Yesteryear Review | Ep 27

In this episode of Oops, Spoilers!, Elise and Mal dive into Autumn Krause’s gothic folklore fantasy, Before the Devil Knows You’re Here. We're breaking down the plot, exploring the characters, and unpacking the themes. We discuss the dangers of relentless ambition to knowing when it's time to change direction, we discuss the book's exploration of grief, Mexican American identity, and the eerie folklore woven throughout.Let us know what you thought of the story and its ending in the comments.Chapters00:00 Introducing the book and its gothic folklore premise01:39 First impressions: weird, beautifully written, and bingeable06:06 Spoilers begin: the novel’s central conflicts09:33 Johnny Appleseed’s deadly bargain and the cost of ambition15:18 When persistence turns into a trap22:17 Pivoting, making room for life, and redefining success26:14 Mexican American identity, family memory, and grief29:16 Paul’s mission, backstory, and growing love for Catalina34:49 Scoring the plot, entertainment, and themes42:24 Romance, spice, and content notes45:06 Final reflections and the 4.25 combined ratingFollow on the podcast Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠⁠Follow Elise:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mal: ⁠@malyourgalpal⁠Elise goodreads: ⁠Elise Seanor⁠Mal’s goodreads: ⁠Mallory Finch⁠Mal’s Letterboxd: ⁠malpal131⁠

In this episode, Elise is joined by Kara to discuss her journey in the publishing industry, her work with the Author Conservatory, and her passion for helping the next generation of writers succeed. They dive into the importance of mentorship, balancing creativity with personal growth, and building a supportive community for aspiring authors.They also chat about the C.S. Lewis Fellowship, the exciting future of Christian storytelling, and their reactions to The Magician's Nephew trailer! Whether you're an aspiring author, a lover of Narnia, or simply someone who appreciates the power of storytelling, this conversation is full of encouragement, inspiration, and practical insight into the world of writing and publishing.Follow Kara on Insta: @karaswansonauthorConnect with her: https://karaswanson.com/abouthttps://nextcslewis.org/https://authorconservatory.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Background03:01 Kara's Career in Publishing and Industry Experience06:38 Connecting with Brad Harris and the Young Writers Workshop09:44 Upcoming Publishing News and Future Plans13:03 Balancing Personal Growth and Creativity18:50 Inspiration Behind the Author Conservatory22:32 Curriculum Development and Student Growth28:58 Favorite Aspects of Involvement in the Conservatory33:29 Notable Alumni Achievements and Future Potential36:20 Alumni Pitch Events and Industry Connections37:16 Fostering a Healthy Industry Environment39:02 Reflections on the C.S. Lewis Fellowship43:54 Excitement for The Magician's Nephew Trailer44:30 Humor and Reactions to the Trailer45:41 Anticipation and Personal Preferences in Narnia46:36 The Purpose of the Next C.S. Lewis Fellowship47:09 Details About the Fellowship and Resources48:55 Supporting Future Writers and Community Growth50:50 Encouragement for Aspiring Writers and Community Building51:26 Final Thoughts and Appreciation for the CommunityFollow on the podcast Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠⁠Follow Elise:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mal: ⁠@malyourgalpal⁠Elise goodreads: ⁠Elise Seanor⁠Mal’s goodreads: ⁠Mallory Finch⁠Mal’s Letterboxd: ⁠malpal131⁠

This week Elise and Mal review one of the most controversial books of the year. The girls discuss themes, plot, entertainment level and much more. They had wildly differently opinions which made for great conversation. Let us know what you think!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Yesteryear and Episode Overview02:06 Initial Impressions and Character Critiques09:58 Themes of Tradition, Faith, and Influence20:01 Character Development and Moral Ambiguity30:01 Plot Twists: Time Travel and Reality Shifts39:57 Discussion of Sexual Assault and Morality49:59 Ending, Justice, and Final ThoughtsFollow on the podcast Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Mal: @malyourgalpalElise goodreads: Elise SeanorMal’s goodreads: Mallory FinchMal’s Letterboxd: malpal131

In this episode, Autumn Krause shares her journey to becoming an author, the inspiration behind her latest book The Gods Will Sing Our Song, and the importance of accurately representing family history and cultural heritage in storytelling.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Autumn Krause and her work02:01 Autumn's childhood, love of stories, and writing journey04:00 Supporting herself through MFA and pursuing traditional publishing05:33 The inspiration and meaning behind The Gods Will Sing Our Song06:59 Research process and challenges in depicting Japanese internment08:58 Incorporating mythology, magic, and family relics in the story11:01 Personal family stories and the significance of sharing them13:01 Handling online backlash and the impact of the book's virality14:58 The importance of storytelling in preserving history and culture16:56 Autumn's upcoming projects and future books27:08 Connecting with Autumn Krause and final thoughtsFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠

In this episode, Elise and Mal discuss the themes, characters, and differences between the book and movie adaptation of 'Remarkably Bright Creatures,' exploring topics like grief, family, and the magic of small moments.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Remarkably Bright Creatures and Hosts03:56 Summary of the book's blurb and main plot05:56 Themes of wholesomeness and emotional depth08:04 The true crime element and its impact10:08 Reflections on grief, closure, and perspective11:58 The importance of communication and unspoken feelings14:04 Cultural differences in family obligations15:54 The significance of small moments and uniqueness18:09 The portrayal of healing and processing grief20:07 The role of animals and whimsy in storytelling22:07 The book's themes of love, loss, and hope23:56 Comparison of the book and movie experiences25:59 Character analysis of Tova and her relationships28:03 Reflections on family, friendship, and independence29:59 The significance of small details like fingerprints31:57 Lessons from Marcellus and the octopus perspective33:50 The importance of honest communication36:02 Cultural insights and personal reflections37:47 The value of unspoken love and gratitude39:58 Final thoughts and overall ratings

Elise has on Emma Arch to discuss writing and her author journey! Make sure you order her book The Nameless Heir here for the summer TOG book club. Follow Emma: @emmaarch.author Chapters00:00 Introduction to Emma Arch and Her Work02:55 The Writing Process and Character Development05:52 Navigating the Publishing World08:54 The Importance of Community in Writing11:57 The Journey to Becoming an Author14:56 Themes and Characterization in The Nameless Heir17:54 Exploring Character Growth and Relationships20:55 Future Projects and Inspirations27:54 Building Fantasy Worlds Through Prose29:36 Character Development and Plot Unfolding32:24 Self-Insertion and Personal Experiences in Writing36:33 The Therapeutic Nature of Writing40:12 Navigating Reader Vulnerability and Author Responsibility50:29 Advocating for Yourself as a WriterFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠

In this episode, Elise and Mal dive into the sci-fi movie 'Project Hail Mary,' exploring its plot, themes, character development, and moral dilemmas. They share their thoughts on space exploration, alien design, and the emotional depth of the story, providing insights for both movie lovers and sci-fi fans.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Project Hail Mary02:55 Exploring the Movie's Themes and Characters05:42 Moral Dilemmas in Space Missions08:46 The Impact of Isolation and Relationships11:48 The Role of Aliens and Creativity in Sci-Fi14:37 Concluding Thoughts on the Movie's Message26:53 Exploring the Unknown: Space vs. Ocean31:49 Cinematic Perspectives: Hope in Space, Fear in the Ocean39:50 Plot Analysis: Science Fiction and Emotional Depth45:40 Character Development: Ryan Gosling's Performance47:41 Final Thoughts: A Family-Friendly Exploration of ExistenceFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠

Caleb Woo shares his journey from theater and film to public health, exploring how storytelling and creativity intersect with global health initiatives. Discover insights on balancing multiple passions, the power of narrative in health communication, and practical tips for pursuing diverse interests.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Storytelling02:59 Caleb's Journey into Acting06:03 The Importance of Networking in Creative Fields08:54 Favorite Projects and Memorable Experiences11:51 Intersections of Public Health and Creativity18:04 Balancing Multiple Passions21:13 Building Effective Life Systems22:13 Investing in Personal Growth23:35 Small Steps Towards Big Goals25:19 Balancing Dreams and Responsibilities27:20 Understanding Your Why30:05 Embracing Multiple Passions31:57 Stewarding Your Gifts34:23 Defining Your Impact35:47 Recommended Resources for GrowthFollow Caleb: @calebwooFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠

Elise and Mallory review 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue'. They delve into love, sacrifice, and the nature of art and legacy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Addie LaRue04:59 Exploring Themes of Loneliness and Connection09:59 The Nature of Love and Sacrifice14:52 Character Analysis: Addie, Henry, and Luke19:53 The Impact of Storytelling and Themes in Literature27:12 Consequences of Choices and Survival Instincts30:02 Love, Sacrifice, and Compatibility32:31 Character Arcs: Henry vs. Luke35:55 The Nature of Love and Emotional Connection40:03 Scarcity Mentality and Affection46:00 Art, Life, and Leaving a MarkFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠⁠

Elise has her book leader on to discuss running your book club. They discuss how to choose themes, locations, and books that foster community, growth, and fun.Chapters00:00 The Birth of a Book Club02:53 Organizational Insights and Evolution05:32 Memorable Meetings and Themed Events08:15 Expanding Horizons Through Diverse Reads11:08 The Importance of Community and Mental Health14:02 Accessing Books: Libraries and E-Readers16:56 Favorite Reads and Lasting Impressions19:16 Exploring Urban Fantasy and Themed Cocktails22:21 Creative Book Club Themes and Planning23:32 Navigating Book Club Dynamics and Inclusivity25:05 Understanding Trigger Warnings and Reader Sensitivity28:38 The Healing Power of Book Clubs33:02 Encouragement for New Book Club MembersFollow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@oops_spoilers_⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Elise: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@eliseseanor⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Elise ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eliseseanor.com⁠