How to Bake a Book

This week, Mary and Cole wrap up their deep dive into N.K. Jemisin's earthshattering fantasy novel The Fifth Season! The hosts gush about the twists that caught them off guard, debate the nature of the elusive stone eaters, and make wild guesses about where the series is going. Listen now!   

Content Warnings: Child Death, Child Abuse, Neglect, Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, Death, Cannibalism, Discrimination, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Sexual Contact, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Manipulation, Trauma, PTSD, Earthquakes, Natural Disasters

This week, Mary and Cole dive into the second part of The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin! Mary shares a new recipe inspired by seismic activity and Cole kvetches about book hangovers. Listen now!

Content Warnings: Child Death, Child Abuse, Neglect, Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, Death, Cannibalism, Discrimination, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Sexual Contact, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Manipulation, Trauma, PTSD, Earthquakes, Natural Disasters,

This week, Mary and Cole begin their special three-part discussion of N.K. Jemisin's landmark Hugo award-winning novel The Fifth Season. Cole dishes up some thoughts on fantasy trail rations (and an accompanying recipe), Mary suffers from caffeine withdrawal, and both hosts gush about the Hugo Awards. Listen now!

Content Warnings: Child Death, Child Abuse, Neglect, Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, Death, Cannibalism, Discrimination, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Sexual Contact, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Manipulation, Trauma, PTSD, Earthquakes, Natural Disasters, 

In this minisode, Mary and Cole talk about the field of editing! Cole shares some industry knowledge about what it takes to be an editor, and Mary asks the important questions about what kind of agency an author has when their book has been marked up in red ink. Listen now!

This week, hosts Mary and Cole continue their deep dive into bestselling romance novel Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston! Cole shares a new recipe inspired by Alex Claremont, and Mary talks about the importance of contraceptives (even in a romance novel). Listen now! 

Content Warnings: Addiction, Alcohol, Blackmail, Depression, Violation of Privacy, Parental Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Death of Parent, Substance Abuse Disorder, Outing, Sexual Content, Biphobia, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Panic Attacks/Panic Disorders, Racism

This week, Mary and Cole get swept away by the romance phenomenon Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston! Mary shares a classic British recipe to celebrate the story, and the hosts talk about the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation in books. Listen now!

Content Warnings: Addiction, Alcohol, Blackmail, Violation of Privacy, Parental Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Death of Parent, Substance Abuse Disorder, Outing, Sexual Content, Biphobia, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Panic Attacks/Panic Disorders, Racism

Join Mary and Cole for a very special minisode with guest Kristin Burchell, author of the new fantasy novel Court of Venom. The trio enthuse about the realm of fantasy storytelling and the hosts pepper Kristin with questions about her novel. Listen now!

This week, Mary and Cole do a deep-dive into the second half of bestselling fantasy novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab! Join us as we talk about why you should always read the fine print when making deals with demons and how we felt about the book's controversial ending. Mary also bakes up a classic patisserie treat to enjoy alongside the book! Listen now!

Content Warnings: Death, starvation, freezing, substance abuse, alcoholism, sexual assault, sex work, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, attempted suicide, depression, violence, war

This week, Mary and Cole leap into the unknown with New York Times bestselling fantasy novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. The pair talk immortality, invisibility, and pacts with the devil. Cole shares a new recipe inspired by a little old man and his books, and Mary theorizes about the devil's tricks. 

Content Warnings: Death, starvation, freezing, substance abuse, alcoholism, sexual assault, sex work, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, attempted suicide, depression, violence, war

This week, Mary and Cole dive into the second half of Space Opera by Catherynne M. Vallente! Aliens, espionage, and the biggest concert in the universe take center stage as the hosts wrap up their discussion of the book. Cole makes disco-inspired treats, and we finally uncover whether or not Mary has become a sci-fi fan! Join us!

Content Warnings: Homophobia, queerphobia, addiction, death, driving under the influence, alcoholism, anxiety, zombies, attempted murder, aliens, disease, drug use