Book Besties

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 6: Bury Your Gays It’s spooky season again, Besties, and we are kicking it off with Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle. Listen in as the Besties talk about what makes a book horror, trying to figure out who Chuck Tingle is, and can a narrator really make or break an audiobook? Things talked about in this episode: Bury Your Gays the meaning: https://www.autostraddle.com/al...

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 5: Heartless Hunter This week both Besties are back in the studio with what might be their biggest book fight yet as they discuss Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli. Join us to decide if you are Team April or Team Molly for this episode. Debate the use of period blood for blood magic, spice in YA books, and originality of text. Things talked about in this episode:...

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 4: Death of a Fairy Tale This week, Nurse Katie is subbing in for April as we cover Death of a Fairy Tale by Emily Fluke. Join the duo as they talk about using Grimm’s tales to influence your work, when a writer is trying too hard, and is motherhood for everyone? Things talked about in this episode: Storygraph Season 9 Challenge: https://bit.ly/3VqOj7w Carpe Librium:...

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 3: Binding 13 This week, the Besties talk about the viral sensation Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh. Join them as they talk about book length, book trauma, and the rugby of it all. Will the Besties like this booktok YA drama? Things talked about in this episode: Chloe Walsh: https://www.chloewalshauthor.com/ Cruel Intentions Scene April Mentions: https://bit.ly/41R08Yt Rugb...

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 2: Blood of Hercules Besties join us this week as we take on another #booktok favorite, Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas. Listen in as the besties talk about story structure, if this book should be labelled spicy, and discuss the intricacies of using Mythology as your base. Things talked about in this episode: Jasmine Mas: https://jasminemasbooks.com/ Storygraph Seaso...

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 1: Dungeons and Drama We’re back, Besties!!! Season 9 is here, and we are starting it off with author Krisy Boyce to talk about her book Dungeons and Drama. Join us as we chat about THE Ohio State University, D&D, and musical theater. There’s also some talk about this fantastic YA book in there somewhere. Things talked about in this episode: Columbus Book Festival...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode Bonus Episode 4: Replay of Sunday Live Interviews In this Season 8 bonus episode, listen to all the live interviews from Sunday at the Columbus Book Festival. Join the Besties as they chat with Edward Underhill about writing queer characters, high school romance with Kristy Boyce, and talk about all the romance tropes with Denise Williams. Things talked about in this...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode Bonus Episode 3: Love and Intrigue Through The Ages Live at the Columbus Book Festival In this season 8 bonus episode, the Besties serve as moderators for the Love and Intrigue Through the Ages Panel for the Columbus Book Festival on July 12, 2025. The panel featured authors Dianne Freeman, Ann H. Gabhart, and Darcie Wilde. This will be the third of four bonus episode...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode Bonus Episode 2: Replay of Saturday Live Interviews In this season 8 bonus episode, the Besties talk with Shirlene Obuobi, E.M. Anderson, and Matt Dinniman. Join the Besties as they chat with Shirlene Obuobi about flawed characters, explore old man vibes with E.M. Anderson, and discuss being a pantser with Matt Dinniman. Things talked about in this episode: Columbus B...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode Bonus Episode 1: Romantasy-esque Panel Live at the Columbus Book Festival In this season 8 bonus episode, the Besties serve as moderators for the Romantasy-esque Panel for the Columbus Book Festival on July 12, 2025. The panel featured authors Ehigbor Okosun, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Andrea Stewart. This will be the first of four bonus episodes recapping the 2025 Colu...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 20: We Are the Match For the Season 8 finale, Bestie April is joined by author Mary E. Roach to talk about her upcoming book We Are the Match. Join them as they talk about this updated take on the Helen of Troy myth with a sapphic twist. This episode talks about updating a classic, the importance of sapphic stories, and making the truly best choice to fall for your en...

Take a trip through time to London in the 1700s. This week the Besties sit down with author A.J. West to discuss his absolutely moving book The Betrayal of Thomas True. Join us as we discuss queer historical fiction, developing a story for an American release, and why authentic representation matters. Things talked about in this episode: A.J. West: https://ajwestauthor.com/ ALA Library Bill of Rig...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 18: Before Dorothy with the Author Hazel Gaynor Besties, join us today as we talk about one of the most anticipated historical fiction books of the summer: Before Dorothy. We were lucky enough to have Hazel Gaynor, the author, join us. Things talked about in this episode: Hazel Gaynor: https://hazelgaynor.com/ Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.o...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 17: Last Night at the Telegraph Club Besties, let’s take a trip back in time today with Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Join us this episode as we discuss what makes relevant historical fiction, why LGBTQ stories matter, and, of course, Molly makes promises to tackle Matt Dinniman. Things talked about in this episode: Malinda Lo: https://www.malindalo....

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 16: Chaotic Orbits with Author Beth Revis Strap in, Besties, we’re headed on a space adventure! This week the Besties are joined by author Beth Revis to chat about her series Chaotic Orbits. Join us as we talk about sex in space, pop culture inspirations, and outlining Star Wars Books. Things talked about in this episode: Beth Revis: https://www.bethrevis.com/ Hedy La...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 15: When Women Were Dragons This week, the Besties read the alt-history, feminist novel When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. Join them as they talk about sibling relationships, societal norms of the 1950s, and decide if this book is worth the hype. Things talked about in this episode: Correction: Dr. Carla Hayden was a public library prior to being appointed as...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 14: An Academy for Liars On this week's episode of Book Besties, we talk about An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson. Join us as we talk about the difference in magic and persuasion, when morality comes into play with magic, and consent at Drayton College. CONTENT WARNING : In this episode, we talk about suicidal thoughts, suicide, murder, abuse, and other awful th...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 13: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking This week the Besties are joined by Editor Thom to discuss the book A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. This episode, much like the book, goes off the rails as April tries to reign her husband in. Join them as they discuss gingerbread soldier boys, attempt to unravel the magic system, and listen to sea storie...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 12: The God of the Woods Besties, grab your bug spray, we are heading to summer camp in the Adirondacks. Join us as we talk about the historical mystery The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, including when writers highlight the truth about the times, and (of course), the Besties get off track. Things talked about in this episode: Drugging housewives: https://www.historyh...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 11: The Wedding People It’s time for a wedding at a fancy inn.. This week the Besties talk about the Wedding People by Alison Espach. Join us as we talk about rich people at a wedding, belonging to a group of strangers, and how an uncomfortable ending can actually be perfect. Trigger warning for this episode: suicide, depression. Listener discretion is advised. Things...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 10: The Ministry of Time Besties, this week we talk about a book we couldn’t wait to read, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Join us as we talk about when the hype is bigger than the book, time travel rules, and (of course) Doctor Who. Things talked about in this episode: Shark Heart Episode: https://rss.com/podcasts/bookbesties/1966876/ Book Besties Patreon: p...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 9: Shark Heart April Fool’s, Besties. This week, the Besties take a backseat while our Honorary Book Besties Francesca Zappia and Nurse Katie talk about Shark Heart by Emily Habeck. Join them as they talk about metaphors for death, generational trauma, and shark penises. Things talked about in this episode: Francesca Zappia: https://www.francescazappia.com/ Emily Habe...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 8: Bold Moves with Author Emma Barry Besties join us as we talk about Bold Moves with the author Emma Barry, laugh along with us as we talk about sexy chess, the writing process, and this fantastic new novel. Bold Moves will be released on April 22nd. It is available for preorder now. Things talked about in this episode: Emma Barry: https://authoremmabarry.com/ Book B...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 7: A Tempest of Tea Welcome back, Besties! This week the Besties take on the YA paranormal fantasy book A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal. Join us as we talk about world building and book maps, books that break the formula, and speculate wildly about the sequel. Things talked about in this episode: Hafsah Faizal: https://www.hafsahfaizal.com/ Spindrift Sparkling Water...

Book Besties Season 8 Episode 6: The Sun Down Motel Besties, join us as we cover our first Simone St. James novel, The Sun Down Motel. Join the Besties as they talk about what makes life scary, never driving behind logging trucks, and all the Dougs. Things talked about in this episode: Simone St. James: https://www.simonestjames.com/ Inside Man with Stanley Tucci: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1094...