by | May 4, 2026 · 12:01 pm

Episode 288 – Shadows of the Empire

Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry

 

May the 4th be with you! (If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out! If not: may the Force be with you.) In honor of this faux Star Wars holiday, we read Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. We were joined by writer and Star Wars enthusiast Nanci Schwartz to discuss this story that’s more than a video game and less than a movie. Many Bothans died to bring you this episode.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 173 – The Courtship of Princess Leia

The Birth of Cheesoid

Gungans and Daddies: All That Jizz

Coming up next: Adult Braces by Lindy West.

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 288 – Shadows of the Empire

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

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by | April 20, 2026 · 12:01 pm

Episode 287 – The Vampire Lestat

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

We’re crawling out of our coffins and we’re doing just fine. We were joined by Rebecca Mahoney, author of Thrall, to discuss The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Please do not play this episode in the presence of Akasha, Queen of the Damned–the audio waves will only agitate her.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Thrall Book Launch event at Porter Square Books on April 24th

Episode 125 – Interview With the Vampire

Savage Garden on Wikipedia

Lestat the Musical

Coming up next: Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry.

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 287 – The Vampire Lestat

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

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by | April 6, 2026 · 12:01 pm

Episode 286 – Remain

Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan

 

Two of the greatest minds of our generation, Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, have joined forces to give the world this extremely mid book: Remain. Fortunately, we were joined by the delightful Annie Cardi, author of Winter White, for a walk to remember through Cape Cod, led by a beautiful ghost whose purpose on earth is to teach an entitled man how to do basic chores. Listen to this episode while you research property law.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 25 – True Believer

Episode 70 – The Notebook

Tate Donovan on IMDB

Rocky on Wikipedia

Coming up next: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 286 – Remain

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

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by | March 23, 2026 · 12:01 pm

Episode 285 – Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

 

We conclude our arbitrary celebration of Canada Month with a playoff episode that went into overtime. Yes: we read Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. We needed two guests to handle a title of this magnitude, so we were joined by fangirl in STEM Sarah and authentic Canadian/Canadien Kathleen Gros, author and artist of several books including Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of). Listen to this episode while driving to the cottage!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Canadian Heritage Minutes

“Heated Rivalry Is Chess” by Rebecca Alter

“Weapons’ Hot Dog Scene Is Actually a Heartfelt Tribute to Zach Cregger’s Late Friend” by Tai Gooden

“Those Tuna Melts in Heated Rivalry are So Gay” by John Birdsall

Important Heated Rivalry Fan Art

Coming up next: Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan.

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 285 – Heated Rivalry

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

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by | March 9, 2026 · 12:01 pm

Episode 284 – Bear

Bear by Marian Engel

This March, Worst Bestsellers is celebrating our neighbor to the north with our first ever Canada Month. We’re kicking it off by talking to Canadian treasure Ann Foster (host of Vulgar History, author of Rebel of the Regency:  The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without a Crown) about another Canadian treasure: Bear by Marian Engel. This book walked so that shifter romances could gallop. Listen to this episode while you’re alone in the woods.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Canada’s Most Controversial Novel” by Emily Zarevich.

Kanata Classics

Coming up next: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 284 – Bear

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Bear by Marian Engel. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

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