Teaching My Cat To Read: The “very serious” Book Review Podcast

We’re back for part two of our deep dive into Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir—because let’s be honest, one episode wasn’t nearly enough. In this follow-up discussion, we’re untangling all the parts we didn't get to discuss in the first half - where things get even more mind-bending, the emotional stakes rise, and the mysteries lurking behind the Locked Tomb start to come into sharper (and stranger) focus. We’ll talk about the reveals that had us flipping back through chapters, the shifting identities, and what it all might mean for Harrow, Gideon, and the rest of the Emperor’s chosen. Expect a mix of wild theories, quiet heartbreak, and plenty of awe at how Muir manages to keep us both lost and totally hooked. If you’ve finished Harrow the Ninth and need a space to process everything—or you’re just here to scream about THAT ending—you’re in the right place. Support the show [https://ko-fi.com/teachingmycattoread] Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ [https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/] Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com [teachingmycattoread@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/ [https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/] Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com [https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ] Listener Survey https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9 [https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9]

We’re back in the world of necromancers and space palaces with *Harrow the Ninth* by Tamsyn Muir—and things are even weirder (and more brilliant) than before. If you caught our episode on *Gideon the Ninth*, you know we’re already obsessed with this series. Now, we’re diving headfirst into Harrow’s fractured mind, impossible timelines, and a story that refuses to play by the rules.   In the next two episodes, we unpack the chaos, the heartbreak, and the genius of Muir’s writing. We’ll talk about what makes Harrow such a complex and fascinating character, how this book messes with memory and reality, and why—despite the confusion—it all somehow works.   So if you’ve read *Harrow the Ninth* and need someone to yell about it with, or you’re just curious what all the buzz is about, this one’s for you. Just be warned: nothing in the Locked Tomb series is ever straightforward—but that’s part of the fun. Support the show [https://ko-fi.com/teachingmycattoread] Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ [https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/] Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com [teachingmycattoread@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/ [https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/] Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com [https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ] Listener Survey https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9 [https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9]

Before we read and discuss the second book in “The Locked Tomb” series, we thought we would revisit the first book, “Gideon the Ninth”, and ask questions we hadn’t asked before. Note, this episode features spoilers for the book.  The Back of the Book: “The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.” Support the show [https://ko-fi.com/teachingmycattoread] Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ [https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/] Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com [teachingmycattoread@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/ [https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/] Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com [https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ] Listener Survey https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9 [https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9]

In this episode, we’re digging into *The Red-Headed League*, one of the most clever and entertaining short stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection. Join us as we follow Holmes and Watson through a bizarre case involving a mysterious job posting, a suspicious employer, and a scheme that’s far more serious than it first appears.   We’ll talk about the charm of Holmes’s deductive genius, the humor woven into the story, and why this particular case has remained a fan favorite for generations. It’s a quick read, but packed with twists, quirky characters, and that classic Holmes flair.   Whether you’re new to Sherlock Holmes or a lifelong fan, this episode is a fun dive into one of his most memorable mysteries. Content Warnings NA Support the show [https://ko-fi.com/teachingmycattoread] Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ [https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/] Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com [teachingmycattoread@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/ [https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/] Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com [https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ] Listener Survey https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9 [https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9]

In this episode, we’re talking all things The Hunger Games—the book that took the world by storm and redefined YA dystopian fiction. We’ll dive into what makes this story so gripping, from the intense survival stakes to the sharp social commentary woven into Panem’s brutal world. We’ll break down Katniss Everdeen as a protagonist, the tension of the Games, and the deeper themes of power, control, and rebellion that still feel just as relevant today. Plus, we’ll share our favorite moments, biggest shocks, and how this book set the stage for a whole new era of storytelling. Whether you’ve read it a dozen times or are picking it up for the first time, join us for a fun, thoughtful conversation about why The Hunger Games still hits just as hard as it did when it first came out. Content Warnings Child death Support the show [https://ko-fi.com/teachingmycattoread] Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ [https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/] Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com [teachingmycattoread@gmail.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/ [https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/] Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com [https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ] Listener Survey https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9 [https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9]