In this episode, I’m joined by my good pal Christiana to discuss her favourite cosy romances. Topics covered include YA, Grease, and one of our joint favourite books, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

Christiana Perdis, emerging writer and publishing professional joins the pod to discuss her shortlist of cosy romances. You can find her at https://www.christianaperdis.com/.

NOTE: Christiana works at Hachette, but no part of this episode is informed or paid for by Hachette or any other party. All opinions we share are mine and Christiana’s.

Show notes:
There are some audio quality wobbles in this recording, which I apologise for. This was the first episode I recorded remotely, so there were some glitches to work out.
01:25 It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
03:05 Digression #1 as Lydia asks about the ‘best friend’s older brother’ trope in romance
08:25 Depictions of anxiety in cosy romances, and Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
12:32 Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
19:30 Digression #2 into how realistic a ‘happily ever after’ really is, especially in the context of YA romances
20:57 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
23:30 Digression #3 discussion of Carry On by Rainbow Rowell and the fanfiction sections in Fangirl
28:33 Digression #4 Wishes for our own Carry On/Fangirl fanfiction and Lydia makes a great reference to Kindred Spirits, which Christiana misses.
30:20 Book Lovers by Emily Henry and Digression #5 into Funny Story by Emily Henry, Crocs, Grace and Frankie, and the old cover of Radio Silence by Alice Oseman.
41:00 Boy From the Mish by Gary Lonesborough
48:00 CORRECTION: Boy From the Mish was SHORTLISTED for the CBCA and was shortlisted in the Victoria, NSW, And Queensland state literary awards as well as the Readings Prize, Indie Book Awards and a whole bunch more. However it did win the IBBY Ena Noel Award awarded by the International Board on Books for Young People, which is very cool!
48:15 Christiana takes over Lydia’s job and segues us to Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
56:00 The winner is announced!
 
 
If you are an emerging writer, publishing professional, avid reader, or librarian with a shortlist you want to discuss, please reach out to Lydia via Instagram @scho.lydia. We would love to have you on the show.
 
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation (Lydia) and the lands of the Dharug people (Christiana). We acknowledge First Nations peoples’ continued connection to lands, waters, skies, and stories of this continent and pay respect to their elders past and present.