E139: Gods and Monsters with V. Castro and Johnny Compton

 

Today I have V. Castro and Johnny Compton on the show to discuss Gods and Monsters. They’ve both written stories that explore this combination of characters, so I thought they would be perfect guests to speak to our interest that dates back to antiquity. We discuss vampires and whether gods care about their existence. We chat about how good can’t exist without evil, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the combination of gods and monsters in story. 

Books we recommended on the show are:

• Where the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Onoh
• Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn
• Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
• These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban 
• Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas
• Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky by David Bowles
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• The Ghost Bride by Yangsze 
• The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

E138: Dark Academia with Alexis Henderson

Today I have Alexis Henderson on the show to discuss Dark Academia, as well as her new book, AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS. We discuss the origins and central themes to this subgenre, and we give a few of our favorite book recommendations so you can explore the gothic, sinister and secret worlds hidden within the walls of elite schools, libraries and museums.  

I have a list in my ⁠Bookshop⁠ of our recommendations, and several other Dark Acadmeia staples, if you want to support both the podcast as well as independent bookstores nationwide. Below is a list of the specific books discussed on the show:

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Babel by RF Kuang
• Vita Nostra by Dyachanko
• Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
• The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
• In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology 

The podcast episode of Once Upon a Time...at Bennington College about The Secret History is here:

E137: THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE with BR Myers

 

Today I have BR Myers on the show to chat about her new book, THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE, a gothic novel that revels in beloved tropes like remote coastal manors, insufferable guardians, ghosts, and dead brides. The book also has a sexy French minister as a love interest, which we get into as well. I really loved this book and can't wait to hear what you all think about both the book and the show!

In regard to the author event she mentioned at the end of the episode, here are the details she sent me:

Author Event and Art Show

When - October 25th, 5-8 PM

Where - Lincoln Street Center Theatre in Rockland, Maine.

- Hello Hello Books will be on hand to sell books.

- I'll be discussing my novel Rogue Princess with the artist, Susan Beebe. I'll be doing readings from A Dreadful Splendor and The Third Wife of Faraday House.

E136: SO THIRSTY with Rachel Harrison

Today I kick off my new season by welcoming Rachel Harrison back to the show. We chat about her new book, SO THIRSTY. It’s pitched as “Thelma and Louise with vampires,” but it’s also about personal and societal concepts of aging, and finding our worth within this cultural context. You can preorder the book from my Bookshop if you want to support my show. Thank you for listening!

E135: Gothic Shakespeare with Mary McMyne

Today I chat with Mary McMyne about her new book, A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME. It’s a gothic Shakespeare retelling of the sonnets from the point of view of the Dark Lady or witch in the poems. We discuss the scandalous nature of the Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, as well as the dark turn the famously revered sonnets take. 

134: Megan Bannen talks Zombies, Dragons, and Glitter

Today I am delighted to welcome Megan Bannen on the show. We chat about both THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY and THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK, her new book released July 2nd. We chat about the strange and wonderful worlds she built for these stories, as well as her inclusion of everything from zombies, glitter-breathing dragons, and a great romance between characters in their 50s. It’s a great chat and I’m so glad she came on the show.

E133: Cottagecore with Celestine Martin

 

 Today I have author Celestine Martin on the show to join me in a discussion about Cottagecore. We discuss the aesthetic, and what cottage retreats and lifestyle mean to both characters and stories. I have a Cottagecore recommended reading list in my online bookshop, if you want the titles we discussed on the show, as well as other titles that fit the Cottagecore ideals. 

I've included books in our discussion in a list in my Bookshop, which you can find here. The list has titles from the episode and others I recommended prior to the show on social media, and I'll update it regularly. 

Celestine Martin was my guest for this episode, and you can preorder her upcoming, pumpkin filled witchy romance in my Bookshop!  

The books specifically discussed in the episode are:

• Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
• The Wood at Midwinter by Suzanna Clark
• I'm in Love with Mothman by Paige Lavoie
• The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
• The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Suzanna Clark
• A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
• Deja Brew by Celestine Martin