E141: Women of Southern Gothic with Del Sandeen

 

Today I have Del Sandeen on the show to discuss Women of Southern Gothic. Del’s debut novel, THIS CURSED HOUSE, revels in traditional gothic tropes in the context of issues embedded in gothic novels set in the American South. It’s a fresh take on a long tradition of this subgenre, and we discuss what sets Southern Gothic apart from other gothic novels. We also give you some great recommendations, which I've listed below:

• When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen
• Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
• The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy
• Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
• The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor by Flannery O'Connor
• Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
• Spook Lights by Eden Royce
• Root Work by Tracy Cross
• Mama Day by Gloria Naylor
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews

E140: Pumpkin Books with Rachel Harrison and Stephanie Gagnon from Books in the Freezer

 

Today I have Rachel Harrison, author of SO THIRSTY, and Stephanie Gagnon from Books in the Freezer on the show to discuss Pumpkins and Pumpkin Books…mostly. A few of the recommendations are fall vibes that allude to pumpkins. We have the best time and I hope you all have as much fun listening to this episode as we had making it.

The following are the book recommendations made in this episode. I've put a widget for Cackle also because Rachel Harrison did give us a healthy dose of pumpkins in that delightful book too. 

• Willful Creatures by Aimee Bender
• Plain, Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
• Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
• Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge
• Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
• The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
• The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo
• Deja Brew by Celestine Martin
• The Halloween Party by Agatha Christie

E139: Gods and Monsters with V. Castro and Johnny Compton

 

Today I have V. Castro and Johnny Compton on the show to discuss Gods and Monsters. They’ve both written stories that explore this combination of characters, so I thought they would be perfect guests to speak to our interest that dates back to antiquity. We discuss vampires and whether gods care about their existence. We chat about how good can’t exist without evil, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the combination of gods and monsters in story. 

Books we recommended on the show are:

• Where the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Onoh
• Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn
• Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
• These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban 
• Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas
• Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky by David Bowles
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• The Ghost Bride by Yangsze 
• The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

E138: Dark Academia with Alexis Henderson

Today I have Alexis Henderson on the show to discuss Dark Academia, as well as her new book, AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS. We discuss the origins and central themes to this subgenre, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the gothic, sinister and secret worlds hidden within the walls of elite schools, libraries and museums.  

I have a list in my ⁠Bookshop⁠ of our recommendations, and several other Dark Acadmeia staples, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Below is a list of the specific books discussed on the show:

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Babel by RF Kuang
• Vita Nostra by Dyachanko
• Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
• The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
• In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology 

The podcast episode of Once Upon a Time...at Bennington College about The Secret History is here:

E137: THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE with BR Myers

 

Today I have BR Myers on the show to chat about her new book, THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE, a gothic novel that revels in beloved tropes like remote coastal manors, insufferable guardians, ghosts, and dead brides. The book also has a sexy French minister as a love interest, which we get into as well. I really loved this book and can't wait to hear what you all think about both the book and the show!

In regard to the author event she mentioned at the end of the episode, here are the details she sent me:

Author Event and Art Show

When - October 25th, 5-8 PM

Where - Lincoln Street Center Theatre in Rockland, Maine.

- Hello Hello Books will be on hand to sell books.

- I'll be discussing my novel Rogue Princess with the artist, Susan Beebe. I'll be doing readings from A Dreadful Splendor and The Third Wife of Faraday House.

E136: SO THIRSTY with Rachel Harrison

Today I kick off my new season by welcoming Rachel Harrison back to the show. We chat about her new book, SO THIRSTY. It’s pitched as “Thelma and Louise with vampires,” but it’s also about personal and societal concepts of aging, and finding our worth within this cultural context. You can preorder the book from my Bookshop if you want to support my show. Thank you for listening!

E135: Gothic Shakespeare with Mary McMyne

Today I chat with Mary McMyne about her new book, A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME. It’s a gothic Shakespeare retelling of the sonnets from the point of view of the Dark Lady or witch in the poems. We discuss the scandalous nature of the Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, as well as the dark turn the famously revered sonnets take.