Katie and Lesley talk about two books that qualify for the Goodreads "Star Selections" challenge, a mythical retelling called A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang and an award-winning Polish mystery called Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk.

Katie reviews Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, a new standalone science fiction novel by the writer of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Lesley reviews Catriona Ward's newest novel, Nowhere Burning. Set to come out on February 24, 2026, Nowhere Burning is a dark and twisty psychological horror loosely inspired by Peter Pan. 

Katie and Lesley share a list of favorite books of 2025, with features from Dani and Donald. Find out what stood out to us this year, and what we're looking forward to in 2026. 

Erline joins us to discuss Octavia Butler -- not her works of fiction, but her life as told in the new biography written by Susana M. Morris, Positive Obsession. 

Our resident manga experts Dani and Percy come to discuss their favorite manga, from the first manga they every picked up to the ones they're keeping tabs on right now. 

Titles recommended: 

One-Punch Man

Jake joins us to discuss family dysfunction and Italian ghosts in Jennifer Thorne's gothic horror novel, Diavola.

We're back after a short break with Cherie to review Lynn Painter's new rom-com, Maid for Each Other. 

Sara joins us to talk about a book that got her out of her Romantasy reading slump, Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. 

Lisa and Katie review the road trip rom-com Anywhere With You by debut author Margo Glynn, featuring Roswell, a variety of Southeastern wildlife, and a viral social media account created to make your ex(es) jealous.