Ep 386 - Fable + Are Social Media Apps Worth It?

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde, a genius scholar and meticulous researcher, is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. She travels to the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik to complete her research on the Hidden Ones, the most elusive of all faeries. There, she encounters her academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who charms the townsfolk and complicates her research. As Emily delves deeper into the secrets of the fae, she also uncovers mysteries about Wendell and her own heart. The book is a cosy slice-of-life fantasy, written in a historical setting where faerie studies are real, and features exquisite world-building, beautiful imagery, and engaging characters.

Set in a Victorian-esque world, this book follows the life of Lady Isabella Trent as she defies societal conventions to pursue her passion for the study of dragons. The story is told through her memoirs, where she recounts her childhood fascination with dragons, her marriage, and her first significant expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana. The narrative is enriched by illustrations by Todd Lockwood and explores themes of scientific curiosity, gender roles, and personal determination. Isabella's journey marks the beginning of her path to becoming the world's preeminent dragon naturalist, bringing the study of dragons from myth to modern science.