Amy & Book Club

Auscast Network

Amy & Book Club is a bookish podcast with benefits. Amy Matthews is joined by series regulars Justina Ashman, Abby Guy, Millie Heffernan, Payton Hogan and Harry Stewart and by a cast of guesties, both special and specialer. Featuring genre deep dives, author Q&As, and a live book club with a signature cocktail/mocktail, we’re your new favourite interactive book club with an accessibly academic flair. Listen to the pod, embrace the community on socials, and tune in to the livestream for the monthly book club – whether you’re a new book lover or a seasoned bibliophile, we can’t wait to meet you!

  1. The Power of Making Your Own Lover: Sentient Object Romance

    11 MAR

    The Power of Making Your Own Lover: Sentient Object Romance

    Continuing a banger month of unconventional romance (Bad ra-ra ah-ah-ah), this week we're digging into the phenomenon of Sentient Object Romance. What initially seems like a silly, goofy genre is revealed to have hidden depths as we get into the topics of women's pleasure, consent, being seen, and the kindness of these stories. Don't worry, we also play games! We learn things about ourselves with a game of FMK, and test our resolve as Payton delights us with select readings from the genre. It's worth noting: this episode may be particularly NSFW. This month we’re reading How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson. If a slasher x Rom-Com mashup appeals to you, get yourself a copy and stay tuned for our interview with the author on March 19, followed by our live book club over on YouTube on March 26! MENTIONS BooksHallowpeen by Holly WildeThe Deviled Egg Made Me Do It by Holly WildeCold Sweat by Vera ValentineTaken by the Tetris Blocks by Leonard DelaneyMelt for Daddy by Holly WildePounded by Produce by G.M. FairyBedding the Bedding by Annara LaynePenetrated by the President's Twitter Feed by M.J. EdwardsPushin' Cushions by Vera Valentine & Unfortunate ReadsPounded by Pluto by Leonard DelaneySqueak by Vera ValentineStuffed by Sylvia MorrowMidori Days by Kazurou Inoue (anime series by Studio Pierrot) Film/TVPinnocchio, DisneyToy Story, DisneyBeauty & the Beast, DisneyStar Wars, LucasfilmDoctor Who, BBCDukes of Hazzard, CBS OTHER MEDIADate Everything, Sassy Chap GamesI'm in Love with my Car, QueenChuck Tingle (author)Grapie Deltaco (Youtube) LINKS 🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW 🌸 Our Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub 💛 Where to find Amy: Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/ Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor Website: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/ Thank you so much for listening!💞 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  2. Hor-Rom-Com, Ho-Mance & Rom-Hor: Serial Killers in Romance Fiction

    4 MAR

    Hor-Rom-Com, Ho-Mance & Rom-Hor: Serial Killers in Romance Fiction

    Oh it is good to be back for Season 2! This month’s theme is Bad (ra-ra, ah-ah-ah) Romance and today we’re kicking the year off with a discussion of serial killer Romance Fiction. The episode begins with a very reasonable conversation about the ethics of True Crime entertainment and then … well. But within the proceeding chaos — games, Harry’s “incontinence”, and Amy’s determination to be the easiest prey a murderer could ask for — are a few gems regarding K-Dramas, Dark Romance novels, serial killers as patriarchs, and humanity’s fixation with the macabre. This month we’re reading How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson. If a slasher x Rom-Com mashup appeals to you, get yourself a copy and stay tuned for our interview with the author on March 19, followed by our live book club over on YouTube on March 26! MENTIONS BooksThe Stranger Beside Me by Ann RuleJoe Cinque’s Consolation by Ann RuleMindhunter by John Douglas & Mark OlshakerThe Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper, & Sarah KrasnosteinLeather & Lark by Brynne WeaverHaunting Adeline by H.D. CarltonHow to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates Shailee Thompson PodcastSerial from New York Times Film/TVKilling Eve, BBCFlower of Evil, Studio DragonCome and Hug Me, MBCCrash Course in Romance, Studio DragonMaking a Murderer, NetflixThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Columbia Pictures CITATIONS Freud, Sigmund. Beyond the Pleasure Principle. Translated by James Strachey, London: W. W. & Company, 1961. Marono, Abbie Jean et al. “A Behaviour Sequence Analysis of Serial Killers' Lives: From Childhood Abuse to Methods of Murder.” Psychiatry, psychology, and law : an interdisciplinary journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, vol. 27,1 126-137. 6 Feb. 2020, doi:10.1080/13218719.2019.1695517 LINKS 🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW 🌸 Our Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub 💛 Where to find Amy: Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/ Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor Website: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/ Thank you so much for watching!💞 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  3. The Only Acceptable Fish is a Drain Cat: 2025 Wrap Up

    24/12/2025

    The Only Acceptable Fish is a Drain Cat: 2025 Wrap Up

    We powered through technical difficulties and wifi troubles to bring you a wrap up of 2025 and the finale of our first season of the pod! Thank you to everyone who read along, listened to or watched each episode, followed us on socials, or joined us for one of our live book clubs. We appreciate all your support and hope to see you again next year for season two!  Also, apologies for how terrible we were at audibly naming all of the things we were talking about! All the books and movies we covered are listed below in the order we mentioned them.   MENTIONS 📚 BOOKS: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; Emma of 83rd Street, Elizabeth of East Hampton & Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding; Side Chick Nation by Aya de Leon; Playing Nice was Getting Me Nowhere by Alex Cothren; Salvage by Jennifer Mills; Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren; Love Unleashed by Melanie Saward; In Spite of You by Patrick Lenton; Dancer for the Dance by Andrew Holleran; Seven Brides for Beau McBride by Amy Barry; An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister; Conflict and Colonialism in 21st Century Romantic Historical Fiction edited by Hsu-Ming Teo & Poloma Fresna-Calleja; The World Was Whole by Fiona Wright; Plastic Budgie by Olivia De Zilva; Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta; Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley 🎬 MOVIES: Pride and Prejudice (2005); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)   LINKS: Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub  Follow the Amy & Podcast on TikTok: @amyandbookclub Join the Amy & Bookclub: Amy & Bookclub  Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor  Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single "Same Old" here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  4. 13/11/2025

    Live at the Library: Romance Tropes & Trends

    This week we’re throwing back to September when we headed over to the Flinders University Library for a live chat about all things reading and writing romance. Does dark romance need content ratings or trigger warnings? Why do straight women love to read and write gay male romance? What can romance novels teach us about love? Are horror romance and paranormal romance the same thing? Do people yearn for an epic slowburn? And when will Harry write a Big Gay Fantasy novel?   MENTIONS 📚 BOOKS: Gild by Raven Kennedy; American Psycho by Bret Easton; Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton; Ali Hazelwood’s books; Captive Prince series by CS Pacat; A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas; The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss; Laurie Gilmore’s books; Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree; In Spite of You by Patrick Lenton; Cubs and Campfires by Dylan Drakes; God of Fury by Rina Kent; The Will to Change by bell hooks; Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier; Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas; The Lord of the Rings series by JRR Tolkien; Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta; Bride by Ali Hazelwood; Ghosted by Amy Hutton; Keri Arthur’s books; Twilight by Stephanie Meyer; Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery; Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon; Bound for Sin by Tess Le Sue; Johanna Lindsay’s books 🎬 MOVIES: Love Lies Bleeding (2024); Tron (1982) 📺 TV SHOWS: Gilmore Girls  🎙️ PODCASTS: QBD Romance Book Club; Amy & Book Club   LINKS: Read our BOTM: BOTM: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub  Join the Amy & Bookclub: Amy & Bookclub  Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor  Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single "Same Old" here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 7m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Amy & Book Club is a bookish podcast with benefits. Amy Matthews is joined by series regulars Justina Ashman, Abby Guy, Millie Heffernan, Payton Hogan and Harry Stewart and by a cast of guesties, both special and specialer. Featuring genre deep dives, author Q&As, and a live book club with a signature cocktail/mocktail, we’re your new favourite interactive book club with an accessibly academic flair. Listen to the pod, embrace the community on socials, and tune in to the livestream for the monthly book club – whether you’re a new book lover or a seasoned bibliophile, we can’t wait to meet you!