Afleveringen

  • Summary: You’re out of this world, listener! Join Holly and Devin today as they discuss books set in or featuring outer space. Devin has always been obsessed with space exploration and studied it in college, whereas Holly only really wants to read about this subject in her books. Whether you have a passion for astronomy or astrology, whether you dream of flying to the moon or are glad your feet are firmly planted on earth, these books have something for you!

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (3:41): Devin discussed A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young, a unique romance following event planner Hallie Goodman and NASA astronaut Christopher Ortiz as they orbit each other and then collide. After discovering his video diaries from the ISS (International Space Station), Hallie develops a crush on the charismatic astronaut and starts to send her own recordings to his discontinued NASA email address. Little does she know, though, that Chris is watching them and developing a crush of his own. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Not only is the book full of videos where Chris describes what it’s like to live on the ISS, but there’s metaphorical space for better and worse laced throughout this novel. Chris works for NASA and did 5 months in space, but both he and Hallie struggle with space, taking up more of it in their lives and not letting it get in the way of their fledgling romance.

    Both protagonists have a lot of trauma and a lot of current struggles with their families, especially their parents. This informs how they show up in their relationship and how they react to various triggers. A lot of the book involves the repair or boundary setting of Hallie and Chris with their families.

    Chris, having dated a socialite named Darcy and Hallie who is consistently wrapped up in the world through her work have to fight for their positions in society and for authenticity in their relationships. Even Hallie’s dad struggles with posturing and connection when he buys a gigantic house to make his ex jealous.

    The Dagger (23:48): Holly discussed Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty, book one in the Midsolar Murders series and a novel following Mallory Viridian, a human living on the space station Eternity amongst various species of aliens. Having left earth after realizing that people connected to her are murdered at an alarming rate, Mallory’s existence on Eternity is peaceful… until a shuttle full of humans comes to the station and the bodies begin to pile up again. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    One of the best aspects of the book was the various aliens on board, ranging from the Gneiss who are creatures made of living rock to the Sundry, an insect species similar to wasps who have a hive mind and can only communicate with you if three or more of them gather together.

    The murder mystery component of the story felt misleading - there wasn’t so much the real focus of this story and didn’t come together in a way that felt satisfying; there was some confusion on the core thrust of the plot and what the reader should be focused on.

    Ultimately, this book had a lot of promise and intriguing world building of alien species cohabitating in a sentient space station, but the execution felt chaotic and messy. If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller with a unique twist, though, check out this series.

    Hot On the Shelf (47:34):

    Holly: Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

    Devin: How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (50:52):

    Holly: Dune Part 2

    Devin: Bread baking weekly

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Giddy up, friends, and join us for a ride into the wild world of horses. Holly has been a lifelong Horse Girl and Devin spent a decade taking horseback riding lessons, but neither of them have been as involved with the animals as any of the characters in their featured books today. For better or worse, a life revolving around horses can be all encompassing and high pressure; our hosts highlight the good and bad in their respective wheelhouses today.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (6:39): Holly discussed Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier, a thriller perfect for anyone looking to read about rich people behaving badly. We follow two teenage sisters, Piper and Maple, and their mother, Heather. as they move to an exclusive community in the heart of Southern California. Once there, they begin riding at the Rancho Santa Fe Equestrian, where horses (and murder) are a lifestyle. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    From the start we learn that someone is dead, and then Brazier weaves us through the lead up to the incident with alternating perspectives from Heather, her daughters, and other “Barn Moms” at the stables.

    There are distinct socioeconomic themes and dynamics in this book; Heather is newly wealthy and determined to give her daughters the life she never had, but the established families in the community are suspicious and judgemental.

    This book is full of characters that are flawed, hurt, downright unlikeable and their internal challenges clash against their peers as they feed their ambitions and fight for what they believe they deserve.

    The Heart (21:44): Devin discussed Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage, a novel following professional barrel racer Emmy Ryder as she returns to her hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming after an accident renders her unable to get back on her horse. Once there, she’s met with more than she expected as her brother’s best friend, Luke Brooks, becomes more than just an occasional thorn in her side. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    If you’re looking for some horse energy, this is the book for you. Emmy’s family owns Rebel Blue Ranch which raises cattle, horses, gives riding lessons and embraces the classic western vibes. Luke and Emmy spend most of their time around horses and the deepening of their romantic dynamic is part and parcel with those interactions.

    The story does not hold back on the steam front; this book is almost shockingly sexy and involves dirty talk. If you’re looking for a more subtle, closed door romance vibe, tread lightly with this book. If you’re not, join Devin for an absolute blast.

    Sage has ADHD herself and worked hard to bring more authentic representation of the disorder with Emmy. Both she and Luke have traumas and experiences that inform and block their connection that they work through together to grow as people (and together).

    Hot On the Shelf (45:32):

    Holly: The Searcher by Tana French

    Devin: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (50:00):

    Holly: The Night Of on HBO

    Devin: Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Amazon Prime

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome to Episode 3 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Get excited as we dig into the prequel novellas that make us fall in love with Celaena even more (and understand why she’s in dire need of therapy). Today we explore The Assassin’s Blade, five short stories focused on Celaena’s time as an assassin before she’s sent to Endovier and the plot of Throne of Glass begins.

    We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.

    We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

    As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Sometimes the best gifts come in smaller packages - join us today, friends, as Holly and Devin review short story collections in their respective wheelhouses. With a deep history of reading short fiction from their college years, Holly and Devin reflected that while less common to read in adulthood, short stories haven’t lost their value or potency. Being able to impact a reader quickly enough to have a complete short story is a feat of writing prowess and the two collections they review today prove that.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (2:58): Devin discussed Love in Color by Bolu Babalola, a collection of myth retellings centered around West Africa with a sprinkling of Greek and Middle East legends thrown in. Babalola reshapes the tales of Nefertiti, Scheherazade, Psyche and others to move away from patriarchal tropes and toward a women-centered happily ever after. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Many of these myths end badly and usually with the death or subjugation of the female protagonist; by applying common romance tropes in the retelling they take on a more hopeful, lighter air and really underline the value of love conquering all

    The default characters were all BIPOC, and the book told stories that aren’t well-known outside of the home cultures/countries. It was amazing to recognize stories like that of Psyche and Thisbe from Greek mythology that we were taught in school, but then also dive headfirst into new-to-you myths. Definitely worth researching the myths as you go to compare vs. Babalola’s work.

    Told from the perspective of the woman instead of the man in all but one of the stories (Attem), the reader is left overall with a feeling of empowerment and connection. By resetting the myths in modern Manhattan, for example, we are reminded that myths aren’t history but evolve with us, acting as a mirror that reflects who we are and who we want to be.

    The Dagger (15:56): Holly discussed Sleep No More: Six Murderous Tales by P.D. James, a reprinted series of short stories published posthumously in 2017 from works written between 1973 and 2005. With the title a nod to Macbeth, James stories pack a punch with ordinary characters who commit dark acts. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    Influenced by the likes of Agatha Christie, James took the popular murder mystery concept and deepened it by adding emotional, moral, and psychological layers that draw the reader in and are clear even in the short story format.

    Interestingly, many of the stories in this collection are set around Christmas. If you’re a reader who loves a little murder for the holidays, this collection is for you. For example, a cozy mystery author reflects on being caught up in a real-life murder as a youth when his family had guests to their home for Christmas and the person who dresses up as Santa is found dead.

    Told mostly in the first person with unnamed narrators, James’ builds tension with car trips gone wrong (three were in the car when they pulled over, why do only two arrive at the house?), deep family history, wolves in sheeps clothing, and the close quarters of vacations and manor homes in the UK.

    Hot On the Shelf (38:21):

    Holly: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

    Devin: Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (42:38):

    Holly: Godzilla Minus One film

    Devin: Get On Your Knees comedy special by Jaqueline Novak on Netflix

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Grab that benzoyl peroxide and your Abercrombie cologne, friends, we’re talking teenagers on this lovely Galentine’s day! Whether you always felt like an old soul the way Holly did, or hid behind athletics and Evanescence like Devin to get through those spicy years of youth, the YA books our hosts discuss today will bring you comfort, connection, and cringe.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (4:35): Holly discussed Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide, a YA mystery following Sade as she navigates her third year at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after being homeschooled most of her life. The very first night, Sade’s roommate and house sister Elizabeth disappears. Soon after, the body of a student turns up and the search for Elizabeth becomes frantic. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    With vibes that bring “Wednesday” and “Mean Girls” together, this novel is heavily dark academia. There is a clear sense of place, and boy is that place creepy! The uneasy undercurrents fit perfectly with the plot as Sade and her best friend Baz investigate their friend’s disappearance.

    The student dynamics in play are not only fun to read but also amplify the sense of teenage angst through the novel. The Unholy Trinity, a group of 3 popular girls, along with Sade’s best friends not only have various queer and cis-het romantic intrigues but also deep relationships and conflicts that connect to the disappearance.

    At over 400 pages, this book would have likely been more impactful and effective if it were edited down a bit, especially in the middle. There were some questions floating around about the mystery we follow that required some suspension of disbelief, although once past there enjoyable nonetheless.

    The Heart (21:55): Devin discussed Henry Hamlet’s Heart by Rhiannon Wilde, a YA romance following the titular character as he confronts his final year at Brisbane Northolm Grammar School for Boys, the uncertainty of his future heading to Uni, and the burgeoning romantic feelings that he never saw coming. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Henry’s struggle to understand his sexuality, his blossoming romantic love for his platonic best friend, Len, and also what he wants from his future as a high performing perfectionist at school is fantastic, authentic, and endearing. By contrast, Len’s confidence in his bisexuality and his self-acceptance acts as an anchor for us and draws Henry like a moth to flame.

    Figuring out your sexuality in a cis-het society is full of stress, second-guessing, and gaslighting. Wilde’s gentle treatment can act as a guide for YA readers and a soothing balm for queer people like Devin who suppressed those feelings in high school and acted straight.

    We root for Henry easily, but he’s also not mature or polished and grapples constantly with the impacts of his choices on his future, which feels too big. His internal narrative feels true to his age and he’s a bit of a mess, but is also pressured by various family members to focus on different aspects of himself as he takes the step to university.

    Hot On the Shelf (36:13):

    Holly: Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

    Devin: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:24):

    Holly: Fleabag on Amazon Prime

    Devin: We’re Here to Help Podcast

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome to Episode 2 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Buckle up as we get in deeper with Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian as they FAFO what happens after the king’s champion is crowned. Today we dive into Crown of Midnight and break down the romances, friendships, speculation and heartache that draw us deeper into SJM’s first fantasy series.

    We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.

    We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

    As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Brrrrrr, it’s cold in here, there must be some novels in the atmosphere! (sorry). Join Holly and Devin today as they head up to the great white north and explore books set in the Arctic. Cold this biting can drive people together or even further apart, and braving the elements requires trust and risks a lot when that trust is broken. Holly and Devin both love when their protagonists battle the elements, but for very different reasons and with very different outcomes.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (4:31): Devin discussed The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler, a romance following Zoey Caldwell for her once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the town of Moose Springs, Alaska. Once there, in collaboration with her wealthy best friend Lana and a handsome townie who hates tourists named Graham Barnett, Zoey explores the natural wonders of the region… and some much more interpersonal wonders with Graham. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    If you’re looking for a taste of arctic adventures, this book delivers pretty well. There are moose (mooses? meese?) galore, four-wheeling adventures, whale watching, you name it. That being said, Zoey runs into a lot of problems on her adventures (even zip lining doesn't go right) so the reader’s enjoyment gets a bit clouded by the continuous mishaps.

    The friendships and side characters in this book were amazing. Lana is a complicated and fascinating character I wish we had seen more of, and Graham's cohort of local friends are unique, rounded, and intriguing. Even Lana’s wealthy friends who suck are hilarious and add good color to the story.

    Graham is a bit of a complicated (read: toxically masculine) protagonist; he won’t stop calling Zoey “gorgeous” as a pet name, he resorts to violence and throwing punches during any conflict, and isn’t great at processing his own emotions. He also hates tourists without acknowledging that all his income and his lifestyle are thanks to their money.

    The Dagger (23:17): Holly discussed A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke, a supernatural horror novel with two timelines set on a single location - the whaling ship Ormen. In the modern-day timeline, a cohort of explorers and content creators arrive in northern Ireland to squat on the shipwrecked vessel before it is dragged out to sea and sunk by officials. The reader gets insight into 1901 events that ripple into today, though, as they follow a young woman in Scotland who is attacked and taken aboard the Orman against her will. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    Cooke creates a bone-chilling and creepy atmosphere with strong writing and invocation of rhymes and sailor song; the book captures the sense of isolation and madness that can plague people in arctic elements for too long. While great, Holly wishes there had been even more of this woven in.

    Like many readers, when there are dual timelines Holly is usually drawn to one more than the other. Here, she found the present timeline was focused on content creation and engaging a social media audience. The other timeline that follows a woman as she awakes surrounded by a sailing crew headed deeper and deeper into the arctic held more intrigue.

    This book is dark; it’s all about trauma and the permanent traces that haunt us, with many violent acts committed throughout. Cooke weaves in metaphors and commentary on humanity’s violation and pillaging of the environment - particularly the entitlement of men and the harms they’ve caused over time.

    Hot On the Shelf (42:13):

    Holly: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

    Devin: Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (45:42):

    Holly: Poor Things, 2023 film

    Devin: Skiing Big Sky in Montana for the first time

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Let’s get meta, friends! Today, Holly and Devin talk through books with podcasters as the protagonists. They use this podcast medium to dig into the value of podcasting and the way that an audio medium impacts our lives, for better and for much, much worse. Due to its growing popularity in the last decade - true crime for Holly and comedy/science for Devin - podcasts are more and more featured in books and as podcasters themselves, our hosts are all for it. They’ll stop saying “podcast” so much now…

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (3:20): Holly discussed None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, a psychological thriller that follows popular podcaster Alix Summers as she crosses paths with an unassuming woman named Josie Fair. After Josie pitches herself as the subject in one of Alix’s podcast episodes, the women become progressively more entwined and Alix is left to uncover the dark, terrible legacy of Josie after her sudden disappearance. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    Jewell alternates the POV between Alix and Josie and includes excerpts from the podcast episodes they record; Holly recommends this book on audio specifically because of the mixed media elements.

    From the start, Alix and Josie are foils for each other. Alix is pretty, upper middle class, successful and fulfilled in her work. Josie is frumpy, constantly described as wearing denim everything and married to a man almost 30 years her senior. Jewell weaves them together in a fascinating and terrifying way.

    As the title indicates, Jewell masterfully balances perspective (via Alix, who is uncertain about who Josie is and whether to keep working with her) such that the reader even to the end cannot feel confident in who to believe and where lies the truth.

    The Heart (20:22): Devin discussed Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin, a “You’ve Got Mail” retelling that follows Hana Khan as she balances her passion for podcasting with her efforts to save her mother’s halal restaurant, Three Sisters Biryani Poutine. When a competitor, Wholistic Burgers and Grill, opens on the same street, Hana is thrown into battle against the charming and gorgeous Aydin Shah. With her podcast, Ana’s Brown Girl Rambles, as a solace and the dedicated listener Stanley P as a confidant, how can Hana do it all? Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Instead of email for this Rom Com re-do, Aydin and Hana come together and are kept apart by her podcast and their DMs. Her engagement with audio allows the reader to explore what having a voice means, especially with moments of anti-muslim hate crime in the story.

    Yes, this is a romance but Jalaluddin focuses on Hana as a full and complete woman outside of romantic love, and explores self-love, familial love, and community love and care through the novel - with a special emphasis on the Toronto Golden Crescent neighborhood.

    With concerns over the failing restaurant run by her mother for so long, Hana has to fight to keep traditions alive but also has deep passion for audio broadcasting and the modern ways people connect to each other. Both Aydin and Hana have to wrestle with those pressures and the possible gentrification of their Muslim neighborhood in Scarborough.

    Hot On the Shelf (39:09):

    Holly: Independent People by Halldor Laxness

    Devin: Text Appeal by Amber Roberts

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (43:08):

    Holly: A new season of reading in 2024

    Devin: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: To start year 3 of Hearts & Daggers with a bang, we are launching a brand-new special miniseries that is sure to delight Hearts and Daggers readers alike.

