Shit We've Read

• 40: The Library at Hellebore

  We’re celebrating spooky season with THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw—a fantasy horror about a group of magical students who seek refuge in the school’s library when the faculty go on a ravenous rampage. Listen as Laura and Emma try to keep track of the many characters and their unique abilities, discuss the idea of monstrosity—specifically how women are made monstrous by monstrous men—and… Jason is there, too! Plus, Emma wonders whether this book is truly part of the dark academia genre. Happy Halloween!   Buy the Book!Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie Katabasis by RF Kuang The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break by Cassandra Khaw The Poppy War by RF Kuang A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu Sing Me to Sleep by R.M. Virtues   Support SWR!PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch

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• 39: A Cruel Thirst

  Spooky season is officially here! In this episode, we’re celebrating both our favorite time of the year and Hispanic Heritage Month with A CRUEL THIRST by Angela Montoya—a YA fantasy full of vampires, forbidden romance, and Mexican folklore. Join us as we explore how the book draws on Latin American culture to make vampires feel fresh, why this tale about bloodsucking monsters gives off cozy vibes, and what we think of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Zorro” comparison. Plus, find out how A Series of Unfortunate Events helped Bella with the Spanish vocabulary in this book!   Buy the Book!Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Final Six by Alexandra Monir The Life Below by Alexandra Monir Little Thieves by Margaret Owen Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen Blood Moon by Jillian Graves Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance by Jillian Graves A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu   Support SWR!PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks...

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• After Dark: Bull Moon Rising

  In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon. Join us as we explore this steamy romantasy set “in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, [where] a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner.” Along the way, Bella reveals which co-hosts are the most (and least) fabulous, Jason makes a connection to The Mummy (1999), and Emma explains how the book suffers from what she calls the Fourth Wing Phenomenon.Listen now to discover why this book left the hosts so divided! CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book!Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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• Update: Listener Survey & Book Sweepstakes

  Hey there, listeners! We need your help. We have been working hard to make Shit We’ve Read as entertaining and enjoyable as we can, but we want to make it better for you! So, we created a quick listener survey and would love to hear your thoughts. As a thank you, if you complete our survey by Sunday, August 31st, 2025, you’ll have the chance to be entered into a book sweepstakes! Thank you so much for listening to the show, and we look forward to seeing your responses!   Take our Listener Survey and enter our Book Sweepstakes!   Support SWR!PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR!Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits:Shit We've Read is hosted by Laura Benson and Jason Rico, with music by Joshua Chilton and editing by Jason Rico.

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• 38: Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame (w/ Fictional Tiff)

  We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang, a queer, Asian-inspired fantasy novella about a renowned dragon slayer who never takes their armor off in public. Joining us for this discussion of identity, duty, and the power of love is multi-hyphenate guest host Fictional Tiff—musician, queer activist, and leader of the Sacramento Silent Book Club. Listen as we celebrate the queer-normative worldbuilding and how it allows for exploration of personal identity, Laura draws parallels between the book and blind religious devotion, and Tiff shares why sometimes friendship means saying, “I love you, but you suck.” Plus, find out which of us is hoping for a sequel full of dragon smut.   Guest Host:Fictional Tiff is a book blogger turned many things over the years. From heading up the Sacramento Silent Book Club to being a musician, gogo dancer, queer activist, weightlifter, and writer. She keeps her mind busy and shines bright and loud for her community. Reading books is what set Tiff on the course to being passionate about so many things, and she owes them her life. So ask her what she’s currently reading and be prepared for nonstop chatter. You can find her on Instagram @fictionaltiff and listen to her music on Spotify here.   Buy the Book!Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise Outdrawn by Deanna Grey We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid Death’s Country

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