Latest Episodes

070. Consensual Non-Monogamy in Romance Novels - Shelf Love x Monogamish

Nov 28, 2020

Jhen, host of the Monogamish Podcast, drops in to discuss consensual non-monogamy aka polyamory in popular romance. We discuss Harbor by Rebekah Weatherspoon and Neighborly by Katrina Jackson.

069. Scarlett Peckham and the Problematic House Party

Nov 21, 2020

Scarlett Peckham, professional writer of alpha heroines, joins me to discuss her problematic favorite trope: house parties! Forced Proximity! Lunch hampers! Bed hopping! Both everything and nothing is riding on who marries whom! And of course, capitalism, imperialism, and labor exploitation. Womp womp - don't worry, they kiss at the end.

068. Happily Ever Existential Dread

Nov 14, 2020

Guest: Dr. Danielle Knafo, a clinical psychologist who studies fantasy, perversion, sexuality, and gender. In this episode, we discuss questions like, is it harmful to start reading romance novels too young? Why might someone fantasize about things that are undesirable in real life? What's the deal with sadomasochism? Am I become a joyless hag who's sucking all the fun out of romance novels by trying to critically understand problematic faves? Is the Happily Ever After really just a way for us humans to deal with existential dread?

067. Everyday Black Magic

Oct 31, 2020

Dr. Maria DeBlassie joins me to discuss three contemporary romance novels that explore everyday, practical magic with Black heroines: Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon, A Taste of Her Own Medicine by Tasha L. Harrison, and Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. Maria shares her experience as a practitioner of Brujeria, and explains how everyone can manifest some everyday magic.

Latest Posts

Romancelandia Holiday Fairies 2020

Dec 3, 2020

A way for the Romancelandia community to support anyone in the community who could use help with purchasing gifts for themselves or loved ones this holiday season, 2020.

Scarily Ever After: Halloween Romance Novels

Dec 3, 2020

A curated list of spooky-ish romances that you might enjoy, all with happily ever afters. Even ghosts and witches deserve love.

Romance Nerd Reading List

Dec 3, 2020

Hello romance nerds! I'm going to keep a running list of romance research that I'm reading with high-level notes - hope you find it helpful.

Transcripts! Every Episode You Can Read

Dec 3, 2020

Although podcasting's primary form is in audio, I believe the information on Shelf Love should be available for all. Podcasts don't work for everyone, for lots of reasons, so my goal is to create transcripts for every episode. Here's which episodes have transcripts, and where you can find them.

Bookstore Romance Day 2020 Q&A with Copper Dog Books' Julie Karaganis

Dec 3, 2020

I'm proud to collaborate with my local independent bookstore, Copper Dog Books, for Bookstore Romance Day 2020. I virtually sat down with co-owner - and resident romance fan - Julie Karaganis to discuss why and how Copper Dog Books is welcoming romance readers.

Reviews

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Enjoyed it!
  I just started getting back into listening to podcasts and Shelf Love is definitely one I'm looking forward to hear some more of! The host is wonderful and does a great job! Worth every minute!
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Smart sexy fun
  Shelf Love is both the most interesting and thoughtful podcast devoted to the romance genre and one of the best book podcasts out there bar none. Host Andrea Martucci is great --intellectually curious, enthusiastic and open--but she really excels at choosing her guests and letting them run with their area of expertise. Highly, highly recommend.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A great listen
  I love reading romance but don't have many people to discuss these books with. The podcast does a great job of directly addressing how novels engage with the 'isms (racism etc) and discussing the characters and writing.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Amazing and insightful
  One of the most insightful romance review podcasts I've ever come across.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐One of my fave romance podcasts
  This is a great listen. I love the conversation that Andrea has with her guests about the books and how they reflect different parts of the genre AND how they relate to real life.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Engaging, thoughtful interviews
  I love how this podcast is thinking about romance - fantastic range of interviews and topics.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Worth Every Second!
  So smart and funny. I love the host. Can't wait to read all the upcoming books and contribute to the conversation.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Such a delight!
  These ladies have such a great rapport and clearly have a lot of love for each other, their subject matter and books in general. For fans of "Smart Podcast, Trashy Books" and "Heaving Bosoms" podcasts, and romance in general.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Another Romance Podcast? Yes!
  I didn't think I needed to add another romance podcast to the array of excellent ones I already subscribe to. Turns out I was wrong. Get it!
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Fascinating dive into the unknown
  As a non-romance book reader I was skeptical at first, but found the podcast totally engrossing. Well researched, well recorded, well produced, and completely entertaining. The guests are smart, funny and bring different perspectives helping to keep the format fresh. Even as a person with little interest in Romance Literature this has earned a subscription.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Love for Shelf Love
  I'm an avid romance reader and somehow have not managed to listen to any romance related podcasts. Shelf love is my first and fast became my favorite. Andrea Martucci (the host) has funny, thought provoking and all around good discussions on a particular novel...I love that Andrea sources from the listeners too via insta, Twitter, and email. Give it a listen. Oh and you might find that you talk and laugh along with the podcast like I do.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Smart, funny, and sincere
  Andrea and her guests' love for romance novels is infectious. I don't read them, but now I want to! Whereas some people despair that they have to turn off their feminism when they turn on the TV, this podcast shows how the pleasures of genre fiction can harmonize with the pleasures (or should I say "turn ons") of criticism.