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
Nov 5, 2021 • 55min
482. Big Gay Podcast AMA Part II!
As I have been teasing in recent episodes, this is part two of our crossover episode with The Big Gay Fiction Podcast! Amanda and I connected with Jeff and Will and answered listener questions from our Patreon communities.The Big Gay Fiction Podcast released part one Thursday 4 November so you get all four of us being ridiculous together for two episodes back to back.We’re talking about the first m/m romances we ever read, and we have book recs, food discussions, and some thoughtful conversations about genre and community, too.Part One of this Conversation! https://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayfictionpodcast/2021/11/04/episode-344-mega-crossover-event-with-smart-podcast-trashy-books/Don't miss the Big Gay Fiction Fest, on December 4, 2021! Find all the details at http://www.biggayfictionfest.comShow notes: https://bit.ly/482BigGayFictionAMA Music: Purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2021 • 55min
481. Sweet Dreams Recap: The Popularity Plan by Rosemary Vernon
It's time for part two of the Sweet Dreams Romance Recap Project, featuring The Popularity Plan by Rosemary Vernon. Unlike P.S. I Love You, I hadn't read this one before, so it's an adventure for all of us. We've got some hefty social anxiety, friends with Plans (and wall calendars as seen on the cover) and some very classic dating tropes. Grab your tea and your comfy hoodie and come hang out with me!...Music: Purple-Planet.comShow Notes! https://bit.ly/481PopularityPlanSD2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2021 • 47min
480. Love In the Mix: A Cookbook for Romance Readers, with Leslie Hachtel
Leslie Hachtel and Nikki Brock put together Love In The Mix: A Cookbook for Romance Readers to benefit ProLiteracy, and she joins me to talk about it. Leslie tells me all about the cookbook, how it came to be, and some of her favorite recipes. We discuss family favorites and family history through food, and then, as a bonus, I’ve added info about two favorite recipes for you to try. Over 70 romance authors contributed recipes and stories, and you can find the cookbook in print and digital editions everywhere books are sold. All proceeds benefit ProLiteracy!...Music: purple-planet.comShownotes: https://bit.ly/480LoveintheMix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2021 • 54min
479. Sweet Dreams Recap: PS I Love You by Barbara Conklin
It's time! It's time! This is the first of the Sweet Dreams Romance Recap Project, wherein I am recapping the first twenty Sweet Dreams YA romances, starting with Sweet Dreams #1, P.S. I Love You by Barbara Conklin.This book is a lot. It's angsty and tragic, but there are some moments I remember so very clearly, and I probably read this more than 30 years ago. This was definitely one of my gateway books. What about you? Show Notes: https://bit.ly/479PSILoveYouSD1Music: Purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 8, 2021 • 47min
478. The Magic of Interactive Fiction with Rebecca Slitt from Heart’s Choice
Amanda and I take a deep dive into interactive fiction with Rebecca Slitt from Choice of Games and Heart’s Choice. We get into the details of how interactive fiction works, and what the process of writing it is like - and we have some recommendations, never fear!...Music: purple-planet.comShownotes: https://bit.ly/478RebeccaSlitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 1, 2021 • 47min
477. “Faust Meets Galaxy Quest”- Light from Uncommon Stars with Ryka Aoki
My guest this week is author Ryka Aoki, whose new book Light from Uncommon Stars is out this week! We cover transgender identity, found family, space opera & The Brady Bunch, the liminal state of The Olive Garden, Chonky books, and what, and where, is the best donut? I really want to hear your donut recs: sbjpodcast@gmail.com! ...Music: purple-planet.comShow Notes: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 24, 2021 • 52min
476. Behind the Scenes of Reviewing Romance with Shana and Amanda
In our last collection of Patreon listener questions, we had two about the process of reviewing: what we look for, and what questions we’re trying to answer when we write a review. Shana joins Amanda and me to talk about the process of reviewing romance, how reviewing helps us identify what we most like to read, and how reading and review works for each of us as writers, and for me doing editorial oversight.Thank you to Patreon members Tara C and Leslee for the very kind and thoughtful questions!...Music: Purple-planet.comShow Notes: https://bit.ly/476Reviewing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 17, 2021 • 49min
475. Badass Anthologies and Vintage YA with Dahlia Adler
YA Author, reviewer, and editor Dahlia Adler joins me to talk about all the Badass Anthologies she’s editing, about her upcoming book, Home Field Advantage, and her latest, Cool for the Summer. And, inspired by a recent Instagram pic of her Bantam Love Stories collection, we also talk about vintage YA romances.Stay tuned for the outro where I have a special announcement of a new podcast project inspired by this conversation!TW/CW: discussion of fatphobia in Sweet Valley.Music: purple-planet.comShow Notes! https://bit.ly/475DahliaAdler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 10, 2021 • 46min
474. Day Trips, Fluffy Books, And Some Fries
Amanda and I are answering one last round of questions! We cover day trips and all the places where it’s imperative that we eat fries, we’ve got book recs for fluffy contemporary romances, and we talk about table top games we love.Thanks to Tara, Christina, and Malaraa for the questions!...Music: purple-planet.comShow notes: https://bit.ly/474DayTripsnFries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 3, 2021 • 49min
473. We Love Books and Convenience Store Snacks
Amanda and I are arranging marriages between books and candy (we missed this part of Ellen’s question last week!) and we talk about what romances we’d want to see adapted into limited series, who we’d cast in our dream productions, and what we’ve learned over the years of working with the website.Thanks to Ellen, Kate K, Leslee, and Sue for today’s questions!...Music: purple-planet.comShow notes: https://bit.ly/473BooksSnacks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
