E153: Grady Hendrix and WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS

Today I welcome Grady Hendrix back to the show to discuss his new book, WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS, a story about the homes for pregnant teenage girls that were largely used in the years before Roe v Wade. We chat about everything from the inspiration of this story, to the food, and the human monsters in the book. The story has a lot of depth and I enjoyed breaking down even the small details with Grady, so I hope you enjoy it.

E152: Poe, Ghosts and Mystery with Christa Carmen

 

Today I welcome Christa Carmen, winner of the Bram Stoker award for her debut novel DAUGHTERS OF BLOCK ISLAND. I have her on the show today to discuss her new book, BENEATH THE POET’S HOUSE, a contemporary story that takes place in the home of famous transcendentalist, Sarah Whitman, a romantic interest of Edgar Allan Poe’s. We discuss Poe and how she connected her plot to his work and his life while centering Whitman’s interest in transcendentalism. I hope you enjoy it!

E151: LITERARY WITCHES and a New Year with Taisia Kitaiskaia

Today I welcome Taisia Kitaiskaia to the show for a chat about her book of illustrated poetry and her oracle deck, both titled LITERARY WITCHES. Taisia lives here in Austin, and worked with another Austin artist, Katy Horan, to create a gorgeous collection of poetry and art, as well as an inspiring oracle deck. Though they came out years ago, I hoped Taisia could bring in 2025 with inspiration for us all. She even does an oracle pull for us at the end of the episode, which I found hopeful. I hope you do too.

E150: Favorite Books of 2024 with Megan Bannen and Brian McAuley

Today I welcome both Megan Bannen and Brian McAuley to the show for a chat about our favorite books of 2024. These two authors inspired me a lot this year, and they make me laugh, so I wanted to end a wild year with folks who are like a balm to my soul. Megan is the author of THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY, and THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK. These are some of the most creative books I’ve read in years, and are filled with humor and heart. Brian is the author CURSE OF THE REAPER and the CANDY CAIN slasher series, and he’s taught me a lot about slashers and writing. I’m thrilled to finish the year with these two fabulous writers. Happy New Year!

Books mentioned on the show are listed below with links to my Bookshop:

• The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
• Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
• It's Elementary by Elise Bryant
• Bitter Waters by Vivian Shaw (linked to her author page)
• The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
• So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
• The Folly by Gemma Amor
• House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias
• American Rapture by CJ Leede
• Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen
• A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
• Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
• Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy
• This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
• Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
• Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
• Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
• Cicada by Tanya Pell
• Hate to Fake It to You by Amanda Sellet

E149: Gothic meets Cozy with Sharon Lynn Fisher

Today I welcome Sharon Lynn Fisher to the show to discuss two of her books I read this year. SALT AND BROOM is a witch retelling of Jane Eyre, and her new book, GRIMM CURIOUSITIES, is a perfect Yuletide ghost story that explores Krampus while using the Dickensian atmosphere of a Victorian curiosity shop. Both books manage to honor their Gothic inspiration while offering a cozy atmosphere, and we discuss that genre bending work on the show.

E148: Do We Still Know How to Read? with Jenny Adams and Jocelyn Codner

 

Today I welcome Jocelyn Codner, an academic librarian that I know from her work with the Horror Writers Association and their Summer Scares program, and Jenny Adams, the author of the delightful mystery novel, A DEADLY ENDEAVOR, and an elementary school librarian. I wanted to dive into the state of literacy in America with two librarians that are connected to the genre work I do on the show, and get their insight on how we started our literacy decline, what we’re seeing now, and give you all some fun and meaningful actions items to get us started on moving the dial towards better literacy. We hope it gives folks a better understanding of why all this matters and what we can do about it.

The following are links and books discussed on the show

• John Green's Crash Course on Navigating Digital Information
• 2024 Summer Scares Programming Guide (stay tuned for 2025)
• NAMLE's Key Questions to Ask When Analyzing Media Experiences
• NAMLE's The 6 E’s of Parenting in the Digital Age
• 
  

E146: Christmas Mysteries with Stephanie Barron

 

Today I welcome Stephanie Barron to the show to discuss both her Jane Austen mystery series and the appeal of mystery books set at Christmas. We talk about Jane Austen in the first half of the show, and what made her an interesting character for detective fiction, and we use the Christmas book in the series, JANE AND THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS as a launch pad for other Christmas mystery recommendations. Here are the books we discussed, linked to my Bookshop if you want to support the show, and I've also made a list on my Bookshop's front page if you want to browse.

• The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas
• Lament for a Maker by Michael Innes
• The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
• The Mischief of Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
• Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop edited by Otto Penzler
• The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries edited by Otto Penzler
• Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards
• I'm Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
• The Winter Guest by W.C. Ryan
• Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney (not on episode but it's on the graphic)
• Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton (not on episode but it's on the graphic)