The Library Coven

A bi-weekly podcast in which two besties read young adult fantasy through a critical lens

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  • Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022 /

    Hiya, coven! This is a super special holiday bonus episode that we recorded especially for our patrons. Annnnnd now it’s a month later, so all y’all can enjoy our discussion of Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert, one of our absolute favorite contemporary romance authors. Yep, you read that right – contemporary romance! This novella follows Bailey and Cash who end up working together at a tattoo shop! Get ready for grump & sunshine, fake dating, and there’s only one bed, all in one book! Content warning for brief discussion of abuse As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical people. Drop us a line in the comments or…

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    a glass bowl of dough on a marble counter next to an open recipe book

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (6) Japanese Week

    November 13, 2020
    Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019
    pile of books on a blue marble background

    2021 Year in Review

    December 31, 2021
  • pile of books on a blue marble background
    Bonus Episodes

    2021 Year in Review

    December 31, 2021 /

    Hello, Coven! It’s that time of year where we take a look back at the books, TV shows, and movies that got us through the year. Thank you to all of the people who asked questions and more generally to everyone for listening! We hope you find some new and interesting things to read and watch. Let us know in the comments about all your favs from the past year! Books (alphabetical by author) Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Daughter of Nri by Reni K Amayo (our Interview with Reni) From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout Grace Period: A Memior in Pieces by Kelly J. Baker King of Scars by…

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    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
    a stack of books sits in front of a blue and black marble background. From top to bottom: Class Act by Jerry Craft, Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, Legendborn by Tracey Deon, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory and Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

    2020 Year in Review

    December 31, 2020

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
  • Book cover of Daughters of Nri on a yellowish gold background. Reni. K Amayo is written in calligraphy in the top left, and interview is written 3 times in a circle in the upper right.
    Bonus Episodes,  Interview

    Interview with Reni K. Amayo, author of Daughters of Nri

    May 18, 2021 /

    Final interview episode coming at you with Reni K. Amayo, author of The Return of the Earth Mother series and founder of Onwe! The first book in the series, Daughters of Nri is available now, and you can pre-order the forthcoming book in the series, Decedents of the First, which is available October 5th! You can find Reni on Instagram or Twitter, and we highly recommend checking out her books! Onto the notes! Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman Dorothy Koomson Take the character quiz mentioned in the episode! Check out Onwe’s podcast SUBTEXTing The Read podcast Reni is listening to Game of Thrones audiobook, watching Modern Family and WandaVision, and reading Dream Country…

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    pile of books on a blue marble background

    2021 Year in Review

    December 31, 2021
    cartoon renderings of Jessie and Kelly wear black witch hats. A book and text "JK, it's magic" float above them

    BONUS! 2 years of the podcast

    August 31, 2020
    Novel CEMETARY BOYS by Aidan Thomas rests on a wood plank background. A white plate sits beside the book with a cinnamon roll that has black and orange striped icing

    BONUS! Ep 1 of Our New Series on Great British Bake Off

    October 9, 2020
  • Front cover of Girl in the Walls on a mauve background
    Bonus Episodes,  Interview

    Interview with Katy Michelle Quinn, author of The Girl in the Walls

    May 4, 2021 /

    We’re excited to bring you our second interview! This time we’re chatting with Katy Michelle Quinn. She is the author of Girl in the Walls, which is out June 1, 2021 from Clash Books. You can preorder the book here! Say ‘hi’ to Katy Michelle Quinn on twitter or instagram. Katy has attended Bizarro Con and misses those moments of connection at in-person conventions. She is reading N.K. Jemison’s novel The Fifth Season, listening to hyper pop like Charlie XCX as well as metal, hardcore and country music. Katy is also watching Star Trek for the first time (!) and recently re-watched Will & Grace. Katy’s horror recs include the director Dario Argento and…

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    Book cover of Daughters of Nri on a yellowish gold background. Reni. K Amayo is written in calligraphy in the top left, and interview is written 3 times in a circle in the upper right.

