Literature on the Rocks

On this episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox are back to discuss Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman! This time, we're getting into the creepy details, the uncomfortable questions, and the parenting dilemmas that made this horror story stick with us long after the final page.

One of the things that makes this book so unsettling is its perspective. Experiencing everything through eight-year-old Bela's eyes puts us right in the middle of her fear, confusion, and desperate attempts to make the adults understand what's happening. But how much does that change the way we experience the story?

We also put ourselves in the parents' shoes. If our child came to us claiming there was something paranormal happening in our home, how would we react? Would we believe them? How far would we go to protect them? And then there's Ursula. Do we blame her for the haunting, or is there more to the story than meets the eye?

We're sharing our theories, debating our reactions, and asking the questions that make this book about so much more than what's hiding in the closet.

📚 Need a copy of the book? Grab Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman and support Literature on the Rocks while you shop!

Pour yourself a drink, maybe leave a light on, and join us for another round of books, booze, and banter!

💬 Have you read the book? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Find us at literatureontherocks.com or on Instagram and TikTok @litontherockspod.

On this episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive into Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, a chilling horror novel that proves some childhood fears might be more than just nightmares. Told through the eyes of eight-year-old Bela, this unsettling story follows a family whose home is haunted by a sinister presence Bela calls the Other Mommy.

As the terrifying encounters escalate, Bela's family struggles to understand what's happening and how to protect her. But when the line between imagination and reality begins to blur, one question becomes impossible to ignore: what happens when the monster in your house won't leave?

Sunny, Rachel, and Rox break down the story from beginning to end, exploring its disturbing twists, creeping dread, and the unique perspective of a child caught in the middle of something truly terrifying. We'll unpack the family's unraveling relationships, the fear surrounding the Other Mommy, and the moments that make this horror story so deeply unsettling.

🥃 Our Signature Cocktail: The Other Old Fashioned

Inspired by childhood nostalgia and the sinister presence lurking in Bela's home, The Other Old Fashioned puts a dark twist on a familiar favorite with PB&J-inspired flavors. It's a grown-up take on a childhood classic with a creepy side worthy of this unsettling horror story.

📚 Need a copy of the book? Grab Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman and support Literature on the Rocks while you shop!

Grab a drink, check the closets, and join us for another round of books, booze, and banter with Literature on the Rocks!

On this episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox are back for a book club discussion of The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott! This time, we're digging into the complicated relationships, tough choices, and moral gray areas that made this murder mystery such an interesting read.

Was Beverly simply unlucky in love, or was there something about the men she chose that drew her to them? If we found ourselves in the women's shoes, how would we react? And how much responsibility do the wives bear for their husbands' actions? Should they have known what their husbands were capable of, or is that expecting too much?

We're sharing our takes, challenging each other's perspectives, and exploring the line between loving someone and being accountable for their actions. Because sometimes, the most intriguing mysteries aren't just about solving a crime, but figuring out how well we can ever really know the people closest to us.

So pour yourself a drink, settle in, and join us for another round of books, booze, and banter!

📚 Need a copy? Grab The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives on Bookshop.org and support Literature on the Rocks while you shop!

💬 Have thoughts of your own? Visit our website at literatureontherocks.com and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @litontherockspod for more bookish conversations.

In this summary episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive into The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott, a gripping historical thriller packed with murder, secrets, and women who refuse to let the truth stay buried.

Set in 1960s California, the story follows three women whose lives are forever changed by their connections to convicted murderers. Bound by their experiences, they form an unlikely alliance and begin investigating a series of killings tied to the world of classic Hollywood. As the clues start to connect, they discover that uncovering the truth may put them in more danger than they ever imagined.

Sunny, Rachel, and Rox break down the story from beginning to end, unpacking the twists, suspicious characters, and murder-mystery connections that kept us guessing. We explore the women’s motivations, the secrets hiding beneath seemingly ordinary lives, and what happens when society underestimates women with plenty of reasons to fight back.

And because a murder mystery deserves a cocktail with a little drama, we’re serving up Crimson Credits, our signature drink inspired by the book’s bloody secrets and cinematic flair. It’s dark, dramatic, and ready for its close-up.

Full spoilers, suspicious husbands, and plenty of reasons to trust absolutely no one. Grab your drink and join us for another round of Literature on the Rocks! 🥂🔪

Need a copy? 📚 Grab The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives on Bookshop.org and support Literature on the Rocks while you shop!

In this book club episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox return to the world of Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhouser for a conversation that had us rethinking everything we thought we knew about fairy tales.

We discuss the novel's ending and the idea of a "happily ever after." We share our own definitions of what a fulfilling life looks like and how the book challenges traditional fairy tale expectations.

Of course, we also compare this version of Lady Tremaine to the one many of us grew up with in Disney's Cinderella. How did our feelings toward the infamous stepmother change after hearing her side of the story? Did this retelling make us more sympathetic, or did some of her actions remain difficult to forgive?

The conversation also explores what truly makes someone a hero. Is it courage, sacrifice, good intentions, or simply being the person whose story gets told? As this novel blurs the line between hero and villain, we examine how perspective can shape the characters we root for—and the ones we judge.

Full spoilers, fairy tale debates, and plenty of discussion about the stories behind the stories. Grab a drink and join us with a Stepmother's Cider in hand. 🥂🍎✨

Grab your copy of Lady Tremaine here: https://bookshop.org/a/129373/9781250396341

In this summary episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive into Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhouser, a captivating reimagining of one of fairy tale history's most misunderstood women.

