixed bag of movies we dug, and very little we didn't. We're looking forward to 2026 with some new stuff including new additions to Patreon for us to engage with all of you a little more! Here's to another year of great movies! ENJOY! Love and Rockets, Corey, Joseph, and Freddy ------------------ If you'd like to show your support for members of WGA, SAG, IATSE, as well as other workers in the entertainment industry, please take a look at the link below and maybe make a donation: Entertainment Community Fund https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work ------------------ As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America: United States  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988. Canada https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 1 (833) 456-4566 Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. Karate in the Garage Linkages   

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein reimagines Mary Shelley's classic Gothic tale through a richly visual, character-driven lens. The story follows the brilliant but obsessive scientist Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), who defies nature by assembling and animating a living being from the dead. When his creation—a sensitive, intelligent Creature (Jacob Elordi)—awakens, Victor recoils in horror and abandons it, setting off a tragic chain of events. As the Creature seeks understanding, acceptance, and purpose in a world that fears him, the bond between creator and creation becomes deeply strained, leading to heartbreak, confrontation, and ultimately a poignant reckoning about humanity, responsibility, and forgiveness. Chad-Large                 Jordan-Large    

Welcome to Episode 250! We joke that we turned “250” before “America250,” the moniker given to the United States's anniversary celebration. The country is celebrating 250 years in 2026. This is also our last episode of 2025, and we want to thank you for listening and making this another fantastic year filled with good books and good friends! Some highlights: We have our usual segments in this episode, but first, we review how we did with our reading intentions for 2025. Overall, we did well, even if we had to look in our notes to see what they were! Emily had one that really surprised us, and may have slipped into our subconscious to help create our theme for 2026. What we've read since last time: THE AWARD by Matthew Pearl “A Small, Good Thing” from the collection WHERE I'M CALLING FROM by Raymond Carver JURASSIC GIRL: THE ADVENTURES OF MARY ANNING, PALEONTOLOGIST AND THE FIRST FEMALE FOSSIL HUNTER by Michele C. Hollow THE LAST WITCH by C.J. Cooke “Street Haunting: A London Adventure” from the collection, COLLECTED ESSAYS by Virginia Woolf A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens (the audio version narrated by Ralph Cosham) SAPPHIRA AND THE SLAVE GIRL by Willa Cather In Biblio Adventures, Chris watched Hank Phillipi Ryan's excellent interview with Matthew Pearl about his new novel, THE AWARD, on A MIGHTY BLAZE. Emily spent a week in the Big Apple and visited the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Café Con Libros in Crown Heights, and Bibliotheque NYC in Soho. We talk about our 2026 theme: books/stories with movie/TV adaptations. Our first quarter readalong pick is FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley. The Zoom discussion will be in March; the exact date is TBD. We'll use #booktofilm2026 as our official hashtag. Reminder: if you played Ghost Story Bingo with us this year, email us an image of your card by midnight on 12/31/2025. Happy Listening and Happy Reading!

New Year's horror, horror movie history, and messages from the other side—welcome to This Week in Horror History, the weekly horror podcast where we track what happened on these dates across film, books, and cult classics.In this episode, Henrique Couto follows a haunting thread that runs straight through the holiday: a phone that calls from the future, a killer hiding in the power grid, a cursed ghost anthology, and the original “new year, new monster” that's been chasing us since 1818.This week in horror history (Dec 29–Jan 4):Dec 29, 1964 — Kwaidan premieres in Tokyo, Japan: a gorgeous Japanese ghost anthology that feels like a curse you can't look away from.Dec 29, 1993 — Ghost in the Machine is released: serial killer + electricity + early internet panic = a surprisingly fun tech-haunting nightmare.Jan 1, 1818 — Frankenstein is published: Mary Shelley's warning label for ambition, still echoing through modern horror.Jan 4, 2008 — One Missed Call opens in North America: a remake built on dread you can't silence—because the voicemail is already there.Horror birthdays this week: Barbara Steele, Eliza Dushku, Anthony Hopkins, Shelley Hennig, and Jaden Martell.Where to watch / read (U.S., this week — availability changes fast):Kwaidan — HBO MaxGhost in the Machine — Rent: Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTubeWitchboard — Free w/ ads: Tubi (plus Roku Channel and other ad-supported options); also available via subscriptions on select platformsOne Missed Call (2008) — Tubi, Apple TVFrankenstein — Read free via Project Gutenberg / Archive.orgSponsor: This episode is sponsored by Savorista Coffee — premium half-calf and decaf blends. Grab yours at Savorista.com and use promo code SPOOKY for 25% off at checkout (and you support the podcast with every purchase).If you love horror movie history, spooky trivia, and date-driven deep dives, follow This Week in Horror History on the Weekly Spooky feed and ring in the new year the only proper way: with the lights low and the dread turned up.

