The Library Coven

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

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  • 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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    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
    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
  • Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background
    Episodes

    62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021 /

    Greetings, coven! In this episode we’re discussing Fireborne by Rosaria Munda, Book 1 of the Aurelian Cycle. Kelly calls this book Game of Thrones meets How to Train Your Dragon (there are some GOT spoilers ahead, but it’s an old show at this point so….) Please excuse our faulty memories on this one — there’s a lot going on in the world and we read the book a few weeks ago. And with that rousing captatio benavolentae, on to the show notes!  Thank you to the person on social media who suggested that we read Fireborne. We don’t remember you’re name, so if this was you, get in touch 🙂 And let it never be said that we…

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    The Cruel Prince by Holly Black on top of a fuzzy blue blanket

    8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    December 3, 2018
    Light-skinned brown hand holds novel A DREAM SO DARK. Shelves of library books in the background.

    31. A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney

    June 30, 2020
    Book, Shadowshaper on a blue and grey background

    58. Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

    September 29, 2021
  • Book, We Free the Stars on a bluish grey background with a beige sweater under the book on the left and a pair of decorative scissors in the upper right
    Episodes

    54. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

    July 27, 2021 /

    Hello, wonderful Coven! This week we’re bringing you a discussion of We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, the second and final (maybe?) book in the Sands of Arawiya series (Check out episode 32, where we discuss the first book, We Hunt the Flame). We had a great time reading this one, and we will read anything Hafsah writes in the future (really looking forward to her new upcoming book, Tempest of Tea). Stay magical, friends! Content warning for discussions of child abuse at 49 minutes – 51:14  We still have a survey going on, and we’d really appreciate if you took it! We’ve already implemented some of your suggestions, so we’d…

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    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a paperback of Fit for the Gods in front of a blazing orange tree and blue sky.

    89. Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined edited by S. Zainab Williams and Jenn Northington

    January 30, 2024
    book, A Snake Falls to Earth, on a white scarf surrounded by 4 skeins of yarn

    77. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

    February 21, 2023
    A library copy of Brooms held aloft by a light brown hand with golden leaves in the background

    87. Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall

    December 12, 2023
  • book, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on a blueish grey background
    Episodes

    52. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

    June 29, 2021 /

    Hello, Coven! This week we’re coming at you with a discussion of The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. We had such an amazing time reading this debut novel, and we can’t wait to see what happens with the future of the series! On to the notes! Content warning for discussions of rape, sexual assault, violence,  parental death, and mentions of Harry Potter. Survey link if you want to help shape how the direction of the podcast Recommend if you like… Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (which we discussed in Episode 51) Derry Girls (Netflix) Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo (we interviewed Reni in this episode) Dream Country by Ashaye Brown (we interviewed Ashaye in…

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    A light brown hand with black nail polish holds up a library copy of House of Marionne in front of a blazing red tree

    95. House of Marionne by J. Elle

    April 30, 2024
    Hardcover copy of Mackenzi Lee's A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue sits on a dark wood desk next to a white mug with a "k" on it. Bookshelves in the backgroud

    12. A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

    January 28, 2019
    Two hardcover copies of the The WIcked King on top of a navy and green crocheted blanket

    16. The Wicked King by Holly Black

    March 26, 2019
  • Book, A Sky Beyond the Storm on a blue and grey marble background with a red sweater underneath the book on the left, and a pair of vintage scissors on the right
    Episodes

    50. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 2021 /

    Hello, beautiful coven! We’re back for season 4 with all new episodes, and we’re starting out strong with A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir, the final book in An Ember in the Ashes series. If you want to check out the other books’ discussions you can find them here: An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, & A Reaper at the Gates. A quick reminder: we still have a survey going on, and it is helping to shape the future of the show! Please take it if you have a chance. You can also support the show by becoming a member on Patreon, tipping us on Ko-Fi, or purchasing…

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    Hardcover copy of Raybearer on a white cloth, surrounded by 4 skeins of jewel-toned yarn on each corner

    82. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

    June 6, 2023
    The Witch King on a white cloth surrounded by 4 blue, purple, and cream colored yarn skeins

    79. The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

    April 25, 2023
    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    48. Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
  • Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right
    Episodes

