Book Besties Season 10 Episode 6: The Lilac People

This week, besties, we are talking about Milo Todd’s first novel, The Lilac People. Join the Besties as they discuss the realness of Milo Todd’s work, what queer life was like in Berlin in the 1930s, and what queer history really looks like.

PLEASE BE AWARE that the language in this novel and the discussion of it may be offensive to some folks. We here at Book Besties are talking about this language in the context it is used in the book and not as a derogatory term, please protect your mental health and heart while listening.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Milo Todd Research Lilac People: https://www.milotodd.com/books/the-lilac-people/news/the-history-behind-the-lilac-people/
• The LGBTQ + History Book: https://a.co/d/0iCr0VGY
• The Institute for Sexual Science: https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/magnus-hirschfeld-and-the-institute-for-sexual-science/
• Dr. Kinsey and the Kinsey Scale: https://kinseyinstitute.org/research/publications/kinsey-scale.html
• George Takei: https://www.georgetakei.com/

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code NEWTHINGS2026 to save $5 off of your order of $25 or more at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 10 Episode 5: The Grimoire Grammar School PTA

This week, the Besties are back with the cozy fantasy The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis. This book follows the parents of kindergartners at a magical school, including Vivian who is a complete fish out of water, since her daughter was a mundane, like her, until she is bitten by a werewolf. Join them as they discuss autism coded stories, relatable fantasy books, and the mean moms of the PTA.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Caitlin Rozakis: https://www.caitlinrozakis.com/

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code NEWTHINGS2026 to save $5 off of your order of $25 or more at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 10 Episode 4: Slewfoot

This week the Besties are joined by the one and only Francesca Zappia as we talk about the dark and twisty Slewfoot. Join the Besties and Chessie as they talk about this witchy historical horror, April makes it clear Molly forced her to read this, and somehow everyone has a desk sword but Molly.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Bunny Shifter Books : https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/bunny-shifter
• The Lost City of Roanoke: https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/discover/resource-hub/trend-tradition-magazine/trend-tradition-spring-2025/lost-colony/
• All things Chessie: https://www.francescazappia.com/
• Slewfoot artwork: https://www.bromart.com/novels

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code besties10 to save 10% off your total order through February at https://beawesomereadbooks.com

Book Besties Season 10 Episode 3: Beartown

This week tackle Fredrik Backman for the first time with his book Beartown. Join them as they talk about herd mentality, loyalty, and the worst parts of humanity. Trigger Warning for this episode: rape on page, bullying, violence, gun violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, body dysmorphia.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Madison on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatsmadisonreadingnow
• The Lottery: https://bit.ly/4ayOKDU
• Steubenville Rape Case: https://bit.ly/3OjTciy
• Openly gay NFL Player: https://bit.ly/4aOdFot
• This episode was filmed prior to the death of James Van Der Beek. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code besties10 to save 10% off your total order through February at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 10 Episode 2: Atmosphere

Did someone say historic sapphic space fiction? This week the Besties talk about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Listen as they talk about 100 tampons, women in military service, and finding unexpected love. Will this viral historical fiction hit the mark for the Besties?

Things talked about in this episode:

• NASA never lost anyone in space: https://www.nasa.gov/history/
• Medical emergency in space: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c205r8n0276o
• 100 Tampons: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1102635355
• Hidden Figures (Book): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25953369-hidden-figures
• Hidden Figures (Movie): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
• Paris Geller CSPAN : https://youtu.be/821hMXdxfpo?si=PDGLH_gV_iyhvR9Y
• Astronauts that have never been to space: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/they-also-serve-why-astronauts-who-never-fly-arent-disappointed/
• Addison Armstrong : https://www.instagram.com/addison.armstrong.author/?hl=en

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code besties10 to save 10% off your total order through February at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 10 Episode 1: Truth or Beard

Welcome back, Besties! Season 10 kicks off with the indie romance novel Truth or Beard by Penny Reid. Join us as we talk about small town romance cliches, dubious consent, and when character connections make absolutely zero sense.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Season 2, Episode 11: https://rss.com/podcasts/bookbesties/427914/
• Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille: https://bit.ly/4c0p5GD
• Madison on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatsmadisonreadingnow
• StoryGraph Challenge: https://bit.ly/45HxECx

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code besties10 to save 10% off your total order through February at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 16: The Crimson Throne w/ Authors

This week we are joined by the authors of The Crimson Throne Sarah Raasch & Beth Revis. Join us as we talk about research when it comes to historical fiction, using historical fiction in fantasy writing, and don’t forget this book is YA.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Beth Revis: https://www.sararaaschbooks.com/
• Sara Raasch: https://www.sararaaschbooks.com/

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code holiday10 to save $10 off any order over $40 from now until the end of December at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.

Book Besties Season 9 Episode 15: One Dark Window

This week, Nurse Katie takes the lead with Bestie April to talk about One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. Join them as they talk about their love of romantasy, when audiobook works and when it really doesn’t, and the perfect comfort of a duology.

Things talked about in this episode:

• Abby Jimenez’s audiobook narrated referenced is Zachary Webber: https://www.zachary-webber.com/

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. This episode is sponsored by Carpe Librium: Bookish Things for Bookish People. Use the code holiday10 to save $10 off any order over $40 from now until the end of December at https://beawesomereadbooks.com.