Welcome to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books! Each Friday, I talk with authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, publishing professionals, editors, and librarians, or combinations thereof, and share the fun and mayhem with you. Frequent topics include romance fiction, the brilliant and interesting people who read, write, and produce it, and issues common among romance readers, along with a hefty side order of silliness. Plus, we always recommend some books we’re reading and really enjoying.
And speaking of recommendations, are you new to the podcast? Welcome!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, fear not: here are some of our most popular episodes – so far!
Amanda and I are back! We’re chatting about dubious coverage of romance around Valentine’s day – and the outstanding article that Amanda was quoted in that appeared on Forbes.com, written by Rachel Kramer Bussel. Then we answer a reader recommendation letter from Kate, who is looking for snowed in romances! Plus food, video games, and a typical number of breakthroughs. … Bonus bonus woot woot! Stay tuned after this episode for a fantastic and rather … Continue reading 443. Snowed In Romance Recs with Amanda & Sarah→
Erin Galloway and I are talking about some of the books that are coming out this year from Berkley. We’ve got competency p0rn romances, bodyguards protecting brilliant women, and hilarious mysteries – plus we take a side trip into illustrated cover art and how the appearance of romance changes. We apologize in advance for the damage to your TBR! … Don’t miss our new podcast after party with Amanda and me on Stereo.com/SmartBitches! Tuesdays at … Continue reading 442. A 2021 Books Preview with Erin Galloway from Berkley→
It’s a special, extended length episode: Amanda and I are joined by Melody and Erin from the incredibly delightful podcast Heaving Bosoms! I guested on their show and they joined us to return the favor. We read Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett, and we had a LOT to talk about. Spoilers abound! But with forked tongued aliens sporting aphrodisiac venom fangs and gold body armor crash landing on a toxic sex gas planet, that’s not … Continue reading 441. Bosoms and Bitches: A NSFW Discussion of Toxic Desire→
I have been so excited to share this interview. Devon Price is the author of Laziness Does Not Exist, which outlines the three main ways in which “the Laziness Lie” deceives us into denying ourselves rest and care. As I said in my review, this is a book with something for everyone: it addresses historical roots of laziness lie in colonialism and capitalism, and looks at productivity myths, diet culture, gender and sexuality, activism fatigue, … Continue reading 440: Laziness Does Not Exist with Dr. Devon Price→
Shana, Claudia, and Carrie, gather to talk books, re-reading, knitting, comfort reading, switching genres, books set in California, figuring out what books are five star reads, and the different ways to be kickass. Happy New Year, and thanks for listening!
We are still gathering in groups across many time zones to say goodbye to 2020, and to look back at the books, shows, and other essentials that got us through 2020. Bad internet in South Africa got in the way of Lara joining us, but she sent a question for Amanda, Kiki, and me to answer. We talk about nonfiction that made us cry-laugh, audiobooks, TikTok, puzzles, and Cyberpunk clothing glitches. Side trips include depression, … Continue reading 438. Later, 2020! With Kiki and Amanda→
The SBTB team is still gathering in groups across many time zones to say goodbye to 2020, and to look back at the books, shows, and other essentials that got us through 2020. In this episode, Catherine Heloise joins us from Melbourne Australia, Sneezy is in Taiwan, and Maya is in California, and we’re going to cover books, movies, and manga we loved, our favorite tropes, a little bit of discussion on social anxiety, and … Continue reading 437. Farewell 2020 With Catherine Heloise, Sneezy and Maya→
The SBTB team is gathering in groups across many time zones to look back at the books, shows, and other essentials that got us through 2020, and to look ahead to 2021. Everyone brings a question to ask, so in this episode, Ellen, Elyse, Tara, and I talk books, Quarantimes, zoom exhaustion, and coping methods – and I stumble upon a potential new, unexplored fanfic. … Looking for a new podcast to try? May I … Continue reading 436. Saying Goodbye to 2020 With Ellen, Elyse, and Tara!→
We are talking fashion today! My guest today is Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, fashion historian, person behind the @WornOnThisDay Twitter account, and author of the new book The Way We Wed. In her book, she looks at the history of wedding fashion, and at the clothing history of the people surrounding marrying couple. We also talk about why some clothing and the fascination with clothing endures, and what changes the Quarantimes will create for fashion, clothing, and … Continue reading 435. Fashion, History, and Romance with Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell→
My guest today is Reese Ryan, YouTube host and author of the new book, Second Chance on Cypress Lane. We talk about her book, the levels of food p0rn found inside, and about her career – she released four books in 2020! FOUR! Her books for Harlequin Desire have some gorgeous covers, and her stories have delicious themes across several genres. It’s a really fun conversation. … Music: purple-planet.com
Amanda and I are talking with VE Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, a book we both enjoyed tremendously. We talk about the 10-year process of writing it and the power of telling an immortality tale about a person who walks through history as a woman. We touch on queerness, achievement, erasure, representation, and also discuss death, loneliness, grief and immortality. About halfway through we take a deep dive into death rituals … Continue reading 433. Life, Death, Memory, and Immortality: A Conversation with VE Schwab→
