Episodit
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If you start with the basic knowledge that Spanish Inquisition = Bad, you’ll be just fine. This week the Book Squad discusses Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar. We talk about the historical piece of this historical fantasy, question where the vampires are, play “hot or not,” and dig into the romance. Then we read some great listener feedback (Alex’s Version) and catch up with what’s on the blog. Tune in for our next Othersode about Bride and Prejudice with special guest Tirzah Price (author of In Want of a Suspect) on 11/12. Then read along for our next Bookpisode on Hum by Helen Phillips on 11/26.
TOC
:30 – Welcome!
7:25 – Book intro
10:00 – Disclaimers, the historical fantasy of it all
18:53 – Where are the vampires?
34:16 – Did anything surprise you?
49:00 – How was the romance? The ending?
52:05 – Ratings
54:50 – Listener feedback: Alex edition!
1:09:53 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Goodbye, Eyeball Fall; hello, Cannibal-tober!(?) We’ll workshop it. Special guest J.H. Markert (aka James Markert) joins the Squad to revisit 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs and talk about his latest novel, Sleep Tight! We talk about why Hannibal is so iconic (“the late, great Hannibal Lecter,” anyone?), the interplay between trauma and horror, getting inside the mind of a killer, and LGBTQ+ representation in the early 90s. Next we pepper James with questions about his new novel, Sleep Tight (a September Book of the Month pick!), in a spoiler-free interview. Speaking of scary things, Spooktober is back on the Book Squad Blog! Go check that out for more spooky season content. Join us on October 29th for Mary’s triumphant return to discuss even MORE spooky content – The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo. Then go watch Bride & Prejudice for our next Othersode featuring Tirzah Price, author of In Want of a Suspect, on November 12th!
TOC:
:30 – Welcome, James!
14:35 – What makes this story so appealing?
25:45 – How do trauma and mental illness inform the story?
32:10 – Why are we all so obsessed with serial killers?
39:50 – Transness and LGBTQIA+ issues in Silence of the Lambs
53:03 – Interview with James Markert!
1:36:17 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links: https://screenrant.com/silence-of-the-lambs-buffalo-bill-lgbtq-controversy/ -
Puuttuva jakso?
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If you could eat any body part, what would it be? Join Emily, Kelli, and Susan as they discuss the delicious body horror of The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim. Between the gross out horror scenes, this novel discusses misogyny, sexuality, and what happens when, well, you’re just kind of a jerk. Join us next time as special guest James Markert joins us to discuss Silence of the Lambs and his new book Sleep Tight. Then, Mary returns with a discussion of Leigh Bardugo’s historical vampire novel, The Familiar!
TOC
:30– Icebreaker!
10:52– Goodreads description
15:44–Why is the book about eating eyeballs?
22:00–Men suck, but in various ways
40:15–How Ji-Won is kinda not a good person
48:57–Unpacking the ending
1:02:35– Ratings
1:07:40– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Whatever you do, don’t go to sleep while listening to this episode…because we’re talking about A Nightmare on Elm Street with special guest Lamar Giles, author of the new novel Ruin Road! We talk about the icon himself Freddy Krueger, horror tropes, potential alternate endings, and how this movie stacks up to other slasher franchises. Then we have a fun and spoiler-free conversation with Lamar about Ruin Road, which is out TODAY! Tune in on October 1 for part two of Eyeball Fall when we discuss The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim. Then join us for another classic horror movie chat when we cover The Silence of the Lambs with special guest J.H. Markert, author of the new horror novel Sleep Tight on 10/15!
TOC:
30– Welcome Lamar!! Evil Genie Wishes
12:20– Happy 40 years Nightmare on Elm Street!
14:48–Freddy Kruger as a villain
20:49–Horror tropes
34:37–Supernatural horror
40:53–the end of the movie
58:23– final thoughts
1:06:19– talking with Lamar Giles about RUIN ROAD!
1:41:20–what’s on the blog, what’s up next?
YA Book Club about The Getaway by Lamar Giles: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/ya-book-club-the-getaway-by-lamar-giles
YA Book Club about Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/ya-book-club-not-so-pure-and-simple-by-lamar-giles -
Pack your bags — we’re off to Europe for a second-chance romance! This week the Book Squad is talking about The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. We discuss romance tropes, ~sexy stuff~, gender dynamics, and food and wine writing. Join us and special guest Lamar Giles, author of Ruin Road, for our next Othersode about Nightmare on Elm Street on September 17th. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monica Kim on October 1st. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review!
TOC
:30 – Welcome, pastry talk!
6:30 – Book intro
8:55 – Romance tropes and Kit and Theo as characters
33:50 – Let’s talk about sex, baby
44:02 – Gender and romance
56:55 – Travel
1:05:42 – Ratings
1:12:14 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/casey-mcquiston-the-pairing-queer-love-self-discovery-1235067954/ -
Did you think our hatred of It Ends With Us ended with our hatepisode on the book? Think again. This week, girlfriend of the pod Angela Ferraguto joins us for a discussion of the brand new film adapation of Colleen Hoover's novel — and by discussion, we mostly mean a list of complaints. Plus, Angela offers her expert opinion re: flowers and the city of Boston, where everything is better. If you have any feedback, even if its hateful, feel free to email us at [email protected]. Stay tuned for our next bookpisode on 9/3 when we'll be discussing The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, and stay extra tuned for our next othersode on 9/17 where we will be joined by the amazing Lamar Giles to talk about his new book, Ruin Road (oh, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, only 40 years late).
TOC
:30 – Welcome, Ang!
5:23 – Colleen Hoover names are out of control
12:08 – Movie intro
12:45 – Changes between book and movie
26:40 – The cringiest moment
39:00 – Marketing
53:40 – What happened on set?
1:16:06 – Boston corner
1:26:37 – Ratings
1:28:57 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Join Emily, Susan, and special returning guest Janet for a discussion of Angie Kim’s second novel, Happiness Falls! We talk about the mystery plot, the role of communication and understanding, whether you can quantify happiness, and how we feel about the ending. Then we get into some listener feedback and continue our feud over whether Kennedy from Come and Get It is actually evil or pretty ok. Go see It Ends with Us and be a hater with us for our next Othersode on August 20. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about The Pairing by Casey McQuiston on September 3. Wanna weigh in on the Kennedy debate? Got other feedback? Send it all to [email protected]!
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Pick your astrological enemy because it’s time to fight them in this high school gymnasium! JK, but we are discussing Bottoms (2023) with special guest Susie Dumond! After talking about the film, we chat with Susie about her new novel, Looking for a Sign. She gives us some great insights into her process, and we get to talk about astrology and dating apps too! Susie’s book is out now, so go get it! Join us and special guest Janet Dale on August 6 for our next Bookpisode on Happiness Falls by Angie Kim. Then go hate-watch It Ends With Us for our next Othersode/Hatepisode on August 20th! Hit us with your listener feedback at [email protected] or DM us on social media!
TOC:
:30 – Welcome, Susie!
8:30 – Movie Intro
9:21 – Comedy and tone
14:30 – The Fight Club of it all
21:00 – Gender and characterization, fave characters
28:11 – How Bottoms upends norms towards gay youth
37:00 – Favorite line or scene
40:57 – Susie thinks about the signs in Bottoms
43:36 – Interview with Susie Dumond about her new book Looking for a Sign!
1:15:04 – Live listener feedback on Come and Get It!
1:21:22 – What’s up next? -
Is your credit card tingling? That’s because this week we’re talking about A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon. Join the squad for a discussion about the magical rules of this book, climate change as a villain, magical girl romance hopes, and how the book pushes against magical girl type. Then we get into some listener feedback about Come and Get It. (Do you have feedback? Send it to us!) Get ready for our next Othersode on 7/23 where Susie Dumond, author of Looking for a Sign, will join us to talk about Bottoms. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about Happiness Falls by Angie Kim on 8/6.
