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4. We Need Three Day Weekends with Shelly Page
23:03||Season 6, Ep. 4In this episode, Julia chats with Shelly Page, author of Brewed with Love and most recently Charmed and Dangerous! She writes stories about Black queer girls conquering their fears and taking the world by storm, and both of her books are available now. Why not order them from one of her favorite indie bookstores, like Annabelle's Book Club, Grand Gesture Books, Underdog Bookstore, or Books of WonderNeed some more to read? Try one of Shelly's faves: House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. SchwabFollow Shelly's journey on Instagram, Twitter, and through her website*ARC is short for Advanced Reader Copy* ---
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3. The Perfect Place for Nosy Aunts with Olivia Waite
48:24||Season 6, Ep. 3In this episode, long-time book lover and mid-time podcast host Julia chats with Olivia Waite, author of many books spanning various genres, but the one thing that ties them all together? The queer representation. Their conversation covers Olivia's newest book: Nobody's Baby, the sequel to Murder by Memory in her Dorothy Gentleman novellas. You'll also hear thoughts on Heated Rivalry, AI slop, and a scathing review of Jonathan Franzen.Death by TBR (Olivia's favorite books): Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Night Watch by Terry Pratchett, and After Hours at Dooryard Books by Cat SebastianOrder Olivia's books from her fave indie bookstores: Ballast Books, Third Place Books, Grand Gesture Books, and Charlie's Queer BooksFollow Olivia on Instagram, Bluesky, and her websiteOur episode today is sponsored by Standout Book Box, a queer romance book subscription service! Sign up for yours today by following this link and follow them on Instagram for more news!As always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.
2. Dead Goddess Causes Infrastructure Problems with Hannah Whitten
29:51||Season 6, Ep. 2In this episode, Julia chats with internationally bestselling author, Hannah Whitten about her popular series The Nightshade Crown and also her upcoming book Reliquary! There are no spoilers in this episode, so don't worry if you haven't read all of her books. If you haven't read any of her books yet, find them at her favorite independent bookshops: Parnassus Books, The Novelette, or The Novel NeighborDeath by TBR: Tithe by Holly Black, Lisey's Story by Stephen King, Chronicles of Pyrdain by Llyod Alexander, Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles, Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino, and Beta Vulgaris by Margie SarsfieldFind Hannah next to Erin Craig at the Third Coast Author & Book Festival inside The Book Cellar on Saturday, March 21, 2026!Follow Hannah on her Instagram and newsletterAs always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.
1. A Lady For Season Six with TJ Alexander
49:00||Season 6, Ep. 1In this episode, Julia chats with TJ Alexander about their newest book, A Lady For All Seasons (available March 10th!) This historical regency romance follows Verbena Montrose through the season as she tries to find a suitable husband to spirit her away from her family home, and instead finds friendship with an alluring poetess. Hijinks ensue, identities are mistaken, and Lord Byron makes a lasting impression! Find a signed copy of TJ's book at their favorite bookstore: Word Up Community Bookshop in Manhattan, NYWant some book recs while you wait? Read some of TJ's current faves: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow & After Hours at Dooryard Books by Cat SebastianFollow TJ on: IG | Tumblr | Bluesky | NewsletterAs always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.
22. 2025 Year In Review
55:32||Season 5, Ep. 22We've made it to the end of our fifth season (no not the N.K. Jemison book)... in this episode, Julia chats with her longtime bff Hannah, content developer & reviewer for Novel Finds about this season. We've got analytics, favorite books and moments, and a bit about where we want to go with season six.Thank you so much for listening to the show! Happy Holidays from the Novel Finds team!Want a beautiful tattoo from Uprooted Ink? Go here!As always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.
21. Extra Special Live(ish) Episode
23:13||Season 5, Ep. 21In this episode, Julia and her partner Jonah head to Harrogate for the 2025 Thought Bubble Festival to interview graphic novelists and comic creators! We had the chance to chat with Sarah Graley, one half of the team for Pizza Witch and Our Super Adventure, Hamish Steele of DeadEndia (both the comic creator and Netflix show) and most recently Go-Man, and Bex Glendining of On Starlit Shores, their debut graphic novel about grief and magic.Comics to read if you want somewhere to start: Chainsaw Man, Scott Pilgrim, Alien vs Predator, Maus, Watchmen, Pokemon Adventures Manga, Brooms, The Gulf, and SnapdragonFollow Sarah Graley & Sarah's fave comic atm: My Sister the WerebeastFollow Hamish Steele & Hamish's fave comics: Beautiful Darkness and BlackjackFollow Bex Glendining & Bex's fave comics: anything with gothic vampires, Hungerstone, I Who Have Never Known Men, The LambAs always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.
20. The Stone Cold Killer with Ayana Gray
33:46||Season 5, Ep. 20In this episode, Julia chats with bestselling author Ayana Gray about her newest mythological novel, I, Medusa. They discuss the importance of representation, historical accuracy, and...spiders? Find Ayana's books in her favorite bookstores: WordsWorth Books, Pyramid Books, and Paper Heart BooksDeath By TBR (Ayana's favorite books): Little Thieves by Margaret Owen, Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, and anything by Toni Morrison (Sula and The Bluest Eye)Follow Ayana on Instagram and her websiteAs always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.