Slow Burn: Books for Slow Readers

I’ve been struggling to return to my reading roots for years now, so I finally caved and made a podcast about it. Join me, Savannah Beck, on a (probably never-ending) journey out of my adult reading rut! In each episode, I talk about quick reads with people I like. Follow @slowburnpodcast on Instagram for more.

Last refreshed: June 30th, 2025 at 6:37 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Middle Grade and Young Adult with Kiara Martinez

Kiara Martinez of Solid State Books makes "Slow Burn" history as the first-ever two-time guest. This time around, she talks about the middle grade and young adult genres — and why adults should read them too. On the list: ⁠ "Feed" by MT Anderson "Keeper of the Lost Cities" by Shannon Messenger "Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry" by Joya Goffney "Vanquishers" by Kalynn Bayron "Ride or Die" by Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu The music for this episode is " ⁠⁠⁠⁠Daisy (EDM/Instrumental)⁠⁠⁠⁠ " by Zight. Subscribe to...

Nov 21, 2023•30 min

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Monster Romance with C.M. Nascosta

Bestselling monster romance author C.M. Nascosta pops in to share some recommendations from her body of work — just in time for spooky season. On the list: "Morning Glory Milking Farm" by C.M. Nascosta "Sweet Berries" by C.M. Nascosta "Girls Weekend" by C.M. Nascosta "Run, Run Rabbit" by C.M. Nascosta More from the monster universe: "Two for Tea" by C.M. Nascosta ⁠"Hollow" by C.M. Nascosta "To Ravish a Rogue" by C.M. Nascosta The music for this episode is " ⁠⁠⁠Daisy (EDM/Instrumental)⁠⁠⁠ " by Zi...

Oct 24, 2023•51 min

Bad Books with Kiara Martinez

Kiara Martinez of Solid State Books roasts all of the bad books she's read — and admits that she even liked some of them! Kiara's official recommendations: ⁠"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston "The Final Girl Support Group" by Grady Hendrix "Instructions for Dancing" by Nicola Yoon "If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English" by Noor Naga Regular old books that we touch on: ⁠ "Trick Mirror" by Jia Tolentino "I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying" by Bassey Ikpi "My Heart is a Chainsaw" by S...

Jul 20, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Audiobooks with Christine Bollow

Christine Bollow of Loyalty Bookstore makes the case for reading by listening. Christine's official recommendations: "Don’t Cry For Me" by Daniel Black "How the Word is Passed " by Clint Smith "How to Read Now" by Elaine Castillo "How To Keep House While Drowning" by KC Davis "How Far the Light Reaches" by Sabrina Imbler Book cameos: "One's Company" by Ashley Hutson "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy "Making a Scene" by Constance Wu The music for this episode is " ⁠Daisy (EDM/Instrumenta...

Mar 29, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance with Carly Biesiada

Carly Biesiada of Chamblin Bookmine introduces me to the world of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. On the agenda: The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning Other books that came up in our conversation: "Educated" by Tara Westover "Half a Soul" by Olivia Atwater "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach The music for this episode is " Daisy (EDM/Instrumental) " by Zight. Subscribe to t...

Feb 22, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Romance with Jacinta Allee

Jacinta Allee of Lost City Books and I chat about the unfairly maligned romance genre and its many hidden gems. On the agenda: "One Last Stop" by Casey McQuiston "Beach Read" by Emily Henry "The Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston "The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood Honorable mentions (not necessarily romance, just #goodebooks): "House of Leaves" by Mark Danielewski "Alone With You in the Ether" by Olivie Blake "How We Are Translated" by Jessica Gaitán Johannesson "Trick Mirror" by Jia Tolentino...

Dec 20, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Essays with Chardai Powell

Chardai Powell of Loyalty Bookstores speaks about essays on Black vulnerability and shares the pearls of wisdom she’s gleaned from a lifetime of reading. On the agenda: “You Are Your Best Thing,” edited by Tarana Burke & Brené Brown “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” by Inger Burnett-Zeigler “Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be” by Nichole Perkins “Carefree Black Girls” by Zeba Blay Honorable mentions: “Legendborn” & “Bloodmarked” by Tracy Deonn “Honey and Spice” by Bolu Babalola...

Nov 21, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Under 300 Pages with Shelby Ernest

I work my way through a list of books under 300 pages with my dear friend and fellow bookworm Shelby Ernest. This week’s recommendations: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng Subscribe to the show for more reading recommendations and advice! The music for this episode is a remix of “ Daisy (EDM/Instrumental) ” by Zight, and the cover art u...

Oct 21, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Slow Burn Trailer

Welcome to "Slow Burn," a podcast for slow readers. Each episode, I talk with people I like about books they recommend. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the show. We're on Instagram at @slowburnpodcast . Reach out with topic suggestions or if you know a bookseller who'd like to come on the show. Keep listening and keep on reading!

Oct 19, 2022•2 min

Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android