Podcasts by Books That Burn

Reflections on ”Singularity” by William Sleator from 2023-11-20T04:00

To tide you over between regular episodes, Robin reads their blog post from July 2022 with thoughts on the book "Singularity". You can find Listen

Highlight 25: A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney from 2023-01-30T04:00

This month we’re discussing “A Blade So Black” by L.L. McKinney, the first book in the NightmareVerse trilogy, retelling Alice...

Stand-Alone 25: The Storyteller’s Daughter by Cameron Dokey from 2022-12-26T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Storyteller’s Daughter” by Cameron Dokey, a retelling of the Arabian Nights.

• Listen

Highlight 24: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender from 2022-12-12T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Queen of the Conquered” by Kacen Callender, the first book in the Islands of Blood and Storm ...

Stand-Alone 24: Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li from 2022-11-28T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li, a thriller where five young Chinese Americans are hired ...

Highlight 23: Sassinak by Elizabeth Moon and Anne McCaffrey from 2022-11-14T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Sassinak” by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon. This covers several decades of the protagonis...

Stand-Alone 23: Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente from 2022-10-31T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Radiance” by Catherynne M. Valente. Set in an alternate version of the 1920's where the plane...

Stand-Alone 22: Fledgling by Octavia Butler from 2022-10-17T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing the vampire novel, “Fledgling”, by Octavia Butler.

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Highlight 22: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir from 2022-09-26T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Gideon The Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, a book best described as "lesbian necromancers in space". W...

Highlight 21: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn from 2022-09-12T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn. Unusually for us, we have just one main topic where we discuss ho...

Stand-Alone 21: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller from 2022-08-01T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Song of Achillles” by Madeline Miller, a retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus...

Highlight 20: The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline from 2022-07-04T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline. This is speculative fiction so good it made Robin ret...

Stand-Alone 20: “The Atrocities” by Jeremy C. Shipp from 2022-06-06T10:00

This fortnight we’re discussing the horror novella “The Atrocities” by Jeremy C. Shipp.

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Highlight 19: Scavenge The Stars by Tara Sim from 2022-05-02T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Scavenge The Stars" by Tara Sim. This is the first half of a duology retelling "The Count of ...

Stand-Alone 19: The Forever War - Joe Haldeman from 2022-04-18T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Forever War” by Joe Haldeman.

• Listen

Highlight 18: Jade City - Fonda Lee from 2022-04-04T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Jade City” by Fonda Lee, the first book in the Green Bone Saga.

• Listen

Stand-Alone 18: Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace from 2022-03-21T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Firebreak” by Nicole Kornher-Stace. If you enjoyed this you should check out “Archivist Wasp” and “Latchkey” (in that order), since they’re part of the same univ...

Highlight 17: Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu from 2022-03-07T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Batman: Nightwalker” by Marie Lu. This is part of the DC Icons series, where each book is written by a different author.

We discussed this Batman novel as...

Stand-Alone 17: Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas from 2022-02-21T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas. Yadriel gets a bit more than he was expecting when he summons the wrong ghost.

• Listen

Highlight 16: River of Teeth - Sarah Gailey from 2022-02-07T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “River of Teeth” by Sarah Gailey. If this sounds interesting then we recommend reading it in the omnibus collection “American Hippo” which includes this novella, ...

Highlight 16: River of Teeth - Sarah Gailey from 2022-02-07T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “River of Teeth” by Sarah Gailey. If this sounds interesting then we recommend reading it in the omnibus collection “American Hippo” which includes this novella, ...

Highlight 15: Assassin’s Apprentice - Robin Hobb from 2022-01-24T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Assassin's Apprentice” by Robin Hobb. This is the first book in "The Farseer Trilogy" which is itself part of the "Realm of the Elderlings", a connected set of s...

Highlight 14: Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao from 2022-01-10T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “IRON WIDOW” by Xiran Jay Zhao. This is book one of a planned series.

Wu Zetian wants to assassinate her sister's murderer, but finds herself in a string o...

Interview 8: Seanan McGuire, Part 1 of 2 from 2022-01-07T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Seanan McGuire discussing several of her books, "Into The Drowning Deep", "Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day", "Middlegame", the Toby...

Series 9, Episode 3: Wayward Witch - Zoraida Córdova from 2021-12-27T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Wayward Witch” by Zoraida Córdova. Heather joins us once again to wrap up the excellent Brooklyn Brujas trilogy.

• TITLE: Wayward Witch
• AUTH...
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Series 9, Episode 2: Bruja Born - Zoraida Córdova from 2021-12-13T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Bruja Born” by Zoraida Córdova, the second book in the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy. Heather joins us again on this episode!

TITLE: Bruja Born AUTHOR: Zoraida...

Series 9, Episode 1: Labyrinth Lost - Zoraida Córdova from 2021-11-29T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Labyrinth Lost” by Zoraida Córdova, book one of the Brooklyn Brujas series.

TITLE: Labyrinth Lost AUTHOR: Zoraida Córdova PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire Y...

Highlight 13: Graceling - Kristin Cashore from 2021-11-15T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “GRACELING” by Kristin Cashore. This is the first book of the YA fantasy series, Graceling Realm.

TITLE: Graceling AUTHOR: Kristin Cashore PUBLISHER: Hough...

Stand-Alone 16: Thirsty - M.T. Anderson from 2021-11-01T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Thirsty” by M.T. Anderson.

In THIRSTY, everyone sucks. Suddenly learning you're a vampire doomed to brief madness before death or (best case scenario) a ...

Highlight 12: Unwind - Neal Shusterman from 2021-10-18T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman. This is book one of the Unwind Dystology. Robin has been reading Shusterman's work since they were a kid and this was a new one for t...

Interview 7: Kevin Klehr, Part 1 of 2 from 2021-10-15T01:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Kevin Klehr discussing three of his books, "Social Media Central", "Midnight Angel", and "Winter Masquerade". Timestamps are ma...

Stand-Alone 15: Early Departures - Justin A. Reynolds from 2021-10-04T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Early Departures” by Justin A Reynolds. We discuss a toxic relationship, abandonment, and death in this YA sci-fi novel about grief, loss, and second chances. Ro...

Highlight 11: Shadow Rising - Robert Jordan from 2021-09-20T04:00

This fortnight Nicole is discussing “Shadow Rising” by Robert Jordan, the fourth book in The Wheel of Time with our transcriptionist and fellow WOT fan, Heather.

Book TW for physical ass...

Stand-Alone 14: Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson from 2021-09-06T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson, many people's first shockingly sad childhood book.

TITLE: Bridge to Terabithia AUTHOR: Katherine Paterson PUB...

Highlight 10: Not Your Sidekick - C.B. Lee from 2021-08-23T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Not Your Sidekick” by C.B. Lee, the first book of the series "Sidekick Squad". The fourth book, "Not Your Hero" comes out at the end of August 2021.

TITLE...

Stand-Alone 13: The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea - Maggie Tokuda-Hall from 2021-08-09T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “THE MERMAID, THE WITCH, AND THE SEA” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, a young adult fantasy novel set on the islands and high seas.

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Highlight 9: Soul of the Fire - Terry Goodkind from 2021-07-26T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Soul of the Fire” by Terry Goodkind. This is the fifth book in the series, "The Sword of Truth". Sometimes we discuss a book neither of us could stand and one of...

Stand-Alone 12: The Midnight Bargain - C.L. Polk from 2021-07-12T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Midnight Bargain” by C.L. Polk. This book does for discussions of sexism in a magical aristocratic setting what the The Kingston Cycle does for classism in t...

Highlight 8: Black Sun - Rebecca Roanhorse from 2021-06-28T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Black Sun” by Rebecca Roanhorse, the first book of the series "Between Earth and Sky". As of the time of recording only "Black Sun" was published".

TITLE:...

Interview 6: Sara Codair, Part 1 of 2 from 2021-06-18T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Sara Codair, discussing three books from their urban fantasy series "The Evanstar Chronicles", specifically the books, "Life Mi...

Stand-Alone 11: Under the Pendulum Sun - Jeannette Ng from 2021-06-14T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Under the Pendulum Sun” by Jeannette Ng, with special guest Dare! You can find them on Twitter, or Listen

Highlight 6: The Cat Who Sniffed Glue - Lilian Jackson Braun from 2021-05-03T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Cat Who Sniffed Glue”, part of the Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. We're joined by special guest Dare. You can Listen

Stand-Alone 9: Beneath The Citadel - Destiny Soria from 2021-04-19T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Beneath The Citadel” by Destiny Soria. We're joined by Christian from The Lazy Gringo Podcast. 

Book TW fo...

Stand-Alone 8: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle from 2021-04-01T04:00

We have a fun episode for you this time! We're joined by Andrea for a special discussion of one of our favorite kidlit books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Episode TW for possible d...

Interview 5: JP Jackson, Part 1 of 2 from 2021-03-26T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author JP Jackson, discussing his books, "Daimonion" and "Magic or Die". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. from 2021-02-08T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Daja's Book” by Tamora Pierce. This is the third book in The Circle of Magic quartet, part of the Emelan series. This series features four main characters and th...

Highlight 5: Ender's Game/Shadow - Orson Scott Card from 2021-01-25T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Ender's Game" and "Ender's Shadow” by Orson Scott Card. These books cover approximately the same span of time and most of the same characters as each other. We f...

Stand-Alone 7: The Raven Tower - Ann Leckie from 2021-01-11T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Raven Tower” by Ann Leckie, with special guest Andrew of Bea Nostalgic. 

Book TW for brief transphobia,...

Interview 4: Aurora Lee Thornton, Part 1 of 2 from 2021-01-01T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free portion of our interview with author Aurora Lee Thornton, discussing xyr book, "All or None". Timestamps are marked for the interview questions.

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Series 7, Episode 3: Destiny - Elizabeth Haydon from 2020-12-28T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Destiny: Child of Sky” by Elizabeth Haydon.

Book CW for violence, murder, massacre, cannibalism, death of a child, discussion of sexual assault, sexual as...

Series 7, Episode 2: Prophecy - Elizabeth Haydon from 2020-12-14T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Prophecy: Child of Earth” by Elizabeth Haydon. 

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Trailer - Author Interviews 1 from 2020-12-03T09:00

Please enjoy the trailer for our first seven author interviews! 

If you'd like to receive part two of each interview as they're released, you can support us on Unintelligible Design. The...

Bonus; Patron Series A, Episode 1: The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan from 2020-11-02T04:00

Hello Patrons and welcome to the first ever Patron-only bonus episode! Well, that was the plan, anyway. This will actually go out to everyone because it's debuting in place of a regularly schedu...

Stand-Alone 6: NOS4A2 - Joe Hill from 2020-10-19T04:00

This fortnight we’re dipping into horror with a discussion of “NOS4A2” by Joe Hill. Nicole read just part of this and Robin made it through the whole thing (but it took a month). 

Book TW...

Bonus: One Year Anniversary from 2020-10-07T04:00

Hello everyone! We've been doing this podcast thing for a year, so we sat down with a special guest, our brother David, to talk about how our first year as podcasters has gone. CW for occasiona...

Series 6, Episode 4: Extras - Scott Westerfeld from 2020-10-05T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Extras” by Scott Westerfeld. 

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Series 6, Episode 3: Specials - Scott Westerfeld from 2020-09-21T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Specials”, book three of the Uglies Quartet by Scott Westerfeld. 

Book CWs for ableism, discussion of eating disorders, major character death. TW for self...

Interview 3: Hannah Abigail Clarke, Part 1 of 2 (August Clarke) from 2020-09-15T04:00

*This interview was conducted in mid-2020. As of late 2022 this author's name is August Clarke, you may find future publicatio...

Series 6, Episode 2: Pretties - Scott Westerfeld from 2020-09-07T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Pretties” by  Scott Westerfeld. 

Book CW for for discussion of eating disorders, self-harm. 

Topic 1:  Zane - Brain damage, headaches/migraines. Be...

Series 6, Episode 1: Uglies - Scott Westerfeld from 2020-08-24T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld, the first book in the Uglies Quartet (shout-out to anyone who remembers when this was officially a trilogy). 

Topic 1: David ...

Highlight 3: Virtual Vandals - Diane Duane from 2020-08-10T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Virtual Vandals” by Diane Duane. This is book one of the series "Tom Clancy's Net Force Explorers". 

Topic 1: Stunted emotional growth. Begins at (1:30), ...

Interview 2: Shaina Krevat, Part 1 of 2 from 2020-07-31T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free (or at least spoiler-light) portion of our interview with author Shaina Krevat. Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. 

Introductions (0:00)

Stand-Alone 5: Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds from 2020-07-27T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. Robin has been looking forward to this episode all year, ever since it was recommended to them by a very helpful librarian when...

Discussion 1: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling from 2020-07-14T04:00

Welcome to our first discussion episode, the topic is J. K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. Please read the CWs in the show notes below before proceeding with the episode. Take care of your...

Series 5, Episode 3: The Kingdom of Gods - N. K. Jemisin from 2020-07-13T04:00

This fortnight we’re discussing “The Kingdom of Gods”, book three of The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. 

Topic 1: Kahl - Abandonment. Begins at (0:50), CW for abandonment. 

...

Series 5, Episode 2: The Broken Kingdoms - N. K. Jemisin from 2020-06-29T04:00

This fortnight we're discussing "The Broken Kingdoms", book two of "The Inheritance Trilogy" by N. K. Jemisin. 

Book TW for body horror, massacre, genocide. 

Topic 1: Shiny - Suici...

Series 5, Episode 1: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - N. K. Jemisin from 2020-06-15T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms”, book one of "The Inheritance Trilogy" by N. K. Jemisin. 

Topic 1: Enslavement and Constraint. Begins at (1:30), CW for enslave...

Interview 1: M. D. Neu, Part 1 of 2 from 2020-06-12T04:00

Please enjoy the spoiler-free (or at least spoiler-light) portion of our interview with author M. D. Neu. Timestamps are marked for the interview questions. 

• Introductions (0:10)  Listen

Highlight 2: Salamandastron - Brian Jacques from 2020-06-01T04:00

This fortnight we bring you our discussion of "Salamandastron", our highlight episode from the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques. 

*Book TW for viral outbreak and quarantine, with fever. ...

Stand-Alone 4: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert A. Heinlein from 2020-05-18T04:00

This fortnight we bring you our discussion of "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", a stand-alone book by Robert A. Heinlein. 

*A brief vocabulary note: The term "Loonies" is used throughout th...

Series 4, Episode 3: Oath of Gold - Elizabeth Moon from 2020-05-04T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “Oath of Gold”, book three of "The Deed Of Paksenarrion" trilogy by Elizabeth Moon. 

Topic 1: Duke Phelan - Loss of Identity. Begins at (0:50), CW for loss of ...

Series 4, Episode 2: Divided Allegiance - Elizabeth Moon from 2020-04-20T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “Divided Allegiance”, book two of "The Deed Of Paksenarrion" trilogy by Elizabeth Moon. 

Topic 1: Socks - Physical abuse. Begins at (0:50), CW for animal abuse...

Trailer - Everything Is Awesome Podcast from 2020-04-15T18:00

Robin was a guest on the Everything Is Awesome podcast hosted by Jeff Richardson. Please enjoy this promo for the new season, with a teaser of Ro...

Series 4, Episode 1: The Sheepfarmer's Daughter - Elizabeth Moon from 2020-04-06T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “The Sheepfarmer's Daughter”, book one of "The Deed Of Paksenarrion" trilogy by Elizabeth Moon. 

Topic 1: Cal - Torture and Castration. Begins at (1:30), CW fo...

Highlight 1: The Hork-Bajir Chronicles - K. A. Applegate (Updated) from 2020-03-23T04:00

This fortnight we bring you our discussion of "Hork Bajir Chronicles", our highlight episode from the "Animorphs" series by K. A. Applegate. 

(This episode has been updated to fix a compi...

Stand-Alone 3: In Fury Born - David Weber from 2020-03-09T04:00

This fortnight we bring you our discussion of "In Fury Born", a stand-alone book by David Weber. You may know the second half of this book as "Path of the Fury". "In Fury Born" adds a book-lengt...

Series 3, Episode 3: Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins from 2020-02-24T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “Mockingjay”, book three of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. 

Topic 1: Peta - Gaslighting. Begins at (0:50), CW for descriptions of chemical gaslig...

Series 3, Episode 2: Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins from 2020-02-10T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “Catching Fire”, book two of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. 

Topic 1: Cinna. Begins at (0:50), CW for physical violence. 

Topic 2: Katniss...

Series 3, Episode 1: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins from 2020-01-27T04:00

This fortnight we bring you “The Hunger Games”, book one of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. 

Topic 1: Katniss’s mother - Widowhood and depression. Begins at (0:50), CW for ab...

Stand-Alone 2: Coraline - Neil Gaiman from 2020-01-13T04:00

This fortnight we bring you our discussion of "Coraline", a stand-alone book by Neil Gaiman. 

Topic 1: Ghost Children. Begins at (0:50), CW for theft of self, kidnapping, theft of identit...

Series 2, Episode 3: The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman from 2019-12-30T04:00

This fortnight we bring you The Amber Spyglass, the conclusion of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. 

Topic 1: Pantalaimon and Kirjava. Begins at (0:50), CW for abandonment...

Series 2, Episode 2: The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman from 2019-12-16T04:00

This fortnight we bring you The Subtle Knife, book two of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. 

Topic 1: Ghost Children. Begins at (0:50), CW for warzone, death, parental aba...

Series 2, Episode 1: The Golden Compass (Northern Lights) - Philip Pullman from 2019-12-02T04:00

This fortnight we bring you the first episode of a series as we discuss The Golden Compass, book one of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. 

*This book was originally publis...

Stand-Alone 1: The Supernaturalist - Eoin Colfer from 2019-11-18T04:05

Our episode this fortnight is about the book "The Supernaturalist", a stand-alone book by Eoin Colfer. 

Topic 1: Ziplock, slavery. Begins at (1:30); CW for physical abuse, emotional abuse...

Series 1, Minisode 1: Mogget in The Old Kingdom from 2019-11-18T04:00

Our full episode of Goldenhand had a missing segment due to some audio issues, here we present to you a re-recorded version of that discussion. We took the opportunity to have a more in-depth co...

Series 1, Episode 5: Goldenhand - Garth Nix from 2019-11-04T05:00

Our fifth episode is about the book Goldenhand, book five in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. 

[Topic 1: Mogget, free will. No audio for the minor character spotlight this week, due ...

Series 1, Episode 4: Clariel - Garth Nix from 2019-10-21T04:00

Our fourth episode is about the book Clariel, book four in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. The story is set before Sabriel, but it should be read as book four because the narration speaks o...

Series 1, Episode 3: Abhorsen - Garth Nix from 2019-10-06T22:10

Our third episode is about the book Abhorsen, book three in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. 

Topic 1: Nick and kidnapping/gaslighting. Begins at (0:55), CW for death, violence, ment...

Series 1, Episode 2: Lirael - Garth Nix from 2019-10-06T22:05

Our second episode is about the book Lirael, book two in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. 

Topic 1: Mr. Cochrane and dealing with existential horror. Begins at (0:45), CW for death, ...

Series 1, Episode 1: Sabriel - Garth Nix from 2019-10-06T22:00

Our first episode is about the book Sabriel, book one in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. 

Topic 1: Touchstone's PTSD and loss. Begins at (1:30), CW for loss (family, culture, identi...

Trailer - Books That Burn from 2019-10-06T21:00

Hello and welcome to Books That Burn, the fortnightly book review podcast discussing fictional depictions of trauma in a low stress and minimal cw/tw manner. 

Our