    We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.

    We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

    In this our first episode, we will share a brief introduction to the series; the order in which we'll be reading; and then dive into discussion of the book Throne of Glass. Each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. We will warn you in this episode before we get into spoilers, in case you want to listen and get a taste before diving into the series yourself. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome to year three of Hearts & Daggers, friends! We are so delighted you are along on this ride with us. To get 2024 started, Holly and Devin are digging into books by debut authors. There may be nothing more impressive that someone who puts their heart and hard work on the line to publish their first book. It’s not only difficult to get published in the first place, but once your book is out there are thousands if not millions of people who experience your finished work. Holly and Devin both love reading debuts, finding that the more diverse voices added to the canon the more they enjoy diving in.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (3:45): Devin discussed Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen, an enemies-to-lovers centered around Olivia Huang Christenson and Bennett O’Brien as they go head-to-head in a competition to see whose Chinese zodiac matchmaking approach is best. Liv is working hard to maintain the traditions of her grandmother’s matchmaking business and Bennett has launched a new dating app that recommends matches using the Chinese zodiac. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    The crux of the romance and the plot of the novel is the push/pull between tradition and innovation. How can one maintain culture via traditional practices and where should technology and new perspectives impact those traditions?

    Devin is year of the Horse and Holly is year of the Snake, but either had been exposed very much to the Chinese zodiac before Devin read this book; Kung Jessen pulls from her Chinese-American heritage to add a unique cultural and historical perspective to the novel without making it seem like a lesson at school.

    Lunar Love was a bit light on the romance side and not very steamy. That being said, it was built authentically through Liv and Bennett’s competition. Reading how each of them watched each other on dates that they themselves orchestrated and the complicated feelings there was especially enjoyable.

    The Dagger (19:22): Holly discussed Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden, a crime thriller following Virgil Wounded Horse as he delivers vigilante justice for his Lakota Nation community when the American legal system and the trivial council fall short. When heroin makes its way onto the reservation and directly impacts Virgil’s nephew, his career in vigilantism suddenly becomes personal. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    This novel was not only an extremely solid debut, but an important fresh voice for the triller genre; it was character-driven and a slower build in terms of action, but Holly read it in a day and found it was impossible to put down.

    Winter Counts explores themes of justice and the corruption that can preclude real accountability and fairness within not only the federal policing system as it interacts with the Native communities, but also the tribal councils themselves and the cascading impacts it has on the people.

    Through Virgil and the other characters of the book, Weiden explores not only how personal history and trauma influence perspectives and actions but also the challenges of maintaining and evolving cultural identity and traditions for the Native communities in the modern era.

    Hot On the Shelf (35:26):

    Holly: The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

    Devin: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (41:29):

    Holly: Rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender

    Devin: The Old Man and the Pool by Mike Bribiglia

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Happy Holidays, folks! To start year 3 of Hearts & Daggers with a bang, we are launching a brand-new special miniseries that is sure to delight Hearts and Daggers readers alike.

    We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We’re excited to share that we will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series.

    We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

    The first episode will air in January and they’ll continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome home, friends! Join Holly and Devin today as they discuss books that feature a return to our roots, to going back where we came from (for better or worse). Devin highlights that this trope is common and effective in romances - Hallmark and Lifetime use it constantly. Holly shares that thrillers remind the reader that “home” isn’t always cozy and safe but can be the source of trauma and horrors to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (3:40): Holly discussed Sundial by Catriona Ward, a novel following Rob, a woman who has it all - a husband, two children and a nice house in the suburbs. At least, that’s how it looks on paper. After discovering that her husband is cheating on her with her only friend and feeling increasingly worried for her daughter Callie’s bizarre behaviors, Rob seeks answers at Sundial, the remote desert ranch where Rob grew up. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    This novel explores the theme of nature vs. nurture, both in humans and animals. What makes us who we are, and how much can human intervention modify and control the choices we make? The setting in the Mojave desert doubles down on this exploration, portrayed as a brutal, hungry animal waiting to be fed.

    Ward keeps us back on our heels through the novel with alternating timelines and POVs; we follow Rob and Callie in the present day, but also see Rob of the past and her childhood at Sundial. We are left feeling distrustful of everyone and unsure which story we can rely on.

    Rob’s return home and Callie’s introduction to Rob’s fraught past is a major factor in this novel; we are privy to the present day experience of Rob coming back to Sundial, but we also move back in time to learn what happened there when she and her sister Jack were growing up, particularly the events surrounding their late teens.

    The Heart (17:17): Devin discussed Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake as we follow the titular character from the life she’s fought hard to build in New York City back to her hometown of Bright Falls for her step-sister’s wedding. As a professional photographer, she’d normally reject the opportunity outright but the five-figure paycheck sways her. Once there, she meets her sister’s friend Claire and decides that the entire two-week extravaganza would be more fun with some flirtation. Delilah ends up with way more than she bargains for and so does the reader. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Even with Astrid, Delilah’s cold and perfectionistic step sister, a lot of this book is about finding your voice and learning how to stand for what you need and want, with boundaries and sharing feelings etc. whether in romantic partnerships or platonic friendships.

    The first of a three book series, this novel is a sapphic romance and is very fantastically steamy; Herring Blake focuses her talents on not just sexy moments but hot dialogue to make even the most seasoned romance reader blush. As queer romances go, this one is a fantastic representation of real queer community and intimacy.

