E216: Sisters in Gothic with Del Sandeen

 

Today Del Sandeen returns to the show to chat about one of my favorite themes, “Sisters in Gothic.” Del’s’ new book, THESE WALLS REMEMBER, is the perfect tie-in to this topic, and it was really interesting that I found someone else who is an only child that shared my interest and enthusiasm for sisters as a character type in Gothic and Horror. There is a lot of range in the books we recommend, so I hope you enjoy it!

Del’s Book Recs

• Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
• The Sirens by Emilia Hart
• Spite House by Johnny Compton
• The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• Honorable mention - I’ll Come Back for You (The Beck Sister Hauntings #1) by Charish Reid

E215: Olivie Blake on Hollywood Gothic, Fire as Eco-Horror, and DREAMLAND

 

Today I welcome Olivie Blake to the show to discuss her new Hollywood set Gothic novel, DREAMLAND. You might know her from her fantasy sensation, THE ATLAS SIX, but she writes Horror as well, with an intelligence and depth that I am delighted to highlight here. We chat about everything from her use of identity for Gothic isolation to her use of fires as eco-horror. It’s a great conversation and it was my honor to have her on the show. 

E214: Twisted Spine - Indie Bookshop Spotlight

 

Today I’m launching a new series that features Independent Book Stores, and I’ve invited Lauren Komer from the Twisted Spine to kick things off! We chat about who they are, their inspiration to open a Horror bookstore, and we learn about their programs and books their customers clamor for. It’s a fun peek into an important part of the book world. 

The Twisted Spine is located at 306 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Their website is https://www.twistedspinebooks.com/

Their Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/twistedspinebooks

Books recommended on the episode

• Incidents around the House by Josh Malerman
• The Strange Pictures series by Uketsu
• Lone Women by Victor LeValle
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• Root Rot by Saskia Nislow
• Headlights by CJ Leede
• Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle

E213: Witch in the Woods with AG Slatter

 

Today I welcome AG Slatter to the show, also known as Angela Slatter. She writes incredible gothic fantasy fairy tale retellings, including her latest book, A FOREST, DARKLY, about a menopausal forest witch. This is why I invited her on to chat about a beloved character type, “The Witch in the Woods.” We have a great chat about the work these characters do in story and for the Gothic, and we give some great recommendations, listed below.

Angela’s Recs

• The Ghost Woods by CJ Cooke
• After the Forest by Kell Woods
• Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethacott
• Slewfoot by Brom
• Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart
• (also mentioned) Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie

Agatha’s Recs

• Circe by Madeline Miller
• The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
• The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale by CM Waggoner
• Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
• Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
• Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

E212: Chelsea Conradt's Creepy Dolls and Gothic Isolation

 

Today I have Chelsea Conradt on the show to chat about her new book, THE SECRET ATTIC. It’s a gothic with hoarding, creepy dolls and a nod to Rebecca. It was a treat to chat with Chelsea and I’m already excited for next book! Stay tuned until the end to hear what that one is all about.

E211: French Gothic with Sara Hinkley

Happy Bastile Day! I’ve schedule this episode for today because I am joined by Sara Hinkley to chat about French Gothics. By this I don’t mean that very specific academic field that studies 19th century Gothic French novels. I mean we are chatting about Gothics, new and old, that take place in France. Sara’s book is a glorious ode to vampires, the theater, and the Romantique of dark stories in France, so she was the perfect guest for this!

Sara’s Book Recs

• The Necrophiliac (La Nécrophile) by Gabrielle Wittkop, english translation Don Bapst
• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind
• A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
• La Vampire (The Vampire Countess) by Paul Féval, english translation Brian Stablefor
• Pure by Andrew Miller

Agatha’s Book Recs

• Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
• Moura by Virginia Coffman
• The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox
• The Devil on Horseback by Victoria Holt
• The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller 

E210: Simone St. James and Christina Henry on the Iconic Mary Stewart

 

Today’s episode is one of the most special I’ve ever recorded, at least for me. Simone St. James and Christina Henry join me for a conversation about the books of Mary Stewart, an extremely influential Suspense writer that wrote smart, independent women using gorgeous and witty prose. Her ability to write banter, romantic tension and high stakes suspense is unmatched, and it was such a joy to me to speak with two wonderful authors who love her work as much as I do.