Shelf Love

  • 047. Rose Lerner Double Header with Shelf Lovely Jess

    Jun 16, 2020

    Jess, my guest, is Shelf Love's first and most prolific listener contributor, and minted the term Shelf Lovelies, so she's basically a legend around here. We normally choose one book to discuss per episode, but we couldn't decide between Rose Lerner's novel Listen to the Moon and her novella All or Nothing, so we decided to do a double-header episode. Between these two historical romances, we explore topics ranging from feeling out a polyamorous marriage, adulting and boundaries, daddy issues, Jewishness, and the big question: does it violate the laws of escapist reading to read about servants in a time period where there is so much manual labor involved? There is so much dusting, and it's somehow still so good!

  • 046. A Conspiracy of Whispers by Ada Harper with Bree (from Kit Rocha)

    Jun 9, 2020

    Bree, half of the romance writing duo Kit Rocha, is my guest! She shares her thoughts on why romance novels are all about power and if now is a good time to read dystopian fiction. We discuss A Conspiracy of Whispers by Ada Harper, a romance with intriguing world building, a discussion of gender roles told through genetically modified dispositions, and a wary heroine who learns how to use her broken pieces to stab her enemies.

  • 045. History in Romance with Katrina Jackson, Rebekah Weatherspoon, Felicia Grossman

    Jun 2, 2020

    History in Romance with Rebekah Weatherspoon, Katrina Jackson, and Felicia Grossman. Stay safe, stay mad, and keep reading romance.

  • 044. Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles with EE Ottoman

    May 26, 2020

    EE Ottoman, romance author, is my guest! He shares his thoughts on men writing romance, what sexy, fun fantasy can look like when writing trans characters, and writing queerness in a historical setting. The romance worth reading that we discuss is Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles, which is a fun Victorian romp with jewel thieves, baddies who get their comeuppance, and a beautiful love story between two men who also experience personal growth along the way.

  • 043. Fantasy in Romance

    May 23, 2020

    Fantasy in romance with romance novel experts LaQuette, Felicia Grossman, and Jessica Van Slooten. My guests interpreted this theme a bit differently than I thought they would, and it's a delight to see a common thread emerge in their book recommendations. The Quarantine Romance Book Club is a 10-episode mini-series of short, casual conversations with romance experts. Stay safe, stay calm, and keep reading romance.

  • 042. The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

    May 19, 2020

    The Kingmaker Duet by Kennedy Ryan!

  • 041. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang with Dr. Maria DeBlassie

    May 12, 2020

    Dr. Maria DeBlassie, educator and writer, on pleasure activism, how romance is a safe place to explore fantasy, emotions, and relationships, how media acts as a conduct manual where people can learn emotional literacy, and the importance of cultivating joy as a form of social justice. We also discuss Helen Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient, which Maria discussed with her students in class, through the lens of pleasure activism.

  • 040. Enemies in Romance

    May 9, 2020

    Enemies in romance with romance novel experts LaQuette, Katee Robert, and Ruby Lang. Why do we love the hate in romance? Stay safe, stay calm, and keep reading romance.

  • 039. Religion in Romance

    May 5, 2020

    Religion in romance with romance novel experts Rebekah Weatherspoon, Katrina Jackson, and Felicia Grossman, in which we discuss all the things you shouldn't talk about in polite society.

  • 038. A Week To Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

    Apr 28, 2020

    This episode is the lighthearted romp you need right now. My friend Becky is the kind of person who believes every misconception about the romance genre, so I gave her one of modern romance’s most treasured works, A Week To Be Wicked by Tessa Dare, and crossed my fingers that this book could reach Becky and at least bust some of the myths about romance. But is witty banter, a rom com regency, and a cast of lovable characters enough to kindle the fires of love for romance in the depths of Becky’s cold, black New England soul?

Listen now!

Guests

Alyssa Cole, Amanda Diehl, Andrea Martucci, Angela Toscano, Arielle Zibrak, Ash Dylan, Becky, Bree Hill, Carter Sherman, Charish Reid, Christina Fattore, Copper Dog Books, Dani Lacey, Danielle Knafo, Denise Williams, Diana Filar, EE Ottoman, Emma Barry, Eric Selinger, Erin Leafe, Esme Brett, Felicia Grossman, Funmi B., Hannah Hearts Romance, Hsu Ming Teo, Huike Wen, Jack Harbon, Jayashree Kamble, Jennifer Crusie, Jess, Jessica Lyn Van Slooten, Jhen, Jodi McAlister, Jodie Slaughter, Joe Martucci, John Jacobson, Julie Moody-Freeman, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Kate Clayborn, Katee Robert, Katrina Jackson, Kelly Reynolds, Kennedy Ryan, Kianna Alexander, Kini Allen, Kit Rocha, Lucy Score, Lynell, Margarita Guillory, Margo Hendricks, Maria DeBlassie, Megan Erickson, Mia Sosa, Nicole Falls, Norma Perez-Hernandez, Penny Reid, Rebecca Romney, Rebekah Weatherspoon, Rosie Danan, Ruby Lang, Sandra Kitt, Scarlett Peckham, Sionna Fox, Sri Savita, Steve Ammidown, Suzanne Jefferies, Talia Hibbert, Tamara Lush, Tasha L. Harrison, The Swoonies, Tif Marcelo, Tina Benigno, Whoamance, fangirl jeanne