    The chaos and stress of going home, facing triggers head-on and the complicated family dynamics between Claire and her ex husband all build to the sense that this whole exercise is tough for everyone, but also worthwhile to build a better future for everyone involved.

    Hot On the Shelf (37:09):

    Devin: A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny

    Holly: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:46):

    Devin: Boygenius (especially Julien Baker)

    Holly: The Crown, Season 6 Part 1

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: It’s time for another awesome LoveFest with Devin and Holly! This week they discuss Swedish author extraordinaire, Fredrik Backman. Known globally for his stories full of heart, redemption, and seeking meaning in the hardest parts of life, he’s been a long-time favorite of both hosts. He sheds light on octogenarians and children, the ignored and the marginalized in his writing and brings would-be villains into a gentle light. We love rooting for all his characters!

    Topics Discussed:

    Background (4:39): Backman debuted with A Man Called Ove in 2012 and lives in Sweden with his wife and two children; Holly and Devin discuss how they discovered his work and stand-out aspects of his writing.

    Curmudgeon Book Discussion (10:59):

    A Man Called Ove: After his wife’s death, Ove decides life isn’t worth living. But life has a funny way of pulling you back in and with a colorful and caring cast of characters, this grump discovers just how much there is to live for.

    My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry: After the death of her sole caretaker and grandmother, Elsa is left with a series of letters addressed to residents of their apartment building. The adventure she goes on to deliver them opens up Elsa’s world and reveals a community she never thought she had.

    Britt-Marie Was Here: A sequel to “My Grandmother…” this novel hones in on the strict, cleanliness- and rules-focused character Britt-Marie as she leaves her unfaithful husband and tries to rebuild her life in the decrepit town of Borg. There, she uncovers that the colorful inhabitants of the town are much more than meets he eye and that perhaps, sometimes, mess is ok.

    Recent Book Discussion (26:02):

    And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: This tear-jerker focuses on loss, aging, and dementia as three generations of men confront the decline of the grandfather.

    Anxious People: Following a failed robbery attempt at a cashless bank in a small Swedish town, this novel examines what happens when strangers become entwined in a hilarious hostage situation and compassion and vulnerability win the day.

    Beartown Series (35:20):

    A three-book series (Beartown, Us Against You, The Winners), Backman explores a tiny community in a frozen north-Sweden forest that revolves around it’s hockey teams. His magnum opus, these stories follow the junior ice hockey team, it’s coaches, players, and parents, as they struggle to survive trauma, a declining economy, and other challenges. Trigger warning for sexual assault.

    Hot On the Shelf (51:54):

    Devin: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

    Holly: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (55:30):

    Devin: David Sedaris Live Reading at CU Boulder

    Holly: Killers of the Flower Moon movie (you can check out the book here!)

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Pour yourself a mug of warm cider and snuggle under a blanket for this week’s episode - we’re hanging out in cabins in the woods! Is the wind outside a soothing background to a great makeout session or the cover for clomping feet coming to get us? One thing we’re sure of - our hearts sure are racing whenever protagonists end up in rural cabins. Devin and Holly agree that while the outcomes of the stories in their respective wheelhouses differ, the allure is the same - isolated, cozy, and full of the unknown.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (2:31): Devin discussed The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller, a novel following Boston-based pastry chef Olivia Rawlings and she escapes a professional disaster by moving to a tiny Vermont town called Guthrie. Once there, she is hired to work at the Sugar Maple Inn by the owner, Margaret, who has her own apple-pie agenda, thrusting Livvy into a tiny community that makes a big impact on her life. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Livvy and the other characters in this novel all have their own ambitions, goals, and hang-ups. Some may seem silly on the surface (winning a pie baking contest) but are much more profound once you dig in. This story counteracts the assumptions we make about small towns and reminds us that community, whatever the size, makes us who we are.

    The descriptions of food in this novel are some of the best I’ve seen and rival Louise Penny. The sugar, the bread, the kitchen Livvy bakes in every morning and the way she approaches new recipes with us experiencing each ingredient makes this cozy novel delicious as well.

    Vermont as the setting also amplifies the cozy happy energy of the story; there’s line dancing, small bars, a tiny sugar cabin Livvy moves into that has a woodstove, so many blankets and smells of pine and nature. Every season described is idyllic and enjoyable, even aside from the plot!

    The Dagger (16:37): Holly discussed In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt, a historical fiction suspense book set in colonial New England that follows a woman, Goody, who leaves her husband and son for the day to pick berries. She finds herself venturing deeper and deeper into the woods and stumbles upon a house - and much, much more. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    This novel is lyrical but concise and reminded Holly of T.S. Elliott poems; the woods act as a symbol for freedom and dreams, for example. There’s tension between the woods, where women can be wild and free, and fear of that from the uptight rules of religion and Goody’s society.

    The reader encounters many eerie and unknown things through this story; a deep well, a living ship made of human bones, butchering pigs, and “swallowing screams” are a short list. The setting in the woods and in rural cabins gives us a sense of creeping unknown and begs the question - are things what they seem?

    A central theme of the story is womanhood and exploring the archetypes of being a woman; Hunt explores how women in history have been limited, abused, and subjugated to the rule of them through the guise of religion. Goody must break out of her traditional roles and learn to rely on the women she encounters who try to help; no one else will.

    Hot On the Shelf (37:31):

    Holly: Linghun by Ai Jiang

    Devin: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:37):

    Holly: Lupin Part 3 on Netflix

    Devin: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Get those reading glasses on and join us for some extra nerdy energy this week, friends! Holly and Devin discuss Modern Classics today - those works post World War II that created pivot points in the cannon for the Thriller and Romance genres. In this era, ideas about race, gender and class are shifting as readers broadened their understanding of an interconnected world. Sexual liberation and violent horrors that had previously been viewed as outrageous become commonplace, so of course both our hosts have a blast this episode!

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (3:02): Holly discussed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, a Nordic crime fiction novel following Mikael Blomkvist (journalist and publisher) and Lisbeth Salander (a computer hacker) as they investigate the disappearance of a woman 40 years ago. Together, Blomkvist and Salander uncover the secrets of the woman’s family through the darkest corners of Swedish society. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    The novel delves into themes of violence, sexual abuse, and family secrets. It explores how individuals and families can hide dark and painful truths, often at great cost including corruption and financial malfeasance.

    Lisbeth is a central character who represents female empowerment; her intelligence, resilience and capacity for self-defense are key elements in the story. Larsson explores issues of gender and the societal treatment of women.

    This novel had a significant cultural impact and made important contributions to the mystery and thriller genres. Specifically, the complex female protagonist, darker themes, moral ambiguity and critique of society are now common in the genre, begun by Larsson in 2005.

    The Heart (20:31): Devin discussed The Lion’s Daughter by Loretta Chase, a bodice-ripper romance from 1992 following the fiery-haired and -tempered Esme Brentmore as she works to avenge her father’s (supposed) murder, entangled all the way with the scoundrel and handsome rake, Varian St. George. They roam the country of Albania as fiendish plots and unspoken feelings bring them together and threaten to tear them apart. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    This novel and others by Chase are part of the bodice-ripper romance era (think: woman in silk dress laid sensually in a field with her blouse exposing ample cleavage). Bodice Rippers are known for “exotic” locations, sexually explicit material, heroines with careers outside of housewife/mother who are also virginal yet fierce and handsome alpha males bent on seducing and dominating that woman.

    Chase brings all the above tropes to the table with the country of Albania as the background. Albanian herself, Chase adds a real air of authenticity to Esme, who was born and raised in Albania by her English father, Jason, and to many of the colorful side characters.

    The romance in this novel is filled with delightful tension (once you become aware that Esme is over 18 and there is therefore no statutory rape going on - yikes) and a lot of “I must have you” energy. Esme is witty, combative, and quick to anger. Varian is immature, selfish, and devastatingly charming (also known as a fuckboi).

    Hot On the Shelf (48:50):

    Holly: Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

    Devin: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (53:09):

    Holly: Stray, the video game

    Devin: Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome to (ripped out) Hearts and (wooden) Daggers, where today we discuss our fanged frenemies - vampires! Whether you enjoy Edward Cullen at the height of sparky, pop-culture vibes or Bram Stoker’s original work, it’s hard to top vampires when you think of the best monsters of spooky season. Holly and Devin both appreciate the way vampires are simultaneously sexy and alluring and also genuinely terrifying, and the books they bring today perfectly encapsulate that versatility.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (3:01): Devin discussed My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine, a novel following Cassie Greenberg as she works to survive and thrive as an artist in Chicago. With a crazy limited budget and a “too good to be true” craigslist ad looking for a roommate, she meets Frederick J. Fitzwilliam - a vampire looking to blend into modernity. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Frederick as a vampire walks the line between a unique twist to fit into 2023 while holding to a lot of traditional vampiric traits - he cannot enter a building without being invited but he can go out into the sun.

    This spooky story has many of Devin’s favorite romance tropes that any romance reader will enjoy sinking their teeth into (get it? *winks awkwardly*): arranged marriage, roommates/forced proximity, forbidden love, and “looks like they could kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll” to name a few.

    While the focal point remains Cassie and Frederick throughout, the cast of supporting characters and the multimedia narrative approach (featuring text threads, emails, diary entries etc.) add colorful dimensions that really make this romance come to life.

    The Dagger (24:35): Holly discussed Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, a historical horror romance novel set in 1840s Medico. We follow 13 year-old Nena as she and her vaquero friend Nestor decide to find buried silver in a place where little lights gleam up from the ground - legend says it was left by a Spanish explorer and could hold the key to Nena’s freedom from arranged marriage. Nothing goes according to plan, though, and the disastrous night they go to search leaves too much unresolved. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    The vampires in this book are represented as actual monstrous creatures: gray skin, no eyes, mouths full of sharp teeth. Cañas also leaves the reader to contemplate on the vampiric nature of the colonialist Anglos who haunt the communities and suck them dry of everything the locals have built and grown.

    There is a surprising amount of romance in this book! A great middle ground for Hearts & Daggers listeners alike. Nena’s fight to choose her own life and get out from under her volatile father’s thumb is accentuated by a high-stakes romance that builds tensions throughout.

    The gothic, Mexican west atmosphere of the novel fits perfectly for the plot and the monsters you’ll encounter; Cañas infuses a lot of descriptions of the chaparral (scrublands that exist between ranchos and towns) with the storytelling and lore sharing by Nena’s abuela and the rancho’s curandera (healer).

    Hot On the Shelf (43:56):

    Devin: You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

    Holly: The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (49:35):

    Devin: The season of Autumn

    Holly: A Haunting in Venice

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Welcome to Spooky Season, friends! Holly and Devin kick their favorite time of year off with a real bang today discussing books with serial killers. One host avoids true crime and scary stories at all costs - the other host has never felt more at home than in October vibes. Both hosts agree that that national obsession with serial killers acts as both an exploration into the muddy waters of human nature and a genuinely helpful protective mechanism for cis and trans women who need to be on their guard. Join us for some lighthearted fun about more than one murder!

