Women are Reading: a book club podcast

In this episode, we are joined by a very special guest, author Lucy Ash, whose latest novel, The Model Patient, was just released in April. Ash's first two novels, The Dance of the Dolls and The Sleeping Beauties, were inspired by her years immersed in the world of classical dance, while The Model Patient draws on her personal experience as a therapy patient to explore the psychology of power, trust, and self-erasure. Ash is a Brooklyn-based writer who trained at the Royal Ballet School before changing course to study English literature at Oxford University, where she graduated in 2010. Her poetry and short stories have been published in a number of literary journals and she was shortlisted for the 2020 Impress Prize for New Writers. She also reviews theater and particularly ballet, writing for the website playstoc.com.

Amal El-Mohtar, co-author of This Is How You Lose the Time War, knows exactly what it means to love a sister, and she explores that relationship beautifully in The River Has Roots, her solo debut novella. The River Has Roots is a magical, ethereal, fairy tale retelling of the traditional murder ballad, The Two Sisters. It's full of singing and music, a testament to the power of true love and sisterhood. Something we know a thing or two about in this episode of Women Are Reading.

On March 14th, 2026, Hachette Book Group pulled the forthcoming horror novel "Shy Girl" from its lineup after the New York Times approached the publisher with what it claimed was evidence that the book was written by AI. Author Mia Ballard, who self-published the novel in February of 2025, told the Times in an email that she did not use AI to write "Shy Girl," but rather someone she hired to edit the self-published version did. Since the cancellation of Shy Girl, which is likely the first time a book has ever been pulled from traditional publishing due to allegations of AI usage, has sent both the publishing industry and the book community into a full-blown crash out. The controversy has spawned hundreds of think pieces, video essays, and podcast episodes from journalists, online creators, and even authors themselves who all seem to be asking the same question. Is there even really a way to truly know if a book was written with AI?The answer might not be as black and white as some would like to believe in this episode of Women After Dark. *Women After Dark is a series where the hosts of Women Are Reading indulge in some of their favorite guilty pop culture pleasures while exploring the most bizarre, controversial, and batshit insane nonsense plaguing the entertainment world that should not be discussed in the light of day. *

It’s the late-1990s in the small town of Nevada, Iowa, when Jeremy, a worker at Video Hut, gets pulled into a strange and unnerving mystery after one of his customers tells him there’s something weird on one of the videotapes. Something that doesn’t belong. Two days later, another customer comes in with the same complaint. “There’s another movie on this tape,” she says.Jeremy soon finds, that yes, in the middle of Targets, an old movie with Boris Karloff, the movie is suddenly replaced with low res, black and white footage inside of a barn that looks nearly identical to one just outside of town…Who spliced the disturbing clips onto the tapes? And more importantly...why?John Darnielle’s Universal Harvester is a deeply unsettling and atmospheric exploration of grief, in this episode of Women are Reading.  

In this episode, we welcome author and podcast host, Laura Buchwald, onto the show to talk about her latest novel, "The Book of Reservations." The novel, published this past November, is the second installment of the Ghost Table trilogy and follows Josie Gray as she balances her new role as restaurant co-owner in New York City, circa 2000, with her ability to communicate with the spirit world. Buchwald speaks with us about the supposedly haunted restaurant that inspired her series, her writing process, how the chaotic and vibrant restaurant world of New York City plays into her novel, and how the difficult and surprising process of grieving shapes and refines us.Laura is a writer, editor, and co-host of the podcast, People Who Do Things. Her first book, "The Coat Check Girl," was released in October of 2024. In the early days of writing this book, she won the Bronx Council on the Arts Chapter One Fiction Competition. Her short story, "Hither Hills," was published by Upbeat Tales, and she has written two pieces for The Keep Things, a project devoted to the mementos we hold onto from our departed loved ones.

