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This month, Emhma, Laurha, Rhico, and Bhella are sinking their teeth into J.R. Ward’s DARK LOVER, the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Before romantasy took over BookTok, paranormal romance was serving leather-clad vampires, tortured alpha males, and… ninja stars?! Listen in as we untangle the mythology, examine the book as a fascinating study of masculinity, and realize one important element of the book was so lackluster, we almost forgot to even bring it up. So, pour yourself your favorite Kraken Rum cocktail (Kraken, you know where to find us) and get ready for some early 2000’s nostalgia. CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other media mentioned in this episode: A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole Twilight by Stephenie Meyer The Blood Books/Victory Nelson series by Tanya Huff Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson Strange Love By Ann Aguire The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee Twilight (2008) Queen of the Damned (2002) Blood Ties (2007) The Matrix (1999) Blade (1998) Heroes (2006-2010)   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read After Dark is hosted by Laura Benson, Jason Rico, Bella Romero, and EmmaSkies, with an introduction by Jessilee Windhaus and editing by Jason Rico. Catalyst by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChord...

This month, we officially welcome Brittney to her first full episode as we jump into OPERATION BOUNCE HOUSE by Matt Dinniman, the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl. Listen as we break down the lore of Chuck Tingle, discuss the book’s representation and normalization of sex work, and question what Dinniman has to say about AI. Plus, we explore some of the book’s unsettling parallels to current world events.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman Strange is the Light by Sarah Maria Griffen Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle Abyss by Nicholas Binge The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu The Odyssey by Homer Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim A Wall Is Also a Road by Annalee Newitz The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee Daggermouth by H.M Wolfe The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher Dark Lover by J.R. Ward She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram |

Pour yourself a glass of Barefoot Wine, get cozy, and join us as we take our first bite of Season Six! In this After Dark episode, we’re discussing the sapphic werewolf romance SHE CAME FOR THE PACK by Darva Green! Vibe out with us as we discuss content warnings and who they benefit, unpack the book’s sapphic take on Alpha/Omega tropes, and decide whether this is a satisfying standalone or leaves us wanting more. Plus, Emma schools us (not for the first time, and probably not for the last time) on the intricacies and origins of the Omegaverse. For more on the Omegaverse, listen to our After Dark discussion of Dark City Omega! Check out the list of Ao3’s most written Alphas & Omegas of all time! CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux Maneater by Emily Antoinette Dark City Omega by Elizabeth Stephens A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole She Came From the Swamp by Darva Green Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson Sing Me to Sleep by R.M. Virtues Desperate Measures by Katee Robert Dark Lover by J.R. Ward The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today!

Meet Brittney! In this Season Six premiere minisode, we shoot the shit with the newest co-host of Shit We’ve Read to talk about books, pets, and everything she’s bringing to the podcast. Listen in as we reveal the sad story behind Laura and Brittney's first meeting, we go on yet another mini Heated Rivalry tangent, and Jason comes to the surprising defense of an author he’s never read. Plus, we discuss the language of cults, so join us in welcoming Brittney to our own! About Brittney: Brittney grew up in a small town with busy working parents, so her constant companions were her books. When she is not deep in the pages of a fantasy or contemporary romance, you can catch her spending time with her four dogs, camping, paddle boarding, or hanging out at a brewery with her book club. Follow her on Instagram @nghtreadrslibrary   Books mentioned in this episode: Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove The Last Adventure of Constance Verity by A. Lee Martinez Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard Tempest by Victoria Aveyard (On Sale Sept. 8, 2026) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig Winterveil by Ava Reid (On Sale Sept. 15, 2026) Galaxy’s Edge series by Jason Anspach & Nick Cole Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read is hosted by Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Brittney Wong, with editing by Jason Rico, and music by Joshua Chilton.

We’re closing out Season Five with the gothic sapphic romance HOUSE OF RAYNE by Harley Laroux! Join us as we find out if it’s a worthy After Dark finale, compare it to Laroux’s Her Soul to Take, which we previously read on the show, and watch Jason discover the power of the mute button. CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux Savage Blooms by S.T. Gibson Desperate Measures by Katee Robert To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read After Dark is hosted by Laura Benson, Jason Rico, Bella Romero, and EmmaSkies, with an introduction by Jessilee Windhaus and editing by Jason Rico. Dark Hollows by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hey, friends! You may have noticed there was no new episode this month. That's because sometimes life gets in the way and, unfortunately, that's exactly what happened this month. As you may have already suspected, we're sorry to announce that we had to cancel February's planned discussion of DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor. At this time, we're unsure whether we'll reschedule it, but we will be back next month with our planned After Dark episode for the Season 5 finale. Thanks so much for your understanding and we'll see you next month! Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read is hosted by Laura Benson and Jason Rico, with music by Joshua Chilton and editing by Jason Rico.

