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 [https://a.co/d/6uE3ryt] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/4p9f6BI]
 * Laura’s Book: Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593983751] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/496jQCi]
 * Bella’s Book: Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250866097] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/44GFhIM]
 * Emma’s Book: Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780804137171] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/3Y7vAQ3]

 

Other media mentioned in this episode:

 * Percy Jackson and the Olympians [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781368051477] by Rick Riordan
 * Foundryside [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780525573845] by Robert Jackson Bennett
 * The Tainted Cup [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781984820709] by Robert Jackson Bennett
 * And Then There Were None [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780062073471] by Agatha Christie
 * Warehouse 13 [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1132290/]
 * The SCP Foundation [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com]
 * The City We Became [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316509848] by NK Jemisin
 * The Magnus Archives [https://rustyquill.com/show/the-magnus-archives/] Podcast
 * Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14364480]
 * Heated Rivalry [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781335534637] by Rachel Reid

 

Support SWR!
PayPal [http://paypal.me/shitweveread] | Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/shitweveread] | SWR Merch [https://shit-weve-read.creator-spring.com]

We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE [https://bookshop.org/shop/shitweveread] and audiobooks HERE [https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm846610] and a small commission will go towards the podcast.

Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=swrpod] today! #madeonzencastr [https://zencastr.com/?via=swrpod]

Thank you for your support!

 

Connect with SWR!
Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shitweveread] | TikTok [https://www.twitter.com/shitweveread] | Discord [https://discord.gg/2kCeEBXkkP] | Website [http://shitweveread.com/]

Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact [http://shitweveread.com/contact]

 

Credits:
Shi


                    The 2025 SWR Holiday Special
                

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 [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223327389-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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721682] now wherever books are sold!

 

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721682] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/4hRpLz4]


 

Other books mentioned R.A. in this episode:

 * Burn the Sea [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781967967063]by Mona Tewari
 * Murder by Memory [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250342249] by Olivia Waite
 * Jade City [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316580397] 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 [https://www.ladderbird.com/allegra-martschenko] at BookEnds Literary Agency.

You can find her on Instagram @rabasuwrites [https://www.instagram.com/rabasuwrites]

 

Support SWR!
PayPal [http://paypal.me/shitweveread] | Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/shitweveread] | SWR Merch [https://shit-weve-read.creator-spring.com]

We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE [https://bookshop.org/shop/shitweveread] and audiobooks


                    Author Interview: R.A. Basu
                

You voted, and we listened! Your choice for our Halloween After Dark pick is SING ME TO SLEEP [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59443193-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 [https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Me-Sleep-Sacrilegious-Events/dp/1736745441/] (unfortunately, the only place to purchase)

 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * Drag Me Up [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781736745410] by R.M. Virtues
 * Desperate Measures [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781464227998] by Katee Robert
 * Lord of Eternal Night [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1907832&clickref=Website1&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781666199789-lord-of-eternal-night] by Ben Alderson
 * Angels Before Man [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9798987043530] by Rafael Nicolás
 * Savage Blooms [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316575898] by S.T. Gibson
 * A Dowry of Blood [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316501071] by S.T. Gibson
 * Evocation [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781915202680] by S.T. Gibson
 * An Education in Malice [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316501866] by S.T. Gibson
 * Wuthering Heights [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781454952961] by Emily Brontë


                    After Dark: Sing Me to Sleep
                

We’re celebrating spooky season with THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250877819] 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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250877819] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/43hSGWQ]


 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * The Devils [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250880055] by Joe Abercrombie
 * The Blade Itself [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316387316] by Joe Abercrombie
 * Katabasis [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780063446243] by RF Kuang
 * The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781538754153] by Moiya McTier
 * Nothing But Blackened Teeth [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250879516] by Cassandra Khaw
 * The Salt Grows Heavy [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593496763] by Cassandra Khaw
 * Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593496763] by Cassandra Khaw
 * The Poppy War [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780063413573] by RF Kuang
 * A Study in Drowning [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780063211506] by Ava Reid
 * A Theory of Dreaming [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780063421677] by Ava Reid
 * To Bargain With Mortals [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721682] by R.A. Basu
 * Sing Me to Sleep [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59443193-sing-me-to-sleep] by R.M. Virtues

 

Support SWR!
PayPal [http://paypal.me/shitweveread] | Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/shitweveread] | SWR Merch [https://shit-weve-read.creator-spring.com]


                    40: The Library at Hellebore
                

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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593643372] 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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593643372] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/46uoryh]


 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * The Final Six [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780062658944] by Alexandra Monir
 * The Life Below [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780062658975] by Alexandra Monir
 * Little Thieves [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250853530] by Margaret Owen
 * Holy Terrors [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250831170] by Margaret Owen
 * Blood Moon [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9798986021126] by Jillian Graves
 * Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9798986021119] by Jillian Graves
 * A Series of Unfortunate Events [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780064407663] by Lemony Snicket
 * Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250320520] by V.E. Schwab
 * The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781538754153] by Moiya McTier
 * To Bargain With Mortals [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721682] by R.A. Basu

 

Support SWR!
PayPal [http://paypal.me/shitweveread] | Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/shitweveread] | SWR Merch [https://shit-weve-read.creator-spring.com]

We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Or


                    39: A Cruel Thirst
                

In this episode of After Dark, Bella is back and bringing the chaos with her pick, BULL MOON RISING [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781668074947] 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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593817025] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/47PCBe5]

 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * Ice Planet Barbarians [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593546024] by Ruby Dixon
 * Deep End [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593641057] by Ali Hazelwood
 * Butcher & Blackbird [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781638931737] by Brynne Weaver
 * Leather & Lark [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781638931799] by Brynne Weaver
 * Fourth Wing [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781649379290] by Rebecca Yarros
 * Lord of Eternal Night [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1907832&clickref=Website1&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781666199789-lord-of-eternal-night] by Ben Alderson
 * The Sting of Victory [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781952349096] by S.D. Simper
 * Railed by the Krampus [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250890436] by Dalia Davies
 * A Cruel Thirst [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593643372] by Angela Montoya


                    After Dark: Bull Moon Rising
                

Hey there, listeners!

We need your help. We have been working hard to make Shit We’ve Read as entertaining and enjoyable as we can, but we want to make it better for you! So, we created a quick listener survey [https://form.jotform.com/shitweveread/listener-survey] and would love to hear your thoughts.

As a thank you, if you complete our survey by Sunday, August 31st, 2025, you’ll have the chance to be entered into a book sweepstakes!

Thank you so much for listening to the show, and we look forward to seeing your responses!

 

Take our Listener Survey and enter our Book Sweepstakes! [https://form.jotform.com/shitweveread/listener-survey]

 

Support SWR!
PayPal [http://paypal.me/shitweveread] | Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/shitweveread] | SWR Merch [https://shit-weve-read.creator-spring.com]

We're also an affiliate on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Order books and ebooks through our link HERE [https://bookshop.org/shop/shitweveread] and audiobooks HERE [https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm846610] and a small commission will go towards the podcast.

Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=swrpod] today! #madeonzencastr [https://zencastr.com/?via=swrpod]

Thank you for your support!

 

Connect with SWR!
Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shitweveread] | TikTok [https://www.twitter.com/shitweveread] | Discord [https://discord.gg/2kCeEBXkkP] | Website [http://shitweveread.com/]

Request transcripts on our website: shitweveread.com/contact [http://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.


                    Update: Listener Survey & Book Sweepstakes
                

We’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more dragons! In this episode, we discuss BRIGHTER THAN SCALE, SWIFTER THAN FLAME [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250357342] 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 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ZN65HqIWEY6eIJPN9D4lV?si=Tz89T5qkQaOKe2xe6kC9wA].

 

Buy the Book!
Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250357342] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/474sykX]


 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * The Midnight Library [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780525559498] by Matt Haig
 * Automatic Noodle [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250357465] by Annalee Newitz
 * You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250333292] by Rebecca Thorne
 * Out of the Drowning Deep [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781803369822] by A.C. Wise
 * Outdrawn [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9798987895542] by Deanna Grey
 * We Solve Murders [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593653227] by Richard Osman
 * The Black Tides of Heaven [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780765395412] by Neon Yang
 * The Genesis of Misery [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250788993] by Neon Yang
 * Fable for the End of the World [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780063211551] by Ava Reid
 * Death’s Country</ [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781682636916]


                    38: Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame (w/ Fictional Tiff)
                

It’s Pride Month! And we’re celebrating with OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721132] 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 [https://www.aseatatthetablebooks.org/] 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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781964721132] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/4472ti4]


 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * Notes from a Regicide [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250329103] by Isaac Fellman
 * Service Model [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250290281]by Adrian Tchaikovsky
 * Volatile Memory [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250364685] by Seth Haddon
 * The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781401240837]by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill
 * Dracula [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781912714674]by Bram Stoker
 * The Call of Cthulhu [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780141182346] by


                    37: Of Monsters and Mainframes (w/ Arden Harris of A Seat at the Table Books)
                

Sink your fangs into our first After Dark episode of the season with A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781668074947] by Kresley Cole—a steamy paranormal romance where “a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire become unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.”

Emma kicks off the season with this pick and sparks a conversation about what happens when monster theory meets gender essentialism. Meanwhile, Laura draws some surprising parallels to Star Wars, and we collectively urge parents to warn their children about the dangers of fated mates. Plus: find out why this book forced Jason to add a brand-new category in his After Dark grading system.

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 [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781668074947] | Libro.fm [https://tidd.ly/4dKVUX1]

 

Other books mentioned in this episode:

 * The Sting of Victory [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781952349096] by S.D. Simper
 * Twilight [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780316592987] by Stephenie Meyer
 * A Court of Thorns and Roses [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781635575569] by Sarah J. Maas
 * Dracula [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781632060655] by Bram Stoker
 * A Discovery of Witches [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780143119685] by Deborah Harkness
 * Bride [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593641033] by Ali Hazelwood
 * Ice Planet Barbarians [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9780593546024] by Ruby Dixon
 * The Bones Beneath My Skin [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250890436] by T.J. Klune
 * Railed by the Krampus [https://bookshop.org/a/98402/9781250890436] by Dalia Davies
 * Lord of Eternal Night [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1907832&clickref=Website1&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781666199789-lord-of-eternal-night] by Ben Alderson


                    After Dark: A Hunger Like No Other
                

Shit We’ve Read is a sci-fi & fantasy book podcast hosted by geeky friends Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Bella Romero. Each month, we get together to discuss a new-to-us book or graphic novel, sometimes giving it a spicy, adult twist with our After Dark episodes featuring co-host Emma Skies. Along the way, we’re joined by occasional guest hosts and noteworthy authors for insightful interviews, along with other fun surprises.

So, join us on our latest book journey and tell us - what shit have you been reading?

To find out more, please visit shitweveread.com

Rico

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