Recorded by Academy of American Poets staff for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. Published on December 27, 2025. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.poets.org⁠

Nos preparamos para decir adiós a 2025 con la ayuda de Sergio Fanjul. El periodista y escritor nos presenta Cronofobia (Ed. Arpa), su último ensayo, en el que se sincera sobre su miedo al paso de los años, además de investigar otras cuestiones relacionadas con la experiencia colectiva del tiempo, como la sensación de futuro abolido y la tendencia a la nostalgia.Luego, Javier Lostalé nos propone hacer memoria para celebrar varios aniversarios: el cincuentenario de Sepulcro de Tarquinia, emblemático poemario de Antonio Colinas que acaba de ser reeditado por Siruela y el centenario del nacimiento de Ángel González, voz fundamental de la generación de los cincuenta, a la que podemos asomarnos a través de Eso era amor (Ed. Nórdica), antología ilustrada que recoge algunos poemas fundamentales del escritor asturiano.Además, Ignacio Elguero se asoma a los escaparates para sugerirnos algunas lecturas en estas vacaciones: El corazón negro (Ed. Alfaguara), novela policiaca del escritor ucraniano Andrei Kurkov, La edad de los fantasmas (Ed. Visor), el nuevo poemario de Benjamín Prado, la reedición del Frankenstein de Mary Shelley que acaba de sacar la editorial Planeta con prólogo de Siri Husvedt y El camino que no elegimos (Ed. Destino), la nueva ficción de Ana Merino.En Peligro en La estación hablamos de Te esperaré antes (Ed. Continta me tienes) volumen ideado por María Tinaut que recoge un conjunto de cartas escritas ex profeso por distintas autoras que utilizan la misiva para despedirse simbólicamente de personas, actitudes, momentos o cosas del pasado.Terminamos el programa (y el año) Desmontando el poema en compañía de Mariano Peyrou, que esta vez se centra en el bellísimo poema que el chileno Gonzalo Rojas escribió para celebrar su octogésimo cumpleaños. Una lección de vida y de altísima literatura.Escuchar audio