    Interview with Reni K. Amayo, author of Daughters of Nri

    May 18, 2021

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    A golden brown chocolate & walnut babka loaf rests on top of a wire cooling rack and sage green tea towel

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (8) Dessert Week

    November 27, 2020
  • Bonus Episodes,  Interview

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021 /

    We’re thrilled to bring you this interview with author Ashaye Brown (she/her) whose debut novel, Dream Country,will be released on April 27, 2021. Aka next week (!!) for those of you listening when the episode drops. This will be the first in a mini-series of three author interviews we will be releasing in the lead up to our next season of the podcast. You can order Dream Country directly from Onwe — do it soon to get a limited edition, signed version!! I mean, behold the beautiful bookplates. Follow Ashaye on twitter @AshayeBrown for amazing content. Really, tho, follow her! (listen to the episode to hear why Jessie and Kelly rave about…

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    Novel CEMETARY BOYS by Aidan Thomas rests on a wood plank background. A white plate sits beside the book with a cinnamon roll that has black and orange striped icing

    BONUS! Ep 1 of Our New Series on Great British Bake Off

    October 9, 2020
    cartoon renderings of Jessie and Kelly wear black witch hats. A book and text "JK, it's magic" float above them

    BONUS! 2 years of the podcast

    August 31, 2020
    Rice crispy treats on a white plate

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (7) 80s Week

    November 20, 2020
  • a stack of books sits in front of a blue and black marble background. From top to bottom: Class Act by Jerry Craft, Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, Legendborn by Tracey Deon, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory and Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
    Bonus Episodes

    2020 Year in Review

    December 31, 2020 /

    Let’s take a look back at all the wonderful things we loved in this shit show of a year– most of them book-related, although we chat about film/TV a fair amount too. We want to share our favs with y’all in the hopes of spreading a bit more joy around. Please reach out and let us know yours as well!  We know this time of year is filled with wrap ups, lists, etc. (hell, we’re complicit), which, for some, can be rough to wade through. Take care of yourselves and feel free to skip this one if that’s the case for you. We’ll be back in 2021 with more book…

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    Rice crispy treats on a white plate

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (7) 80s Week

    November 20, 2020

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
  • blue macarons on a black marble background
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (10) The Final!

    December 11, 2020 /

    And just like that series 11 (or collection 8 for us folks in the US) is over. It was so much fun to have this during this fairly terrible time, and we hope you’ve all enjoyed listening to our ramblings about the show. Now time for a re-watch! [gif of Matt waving to Noel] Transcript to come Spring 2021 As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching out to…

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    close-up view of a croissant for pasty week great British bake off.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
  • hardcover of Joanne Chang's PASTRY LOVE lays on top of a wood plank background
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (9) The Semi-Final and Patisserie!

    December 4, 2020 /

    Tune in for our ramblings on the chaos that was patisserie week! Alas, this season of GBBO is almost over *crying emoji*  Almost no notes this time! But here’s that tweet Kelly mentions.   

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    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
    Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019
    Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022
  • A golden brown chocolate & walnut babka loaf rests on top of a wire cooling rack and sage green tea towel
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (8) Dessert Week

    November 27, 2020 /

    Hello, Coven! We’re at week eight of Great British Bake Off, and where did the time go!? This week, it’s all things desserts, and a very unusual technical. Who do you think is making it to the final? Just a few notes: compote is “a dessert originating from medieval Europe, made of whole or pieces of fruit in sugar syrup. Whole fruits are cooked in water with sugar and spices. The syrup may be seasoned with vanilla, lemon or orange peel, cinnamon sticks or powder, cloves, other spices, ground almonds, grated coconut, candied fruit or raisins. The compote is served either warm or cold.” –  Wikipedia entry for compote coulis is “is a form of thin sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits”  -Wikipedia entry…

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    cartoon renderings of Jessie and Kelly wear black witch hats. A book and text "JK, it's magic" float above them

    BONUS! 2 years of the podcast

    August 31, 2020
    Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019
    Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022
  • Rice crispy treats on a white plate
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (7) 80s Week

    November 20, 2020 /

    ahoy, bakers and reader/listeners! This season of GBBO is nearly over (NOOOOOO), but we’re still excited to share this bonus ep with y’all. We talk quiche, donuts, and ice cream cake. Oh, and Jessie gives us a lesson on air fryers. Enjoy! [gif of Mel and Nadia holding up index and pinky fingers – metal!]  

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    cartoon renderings of Jessie and Kelly wear black witch hats. A book and text "JK, it's magic" float above them

    BONUS! 2 years of the podcast

    August 31, 2020
    Three snickerdoodle cookies stacked on a white plate

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (2) – Biscuit Week

    October 15, 2020
    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
  • a glass bowl of dough on a marble counter next to an open recipe book
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (6) Japanese Week

    November 13, 2020 /

    We are more than half way through this season of GBBO, and I am so sad! Here’s to the first ever Japanese week! What were your thoughts? [gif of Mark smiling and laughing]  

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    Book cover of Daughters of Nri on a yellowish gold background. Reni. K Amayo is written in calligraphy in the top left, and interview is written 3 times in a circle in the upper right.

    Interview with Reni K. Amayo, author of Daughters of Nri

    May 18, 2021
    a stack of books sits in front of a blue and black marble background. From top to bottom: Class Act by Jerry Craft, Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, Legendborn by Tracey Deon, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory and Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

    2020 Year in Review

    December 31, 2020
    Rice crispy treats on a white plate

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (7) 80s Week

    November 20, 2020
  • close-up view of a croissant for pasty week great British bake off.
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020 /

    Hi, everyone! We can’t believe that it’s already halfway through this season of GBBO. Tune-in for our discussion of the much-anticipated pastry week. Visit The Traveller Movement website , check out this op-ed in the Guardian  about antiziganism/racism, or this handy “GRT Representation: Media Response Toolkit” for more on GRT (Gypsy, Roma, Traveler) ethnic groups. There is so much to learn. Do the research, ppl! As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching…

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    blue macarons on a black marble background

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (10) The Final!

    December 11, 2020
    Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022
    A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020
  • Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 2020 /

    We’re coming at you this week to talk about all things episode 4 of series 11 or Chocolate Week! This week was a wild ride, so prepare yourselves! Here is the  article J mentioned about GBBO [a gif of the Prue-gasm] As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching out to us on twitter or Instagram (@thelibrarycoven), or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). You can also check out the show notes on our website,…

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    Front cover of Girl in the Walls on a mauve background

    Interview with Katy Michelle Quinn, author of The Girl in the Walls

    May 4, 2021
    pile of books on a blue marble background

    2021 Year in Review

    December 31, 2021
    close-up view of a croissant for pasty week great British bake off.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020
  • A light-skinned Black person holds a slice of sourdough in her left hand. A cutting board, blue and white gingham cloth and serrated knife lie below.
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (3) Bread Week

    October 26, 2020 /

    It’s finally time for Bread Week! Here is our third bonus episode in the GBBO series. [actual footage of Jessie and Kelly preparing for recording this episode. JK! it’s Mel and Sue wearing front zip hoodies and shaking out their shoulders] As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching out to us on twitter or Instagram (@thelibrarycoven), or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). You can also check out the show notes on our website,…

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    blue macarons on a black marble background

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (10) The Final!

    December 11, 2020
    Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022
    a glass bowl of dough on a marble counter next to an open recipe book

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (6) Japanese Week

    November 13, 2020
  • Three snickerdoodle cookies stacked on a white plate
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (2) – Biscuit Week

    October 15, 2020 /

    Time for biscuits and episode 2 of our very special bonus episodes about GBBO! What did you think of biscuit week? How are you feeling about the season? [gif of Steph trying to get her merengue off the beater into a metal bowl] As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching out to us on twitter or Instagram (@thelibrarycoven), or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). You can also check out the show notes on our…

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    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 2020
    close-up view of a croissant for pasty week great British bake off.

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020
    blue macarons on a black marble background

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (10) The Final!

