The Library Coven

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

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  • Library copy of The City Beautiful on a white cloth, three skeins of yarn surround it and a red sweater lays to the left
    Episodes

    Episode 72: The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

    October 18, 2022 /

    Today we’re discussing an historical fantasy novel, The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros. Set in Chicago in the late 1800s, Romanian Jewish immigrant Alter Rosen is swept up in a city-wide mystery after his bestie and crush Yakov is killed (spoiler! Sorry not sorry but if you didn’t guess it was queer then what show do you even think you’re listening to?!). There’s an anarchist side kick, some possession, and lots of chaos! This book was suggested by the wonderful roro_suri on instagram, who always has really strong book recs. Many thanks to them and our Patrons for these book recommendations to start us off for Season 5.  Content warning…

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    Shadow and Bone on grey and white wool blanket

    Episode 1 (!!!) Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

    August 26, 2018
    Wayward Witch with fairy lights around it

    Episode 42: Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova

    December 1, 2020
    Novel GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE surrounded by three candles

    Episode 11: Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

    January 14, 2019
  • A light brown hand holds Zahrah the Windseeker in front of a lush forest
    Episodes

    Episode 71: Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor

    October 4, 2022 /

    This week we’re discussing Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor. This story follows Zahrah, a 13 year old girl who is born with special hair called dadalocks. When her best friend falls into a coma after a snake bite, Zahrah, who is scared of pretty much everything, has to take a journey through the jungle to find a cure. This is Okorafor’s debut from back in 2005 if you can believe it. The world building is NEXT LEVEL, our MC is feisty and relatable, and there’s a beautiful friendship at the core of the story. What’s not to love? This was the book choice of our wonderful Patreon patron Grey from@grey_reads.…

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    Hard cover copy of Circe on blue marble background

    Episode 63: Circe by Madeline Miller

    January 25, 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

    Episode 50: A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

    June 1, 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

    Episode 54: We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

    July 27, 2021
  • Witchlings on a white cloth surrounded by blue and orange skeins of yarn
    Episodes

    Episode 70: Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

    September 20, 2022 /

    You aren’t ready for the cute puns and shenanigans of the Spare Coven! In Episode 70 we discuss Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega, a middle grade novel full of friendship, magic, and toads. Jessie and kelly reveal the shape their familiars would take and think about what their names might be prophecies for. Recommend if you like… Pet* by Akwaeke Emezi – which deals with some more overt societal issues, but I think they both have strong young girls at their core who are fighting for a more just society The Halloweentown movies New Kid by Jerry Craft Brooklyn Brujas* These books all skew towards younger readers and are overflowing with…

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    Elatsoe on a blue and white marble background

    Episode 57: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

    September 14, 2021
    book, A Court of Wings and Ruin on a shiny blue-green floral scarf

    Episode 49: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

    March 9, 2021
    Book, Deathless Divide on a purple background with the Knight of Swords tarot card to the right

    Episode 48: Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

    February 23, 2021
  • Hardcover of The Jasmine Throne on top of a light cloth and surrounded by 4 bright orange skeins of yarn
    Episodes

    Episode 69: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

    September 6, 2022 /

    AND WE’RE BACK! Season 5 begins with our discussion of The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, the first book in the Burning Kingdoms series. This book is a multi-POV tale that mostly follows Priya, a young adult with magical powers who’s entire adopted family has been killed, and Malini, an exiled princess who is trying to steal the throne from her evil brother.  The books for this first series of episodes were will be releasing were all chosen by our wonderful patrons! If you need some bookish camaraderie, join our Patreon! It’s a pay-what-you-can model starting at $1/month. In other news: Dr k uses they/them/their pronouns and has for a…

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    paperback copy of Queen of the Conquered on top of a purple and white decorative paper

    Episode 45: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

    January 12, 2021
    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
    Book Gods of Jade and Shadow on a black marble background

    Episode 33: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

    July 29, 2020

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Recent Posts

  • Episode 81: The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
  • Episode 80: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
  • Episode 79: The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
  • Episode 78: Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
  • ARCHIVE: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi