Besties and the Books Podcast

Besties and the Books
  • 4.8 (21)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

We’re Ashley and Liz, two real-life besties who’ve loved books since we first learned to read, so naturally, we started a podcast! We would say the rest is history but in actuality, it's just the beginning. So come join us in the next chapter of our lives as we introduce ourselves, and laugh our way through the world of books with a focus on Fantasy, Romantasy, and Dark Romance. Of course we have love for all book genres, but those are our absolute favorites!  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!   YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast   Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife   Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllixEmail bestiesandthebooks@gmail.com

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 122 “This is MAJOR!” The Poison Daughter Discussion with Indie to Trad Author Sheila Masterson!

    Send us Fan Mail The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson has taken the Romantasy and Dark Fantasy world by storm and as of August 18th will be rereleased and traditionally published by Zando Publishing in hardcover and dual narrated audiobook! We’re here to celebrate with none other than Sheila herself, the beautiful, smart, and incredibly talented woman behind one of our favorite books of the year, multiple monthly picks for Besties and the Book Club, and USA bestselling author of The Poison Daughter!  You’ve seen the iconic purple cover everywhere. You’ve heard about the chronic illness representation, the sister bond that pulls on every reader’s heartstrings, the forced marriage between enemy kingdoms, and a badass female assassin who unalives dangerous men with her poison kiss… until one day a certain man proves he’s immune. 😉If you haven’t heard about it, now you have absolutely no excuses. Read it right now!  We were introduced to Sheila and her amazing books by our friend and Besties & the Book Club member Katie over @katieandthebooks who relentlessly nominated The Poison Daughter until it got picked, and we are SO eternally grateful to have been introduced to a new book bestie AND an auto-buy author. Just to reiterate, today’s episode will be completely spoiler free, but if Sheila is willing to share any spoilers about upcoming works, we’ll give you a quick warning ahead of time! This episode is here for us to get to know Sheila better and to find out what you’ll be getting into when you pick up her dark romantasy The Poison Daughter, as well as her backlog of previous releases!  When Sheila's not busy stabbing beloved side characters and dreaming up new ways to make her readers cry, you can find her browsing the shelves at local indie bookstores, drinking fancy cocktails with friends, or curled up reading books and tarot. She lives outside Philadelphia with a small army of underwatered houseplants that survive out of spite. Go get your preorders in, and spread the word… your new favorite read has entered the chat! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: Discontinued Crescent City Necklace Liz is wearing : Besties and the Books Cropped Hoodie from our Crow Merch Line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    Ep 122 “This is MAJOR!” The Poison Daughter Discussion with Indie to Trad Author Sheila Masterson!

  2. Aug 4

    Ep 121 “I’m SO Embarrassed!!” Reacting to Embarrassing Bookish Confession Stories!

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had something bookish AND embarrassing happen to you? We’re not shy… and apparently we don’t embarrass easily (shocking 😂)… so we’re here today to share other people’s mortifying book stories! But don’t you worry, we make sure to include a little tidbit or two about ourselves. So sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh at a spoiler free, homework free episode!  We bring you librarian faux pas, the classic Bluetooth Smut Connection™, a Fourth Wing shower encounter, discovery of spicy fanfic of an “unconventional” nature, and something about “Lord of the Kings?” There’s awkward customer service interactions, miscommunications left and right, and a romance about… Bandaids? Liz read, and FINISHED the wrong book in a series, all the while thinking to herself: “Who are these people? Why don’t I know what’s going on? Oh well, it’s fine.” Childhood Ashley fibbed a bit about reading over her grade level because that equine novel was just THAT good, and almost got caught. And of course, if you’re an OG here you remember that time we covered a childhood classic but didn’t realize we read two different books until filming day.  Please send in any and all bookish stories that still haunt you to this day, so that we can share them and help clear the air. We’re all in this toilet together, so it may as well stay cringey. Oh, and we didn’t forget an embarrassing smash or pass!  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ\ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: K Pop Demon Hunters Derpy Shirt from @etsy | * go.magik.ly/ml/3z4y6 Liz is Wearing:”I’m a Hoa Hoa Hoa” Crop Twilight Tee from @shadowboundspines | https://shadowboundspines.com/search?q=hoa&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    Ep 121 “I’m SO Embarrassed!!” Reacting to Embarrassing Bookish Confession Stories!

  3. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    “I’m SCARED!” Iron Gold Red Rising Book 4 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

    Send us Fan Mail Well...we finished Iron Gold. This is the part in the show notes where we typically include a quippy little one liner from one of our most favorite Red Rising characters or moments. And whoever gets the inside joke, gets it. Then we laugh (😂😂), or throw up the rock n’ roll hands (🤘🤘) and get excited to be a Howler (🐺🐺). We hate to break it to you, but we fear those days are over for now… It’s ten years after the epic ending of Morning Star when Iron Gold begins. Everyone is older and wiser, and the consequences of dismantling a centuries-old genetically engineered hierarchy are hitting hard. For the first time in the Red Rising Universe, we get a multi-POV from the perspectives of a high-ranking member of the new Republic, an orphaned heir to a powerful house, a Red living in a refugee camp, and an outlaw and prior member of the Sons. How has this war changed everyone’s lives?  We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. Next, we covered the original trilogy in detail and have officially rated every book a resounding five stars. This series is indeed “God tier,” but that just means everything hits harder, the blows do more damage, and the tears are many. We have to be honest, at this point Brown has us living in fear.  Today we’re diving into book four: Iron Gold, the beginning of the second major plot arc. What happens when the old systems are torn down? Is revolution really as black and white as we thought? How are those from all different walks of life affected by the actions of a powerful few? And is the potential gain worth all the tragic loss? We can only examine the implications of real or imagined technology and science on society thoroughly, critically, and responsibly through an intersectional lens. Is Pierce Brown doing this responsibly while also keeping us entertained?  We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. And lastly, we’ll be asking ourselves if it was necessary to bring us back to Darrow’s story, and if this series would have been better if it ended at book three.  Next week we’ll continue our coverage with Dark Age, so we’re getting our Cryometers™ out now. You should too.  Red Rising Character Art mentioned: @redmurphy.art on IG Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: Discontinued Crescent City Necklace  Liz is wearing: A Fireheart Hoodie by @lionheartthreads | Code: VEGAN15 | https://www.etsy.com/shop/LionheartThreads Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    “I’m SCARED!” Iron Gold Red Rising Book 4 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

  4. Jul 29

    Ep 120 *EYE OPENING* Historical Fantasy Autumn Kruase The Gods Will Sing Our Song | Author Interview

    Send us Fan Mail Today we have a very special spoiler free author interview episode for you with young adult Romantasy author Autumn Krause! Autumn is the author of four novels (so far): A Dress for the Wicked, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here, Grave Flowers, and coming soon…her very timely and extremely important fourth novel The Gods Will Sing Our Song. Out everywhere (including Audible!) on September 1st, The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a magical and tragic story inspired by her own family’s experiences in the World War 2 Japanese American Incarceration camps. We met the lovely and beautiful Autumn at Romantasycon LA where we had the privilege of interviewing her for the Gothica panel, chatting all things horror, dark fantasy, and gothic themes and just knew she was an instant bestie with a big message we can’t wait to discuss with her, and share with you all today!  This episode is here for us to get to know Autumn better and to find out what you’ll be getting into when you pick up her new book The Gods Will Sing Our Song… which every single one of you needs to go pre-order immediately! We also talk in depth about what inspired her to write this book, and why conversations about the darkest parts of our history are still SO incredibly important to keep having. We’ll also briefly discuss her previous releases so you guys know what to expect if you decide to deep dive into the backlog before we do OUR deep dive coverage of The Gods Will Sing Our Song, coming soon!  Autumn Krause is a writer, young adult author, a gothic romantic at heart and loves spinning stories full of macabre magic. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where her morbid imagination ran rampant—so much so that her parents became concerned and told her to stop writing stories where everyone dies at the end. Most often, she can be found in Orange County, California, wearing a black lace dress while spending time with her husband and three children. Other times, she can be found out with lanterns in the tradition of Emily Dickinson, searching for herself and stories. Recently an offering editor at auction described The Gods Will Sing Our Song as a book that changes the way we look at the world. They said that “Books like these have the power to break our hearts and remake them. They open our eyes to injustice and bring a sense of catharsis to those who’ve encountered its sharp edge. They shout to be seen and heard and remembered - just as we must remember those who came before us, whose joys and scars go on to guide our own life stories. In my opinion, The Gods Will Sing Our Song is exactly such a book.” Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: a Twilight Vintage style t-shirt from LambComedy | *  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT9JWeP68q2yk-I0EzA/  Liz is Wearing our Besties and the books beanie: https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    Ep 120 *EYE OPENING* Historical Fantasy Autumn Kruase The Gods Will Sing Our Song | Author Interview

  5. Jul 24 ·  Bonus

    "HAIL THE REAPER!" Morning Star Red Rising Book 3 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

