Julia and Victoria explore the Dark Ages with writer, historian, and former professor Rebecca Stott. They discuss Rebecca’s new book Dark Earth: about two sisters who run away to a ruined Roman city in 6th century Britain. They talk genre, archaeology, breaking boundaries, and Julia gets very excited about swords.

Julia and Victoria talk with author Evan James Sheldon about his new book of gloriously weird flash fiction, Children and Their Cages, and his creative process. Julia learns that flash fiction is not, in fact, a story written very fast.

Julia finds herself of an age somewhere between Jane Eyre and Miss Marple, and she’s asking herself: Does she have money and/or prospects? Remains to be seen.

Happy Virgo Season! Victoria sits down to share six little(ish) reflections she is carrying with her as she waves goodbye to age 26 and steps into age 27.

Julia and Victoria parse through all the bizarre takes by professional critics and writers on Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.

Julia and Victoria discuss the core points of Unmasking Autism by Devon Price: What is masking, and how can we unmask our own lives to build a better world together? Julia drops her neurodivergent-friendly skin care routine.

Julia and Victoria celebrate their 100th episode by talking about cultural definitions of magic and the complexities of power in Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun.

Julia and Victoria step into their English Teacher Mode™ to review the elements of fiction from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s dynamic debut book, the dark-academic thriller Ace of Spades.

Julia and Victoria discuss the complexities of graphic novels and other visual media as they talk about The Banks by Roxanne Gay and Ming Doyle. Victoria narrates several comic panels, and they both try to figure out what male the love interest’s name is.

Julia and Victoria talk about reading and traveling whilst they read and travel.

Julia and Victoria bring on one of their favorite pop culture experts Victoria Edel to talk about the Pachinko series and the pros and cons of book-to-TV adaptations.

Julia and Victoria explore how and why they connected so much to Pop Song by Larissa Pham, a memoir exploration of art, adulthood, love, and theory.