In this episode, Margaret and Katie are joined by scientist and author Gigi Berardi, whose latest historical novel, Bianca's Cure, was just published. The book, set in 16th century Italy, fictionalizes a search for the cure for malaria in the country where the disease was named bad air in Italian, by dramatizing the life of Bianca Capello, a real-life Italian noblewoman who was the mistress to Francisco de Medici, the second Grand Duke of Tuscany. Bianca's Cure draws from the author's real and meticulous research, her work spanning science, and her personal experience living and teaching in Florence. The result is a vibrant story that blends the political drama of the time with the urgent hunt for new medical cures. Berardi hails from Hollywood and holds degrees in biology, resources and planning, and dance. A Fulbright scholar in Italy and a professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, she also teaches in Florence, Italy. She's written more than 400 reviews and articles for print media and has been featured on an array of podcasts and broadcast media. And beyond writing, her other passions include dance, cheese making, and travel.

Following the sudden and unexpected death of her father, Janeway Sharp, an undergrad at the University of Central Florida, retreats from the expectations of her real life and finds comfort and purpose in an unlikely gang of true crime internet sleuths. But when a horrific triple homicide happens in Delphine, Idaho, Jane and her ragtag group of armchair detectives emerge from behind their computers and put boots on the ground in an effort to solve the horrific case. As Jane and her friends dive further into the killer's tangled web, Jane begins to suspect that the killer might be closer than they ever could have imagined. Ashley Winstead's This Book Will Bury Me is a fast-paced thriller, ripped straight from the headlines in this episode of Women Are Reading.

Take a trip back in time to 1844, to the wild and mysterious moors of Yorkshire, England, where Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Brontë begin writing Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall — classic works of literature we still love today. In this episode, author Stephanie Cowell tells us how she came up with the idea for her latest historical fiction novel and what her experiences were visiting the Brontë family home in Haworth, West Yorkshire. Plus, she shares with us how much the publishing industry has changed since the three women first published their work 180 years ago. Also, Katie and I explore how it felt to read a story about the incredible bond of sisterhood — something we know very well.

Step inside the elite and intoxicating world of Greek life in the Midwest with Heather Colley's debut novel, The Gilded Butterfly Effect. In this episode, Colley talks about her inspiration for the book, the meaning behind the title, how much she loves an unhinged woman in fiction, and much more. This interview is spoiler-free.

Welcome back, bookish friends! Today, author Alyson Richman joins us to talk about her latest historical novel, The Missing Pages. This interview is spoiler-free, so you can feel safe listening to it, even if you haven't had a chance to pick up the book yet. Per the novel's Goodreads profile: "Harry Widener boards the Titanic holding tight to a priceless book he just purchased in London. After mayhem strikes the ship, Harry’s last known words are that he must return to his cabin for his treasure. Neither the young man nor the book are seen again. In his honor, his mother builds the Harry Widener Memorial Library at Harvard to memorialize her son and house his extensive book collection.Decades later, Violet Hutchins, a Harvard sophomore recovering from her own great loss, is working as a page at the Widener Library. When strange things begin happening at the library—books falling off shelves or opening to random pages—Violet wonders if Harry Widener’s ghost is trying to communicate the missing pieces of his story from beyond the grave. "

If you're a fan of family trauma, mommy AND daddy issues, sisterly love, demons in your attic, or cute neighbor boy who wear gold chains, join us as we discuss the ending of Rachel Harrison's new horror novel, Play Nice.

Join us as we discuss the first half of Play Nice by Rachel Harrison.

In this episode, we discuss our final thoughts on the horror novel, Experimental Film by Gemma Files.

If you're a fan of locked door mysteries, fairytales and folklore, the Spiritualist Movement of the 19th Century, or Canadian film history, you've come to the right place! Join us as we discuss the first half of the novel, Experimental Film (2015), by Gemma Files.

In this episode, join us while we finish up our thoughts on How to Survive Camping by Bonnie Quinn. The story is a favorite of Katie's, who first read it when it was originally published on the r/nosleep subreddit years ago. Plus, we break down that...interesting Wuthering Heights trailer.

