In this episode, we talk about Aiden Thomas's recently-released, best-selling novel CEMETERY BOYS. The discussion centers on our thoughts about the book, our favorite parts, the amazing representation in the book, and more. Join us for a great time while you prepare for Halloween!

Content Warnings for the Book: Misgendering, strong language, transphobia, some blood and gore, some violence

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro, Kevin Sanchez

In this episode, we each read a different YA mystery novel to investigate the truth of YA mysteries. Topics include: the structure of the mystery novel and how the perspective was important, if the Big Reveal was satisfying and if we saw it coming, how the teenage protagonist(s) dealt with adult subject matter and trauma as opposed to an older protagonist, and our thoughts about the books in general. Books discussed are: ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen McManus, SADIE by Courtney Summers, WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart, I KILLED ZOE SPANOS by Kit Frick, and MONDAY'S NOT COMING by Tiffany Jackson.

Trigger Warnings for the Books: Death, a character publicly outed without consent, discussions of school shootings, emotional abuse, drug and alcohol use, bullying, depression (ONE OF US IS LYING); Sexual assault, murder, violence, pedophilia, drug use, depression (SADIE); Memory loss, death, arson, toxic family dynamic, animal death (WE WERE LIARS); Memory loss, death, drug overdose, alcohol and drug use, missing person, racism (I KILLED ZOE SPANOS); Memory loss, physical and emotional abuse, graphic violence, racism (MONDAY'S NOT COMING).

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro, Hannah Miller

In this episode, we discuss Adib Khorram's sequel DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER. Topics include: thoughts about the sequel in general and how it relates to the first book, a discussion about high school sports culture, thoughts about the changing family relationships and dynamics in the sequel, and predictions for a possible third book. Join us for a fantastic discussion!

Trigger Warnings for the Book: Depression, bullying, racism, intimate scenes, homophobia

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro, and Hannah Miller

In this episode, we discuss Adib Khorram's novel, DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY. Topics include: thoughts about the book, our favorite moments, how culture-blending is presented, how mental health is treated in America vs. Iran, predictions for the sequel, and more. Join us for a fantastic discussion!

Trigger Warnings for the Book: Depression, anxiety, bullying, Islamophobia, fat/body/food-shaming, sickness of a loved one

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro

In this episode, we discuss intersectionality in YA literature by examining how it's depicted in several specific books. We look at the portrayal of characters, the complexities of writing outside of the scope of one's identities, how the characters' identifies affect their roles in the book, what effect reading about the intersection of multiple identities had on us, and more. Books discussed include: UNDER A PAINTED SKY by Stacy Lee, FELIX EVER AFTER by Kacen Callender, AVATAR: THE RISE OF KYOSHI by F.C. Yee, ANGER IS A GIFT by Mark Oshiro, and THIS IS MY AMERICA by Kim Johnson.

Trigger Warnings for the Books: Violence (AVATAR: THE RISE OF KYOSHI); Racism, attempted sexual assault, death of a parent, sexism, murder (UNDER A PAINTED SKY); Queerphobia, transphobia, a character's dead name/photos before they transitioned posted publicly without their consent (FELIX EVER AFTER); Police brutality, racism, murder, hate crimes (ANGER IS A GIFT and THIS IS MY AMERICA)

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro, Hannah Miller

In this episode, we discuss THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, Suzanne Collins' recently released prequel to THE HUNGER GAMES. Topics include: our general thoughts of the book, how it compares to the original series, the differences between Coriolanus and Katniss as protagonists, movie predictions, and more. Join us as we return to Panem!

Trigger Warnings: Violence, murder, references to war

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, and Hannah Miller

For this episode, we each read a different sci-fi or fantasy book with BIPOC protagonists and an LGBTQ+ romance, and in the episode, we discuss these books together. The novels talked about are: ACE OF SHADES by Amanda Foody, GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE by Natasha Ngan, A SONG BELOW WATER by Bethany C. Morrow, and WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Join us for a great discussion about diversity in sci-fi and fantasy!

Trigger Warnings: Violence, sexual assault, misgynoir, murder

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal, Wendy Waltrip, Jackie Balbastro

In this episode, we discuss how mental health is represented in young adult literature. Several books that feature protagonists with various mental illnesses are talked about, including TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN by John Green, STARRY EYES by Jenn Bennett, BY YOUR SIDE by Kasie West, and MARBLES by Ellen Forney. We also talk about the experience of reading a book with a protagonist who shares a mental illness with the reader, as well as the importance of reading diverse books. Join us for a great discussion about mental health representation in young adult literature!

Trigger Warnings: general discussion of mental health, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, OCD

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal and Wendy Waltrip

Welcome to the Pine Reads Podcast! In this episode, we introduce ourselves and talk about...drumroll...books! Topics include: our positions at Pine Reads Review, our favorite books, what we like about young adult literature, why the young adult genre is important for people of all ages, and more. Join us for a fun, book-filled time!

Episode Cast: Jon Kresal and Wendy Waltrip

Hello listeners, welcome to the Pine Reads Podcast! Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon. In the mean time, follow us on social media and visit our official website: bit.ly/2ImUbMJ.