So many books are published each year; few stand the test of time. Today we devote our whole show to asking which works have shaped the way we behave and how we think. Picks include “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth and “Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien.Full list of books mentioned in the show:The BibleThe Koran“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins“On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin“Il Saggiatore” by Galileo Galilei“Two New Sciences” by Galileo Galilei“Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by Thomas Piketty“Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil PostmanThe novels of Philip PullmanThe Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling“The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley“A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien “A Room of One's Own” by Virginia Woolf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So many books are published each year; few stand the test of time. Today we devote our whole show to asking which works have shaped the way we behave and how we think. Picks include “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth and “Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien.Full list of books mentioned in the show:The BibleThe Koran“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins“On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin“Il Saggiatore” by Galileo Galilei“Two New Sciences” by Galileo Galilei“Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by Thomas Piketty“Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil PostmanThe novels of Philip PullmanThe Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling“The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley“A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien “A Room of One's Own” by Virginia Woolf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I den tredje udgave af Poptillæggets bogklub læser vi Mary Shelleys gotiske roman ’Frankenstein’ fra 1818. En bog, der er sivet ned i kulturen som halloweenmasker, Netflix-serier, kostumer og videredigtninger, og som er blevet filmatiseret af alle fra James Whale, Andy Warhol og Kenneth Branagh og nu også en storstilet Netflix filmversion af Guillermo Del Toro. Men romanforlægget er sit helt eget særlige universelle værk, der i tidens teknologiske vanvidstilstand alligevel føles mere relevant end nogensinde. Vi dykker ned i værket, laver et miniportræt af Mary Shelley og diskuterer, hvordan hun på sin elegant vis kunne foregribe vor tids videnskabelige hybris. PANEL: Emma Rosenzweig, kunstner og forfatter. Anbefaling: Se filmen ’Les Yeux Sans Visage’ fra 1960. Cecilie Lind, forfatter. Anbefaling: Læs ’Nekrofilen’ af Gabrielle Wittkop. Amalie Langballe, journalist og forfatter. Anbefaling: Teaterstykket ’Prometheus’ på Nørrebro Teater. Vært: Lucia Odoom: Anbefaling: Dyk ned i Elizabeth Holmes-sagen. REDAKTION: Lucia Odoom og Jonas Bach-Madsen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's our seventh annual holiday episode where Dan shares a classic tale! This year, he picked a tale from the amazing Mary Shelley! We hope you enjoy this modern telling of an old story from the mother of horror! Then Lynze has three tales to give us. The first is about an unknown haunted doll, the second is a beautiful confirmation tale from the other side and ends with a topsy turvy tale of a ghost named Genevieve.December Charity: This year, with your help, we were able to support 91 kids in having a wonderful holiday season! Fan Donations totaled:   $14,083.59For a total of  29,553.51 in support!Do you want to get all of our episodes a WEEK early, ad free? Want to help us support amazing charities? Join us on Patreon!Want to be a Patron? Get episodes AD-FREE, listen and watch before they are released to anyone else, bonus episodes, a 20% merch discount, additional content, and more! Learn more by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/scaredtodeathpodcast.Send stories to mystory@scaredtodeathpodcast.comSend everything else to info@scaredtodeathpodcast.comPlease rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on social media: @scaredtodeathpodcast on Facebook and IG and TTWebsite: https://www.badmagicproductions.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcastInstagram: https://bit.ly/2miPLf5Mailing Address:Scared to Deathc/o Timesuck PodcastPO Box 3891Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Opening Sumerian protection spell (adapted):"Whether thou art a ghost that hath come from the earth, or a phantom of night that hath no home… or one that lieth dead in the desert… or a ghost unburied… or a demon or a ghoul… Whatever thou be until thou art removed… thou shalt find here no water to drink… Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand to our own… Into our house enter thou not. Through our fence, breakthrough thou not… we are protected though we may be frightened. Our life you may not steal, though we may feel SCARED TO DEATH." Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jala is joined by Dave Jackson (Tales From the Backlog) to discuss Mary Shelley's gothic horror masterpiece, Frankenstein. SPOILER WALL: 00:49:58 Mentioned During the Episode: * Norton Critical Edition of Frankenstein (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393644029) Check out the Swag Shop (https://www.teepublic.com/user/fireheartmedia) to share your love with the world! Support this show via Ko-fi! Just like Patreon, there are subscription tiers (with bonus content!) in addition to the ability to drop us a one-time donation. Every little bit helps us put out better quality content and keep the lights on, and gets a shout out in a future episode. Check out ko-fi.com/fireheartmedia (https://ko-fi.com/fireheartmedia) for the details! Don't forget to rate & review us on your podcasting platform of choice~ Jala Prendes Bluesky - @jalachan (https://bsky.app/profile/jalachan.bsky.social) Bluesky - @fireheartmedia (https://bsky.app/profile/fireheartmedia.bsky.social) The Level (https://www.patreon.com/collection/1693347) Dave Jackson - @realdavejackson (https://bsky.app/profile/realdavejackson) Tales From the Backlog (https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/) A Top 3 Podcast (https://atop3podcast.fireside.fm/) Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson) Special Guest: Dave Jackson.

Season 9, Episode 19 (Originally released on December 18th, 2025) Hello and welcome to another episode of The Shame List Picture Show. Today, Jason Hillman returns to the pod to talk Frankenstein — not just Guillermo del Toro's latest opus, but the monster and myth across its many adaptations. Michael and Jason wax philosophically on what works (and doesn't) in Frankenstein on film. Spoiler: Michael is far more forgiving than Jason. One point of total agreement, however, is their shared love for Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. We dig into all of it. Be sure to check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/shamelistpictureshow Edited by: Austin Proctor Produced by: Michael Viers Theme Music by: Austin Proctor Opening Narration by: Nick Richards Credits Music by: Ten-Speed Logo Design by: Amanda Viers

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein available here: https://amzn.to/4oeulc4 Matthew Pejkovic of Matt's Movie Reviews is joined by Tyler Nichols to talk about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the 1994 gothic horror directed and starring Kenneth Branagh alongside Robert De Niro and Helena Bonham Carter. Check out Tyler's work here: https://www.tylernicholscreates.com/ Follow Tyler here YouTube: https://youtube.com/@zombievictim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombievictim/ X: https://x.com/zombievictim  Matt's Movie Reviews Podcast listed in FeedSpot's Top 100 Movie Podcasts  Support Matt's Movie Reviews PayPal TeePublic Amazon YouTube Membership Follow Matt's Movie Reviews Website  Youtube Facebook Instagram  Rumble

Wrestle Heist #1 steals the show, Mary Shelley gets her due, and Edenfrost sparks a deep discussion about folklore, history, and storytelling. Subscribe to the Major Spoilers Podcast Network Master Feed!

Wrestle Heist #1 steals the show, Mary Shelley gets her due, and Edenfrost sparks a deep discussion about folklore, history, and storytelling. Subscribe to the Major Spoilers Podcast Network Master Feed! Show your thanks to Major Spoilers for this episode by becoming a Major Spoilers Patron at http://patreon.com/MajorSpoilers. It will help ensure the Major Spoilers Podcast continues far into the future! Join our Discord server and chat with fellow Spoilerites! (https://discord.gg/jWF9BbF) REVIEWS STEPHEN WRESTLE HEIST #1 Writer/Artist: Kyle Starks Publisher: Image Comics Cover Price: $3.99 Release Date: December 17, 2025 A former pro wrestler—who has a brush with death thanks to a crooked promoter—assembles a crew of fellow wrestlers he's screwed over... to rob him blind during the biggest wrestling event of the year. From the outrageous, action-packed mind of multi-time Eisner nominee KYLE STARKS (Peacemaker Tries Hard, Sexcastle, I Hate This Place), with eye-popping colors by VLADIMIR POPOV (Where Monsters Lie, Fearscape), comes a no-holds-barred heist caper packed with body slams and backstabs. [rating:4.5/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4pAIAtg MATTHEW VR TROOPERS #5 Writer: Mairghread Scott Artist: Sebastián Píriz Publisher: BOOM! Studios Cover Price: Release Date: December 17, 2025 A daring rescue leads to shocking revelations! Ryan and J.B. storm Ziktor Industries to save Kaitlin, only to find she's suffered a humiliating fate! With a little help from Ryan's mother, Amy, the Troopers battle back—but Grimlord has a new weapon in store…one with ties to Ryan's past. Will their greatest threat prove to be the one they never saw coming? [rating:3/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/49fxtQP RODRIGO MARY SHELLEY - THE ETERNAL DREAM Writer: Alessandro di Virgilio Artist: Manuela Santoni Publisher: Mad Cave Studios Cover Price: $19.99 Release Date: January 13, 2026 Mary Shelley: The Eternal Dream is an expressively illustrated fictional account of the life of writer Mary Shelley, as told by her famous invention, Frankenstein's monster. With cameos by a variety of other famous writers and historical figures, this graphic novel is perfect for fans of literary and feminist history. The extraordinary life of the woman who created one of fiction's most enduring characters: Frankenstein's monster. Born at the turn of the 19th century to the famous philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft (forerunner of the feminist movement) and William Godwin (novelist and radical politician), Mary Shelley lived a life in constant flight from social conformity. Her struggle birthed a pop culture phenomenon. Now in print for the first time in English, Mary Shelley: The Eternal Dream chronicles Shelley's relationships with other important artists and writers, including her eventual husband Percy Shelley, and the 'butterfly effect' of love, hardship, tragedy, and inspiration that led to the creation of the infamous monster. [rating: 4/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4q5mxL6 DISCUSSION EDENFROST Writer: Amit Tishler Artist: Bruno Frenda Publisher: Mad Cave Studios Release Date: 2024 Two Jewish siblings summon the power of a Golem to fight their way through the fires of the Russian Civil War. Will the monster be their salvation, or hasten their demise? After losing their parents in a pogrom, teenage siblings Alex and Yuli use the mystical power of a Golem to survive the chaos of the Russian Civil War. In a harrowing journey through war-torn Ukraine, the duo will face the harsh reality of warfare, ethnic bias, and national pride as they fight for their own place in the world. You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/498A7b0 CLOSE Contact us at podcast@majorspoilers.com A big Thank You goes out to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports this show. We really appreciate you taking the time to listen to our ramblings each week. Tell your friends! [su_signoff]

