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

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

We are very excited to discuss 'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne Collins, the fifth book in the Hunger Games series, taking place 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games novel, and the original trilogy’s second prequel. (Discussion begins at 15:20, spoilers begin at 24:13.) But before we run off to face the dangers of the Second Quarter Quell, we explore the cornucopia of things we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing:Final Fantasy VIII: Remastered (PS4)Rayman Legends (PS4)Pokemon SoulSilver (DS)Watching:The Residence (Netflix)The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & SnakesThinking about:...the Hunger Games series all week long.Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

The Nintendo Switch 2 is on the way so we thought it was only right to celebrate its predecessor - the Nintendo Switch! We talk the launch, features, games and memories of the beloved console. Conversation starts around 41:50. Before then we check in on what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately (including a lot of talk about the Nintendo Switch 2).Reading:'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne CollinsHarriet Tubman Live in ConcertWatching:Severance Season 2 (Apple TV+)Last Meals (Mythical Kitchen)Thinking About: Human CurationNintendo Switch 2Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

It's a book club! And we read 'Redemption in Indigo' by Karen Lord. Listen in as we discuss this 2010 retelling of a Senegalese folktale that is... complicated. Conversation begins around 24:40. Before that, we check in on what we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing:Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PS5)Farcry 5 (PS5)Watching:Satoshi Kon FilmsRunning Point (Netflix)Thinking AboutPicasso and PaperDoing SomethingFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

What's the best music mechanic in video games? What are those songs from video games that stick with you? What musical artist would you mash-up with one of your favorite games? These are the questions we're answering this episode!A full list of songs played this episode are at the end of the show notes!But of course, we gotta check in on some of the stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.Reading:'Murder in the Dressing Room' by Holly Stars'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne JonesThe Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne CollinsWatching:Common Side Effects (Max, Adult Swim)Say Nothing (Hulu)Agatha All Along (Disney+)The Bachelor 29 (Hulu)Thinking about:Drawtectives, Season 3 (YT: Drawfee Show)Music LeagueCarrying a tiny field notes notebookFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux Memorable music mechanics:DJ Cutman & Popcorn Kid, “Samurai” (The Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor)Low Roar, “Bones (feat. Jófríður Ákadóttir)” (Death Stranding)Lektrique, Sam Lamar, “Black Magic” (Pistol Whip)“Fire Fire!!” (Um Jammer Lammy)“Mariachi Madness” (Rayman Legends)Songs from games that stick with you:Hikaru Utada, “Simple And Clean” (Kingdom Hearts)Nobuo Uematsu, “Zanarkand” (Final Fantasy X)Teruo Taniguchi, “Cassiopeia’s Theme” (Pokemon Scarlet & Violet)Minako Adachi, , “Battle! (Gym Leader)” (Pokemon Sword & Shield)Yoko Shimomura, “Dearly Beloved” (Kingdom Hearts)ConcerendApe, “Volcano Mines (Molten Jelly)” (Stardew Valley)Kenta Nagata, “Dragon Roost Island” (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker)Seth Parker, “Wiggle Wigglebottom’s Steamy Walking Tour” (Bugsnax)Andrew Prahlow, “Travelers” (Outer Wilds)Rage Against the Machine, “Guerrilla Radio” (Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2)Gaming/artist mash-ups:Red Dead Redemption 2 🞩 Beyoncé, “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’”Hazelight Studios 🞩 Tegan and Sara, “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend”God of War 🞩 thrash & groove metal, Pantera “Becoming”Bonus:Vincent Diamante, “Lazy Daydream” (Flower)Britney Spears, “My Baby”

For this month’s book club we read ‘The Full Moon Coffee Shop’, a 2020 magical realism cozy novel by Mai Mochizuki, translated into English in 2024 by Jesse Kirkwood. Spoiler-filled discussion begins at 25:20. But before we unfold our star charts and dig deep into our houses and planetary rulers, let’s talk about what we’ve been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing:Far Lone Sails (PS4)Okami (PS4)Wave Tale (Switch)Secret of Mana (2018, PS4)Watching:High Potential (Hulu)Mythic Quest (Apple TV+)the Legally Blonde duologythe Barbershop film seriesNickel BoysThinking About:PlayStation State of Play 2/12/25Split FictionPokemon Presents 2/27/25 speculation & wishlistDeath Stranding 2 (trailer)Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux 

It's our first "game club" episode of 2025, and we played Oxenfree, a spooky narrative-choice game featuring a group of teens lost on an island with nothing but a radio and each other. Discussion begins at ~21:26. But before we get into our combined five playthroughs of Oxenfree, we catch up on some of the stuff we've been reading, playing, watching, and thinking about recently.Reading:'The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires' by Grady Hendrix'Cuckoo' by Gretchen Felker-MartinPlaying:The Rise of the Golden Idol (Netflix/iPad)Watching:'I Saw the TV Glow' (Max)RuPaul's Drag Race, Seasons 16 & 17 (Paramount+ & MTV)The Traitors US, Season 3 (Peacock)Thinking About:Chappell Roan & Beyoncé at the GrammysFind us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux 

We're doing our first book club of 2025 and are ready for some love and flirty letters! We read 2019's 'This Is How You Lose the Time War’ by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Conversation starts around 24:20. Before then, we check in on what we’ve been Playing, watching, and thinking about lately.Playing: Tchia (PS5) Coffee Talk 2: Butterfly & Hibiscus (PS5) FFVII Rebirth (PS5)Watching: Severance Season 2 (Apple TV+) Deep Space Discounts (DeepBlueInk) Dungeons & Drag Queens Season 2 (Dropout)Thinking About: Rosie Tucker Ethel Cain Quick, Relevant Sentences Switch 2Find us on BlueSky or Instagram: @NovelGamingPodSend us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.comLogo by: Katie!Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux