We're having some fun this weekend captioning...this guy.  Cora says he has strong opinions about pickleball and calls himself a political moderate.  Kira says he just told a chambermaid to smile.  Want to join in the fun? Come on over:  https://bit.ly/CTCgit

It's time for the 2nd Quarter Pop Culture Report with Kayleigh Donaldson! @ceilidhann.bsky.social  We talk a LOT about fandom, and fan behavior - and why the algorithm is creating really unhinged fan choices.  Listen where you get your shows, or right here: https://bit.ly/726Q2PopCulture

Kirsty Greenwood's new book Romantic Hero is adorable and emotional and gave me a lot to think about in terms of cultural differences between the UK and the US.  Have you noticed the Poppy/Squeaky Dichotomy?  Find our episode where you get your shows, or listen here: https://bit.ly/725RomanticHero

Oh, yay, it's a "heat dome," which always makes me think of Thunderdome instead.  If you're in the Thunderdome and you're on SSRIs, SNRIs, heart meds, or stimulants, please be careful! Your medication can make you very sensitive to the heat.

The May 1996 issue is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Please join us as we dive into the ads and features! https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/06/the-may-1996-romantic-times-covers-are-glorious/

For @romancingthevote.com this year I am donating a The Reader cross stitched tarot card, framed and ready for display in your fine library or wherever you like.

How does Ashley Poston @ashleyposton.bsky.social  use magic in her books? Find this episode wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us on YT: https://youtu.be/uCwm9K8EvBI

My guest this week is Ashley Poston, @ashleyposton.bsky.social  whose new book The Someday Garden is out this week! How did The Secret Garden influence The Someday Garden?  Find us wherever you get your podcasts, or watch here on YT https://youtu.be/uCwm9K8EvBI "Home is where you first bloomed."

How do you approach a series? Do you read each new release as they come out or wait until the series is complete? https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/06/read-them-all-now-or-wait/

My ticket to get in:

Y'all I am at the Heated Rivalry Parody Musical a f there are so many older-than-me couples here waiting. Plaid short sleeve button downs and white socks with sandals is what I'm talking about here. Rozanov jersey count: 2 Sorry, 3. Hollander jerseys:2 This audience is going to be OUTSTANDING.

So, uh, question: would you order one of these? I haven't trademarked it yet 😂

Have you read Platform Decay by Martha Wells @marthawells.com ? Want to take a deep spoilery dive?  Martha Wells is my guest this week! It's tremendous fun.  In this clip: so many creative people create an adaptation.  Listen here or where you get your tasty shows: https://bit.ly/721MarthaWells

My guest this week: Martha Wells @marthawells.com  author of The Murderbot Diaries! ALERT: VERY SPOILERY EPISODE. We take a deep dive into the latest, Platform Decay, and talked about the tv adaptation.  Listen here, or wherever you get your shows! https://bit.ly/721MarthaWells

@dieworkwear.bsky.social I was watching the @pbs.org documentary on W. E. B. Du Bois and felt compelled to share this suit with you.

Amanda and I are discussing what we're reading, what we're looking forward to, and what trends we've spotted.  In this clip: Amanda has Some Thoughts about the "cozy" label and how it's being used. Find us where you get your shows, on YouTube, or listen here: https://bit.ly/719Tropetails

Tomorrow, we're recapping the new releases from December 2012 from Romantic Times Magazine.  Here's a sneak preview of my theological and cultural questions about immortal viking vampire Navy SEALs.  Find us wherever you get your podcasts!

Well @thacalebdume.bsky.social I regret to inform you that these are Not Good. I was expecting cheese flavor w Old Bay. It's a plain goldfish cracker with Old Bay. So it's crunchy Old Bay but not nearly enough? I had expected better.

Have you started reading Archangel's Eternity? Nalini Singh is my guest this week to talk about bringing the Guild Hunter series to an end and what words are rarely, if ever, in her books.  Find us where you get your podcasts, or watch here: https://youtu.be/NqpzAIAWMaQ?si=vOlUA1sl-MhnRDLd

Why does reality tv thrive in the age of TikTok and IG? In this clip, Ilana Masad explains how the gig economy, faux-thenticity, and quantum mechanics are connected - and why reality tv is a second stage for TikTok and IG influencers.   Listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/AlltheReasons

I was a guest on Reading Smut with Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara talking about classic & foundational romances - it was VERY FUN. In this video: I quote Dr. Chuck Tingle @chucktingle.bsky.social  because he was right about books that make you feel things.  Listen here: https://bit.ly/ReadingSmutSW

I was a guest on Reading Smut with Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara talking about classic and foundational romances, and how the genre has evolved. In this video: romance is our literary inheritance! We are all connected to each other through books. Listen here: https://bit.ly/ReadingSmutSW

If you were holding your breath and/or crying about Artemis II safely splashing down, this week's episode is for you. Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, author of The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie.  @chanda.blacksky.app  SPACE IS VERY COOL, Y'ALL.

Alisha Rai is my guest this week to talk about her new book, Enemies to Lovers! One of my listeners just told me this episode was a balm to her soul, and she was only 15 minutes in. 💝 In this clip: parentification! Alisha wrote a book about it. Find the full episode: https://bit.ly/713AlishaRai

Introducing Smart Bitch Magazine! Some things you can only do in print, like review every romance published each month Each issue will feature the latest news, plus advice on fashion, beauty, book sleuthing, career mapping, investment opportunities, travel, and food! smartbitchestrashybooks.com

Romance author Sandra Hill passed away on 26 March, surrounded by loved ones. She was 86 years old. Hill was a treasure, dependable for a truly off the walls reading experience with campy, fun, and often endearing characters. https://tinyurl.com/422w8ubr

IT'S SHINGLES PART DEUX TIME! Let's see how it goes. I've blocked off tomorrow as much as I can, but I'm ready to feel like total ass. Protection against shingles and possibly dementia? WORTH IT.