Wrestle Heist #1 steals the show, Mary Shelley gets her due, and Edenfrost sparks a deep discussion about folklore, history, and storytelling. Subscribe to the Major Spoilers Podcast Network Master Feed!

Send us a textA stitched body, a sharpened mind, and a creator who won't claim what he made. We dive into Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein on Netflix with fresh eyes and full hearts, exploring how the film restores Mary Shelley's original genius while reshaping a century of monster-movie expectations. From the icebound framing device to the creature's own testimony, the story gives the “monster” his voice back—and with it, a moral authority that turns the tables on Victor.We talk about the texture of creation: the unsettling, hyper-real gore that makes every cut feel consequential, and the cinematography tricks that make key encounters float with eerie grace. Oscar Isaac's Victor is magnetic and cold, driven by ambition he can't control, while Jacob Elordi's creature evolves from bewildered newborn to eloquent judge, his slender, powerful frame reading as reassembled personhood instead of prop. Mia Goth's Elizabeth cuts through the gloom with presence that grounds the stakes. We also trace Del Toro's love of cinema history, from the inclusion of an Igor archetype to the blend of gothic realism that separates his style from the baroque and the camp.The heart of the episode is the ethics: What do we owe what we create? If the creature is functionally immortal, does denying him a companion become the cruelest act? We follow the thread of generational harm—from Victor's father to Victor himself—and the way indifference breeds monstrosity more reliably than lightning ever could. It's not a perfect film; the pacing stretches in places. But the ideas, performances, and design make this a rare adaptation that feels both faithful and new.If you love smart horror, literary roots, and craft on screen, hit play. Then share your take, subscribe for more deep dives, and drop us a review so others can find the show.Twitter handles:Project Geekology: https://twitter.com/pgeekologyAnthony's Twitter: https://twitter.com/odysseyswowDakota's Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekritique_dakInstagram:https://instagram.com/projectgeekology?igshid=1v0sits7ipq9yYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@projectgeekologyGeekritique (Dakota):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwciIqOoHwIx_uXtYTSEbASupport the show

It's that most wonderful time of the year, and "Failure to Franchise Presents Trev and Chris-tmas" kicks off with a timely look at a sci-fi action take on one of the most important, iconic, and revered properties of all time. And to be sure, 2014's I, Frankenstein pays homage to Mary Shelley's beloved creation by including all the most cherished elements of her classic novel...the heroic gargoyles who are actually angels; the evil human businessman who is secretly an ancient demon; the Filipino Kali stick fighting! Well, okay...maybe this movie took some liberties with the source material. But, amongst all these strange and surprising additions to the Frankenstein mythology we all know and love, we're here to dive into the real important question at the heart of this movie - what the heck is the deal with Aaron Eckhart's career?? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

Ryan and Dylan review Guillermo Del Toro's highly anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley's masterpiece, Frankenstein. Will the film revive the original story and bring it new life, or will it be a messy, stitched patchwork deemed unfit to exist?

