The Worst Bestsellers

Writer Kait and librarian Renata read bestselling books in an attempt to understand their appeal and, barring that, to become the Crow and Servo of the book world. New episodes every other Monday. Visit WorstBestsellers.com for our readers advisory booklists and other fun stuff.

Episode 277 – The Housemaid

Are you guys looking for an absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist? Well, great news: we read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. Even greater news: we were joined by Rax King, author of Tacky and Sloppy, and … Continue reading →

11-03
01:19:08

Episode 276 – Mate

Hullo, chums! After we…liked (we’re pretty sure) reading Bride last year, we decided to check out the sequel, Mate by Ali Hazelwood. This time we were joined by Ariel Slamet Ries (they/them), award-winning cartoonist and author of books including their most … Continue reading →

10-20
01:23:42

Episode 275 – Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Are you perhaps looking for a perfectly pleasant podcast? Well, unfortunately, we read Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. We were joined by artist, poet, and Kait’s roommate KL (they/them) to unpack all of Dexter’s astonishingly awkward alliteration. Listen to this … Continue reading →

10-06
01:28:41

Episode 274 – Covet

We’ve been doing this podcast for eleven years, and to celebrate we made our very first guest Carrie keep reading the Crave series. Like its predecessors in the series, Covet by Tracy Wolff is less enjoyable than the Twilight … Continue reading →

09-22
01:48:09

Episode 273 – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Hey girl! Stay sexy good and don’t read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. We made Anna read it with us, so you don’t have to. Listen to this episode while you wait in the panini queue. Readers … Continue reading →

09-08
01:15:15

Episode 272 – Run, Rose, Run

Well, we couldn’t keep running from James Patterson for ever. Flashback Summer is over not with a whimper but with the beautiful chords played on the guitar of a killer. We were joined by Dolly Parton fan Grace to discuss … Continue reading →

08-25
01:38:42

Episode 271 – Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM

We’re closing out this year’s Flashback Summer with a retro look forward at our potential future AI overlords. Miss Pickerell Meets Mr. HUM by Ellen MacGregor & Dora Pantell. If you’ve never heard of Miss Pickerell, don’t worry–we hadn’t either. … Continue reading →

08-11
01:11:47

Episode 270 – Crystal Singer

Hold on to your butts, and, more importantly, your crystal cutters! We read Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey. We were joined by Chris Collision of the late, great I Don’t Even Own a Television podcast to discuss this book that doesn’t … Continue reading →

07-28
01:34:19

Episode 269 – Search for Senna (Everworld #1)

Flashback Summer continues even in parallel universes! Comics editor Jennifer M. Smith joined us to discuss Search for Senna (Everworld #1) by K. A. Applegate. We’re traveling back to a time before the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought Norse mythology to … Continue reading →

07-14
01:30:22

Episode 268 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Don’t Panic! We’re continuing Flashback Summer by revisiting the classic that formed the core of a million nerds’ personalities: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. And we were joined by a hoopy frood who totally knows here his … Continue reading →

06-30
01:23:28

Episode 267 – Hatchet

We’re getting back to nature with this Flashback Summer episode. Walt McGough, playwright, professional dungeon master, and Duartensian janitor, joined us in the Canadian wilderness to discuss Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Make sure to download a copy of this episode … Continue reading →

06-16
01:20:13

Episode 266 – X-Men: Phalanx Covenant

We’re kicking off this year’s Flashback Summer with a trip back to the early 90s, when Kait and her brother Brendan were reading the big X-Men X-Over event: Phalanx Covenant. If you were wondering if Wolverine is in this one: … Continue reading →

06-02
01:38:38

Episode 265 – Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business

Well, howdy! We read Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton and we enjoyed it more than a drag queen enjoys Dolly’s wardrobe. Listen to this episode on your way to your 9-5 job! Bonus photos: Readers … Continue reading →

05-19
01:10:49

Episode 264 – Dinner For Vampires

Celebrity Memoir May is here! We don’t know a lot about the show One Tree Hill, but we love vampires and cults so we thought that qualified us to read Dinner For Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show While … Continue reading →

05-05
01:26:27

Episode 263 – Sunrise On the Reaping

Snow lands on top! Haymitch lands in the arena! And we were once again #blessed to get Mackenzi Lee, author of many books including Winter Soldier: Cold Front and her upcoming adult debut Lady Like, to join us! We read … Continue reading →

04-21
01:57:47

Episode 262 – Iron Flame

Hey, remember that bitch that had two dragons? She survived year one of murder school and she’s back for more! Our friend Laura joined us to read Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. Listen to this episode while you chase … Continue reading →

04-07
01:36:27

Episode 261 – Vampire Academy

Some of you might be on spring break, but for us? Class is in session at Vampire Academy. We read Richelle Mead’s series launch with Sarah Elizabeth Gallagher (@SarahElizabeth_Talks) vampire video queen and and author of the upcoming book Why … Continue reading →

03-24
01:31:15

Episode 260 – Little Women and Werewolves

Did you ever read Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women and think to yourself, “This Jo/Amy/Laurie love triangle is so played out. Why aren’t any of the March sisters horny for Laurie’s grandfather?” If so, you might be … Continue reading →

03-10
01:30:21

Episode 259 – Birthright

To conclude Nora Roberts Month, we read Birthright, a novel that is not about Israel. It’s about the Cullen Family and their long lost Baby Jessica! Heidi and Emily of the Romancing the Shelf podcast joined us to dig deep … Continue reading →

02-24
01:33:39

Episode 258 – The Awakening

Dragon Fever has been sweeping the nation, and Our Lady Nora Roberts has been infected. Our reigning Nora Roberts expert Christine Ricketts, author of The Ship, has returned to discuss The Awakening (Book #1 of the Dragon Heart Legacy) with … Continue reading →

02-10
01:22:44

em k

but why isn't doing D&D with Scully an option though

06-27 Reply

Windy Pineda

yasss, Kaith is baaaack!

10-07 Reply

Kateryna Kyselova

* gasps in Candor* you guys just can't handle the truth! xD

09-12 Reply

CJ

oh God. I forgot he was so graphic on the gory parts

03-25 Reply

CJ

hahaha. Thanks. I made my sister put on an audio version of Patterson to calm me when we were driving across the Midwest trying to escape a coming tornado.

03-25 Reply

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