We’re kicking off 2026 with a tale of "mind games, kink, and ancient enchantment," because we read SAVAGE BLOOMS by S.T. Gibson! Join us as we spiral into yet another Heated Rivalry tangent, compare the novel to one of its inspirations (Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë), and debate whether it lives up to the other Gibson books we’ve covered. Plus, find out which After Dark pick Laura chose that has Emma absolutely hyped. CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid The Long Game by Rachel Reid Naughty or Ice by Sylvia Pierce Pucking Around by Emily Rath Game Misconduct by Ari Baran A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson Evocation by S.T. Gibson An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Cruel Prince by Holly Black A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert House of Rayne by Harley Laroux To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu The Archaeology of Falling Worlds by Megan Chee   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read...

It's the final episode of 2025, and we're wrapping things up with our 3rd annual Secret Santa book exchange! Join Bella, Emma, Jason, and Laura for our coziest, messiest holiday tradition as we exchange books, hot takes, and answer the following questions: Did the right books go to the right recipients this year? Which one of us didn’t finish their book, and what went wrong? Which host picked their Secret Santa book during an active criminal investigation? And which current Emma obsession led us on a ten-minute tangent? Thank you so much for listening and supporting us this year. We’re endlessly grateful for you. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we’ll see you in 2026!   Buy the Books! Jason’s Book: Amazon.com | Libro.fm Laura’s Book: Bookshop.org | Libro.fm Bella’s Book: Bookshop.org | Libro.fm Emma’s Book: Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other media mentioned in this episode: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Warehouse 13 The SCP Foundation The City We Became by NK Jemisin The Magnus Archives Podcast House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on ou...

In this special author interview, Bella and Jason sit down with the effortlessly charming R.A. Basu to talk about her debut novel, TO BARGAIN WITH MORTALS—“a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance—and what we do with the histories we inherit.” Join us as R.A. spills the chai on the chaotic journey her book took to publication, including the incredible lengths publisher Emma Skies went to acquire it. She also shares how her original inspiration began with Jimin from the K-pop sensation BTS, and how she drew upon her own South Asian identity to infuse the story with cultural depth. Plus, R.A. shocks with a (in hindsight, fairly obvious) revelation about the TV series House, M.D. You can grab your copy of TO BARGAIN WITH MORTALS now wherever books are sold!   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned R.A. in this episode: Burn the Sea by Mona Tewari Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite Jade City by Fonda Lee   Guest: R. A. Basu is an Indian Canadian author from Ontario who works in digital development by day and binge reads novels by night. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing on the Nintendo Switch, fighting for her life in a Pilates class, or looking for the best matcha in her city. She is represented by Allegra Martschenko at BookEnds Literary Agency. You can find her on Instagram @rabasuwrites   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks

You voted, and we listened! Your choice for our Halloween After Dark pick is SING ME TO SLEEP by R.M. Virtues—a dreamy tale of a sleep demon who falls for the woman he was meant to haunt. ⁣ This episode has everything: tipsy hosts, personal encounters with sleep paralysis (we’ll let you guess if any demons were involved), and a passionate discussion about the need for editing in self-publishing. Plus, a moment so tense that Emma and Jason almost come to blows. Remember, listeners, you brought this upon yourselves! Happy Halloween!   CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Amazon.com (unfortunately, the only place to purchase)   Other books mentioned in this episode: Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues Desperate Measures by Katee Robert Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás Savage Blooms by S.T. Gibson A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson Evocation by S.T. Gibson An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commission will go towards the podcast. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr Thank you for your support!   Connect with SWR! Instagram | TikTok | Discord | Website Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact   Credits: Shit We've Read After Dark is hosted by Laura Benson, Jason Rico, Bella Romero, and Emma Skies, with an introduction by Jessilee Windhaus and editing by Jason Rico. Halloween Theme 1 by Alexande...

