Novel Finds: A literary podcast

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

We'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.

In 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.

In 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.

WARNING: If you have not read the ACOTAR series, this episode is not for you as it contains spoilers, and also doesn't make sense for those who have not read the books.In this episode, Julia chats with longtime friend and ACOTAR correspondant, Dr. Shelby Van Rossum! Shelby is the one who introduced Novel Finds to the A Court of Thorns and Roses books (and the rest of the Maasverse) and has appeared each season for a special episode chatting about the next book in the series. This time we take on A Court of Silver Flames (aka the big orange book).Death by TBR (Shelby's recs): The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (or literally anything [except maybe Mansfield Park] by Jane Austen!)Follow Shelby on IGAs always, thank you for being a Novel Friend! We'll see y'all next time--on the first and third Sunday of each month.

In this episode, Julia chats with bestselling and award-winning author Alexandria Bellefleur about her latest novel, which just happens to be a paranormal romance called The Devil She Knows! We chat about late-in-life queer dating, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even get a bit philosophical about what a soul is.Pre-order her book now, or find it from her fave independent bookstores like Strand Books, The Ripped Bodice, Meet Cute Bookshop, Third Place Books, The Book & Cover, and Steamy Lit on October 21st! (Just in time for Halloween.)Death by TBR (Alexandria's fave books): When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare and Play Nice by Rachel HarrisonFollow Alexandria on Instagram, Threads, 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.

In this episode, Julia chats with bestselling author, Julie Leong, about her upcoming cozy fantasy The Keeper of Magical Things! Brief Summary: Certainty Bulrush is a mage-in-training and just wants to be useful...unfortunately, she isn't very good at magic. What she *is* good at is connecting with magical inanimate objects, so when she is sent on a too-good-to-be-true assignment to the remote town of Shpelling, it seems everything is going to go exactly as intended. Until, well, it doesn't! Pre-order the book now, or find it at one of Julie's fave local independent bookstores Noe Valley Books and Blue Cypress Books on October 14th!Death by TBR (Julie's favorite books): Discworld books by Terry Pratchett, jump in with The Witches or Small Gods, The City in Glass by Nghi Vo, The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August, The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth DurstFollow Julie on Instagram and her website