Happy Octoberween, dear listeners! In honor of the season, we bring you some spook-adjacent books for October's episodes. Today, our favorite guest Mary Parker is back with the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera musical - in book form! Although it was also turned into a musical, but remember this book is not the sequel to the original Phantom of the Opera book by Gaston Leroux...yeah.

Musings and derailments in this episode include: the morning routine underneath the Opera Populaire, Paris transforms into Girl Boss Mammon, Mary becomes a Valley Girl Priest, and Chris plays God.

In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism, accidents leading to physical disfigurement, guns, murder, and suicide.

Julius the Nice Dragon offered us a true Patron's Choice: Return to The Dunks or choose a new path. We still had plenty of iced coffees to trade, so we made the only choice we could as Bostonians.

We rarely recommend prerequisites for episodes, but we think you should check out our review of the first book in this series before listening to today's episode because a) it's a good episode and b) we'll address elements of the series in that episode that we skipped today: Episode 165 - First, Impressions (Book #1 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders Patron’s Choice

Musings and derailments in this episode include: Boston, the MBTA, Mass Metal Gear Solid, store brand names, and a brief glimpse into Fourth Wing horrors (this was recorded much earlier this year and was perhaps where Chris got his idea to surprise Paris on the 200th episode).

*Local primaries and the general election are both coming up fast! Head to vote.org to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.*

Referenced in this episode:

• Weird Studies - Visions of the Wasteland: On George Miller's 'Mad Max' Films: On the post-apocalyptic sci-fi glory of the Mad Max franchise
• Folding Ideas - Contrepreneurs: The Mikkelsen Twins: Another fantastic Dan Olson piece on a book publishing MLM/pyramid scheme/scam

In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode discusses body horror, action-movie violence, suicide, guns/weapons, and medical experimentation like cloning, mind control, and genetic alteration.

Chris read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros on his own and retold the plot to Paris on this very special Twitch livestream to celebrate 200 episodes of Terrible Book Club. Afterwards, we bestow honors on the last 100 books over 11 categories in the 2nd edition of Terriblo's Choice Awards. Watch the video version of this episode for free on our Patreon!

*The general election is coming up fast! Head to vote.org to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.*

(1:58:47) The 2nd Quadrennial Terriblo's Choice Awards - Episodes 101-199:

• Biggest Surprise: The Golden Basement
• Most Unholy Abomination: Splattering Yet Endearing
• Most Toxic Message: The 1776 Report
• The ExcavatingLizard My Immortal Award for Worst Editing/or Proofreading: Tied!
  • Interview with the Devil (Part I - Victor's Account)
  • Millenium University
• Most Likely to Become an Off-Broadway Musical: Drag Queen Dino Fighters
• Most Disappointing Character Arc: Things in Jars
• Mary Sue Award: The Man Without Qualities
• Pepe LePew Needless Romance Award: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth
• James Randi Award for Worst Non-Fiction
  • General: Feeding the Dragon
  • Health & Woo-Woo Wellness: Genesis Diet
• Best Romance:
  • in a Drama: Valentine's Day For Baby Zeke
  • in a Comedy: The Hog
• Worst Book from Ep. 101-199: Reaper's Creek by Onision

In addition to our usual barnyard language, this episode includes references to sex, murder, violence, weapons, and poisoning.