    Send us Fan Mail “Finish the bucket, or get the box!”  At this point most of you are fully aware of what you’re getting into with this series, so let us officially induct you into our den of Howlers. Just remember two things: “Omnis Vir Lupus 🐺🤘,” and “sh*t escalates.” Because there ain’t nothin’ Pierce Brown has written thus far to indicate that the next four books will bring us anything other than chaos and pain, yet here we stay. Wolf cloaks on, loyal until the end. We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. We discuss who has historically defined and dominated the genre, its subsequent evolution, and how our newest deep dive obsession, the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown fits into it all. Next, we covered books one and two in detail and have officially concluded that this series is indeed, everything you all told us it would be…and MORE. The twists, the turns, the betrayal, the action, the political subterfuge (and everything else!) have fully consumed us and quite frankly, we’re terrified to see what lies in wait.  Today we’re diving into book three: Morning Star, the official conclusion to the original trilogy. The rebel alliance is growing with the resurrection of the Red’s “messiah” and we find out who truly wants The Society destroyed, and who will fight to the death to maintain it. With big changes and transfers of power who will step in to create order from chaos? And will it be possible to do so in a way that honors revolution and freedom? We can only examine the implications of real or imagined technology and science on society thoroughly, critically, and responsibly through an intersectional lens. Is Pierce Brown doing this responsibly while also keeping us entertained?  We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. All of our characters are constantly evolving and now we’re prepared to look ten years ahead to what they’ve created through all of this destruction… Was it worth it?  Next week we’ll begin our coverage of the second plot arc which commences ten years after the conclusion of Morning Star with book four: Iron Gold. And something tells us that even though we feel ready, we’re nowhere near prepared.  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing:  “Read Books Stay Weird” Tee by @Shopwildeshadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com   Liz is wearing: Feminine Rage Crewneck by @darkanddisturbedshop | Code: VEGAN10 | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/rage-crewneck?_pos=2&_sid=e99454f0a&_ss=r Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    "HAIL THE REAPER!" Morning Star Red Rising Book 3 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

  6. Jul 21

    Ep 119 *Skin Suits and Literal Hair Ties?!* We need to talk about Headlights by CJ Leede!!

    Send us Fan Mail Time to deep dive CJ Leede's newest horror book, Headlights! You want horror, we gave you horror. You want horror, give you horror. Ask for horror, you got horror! You asked for horror, you got it! We’re even! We’re even, besties! We don’t know what more you want from us! (IYKYK! 😜🍪) Here’s the thing… you said you wanted us to cover more spooky books, so we present to you our first foray into the horror genre - don’t say we never warned you. We know that we’re a “summerween” fam over here, so we hope to set the tone for the rest of the season as we make our way through sci-fi summer and officially into spooky season with the perfect segue. Today we’re doing our official deep dive follow up episode to our interview with C.J. Leede, our most favorite horror author and the insanely talented mind behind Maeve Fly, American Rapture, and now, Headlights.  Buckle up for a wild ride because Headlights has everything. Cannibalism (not accidental), cryptids, ecoterrorism, Colorado lore, skin suits, different dimensions, paranormal entities, cults, and lots and lots of good old fashioned trauma. It has a love story expertly woven into a true crime-esque detective whodunit serial killer hunt through the classic Colorado landscape à la The Shining, with a spooky John Denver soundtrack (highly recommend playing his greatest hits while you read this book). So we humbly ask… what more could you possibly want out of a story that’s meant to shock you, terrify you, and get you thinking about some scary topics that otherwise may never cross your radar? We cover all the classics like our spoiler free star and spice ratings, the “Five Sentence Summary™,” likes and dislikes, reviews, audiobook quality, and horror themes, with some added incite into what about it scares us, how C.J. Leede uses specific literary devices to achieve that kind of tension, and how horror is often used to critique real world problems.  All this and a fave and fail indie bookstore shoutout edition, and a spooky cryptid style smash or pass!  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ CJ Leede talks all things Horror! | https://youtu.be/jb0DW2ap3Ds?si=0mDOcOfQuBrTPp0l Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: A custom Impressive Wingspan tshirt from @DownTheBondofficial | Use Code: BestiesandtheBooks for 15% | https://www.downthebond.com= Liz is wearing: An Estes Park Sweater she picked up on a trip to Colorado. Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    Ep 119 *Skin Suits and Literal Hair Ties?!* We need to talk about Headlights by CJ Leede!!

  7. Jul 17 ·  Bonus

    “BREAK THE CHAINS!” Golden Son Red Rising Book 2 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

    Send us Fan Mail Listen closely, my goodman, Golden Son ruined our bloody damn lives… and we’re here to fill you in on the heartbreak. ☄️ We kicked off Sci-Fi Summer with a full-length episode introducing the genre and setting the scene for a closer analysis of science fiction. We discuss who has historically defined and dominated the genre, its subsequent evolution, and how our newest deep dive obsession, the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown fits into it all. Next, we covered book one to see if it lives up to the hype you all have given it. And boy howdy did it exceed our expectations.  Today we’re diving into book two: Golden Son. We’re out of The Institute and tossed into the “real world,” unforgiving and brutal as it is. We’re watching The Rising build and The Society break down (not unlike our main character Darrow) in real time, and the stress… is all-consuming (to put it mildly). We can only examine the implications of real or imagined technology and science on society thoroughly, critically, and responsibly through an intersectional lens. Is Pierce Brown doing this responsibly while also keeping us entertained?  We bring you our spoiler free reviews, “Five Sentence Summary” and all our faves and least faves, but also discuss sci-fi themes, differences and similarities to fantasy, the romance, genre miscategorization, lore and fun facts, quotes, character growth and relatability, and most importantly… themes. It might be time to bust out the Cryometer™ because no one is safe in this brutal world and we fear the stakes are only going to get higher.  Next week we will be covering the “conclusion” to the original trilogy with Morning Star but don’t worry, after that we will continue on with the next three…and finish one day with Red God! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | *  https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!  https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: A custom Impressive Wingspan tshirt from @DownTheBondofficial | Use Code: BestiesandtheBooks for 15% | https://www.downthebond.com Liz is wearing: an Aedion hoodie from @thebeanworkshop | use our affiliate code “BOOKBESTIES10”)  | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10  Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    “BREAK THE CHAINS!” Golden Son Red Rising Book 2 | Deep Themes, Deep Thoughts, and Recap

  8. Jul 14

    Ep 118 “DON'T DO THIS!” Bookish Pet Peeves + Hot Takes w/ Fantasy FanReads host @TheLostBooksofJess

    Send us Fan Mail Today we’re bringing you an entirely spoiler free fun bestie chat with the Queen of bookish comedy: Jess @thelostbooksofjess and the host of the podcast  ⁨@fantasyfanreadspod⁩ ! Jess’s hilarious reels, polls, and character boards introduced us to her bookstagram years ago, and here we are today yapping about unpopular bookish opinions and pet peeves, ready to get the people goin’! Get to know Jess, the person behind the bookish account and podcast. How did she get started? What are the books that made her? We ask her all about her favorite reads so far this year, her most anticipated release of the fall, what she thinks is the most underrated book series, and what her favorite content to create is. The answers might surprise you! Then we move into the unpopular opinions section with ideas like: “romance doesn’t need to have a happily ever after,” and “yes, you CAN like the movie better than the book!” And just when you thought you were safe, we bring you our bookish pet peeves, making it known to the community that we just can’t stand more than one epilogue at the end of a book, and useless dust jackets with no summary are the worst! Stick around for even more unpopular opinions and pet peeves we’ll have all of you vote on, plus an on-the-spot eff, marry, 🔪featuring some of Jess’s most beloved MMCs, tailor made just for her. @TheLostBooksofJess https://www.instagram.com/thelostbooksofjess/?hl=en @fantasyFanReads https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@fantasyfanreadspod⁩  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…) Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️ Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ Check out these author interviews? ⬇️ Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4 Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE Nikki St. Crowe, the queen of spicy fairy tale retellings chats with us about diving into the land of Oz with West of Wicked! https://youtu.be/wwFYSDKcbtE?si=X6iNmUVAE6Xhmv7B ____ Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing: Ashley is wearing: Our BATB Flying on Vibes Crop tee | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/cropped-flying-on-vibes-t-shirt Liz is wearing:”This is the Skin of a Reader” crop tee by @shadowboundspines | https://shadowboundspines.com/products/skin-of-a-reader-bella-organic-rib-baby-tee Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast! Support the show YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable! https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358 Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife  Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllix

    Ep 118 “DON'T DO THIS!” Bookish Pet Peeves + Hot Takes w/ Fantasy FanReads host @TheLostBooksofJess
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4.8
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About

We’re Ashley and Liz, two real-life besties who’ve loved books since we first learned to read, so naturally, we started a podcast! We would say the rest is history but in actuality, it's just the beginning. So come join us in the next chapter of our lives as we introduce ourselves, and laugh our way through the world of books with a focus on Fantasy, Romantasy, and Dark Romance. Of course we have love for all book genres, but those are our absolute favorites!  Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!   YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms @BestiesandtheBooksPodcast   Liz  Instagram | TikTok @TheRealLifeVeganWife   Ashley Instagram | TikTok @AshleyEllixEmail bestiesandthebooks@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Besties and the Books
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Besties and the Books Podcast
  • Show Website
    Besties and the Books Podcast

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