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (3:17): Holly discussed All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby, a detective procedural following Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of Charon County, as he responds to a call about a shooting at a local school and then must confront a reeling community and the fact that the true threat is still at large - a serial killer hiding in plain sight. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    While sometimes plot is enough, S.A. Cosby’s writing is phenomenal in this book, filled with with the kinds of delightful and original turns of phrase common in Southern speaking; he even names the county after the figure who ferries souls across the Rivers Styx and Acheron into the underworld in Greek mythology.

    Racism and hatred that exists bubbling under the surface, or on the surface at times, of this town and community. Titus must confront his own role and place in racial dynamics as a Black man but also as a law enforcement officer; he is met with hatred by both Black and white members of the community as he seeks to understand what “right” is.

    The cat-and-mouse game between Titus and the serial killer explores how things may not be what they seem - which is also reflected in the religious community. Cosby explores the choices people can make and how bad people can still do good things - they just prefer to do bad things more.

    The Heart (20:30): Devin discussed Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson, a novel following PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh as she spends a summer in Florida cleaning out her childhood home after her estranged father’s passing. Things escalate quickly when she becomes convinced that the next door neighbor, Sam Dennings, is a serial killer. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    Thompson highlights the very real (but slightly exaggerated) feelings across many cis and trans women of fearing cis men, especially men they don’t know or trust, and how knowing everything about Ted Bundy is actually a mechanism by which they protect themselves from very real danger.

    At twelve, Phoebe’s parents divorced and she and her brother Connor (he was five at the time) essentially picked sides and were subsequently raised by different parents; in returning to Florida, Phoebe must confront her past, her trauma, and her defense mechanisms that keep her from vulnerability that might unlock the door to real romantic love.

    This novel explores confirmation bias and what assumptions can do to our sense of selves and our relationships. Phoebe makes a lot of assumptions about Sam, who he is and what he cares about, and Thompson shows the reader the importance of uncovering truth.

    Hot On the Shelf (40:10):

    Devin: On Beauty by Zadie Smith

    Holly: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (44:46):

    Devin: What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 on Hulu

    Holly: Big Fish

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Grab your beakers and your wolverine traps - Holly and Devin are talking biologists today! The more specific our themes get, the more fascinating we find the comparisons between books in our wheelhouses get; both books have a heavy focus on women in STEM and making careers in male-dominated fields, but while one gets your blood pumping with a fake dating trope, the other has your hackles up with the scent of murder. Overall, books featuring biologists and other scientists are entering the zeitgeist in a real way - with “Cli-fi” (climate change disaster fiction) and “women in STEM” rich ground for the modern writer.

    Topics Discussed:

    The Heart (2:10): Devin discussed The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, a STEM-y (get it?) story following third-year PhD candidate Olive Smith as she navigates her career and convincing her best friend Anh that she’s over her ex so that Anh will finally cave and date him herself. To prove that Anh has the green light, Ali decides to show and not tell by kissing the first man she sees - who unfortunately happens to be Adam Carlsen, the hotshot professor who is notorious for his scathing feedback and relentlessly high expectations in the department. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    The fake dating trope has never been more delicious to read; Adam needs to prove to his department head that he’s putting down roots and not planning to leave the university so his research funds get released, and Olive is desperate to help her friend find her own happy ending.

    Hazelwood confronts some very real, very upsetting realities for women working in STEM and navigating careers when internal politics, sexism, and unfair power dynamics create barriers at every stage; yes this is a romance, but it’s also an accurate and incisive look at what blocks success for anyone that isn’t a cis man in the sciences.

    This book features Hazelwood’s now trademark steaminess; Adam Carlsen reminds Devin of a brooding, cinnamon-roll-on-the-inside Adam Driver (so, basically, just Adam Driver); if you’re looking for a sexy, tension-filled romance balanced out by real science, this book is for you.

    The Dagger (18:27): Holly discussed A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson, a thriller that starts with a bang as protagonist Alex Carter almost dies at an event celebrating the completion of a recent conservation project to protect wetlands near Boston; someone has brought a gun to the event and opens fire. Saved at the last second, Alex decides to recover by taking a job studying wolverines in Montana. To Holly’s delight, the research takes place at a creepy, rundown old ski resort. Her key takeaways were:

    There is a heavy sprinkling of important (and real, Holly should know from her work at the Audubon society) wildlife conservation issues; Henderson explores not only wolverines interacting with their environment but the importance of native plants and programs collaborating with farmers and ranchers to help protect birds and other wildlife.

    Amidst the science, Alex is nearly driven off the road and spies footage in a wolverine trap camera of a badly injured man out in the snow; tension builds as time runs out to get to the bottom of what really is going on - all while still confronting lingering questions about what happened with the shooting in Boston.

    While this is a rock solid thriller, it wasn’t the most memorable Holly has read. Many of the male main characters felt interchangeable and became hard to follow at times. If you’re looking for a plot-heavy environmental thriller, A Solitude of Wolverines is worth a shot (winks awkwardly).

    Hot On the Shelf (38:39):

    Devin: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

    Holly: The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (43:27):

    Devin: Good Omens Season 2 on Amazon Prime

    Holly: Only Murders in the Building Season 3 on Hulu

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Howdy, neighbor! Join Holly and Devin today as they discuss a theme that catalyzes some of the most intense plotlines in both their wheelhouses; who is sexier and/or creepier than your neighbor? They agree that the tropes in both horror/thriller and romance stories featuring neighbors are some of their favorites. Stick around at the end for some *spoilers* on Holly’s book that blew Devin’s mind!

