Book Squad Goals

This week, the squad tackles global warming and animosity between the North and South. Are we talking about the past? Are we talking about the present? Neither! We're discussing America in the year 2073 as the country is in the middle of its second Civil War. Join us as we discuss Omar El Akkad's novel "American War," which gave us a lot of material to talk about. Then we read listener feedback ab...

On a very sexy edition of #BookSquadGoals, the squad breaks down the new film "Fifty Shades Freed," the so-called "climax" of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Join us as we discuss the strange plot, the use of ice cream during sex, pop sensation Rita Ora, and the utter lack of chemistry between the film's leads. We take a look at what this franchise gets wrong about BDSM and answer the most impor...

Come with us to the glamorous world of old Hollywood as we discuss Taylor Jenkins Reid's "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." The Squad talks about the narrative framing of the novel, how race and queer sexuality are treated, juicy Hollywood gossip, and the real-life starlets on whom the beautiful and mysterious Evelyn Hugo is based. And what about that twist?! Plus, find out why men are canceled...

2017 was a trash fire at times, but the Squad found joy amongst the garbage in books, music, movies, comedy and podcasts. We each count down our top three pop culture things from 2017 and tell you why they were seriously awesome in their own special ways. (If you were looking for recommendations, you've now got 12 things. You're welcome.) In the second half of the show, Susan interviews Louisville...

Special guest Mary Kay from "Everything Trying to Kill You" joins the squad to discuss Erika Swyler’s novel "The Book of Speculation." In this episode, we discuss the ins and out of circus literature (which is totally a thing), tarot readings, family curses, and much much more. Plus, we answer your burning questions about "Stranger Things" and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." Wonder what those space co...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…four women known as the #BookSquad braved crowded theaters on opening weekend to see the new Star Wars movie: The Last Jedi. Listen as we discuss our favorite Star Wars movies, the best characters (Kylo Ren and Poe, duh), what's up with Luke Skywalker, why Leia is still a badass, how the Force works, and of course, PORGS. Plus, we give you the scoop on ou...

Dive into the gritty, acid-soaked world of Emma Cline's 'The Girls' with the Squad. Get in the Mansony mood by taking the Which Famous Serial Killer Are You? quiz with us. Then we discuss Cline's writing style and why we love our narrator, Evie, and explore Evie's complex relationships with the various female characters in the book. (Bonus: you get to hear a bit about what the Squad members were l...

It's time to enter the Upside Down with the Book Squad as we discuss Stranger Things 2. Play some synth music and take the Which Stranger Things Kid Are You? quiz along with us. Then we're talking character arcs, strong female characters, middle school "romance," and 80s pop culture. Don't worry; we do discuss the controversial 7th episode: "The Lost Sister." Plus, we discuss our next book. On our...

What is Borne? Human? Weapon? Flubber?! The Squad discusses Jeff Vandermeer’s "Borne." Join us for the great sci-fi vs. fantasy debate and hear what we think about “The New Weird.” While this book is no Southern Reach Trilogy, there’s still lots of cool stuff going on, including one very questionable twist that shocked Mary in real time. Plus, what’s up next on the blog and the podcast. Rate, revi...

The Book Squad explores the tiny yet oh-so-rich world of "Room" by Emma Donoghue. We talk about our favorite Jack-isms, Ma's character, and how we feel about the child narration. We also answer a terrible bookclub discussion question and dive into the real (and really awful) story that inspired "Room." Plus: Emily and Mary review Happy Death Day, and we tell you what's on the #BookSquadBlog and wh...

Find out what happens when the whole Book Squad finally agrees on a book! (As Kelli says, now we know "what we can all get on board with.") This week the Squad discusses Bryn Greenwood's "All the Ugly and Wonderful Things," and questions their own morals as they root for a very problematic relationship to succeed. Listen as they dissect Wavy and Kellen's relationship, the book's varying POVs, and...

Join your favorite squad of "losers" on a journey through the sewers of Derry, Maine as we discuss the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's "IT." How does Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise compare to Tim Curry's performance in the 1990 miniseries? Why did director Andrés Muschietti give Mike's character so little to do? How many clowns is TOO many clowns? Listen now for our thoughts, and don't worry —...

Can you ever truly know your spouse? The Book Squad tackles relationship conundrums and more as we discuss Lauren Groff’s novel “Fates and Furies.” There’s even a special guest appearance by Ask-A-Man favorite Joe! Plus: We weigh in on BiP/The next Bachelor, read listener feedback about movies that are better than the books, and reveal the lucky winner of a signed copy of “Orphan Island” by Laurel...

The Book Squad supports Susan in the next step of her Harry Potter journey: her official sorting! Find out what house she gets and what the other Squad members are. Plus, Emily interviews Laurel Snyder, author of 'Orphan Island.' They discuss where the idea for the book came from, YA and middle-grade literature, books that make you think, and, of course, pets! Be sure to enter our giveaway contest...

Special guest Adam joins the squad for a discussion of M. R. Carey's "The Girl with All the Gifts." We talk zombie tropes, narrative style, and what it means to be human. We also talk about the movie, which we were led to believe would be better than it was. Plus: five-minute Bachelorette thoughts, what's on the BSG blog, and what's happening in our next minisode (spoiler alert: we've got our firs...

The Book Squad finally exorcises our anger over "The Couple Next Door" by Shari Lapena, the book we love to hate, in our first ever hate-pisode. This book has everything: baby kidnapping, shoddy detective work, kinky sex games, and, of course, Zoloft. Listen as we throw shade at the mistreatment of mental illness, flat characters, non-thrilling "thriller" twists, and that batshit crazy ending. We...

BBQ. Child Psychology. Group Parenting. Kevin Wilson's "Perfect Little World" has just about everything, but the Squad would really like some more reality show-style trash, please. Join the Squad as we discuss the novel's characters, pacing, and of course, the significance of the almighty BBQ. Plus, the Squad tells you what we're into lately and answers listener questions on "Horrorstör" and "The...

The Book Squad dissects the blessed fruit that is Hulu’s 'The Handmaid’s Tale.' Hear our thoughts on the show’s political timeliness and its feminist wins (and shortcomings). We have lots of feelings about Serena Joy, as well as the fabulous red cloaks, and we’re weirded out that Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist. Spoiler alert: people still really misunderstand feminism, but we try to get their m...

This week, the Book Squad explores a haunted IKEA-esque furniture outlet in a discussion of Grady Hendrix's 'HORRORSTÖR!' Warning: spooky sounds to follow. 1:13 - Introductions - What horror movie subgenre is scariest to you? 6:03 - What did we think? General thoughts and Giveaway Info! Official rules here: https://booksquad.ink/giveaway.html 17:19 - The book design 21:07 - Was this book scary? 29...

This week, the Book Squad lands on Planet Ego for a conversation about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! Plus, hear our reactions to the first two episodes of the Bachelorette. 0:30 - Introductions & quiz time! Take the quiz along with us here: https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-character-quiz-050517 10:18 - General thoughts on Vol. 2 13:30 - Kelli hates poop jokes 14:20 -...

What is FutureMouse? Are our teeth a part of our identity? And who, for the love of god, is KEVIN? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this week's episode as the squad dives into Zadie Smith's 2000 novel 'White Teeth.' 0:20 - Introductions 2:41 - Introduction to 'White Teeth' and first impressions 17:10 - What is an epigraph? The past is the present 22:25 - Concerns over getting cu...

Join the Book Squad on a journey to provincial France for a discussion of Disney's Beauty and the Beast! On their first-ever minisode, Emily, Kelli, Mary, and Susan cover the recent live action adaptation of the story and how it compares to the 1991 classic. Introductions and announcements - 0:50 Beastly - 3:29 Initial reactions to 2017 adaptation - 4:30 Cinderella vs Beauty and the Beast - 8:00 T...

Books. Pop culture. Doggos and kitties. Four cool ladies trying not to say "like" so much. Join the Book Squad for their first ever episode, a discussion of Jonathan Safran Foer's 2016 novel 'Here I Am'. Introductions - 1:39 Summary of 'Here I Am' - 4:39 Why did Susan choose it? - 7:25 Initial reactions - 8.25 Emily in the Google Doc - 22:20 Existence or Presence - 23:18 Sam and Gender Identity -...