T.J. Payne on Intercepts

CJ Leede on Headlights

A novel that is near and dear to my heart (for some reasons discussed in this episode), Headlights by CJ Leede is the kind of book that feels like it can change a life. I sat down and unpacked it all with CJ, how it felt to write about something so large, the approach to capturing place, leaning into The Shining of it all, and so much more. Speaking with CJ is always an occasion that makes a day immensely better, and this conversation is no exception. Immensely grateful for her and her earnestness in this interview. Links to order Headlights and to keep up with CJ on socials: * CJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceejthemoment/?hl=en * CJ’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ceejthemoment * CJ’s BlueSy: https://bsky.app/profile/ceejthemoment.bsky.social * To Order Headlights: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250857958/headlights/ * To register for our event in Springfield, MO: https://programs.thelibrary.org/event/15998261 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Claire Fuller on Hunger & Thirst

Chatting about one of my favorite reads this year, Hunger & Thirst, author Claire Fuller joins me to unpack the unreliable narrator, the modern Gothic, tapping into formative experiences, and so much more. Huger & Thirst is a brilliant novel that sings with dread, another facet that Claire and I dig into, and I hope everyone gives this book a read. Seriously, this is the kind of novel I live for, and Claire was such a lovely conversation partner. All of the thanks to her for her time, and if you want to order a copy of Hunger & Thirst or keep up with Claire, check out the links below: * Claire’s Website: https://clairefuller.co.uk/ * Claire’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerclairefuller/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/writerclairefuller/?hl=en] * US Virtual Event: https://writer.org/event/fuller-faliveno/ [https://writer.org/event/fuller-faliveno/] * To Order Hunger & Thirst: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816559/hunger-and-thirst-by-claire-fuller/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816559/hunger-and-thirst-by-claire-fuller/] And, regarding my very special, big announcement at the end of the episode, check out Darker Times here (link goes live on 9:00 AM, 6/1): darkertimes.com [https://darkertimes.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

T.J. Payne on Intercepts

Bonus episode! T.J. Payne joins me to talk about his novel, Intercepts, which was originally self-published and has been republished for a wider release! We talk about the original inspiration for the novel, do a deep-dive on a few of the characters, and also chat about T.J’s screenwriting career and how that relates to his fiction writing. This was such a lovely conversation, and if you’re looking to order a copy of Intercepts or keep up with T.J. on social media, check out the links below: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.payne.author/ [https://www.instagram.com/tj.payne.author/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tj.payne.author [https://www.tiktok.com/@tj.payne.author] * To Order Intercepts: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/833286/intercepts-by-t-j-payne/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/833286/intercepts-by-t-j-payne/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Sarah Gailey on Make Me Better

A guest that I have been dying to talk to, Sarah Gailey makes their Anna Rose Reads debut to chat about their most recent release, Make Me Better! We foster an in-depth conversation surrounding topics of high-control groups, manipulative behaviors, what it means to skip over grieving, and so much more. My time chatting with Sarah is so, so treasured, and I am the most thankful for their time! To keep up with Gailey or to order Make Me Better (or any of their books), check out the links below: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaileyfrey/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/gaileyfrey/?hl=en] * Threads: https://www.threads.com/@gaileyfrey [https://www.threads.com/@gaileyfrey] * Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahgailey.bsky.social * Website: https://sarahgailey.com/ * Bookshop.com [https://bookshop.com/]: https://bookshop.org/shop/sarahgailey [https://bookshop.org/shop/sarahgailey] * Linktree: https://linktr.ee/gaileyfrey?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnVmJjNh4zSkCWJOHDVtYEBYK_iK7ALxEUQG1_kcGFxvQ6C4ZDhymadOPmclE_aem_SEMo8El_KwmF0yv2aYPD_Q This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amiee Pokwatka on Accumulation

Aimee Pokwatka joins me to chat about her novel, Accumulation, which really examines what it means to be haunted. We chat about cycles, how to break them, gender roles, hauntings, inevitability, and many more nuanced topics. Getting to have such a thoughtful conversation with Aimee about this book was so fulfilling, and Accumulation feels like one of those books that does so much heavy lifting to encapsulate what interpersonal struggles look like in 2026. I am the most thankful for Aimee and her time, and if you’d like to order a copy of Accumulation and keep up with Aimee on social media, check out the links below: * Aimee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeepokwatka/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/aimeepokwatka/?hl=en] * Aimee’s Website: http://www.aimeepokwatka.com/ * To Order Accumulation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788374/accumulation-by-aimee-pokwatka/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788374/accumulation-by-aimee-pokwatka/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]