Books That Burn

This fortnight we’re discussing “All the Birds in the Sky” by Charlie Jane Anders. We've had this on the booklist since almost the beginning and we're so excited to finally bring you this episode.  Book TW for abusive parents, parental death, torture (implied), sex (explicit), bullying/abuse (explicit).  Topic 1: Serafina - Emotional connection. Begins at (1:35), No major CWs.  Topic 2: Laurence -...

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Cat Who Sniffed Glue”, part of the Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. We're joined by special guest Dare. You can follow Dare on Twitter or find more info and links on their LinkTree . Book TW for ableism, sexism, homophobia (brief), drug use (not depicted), car accident, violence, animal death (not depicted), suicide (not depicted), death (not depicted)....

This fortnight we’re discussing “Beneath The Citadel” by Destiny Soria. We're joined by Christian from The Lazy Gringo Podcast .  Book TW for panic attacks, violence, child abuse, suicide, child death, major character death, death.  Topic 1: Child abuse. Begins at (1:35), CW for child abuse, dislocation, injury mention, panic attacks, suicide mention.  Topic 2: Memory Loss. Begins at (12:54), CW f...

We have a fun episode for you this time! We're joined by Andrea for a special discussion of one of our favorite kidlit books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Episode TW for possible derealization, please refer to additional details below the topic list if this is a concern for you.  This book has a film adaptation which you can find here.   Link to monkey study discussed in the episode....

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author JP Jackson, discussing his books, "Daimonion" and "Magic or Die". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. Become a Patron at any level to receive the spoiler-filled second half of the interview. Intro (0:00)  Can you talk a little about the way trauma works in your writing? (0:40)  Do you put more thought into the trauma...

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Will of the Empress” by Tamora Pierce. This was the first book published in The Circle Reforged, part of the Emelan series, but we recommend reading it after "Battle Magic" and before "Melting Stones" for the best first-time experience. This series as a whole features four main characters and this time we're focusing on Sandry. We're joined by Anna and MJ, the...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Battle Magic” by Tamora Pierce. This was the third book published in The Circle Reforged, part of the Emelan series, but we recommend reading it before "The Will of the Empress" and "Melting Stones" for the best first-time experience. This series as a whole features four main characters and this time we're focusing on Briar. We're joined by Anna, one of the hosts o...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Shatterglass” by Tamora Pierce. This is the fourth book in The Circle Opens quartet, part of the Emelan series. This series features four main characters and this time we're focusing on Tris. We're joined by Anna and MJ, the hosts of The Circle of Friendship Podcast where they discuss all things Emelan.  Book TW for child neglect, child abuse, ptsd, violence, paren...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Daja's Book” by Tamora Pierce. This is the third book in The Circle of Magic quartet, part of the Emelan series. This series features four main characters and this time we're focusing on Daja. We're joined by Anna and MJ, the hosts of The Circle of Friendship Podcast where they discuss all things Emelan.  Book TW for child abuse (not depicted), death.  Topic 1: Fro...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Ender's Game" and "Ender's Shadow” by Orson Scott Card. These books cover approximately the same span of time and most of the same characters as each other. We focused our discussion on three events/traumas which are shown in both books from the perspective of their respective main characters. We're discussing these as books we used to love (and might still) but do...

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Raven Tower” by Ann Leckie, with special guest Andrew of Bea Nostalgic .  Book TW for brief transphobia, discussion of infanticide, discussion of suicide, anti-twin prejudice in a fictional culture, massacre, parental death, major character death.  Topic 1: Oskel and Okim - Microaggressions. Begins at (1:30), CW for suicide, infanticide, child sacrifice, microa...

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Aurora Lee Thornton, discussing xyr book, "All or None". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. Intro (0:00) Tell us a little about “All or None” as a book and “Star Stories” as a series. (1:20) Can you talk a little about the way trauma works in your writing? (2:05) Do you put more thought into the trauma itself or the...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Destiny: Child of Sky” by Elizabeth Haydon. Book CW for violence, murder, massacre, cannibalism, death of a child, discussion of sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor. Topic 1: Khaddyr - Death. Begins at (0:50),body horror, dismemberment. Topic 2: Rhapsody and Ashe - Gaslighting. Begins at (18:50), CW for gaslighting, rape, possession, pregnancy, slavery, coerc...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Prophecy: Child of Earth” by Elizabeth Haydon.  Book CW for violence, murder, massacre, cannibalism, death of a child, discussion of sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor.  Topic 1: Ashe - Bodily Autonomy. Begins at (0:50), rape mention, murder, ritual sacrifice mention, theft of body part, mutilation of body part, guilt of over other people's actions.  Topic 2...

Please enjoy the trailer for our first seven author interviews!  If you'd like to receive part two of each interview as they're released, you can support us on Patreon . Your contribution helps us make the show, pay our transcriptionist, and keep talking to so many wonderful authors!  The authors who appear in this trailer are M. D. Neu, Shaina Krevat, Hannah Abigail Clarke, Aurora Lee Thornton, S...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Rhapsody: Child of Blood” by Elizabeth Haydon.  Book CW for murder, mass death, child death; TW for use of "prostitute" when describing sex workers.  Topic 1: Rhapsody and Emily - Sexism. Begins at (1:30), CW for sexism, virginity as a construct, sex, rape, sexual abuse.  Topic 2: Achmed and Grunthor - Racism. Begins at (16:03), CW for cannibalism, genocide, fantas...

This fortnight we’re discussing “A Spell for Chameleon” by Piers Anthony. We were joined by Matthew of the podcast Unintelligible Design . There was a lot to discuss in this very sexist book, we recommend you check out our spoiler-free wrap-up before deciding whether to read this one.  Book TW for bullying, sexism, misogyny, toxic masculinity, transphobia, dysmorphia, racism against fictional race...

Hello Patrons and welcome to the first ever Patron-only bonus episode! Well, that was the plan, anyway. This will actually go out to everyone because it's debuting in place of a regularly scheduled episode. In this episode we are discussing "The Lightning Thief", book one of the series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan. Our special guest for this episode (and this series, over on P...

This fortnight we’re dipping into horror with a discussion of “NOS4A2” by Joe Hill. Nicole read just part of this and Robin made it through the whole thing (but it took a month).  Book TW for torture, sexual assault, child abuse, necrophilia, self-harm, animal death, death.  Topic 1: Christmasland Kids. Begins at (1:30), CW for casual cruelty mention, physical torture, TW body horror (teeth, disme...

Hello everyone! We've been doing this podcast thing for a year, so we sat down with a special guest, our brother David, to talk about how our first year as podcasters has gone. CW for occasional reference to Covid-19. ---  You can find more of David on Twitch . If you'd like to make a monthly donation, please check us out on Patreon . You can check out Robin's written reviews at Reviews That Burn...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Extras” by Scott Westerfeld.  Book CW for anxiety and gaslighting.  Topic 1: Frizz - Compulsion. Begins at (0:50), CW for compulsion, gaslighting, discussion of trauma response, anxiety.  Topic 2: Aya - Social Anxiety. Begins at (8:15), CW for anxiety.  Topic 3: Aya - Loss of Privacy. Begins at (21:21), CW for loss of privacy, anxiety.  Promo for Crit Chat ; Spoile...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Specials”, book three of the Uglies Quartet by Scott Westerfeld.  Book CWs for ableism, discussion of eating disorders, major character death. TW for self-harm.  Topic 1:  Specials, Shay, Tally - Emotional extremes (emotional inhibition). Begins at (0:50), CW for self-harm, medical condition description, medical abuse.  Topic 2:  Zane - Ableism. Begins at (18:42),...

*This interview was conducted in mid-2020. As of late 2022 this author's name is August Clarke, you may find future publications under that name or as H.A. Clarke. Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Hannah Abigail Clarke, discussing their new book, "The Scapegracers". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. ( Read The Transcript ) Intro (0:00) Can you tel...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Pretties” by  Scott Westerfeld.  Book CW for for discussion of eating disorders, self-harm.  Topic 1:  Zane - Brain damage, headaches/migraines. Begins at (0:50), CW for physical injury, memory loss, abuse, drowning.  Topic 2:  Tally and Zane - Surveillance, loss of privacy. Begins at (13:51), CW for abuse by control, privacy violation.  Topic 3:  Tally - Food deni...

This fortnight we’re discussing “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld, the first book in the Uglies Quartet (shout-out to anyone who remembers when this was officially a trilogy).  Topic 1: David - Loss of home. Begins at (1:25), CW for loss of parents, loss of home.  Topic 2: Tally - Self Esteem. Begins at (11:26), CW for surgery, lack of self-esteem based on looks, intentionally cruel nicknames, systemic...