Book Squad Goals

The whole Squad is back together and on a hunt for CAMP of any sort in our discussion of Chuck Tingle’s Camp Damascus. Put a pink bag over your head and join us as we talk about the novel’s plot and pacing, YA vs. adult fiction, religious trauma, autism, and of course, CAMP. Then we catch up with what’s on the (still alive, we swear) Book Squad Blog. Join us for what will probably be a Hatepisode...

This week, the Squad and special guest Ang Ferraguto (aka Kelli’s gf) discuss Sofia Coppola’s new film, Priscilla , based on the 1985 book Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. We talk about our own personal connections to Elvis, the Sofia Coppola aesthetic of it all, the problematic nature of Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship, and the ~discourse~ around the movie. Tangential conversation addresses...

Listen, we NEVER talk about vampires on this podcast, and we’re not gonna do it today. Just kidding; yes we are. In our discussion of Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, we also talk about romance, historical fiction, cover design, and the fact that westerns have to have a hot person for anyone on the squad to be interested. Next we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the...

Return guest Clay McLeod Chapman (author of The Remaking, Whisper Down the Lane, and Ghost Eaters ) joins the Squad to chat about the depressing 2021 horror(?) film What Josiah Saw . We dig into the film’s narrative structure, characters, and general bleakness and ask the important question: did this movie abuse us? Then we have a two-part (spoiler-free and spoilers-ok) discussion about Clay’s new...

So what if we stole this whole episode from some other podcast and called it our own? Is that a crime?? JK, this whole episode is our (four white ladies’) original take on Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. We talk about the protagonist’s decision-making skills, satire of the publishing industry and Twitter, cancel culture, and the author’s own publishing experiences. Then we get into some listener feedba...

Be a podcast vampire and consume this episode about What We Do in the Shadows, featuring special guest Grace Treutel! We talk about the show’s mockumentary style, favorite character arcs, the Guillermo of it all, and even fanfiction. Next we talk to Grace about her short story chapbook, From the Humid Chambers of My Heart. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang on 10/3....

Gidday, Goalies! Join the squad on the sun-drenched Australian coast for a tale of love (?) and loss with Thirst for Salt , the debut novel by Madelaine Lucas. We discuss the writing style, the book’s central relationship, and themes of motherhood. Next we catch up with what might or might not be on the blog and share some news about our Patreon – that’s right, we have a Patreon now! Tune in on 9/...

HI BARBIE! It’s girls’ night, plus one Ken (special guest Nathan Simmons)! Join the squad for our discussion of the already iconic Barbie movie. We talk about the film’s brilliant marketing, Barbie’s particular brand of feminism, the excellent cast, motherhood and daughterhood, and of course, the weird conservative backlash. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas...

Sorry to *bug* you, but we’ve got a new episode here! Join the Squad for a discussion of Piñata by Leopoldo Gout. We chat about the horrors of colonialism, puberty, and of course, whether the book is scary. Next we get into some listener feedback for Chain-Gang All-Stars and catch up with what’s on the ol’ Book Squad Blog, including new Bachelorette recaps. Get ready to party for our next Othersod...

Have you ever wondered: What if Jane Austen, but gay? Join the squad and returning guest Tirzah Price for an episode where we explore this very important question. First, we discuss Andrew Ahn’s 2022 film Fire Island, a queer retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Then, we talk with Tirzah about her new book, Manslaughter Park, the third in her YA series of Jane Austen Murder Mysteries — and t...

In this very special post-July 4th episode (featuring some fireworks), the Squad discusses Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s debut novel Chain-Gang All Stars . Join in as we chat about incarceration in the United States, dystopian/futuristic methods of torture, reality tv, football, Jenna Bush Hager’s book club, and everything we hate about America. It’s a fun time. Also, there’s actually new stuff on ou...

The future of the world is going to be okay because the squad has… THE POWER! In this episode, we talk about the Amazon Prime adaptation of The Power by Naomi Alderman, which we read for the podcast back in 2019. How does the TV series stack up against the book? You’ll have to listen to see if the show has the spark. Read along to get ready for our next book episode, where we’ll discuss Chain Gang...