Welcome bookish friends! After a much needed vacation, we are finally BACK with all-new episode to discuss our final thoughts on the trippy, heartfelt historical novel The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Anderson. Plus, we reveal our incredibly long Fall reading list and give some first impressions on one of our picks for September: How to Survive Camping The Man with No Shadow by Bonnie Quinn.As always, spoilers ahead. Listen with care.

Okay, we admit it. We have absolutely no idea what's going on in this genre-bending, time-traveling, historical debut novel from Kirsten Menger-Anderson, The Expert of Subtle Revisions. But you know what? We're so ready for the ride.

We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with author Anna Barrington recently about her debut novel, The Spectacle, which was published on July 8. In the novel, Anna brings us into the dizzying and intoxicating underbelly of the high-end art world. Inspired by her own experiences working in art galleries in NYC and London, The Spectacle is a scathing social commentary on the commodification of art, set against the backdrop of the 2016 presidential election and the aftermath of the MeToo movement.We had such a fun time reading this book and we’d like to once again extend our thanks to Anna for chatting with us about everything from her writing process to why it was important to set the novel during such a politically divisive time. This interview does contain spoilers, so please listen with care.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.In this episode, we discuss the ending of We Were Liars, both the book and the television adaptation. Was our theory about the ending right? And how did we feel about the changes made from page to screen? And most importantly...was the TV show actually better than the book?

Viewer discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Ten years after its initial publication, 'We Were Liars,' the divisive YA thriller by author E. Lockhart, has finally reached our screens with an 8-episode adaptation from Amazon Prime. In this episode, we'll dive into the first four episodes to see how the TV show compares to the novel.

Listener Discretion is advised: this episode contains major spoilers.Welcome back, bookish friends! In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on the last half of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thahn Tran. Plus, we reveal our next book club pick!

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains spoilers.Oh, hey bookish friends! After taking an unexpected week off because of life stuff, we are back with another super-sized episode to talk all about our adventures so far this June, including our current read, They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran. This book is perfect to read during summer and Pride Month, as it features creepy, deformed sea creatures, a small town in Louisiana destroyed by a hurricane, and several characters who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. A story that explores generational trauma and identity, with a dash of body horror, They Bloom at Night is a real treat for us.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Oh, man. This one is a doozy. In this episode, we discuss the last half of The Counselors by Jessica Goodman, and....we aren't happy about it. Unfortunately, his one missed the mark for us. P.S. We apologize for the absolutely horrible audio in the first few minutes of this episode. We didn't realize the microphone was not plugged in.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers as well as discussions of sexual assault. Hello, fellow book people! So, it's finally happened. Margaret and Katie have read a book this year they...aren't thrilled about. In this episode, find out what the sisters dislike so much about The Counselors, a young adult thriller by Jessica Goodman. Plus, Katie gives us an update on her X-Files watch.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers, along with mentions of murder and sexual assault.In this episode, Margaret and Katie discuss their thoughts on the ending of The Haunt of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James. Was the mystery worth it? Did the romance sizzle? And what was with all of those crows??Also, the sisters choose their two book club picks for June!

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers. In this episode, Margaret and Katie discuss their very first Simone St. James book, The Haunting of Maddy Clare. Published in the early 2010s, the book has just about everything the sisters love: ghost hunting, romance, small town intrigue, and more.

Listener discretion is advised: this episode contains major spoilers.Join sisters Margaret and Katie for a super-sized episode where they analyze 20 short stories in the Indigenous dark fiction anthology, Never Whistle at Night. Plus, Margaret gives a shout out to her first love, Star Wars, and the incredible second season of Andor.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Join Margaret and Katie for Episode 13 of Women are Reading, where they discuss the first six short stories in Never Whistle at Night, An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology. Featuring nearly 20 Indigenous authors from all over the U.S., Never Whistle at Night explores themes of trauma, identity, the effects of colonization and more, while introducing us to all sorts of things that go bump in the night. Plus, Margaret raves about her two latest reads and Katie gives a run down on her latest true crime obsession.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Looks like you guys got the cake with the cream, as our songbird Lucy Gray would say, because Margaret and Katie are back with another Hunger Games-themed episode! They promise this is the last one...for now, anyway. In this episode, the sisters discuss the last half of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and if the 2023 film lives up to the book's ending.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Join Margaret and Katie and special guest, Tyler, for a discussion about the differences between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins and its movie adaptation, released in 2023. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? And what were some of the best parts? Tune in to find out!

Listener Discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.In this episode, Margaret and Katie discuss the last half of Sunrise on the Reaping, including the look and feel of the arena, the gut-punch ending, and THAT headstone. Grab your tissues, this one's a doozy! Plus, they mull over some recent Sunrise on the Reaping cast rumors.

Listener Discretion is Advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Join Margaret and Katie as they discuss the first half of their most highly anticipated release of the year so far, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins. In this episode, the sisters gush about their love for The Hunger Games book series, as well as the film adaptations, and explore everything new they've learned about the first quarter quell.

Listener discretion is advised: this episode contains major spoilers.Join Margaret and Katie as they discuss the last half of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix and their complicated feelings regarding the novel's ending. Plus, they gush about their upcoming April book club pick, Sunrise on the Reaping.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.In this episode, Margaret and Katie travel back to Florida circa 1970 to discuss Grady Hendrix's new horror novel, Witchcraft of Wayward Girls, about a group of young women isolated in a home for unwed mothers, who discover the power of witchcraft after a mysterious librarian gives them a strange book. The sisters discuss everything from the horrors of childbirth, a woman's right to choose, and what their favorite slang terms from the 70s are.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains major spoilers.Hello, fellow book people! In this latest episode of Women Are Reading, join Margaret and Katie as they dive into the last half of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood. They discuss their thoughts on happily ever afters, audiobook pet peeves, and much more!

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains frank discussions of sex and major spoilers. Join Margaret and Katie as they discuss the first half of romance powerhouse Ali Hazelwood's latest novel, Deep End. In this episode, they discuss the many positive qualities of the romance genre, as well as its drawbacks. Plus, Margaret rails against her absolute least favorite trope: fated mates.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains frank discussions of sexual assault, child abuse, drug use, animal deaths, and murder. Plus, major spoilers for Twin Peaks, The Return, and Fire Walk with Me. In honor of the passing of David Lynch, as well as the anniversary of Laura Palmer’s death, join Margaret and Katie as they discuss The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, written by the creator’s daughter, Jennifer Lynch. It was published in 1990, between the first and second seasons of the show’s original run on ABC. The former being the season that Laura’s killer was finally revealed (notably against Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost’s better judgement). Jennifer Lynch’s telling of the last days of Laura’s life is heartbreaking and illuminating. Although true Twin Peaks centrists may be able to put the pieces together by the end, her killer is not explicitly named in her diary, leaving it as just one more piece of a much larger puzzle within the world of Twin Peaks.Plus, the sisters reveal their book club pick(s) for March!

WARNING: this episode contains major spoilers.Join Margaret and Katie as they discuss their thoughts on the final chapters of Annie Bot by Sierra Greer. Listen along as they explore what it truly means to be human, the ethics of AI, and how the novel serves as a reminder that women don't have to be robots to feel like they don't have control over their own lives. Plus, Margaret talks about why she struggles with romance novels and Katie discusses her deep love for the late, great David Lynch.

In this episode, Margaret and Katie discuss chapters 1-3 of Sierra Greer's sci-fi novel Annie Bot as well as ritual magic and gothic romance in The Death of Jane Lawrence by Cailtin Starling. Plus, Margaret talks about her latest literary obsession, The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown.Join the book club over on Fable! fable.co/club/women-are-reading-with-ktroar-494353655426?club_type=free

Join Margaret and Katie as they discuss their January reading wrap-up, which includes So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison and Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman. Plus, they introduce their February book club pick: Annie Bot by Sierra Greer.Join the book club over on Fable! fable.co/club/women-are-reading-with-ktroar-494353655426?club_type=free