We’re celebrating spooky season with THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw—a fantasy horror about a group of magical students who seek refuge in the school’s library when the faculty go on a ravenous rampage. Listen as Laura and Emma try to keep track of the many characters and their unique abilities, discuss the idea of monstrosity—specifically how women are made monstrous by monstrous men—and… Jason is there, too! Plus, Emma wonders whether this book is truly part of the dark academia genre. Happy Halloween!   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie Katabasis by RF Kuang The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break by Cassandra Khaw The Poppy War by RF Kuang A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu Sing Me to Sleep by R.M. Virtues   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch

Spooky season is officially here! In this episode, we’re celebrating both our favorite time of the year and Hispanic Heritage Month with A CRUEL THIRST by Angela Montoya—a YA fantasy full of vampires, forbidden romance, and Mexican folklore. Join us as we explore how the book draws on Latin American culture to make vampires feel fresh, why this tale about bloodsucking monsters gives off cozy vibes, and what we think of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Zorro” comparison. Plus, find out how A Series of Unfortunate Events helped Bella with the Spanish vocabulary in this book!   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Final Six by Alexandra Monir The Life Below by Alexandra Monir Little Thieves by Margaret Owen Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen Blood Moon by Jillian Graves Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance by Jillian Graves A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks...

In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon. Join us as we explore this steamy romantasy set “in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, [where] a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner.” Along the way, Bella reveals which co-hosts are the most (and least) fabulous, Jason makes a connection to The Mummy (1999), and Emma explains how the book suffers from what she calls the Fourth Wing Phenomenon. Listen now to discover why this book left the hosts so divided! CONTENT WARNING: This episode features discussions of an adult-themed book, contains explicit language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Listener discretion is advised.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson The Sting of Victory by S.D. Simper Railed by the Krampus by Dalia Davies A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab To Bargain With Mortals by R.A. Basu   Support SWR! PayPal | Venmo | SWR Merch We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE and audiobooks HERE and a small commiss...

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME by Neon Yang, a queer, Asian-inspired fantasy novella about a renowned dragon slayer who never takes their armor off in public. Joining us for this discussion of identity, duty, and the power of love is multi-hyphenate guest host Fictional Tiff—musician, queer activist, and leader of the Sacramento Silent Book Club. Listen as we celebrate the queer-normative worldbuilding and how it allows for exploration of personal identity, Laura draws parallels between the book and blind religious devotion, and Tiff shares why sometimes friendship means saying, “I love you, but you suck.” Plus, find out which of us is hoping for a sequel full of dragon smut.   Guest Host: Fictional Tiff is a book blogger turned many things over the years. From heading up the Sacramento Silent Book Club to being a musician, gogo dancer, queer activist, weightlifter, and writer. She keeps her mind busy and shines bright and loud for her community. Reading books is what set Tiff on the course to being passionate about so many things, and she owes them her life. So ask her what she’s currently reading and be prepared for nonstop chatter. You can find her on Instagram @fictionaltiff and listen to her music on Spotify here.   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise Outdrawn by Deanna Grey We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid Death’s Country

It’s Pride Month! And we’re celebrating with OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES by Barbara Truelove, a clever mashup of genres featuring an AI ship, a motley crew of supernatural monsters, and one very vengeful Dracula. Joining us for this discussion of love, found family, and identity is guest host Arden Harris (they/them) of A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA, and host of the Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Club. Listen as Arden weighs in on this story’s comparisons to both Murderbot and The Locked Tomb, we celebrate the queer representation (and beyond), and discover why Jason blocked the audiobook experience from his mind. Plus, Jason channels Haddaway to ask the eternal question: “What is love?” 01001000 01100001 01110000 01110000 01111001 00100000 01010000 01110010 01101001 01100100 01100101 00100000 01001101 01101111 01101110 01110100 01101000 00100001   Guest Host: Arden Harris (they/them) is a bookseller, crafter, and aspiring writer. You can often find them haunting the shelves at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove, CA, or spending time with their wife and four cats. They tend to lurk in the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror sections, but can occasionally be found creeping into other genres when the mood strikes. They can be reluctantly perceived on Instagram @bookstore.cryptid   Buy the Book! Bookshop.org | Libro.fm   Other books mentioned in this episode: Notes from a Regicide by Isaac Fellman Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill Dracula by Bram Stoker The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft