Hot Girls Read Podcast

S7E1:And just like that, we have done 6 seasons of the Hot Girls Read podcast! Welcome to our first episode of season 7: the one where we share our 2026 goals.
We recorded this episode a couple of days after the start of the lunar near year, and perhaps it’s the action-focused energy of the zodiac (year of the fire horse!) that inspired us to dedicate an episode to our literary hopes and dreams for the year. 
From chatting about astrology and Saturn Returns to what the year might hold for us as readers and podcasters, this episode heralds the start of a new year, a new season, and hopefully, lots of brilliant happenings in 2026!

The big question: are we living in a literary golden age or a post-literate society ??? 
On this week’s episode we’re doing something a little different to our usual bookish chats, and we’re breaking down a couple of intriguing Substack essays on the combined subject of literature and society. Our primary references include ‘Ignore the pessimists – we are living through a literary golden age’ by Henry Oliver versus ‘The dawn of the post-literate society’ by James Marriott. From the simultaneous (oddly, and apparently) global decrease and increase in reading to the role of screens in the downfall of reading comprehension, we wade through the facts, the arguments, and our own experiences to come to a conclusion about the current state of the literary world. But, we’re also interested to hear what you guys think – tune in and join the debate!

S6 E6: Join us in conversation with Gregory Grosvenor, writer, author, teacher and fellow only child. We talk about Greg’s early inspirations in writing, from growing up in Germany, supportive parents, and an early conviction to write. We then delve into a myriad of topics including Greg’s experience as a creative writing teacher, his past as an alcoholic, and of course, his debut novel, Second Pocket First, full of quirky characters, bucolic Vermont scenery, great outfits, and some good old fashioned burglary. 

To learn more about Greg Grosvenor and to purchase Second Pocket First, you can check out his website, and follow him on Instagram.

In this episode we talk to Laura Goode, author, essayist, poet, screen writer, and educator, about her latest book, Pitch Craft. Pitch Craft is all about the art of presenting yourself as a person and a writer, but our conversation doesn’t just end there. From talking about the quirks and perks of being an only child to the magic of female friendship, this is a conversation that explores the hidden side of writing – the part which is less about the writing itself than it is about connecting with yourself and the people around you. 

To learn more about Laura Goode and to purchase Pitch Craft, you can check out her website, and follow her on Instagram.

S6E4: While the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping lower, being indoors is looking a lot more cozy. In other words, it's the perfect season to get back to reading! Not only is autumn THE season for reading, but there are so many sub-genres that perfectly compliment the moody weather and spooky atmosphere of fall. Tune in to hear our recommendations for witchy and gothic reads, to cozy, dark academia, and just plain dark. We also spend some time reviewing lists compiled by reading platforms (GoodReads and Fable) on suggested autumnal reads. As ever, happy reading from the Hot Girls Read podcast. 

Titles Mentioned
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The Secret History by Donna Tart
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, 
Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
The Wisteria society for Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Weird Woods: Tales from the Haunted Woods of Britain (A British Library short story collection)
Anything by Shirley Jackson (Haunting of Hill House, We Have always lived in the Castle) 
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Bunny by Mona Awad
Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Natasha Preston books
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Weyward by Emilia Hart
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More by Arin Murphy
Slewfoot by Alexis Henderson
Psychic Witch by Mat Auryn
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
The Complete Stories and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsreadpodcast⁠ 
Check out our website: ⁠https://hotgirlsreadpodcast.com/⁠