Frankenstein is a 2025 American Gothic science fiction film produced, written, and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, with Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz in supporting roles. The story follows the life of Frankenstein, an egotistical scientist whose experiment in creating new life results in dangerous consequences.Del Toro had long imagined a faithful Frankenstein film as a "dream project". This was initially in development for Universal Pictures, with del Toro casting frequent collaborator Doug Jones as the Creature, and Bernie Wrightson being considered for the monster's design. However, Universal suspended the project in relation to its planned Dark Universe franchise. Netflix revived the project in 2023, with Elordi instead portraying the Creature. Filming took place from February to September 2024. Wrightson had died in 2017, and the illustrated compilation Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein was a key inspiration for the film's look.Frankenstein premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. It had a limited theatrical release in the United States from October 17 and was globally released on November 7 on Netflix. The film received generally positive reviews from critics. Both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named it as one of the top ten films of 2025. It received five nominations at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

Frankenstein (2025) is Netflix's upcoming adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, directed by Guillermo del Toro. In this video, we break down everything currently known about the 2025 Frankenstein movie, including story details, cast, themes, and how this version differs from past adaptations.Guillermo del Toro has described Frankenstein as a deeply personal project, focusing more on tragedy, obsession, and humanity than traditional horror. But with Netflix handling distribution and expectations already high, this adaptation faces serious pressure to stand apart from decades of Frankenstein movies.Donate Here - https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y6TSU94STL9PUAll our Links - https://direct.me/theundergroundWhat is our Value for Value System?Value for Value is a listener based business model where you determine the value our content is worth. If you feel you are getting value from our content, please consider becoming a supporter by donating your time, talent, & treasure. Time: meaning any effort you put in to improving or developing our content or sharing it.Talent: meaning any skills you possess that you want to contribute to help us develop our platform (ie., artwork for podcast episodes, branding design, editing, etc). Treasure: pay a one-off amount or a recurring contribution for the value you think our service is worth. Please be sure with any payment you send via PayPal to include a note, so that we can read it on the livestream, if you'd like. Your donations keep our content advertisement free. Thank you.Where do you support us? Click the direct.me link to find our PayPal link for contributions as well as our YouTube, Odysee, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter links! We appreciate the engagement from all of you! Contribution Amounts:Donors of less than $100 will automatically become Producers of the corresponding episode!Donors of $100 and above will automatically become Associate Executive Producers of the corresponding episode!Donors of $200 and above will receive the Executive Producer credit for that episode!We will list the credits in our show notes as Executive Producer, Associate Executive Producer, & Producer and is a genuine credit we will vouch for. Generally, executive producers are primarily responsible for financing the project. Therefore, this is a legitimate credit for your resume. Please note any amount will remain anonymous upon request.All donors will receive a special mention on the show unless otherwise noted!Special Note: The Value for Value business model originated with Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak of the No Agenda Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgihPtnBSek

David, Amber, and Angela have stitched together a bonus, two-part episode for you today! The trio have a lively conversation about Guillermo del Toro's passion project, Frankenstein!Join the conversation as they explore del Toro's reimagining of Mary Shelley's classic tale through his signature blend of gothic beauty, emotional depth, and monstrous humanity. The film's cinematography, bold performances, and intricate costume details are all under examination as they determine whether or not this may be the filmmaker's most personal creature film yet!They discuss the film's bold visual style, the performances driving its tragic core, and where it sits within del Toro's larger body of work. Join the conversation as they examine why this adaptation might be the filmmaker's most personal creature feature yet. Part 1/2Check out our NEW YouTube Channel and subscribe now! If you're one of the first 100 subscribers, you'll be entered to win a weekend pass for one of several comic cons happening in 2026!Angela Norris' spoiler-free written review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is here.Head over to our Patreon and get started with a FREE 7-day trial. We've got plenty of exclusive content and episodes that you'll only find there! You can also sign up as a free member! www.afilmbypodcast.com/ for more information.Email us at afilmbypodcast@gmail.com with your questions, comments, and requests.Find us on Instagram, X, and Facebook @afilmbypodcast.

David, Amber, and Angela have stitched together a bonus, two-part episode for you today! The trio have a lively conversation about Guillermo del Toro's passion project, Frankenstein!Join the conversation as they explore del Toro's reimagining of Mary Shelley's classic tale through his signature blend of gothic beauty, emotional depth, and monstrous humanity. The film's cinematography, bold performances, and intricate costume details are all under examination as they determine whether or not this may be the filmmaker's most personal creature film yet!They discuss the film's bold visual style, the performances driving its tragic core, and where it sits within del Toro's larger body of work. Join the conversation as they examine why this adaptation might be the filmmaker's most personal creature feature yet. Part 2/2Check out our NEW YouTube Channel and subscribe now! If you're one of the first 100 subscribers, you'll be entered to win a weekend pass for one of several comic cons happening in 2026!Angela Norris' spoiler-free written review of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is here.Head over to our Patreon and get started with a FREE 7-day trial. We've got plenty of exclusive content and episodes that you'll only find there! You can also sign up as a free member! www.afilmbypodcast.com/ for more information.Email us at afilmbypodcast@gmail.com with your questions, comments, and requests.Find us on Instagram, X, and Facebook @afilmbypodcast.

Nate and Shawn get dangerously creepy with a cool discussion on the possible inspiration for author Mary Shelley's famous gothic novel…Frankenstein Castle (German: Burg Frankenstein)…a hilltop castle in the Odenwald overlooking the city of Darmstadt in Germany!!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IN144z-s3dc https://search.brave.com/search?q=fountain+of+youth+and+dragon+stories+frankenstein+castle&summary=1&conversation=6d496f0f5254bda191f2c2 https://search.brave.com/search?q=mary%20shelley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_Castle https://germangirlinamerica.com/castle-frankenstein-in-germany-a-castle-swirled-in-mystery-and-legend/

We're in our Regency Era and just finished Mary Shelley Month, and Claire Clairmont REFUSES TO BE IGNORED. We're revisiting the story of this iconic woman, whose story feels even more meaningful now that we've learned about her (kind of) stepmother Mary Wollstonecraft, as well as more about the Regency Era in which Claire made her mark. Plus, our guest Lesley McDowell's book Clairmont is now available in North America!! (It wasn't when we first recorded this a bit ago). Click here to buy the Clairmont eBook. (aff link) — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠common.era.com/vulgar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠commonera.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code VULGAR at checkout — Get Vulgar History merch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vulgarhistory.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (best for US shipping) and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vulgarhistory.redbubble.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (better for international shipping) — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Vulgar History on Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen and Sarah are joined by Klarissa Beckstead of I've Seen that One and Sara Shea of Shea Cinema to review Guillermo del Toro's ‘Frankenstein'. They discuss the stunning visuals, the similarities and differences with Mary Shelley's novel, and the technical components that brought this story to life. Shownotes: Spoilers (~25:31) For more from Sara, listen to Shea Cinema wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Instagram and Threads @sheacinema. For more from Klarissa, listen to I've Seen that One and check out her amazing book! Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @IveSeenThatOne. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out andusmedia.co for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us. And subscribe to Movies & Us on YouTube for full video episodes and more. Join the & Us Living Room for early access to ad-free episodes, exclusive bonus content, and more! Movies & Us is part of the Movie Archer Podcast Network. Learn more at moviearcher.com. 

The real monster is man – which means, Frankenstein's monster actually IS Frankenstein. Follow Spooko on Insta: @_spooko_Join the Feel Bad Club on our discord: https://discord.gg/mJAJYCChGyAnd if you're keen for more Peach and Shag, check out our OTHER pod (it's about Gordon Ramsay): @peachandshagsnightmaremethodOh, and pls drop a review if you've been listening for a while!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The investigation into the deadly ambush of two National Guard troops patrolling Washington and the Trump administration's response has refugees on edge; a report from Hong Kong looks into the catastrophic apartment complex fire that left at least 128 people dead; fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor describes why it would be “hopelessly naive” to believe Vladimir Putin wants to hold talks to end the war in Ukraine; Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein” is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on The Remnant Jonah Goldberg indulges two of his favorite hobbies: competing in TV nerdery with John Podhoretz (grand poohbah of Commentary) and bashing the Straussians. John and Jonah cover the Claremont Institute, the decline of TV and cinema, Death by Lightning, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Shownotes:—Commentary Podcast—GLoP Podcast—Fritz Feld doing the ‘pop'—Jonah's Claremont Review of Books piece—Bloom and Jaffa - Shakespeare's Politics—“The Flight 93 Election”—The American Mind—Gordon Wood's address at AEI—Jonah's Nixon G-File—Dear Mr. President: the Letters of Julia Sand | CEI Documentary—Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Father Knows Beast Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) fulfills his dream to bring Mary Shelley's 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein to life as a 2025 Netflix creation. Does Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) play God just to get back at bad dad Charles Dance (Golden Child), or to impress failed nun Mia Goth (X), or because Christoph Waltz (Spectre) has funded the perfect mad scientist lab to fry up bits of fallen soldiers and executed prisoners?  And can any experiment be rated a success when it leaves Kissing Booth hunk Jacob Elordi looking like that!? Throw the switch to Listen Now!  

In this bonus episode, Mike is joined by Chris Newton to discuss Guillermo Del Toro's new take on Mary Shelley's gothic classic!  Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mike Muncer Music by Jack Whitney.  Artwork by Mike Lee-Graham Get ad free episodes and weekly bonus content on our Patreon! www.patreon.com/evolutionofhorror  Mike Muncer is a producer, podcaster and film journalist and can be found on BLUE SKY and INSTAGRAM Visit our website www.evolutionofhorror.com  Buy tickets for our UPCOMING SCREENINGS & EVENTS Buy yourself some brand new EOH MERCH! Email us!  Follow EOH on INSTAGRAM Like EOH on FACEBOOK Join the EOH DISCUSSION GROUP Join the EOH DISCORD Follow EOH on LETTERBOXD    

A Scene of Wonderful Solemnity will bring you peace and sleepiness as Frankie and Victor live in the Interchange of Kindness pretty well, especially for non-friennies such as themselves.This sleepified reading of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein talks about the Big Farm, religion, and mental health.This episode was originally released on Sleep With Me Plus! Your direct support keeps the show going and gives you access to hundreds of hours of bonus episodes like this one. Start a free trial at sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusGet your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeShow Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comKINDRED - Kindred is a members-only home swapping network. It isn't a hotel. It isn't a short-term rental. It's a smarter way to travel where each stay feels like home. Apply now at LiveKindred.com and use code SLEEP to join for free. Plus, you'll earn 5 nights of travel credit just for signing up!ODOO - Odoo is an all-in-one management platform with a suite of user-friendly applications designed to simplify and connect every aspect of your company in one, easy-to-use software. Odoo is the affordable, all-in-one management software with a library of fully-integrated business applications that help you get MORE done in LESS time for a FRACTION of the price.To learn more, visit www.odoo.com/withmeUNCOMMON GOODS - Uncommon Goods scours the globe for original, remarkable, handmade things. Surprise your friends and family with unique - and even personalized! - gifts this holiday season. Head to uncommongoods.com/sleep for 15% off!EVERYDAY DOSE - Everyday Dose combines high quality coffee with powerful ingredients like Lion's Mane and Chaga, collagen protein, and nootropics to fuel your brain, boost focus, and give you clean, sustained energy all day long. Head to EverydayDose.com/SLEEP for 61% off your first Coffee+ Starter Ki… Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices