In Bed With Books

In episode 54, we're talking about the second book in Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. Kingdom of the Cursed starts right where we left off, with Emilia's first trip to the Underworld in hopes of solving her sister's murder. This book was full of secrets and plot twists, keeping us and Emilia on her toes. We do some fancasting, some theorizing, and can't help but gush over Emilia'...

We are coming to you on the *Friday before Christmas because we know the holidays are not always happy for everyone. Family can be stressful or unwanted for various reasons and so we are here to be your family and talk about our favorite Christmases spent alone or otherwise, our favorite Christmas songs to sing, and holiday movies to watch. We hope this season treats you well and we will see you i...

This is the second part of episode 53, split up to make life a little easier this holiday season. We're talking underrated books, the writing and self-publishing process, and a get to meet Molly's pup! Molly was a fantastic guest to have on the podcast, and we're eager to have her on again in the future. You can find her on the socials @thebibliophileblonde or take a look at the books she's publis...

In episode 53, we're talking with Molly Tullis about all things reading, writing, and publishing. This first half of our conversation starts with the Emmett to Cassian pipeline, covers some of our favorite pop culture phenoms from the last thirty years, and ends with a defense of open-door scenes in fantasy. Molly was a fantastic guest to have on the podcast, and we're eager to have her on again i...

In episode 52, Bethany and Melissa are talking about A Light in the Flame , the second book in the Flesh and Fire series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The book picks up exactly where we left off in A Shadow in the Ember and has given us just as many questions as answers around the prophecy, and Sera and Poppy's fate. Sera's journey, while parallel to Poppy's own path to self-assurance and power, is s...

In episode 51, Bethany & Melissa are talking about Gleam , the third book in the Plated Prisoner series. Gleam finally gave us what we'd been waiting for: dirty sex and women's wrongs. What started out as a story about women being at the whims of men and Auren's stockholm syndrome has turned into one of scheming and feminine rage. From the new and not-to-be-trusted Queen Kaila, to Auren's expl...

In episode 50, we're talking about death - as a plot device, as a theme, and the scenes that wrecked us in the way that only a good book can. We start with a longer-than-usual catch-up, talking astrology and some recent TV shows before jumping into it. Our conversation covers deaths used to push the MCs story forward, deaths with or without meaning, and times when a character couldn't seem to stay...

In episode 49, we're picking up where we left off and starting season 5 with New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. This one has been much anticipated, as most can agree it's the best book in the series. Evading the curse of most sequels, New Moon succeeds in creating a new story while keeping all of the best parts of book one. We're talking about Team Edward vs Team Jacob, popular fan theories, and growing...

Episode 48 brings an end to season four. Rounding out a year of the podcast, and reflecting on our favorite people and moments from this season. If you have any thoughts, email us at inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com, or dm us on IG @inbedwithbookspod. Make sure to check out our website and join our email list for the latest updates!

In episode 47, we finally did it...we read Twilight together. This is the first in a series where we revisit Melissa's favorites from her teen years and slowly catch Bethany up on YA, fantasy, and romance. Starting with Twilight felt only right and was a total success in convincing Bethany to dive deeper into the 2010's YA fantasy rabbit hole. Twilight isn't without its flaws, but we cover what we...

In episode 46, we're talking about Scarlett St. Clair's King of Battle and Blood . This book had everything we've come to expect from St. Clair and more. Following Princess Isolde on the day of her country's invasion, we're introduced to a world of vampires, witches, curses, and monsters. In ways Isolde could never have guessed, Adrian's invasion of her country changes everything she knows about h...

This week we decided we needed a quick breather, so here's a little bonus episode to make it up to you. Listen to find out why we're taking the week off, what's coming up, and what we're doing in the meantime! Make sure to check us out on our website and on Instagram (@inbedwithbookspod).

In episode 45, we're talking about Rebecca Ross's book, A River Enchanted . Set on Cadence, an island off the coast of Scotland, the book follows Jack Tamerlaine's return to a home that he never felt a part of. Jack finds himself in the middle of a mystery they're convinced is the doing of angry spirits. The book has enemies to lovers, star-crossed lovers, marriage of convenience - whatever romanc...