    48. Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021 /

    Hello, Coven! How is your winter going? We’re excited to bring you a new episode discussing Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland and finishing up the Dread Nation series. If you need a recap of what in the first book, you can check out our episode about Dread Nation! Please consider taking our supporter survey! It should require only 5-10 minutes and it will help us get to know our audience and get your feedback about the content we create. http://bit.ly/LibraryCovenSurvey This episode features some animals trying to make themselves heard in the episode. Sorry not sorry. Now on to the notes! Racist history of gynecology from Wear Your Voice  Anti-Blackness in…

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    Novel GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE surrounded by three candles

    11. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

    January 14, 2019
    Novel A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT with grass and fallen leaves

    7. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

    November 18, 2018
    Hardcover copy of A Court of Mist and Fury with bus seats in the background

    21. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

    June 5, 2019
  • Paperback copies of The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky and The Obelisk Gate stacked on blue fabric
    Episodes

    46. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

    January 26, 2021 /

    Hold on to your hats, folks! This fortnight we’re reading The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, the first book in The Broken Earth Trilogy. And no matter how many people talk about their love for this book, it was not our cup of tea! We spent a lot of time being confused, and maybe had more questions than answers in this episode. What are your thoughts on this book? Content Warning for discussions of murder, torture, child abuse, and cannibalism On to the notes, which are quite short this week! The Witcher season 1 – slight spoilers about the timeline in that show K brings up Avatar: The Last Airbender (as she is…

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    Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter

    34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020
    Hand holding hardcover edition of City of Bones against a backdrop of Pacific Northwest forest

    6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

    November 5, 2018
    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

    25. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (slash an entire year of the show!!)

    August 7, 2019
  • paperback copy of Queen of the Conquered on top of a purple and white decorative paper
    Episodes

    45. Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

    January 12, 2021 /

    In this episode we’re discussing Queen of the Conquered Kacen Callender (they/them), the first book in the Islands of Blood and Storm series. The book takes place in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world and follows our main character, Sigourney, as she makes a bid for power as the only Black person in contention to rule the islands that have been colonized by the white Fjern. When all those in line to the throne are gathered for the storm season and start to be killed off one by one, chaos ensues. As it does. Content warning for discussions of rape and white supremacist violence.  Callender also wrote Felix Ever After. It’s on our TBR!…

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    A light brown hand holds Zahrah the Windseeker in front of a lush forest

    71. Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor

    October 4, 2022
    A light brown hand holds A Crown So Cursed in front of a blazing red tree.

    88. A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney

    January 16, 2024
    A light brown hand with black nail polish holds up a library copy of House of Marionne in front of a blazing red tree

    95. House of Marionne by J. Elle

    April 30, 2024
  • Paperback copy of Blanca & Roja rests on background of purple and navy flowers
    Episodes

    44. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

    December 29, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! And welcome to one of the last episodes of the shit show that has been 2020! This week we’re discussing Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them). Let’s talk about some swans! What is magical realism? We talked a bit about being Latinx and white. There have been lots of great discussions about this, and here are 2 videos that explain it better than K or I did What is White Latinx and White Passing Privilege? Can Latinos Benefit from White Privilege? K mentioned Arrested Development TV show J recommended the movie Practical Magic for people who want stories about sisters, magic, and curses Transcript below or access the…

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    Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter

    34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020
    A pink metallic hardcover copy of Foul Lady Fortune rests on yellow and orange fallen leaves.

    90. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

    February 13, 2024
    The Cruel Prince by Holly Black on top of a fuzzy blue blanket

    8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    December 3, 2018
  • Hardcover of The Dragon Republic lays on top of decorative paper with anatomical heart drawings
    Episodes

    43. The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

    December 15, 2020 /

    Hello everyone, and most especially to Saidah, who emailed us in December 2019 asking about when we were going to record an episode about R.F. Kuang’s The Dragon Republic. Saidah, we’re only a year late, but that time is now! If y’all need to recap the first book in the series, you can check out Episode 15 of the podcast in which we discussThe Poppy War.  Full disclosure: this series is not YA and Kelly uses verbal air quotes an embarrassing number of times in the episode. You’ve been warned. Enjoy! Content Warning for discussions of genocide, sexual assault, drug use and other instances of extreme violence.  This isn’t the first time…

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    Novel GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE surrounded by three candles

    11. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

    January 14, 2019
    several library books strewn about (including Bloodmarked, Iveliz Explains it All, Parable of the Sower, Heartstopper, Algorithms of Oppression, The Weight of Blood, and Dear America)

    2022 Year In Review

    December 31, 2022
    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

    25. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (slash an entire year of the show!!)

