Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is a Young Adult novel about a generational blood feud in a small West Virginian town, but it's also a love letter to the people who live in coal mining towns just like it.

High school student Miles Abernathy comes across evidence that a fatal car accident years ago was planned by a local powerful family, who has the town under their heel. Before Miles can share this evidence, he's beaten within an inch of his life. As he recovers and tries to plan his next move, an apparition of one of his coal-mining ancestors appears.

This is more violent than most of the books we cover for the podcast. Please listen to the warning given at the beginning to determine if this is an episode you wish to listen to.

Hijab Butch Blues describes Lamya H's coming of age as she explores what it means to be a queer devout Muslim woman.

Growing up in an culture where it seemed no one else was like her, Lamya found kinship in an unexpected place: the Quran. Through reading the traditional stories from a queer perspective, Lamya discovers a sense of belonging. Hosts Madysen and Goldie discuss the challenges faced by immigrants, growing up queer in a religious environment, and the similarities between the Bible and the Quran.

Trans high school student Ryo is learning the importance of having people to open up to, and that first perceptions of a person are not always as they seem in the manga Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku.

Ryo is a boy, but nobody knows that and the only way he gets any relief is by wearing masculine-presenting clothing. Then, one day, he runs into a classmate he didn't expect at a pop-up clothing shop and makes an unlikely friend. Hosts Em and Cas discuss the struggles of being a trans high school student, clothing as armor, and the intricacies of gender exploration in this week's episode.

Shapeshifting monster Shesheshen is on the run when she meets Homily, a human, who she is instantly drawn to, in the book Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell. Hosts Annika and Goldie explore some of the questions this story asks, such as: Is it wrong to tell your girlfriend that you want to eat her mom? What is a monster, and do we all have to see the same things as beautiful? And what does it mean to want to build a life with someone instead of eat them? Other highlights include "monster enthusiasts," mobility assistants (which may or may not be someone else's femur), stories for those who don't usually get stories, and literal gender fluidity.

Most Ardently reimagines Pride and Prejudice's protagonist as a closeted transboy in Regency London. Oliver, as he's known in this work, is intrigued by the family's new acquaintance, a handsome and aloof Darcy. Join non-Austenite hosts Em and Dani as they discuss molly houses, queer friendships, and more while delving intoMost Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa. Em and Dani say it's worth considering even if you're not a Jane Austen fan!

If you love this take on the classic, consider checking out the rest ofRemixed Classics series!

The magic in the land is awakening, and the Other World threatens multiple realms. Meanwhile, Herla of the Wild Hunt has an awareness she hasn't felt in centuries, brought on by a woman in the midst of battle. Queen Aethelburg, likewise, can't seem to stop thinking about the strange woman on horseback.

Hosts Jamie and Amber discuss Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland, a historical fiction set in early Britain, full of characters from Celtic mythology and history alike. Topics include supernatural and religious influences, power in the land, and different forms of queerness woven naturally into historical narratives.

How far would you go to save the one you love? Atlas and Moose grapple with this question as they navigate the dangers of a zombie outbreak in this dark romantasy horror, Sleeping Among Wolves by Royal Poff. This episode's host, Dani, is joined by the author themselves! Listen in as they talk about zombie outbreaks, mental illness, horror as a way to deal with grief, and whether York, PA is haunted. To learn more about Royal and their other works, visit https://www.instagram.com/robertroyalpoff/

If you've watched Bridgerton but thought 'this could be gayer,' you may enjoy this episode's selection! Don't Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R Alban is a fluffy, queer historical romance set in the Victorian era, that follows new friends Gwen and Beth as they navigate the courting season and also their unexpected feelings for one another. Join hosts Jamie and Amber as they discuss poorly carried out plotting, female autonomy, historical queer couples, and the logistics of having a quickie in a corset.