Some of you might be on spring break, but for us? Class is in session at Vampire Academy. We read Richelle Mead’s series launch with Sarah Elizabeth Gallagher (@SarahElizabeth_Talks) vampire video queen and and author of the upcoming book Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight. Join as we discuss vampire royalty and pray for a cure for Sandovsky Syndrome.

Content warning: Self harm.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Vampire Academy on AO3

Coming up next: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.

Did you ever read Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women and think to yourself, “This Jo/Amy/Laurie love triangle is so played out. Why aren’t any of the March sisters horny for Laurie’s grandfather?” If so, you might be Porter Grand, the co-author of Little Women and Werewolves. We were thrilled to be joined by Kathleen Gros (@kagcomix), cartoonist and author of the upcoming graphic novels Carousel Summer and I Hated You in High School. Listen to this episode during the next full moon!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 81 – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Porter Grand author bio

Coming up next: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

To conclude Nora Roberts Month, we read Birthright, a novel that is not about Israel. It’s about the Cullen Family and their long lost Baby Jessica! Heidi and Emily of the Romancing the Shelf podcast joined us to dig deep into the archaeological mysteries of this novel. Listen to this episode while driving around in your car that someone graffiti’d “Doctor Bitch” onto!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Romancing the Shelf: Birthright 

Coming up next: Little Women and Werewolves by Louisa May Alcott and Porter Grand.

Dragon Fever has been sweeping the nation, and Our Lady Nora Roberts has been infected. Our reigning Nora Roberts expert Christine Ricketts, author of The Ship, has returned to discuss The Awakening (Book #1 of the Dragon Heart Legacy) with us. Listen to this on your next dragon ride!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Guide to Irish Names and Terms in The Awakening

Full English Breakfast vs Full Irish Breakfast: What’s the Difference?

Coming up next: Birthright by Nora Roberts.

(Shania Twain voice): Looks like we made it! As 2024–our tenth year of podcasting–draws to a close, we are once again taking a moment to discuss some good books! These are our favorite books we read this year (regardless of publication date). Maybe you’ll find some good recommendations here to start your 2025 reading year strong!

Coming up next: A January hiatus. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in February!

5.) D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

4.) Mister Magic by Kiersten White

3.) Burn the Negative by Josh Winning

2.) When Ghosts Call Us Home by Katya de Becerra

1.) Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker

Bonus: Hers for the Weekend by Helena Greer

5.) James by Percival Everett

4.) Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

3.) Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

2.) There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

1.) If You Can’t Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter

Bonus: Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

Oh, how the worm turns! We read Dune by Frank Herbert, mostly as a Christmas present to returning guest Anna (@lcarslibrarian) but perhaps also a gift to you, the listener? Please keep in mind: we haven’t watched the movies and we don’t know how these names are pronounced, and if you are mean to us about that you will face our gom jabbars! (Or is it goms jabbar?) Anyway, listen to this episode while you walk without rhythm.

Content warning: Worms.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Dune on Wikipedia

“How Is ‘Dune’ So Prescient About Climate Change? Thank This Native American Tribe” by Daniel Immerwahr

Coming up next: Bests of 2024.

Your faithful podcasters decided that they’ve been nice all year, so they get to read a fun holiday romance novel as a treat! Returning guest Helena Greer, author of the Carrigan’s Christmasland series, joined us to make the Yuletide gay with The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky. Listen to this episode while baking cookies for Santa! (Who is real, and really gay!)

Readers advisory: Here.

Coming up next: Dune by Frank Herbert.

On occasion, listeners have suggested Uglies by Scott Westerfeld as a Flashback Summer title, but since we’re all Crumblies here, we were full adults when this contemporary classic YA dystopian novel was released.  Our book club hostess/cult leader Grace joined us to discuss this book that some of us think deserves Best Bestseller status. Listen to this episode while waiting for your SpagBol to cook!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Laverne Cox Talks Pretty Privilege And ‘UGLIES’ Role” by Janeé Bolden

Coming up next: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky.

Our Beloved Patrons voted for us to read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. We invited a woman in STEM, returning guest Sarah, to join us for this episode. Pour yourself a travel cup of C8H10N4O2 and listen to this episode while walking your dog (who is so well-behaved they don’t need a leash, of course).

Content warnings: Sexual assault.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Lessons in Chemistry Leaves Six-Thirty Fans in the Doghouse” by Erin Qualey

“What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure” by Matthew Cobb and Nathaniel Comfort

Coming up next: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Hold onto your tampons: we read Carrie by Stephen King. Our friend Nicole returned to the podcast to read this classic horror novel that’s even bloodier than Gerald’s Game. Listen to this episode while honing your telekinetic powers!

Content warnings: Religious extremism, child abuse, death of children

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 41 – Gerald’s Game

 “And Eve Was Weak” from Carrie: The Musical

Coming up next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.