In episode 44, we catch each other up on some of our favorite authors from childhood favorites to the classics close to our hearts. Throughout the episode, we reflect on our reading journeys, how we came to read what we read now, and what were the most influential books for us. If you're listening to the audio version of this, then you might miss some of the images shared during the recording of t...

In episode 43, we're talking about our classic for this season, Ursula K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed. While the book was an easy read, its content included some heavy and rather topical subjects, using the politically opposed planets Urras and Anarres to ask: How do you feel at peace with the earth you live on? We knew we wouldn't be able to hit all of the topics raised in the book, but we discuss...

In episode 42, we sat down and talked about the wide range of magical powers we've read in fantasy, both on and off the podcast. We start by discussing the ways magical objects are used in fantasy, from the One Ring to Excalibur. Then we explore the differences between inherited powers and earned powers, and how that distinction fundamentally changes their stories. Make sure to find us on Instagra...

In episode 41, we talk about the first book in Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. Both of us immediately fell in love with Emilia and Wrath. The lengths Emilia is willing to go to for her sister. and the support that Wrath offers her through it is beautiful to watch unfold. Make sure to check out our website and our Instagram (@inbedwithbookspod) for updates!

In episode 40, we're talking about Glint , the second book in the Plated Prisoner series, by Raven Kennedy. We finally saw Auren take a few steps toward her own agency and reckon with the breakdown of her perception of their world. It's no secret that we're both eager for Auren to come into her own power, and this book has set the stage for that with some lovely plot twists (Rip is who??) and disp...

In episode 39 of the podcast, we take a look at some of our favorite creatures from literary fantasy. Creatures we'd like to be, those we'd like to befriend, and those we'd like to...well, you can probably guess. This is a fantasy romance podcast after all. Make sure to check out our website and our Instagram (@inbedwithbookspod) for more content and updates!

In episode 38 of the podcast, we talk about the final book in the Folk of the Air trilogy, Queen of Nothing . We had a blast talking about Jude's growth, from fearing what her feelings for Cardan had done to her life, to fearing what her life would look like without him. From the girl power this book exudes to the subtle lessons in forgiveness, we could not have asked for a better conclusion to Ju...

And we're back! Episode 37 kicks off our fourth season with a look at the different fantasy realms that we've read on and off the podcast. We look at some of our favorite worlds, the elements inherent to specific world-building, and the kinds that are easier for us to accept as fantasy readers. For more information on the discussion of "hard" vs. "soft" world-building that we get into, check out t...

We all knew Bethany and I couldn't go that long without recording something, so after finishing A Court of Silver Flames for our book club, we knew we had to record more of our thoughts! Thus, the ACOTAR bonus episode was born! Spliced up with some previously removed tangents with took in season 3, what we planned to be a short episode turned into an hour and a half of ACOTAR goodness! Enjoy! And...

In episode 36, Bethany & Melissa take a look back at some of the characters from each book we read this season, warming up with a game of f**k/marry/kill, and then diving into the fancasting. We're proud of the cast lists we were able to come up with, surprising ourselves and each other. Join us here, and then head to our instagram (@inbedwithbookspod) to tell us what you think, or who could d...

In episode 35, Bethany and Melissa talk about a book that a much-anticipated book: The War of Two Queens . The fourth book from FBAA, a series that helped us start the podcast, TWOTQ is everything we needed, while still leaving hope for future satisfaction. We talk about the return of some of our favorite characters, all the juicy sex, and (SPOILER!!) The Joining!!

In episode 34, Bethany and Melissa are joined by Jess Debakey of Peaking podcast! We all had a great time talking about Janie's journey to finding peace and trust in herself, not the people she spends her life with. A true American classic, Zora Neale Hurston's 1937 masterpiece - and I say that word with all the weight it holds - is so ripe with emotion that this small description box cannot hold...