    August 7, 2019
  • Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it
    Episodes

    42. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

    December 1, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! This week we’re discussing Wayward Witch, the third and final (?) book in the Brooklyn Brujas series by Zoraida Córdova. You can check out our episodes about Labyrinth Lost and Bruja Born if you need a refresher about what happened in the earlier books! Which was your favorite of the series? What would be your sinmago power be? Full episode transcript below or access the transcript PDF And now, onward to the notes (of which there are very few this week)! The audiobook was narrated by Almarie Guerra “When people show you who they are” quote is from Dr. Maya Angelou The Body Keeps the Score [gif of Thor looking intense and…

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    The Lost Dreamer surrounded by 4 skeins of grey, maroon, gold, and teal yarn on a white cloth and blue marble background.

    74. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta

    November 29, 2022
    Jessie holding a mug of butterbeer

    19. Interview with Jessie

    May 5, 2019
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds a copy of Sia Martinez in front of a cornfield

    73. Sia Martínez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vázquez Gilliland

    November 15, 2022
  • A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background
    Episodes

    39. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

    October 20, 2020 /

    hey, magical beings! This fortnight we’re bringing you a conversation about A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, the first in a planned duology. The second/final installment, A Psalm of Storms and Silence is due out in early 2021. Content Warning for discussions of parent death, panic attacks, and child abuse. ChildHelp  Call 1-800-422-4453 for assistance Call to Action: take care of yourselves! The interactive “you feel like shit self care guide flowchart” is a good resource. here is the source K used when researching the meaning of different day names. Various fact-based news sources have documented widespread evidence that the United States’s carceral immigration system (including deportation flights) is spreading COVID-19.…

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    Book, A Sky Beyond the Storm on a blue and grey marble background with a red sweater underneath the book on the left, and a pair of vintage scissors on the right

    50. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 2021
    hardcover of the Queen of Nothing on a black marble background

    35. Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

    August 25, 2020
    Lost in the Never Woods rests on a blue marble background between four skeins of variegated blue and purple yarn

    68. Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

    April 19, 2022
  • book Bruja Born on a white background with skulls
    Episodes

    38. Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova

    October 6, 2020 /

    Hello, coven! This is one of the last few episodes where we refer to ourselves as JK, It’s Magic. We hope you like our new name, and that you feel like you’re part of the coven. This week we’re talking about Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova, were we get to know a lot more about Lula! If you need a recap about what happened in the last book, check out our Labyrinth Lost episode. Call to Action: This week, we’re asking that people learn more about ways they can lend a hand to those experiencing homelessness. One place you can start is The National Alliance to End Homelessness. Full Transcript Below (or…

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    A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas in front of the snowy CO front range

    14. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

    February 25, 2019
    Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background

    29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020
    A pink metallic hardcover copy of Foul Lady Fortune rests on yellow and orange fallen leaves.

    90. Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

    February 13, 2024
  • A paperback copy of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer sits on top of a brown wood desk. A small succulent in a tiny navy teacup/saucer with gold trim sits to the left. To the right, a half-finished sock on double-pointed knitting needles rests by a ball of yarn (variegated blues and purples)
    Episodes

    37. A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

    September 22, 2020 /

    Greetings to all you magical beings out there! This fortnight, we’re discussing A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. We immensely enjoyed Kemmerer’s spin on the whole Beauty and the Beast tradition, and we found Harper to be one of the most relatable and badass protagonists! There’s so much about this novel that we found relevant to our pandemic times– especially re: disability, medical debt, . Also, J & K happen to be on different ships this time! Hope you enjoy and learn things and teach us things! Content warning: terminal illness and parental death, rape and sexual assault (mins 20-22). Call to action: This week we’re encouraging y’all to “crip”…

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    Witchlings on a white cloth surrounded by blue and orange skeins of yarn

    70. Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

    September 20, 2022
    Faith Taking Flight by Julie Murphy on dark blue marbled background

    64. Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy

    February 8, 2022
    Book, A Sky Beyond the Storm on a blue and grey marble background with a red sweater underneath the book on the left, and a pair of vintage scissors on the right

    50. A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 2021
  • Crier's War audiobook pulled up on an iphone screen with sunflowers draped across the phone, and headphones surrounding the phone and flowers
    Episodes

    36. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020 /

    Hello, magical folx! This fortnight we’re discussing Crier’s War by Nina Varela! This book is fantasy adjacent, and leans a bit more toward science fiction, but we have lots of world building and robot things to talk about! Call to action: This week we’re educating ourselves on how the various technologies we use impact BIPOC and disabled people. Here are two books that can help with our collective education: Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble This is just the start of our education. Please let us know any other sources you found helpful!…

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    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

    25. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (slash an entire year of the show!!)

    August 7, 2019
    Lost in the Never Woods rests on a blue marble background between four skeins of variegated blue and purple yarn

    68. Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

    April 19, 2022
    We Hunt the Flame on a white blanket

    32. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

    July 14, 2020
  • Picture of Children of Virtue and Vengeance on a white comforter
    Episodes

    34. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

    August 11, 2020 /

    Hello, magical friends! This fortnight we’re coming at you with a discussion of Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, the second book in the Legacy of Orïsha series. If you need a recap of the story or what we talked about in the first book, check out episode 2 (so long ago!!!) about Children of Blood and Bone. First up, let me say there is a bit of a sound issue on my part (J), that I apologize for. I accidentally recorded from my webcam instead of my microphone, but hopefully, I wont let that happen again in the future! Call to action: this week we asked that you take…

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    Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background

    62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021
    Hardcover of Wicked Fox on a maroon background

    40. Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

    November 3, 2020
    Hardcover version of BoP surrounded by orange, green, and teal skeins of yarn, sits on top of a white cloth and blue marble background

    80. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

    May 9, 2023
  • Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background
    Episodes

    33. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020 /

    Hey, magical folx! In this episode we discuss Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, which is *NOT* YA. We gotta say this at the top because its some sexist bs that women/femme adult fantasy writers get miscategorized as YA (read about how sexism impacts genre categorization). *Call to action* This fortnight, we’re urging our magical community to learn more about abolishing borders, abolishing ICE and migrant justice as well as to support organizations doing this work. Watch/listen to the final plenary from this year’s Allied Media Conference, “From Dreams to Practice: Abolition in Our Lifetimes”. The panel features a TON of rad ppl doing abolitionist work, including Miski Noor, Tawana “Honeycomb” Petty,…

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    Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background

    62. Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021
    book, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna on a blueish grey background

    52. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

    June 29, 2021
    Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket

    1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    August 26, 2018
  • Light-skinned brown hand holds novel A DREAM SO DARK. Shelves of library books in the background.
    Episodes

    31. A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney

    June 30, 2020 /

    Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing A Dream so Dark by L.L. McKinney, the second book in the Nightmare-verse series! In this episode we’re making predictions about the future books in the series, talking about “urban” fantasy, and coming at you with some major Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker spoilers (you’ve been warned!). For a refresher for what happened in the last book, check out our episode on A Blade So Black. Here are all the things mentioned in this week’s episode! Let’s start with a question! What are you wearing when you feel your most powerful? We mentioned The Neverending Story Dr. Martens – the badass shoe of choice! Ship It…

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    Novel GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE surrounded by three candles

    11. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

    January 14, 2019
    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    51. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    June 15, 2021
    Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket

    1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    August 26, 2018
  • Cover of CROOKED KINGDOM on a starry background
    Episodes

    29. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

    June 2, 2020 /

    Hello, magical folx! This week we’re discussing Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, the second book in the Six of Crows series. Check out our Six of Crows episode for a refresher on what happened in the last book! Side Note & Content Warning: We know we’ve been gone for a bit, and we appreciate you patience as we get back in the swing of things. We recorded this episode in November, and a lot has changed in the world since then. This could be a difficult episode to listen to if the current pandemic is taking a toll on your mental health. Obviously, we had no idea where the world would be…

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    Hardcover version of BoP surrounded by orange, green, and teal skeins of yarn, sits on top of a white cloth and blue marble background

    80. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

    May 9, 2023
    A Song of Wraiths and Ruin on a blue, white and gold marbled background

    39. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

    October 20, 2020
    cartoon characters in costumes and bright clothing (artwork from Ship It)

    3. Ship It by Britta Lundin

    September 25, 2018
  • Book The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen in a pile of brown and reddish leaves and green grass
    Episodes

    26. The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen

    November 5, 2019 /

    Hello, magical listeners, and welcome back! We are starting season 2 by reading The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen. We’re talking science fiction, mental health, and sexist school norms in this fortnight’s episode. *We received this book as an ARC form the author* We want to give a content warning for this episode as we discuss issues of depression and self harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact The Trevor Project . The Bright Sessions podcast Highly Sensitive People v Empaths The AM Archives podcast A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney is a book that is fantastic at describing the race of ALL characters Our…

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    The Final Strife lays on top of a white cloth and blue marble background, flanked by 2 skeins of blue yarn and one skein of orange yarn

    81. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

    May 23, 2023
    several library books strewn about (including Bloodmarked, Iveliz Explains it All, Parable of the Sower, Heartstopper, Algorithms of Oppression, The Weight of Blood, and Dear America)

    2022 Year In Review

    December 31, 2022
    Crier's War audiobook pulled up on an iphone screen with sunflowers draped across the phone, and headphones surrounding the phone and flowers

    36. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

    September 8, 2020
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas in front of the snowy CO front range
    Episodes

    14. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

    February 25, 2019 /

    Listeners, the time has finally come to talk about A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, the first book in one of our favorite series. We saved the rest of the series spoilers for a special end segment that begins around 1:11:45. If you haven’t read the rest of the books and/or don’t want spoilers, be sure to skip that! You’ll notice that the show notes are short this time – surprisingly, we stayed pretty close to the source text in our discussion. Off brand, we know. Don’t fret, we’ll probably be back to our regular encyclopedic show notes antics for Ep 15. “There’s a Weird, Sexist Problem in Fantasy That We…

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    Novel A BLADE SO BLACK surrounded by a circle of playing cards

    13. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

    February 11, 2019
    Book, Shadowshaper on a blue and grey background

    58. Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

    September 29, 2021
    Hardcover copy of Six of Crows in front of a winding dirt road. Background is snowy mountains and bright blue sky

    22. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    June 18, 2019
  • Novel A BLADE SO BLACK surrounded by a circle of playing cards
    Episodes

    13. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

    February 11, 2019 /

    This fortnight we’re discussing A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney, and there were a ton of Alice in Wonderland puns from K, as this is a modern retelling of the story. Don’t expect to get any hints about this story because you read the original. This is a whole new take! As always, there were a ton of outside sources mentioned, and hopefully we caught them all to add to the show notes. If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! Sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? Which do you prefer? For many African Americans sweet potato pie wins every time, but where did…

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    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022
    A light brown hand with dark nail polish holds The Girl from the Sea in front of a small lake with fall foliage

    91. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

    February 27, 2024
    Paperback copy of The Marrow Thieves held in J's left hand. A natural landscape of greens and browns is in the background.

    30. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

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  • The Cruel Prince by Holly Black on top of a fuzzy blue blanket
    Episodes

    8. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    December 3, 2018 /

    J & K thoroughly enjoyed the dark and twisty world of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. Episode 8 features not one but TWO of K’s now infamous research rabbit holes. #RavenclawFTW. Content Warning: physical, mental, and emotional abuse If you or someone you know has been the victim of child abuse, please call ChildHelp 1-800-422-4453 for assistance The first is about all the different kinds of faeries. If you want to know more about sprites, dryads, nymphs, selkies, kelpies, banshees, elves, gnomes, goblins, pixies, etc. etc. etc., you can find an encyclopedic list here (complete with illustrations!). And while we’re at it, have another resource. The second research rabbit hole is decidedly…

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