Shit We've Read

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...

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!

Tak...

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 blin...

It’s Pride Month! And we’re celebrating with OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES by Barbara Truelove, a clever mashup of genres featuring an AI ship, a motley crew of supernatural monsters, and one very vengeful Dracula. Joining us for this discussion of love, found family, and identity is guest host Arden Harris (they/them) of A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA, and host of the Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Club.

Listen as Arden weighs in on this story’s comparisons to both Murderbot and The Locked Tomb, we celebrate the queer representation (and beyond), and disc...

Sink your fangs into our first After Dark episode of the season with A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER by Kresley Cole—a steamy paranormal romance where “a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire become unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.”

Emma kicks off the season with this pick and sparks a conversation about what happens when monster theory meets gender essentialism. Meanwhile, Laura draws some surprising parallels to Star Wars, and we collectively urge parents to warn their children about the dangers of fated mates. Plus: find out why this book f...

We’re kicking off Season Five with ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells—and a couple of very special guests! Sir Aaron Carter and Emma Skies join us to talk Murderbot ahead of the AppleTV+ adaptation premiering May 16th. (And yes, they’ll be covering the show in their very own Watch podcast, so stay tuned!)

Listen in as we dig into what makes Murderbot such a compelling character, why Emma has read this book four times, and whether Jason—reading it for the first time—thought it lived up to the hype. Plus, Aaron shares what took him s...

In this special author interview, Jason and Laura sit down with Olivia Waite to talk about her beautiful new novella, MURDER BY MEMORY—a “sci-fi ode to the cozy mystery, helmed by a formidable no-nonsense auntie of a detective.” Listen in as Olivia shares how Star Wars unexpectedly led her to read her first romance novel, and reflects on the ways grief continues to shape her writing. She also opens up about which childhood memory she’d most love to recover, and makes a case for why the novella is the perfect length for impactful storytelling.

Oh—and did yo...

Saddle up for one last ride before the season’s over! For our Season Four finale, we’ve headed to the cowboy colony planet for a discussion of MARRIED TO THE ALIEN COWBOY by Ursa Dax — a sci-fi western romance featuring a quiet alien cowboy, a human woman on the run, and one very messy marriage of convenience. Join us as Jason surprises his co-hosts with this pick, we ponder what makes a tentacle a tentacle, and question if Ursa Dax is secretly a pen name for our very own Laura.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an...

This month, we’re sinking our teeth into IMMORTAL DARK by Tigest Girma—a dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family. Join us as we celebrate the portrayal of Black characters, break down what makes this vampire story feel fresh, and examine the delicate relationship between humans and dranaics. Plus, get a peek at the types of books Bella keeps on her shelves.

Credits:
Shit We've Read is hosted by Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Bella Romero, with...

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a cozy, high-heat monster romance novella. But there’s one big question: Has Bella finally broken her streak of bad After Dark picks, or is this another miss? There’s only one way to find out! Join us as we discuss MANEATER by Emily Antoinette and examine how the 1980s play into the story’s setting, why Emma and Bella are craving more pathetic men in fiction, and what this book has to say about sex work.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussion...

We’re kicking off 2025 with the divine novella OUT OF THE DROWNING DEEP by A.C. Wise—set in the distant future, when mortals mingle with the gods in deep space, an out-of-date automaton, a recovering addict, and an angel race to solve the Pope’s murder in an abandoned corner of the galaxy. Listen in as we discuss Jason’s Pirate Era, the casting of Ryan Gosling in the upcoming Project Hail Mary film adaptation, and the use of neo-pronouns in this novella—plus what they mean for the future of literature.

Credits:
Shit We've...

It's our final episode of 2024, and we're wrapping up the year with our 2nd annual Secret Santa book exchange! Join us for lighthearted fun as we guess who gifted which books, Emma shares a history lesson on the Luddites, and we learn how the results of the recent election affected the book Jason received. All that, plus the most shocking plot twist in SWR history!

Thank you for listening, Happy Holidays, and see you in the new year!

A special shoutout to our Christmas elves, Jayson LaFrance and Sander Richardson, for their help with this...

It’s an eggnog-filled edition of SWR After Dark! In this episode, we unwrap the holiday novella RAILED BY THE KRAMPUS by Dalia Davies. When Holly jokingly offers her soul for a lump of coal, she never expects the creature from his winter domain to take her seriously—or demand something infinitely more tempting. Was this book naughty or nice? Join us as we share our thoughts on this paranormal romance, why Bella will never look at eggnog the same way (it’s exactly what you’re thinking), and how this book turned out to be oddly educational. Plus, Laura as...

It’s the thrilling conclusion to our first-ever TTRPG adventure!

Join Bellz, Jason, and Laura—guided by Game Master Sir Aaron Carter—as they enter the Blackwood House and confront the mysteries haunting their hometown of Pinewood Falls.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!

This is Part 2 of our special Welcome to Pinewood Falls series. Missed the first half? Listen to Part 1 here.

A special thanks to Jayson LaFrance and Sander Richardson for their invaluable help in setting up this session. This game was played using the Kids on Bikes...

Welcome to our first-ever TTRPG special!

It’s the summer of 1987, and nestled among ancient forests and rolling hills lies the quiet town of Pinewood Falls. But this idyllic town is far from peaceful—strange weather and mysterious sightings draw three childhood friends back together to uncover a long-buried mystery. Join Bellz, Jason, and Laura—guided by Game Master Sir Aaron Carter—as the echoes of a childhood discovery make their way back into their lives…

A special thanks to Jayson LaFrance and Sander Richardson for their invaluable help in setting up this session. This game was pl...

Trick or treat! It’s a fun size episode of SWR After Dark as we explore MONSTERS’ MANOR by Leigh Miller—a steamy paranormal romance where a reluctant witch finds herself working in a haunted manor brimming with real monsters. Join us as we share whether this tale lived up to our Halloween expectations, Emma talks proper tail hygiene, and we debate whether the vibes lean cozy or fluff. Plus, Laura makes an important plea to the furry community. So, grab a drink with a little extra pumpkin spice and settle in for some Halloween heat. Thanks for listening, and Ha...

Climb aboard as we set sail through the first volume of EARTHDIVERS, Stephen Graham Jones and Davide Gianfelice's time-hopping comic series about far-future Indigenous outcasts on a mission to kill Christopher Columbus.

Join us as we share our occasional frustration with ongoing comic series, explore the 'earth-diver' cosmogony among Indigenous peoples of the Americas, and uncover the moral dilemma that caused Bella to lose more brain cells.

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We love connecting with our listeners and are excited to have another way to connect with you all. ⁣Whether you're into sci-fi, fan...

Taking center stage in this After Dark episode is COSMIC KISS by Clio Evans—a steamy alien romance where a rising star finds herself in a tantalizing love triangle with two irresistible aliens.

Join us as we break down the balance of smut to plot, revisit our love (or not) for the fated mate trope, and, of course, get insights from our resident tentacle expert, Jason, on the use of tentacles in this book. Plus, the quest to get Barefoot Wine as a sponsor continues!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, con...

Be gay. Solve crimes. Take naps. In this episode, we dive into Courtney Smyth’s “witty and quirky fantasy murder mystery,” THE UNDETECTABLES.

Join us as we celebrate the strong friendships between the main characters, explore the disability representation and its impact on the story, and hear Bella share how their expertise in micro-mobility and transportation equity shaped their interpretation. And Jason? He’s embracing his new title as “Thot With the Thoughts” while breaking down how this mystery stacks up against the greats like Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Plus, don’t miss his shout...

It’s our most “wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey” episode yet! Guest host Erin Harris returns to join Jason and Laura in discussing Kate Mascarenhas’ debut, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TIME TRAVEL.

Tune in as we explore this ambitious time travel murder mystery, attempt to untangle the complexities of time travel, and debate if we have what it takes to journey through time. Plus, we tackle the intriguing question on every potential time traveler’s mind: “If you could meet yourself from another period in time, would you hook up with yourself?”

This episode is a wild ride that left our brain...

We’re back with a new set of After Dark episodes, and this one is knot to be missed as we are discussing Emma’s pick—DARK CITY OMEGA by Elizabeth Stephens; a “dark fantasy romance full of [...] omegas with magic and monsters who always get the girl.”

Listen in as Emma gives us a rundown of the Omegaverse, we hear Jason’s embarrassing attempt at a brogue accent, and we discuss what sets this A/B/O story apart from others. All that plus we continue our quest to get Barefoot Wine to sponsor our podcast and Laura re...

Join us as we sit down with author S.T. Gibson to discuss her enchanting new book, Evocation; "the first book in a spellbinding and vibrant new series filled with fortune telling, tarot cards, intrigue and unexpected romance."

Listen to our impromptu therapy session as we all bond over being reformed Catholics, we discuss the importance of bi-visibility, and Jason and Saint gush over their shared love of Leda. Plus, Saint tells us about the time she joined something cult adjacent and so much more. Whether you're a devoted fan or new to Gibson's work, this episode...

Hello and welcome back to another season of Shit We’ve Read! We’re kicking off Season Four with a discussion of the first volume of the Eisner, Harvey, and Hugo Award-winning comic book series, SAGA! Written by Brian K. Vaughan with art by Fiona Staples, this “sexy and subversive adult drama” is the “sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds.”

Join us for another episode of “Is this more scifi or fantasy?”, we discuss the book’s theme of outsourcing war, and Jason explains why you shouldn’t buy this book for your g...

It’s our Season Three finale! We’re returning to the world of Legends & Lattes with a discussion of Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST; “a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.” Join Jason, Bella, and Laura as we discuss how well this prequel connects to the first book, Jason questions if the genre of cozy fantasy is for Laura, and we share what we would call “smut” in a fantasy setting… Plus, we give our predictions for the type of cozy business a future book in this series might be about.

As a reminder, this is our last...

It’s the last After Dark episode of the season and we’re discussing Laura’s pick, GOOD DEEDS by Kathryn Moon; a “whychoose romance novel, starring a feisty heroine and five fritzing hot android heroes.” Listen in as we question why the sex scenes weren’t more imaginative, Emma brings up the unintentional ableism, and Jason explains why this book put the fun back into sex. Plus, Bella learns what “knotting” is! It’s a feisty episode with four fritzing hot co-hosts!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is in...

Happy New Year! Joining us for the first episode of 2024 is returning guest host, Sir Aaron Carter, for a discussion of THE ROAD TO ROSWELL—Connie Willis' "novel about alien invasions, conspiracies, and the incredibly silly things people are willing to believe". Listen in as this episode brings us to the brink of a Shit We’ve Read civil war, we question how telepathy works, and decide why Aaron may not want to show his face in author Connie Willis' hometown… Plus, Aaron tells us about what we can expect from Gods Watch—the latest series of BYLO Watch with co...

It's our holiday episode and joining us is EmmaSkies for a good old-fashioned Secret Santa book exchange! How well do we know each other's reading preferences? Find out as we each try to guess who gifted us our books. Plus, Laura gives us all a mini surprise inspired by Bookstagrammer Jaysen Headley (aka @ezeekat), Bella explains why the book they were gifted is perfect for anybody who’s ever experienced white people, and we reveal which two past guest hosts helped decide some of our book choices.

Thanks for listening, Happy Holidays, and we hope you have a Happ...

In this After Dark episode, we’re discussing THE STING OF VICTORY, S.D. Simper’s sapphic tale of the toxic love affair between a witch and her vampiric lover. Settle in and join us as Bella describes the anxiety-induced fugue state they were in when choosing this book, we attempt to figure out the actual plot, and Emma shares the many alternative names she has for the book’s main character, Flowridia. Plus, find out Laura’s pick for the last After Dark episode of the season!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult...

In this episode, the SWR crew delve into the chilling and evocative world of Trang Thang Tran’s debut horror novel, SHE IS A HAUNTING. Join us as we break down this story of “a Vietnamese American girl visiting her estranged father in Vietnam and the house that doesn't want them to leave”, Laura and Bella each share how they related to the novel’s main character via their experiences of being mixed race, and we praise the book’s more nuanced queer representation than in some other recently read books. Plus, Jason gives us a peek into some of the oth...

In this After Dark episode, we’re stepping into the supernatural world of Jillian Graves' titillating monster romance novel, TITAN. Grab a glass of wine, dim the lights, and join us as we discuss such thought-provoking topics as “the world’s worst antibiotic-resistant UTI”, Emma’s aftercare kink, and we finally learn the answer to the question that’s on everybody’s mind: would Jason sleep with a gargoyle?

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.

Connect wi...

We’re kicking off spooky season with a paranormal tale of “sisterhood and female defiance— inspired by lives of real teenage twin mediums in the 19th century.” And who better to join us on this episode discussing Amanda Glaze’s historical fantasy debut, THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND—set in Sacramento, 1885—than new guest host and Sacramento History Museum tour guide and volunteer, Erin Harris! Listen in as we examine the accuracy of Sacramento landmarks and geography as portrayed in the book, Erin reveals why this book made her think of Long Island Medium, and we choose a side...

In this episode of Shit We've Read, we discuss the novella THE MIMICKING OF KNOWN SUCCESSES by Malka Older—a cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance, set on Jupiter. Listen in as we examine the balance of sci-fi, mystery, and romance, Jason reveals our Ken's job, Laura compares the story to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, and more!

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When we saw that Emma was reading THE DRAGON’S BRIDE by Katee Robert, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to fit in an impromptu After Dark episode. Join us as we discuss the one glaring omission to the variety of sex scenes featured in this book, Bella explains why they prefer a kraken to a dragon, and Emma reveals the worst book she’s read all year.

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.

...

In this After Dark episode, we discuss Emma’s pick, THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A DEMON by Kimberly Lemming; and really, who among us hasn’t found themselves in the same situation? For those keeping score at home, that is now two demon books Emma has chosen. Join us as we reveal if the amount of smut lived up to our expectations, we discuss the author’s interesting use of simile to describe orgasms, and Jason admits to misunderstanding what the main character’s “snack pocket” was. Plus, find out who’s picking our next After Dark pick and...

Welcome to a special Pride Month episode where we rocket into the captivating worlds of Everina Maxwell's queer space opera, WINTER’S ORBIT, alongside our guest host, EmmaSkies! Set in a futuristic system on the brink of political turmoil, Winter's Orbit follows the arranged marriage between Prince Kiem and Count Jainan. As they navigate their new relationship, secrets and conspiracies unravel, challenging their notions of duty, loyalty, and personal freedom.

It’s a book Emma has read before and already loves, so she comes to this discussion with enthusiasm and opinions aplenty! Join us as we analyze the...

Get ready to be transported to a world where Greek mythology, urban fantasy, and romance collide as we chat with author Kika Hatzopoulou about her debut novel, THREADS THAT BIND, described by Hatzopoulou as a “fantasy noir about a descendent of the Greek Fates, using her skills to work as a detective in a half-sunken post-apocalyptic city.” Listen in as we unravel the inspirations behind Hatzopoulou's inventive world-building, celebrate the importance of “casual queerness” in stories, learn how her love of the “fated/soul mates trope” has evolved as an adult, and so much more. It was an absolute joy talking...

It’s our first After Dark episode of the new season and trust us when we say it's going to be a wild ride! This month, we discuss the listener-recommended SOUL EATER by Lily Mayne; a story about monsters and human men falling in love in a post-apocalyptic world. Join us for our most chaotic and explicit episode yet, and listen in as we applaud the chemistry between the two MCs, Laura has some questions about male anatomy, and we ponder if there’s a "help me stepbro, I'm stuck" cinematic universe. Plus, find out who’s choosing the next A...

Welcome back to Shit We've Read! In this Season Three premiere episode, we are excited to discuss Travis Baldree's TikTok sensation, LEGENDS & LATTES—”a cozy, heartwarming slice-of-life fantasy about found families and fresh starts.” Listen in as Laura explains why she has a love/hate relationship with this book, we discuss the difference between coffee and espresso within the context of the story, we play a game of “Does This Common Food Exist in This Universe?”, and more!

So grab a latte, settle in, and join us for a fun and cozy episode to kick off the new season...

It’s our last book of Season Two as we read the appropriately titled The Last Adventure of Constance Verity by A. Lee Martinez, a humorous urban fantasy about the world’s greatest adventurer and her quest to become ordinary. Listen in as Jason makes the shocking revelation that he doesn’t like reading, Laura confirms she is an android, and the book’s metaphysics prove too much for Bella’s mind.

Thanks for listening and for all your support this season. To keep up with any updates and announcements we make during our break, be sure to follow...

We have another incredible author interview for you! We were fortunate enough to have debut author Jenna Voris join us to chat about her upcoming young adult space opera Made of Stars, described by her as “inspired by the story of Bonnie and Clyde, but set in space.” Listen as Voris tells us about the inspirations for her novel, how her experience getting Made of Stars published has changed her writing process, she reveals some of her favorite book tropes, and shares how she was personally victimized by Taylor Swift’s 2019 album, Lover.

Made of Stars is out Ma...