The Worst Bestsellers

We conclude our arbitrary celebration of Canada Month with a playoff episode that went into overtime. Yes: we read Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. We needed two guests to handle a title of this magnitude, so we were joined by fangirl in STEM Sarah and authentic Canadian/Canadien Kathleen Gros, author and artist of several books including Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of). Listen to this episode while driving to the cottage!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Canadian Heritage Minutes

“Heated Rivalry Is Chess” by Rebecca Alter

“Weapons’ Hot Dog Scene Is Actually a Heartfelt Tribute to Zach Cregger’s Late Friend” by Tai Gooden

“Those Tuna Melts in Heated Rivalry are So Gay” by John Birdsall

Important Heated Rivalry Fan Art

Coming up next: Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan.

This March, Worst Bestsellers is celebrating our neighbor to the north with our first ever Canada Month. We’re kicking it off by talking to Canadian treasure Ann Foster (host of Vulgar History, author of Rebel of the Regency:  The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without a Crown) about another Canadian treasure: Bear by Marian Engel. This book walked so that shifter romances could gallop. Listen to this episode while you’re alone in the woods.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Canada’s Most Controversial Novel” by Emily Zarevich.

Kanata Classics

Coming up next: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.

This podcast ain’t big enough for two guests, but we were fortunate enough to squeeze in both Heidi and Emily from Romancing the Shelf for another round of Nora Roberts Month. This time, we went back in time with one of Nora’s rare historical romances: Lawless. So saddle up, pardner, and get ready for a trip to the Wild West! Listen to this podcast while traveling to the nearest town for dry goods.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Romancing the Shelf: Loving Jack series

Quora: What is the average speed of a horse-drawn carriage?

Lisa’s Date with Density

Coming up next: Bear by Marian Engel.

If you’ve been watching us with binoculars, waiting for the podcast to return: well, here we are! (But you already knew that, didn’t you? Because you saw it coming with your binoculars.) Anyway, Christine Ricketts, author of The Ship and Nora Roberts expert, joined us for this year’s Nora Roberts Month to discuss The Collector. It’s the story of a housesitter/voyeur who peeps her way into an international criminal conspiracy involving Faberge eggs and a sexy painter. Listen to this episode while you bake one (1) muffin.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Riverdale’s 10 Most Amazing Fake Brands” by Kristin Baldwin.

Coming up next: Lawless by Nora Roberts.

Another year has come and (almost) gone, and we’ve once again managed to read some good books. Let us tell you about them!

Coming up next: A January hiatus. Happy New Year! We’ll see you in February!

Kait’s Top 5 Best

5.) The Woods all Black by Lee Mandelo

4.) Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng by Kylie Lee Baker

3.) The Drowning House by Cherie Priest

2.) Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff

1.) What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher



Bonus: Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt



Renata’s Top 5 Best

5.) The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong

4.) Joyride by Susan Orlean

3.) Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

2.) Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

1.) Racebook by Tochi Onyebuchi

Bonus: To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose