Episodes

  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 20: We Are the Match
    Jun 17 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 20: We Are the Match

    For the Season 8 finale, Bestie April is joined by author Mary E. Roach to talk about her upcoming book We Are the Match. Join them as they talk about this updated take on the Helen of Troy myth with a sapphic twist. This episode talks about updating a classic, the importance of sapphic stories, and making the truly best choice to fall for your enemy.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Mary E. Roach: https://www.maryeroach.com/
    • Mary E. Roach on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryeroach
    • Mary E. Roach on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryeroachauthor
    • Helen of Troy Myth: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Helen-of-Troy
    • Romeo + Juliet: https://bit.ly/43KywWo
    • Ice Planet Barbarians Episode: https://bit.ly/43XHMoL
    • Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 19: The Betrayal of Thomas True
    Jun 10 2025

    Take a trip through time to London in the 1700s. This week the Besties sit down with author A.J. West to discuss his absolutely moving book The Betrayal of Thomas True. Join us as we discuss queer historical fiction, developing a story for an American release, and why authentic representation matters.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • A.J. West: https://ajwestauthor.com/
    • ALA Library Bill of Rights: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
    • Mother Clap’s Molly House: https://bit.ly/4jDeIsx
    • Queer History Tiktokers: https://bit.ly/44a2K5a (Yester Queers) & https://bit.ly/4k1evQl (Dr. Anthony Delany)
    • A.J West Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajwestauthor/
    • Blackwell’s Shop for A.J. West’s books: https://bit.ly/45QBU3h
    • Interview with a Vampire: https://bit.ly/4kFeeng

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 18: Before Dorothy with the Author Hazel Gaynor
    Jun 3 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 18: Before Dorothy with the Author Hazel Gaynor

    Besties, join us today as we talk about one of the most anticipated historical fiction books of the summer: Before Dorothy. We were lucky enough to have Hazel Gaynor, the author, join us.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Hazel Gaynor: https://hazelgaynor.com/
    • Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/
    • Patreon: https://bit.ly/4jQIqes

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    47 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 17: Last Night at the Telegraph Club
    May 27 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 17: Last Night at the Telegraph Club

    Besties, let’s take a trip back in time today with Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Join us this episode as we discuss what makes relevant historical fiction, why LGBTQ stories matter, and, of course, Molly makes promises to tackle Matt Dinniman.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Malinda Lo: https://www.malindalo.com/
    • A history of Queer Community in San Francisco: https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/san-franciscos-lgbtq-history/
    • Male Impersonators From Malinda Lo : https://www.malindalo.com/blog/2021/4/27/a-brief-history-of-male-impersonation
    • Jubilee Dawn content creator: https://www.tiktok.com/@jubileedawns
    • Storygraph Challenge: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/4ab14a78-fc45-4b30-bd7c-3c79e1258c3d
    • Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/
    • Patreon: https://bit.ly/4jQIqes

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 16: Chaotic Orbits with Author Beth Revis
    May 20 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 16: Chaotic Orbits with Author Beth Revis

    Strap in, Besties, we’re headed on a space adventure! This week the Besties are joined by author Beth Revis to chat about her series Chaotic Orbits. Join us as we talk about sex in space, pop culture inspirations, and outlining Star Wars Books.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Beth Revis: https://www.bethrevis.com/
    • Hedy Lamarr: https://bit.ly/43BaooQ
    • Resident Alien Clip: https://bit.ly/45dIhxd
    • Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/
    • Patreon: https://bit.ly/4jQIqes

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 15: When Women Were Dragons
    May 13 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 15: When Women Were Dragons

    This week, the Besties read the alt-history, feminist novel When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. Join them as they talk about sibling relationships, societal norms of the 1950s, and decide if this book is worth the hype.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Correction: Dr. Carla Hayden was a public library prior to being appointed as Librarian of Congress: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Hayden
    • Knot Tying: https://bit.ly/4d9fNGW
    • Child Protective Services History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_protective_services
    • Kinsey Scale: https://bit.ly/43pFMXh
    • Columbus Book Festival: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/
    • Patreon: https://bit.ly/4jQIqes

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 14: An Academy for Liars
    May 6 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 14: An Academy for Liars

    On this week's episode of Book Besties, we talk about An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson. Join us as we talk about the difference in magic and persuasion, when morality comes into play with magic, and consent at Drayton College.

    CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, we talk about suicidal thoughts, suicide, murder, abuse, and other awful things that come with the human condition. Please understand that we here at Book Besties understand that this can be a sensitive topic, you can skip this episode, and we will understand.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Book Bestie Bundles: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookbestiebundles?_t=ZT-8w6cCwbefJT&_r=1
    • Illumicrate special edition: https://illumicrate.com/products/an-academy-for-liars-alexis-henderson-evernight-exclusive?variant=49558138290521
    • People Need Other People: https://twloha.com/blog/people-need-other-people/

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • Book Besties Season 8 Episode 13: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
    Apr 29 2025

    Book Besties Season 8 Episode 13: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

    This week the Besties are joined by Editor Thom to discuss the book A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. This episode, much like the book, goes off the rails as April tries to reign her husband in. Join them as they discuss gingerbread soldier boys, attempt to unravel the magic system, and listen to sea stories from Thom and Molly.

    Things talked about in this episode:

    • Brock Turner Case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_v._Turner
    • The American Cathedral in Paris: https://amcathparis.com/
    • Molly’s Award: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Unit_Commendation
    • There are 45K members of the United States Coast Guard: https://bit.ly/4cPcxAk

    Meet Molly and April, they bonded over books and became Book Besties. So, what do you do when you find your book bestie? Start a podcast of course. Hang out with April and Molly as they talk about everything they love and hate about books. Follow the Book Besties on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. If you'd like to contact the Book Besties, please email us at bookbestiespod@gmail.com or visit our website bookbestiespodcast.com. You can support the Book Besties by joining our Patreon at Book Besties Podcast.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 18 mins