Join us in the formal dining room for our discussion of Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. We talk about satire (and how this book isn’t that), class and the antics of The Rich, the characters, and nepo babies. Then we get into some fun listener feedback and talk about what we might write on that blog we used to do. Check out The Power (TV series) for our next Othersode on 6/27 – and revisit our e...

Are you there, God? It’s us, the Squad – and special guest Annika! This time we talk about the 2023 film adaptation of Judy Blume’s coming-of-age classic, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. There’s no time like the present to jump into Blume’s work and think about the agony of young adulthood. Join us! Up next: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson Next Othersode: The Power on Amazon Prime TOC :30...

Your prayers have been answered! A tattooed, queer nun is here to save the day! Join the Squad as we chat about Margot Douaihy’s debut novel, Scorched Grace . We talk about the novel’s genre play, Sister Holiday’s uniqueness, Douaihy’s writing style, and what we would like to see out of this series. Next up on our Othersode on 5/30 is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with special guest Annika...

Author Gabriella Saab joins the Book Squad to talk about her new novel, Daughters of Victory. But first, we have to discuss the wild romp that is The 355. We question the plot, chat about our favorite characters, ask why women can’t just have fun movies, and describe what an idea sequel would do. Then we have a super informative (and totally spoiler-free!) interview with Gabriella all about her la...

Join the Book Squad (plus special guest Ellis!) as we take on a thicc book, Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez. We talk about the narrative structure, shifting perspectives, Argentinian politics, Mariana Enriquez’s Instagram, and of course, culty stuff (we love culty stuff). Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory, will be back for our next Othersode to talk about The 355 on May 2. Read...

Tell me, tell me, tell me…would you like to hear the Squad sing? Join us for our discussion of Daisy Jones and the Six (the Amazon Prime show, but also the TJR book)! We talk about the differences between the novel and the show, the casting and acting, and of course, the original songs created for the show and the now REAL album, Aurora . Read along for our next Bookpisode on Our Share of Night by...

Would you stay in a haunted house to make big bucks? This week, the Squad is talking about Johnny Compton’s debut horror novel, The Spite House . We discuss what makes the house scary, how the book’s secrets are revealed, and what the book is really about below the surface. Then we get into some listener feedback and preview what’s coming up on the blog. Check out the new Amazon Prime series, Dais...

Knock, knock. It’s the Book Squad! Join us and special guest Samantha Allen (author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle ) for a chat about Knock at the Cabin . Of course, we also discuss the novel the film is based on, The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. We talk about the film’s structure, the performances, the weird camera tricks, and of course, the key differences between the book and th...

Accompany the squad on a potentially misleading adventure that does not actually involve any investigative reporting as we cover Witches by Brenda Lozano (translated by Heather Cleary). We talk about literature in translation, the novel's narrative voices, and some 'high brow feminist shit.' Later in the episode, Kelli interviews childhood friend Dizz Tate, author of Brutes. They discuss their ado...

Grady Hendrix, author of How to Sell a Haunted House , joins the Book Squad to talk about the new film M3GAN and all things uncanny valley! Then we chat with Grady about his latest book, haunted dolls, puppet theater, book tour presentations, and what he’s working on now. Catch our next Bookpisode on 2/20 — we’ll be talking about Witches by Brenda Lozano, plus Kelli interviews Dizz Tate, author of...

Come along with us on a journey through romances past as we discuss Sloane Crosley’s new novel Cult Classic. We talk about the novel's genre and tone, the writing style, what our protagonist learns, and of course, the mysterious Clive and the Goldonda. Plus, you get to hear us talk about our exes a little. (In every case, it was their loss.) Check your feeds on February 6th for our next Othersode...

The Squad is coming for the CoHort as they dive into "It Ends With Us" for a very special Hatepisode. Johnna and Sarah from Mean Book Club join in on the fun and lend some expert hating skills to the ep! The crew discusses all things Colleen Hoover, as well as tired romance tropes, fanfiction, and trendy steampunk flowershops. Do you have what it takes to make it through a whole episode about CoHo...

This holiday season, the Book Squad is heading to prom! Join us and special guests Scott and Amber as we discuss Tiffany D. Jackson's "The Weight of Blood." Yes, this is a retelling of Stephen King's "Carrie," and yes, we discuss the stories' similarities and differences. We also chat about what it was like going to high school in Georgia. And of course, we talk about racism, sexism, witchiness, c...