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

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

    June 30, 2020
    Hand holding hardcover edition of City of Bones against a backdrop of Pacific Northwest forest

    Episode 6: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

    November 5, 2018
  • 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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    Book The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen in a pile of brown and reddish leaves and green grass

    Episode 26: The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen

    November 5, 2019
    Hardcover version of Nocturna sit on a bright red background

    Episode 41: Nocturna by Maya Motayne

    November 17, 2020
    A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas in front of the snowy CO front range

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

    February 25, 2019
  • 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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    Map from Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

    Episode 28: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

    December 23, 2019
    Novel CITY OF BRASS on multicolored fabric

    Episode 23: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

    July 4, 2019
    book, Legendborn, on a grayish blue background with fairy lights at the top and bottom

    ARCHIVE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    November 8, 2022
  • 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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    Jessie holding a mug of butterbeer

    Episode 19: Interview with Jessie

    May 5, 2019
    Fireborne held aloft by a light brown hand with black nail polish. bright red leaves and trees in the background

    Episode 62: Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

    December 14, 2021
    Light-skinned black hand holds HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS

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

    August 7, 2019

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