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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    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
    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
  • 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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    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
    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
  • 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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    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
    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
    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
  • 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 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
    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
    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
  • 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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    blue macarons on a black marble background

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

    December 11, 2020
    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
    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 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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    blue macarons on a black marble background

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

    December 11, 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
    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 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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    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
    Rice crispy treats on a white plate

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

    November 20, 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
  • 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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    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
    pile of books on a blue marble background

    2021 Year in Review

    December 31, 2021
    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 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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    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    blue macarons on a black marble background

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

    December 11, 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 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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    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
    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

    October 30, 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
  • 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…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

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

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020
    Chocolate cake with Halloween sprinkles around the base

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (4) Chocolate Week

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

    BONUS! Great British Bake Off (5) Pastry Week

    November 6, 2020
    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
    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
  • 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…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Interview with Ashaye Brown, author of Dream Country

    April 20, 2021
    Three snickerdoodle cookies stacked on a white plate

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

    October 15, 2020
    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
  • 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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    You May Also Like

    blue macarons on a black marble background

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

    December 11, 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 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

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