In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon. Join us as we explore this steamy romantasy set “in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, [where] a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner.”

Along the way, Bella reveals which co-hosts are the most (and least) fabulous, Jason makes a connection to The Mummy (1999), and Emma explains how the book suffers from what she calls the Fourth Wing Phenomenon.

Listen now to discover why this book left the hosts so divided!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.

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Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
• Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
• Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
• Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson
• The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper
• Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies
• A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

Hey there, listeners!

We need your help. We have been working hard to make Shit We’ve Read as entertaining and enjoyable as we can, but we want to make it better for you! So, we created a quick listener survey and would love to hear your thoughts.

As a thank you, if you complete our survey by Sunday, August 31st, 2025, you’ll have the chance to be entered into a book sweepstakes!

Thank you so much for listening to the show, and we look forward to seeing your responses!

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Credits:
Shit We've Read is hosted by Laura Benson and Jason Rico, with music by Joshua Chilton and editing by Jason Rico.

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang, a queer, Asian-inspired fantasy novella about a renowned dragon slayer who never takes their armor off in public. Joining us for this discussion of identity, duty, and the power of love is multi-hyphenate guest host Fictional Tiff—musician, queer activist, and leader of the Sacramento Silent Book Club.

Listen as we celebrate the queer-normative worldbuilding and how it allows for exploration of personal identity, Laura draws parallels between the book and blind religious devotion, and Tiff shares why sometimes friendship means saying, “I love you, but you suck.” Plus, find out which of us is hoping for a sequel full of dragon smut.

Guest Host:
Fictional Tiff is a book blogger turned many things over the years. From heading up the Sacramento Silent Book Club to being a musician, gogo dancer, queer activist, weightlifter, and writer. She keeps her mind busy and shines bright and loud for her community. Reading books is what set Tiff on the course to being passionate about so many things, and she owes them her life. So ask her what she’s currently reading and be prepared for nonstop chatter.

You can find her on Instagram @fictionaltiff and listen to her music on Spotify here.

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org | Libro.fm

Other books mentioned in this episode:

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
• You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
• Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise
• Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
• The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
• The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
• Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
• Death’s Country