TOC:
0:30–Welcome! And icebreaker
8:42–Book intro
11:46–How this book subverts genre
21:00–Monster of the week v. bigger issues
31:15–Magical girl romance
33:26–evil magical girls
39:15–ratings and graphic design corner
44:45–Listener feedback!
46:29–What’s up next?
Links:
It’s Never Too Late to Be a Magical Girl! – https://bookriot.com/read-this-book-july-5-2024/
The Evolution of the Magical Girl in Manga and Anime - https://bookriot.com/evolution-of-the-magical-girl/ -
It’s Mary’s Big Baby Bonanza! And we’re celebrating with unhinged presentations on niche topics followed by baby gifts! Come party with us and learn about everything from US presidents to Vampire Potter fanfic to phantom jellyfish, and a bunch of other random things along the way. Join us on July 9th for a Bookpisode on A Magical Girl Retires by Seolyeon Park. Then get ready for a special Othersode featuring Susie Dumond, author of Looking for a Sign on July 23rd. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review!
TOC:
:30 – Welcome! And welcome special guest Todd!
9:00 – Todd, President Two Truths and a Lie
20:00 – Emily, Sailor Moon
31:09 – Susan, Women’s Tennis is Better
42:00 – Kelli, My Immortal
57:00 – Mary, Things I Google at 3AM
1:22:07 – Presents for baby!
1:34:30 – Listener Feedback!
1:36:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
We’re going back to college to talk about Come and Get It by Kiley Reid! There’s a lot to cover in the book, and issues of race, classism, and plain old mean girl behavior all come up. Plus, learn about the Squad’s weird and wonderful college jobs! Considering how much buzz Kiley Reid received for her first novel, Such a Fun Age, you won’t want to miss the talk about her latest work. Does it hold up like the first novel? Come and get it!
And tune into our next episode for a very special episode celebrating Mary and Todd’s soon-to-be baby! The Squad will present short presentations on their favorite special topics, joined by baby daddy Todd!
Next Othersode: Mary’s Big Baby Bonanza! Special Presentations feat. Todd
Next episode: A Magical Girl Retires by Seolyeon Park
TOC:
:30 – Welcome!
10:59 – Book Intro
12:34 – What is up with this low Goodreads rating?
21:36 – If “nothing happens,” why did this book feel so fast paced?
25:00 – The characters, and especially Kennedy
46:52 – Agatha
1:04:28 – Money
1:11:00 – Race
1:16:26 – Target
1:21:10 – Ratings!
1:25:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Special guest Paul Tremblay (author of The Cabin at the End of the World, Survivor Song, and the forthcoming Horror Movie) joins the Squad to talk about one of our favorite underrated horror films, The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2017). We talk about the movie’s unique take on possession, the performances, the (somewhat controversial?) ending, and the dangers of having Spring Break in February. Then we chat with Paul about his new novel, Horror Movie! Don’t worry – there are no spoilers in this interview, so you can listen before you read it. And we DO recommend you read it because we all loved it. You don’t want to miss this fun conversation! Our next Bookpisode will be about Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (June 11), and our next Othersode is a very special pre-maternity leave/baby shower episode where Mary gets to pick an unhinged thing for us all to talk about (June 25)! Please consider supporting us on Patreon and leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! And pre-order Horror Movie, on sale June 11th.
TOC:
:30 – Welcome, Paul! And icebreaker
13:00 – Movie intro
14:32 – What makes this possession story special?
20:30 – Performances
32:38 – The ending and how it has been interpreted
41:31 – Overall thoughts on the movie…and why were they going on break in February?
51:00 – Paul talks all things Horror Movie! (Spoiler free!)
1:34:34 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links
Unfriended episode: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/othersode-14-unfriended
House of the Devil episode: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/pizza-is-satanic-clay-mcleod-chapman
Emily's original review of The Blackcoat's Daughter: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/10-weeks-of-spooktober-the-blackcoats-daughter-week-7-of-10?rq=blackcoat
Vulture 'ending explained': https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/blackcoats-daughter-ending.html -
Spend ten days with us as we become fluent in the language of literary criticism! For our discussion of Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi’s debut novel The Centre, the squad breaks our usual form and starts with the ending first. From there, we share our thoughts on the book’s main character, its ideas about translation, the role classism plays in the story, and, crucially, blowjobs (just blowjobs in general, not the role classism plays in blowjobs). Be sure to tune in for our next episode on May 28th when we’ll be joined by the incredible Paul Tremblay for a chat about overlooked horror films including The Blackcoat’s Daughter and an interview about his phenomenal new book, Horror Movie. Then, read along for our next bookpisode on June 11th, when we’ll discuss Come and Get It by Kiley Reid. Send your feedback to [email protected], subscribe to us on Patreon, and follow us on social @booksquadgoals!
TOC:
:30 – Welcome!
6:12 – Book intro
10:29 – Immediately talking about the ending
27:28 – Let’s talk about Anisa
31:48 – BJ corner
40:25 – Class stuff
53:21 – Thoughts on translation
1:08:00 – Ratings!
1:11:59 – A statement about Palestine
1:14:39 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
All the Books: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-books/id993284374?mt=2
Jewish Voice for Peace: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
@PalestinianYouthMovement: https://www.instagram.com/palestinianyouthmovement/ https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/ -
This week the Squad goes to sunny Florida (NOT Australia) to discuss the Peacock series Apples Never Fall, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. We talk about the differences between the book and the series, the family dynamics, the acting (including the tennis acting), and other Liane Moriarty adaptations we’ve seen. Then we get into some feedback on Irish Wish because we have to talk about Irish Wish at least once per episode. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi on 5/14. Then join us and very special guest Paul Tremblay for a chat about The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Paul’s new novel, Horror Movie, on 5/28! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review wherever you listen (but especially Apple Podcasts) and please consider becoming a patron for just $3 a month!
TOC:
30– Welcome! And icebreaker
10:15–Show intro
11:30–Differences between the book and the show
33:50–The Delaney Family
48:13– Let’s talk about Savannah.
52:40–Other characters, who’d you identify with?
54:20–Susan’s Tennis Corner
59:19– Liane Moriarty Thoughts
1:07:15– Listener Feedback!
1:11:05– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Get transported to the other side of the world with the squad (minus Mary) as we discuss The Sun Sets in Singapore, the debut novel by Kehinde Fadipe! We discuss the main characters’ struggles and story arcs, the women’s friendships, the ~drama~, and the setting. Then we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the Book Squad Blog! Steal your friend’s Peacock login info to watch Apples Never Fall for our next Othersode on 4/30. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi on 5/14. Send your feedback to [email protected] and don’t forget to leave us a rating and review!
TOC
:30 – welcome!
8:25 – book intro
13:20 – which story were you most interested in?
20:45 – friendship!
29:18 – the Jenna bush of it all
49:38 – ratings
56:04 – listener feedback!
1:00:16 – what’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
You probably didn’t think we were going to cover the new Lindsay Lohan Netflix film Irish Wish…but what if we did?? Come along to the Emerald Isle with the squad and special guest Nathan Simmons, co-host of Oh! That’s a Scary Movie podcast, as we discuss the nature of wishes, what it means to “be” Irish, couture fashion, and the James Joyce of it all. Plus, enjoy a very special tangent on the screenwriter and her many, many favorite things. Read along for our next Bookpisode about The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe on 4/16, and check out the Peacock series Apples Never Fall (based on the Liane Moriarty novel) for our next Othersode on 4/23. PS: We would loooove a five-star rating if the spirit of St. Brigid moves you!
TOC:
0:30 — Welcome, Nathan! And icebreaker
10:50 – Movie intro
13:20 – What’s this movie’s whole deal?
20:02 – The wish
41:28 – Who wrote this?? And more miscellaneous comments
51:53 – What is everyone wearing?
56:32 – Why is this set in Ireland?
