What happens when a giant rampaging monster is unleashed on the world by an apocalyptic cult? Well, it's pretty simple: lots of destruction. Derek B. Gayle joins us to talk about 2022's 'Terror of Hemasaurus', a smash 'em up homage to Rampage and expression of a solo game dev's frustration with the state of the world and our unwillingness (or perhaps inability?) to save the environment.

But before we get into the deep questions, we check in on the stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading?

• ‘Wolfsong’ by TJ Klune

• ‘Bored Gay Werewolf’ by Tony Santorella

• ‘Shy Trans Banshee’ by Tony Santorella

• ‘Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor’ by Lynda Barry

• ‘The Nameless Restaurant’ by Tao Wong

Watching? 

• Hacks (HBO Max)

• Gilmore Girls (Hulu/Disney+)

• The Devil Wears Prada (Hulu/Disney+, HBO Max)

• City Council of Darkness (Dropout)

Thinking About?

• Final Fantasy VI (Switch)

• Tomodatchi Life: Living the Dream (Switch 2)

• ‘Dancing on the Wall’ by MUNA 

• ‘Too Much Not Enough’ by Daði Freyr

Check out Derek's podcasts: glitterjaw.com

Check out more from Derek: derekbgayle.com

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

How many goblins does it take to solve a mystery during a fantasy war behind enemy lines? Turns out it's nine! Plus an veterinarian elf and some magical creatures and maybe even a wizard or two! This month we read 'Nine Goblins' by T. Kingfisher, a 2013 novella about goblin antics. (Discussion begins around 26:30). But before that, we check in on what we've been playing, reading, and watching.

Playing:

• Divinity: Original Sin II (PC)
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (Switch)

Reading:

• 'Gulp' by Mary Roach

Watching:

• LOL: Last One Laughing UK (Amazon Prime)

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Let's just spitball here: Earth Day. Elements. Earth. Wind. Fire. Water. Podcast. Video games. Random encounters!

In honor or Earth Day, we're trying out a new Random Encounter format! What's that mean? We're not totally sure what's going to pop up! Listen in to see what element related gaming things we run into (starts at 35:10). Before then, we check in on what we're reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading:

• ‘Legends and Lattes’ by Travis Baldree
• ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ by Shelby Van Pelt
• 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' by Matt Dinniman
• 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ by Maria Semple

Watching:

• Murderbot (Apple TV+)
• The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026 Film)
• Butterfly in the Sky (2022 Film)

Thinking About

• Artemis II

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Can you find love amid an electric alien invasion? Or find hope and refuge in art? The protagonists of 'The Sound of Stars' by Alecia Dow would certainly love to know. We talk about this young adult sci-fi romance book starting at 32:05. Before then, we check in on the stuff we've been playing and watching lately.

Playing:

• Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2)
• Princess Peach: Showtime! (Switch)

Watching:

• Jobriath A.D. (2012 Documentary)
• The Diplomat (Netflix)

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

There simply wasn't a world, apocalyptic or otherwise, that we weren't going to play and talk about the latest Pokémon spin-off title, the cozy sandbox builders game, Pokopia. But before we gather all our materials to build Onix the perfect dry home, we check in on the stuff we've been reading and watching.

Reading:

• 'Greenteeth' by Molly O'Neill
• 'Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother' by Taran Armstrong

Watching:

• Love is Blind Ohio (Season 10, Netflix)
• I Don't Understand You (Hulu/Disney+)

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We wanted something cute and cozy with a hearty helping of fantasy this month, so we read 'How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Day' by Jessie Sylva, a 2026 fantasy romance about a halfling and goblin forced to share a cottage... and a bed! But before we get into it, we check in on games we've been playing, stuff we've been watching, and other pop culture we've been thinking about.

Reading:

• Frog Detective
• Penko Park (Switch 2)

Watching:

• Shari & Lamb Chop (Prime)
• 'Not Another 2001 Movie Podcast Watchalong'

Thinking about:

• Survivor 50 - In the Hands of the Fans (CBS/Paramount+)
• Pokemon Direct (february 27, 2026)

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Pixelated protagonist looking for a co-op partner. You interested? Well, swipe right and join us as we create video game character dating profiles and play a lovely game! The fun starts at 26:50. Before then, we chat about what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading?

• 'Escape’ by Stephen Fishbach

• ‘Sick’ by Porochista Khakpour

Watching?

• Iron Lung (2026 Film)

• Titanic (1997 Film)

• Apollo 11 (2019 Film)

Thinking About?

• ⁠⁠Dancing like Elaine

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

How could climate change and a plague impact how humans love and grieve? Sequoia Nagamatsu's 'How High We Go in the Dark' explores this question through interconnected sci-fi short stories that really leave us thinking. Conversation starts around 29:15. Before we grapple with some existential questions, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing?

• Breath of the Wild (Switch 2)

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PS5)

Watching?

• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025 Film)

• Pop Culture Jeopardy! (Amazon Prime)

Thinking About?

• ⁠Mothership⁠ (Gaming Website)

Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azure

We are joined this month by Tommy from Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast and Lee Carvallo's Podding Challenge: A Simpsons Gaming Podcast to kickoff the return of the Backlog Challenge! But before we dig through our respective bins of games purchased but not played, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading

• Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn

• Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett

• Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree

• Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Watching?

• Taskmaster Series 19 (YouTube)

• Golden Girls (Hulu)

• The Traitors US, Season 4 (Peacock)

Thinking About?

• Taking action and being intentional about addressing and coping with the horrors of the world

Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We’re starting the new year off with an unprecedented book club: the fourth entry in a series! This month we read Mirage City, the latest Evander Mills novel by Lev A. C. Rosen… But before we ride our motorcycles into the dark depths of a new mystery, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing?

• Super Mariomon (ROM hack)

• Cast n Chill (Switch 2)

Listening to?

• Into the Aether (podcast)

Watching?

• In Your Dreams (Netflix)

Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: [email protected]

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux