Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast
Sarah Wendell
Each week on Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, Sarah Wendell interviews authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, publishing professionals, editors, and librarians about romance novels, which are among the most popular genres in fiction worldwide. Popular guests include: Ilona Andrews, Robin Bradford, NPR's Barrie Hardymon, Chuck Tingle, Sarah J. Maas, and Rachel Aaron. Amanda Diehl, co-pilot of the SS Smart Bitches, makes regular appearances with maximum silliness, especially during our Romantic Times Rewind episodes, where we take a look at old issues of Romantic Times Magazine (1981-2018). Frequent topics include romance novels, the way the genre is changing, and the brilliant and interesting people who read, write, and produce it, and issues common among romance readers. Plus, we always recommend some books we're reading and really enjoying. Learn more at SB-TB.com/Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 18, 2022 • 38min
502. Classic Rom Coms with Kate Spencer
My guest today is Kate Spencer, author and host of the podcast Forever 35. Her new book, In a New York Minute, is out this week, and y’all, this book was so charming and fun.In this conversation, we talk about:* Vulnerability* Projecting narratives onto strangers* Vintage rom-comsShe’s a romance fan, and a rom-com fan, and we had a lot of fun. ...What about you?What is your favorite vintage rom com? Or not vintage!What stories have your very favorite portrayal of friendship?What city is your favorite?...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 11, 2022 • 44min
501. More Celebratory Mayhem with Amanda!
It’s episode 501 - onward toward a thousand! I start with mini interviews with Shana and Elyse, and then Amanda and I have more listener email, questions, recommendations, and many, many jokes. Yay! Thank you for celebrating with us!...Key Questions:What should we do for our next merch opportunity?What SBTB phrases have stuck with you?What is the best kind of French fry?Email: SBJPodcast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1 201 371 3272 - leave a message! ...Our music in this episode is a custom composition from Sassy Outwater titled, "Rhumba for SB." Thanks, Sassy!... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 4, 2022 • 52min
500. Mayhem with Amanda!
We did it! It’s episode 500!Amanda and I have email and recommendations, your absolute favorite books, weird questions, and a LOT of mayhem. Plus mini interviews with Shana, Tara, Carrie & Elyse. There are so many great questions, clips, and conversations, you guessed it, there will be two episodes celebrating all the fun. ...KEY QUESTIONS:What would you do in the wasp/hair/bus situation?What’s the worst commute you’ve ever had?What would an AI generate for your industry conventions?What book do you love most of all?...Our music in this episode is a custom composition from Sassy Outwater titled, "Rhumba for SB." Thanks, Sassy! ...This episode is dedicated to our fellow Smart Bitch Catherine Heloise McLean, whom we lost earlier in February. May her memory be a blessing, and may we all read wonderful books. With gold lame, glitter and excellent baking. And Eurovision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 25, 2022 • 1h 11min
499. Sweet Dreams Romance Recap: Cover Girl, with Jeff and Will
Jeff and Will from The Big Gay Fiction Podcast are joining me for the Sweet Dreams Recap of book #9, Cover Girl by Yvonne Green.This cover, y’all. And inside! We have a rather gross boyfriend, and an even worse mom, and nature nerds! This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Sweet Dreams cover of them all.TW/CW: Chapter 10 is a little upsetting....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 18, 2022 • 41min
498. Valentine’s Love, Candy, and Wishes with Amanda
Happy Valentine’s Week! Amanda and I have voicemail messages, updates on tattoos, book and lip balm recommendations, and more! Come hang out with us and nosh on all that half price candy. What candy are you buying?Thank you to Nancy, Claudia, Jimmy, StylinsonBirds, Leslie, and Ann!…Music: purple-planet.comShow notes: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 11, 2022 • 49min
497. The Invisible Goddess, Part II, with Melody from Heaving Bosoms!
It’s part II of our recap of The Invisible Goddess by AC Dawn, a retelling of the myth of Hestia, goddess of the hearth and home. Have you read it? Did you like it? I have some things to tell you! A NEW PODCAST! I’m co-hosting LoveStruck Daily with Alisha Rai! LoveStruck Daily is a new podcast from iHeartRadio produced by Frolic Media that will deliver a true love story and those HEA feels every weekday. Our first episodes are out - we hope you like them!…Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 4, 2022 • 46min
496. The Invisible Goddess, Part I, with Melody from Heaving Bosoms
Melody is back!Some of our most popular episodes are our crossovers with Heaving Bosoms, and we have a new one for you! We read The Invisible Goddess by AC Dawn, a retelling of the myth of Hestia, goddess of the hearth and home. We had a LOT to talk about, so I’ve divided this into two episodes.Here in episode one, we’ll recap about half the story, and you’ve got options! You can read the story (it’s not long) before episode two if you like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 28, 2022 • 47min
495. Fearless Knitting and Writing with Vanessa North
I follow Vanessa North on Instagram and after she posted a picture of her first completed project of 2022, I had to talk to her about knitting. So of course we also talk about gender, crafting, raising fearless trans teenagers, photography, and writing romance. Plus book recs, as always.LPT: Always Buy Extra Buttons!...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 21, 2022 • 45min
494. Tubthumping with Anxiety, and More New Year’s Wishes!
Amanda and I catch up on her “lots of things to look forward to” plan, which now includes things that were done! We talk about anxiety, therapy, angsty books, trimming your own bangs, and we have book and video game recs, plus new year’s wishes from Elyse, Pudding, and Jane B!Do you like angsty books? Are there books that help you feel things cathartically?…Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 14, 2022 • 46min
493. Sweet Dreams Romance Recap: Green Eyes by Suzanne Rand
Time to deep dive into another classic YA Romance: Sweet Dreams #7, Green Eyes by Suzanne Rand. Julie has a problem with the green-eyed monster, and it lasts for a lot of pages. We’ve got:Insecure teenagersSwim team!Yet Another Teen Hangout with a Fun NameJust Talk to Each Other for Goodness’ SakeJoin me as I struggle. Seriously, it’ll be fun.NB: I misread “Chip” as “Chuck” but they’re the same person. (**headdesk**)Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
