Novel Gaming!

Join Doug and Katie in a gaming galaxy far, far away! That's right - they're talking Star Wars! Conversation about the games starts around 25:50, but the force is strong throughout this episode. Before then, they discuss what they've been reading, watching, and thinking about. Reading: 'Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker - The Manga' by A. Himekawa, A. Fukaya, T. Kisaki, H. Subaru, K. Liu 'Star Wars Lost Stars (Manga)' by C. Gray, Y. Komiyama 'Machinehood' by S. B. Divya Watching: Star Wars: Visions (Disney+) Hacks (HBO Max) Thinking About: Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (Netflix) 'Chattahoochee' by Alan Jackson (1992 Song) Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com Logo by: Katie! Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

How could climate change and a plague impact how humans love and grieve? Sequoia Nagamatsu's 'How High We Go in the Dark' explores this question through interconnected sci-fi short stories that really leave us thinking. Conversation starts around 29:15. Before we grapple with some existential questions, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing?Breath of the Wild (Switch 2)Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PS5)Watching?Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025 Film)Pop Culture Jeopardy! (Amazon Prime)Thinking About?⁠Mothership⁠ (Gaming Website)Find us on Twitter & Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azure

We are joined this month by Tommy from Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast and Lee Carvallo's Podding Challenge: A Simpsons Gaming Podcast to kickoff the return of the Backlog Challenge! But before we dig through our respective bins of games purchased but not played, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.ReadingMr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play by Anne WashburnReaper Man by Terry PratchettBrigands and Breadknives by Travis BaldreeOzma of Oz by L. Frank BaumWatching?Taskmaster Series 19 (YouTube)Golden Girls (Hulu)The Traitors US, Season 4 (Peacock)Thinking About?Taking action and being intentional about addressing and coping with the horrors of the worldFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We’re starting the new year off with an unprecedented book club: the fourth entry in a series! This month we read Mirage City, the latest Evander Mills novel by Lev A. C. Rosen… But before we ride our motorcycles into the dark depths of a new mystery, let’s check in on some of the things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing?Super Mariomon (ROM hack)Cast n Chill (Switch 2)Listening to?Into the Aether (podcast)Watching?In Your Dreams (Netflix)Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Merry Christmas! We got you 3 questions as a gift! And we even answered them! To unwrap your gift, go directly to 24:34 (where that convo starts). Before then, we check in on what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.Reading:‘Song of Spider-Man’ by Glen Berger‘Kiss Her Once for Me’ by Alison CochrunWatching:Very Important People Season 3 (Dropout)Avatar Movies (James Cameron)Oh. What. Fun. (Prime)Thinking About:Gladlands (Dropout)Find us on Bluesky & Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux Additional Music: 'Christmas Jazz - Christmas Holiday' by Tunetank

We're almost at the end of 2025! That means it's time to look back on the year and talk about the video games, books, and other things that are making our favorites list. Conversation starts at 27:15. Before then, we talk about what we've been reading, watching, and playing these last couple weeks.Reading or Playing:‘All Better Now’ by Neal ShustermanSouth of Midnight (Steam)Watching:Alien & Predator Films (1979 - 2025)Wake Up Dead Man (2025 Film)Find us on Bluesky & Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

More living ships, more forbidden love, and more tentacles! This month we read ‘Escaping Exodus: Symbiosis’ by Nicky Drayden, the sequel to last month's book, ‘Escaping Exodus’. Before talking about this 2021 sci-fi sequel, we check in on what we’re playing, watching, and thinking about lately.PlayingDeliver Us the Moon (Steam)Ball x Pit (PS5)WatchingNobody Wants This (Netflix)Lost & Found in Cleveland (currently in theaters)Bugonia (currently in theaters)Thinking AboutParticipating in community support effortsNew Robyn album imminent?Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Honey, we shrunk the Hero of Hyrule! We played The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, a 2004 Game Boy Advance entry in the Zelda series where you get to shrink to the size of a mouse and make magical clones of yourself! Discussion starts ~31:00. But before we get into that, we check in on some stuff we've been reading, playing, watching, and thinking about.ReadingThe Life Impossible by Matt HaigPlayingPokemon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2)WatchingPortrait Artist of the Year (YouTube)I Know What You Did Last Summer ‘97 (Netflix)I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (Netflix)Thinking AboutThe Science of ScareQueens of the Dead (Shudder)Junk journalingFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Living ships, forbidden love, and tentacles! A winning combination found in our most recent book club pick ‘Escaping Exodus’ by Nicky Drayden. Before talking about this 2019 sci-f spacei book, we check in on what we’re playing, watching, and thinking about lately.PlayingDonkey Kong Banaza (Switch)Ghost of Yōtei (PS5)WatchingBuffy the Vampire Slayer (1992 Film)The Boulet Brothers' Dragula (Shudder)Hot Ones featuring Keke Palmer & Kate McKinnon (YouTube)Thinking AboutList JournalingFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Are you afraid of the dark?? We know a video game couple who is! And one of them looooves writing about it! Join us as we wade through the shadows and talk about our experience with Alan Wake Remastered, a 2021 psychological action thriller. But before that, we check in on what we’ve been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.ReadingMagic: The Gathering | Marvel's Spider-Man‘Everything She Does is Magic’ by Bridget MorrisseyWatchingCrowd Control (Dropout)Pew Pew Bang (MinnMax)Thinking AboutCensorshipFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Pirate and sirens and dragons, oh my! It's a sequel book club episode! This month we read Maggie Tokuda-Hall's 'The Siren, the Song, and the Spy'! Conversation begins around 27:50. Of course, before we do that, we check in on some stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about.PlayingThe Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA on NSO)Hollow Knight (Switch)WatchingListers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (YouTube)Twisted Metal (Peacock)The Paper (Peacock)Thinking AboutNintendo Direct... before it happenedFinding old artworkFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

You ever just wanna get in a car, attach a little trailer, decorate it, fill it with books, drive around town, and recommend picks to people who ask? Us too, so that's exactly what we did by playing and talking about 2025's Tiny Bookshop! Of course, before we get into it, we catch up on some stuff we've been reading, watching, and playing.ReadingThe Monsters We Defy by L. PenelopeBad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John CarreyrouGo-Man: Champion of Earth by Hamish SteeleWatchingSuper Mario Moment (Glitterjaw/YouTube)Project Runway 2025 (Disney+)KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)Talk To Me In Korean - “K-pop Demon Hunters explained by a Korean teacher” (YouTube)PlayingNintendo Switch 2 — Mario Kart World, Pokemon Scarlet, Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Chibi-Robo on NSO, Paper Mario on NSO, etc.Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Been a while since we've read some poetry and been a while since we've read something spooky, so why not both? This month we checked out Robin Gow's 2023 book 'Dear Mothman: A Novel in Verse'. Conversation begins around 41:48. Of course, before we do that, we check in on some stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about.PlayingTales of the Shire (Steam)Is This Seat Taken? (Switch)Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5)WatchingWeapons (in theaters)KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)Project Runway (Hulu/Disney+)Thinking AboutCommunity sketchbooksNintendo Indie Showcase (Undusted, Herdling, Winter Burrow, Tiny Bookshop)Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Do you love farming, getting to know characters, and clearing trash? Then you should play Coral Island! We did and we're talking about it! Conversation about this farming sim game starts around 33:50. Before then we talk about what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.Reading:‘Frog and Toad’ by Arnold LobelNew 52 Era Green Lantern Comics (DC Comics)‘Officer Clemmons’ by Dr. Francois ClemmonsWatching:Outlander (Starz)RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 (MTV)King of Drag (Revry) ⁠Click here to watch!⁠A Crown of Candy (Dropout)Thinking About:Tales of the Shire (2025 Video Game)Go See Art!Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Our first nonfiction book! We read the 2024 book 'Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment' by Jason Schreier. Conversation starts around 43:50. Before then, we talk about the things we've been playing and watching... but mostly we talk a looooooot about the Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2.PlayingThe Star Named Eos (PS5)Coral Island (Steam)WatchingSuperman (2025 Movie)Ultimatum Queer Love Season 2 (Netflix)Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to date your dining room table? What about your coffee maker? Surely you've thought about dating your bed, right? Well, we played the game where you no longer have to wonder: Date Everything! But before we talk all about dating the objects in our home, we check in on some stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.Reading:Packing for Mars by Mary RoachMood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz PellyWatching:The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Season 2 (Netflix)Are You the One?, Season 8 (Paramount+)Dimension 20: Mentopolis (Dropout)Ironheart (Disney+)Thinking About:Curating music recommendations for each other and supporting music artists directlyFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We didn't read a book this month! Instead we read a whole lot of comics. For Pride Month, we decided to read the Marvel's Voices Pride anthology series from 2021 through 2024, which means dozens of stories about several dozens of characters! It's a lot to keep track of, but we highlight our favorites. And as always, before that, we check in on some stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about.Playing:Ori and the Blind ForestFortnite Chapter 6, Season 3: SuperWatching:North of North (Netflix)Materialists (in theaters)Dimension 20: Cloudward, Ho! (Dropout)Thinking about:Why does PlayStation have so fewer streaming applications than other consoles?!Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We played Dream Daddy, a 2017 dad dating game! ⁠You can click here to read the Kotaku article mentioned in our discussion.⁠ Before we discuss this sweet and punny visual novel (convo starts at 29:00) , we check in on what we're reading, watching, and thinking about lately.Reading​'Morphenomenal' by Joshua Moore​'The Backyard Bird Chronicles' by Amy Tan'Go-Man: Champion of Earth' by Hamish SteeleWatching​Survivor (CBS)Scavengers Reign (Max)Thinking About​Playstation State of Play June 2025Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We've got a vision coming in about this episode! *~We're going to talk about 'The Teller of Small Fortunes' by Julie Leong~* Before we discuss the 2024 book (convo starts at 22:10) , we check in on what we're playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing​The Witness (PS5)​Moonstone Island (Steam)Watching​RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 (Paramount+)​Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)Thinking About​King of Drag (Revry)Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This episode we played Sayonara Wild Hearts, a stylish 2019 rhythm action game featuring motorcycles, magical girl transformations, robot wolves, and of course, incredible music. But before we get into that, we check in on some stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about.ReadingTo Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill BlackgooseMost Ardently by Gabe Cole NovoaWatchingLittle Tiny Egg (YouTube)Revenge of the Sith theatrical re-releaseSinners (in theaters—go see it!)Lazarus (Adult Swim/Max)Thinking AboutPost-Direct Switch updatesShaboozeyFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux