In Bed With Books

In episode 33 of the podcast, Bethany and Melissa talk about what might be Melissa's new favorite book. Following the Eastwood sisters through New Salem during the suffragist movement, we see the re-emergence of witchcraft and women's empowerment. Set in an alternate history, Alix E. Harrow's tale is a beautiful story of sisterhood, justice, and love.

In episode 32 of the podcast, Bethany & Melissa talk about some of their favorite (and least favorite) tropes. We cover everything from enemies to lovers, to the gullible martyr, to the one-bed trope. While we definitely use examples from books we've read here on the podcast, we also branch out quite a bit, bringing in some YA classics like Percy Jackson and Twilight , as well as some new favo...

In episode 31, we get to talk about the second book in the Folk of Air series, The Wicked King . This has easily become a favorite world for us to enter, no matter if it serves us laughs, tears, or anger. Join Bethany & Melissa try to figure out all the ways Jude wasn't actually betrayed and everyone is secretly on her side (yes, we are deeply in denial)!

In episode 30, Bethany and Melissa dig into some of their favorite characters - the ones the love to hate, the ones they hate to love so much, and much more. Join us as we dive into some of the characters that seem to always be on our mind, for better or worse.

In episode 29, we talk about the first book in Raven Kennedy's Plated Prisoner series, Gild . This does come with a trigger warning for the discussion of the sexual assault and abuse in the book. Join us to hear all of the theories and cries we share for Auren (and Sail!), and our hopes for the next book.

In episode 28, we cover a topic close to both of our hearts: book to screen adaptations. People have many opinions on this, and we're no exception. What makes a good adaptation? Which ones live on in our hearts? Which ones should have never happened? We tackle some classics, some hopefuls, and some less...enjoyable experiences, and we're excited to share our love of books with our love of TV and f...

In episode 27 of the podcast, Bethany and Melissa jump straight into theories about the Maas universe, following the second book in the Crescent City series and its rather explosive ending. While we spend a fair amount of time trying to answer questions that won't be clarified for years, we still stuck to our roots, giving air time to the delicious sex scenes Maas gifts us, as well as her classic...

In episode 26, Bethany and Melissa enter the Maas universe. A first for Melissa, and a much awaited return for Bethany, we get into all of the heartbreak, platonic love, and dark political intrigue that Bryce gets into through the largest book we've read for the podcast yet. (Watch out for small Crescent City #2 spoilers here: 1:23:27 - 1:24:51)

In the first episode of season 3, we give a brief overview of what season 3 has in store for us and then jump straight into the goodies. The heart of the lock-down brought a new need for consumption, and the birth of this podcast, so we discuss how that came to be, and how it reshaped our relationship to reading.

Bethany and Melissa had a grand ol' time with this one. Getting together over a few drinks to discuss their favorite books and characters from season 2, please don't hold them accountable when they get names wrong or devolve into fits of laughter - it was a very fun season.

This week, we jump into Bethany's favorite classic: Wuthering Heights . We talked about the importance of Nelly, a defense of Catherine, and the odd sense of hope the book leaves you with. As a bonus, Bethany dives a little deeper into life as a Bronte, and the 1992 movie adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes.

Diving into our first Fae series, join Bethany and I as we discuss the creepy, yet childlike nature of these mythical creatures. Holly Black's The Cruel Prince nails the deceitful ways of the Fae and we couldn't be happier to have read it.

This week we get to dive deep into Melissa's favorite - Frankenstein . Bethany and Melissa talk about themes in the book, their experiences after reading it a few times, and some of the gossip surround Mary and Percy Shelley and the birth of science fiction!

The second half of Bethany, Melissa, and Taylin's conversation about Mary Wollstonecraft's politics and lifestyle, with discussions on her Vindications and Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

This week, Bethany and Melissa jump into a discussion of the great 18th century mind that is Mary Wollstonecraft. The conversation would not be complete without their third, Taylin Nelson. Join the three at they discuss Wollstonecraft's philosophies and well-known publications, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and Letters Written in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark .

The first book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's new series, A Shadow in the Ember brings all the things we love from the Blood & Ash series; hot smut, deep political conflict, and the romantic conflict we know and love! Bethany and I take our time with this one, giving it the love it deserves.

In part two of the Gothic Episode, Melissa and Bethany delve into Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and make connections to modern literary and cinematic uses of his themes.

In this episode, Melissa takes the lead, talking about the Gothic tradition, a few Gothic novels, and some of her favorite themes. For part one of this two-part episode, Bethany and Melissa give a small foundation for understanding the Gothic tradition and then dive into Bram Stoker's Dracula and Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness . Timestamps: Dracula - 24:00 Heart of Darkness - 37:30

Rule of Wolves — second in the King of Scars duology by Leigh Bardugo. 🖤 The ending we’ve all been waiting for. Melissa and I dive into Hanne and Nina’s relationship in Fjerda, the politics of a Grisha war, the amazing ending battle, and the way Nikolai talks about Zoya..swoon!

Book one from Leigh Bardugo's latest Grishaverse installment has everything: court intrigue, sexy power dynamics, and immortal, deified witches who haven't successfully done small talk in centuries.

Bethany & Melissa each bring a list of three books, in hopes of convincing the other to add even more books to their TBR.

In which your hosts get drunk and talk about top sex scenes, MCs, Romance pairings of the season's reads of Blood & Ash, Serpent & Dove, and Darker Shades series. Oh, and play their favorite game: Fuck, Marry, Kill with all the characters.

Taylin joins us for the final book in the Darker Shades trilogy where we unpack each character's backstory, dissect the sexual tension of Kell and Lila, share our most cryable moments, and play our very favorite game, Fuck Marry Kill, with the cast of Darker Shades.

Melissa & Bethany are joined again by lovely guest, Taylin to uncover more from our Londons. We're swept away by a new storm-eyed captain, Alucard, we get wrapped up in the heat of action during the magical tournament, the Essen Tasch, and are left with a massive cliffhanger!

Your hosts have on a special guest, Taylin, to talk about the first in the Darker Shades trilogy by V.E. Schwab. Listen now to THREE opinions on who we think the main character is, the correct pronunciation of Rhy, and what Black London is really like.