Besties and the Books Podcast

Send us Fan Mail
You asked for some horror coverage, and that’s exactly what you’re getting! Today we’re here with CJ Leede, THE Queen of horror, to get to know her, introduce her brand new book Headlights and discuss why horror with feminist themes is so important and is resonating on a different level with readers right now. Don’t worry, this episode is entirely spoiler free, so if you’re horror curious but not sure if it’s for you, stick around to find out why we think the thriller and fantasy girlies might just be on track to embrace a new, spookier genre.
Headlights is now available everywhere you find your favorite books including Audible (starring audiobook narrator Andrew Eiden who many of you may know as Teddy Hamilton…!). The scream we scrempt when CJ told us that fact should’ve been recorded - oh wait! It was. What can we say? It was the best possible audiobook surprise. 
We talk briefly about her previous comedic slasher release Maeve Fly, the USA Today bestseller, winner of the Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award, the Splatterpunk Award for Best Novel, and a Bram Stoker Award nominee, and her second apocalyptic feminist horror novel American Rapture named one of the best horror books of 2024 by Esquire Magazine, a Goodreads and Publisher’s Weekly Editor’s pick and A Splatterpunk Award finalist. What should you expect when you pick up one of CJ’s books? Why are they all wildly different? And how scary is Headlights, really? 
In addition to being a horror writer, CJ is a hiker and Trekkie, and when she’s not driving around the country, she can be found in LA with her boyfriend and rescue dogs. Make sure to go follow her @ceejthemoment for all the latest updates on her book tour! We’re bringing you all of this, plus CJ’s “Fave & Fail” Headlights edition, and a rapid fire smash or pass with all of our favorite horror movie men. 
Check out CJ Leede here https://us.macmillan.com/author/cjleede
And on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ceejthemoment?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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 a wolf hoodie from @killcrew | https://killcrew.co/products/lone-wolf-hoodie-black?srsltid=AfmBOorw2XGvXG1YQi4SGSSR_cI7Sh-x7v3RKVQAWNx6PpTUIvwBuhQC
Liz is wearing one of our Besties and the Books Cropped Hoodies | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/cropped-hoodie-besties-anti-social-crow
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

Send us Fan Mail
So, here’s the thing… Today we’re bringing you a spoiler free, homework free, judgement free (kinda) episode where we ruin fantasy books for you by being naysayers. We’re bringing light to what we’re calling “Fantasy Probs,” aka those things in our favorite books that pull us right out of the story because… well, they’re just not realistic. And hey, if you like this go check out our first ruining fantasy episode for more! 
Believe us, we know this sounds completely insane when we have no problems accepting hidden realms, magical creatures, and hidden powers. But there are just certain things we can’t deny that stand out as simply unbelievable. Like, shadow daddies almost never eat… anything other than you know what… or the fact that no one has a day job, inns with one bed exist around every remote corner, and everyone’s wielding swords after slashing their palms left and right. Things are just not adding up. 
We’ve got spicy time with no showers, MMCs winking and giving us the icks, medieval settings with modern names and phrases, and the undeniable fantasy urge to trust a person in their teens or early twenties to literally save the planet. 
We’re bringing you all of this, plus a weekly fave and fail about a lost diamond and “going into the woods…” and a smash or pass “petty reasons why I dnf-ed a book” edition. 
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 a Bryce Starborn Crescent City Shirt from @caffeineandCurses | https://caffeineandcurses.com/collections/crescent-city-merch/products/bryce-quinlan-t-shirt-crescent-city?variant=43137855357128
Liz is wearing our Besties Pullover Color Anti Social Crow Design | https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/pullover-hoodie-besties-color-anti-social-crow
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

Send us Fan Mail
Did you see that we got to interview Nikki St. Crowe?! When the Queen of spicy fairytale reimaginings calls, you answer and promptly cover her new book West of Wicked!  We thought we’d made it out of the Oz universe alive and *relatively* unscathed but “spoiler alert* we got sucked right back in. Are we happy about it? Listen on to find out. 
West of Wicked is book one in the Great and Terrible Land trilogy, with book one out now, and book two East of Envy scheduled to release on November third of this year! So buckle up for a whole new take on Dorothy, the witches, and her most beloved companions. 
Oz is creepier and dark, Dorothy is an older and more powerful badass, the Scarecrow is tall, dark and handsome, the Tin Man is a mercenary with a bionic arm, and the Lion and Wizard… you’ll just have to read to see. Stick around for our spoiler free reviews, spice ratings, deep dive summary (brought to you by Ashley this time!) and a lovely side tangent where Liz plays “the cups.” We apologize in advance for the chaos. But listen, we’re not in Kansas anymore. 🤷‍♀️
We’re bringing you all of this, plus a weekly fave and fail with When the Moon Hatched, a car buying fiasco, and a funny catchphrase experiment, and a themed smash or pass, Oz style… with not one, but TWO bionic arms. 😏
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? ⬇️
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
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 The Last Bookstore hoodie from @thelastbookstore in Los Angeles
Liz is wearing a “I Like My Girls Well Read” tee by @darkanddisturbedshop | Use Code: VEGAN10 to save! | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/well-read-tee?_pos=1&_sid=76ea1248c&_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

Send us Fan Mail
Rites of the Starling, Rites of the Starling, Rites of the Starling…if you say it three times, does The Guardian appear? 😂 
We jest, because we know this second installment in the Shield of Sparrows series by Devney Perry is highly rated, but definitely somewhat polarizing because of its unique storytelling style, and the introduction to completely new characters for half of the entire book! You either love that or hate it… or begrudgingly love it by the end because the payoff is more than satisfying! 
Missed our Shield of Sparrows Recap? Watch it here https://youtu.be/Zq5SB3g-yT4?si=QZQjskGa8q4HB8_J

Shield of Sparrows LIVE Book Club Discussion | https://www.youtube.com/live/iMUSO75MiIE?si=L_5EicK5LAUP6RUe
Today we’re bringing you our spoiler-free reviews and recommendations before we move into all the spoiler-y details including (but not limited to) our “Five Sentence” Plot Summary, notable characters, monsters, places, lore, and Easter eggs. And our usuals like favorite and least favorite parts, characters, and tropes, reviews, audiobook tea, and unanswered questions. Because what DO we know?! That book three will be released on March 9th of next year, and we’re coming to the party prepared! 
Check out our deep dive AND Book Talk Live coverage of Shield of Sparrows and our ongoing Fable chats for both books if you need a refresher, are trying to decide if this series is for you, or even if you just need someone to scream at once you put the pieces together! We’re here for you. And trust us, you’ll need this support group, just like Odessa could probably use one right about now. 😬
We’re bringing you all of this, plus a weekly fave and fail current NON-Pod reads, and an entirely Rites of the Starling themed 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.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 a Throne of Glass “To Whatever End” tee from @TheBeanWorkshop (use our affiliate code “BOOKBESTIES10”)  | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10 
Liz is wearing a “Good Girls Love Smut” Sweatshirt from a now closed bookish shop.
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

Send us Fan Mail
So what happened in Shield of Sparrows? Well, we will tell ya! We’re not sure about you, but we know that when we love a book… like five star love… infinity star obsession-level love… we forget absolutely everything that happened. It’s a black out phenomenon that cannot be explained. Which is exactly what we both experienced last year when we read Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry for the first time. Go check out our live Besties & the Book Club playback (linked below) and our ongoing Fable chats for even more SOS content!
So here we are almost a year later after a full reread, and this time we’re prepared! Because we want to help all of you recap this amazing book in preparation for our deep dive into the second installment (out now!) Rites of the Starling, which drops in just one week! And eventually we’ll need to look back when book three comes out next year… boy are these NOT the books to go into without thorough recaps!
Today we’ll give our spoiler free star and spice ratings and then get into a full spoiler-y recap, notable characters, creatures, places, lore, and Easter eggs so you have an easy go-to guide to prepare. Then of course we dive into tropes, characters, reviews, the audiobook, and even fancasting! Because, why not? It’s becoming a movie after all! 
We’re bringing you all of this, plus a weekly fave and fail and a bear related 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.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? ⬇️
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 tye dye Skelton Peace Sign Hoodie from @Etsy | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/3rhwa/
Liz is wearing a light grey “WIFE”? sweater
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