Long before she became the infamous stepmother from Cinderella, Lady Tremaine was a woman navigating love, heartbreak, family obligations, and a world that offered women few paths to power or security. This richly imagined historical fantasy explores the events that shaped her life and challenges readers to reconsider the story they thought they knew.

Sunny, Rachel, and Rox break down the novel from beginning to end, unpacking the twists, relationships, and defining moments that transform Lady Tremaine from a fairy tale villain into a complex and compelling character. We discuss the choices she makes, the pressures she faces, and whether history—and fairy tales—are always told by the people who deserve to tell them.

To pair with this enchanting retelling, we created our signature cocktail, The Stepmother's Cider. With bourbon, sparkling cider, Chambord, and lemon, it's a drink that feels elegant, familiar, and just a little unexpected—much like the woman at the center of this story.

Full spoilers, fairy tale intrigue, and plenty of discussion about what happens when we finally hear the other side of the story. Grab a drink and join us. 🥂🍎✨

Grab your copy of Lady Tremaine here: https://bookshop.org/a/129373/9781250396341

In this book club episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive deeper into Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, and what starts as a story about children who burst into flames quickly becomes a conversation about privilege, opportunity, and the invisible struggles people carry every day.

We discuss how factors like money, family, education, and opportunity can dramatically shape the paths our lives take. How much of who we become is the result of our choices, and how much comes down to the circumstances we're born into?

Of course, we also tackle one of the book's biggest questions: would we have accepted Madison's job offer? Caring for twins who literally catch fire when they're emotional isn't exactly a typical career move, but neither is passing up the chance to change your life.  We also explore one of Kevin Wilson's greatest strengths as a writer: his ability to use an outrageous premise to shine a light on struggles that are often fought internally. 

And because no book club is complete without a cocktail, we're sipping on S'more Than I Asked For—our s'mores-inspired drink that perfectly captures the warmth, chaos, and heart of this unforgettable story.

Full spoilers, thoughtful reflections, and plenty of discussion about what really makes us who we are. Grab a drink and join us. 🥂🔥🍫

Need a copy? Grab your copy of Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson and support Literature on the Rocks. 

In this summary episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive into Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, a wildly original, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt novel about found family, self-acceptance, and the people who love us through our messiest moments.

When Lillian receives a surprising request from her estranged childhood friend Madison, she finds herself taking on a job she never could have imagined: caring for ten-year-old twins who spontaneously burst into flames whenever their emotions get too big. As strange as that sounds, what unfolds is a touching story about loneliness, belonging, and learning that our most difficult traits don't make us unlovable.

Sunny, Rachel, and Rox break down this unforgettable story from beginning to end, discussing the novel's unique premise, the relationships that develop throughout the book, and the emotional depth hidden beneath its humor. We explore what it means to be different, the power of being truly seen, and why some of the families we choose can become the ones that save us.

To pair with this fiery and surprisingly sweet story, we created our signature cocktail, S'more Than I Asked For—a s'mores-inspired drink that captures the warmth, chaos, and heart of a book where emotions literally ignite.

Full spoilers, found-family feels, and plenty of laughs along the way. Grab a drink and join us. 🥂🔥🍫

Need a copy? Grab your copy of Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson and support Literature on the Rocks. 

In this book club episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive deeper into The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, and this book sparked one of our most engaging conversations yet.

We tackle a question that feels just as relevant today as it did in the 1960s: why are women so often made to feel that wanting more from life somehow means they aren't grateful enough for what they already have—or devoted enough to their children and families? The women in this novel challenged that idea, and so did we.

Drawing inspiration from Marie Bostwick's Book Club Party Kit, we also discuss what it means to "pay it forward" in today's world and the importance of building and nurturing a village. Who are the people who show up for us when life gets messy? Have we found our village? And what can we do to create that same support for others?

This book opened the door to conversations about friendship, motherhood, ambition, community, and the expectations women continue to navigate today. It's the kind of story that doesn't end when you turn the last page—it keeps the discussion going long afterward.

And because every great book club deserves a signature cocktail, we're sipping on The Bold Betty, our vanilla vodka twist on a classic vodka stinger. Bold, a little unexpected, and impossible to overlook—just like the troublesome women at the heart of this story.

Full spoilers, thoughtful reflections, and one of our most conversation-filled book clubs to date. Grab a drink and join us. 🥂📚✨

Need a copy? Grab your copy of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and support Literature on the Rocks. 

In this summary episode of Literature on the Rocks, Sunny, Rachel, and Rox dive into The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, a heartfelt and thought-provoking story about friendship, self-discovery, and the courage to challenge expectations.

Set in the 1960s, the novel follows a group of women whose lives appear picture-perfect on the surface. But beneath the tidy homes, polished smiles, and carefully curated roles, each woman is grappling with questions about identity, fulfillment, and the future she wants for herself. As their book club becomes a place for honest conversations and unexpected friendships, they begin to imagine lives that extend beyond the limitations society has placed upon them.

Sunny, Rachel, and Rox break down the story from beginning to end, discussing the characters, relationships, and pivotal moments that make this novel such an engaging exploration of womanhood and personal growth. Along the way, we reflect on the realities women faced in the 1960s and how surprising—and sometimes unsettling—it is to realize just how recent many of those restrictions were. While progress has certainly been made, some of the expectations and challenges these women faced still feel remarkably familiar today.

To pair with this inspiring story, we created our signature cocktail, The Bold Betty—a playful twist on a vodka stinger featuring vanilla vodka. Much like the women in this novel, it's classic at first glance but brings something unexpected and memorable to the table.

Full spoilers, meaningful conversations, and plenty of appreciation for troublesome women everywhere. Grab a drink and join us. 🥂📚✨

Need a copy? Grab your copy of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and support Literature on the Rocks.