59:00 — James Joyce
1:07:03 – Ratings
1:09:54 – Reedback
1:12:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links: https://www.vulture.com/article/netflix-irish-wish-is-an-ai-generated-harbinger-of-doom.html -
Mirror, mirror, on the wall... oh wait, that was our last book. Join the squad on another journey into the land of fairytales and their tropes as we discuss Thornhedge, the latest novella by T. Kingfisher. Special guest Jen educates us on everything from the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index to the many crimes of Giambattista Basile, and Susan educates us on The Frog Prince (1986). Make sure to tune in next time, when we'll be joined by Nathan Simmons of the Oh! That's a Scary Movie podcast for a discussion of the latest Lindsay Lohan/Netflix vehicle, Irish Wish (4/2), and read along for our next bookpisode on The Sun Sets In Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe (4/16). Follow us on social media @booksquadgoals, subscribe to our Patreon, leave us a rating and review on the Apple podcasts app, and send LITERALLY any feedback to [email protected]!
TOC:
:30 – Icebreaker Q, welcome Jen!
5:05 – Book intro
6:50 – Tale types
14:48 – What’s up with Toadling?
24:13 – Other subversive fairy tales?
28:42 – Halim
41:00 – Fayette and the ending of the book
49:00 – Why do we keep retelling tales?
52:44 – Ratings
56:44 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/emily-and-ben-beat-cancer -
From the hearts…the minds…the dreams…of the Book Squad…comes a special discussion of the Jennifer Lopez film? visual album? This Is Me…Now. It’s hard to describe our chat because it’s hard to describe this project. But some topics we cover include: celebrity zodiac signs, eye-roll moments, which husband is which, and the meaning of a factory. Then we head back to non-green screen land to catch up with what’s on the blog, including YA Book Club and Bachelor recaps! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, featuring special guest Jen Roy, on 3/19. Then put on your best green outfit for our next Othersode on Irish Wish, the new Lindsay Lohan movie, on 4/2. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts – we’ll read it on the next episode! Send listener feedback to [email protected]!
TOC
:30 – Icebreaker
10:26 – Movie description and expectations
13:08 – Previous J-Lo feelings
22:48 – What is this?
30:25 – The Great Heart Factory Debate
44:56 – Kelli’s tweet corner; where are the kids?
50:00 – What else? The music?
57:50 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next? -
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty – we’re talking about Rouge by Mona Awad! Special guest Mary Kay McBrayer (author and podcast host) joins us for a deep dive into this surreal world to chat about genre, mother-daughter relationships, the toxic beauty industry, and of course, Tom Cruise himself. Next we catch up with what’s on the blog, including a post about Hazbin Hotel and new Bachelor recaps! Buckle up for our next Othersode on Jennifer Lopez’s movie-thing, This is Me…Now on March 5th. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about Thorn Hedge by T. Kingfisher on March 19th! Please leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, and we might read it on the pod!
Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/booksquadgoals
TOC
:30 – Welcome Mary Kay! And childhood crushes
9:11 – The very extra Goodreads summary
14:44 – Genre
21:41 – Mother Daughter relationships
52:57 – The ending
1:08:40 – Tom Cruise
1:23:30 – Cover art corner
1:26:35 – Ratings
1:31:16 – Mary Kay’s new podcast, what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links: https://www.vogue.com/article/mona-awad-fathers-day-essay
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-greatest-true-crime-s-128412643/ -
Get in, losers; we’re listening to a podcast the whole way there! Join the Book Squad, aka the Army of Skanks, to discuss the new Mean Girls movie, which IS in fact a musical. We talk about our individual histories with Mean Girls, the music and singing, the performances, and changes that worked and didn’t from the original. Next we catch up with what’s on the blog and Kelli shames listeners (Send feedback! Leave a rating! Write a review! Become a patron!). Read along for our next Bookpisode on Rouge by Mona Awad, featuring special guest Mary Kay McBrayer on 2/20. Then brace yourself for whatever This Is Me…Now is because we’re discussing it on our next Othersode on 3/5.
TOC:
:30– Welcome! And Icebreaker
9:40– Movie intro and spoiler warning
29:54– What was up with the marketing?
40:45– The cast and the music
1:00:40– Changes the new adaptation made
1:14:10– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? Kelli’s shame corner - Näytä enemmän
