Novel Gaming!

A werewolf story unlike those we've seen before! This month we read the 2016 novel 'Mongrels' by Stephen Graham Jones. But before we run on all fours into discussion, we talk about the things we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately. Playing? Survivordle & other -ordles (web browser) Neva (PS5) Watching? Twisted Childhood Universe (Horror Movie Series) Survivor S...

This month we played the very normal and easy-to-describe 2016 game Pony Island! But before we start clicking on suspicious and perhaps demonic file shortcuts, we check in on some of the things we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately. Reading? 'Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales' by Heather Fawcett Playing? Valheim (PC) Watching?  The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Hulu/Disne...

This month we read the 2025 graphic novel Go-Man: Champion of Earth by Hamish Steele! (Discussion begins at 28:00) But before we chomp on a glowing plant and grow to the size of a skyscraper, we check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately. Playing? Spirit Swap (Steamdeck) Penko Park (Switch) Valheim (PC) Watching?  9 to 5 (Disney+/Hulu) Draw 4 (YouTube) H...

Lots of things are better with friends - video games included! Grab a controller and join us as we talk about cooperative video games! Before the conversation starts (32:55), we check in on what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately. Reading?  90s Superman Comics (Death of Superman Arc) by a bunch of people 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir Watching? Current Superhero...

Drunk spaceships, queer detectives, and death, oh my! All that and more can be found in the 2025 sci-fi cozy mystery novella, 'Murder by Memory' by Olivia Waite. Discussion starts at 27:35. Before we fully investigate, we check in on the stuff we've been playing and watching lately. Playing? Mina the Hollower (Switch 2) Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U) Golden Sun (GBA) Watching?  MCU S...

We've just woken up from 14 years of being a fish, and what's the first thing we did? Book club! This month we read 2009's Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, the first in the 19-book October Daye fae private eye series. But before we get into it, we check in on the stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about! Playing? Divinity Original Sin 2 (Steam) Baldur’s Gate 3 (PS5...

Who would you want on your drag team? And who would you invite to a Pride party? Join us as we answer these questions through a gaming draft! We pick the video game characters for the ultimate GAYming celebration. Conversation starts around 35:50. Before all that, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately. Reading? 'The Immortal Hulk' by A...

What if Snow White was a warrior princess who could make a sword out of lightning and a cloak out of the night sky? And what if moms were nice?? To explore these questions, we read 'Sleep Like Death' by Kalynn Bayron. Conversation starts around 31:50. Before we take a bite out of that apple, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately. Playi...

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...

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. Pla...

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 read...

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) W...

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'...

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...

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...

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 abo...

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 Pla...

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 (Swit...

Merry Christmas! We got you 3 questions as a gift! And we even answered them! To unwrap your gift, go directly to 24:34 (where that convo starts). Before then, we check in on what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately. Reading: ‘Song of Spider-Man’ by Glen Berger ‘Kiss Her Once for Me’ by Alison Cochrun Watching: Very Important People Season 3 (Dropout) Avatar Movies (James C...

We're almost at the end of 2025! That means it's time to look back on the year and talk about the video games, books, and other things that are making our favorites list. Conversation starts at 27:15. Before then, we talk about what we've been reading, watching, and playing these last couple weeks. Reading or Playing: ‘All Better Now’ by Neal Shusterman South of Midnight (Steam) Watchi...

More living ships, more forbidden love, and more tentacles! This month we read ‘Escaping Exodus: Symbiosis’ by Nicky Drayden, the sequel to last month's book, ‘Escaping Exodus’. Before talking about this 2021 sci-fi sequel, we check in on what we’re playing, watching, and thinking about lately. Playing Deliver Us the Moon (Steam) Ball x Pit (PS5) Watching Nobody Wants This (Netflix) Lost &...

Honey, we shrunk the Hero of Hyrule! We played The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap , a 2004 Game Boy Advance entry in the Zelda series where you get to shrink to the size of a mouse and make magical clones of yourself! Discussion starts ~31:00. But before we get into that, we check in on some stuff we've been reading, playing, watching, and thinking about. Reading The Life Impossible by Matt H...

It's a Glitterjaw crossover! We teamed up with our Distant Echoes friends to discuss the 2021 book 'Star Wars: Ronin – A Visions Novel" by Emma Mieko Candon. Discussion starts right away because the whole episode is about the book! ⁠Check out ⁠ Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast ⁠ and other Glitterjaw shows on ⁠⁠glitterjaw.com⁠⁠ ! ⁠⁠⁠ Find us on Twitter:  @NovelGamingPod Send us an e...

Living ships, forbidden love, and tentacles! A winning combination found in our most recent book club pick ‘Escaping Exodus’ by Nicky Drayden. Before talking about this 2019 sci-f spacei book, we check in on what we’re playing, watching, and thinking about lately. Playing Donkey Kong Banaza (Switch) Ghost of Yōtei (PS5) Watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992 Film) The Boulet Brothers' Dragula...

Are you afraid of the dark?? We know a video game couple who is! And one of them looooves writing about it! Join us as we wade through the shadows and talk about our experience with Alan Wake Remastered , a 2021 psychological action thriller. But before that, we check in on what we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately. Reading Magic: The Gathering | Marvel's Spider-Man ‘Everyth...