    Topics Discussed:

    The Dagger (3:57): Holly discussed The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward, a horror novel following Ted Bannerman - the classic creepy neighbor. He lives alone with his cat, Olivia, in a dilapidated house at the end of a cul-de-sac. Visited by his daughter, Lauren, and with perspectives shifting between them, a neighbor Dee, and the cat Olivia (you read that right), this novel explores what it means to be a neighbor, and to know (or not) yours. Holly’s key takeaways were:

    This novel examines the impact of traumatic events on individuals’ perceptions, behaviors, and mental well-being. Ward delves into how psychological trauma can distort memories and influence actions, including the nature of reality.

    Much of what you can expect from this book is disturbing; the author taps into fears and anxieties of the characters and the reader to create an unsettling atmosphere and unshakeable sense of unease.

    The unreliable narrators contribute to the suspense and ambiguity of the story; nothing in the book is what it seems - the reader is presented with perspectives that shift and befuddle.

    The Heart (18:18): Devin discussed The Switch by Beth O’Leary, a novel that follows Leena Cotton and her 79-year-old grandmother, Eileen, as they switch houses for two months. After a panic attack and subsequent sabbatical from work, Leena needs a change of pace and is looking for a quieter life than her bustling experience in London. Eileen is newly single, about to turn eighty, and ready to mingle. Devin’s key takeaways were:

    While this novel is definitely a romance (for both Leena and Eileen), we also witness important and equally transformative platonic and familial relationships; our protagonists redefine their relationship through the novel and come to a deeper understanding of each other as they live each other’s lives.

    One of the main themes O’Leary teases out is self-discovery at any age; whether you’re about to be 30 or about to be 80, there is more to uncover about who you are, what you want, and where you want your life to go.

    Unlike many romances, The Switch has octogenarian representation and intergenerational connections; as a reader we get to experience well-rounded characters in multiple generations who come together to grow and learn from each other.

    Hot On the Shelf (36:17):

    Holly: The Master Key by Masako Togawa

    Devin: Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:42):

    Holly: Taylor Swift (Holly came out as a Swiftie)

    Devin: Heartstopper Season 2

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

  • Summary: Summer is coming to a close and academia is back on our minds. Welcome to our fourth LoveFest, where Holly and Devin talk about Jane Austen for literally longer than they’ve ever spoken about anything on the podcast before. Born in 1775, Austen received a home-based education and began writing in her teens. Her novels were published anonymously during her short life; she died in 1817 at age 41 of what modern physicians believe to be Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her six novels, though, have endured for centuries and are recognized especially for their wit, humor, and keen social commentary.

    Topics Discussed:

    Sense and Sensibility (13:09):

    Elinor and Marianne Dashwood teach the reader via their contrasting approaches to love that a successful romance requires both logic and passion; Holly’s introduction to Austen and a mutual favorite

    Adaptations: 1995 film ft Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and Harriet Walter. 2008 BBC Miniseries ft. Dan Stevens, Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield.

    Pride & Prejudice (25:53):

    This novel is the foundation of what we think of as a romance book and is still the template some 200+ years later; Lizzie Bennet is a heroine for the ages and Darcy one of the best romantic leads in all of literature.

    Adaptations: 1995 BBC Miniseries ft. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. 2005 Joe Wright film ft. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen

    Emma (39:43):

    Emma Woodhouse goes from playing matchmaking games and meddling in the lives of her friends and acquaintances to realizing she has to mature to earn the proper match of her own in this hilarious, witty novel; Mister Knightley is a favorite of both Holly and Devin.

    Adaptations: 1995 film Clueless ft. Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash and Brittany Murphy, 2009 BBC miniseries ft. Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller, 2020 film ft. Anya Taylor Joy and Johnny Flynn

    Mansfield Park (49:01):

    Following one of the harder heroines to love and root for, Fanny, the reader journeys through all kinds of tomfoolery and propriety transgressions on their way to a happy ending in Austen’s least-loved novel (for Holly and Devin, at least); key themes of class differences, privilege, and morality add meaning.

    Adaptations: Don’t bother.

    Northanger Abbey (1:01:13):

    It’s a teenage dream for the reader as we follow Catherine Morland through her summer in Bath as she discovers herself, the meaning of true and false friendships, and ultimately - love (with a side of melodrama and a “murder investigation”); Austen pokes fun at the Gothic novels so popular at the time.

    Adaptations: 2007 Northanger Abbey TV miniseries featuring Felicity Jones

    Persuasion (1:11:36):

    In her final work, we follow Austen’s oldest protagonist (27, gasp!) Anne Elliot, who had forsaken her love of Frederick Wentworth years ago after pressure from her family about his status. The reader explores the power of love, of self-advocacy, and not bending to societal pressure while rooting enthusiastically for Anne and Wentworth alike. If you want more details on this novel, check out Episode 17, Classics.

    Adaptations: 1995 film ft. Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root, 2007 film ft. Sally Hawkins, 2022 film ft. Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis (skip unless you want a laugh)

    Hot On the Shelf (1:18:58):

    Devin: With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson

    Holly: Let Him In by William Friend

    What’s Making Our Hearts Race (1:21:37):

    Devin: Barbie

    Holly: Oppenheimer

    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

    Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

    If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.