    December 11, 2020
  • Novel CEMETARY BOYS by Aidan Thomas rests on a wood plank background. A white plate sits beside the book with a cinnamon roll that has black and orange striped icing
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Ep 1 of Our New Series on Great British Bake Off

    October 9, 2020 /

    Greetings, dear coven. We are excited to introduce our new series of bonus episodes following each new episode of Great British Bake Off! The program is also known as the Great British Baking Show on Netflix/in the USA ( because copyright law). J & K are both amateur bakers who enjoy making everything from bread and patisserie to cookies and cakes. Tune in for baking tips and to hear us tailor that compassionate critique you know and love toward this sweet* reality show. We hope it brings you joy! It certainly is a treat* to record these. *PUNS INTENDED! #obvi (can you tell K wrote this? lol) On your marks…get…

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    a glass bowl of dough on a marble counter next to an open recipe book

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (6) Japanese Week

    November 13, 2020
    Three snickerdoodle cookies stacked on a white plate

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (2) – Biscuit Week

    October 15, 2020
    Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019
  • Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! Umbrella Academy

    September 29, 2020 /

    We’re coming at you with a super special bonus episode discussing all things about the first two seasons of Umbrella Academy! If you enjoy this episode, let us know, and let us know about any other bonus episode things you’d like to see in the future!! As always, we’d love to be in discussion with you, magical folx. Post or tweet about the show using #criticallyreading. Let us know what you think of the episode, anything we missed, or anything else you want us to know by dropping a line in the comments or reaching out to us on twitter or Instagram (@thelibrarycoven), or via email (thelibraycoven@gmail.com). You can also check out the…

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    You May Also Like

    blue macarons on a black marble background

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (10) The Final!

    December 11, 2020
    Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019
    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 2020
  • cartoon renderings of Jessie and Kelly wear black witch hats. A book and text "JK, it's magic" float above them
    Bonus Episodes

    BONUS! 2 years of the podcast

    August 31, 2020 /

    Hello, magical friends! We’ve got a bonus episode for you! We recently celebrated 2 years of the podcast! We are so excited to have been in communication with you for the last two years! The time has really flown by. We just wanted to take this time to thank you all who have been here since the beginning, and thank you to those who have just discovered us, to the people who chat with us on Instagram, and to everyone who tells someone about the podcast. We are excited to to bring you new conversations about books each fortnight, and we’ll keep doing it for as long as is sustainable…

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    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    Merry Inkmas on white e-reader on top of christmas wrapping paper and between skeins of yarn

    BONUS! Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

    February 1, 2022
    Book cover of Daughters of Nri on a yellowish gold background. Reni. K Amayo is written in calligraphy in the top left, and interview is written 3 times in a circle in the upper right.

    Interview with Reni K. Amayo, author of Daughters of Nri

    May 18, 2021
  • Kelly smiles with a mug of butter beer in her hand
    Bonus Episodes,  Interview

    Episode 20: Interview with Kelly

    May 20, 2019 /

    Hey listeners, welcome to the second (and final) installment of our interview mini-sodes! In this episode, Kelly fields questions from Jessie about a plethora of extremely important topics including superpowers, fur babies, astrology, and books (#obvi). Like Jessie did for the last episode, I (Kelly) am updating the show notes with information I forgot to share in the interview. Feast your ears! My dogs are named after two Battlestar Galactica characters: Starbuck (callsign for Kara Thrace) and Helo (callsign for Karl Agathon). The Portlandia episode about BSG describes how all-consuming the show can be. A friend sent me this wonderful video from the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend about normalizing antidepressant and…

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    Novel CEMETARY BOYS by Aidan Thomas rests on a wood plank background. A white plate sits beside the book with a cinnamon roll that has black and orange striped icing

    BONUS! Ep 1 of Our New Series on Great British Bake Off

    October 9, 2020
    hardcover of Joanne Chang's PASTRY LOVE lays on top of a wood plank background

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (9) The Semi-Final and Patisserie!

    December 4, 2020
    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 2020

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