More Magic Book Club

This month’s book introduces us to the life of the queen of all witches, the goddess Hekate. Written in verse, this novel provides a unique reading experience certain to twist your heart. A.J. Peterson joins as co-host to chat about the magic (Greek mythology!), favorite characters, and some of the truly grotesque punishments Greek gods create.Light a candle, grab your familiar, and join us for this descent into the underworld. Warning: contains many, many spoilers. Books Mentioned: Hekate: The Witch by Nikita Gill, https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316596763 Circe by Madeline Miller, https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316556323 Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren. J.A. Bear, https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780593638972 Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe.Prefer email? Sign up at moremagicpodcast.com to receive emails when new episodes release, updates on new projects, and special subscriber-only magic.Credits:Host: Demi Utley, ⁠https://demiutley.substack.com/⁠Co-Host: A.J. Peterson, https://www.ajpeterson.com/ — Audio Production - Gregory MikelsAdditional credits for the music used during the intro and outro:Remix Composition & Production - Gregory MikelsDanse Sacrée composed by Claude Debussy Public DomainPerformed by the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra with Major Jason K. Fettig, conducting, MSgt Karen Grimsey, harp soloist on Aug. 14, 2010, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.The Carnival of the Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en PerformersPianos: Neil and Nancy O'DoanOrchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony, conducted by Vilem Sokol.Recorded 1980Original music links:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_Sacr%C3%A9e.ogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns_-_The_Carnival_of_the_Animals.ogg 

In this episode we try to define what exactly is "weird" Sci-Fi or Fantasy? Co-host A.J. Peterson joins along with Rain Sullivan (@writeasrainsullivan on IG), a self-described author of weird SFF. Grab your most unusual mug, sink into a cozy chair, and join us for this informative episode! Books mentioned in this episode: The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780062444134Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781250386335Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781250313188The Martian by Andy Weir: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780553418026Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781250320520This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781534430990The Raven Scholar by by Antonia Hodgson: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316577229Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780593804216There is no Antimemetics Division by qntm: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780593983751The Raven Tower by Anne Leckie: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316388702Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316565172Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9780316565172Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781250824042Bookstores Mentioned: Charlie's Queer Books (Seattle) https://charliesqueerbooks.com/Parallel Worlds Bookshop (Portland) https://www.parallelworldsbookshop.com/Hidden Worlds Bookstore (Hillsboro, OR) https://www.hiddenworldsbookstore.com/ Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe.Prefer email? Sign up at moremagicpodcast.com to receive emails when new episodes release, updates on new projects, and special subscriber-only magic.Credits:Host: Demi Utley, ⁠https://demiutley.substack.com/⁠Co-Host: A.J. Peterson, https://www.ajpeterson.com/ Special Guest: Rain Sullivan, https://rainsullivanwrites.com/ — Audio Production - Gregory MikelsAdditional credits for the music used during the intro and outro:Remix Composition & Production - Gregory MikelsDanse Sacrée composed by Claude Debussy Public DomainPerformed by the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra with Major Jason K. Fettig, conducting, MSgt Karen Grimsey, harp soloist on Aug. 14, 2010, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.The Carnival of the Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en PerformersPianos: Neil and Nancy O'DoanOrchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony, conducted by Vilem Sokol.Recorded 1980Original music links:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_Sacr%C3%A9e.ogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns_-_The_Carnival_of_the_Animals.ogg 

This month we chat about the Hugo award-winning novel, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. A fantasy-murder mystery mashup, we get tastes of multiple genres that left us eager to see where this world goes. Grab your sleuthing tools and join us for a discussion *with spoilers* of this creative book! The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett: https://bookshop.org/a/120999/9781984820716 Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe.Prefer email? Sign up at moremagicpodcast.com to receive emails when new episodes release, updates on new projects, and special subscriber-only magic.Credits:Host: Demi Utley, ⁠https://demiutley.substack.com/⁠Co-Host: Marianne Boules— Audio Production - Gregory MikelsAdditional credits for the music used during the intro and outro:Remix Composition & Production - Gregory MikelsDanse Sacrée composed by Claude Debussy Public DomainPerformed by the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra with Major Jason K. Fettig, conducting, MSgt Karen Grimsey, harp soloist on Aug. 14, 2010, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.The Carnival of the Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en PerformersPianos: Neil and Nancy O'DoanOrchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony, conducted by Vilem Sokol.Recorded 1980Original music links:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_Sacr%C3%A9e.ogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns_-_The_Carnival_of_the_Animals.ogg 

Some stories stay with us for 3,000 years. In this special episode, mythology retelling author, Lauren J.A. Bear joins to chat about why we love mythology, the importance of it today, and even the implications for art of all types. It's a fun episode where we share a few book recs and really dive into this subgenre and it's legacy. Books mentioned in this episode: Daughters of Bronze by A. D. RhineClytemnestra’s Bind by Susan WilsonHelen’s Judgement by Susan WilsonSongs of Achilles by Madeline MillerCirce by Madeline MillerSeeds by Angie PaxtonDaughter of Olympus by Hannah LynnUngodly Rich Katharine McGeeBury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabThe Fifth Season by N. K. JemisinBeloved by Toni MorrisonThe Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonChain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury1984 by George OrwellLauren’s piece for Fantasy Cafe: https://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2023/04/women-in-sff-month-lauren-j-a-bear/ Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe.Prefer email? Sign up at moremagicpodcast.com to receive emails when new episodes release, updates on new projects, and special subscriber-only magic.Credits:Host: Demi Utley, ⁠https://demiutley.substack.com/⁠Guest: Lauren J.A. Bear, https://www.laurenjabear.com/ https://www.instagram.com/laurenjabear/ — Audio Production - Gregory MikelsAdditional credits for the music used during the intro and outro:Remix Composition & Production - Gregory MikelsDanse Sacrée composed by Claude Debussy Public DomainPerformed by the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra with Major Jason K. Fettig, conducting, MSgt Karen Grimsey, harp soloist on Aug. 14, 2010, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.The Carnival of the Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en PerformersPianos: Neil and Nancy O'DoanOrchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony, conducted by Vilem Sokol.Recorded 1980Original music links:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_Sacr%C3%A9e.ogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns_-_The_Carnival_of_the_Animals.ogg 

In this extra special book club episode, we chat with author Helene Wecker about her book, The Golem and the Jinni. From historical immersion in 1899 New York to the complexity of a magic system built on belief to characters trapped both physically and mentally, this story has much to discuss. Helene shares many behind-the-scenes aspects of the book and larger trilogy along with amusing anecdotes. You'll laugh and learn a few new things in this episode! Channel Chava and grab your favorite pastry, a beautiful tin cup, and join us for this fun discussion. Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe.Prefer email? Sign up at moremagicpodcast.com to receive emails when new episodes release, updates on new projects, and special subscriber-only magic.The complete trilogy:The Golem and the JinniThe Hidden PalaceThe Gates of MidnightHelene's website for future updates: https://www.helenewecker.com/Credits:Host: Demi Utley, ⁠https://demiutley.substack.com/⁠Co-Host: Marianne Boules— Audio Production - Gregory MikelsAdditional credits for the music used during the intro and outro:Remix Composition & Production - Gregory MikelsDanse Sacrée composed by Claude Debussy Public DomainPerformed by the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra with Major Jason K. Fettig, conducting, MSgt Karen Grimsey, harp soloist on Aug. 14, 2010, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia.The Carnival of the Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en PerformersPianos: Neil and Nancy O'DoanOrchestra: Seattle Youth Symphony, conducted by Vilem Sokol.Recorded 1980Original music links:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danse_Sacr%C3%A9e.ogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns_-_The_Carnival_of_the_Animals.ogg