Grab a snack, because this one is bound to make you hungry! Just make sure you take it from a trusted source and not, we don’t know, any fairies. Erin is getting everyone’s appetite up this week as they discuss food in fantasy novels—the familiar tropes, the history, and why readers feel so connected to it. Of course, they also sprinkle in some discussion on literary cookbooks. Get cozy, get snacking, and enjoy! Sources for this week’s episodes are: Why Do Fantasy Novels Have So Much Food? By Anne Ewbanks for Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/fantasy-books-food.amp The Fantastical Food of Fantasy Fiction by Beth Cato for Tor.com https://www.tor.com/2019/03/14/the-fantastical-food-of-fantasy-fiction/

Welcome to the first Book Swap Club! In this episode, MJ and Erin assigned each other a book they'd previously read that they thought the OTHER would love. Join us to hear about Erin's foray into Ruby Dixon, MJ's thoughts on romance villains, and, to no one's surprise, talk about sex. Happy swapping! 

It's time for the first Reading Roundup of 2023! Join Erin and MJ as they discuss the mountain of books they've read (nevermind the fact that half of it is alien/ monster smut!) Listen to MJ give a quick review of Ruby Dixon's new series, and Erin gush about another Casey McQuiston book. And keep your eye out for a hint of an upcoming episode topic

Join Erin and MJ this week as they discuss even more fairytale and folklore retellings! MJ takes center stage to talk about her new Favorite Book of All Time™, and Erin horrifies and delights MJ with some bonkers fairytale endings. (Moral of the story: ?????)

Join us this week as Erin and MJ investigate cozy mysteries! Where did they come from, what are the constants, and why couldn't Erin get into any of the ones they tried reading?

February is Black History Month, and this episode we’re focusing on Black authors, poets, and activists. 

This episode, MJ and Erin are recommending their favorite books by Black authors and their favorite authors and poets across all genres, and Tony jumps in on the microphone to recommend some of his favorite books by Black activists! In the show notes, we’ve linked resources for continuing education on racial justice. 

Resources: GLAD’s Racial Justice Resources: https://www.glad.org/racial-justice-resources/ The Loveland Foundation: “Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.”   https://thelovelandfoundation.org/ Campaign Zero: “Campaign Zero builds and sustains efforts that support communities to redefine public safety and create solutions that do not involve police.”  https://campaignzero.org/ 8 Can’t Wait: “#8CANTWAIT is a campaign to bring immediate change to police departments.”   https://8cantwait.org/ Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund: https://www.naacpldf.org/

National Bail Fund Directory: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/en/nbfn-directory

The Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org/

Erin and MJ are kicking off Season 2 in the only way they know how: a lot of ridiculousness and a dash of monster romance. 

Our first episode of the season covers the rise in polyamorous relationships in romance novels as well as one of the fastest growing themes in romance today: the reverse harem, or "why choose", romance. Join our hosts as they discuss the good, the bad, and the very weird sex (yes, again), along with strange descriptions of anatomy, experiences with unicorn hunting, and more as we ring in season two! 

We’re taking a short break for the holidays and then returning on January 11th with our season two premiere! In the meantime: it’s the final countdowwwwn! 

It’s finally here, fellow readers—Erin and MJ rank their top three and bottom three reads of the year! Covering October 2021 to October 2022, we talk the good, the bad, the ugly, and the impossible pickup truck sex scenes that left an impression over the last year (yes, there’s more than one on this list). Our hosts go more in-depth about what left an impression, what could have been left out, and what they took away from their most and least favorite books of the year. Quotes, themes, annoyingly impossible feats of human anatomy–you name it, Erin and MJ cover it. Join us for one last reading roundup, then re-listen to your favorite episodes before our season two premiere on January 11th, 2023!