Happy To Be Here

It's our long-awaited episode on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 'Klara and the Sun'! We dive into the Nobel prize-winner’s latest with writer Anita Felicelli, who recently reviewed ‘Klara and the Sun’ for the Los Angeles Review of Books, and author Veronica Roth (‘Divergent,’ ‘Chosen Ones’). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

WTTW anchor Brandis Friedman and WBEZ reporter Araceli Gómez-Aldana talk to us about Lil Nas X’s new gig with Taco Bell, if anything we watch is “good” in the age of armchair critics, and why the baby from the cover of Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' isn’t smiling anymore. Then, TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk christens a new genre we can get behind (White Man As Obstacle) and author Jess Zimmerman takes a fe...

We’re back with a panel! This week, we talk COVID, Jeopardy!, and #RushTok with WBEZ daily newsletter writer Hunter Clauss and New York Times TV critic Margaret Lyons. Then, Eve Ewing tells us about 'Maya and the Robot,' her lovely new book for middle grade readers. (Note: We recorded this week’s panel on Thursday, before the news broke about Mike Richards leaving Jeopardy!) See Privacy Policy at...

This week, it’s all about SUMMER MOVIES. First, we check in with TIME’s Eliana Dockterman about what’s been good, what to avoid, and what the deal is with that whole ScarJo/Disney lawsuit situation. Then, we ask film critic Robert Daniels about his favorite movies of 2021 so far. His list may surprise you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...

This week, two of our favorite eaters — Bon Appetit senior staff writer Alex Beggs and New York Times restaurant critic Tejal Rao — tell us why the best picnics might just be the least photogenic ones. They’re all about tiny swimsuits, big sandwiches, cold wine in insulated water bottles, and minimal, minimal effort. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

Welcome back to Nerdette Book Club! It’s just like a regular book club only we have our own hashtag! This month we’re reading ‘Klara and the Sun’ by Nobel prize-winning Kazuo Ishiguro. Stay tuned for the panel discussion of the book later this month -- in the meantime, as if you didn’t need more books to add to our to-read list, Greta talks with book nerds Liberty Hardy and Bethanne Patrick about...

This week we check in with Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago, and WBEZ politics reporter Mariah Woelfel about the CDC’s re-masking guidelines, the Jan. 6 hearing, and that Adam Driver centaur ad. Then, Carleton University journalism professor Sarah Everts joins to talk about her new book ‘The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration.’ AND, Gabrielle Bluestone (aka the VICE reporte...

Welcome back to Nerdette Book Club! It’s just like a regular book club only we have our own hashtag! This month we’re reading ‘Version Zero’ by David Yoon (‘Frankly In Love,’ ‘Super Fake Love Song’). In this fast-paced genre-defying tale, three friends team up to take down Big Tech. When they gain the support of a mysterious benefactor, the trio take their schemes to new heights -- only to realize...

We unpack the week that was with Joanne Freeman, a historian and co-host of ‘Now & Then’ podcast, and Kat Chow, a reporter and writer formerly with ‘Code Switch’ who now has an upcoming memoir called ‘Seeing Ghosts.’ Then, theoretical physicist Dr. Avi Loeb tells us why extraterrestrial intelligence is more likely than you think. AND! This month’s Book Club author David Yoon gives us a preview of...

We unpack the week that was with Joanne Freeman, a historian and co-host of ‘Now & Then’ podcast, and Kat Chow, a reporter and writer formerly with ‘Code Switch’ who now has an upcoming memoir called ‘Seeing Ghosts.’ Then, theoretical physicist Dr. Avi Loeb tells us why extraterrestrial intelligence is more likely than you think. AND! This month’s Book Club author David Yoon gives us a preview of...

We unpack the week that was with Arionne Nettles and Meha Ahmad, including the Euro Cup controversy, billionaires in space, and the latest (not greatest) food trend: mac and cheese ice cream. Then, Jenn Northington and Swapna Krishna tell us about ‘Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices.’ They’re the editors of this incredible new anthology of King Arthur stories retold by writers who hold mar...

Somehow we’re already halfway through 2021! So we thought it’d be the perfect time to revisit two of our favorite segments from the year so far. First up, it’s poet Ross Gay talking about delights! What are they? Why do they matter? And how can attending to them change your life for the better? Then, we listen back to our chat with Jeni Briton Bauer -- yes, *that* Jeni -- the world’s biggest ice c...

Welcome back to Nerdette Book Club! It's just like a regular book club except you never have to leave your house! This month we're reading 'Version Zero,' the latest from YA powerhouse David Yoon ('Frankly In Love,' 'Super Fake Love Song') and Yoon's first offering for "grown ups." (We're putting that in quotes because at Nerdette, we believe YA is for everyone! But you get what we mean.) 'Version...

We unpack the week that was, including ‘Zola,’ heat waves, and the Delta variant, with Priska Neely and Anna Rubanova. Then, Abby Browde, co-creator of ‘A Thousand Ways,’ tells us what inspired this delightfully strange... play? (You’ll have to listen to the interview for a better description!) AND we hear from the first ever editorial director of the New York Times Games section Everdeen Mason, w...

We discuss the week that was with the hosts of ‘The Cut’ podcast, Jazmin Aguilera and B.A. Parker. That means, of course, Britney Spears’ latest statement on her conservatorship, the case of the cursing cheerleader, and online dating! Plus, Michael Greyeyes stops by to tell us all the reasons why ‘Rutherford Falls’ should be on your watch list. It’s a pretty great time! See Privacy Policy at https...

It’s that time again! This month, we discuss Maggie Shipstead’s ‘Great Circle’ with book critic Bethanne Patrick and Kirkus fiction reviewer Laurie Muchnick. We talk about scale, art, and the Arctic. Plus, we hear from some of you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the beaches are packed. Whether you’re working or basking, we have some recommendations for books to read and jams to hang to this summer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writers Heather Havrilesky and Daniel Lavery join to unpack the week that was, including FOMO, vaccine incentives, and Simone Biles. We also hear from Dr. Carl Hart, a drug researcher at Columbia University who thinks drugs should be legal again! And last but not least, author Martha Wells tells us about her surprisingly delightful series 'Murderbot Diaries.' See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...

Welcome back to the Nerdette Book Club! It’s just like a regular book club only we never have to know if you actually read the book! This month our pick is ‘Great Circle’ by Maggie Shipstead. At just over 600 pages, it’s a hefty read but SO worth it. The story follows Marian Graves, a 20th century aviatrix who disappears during an attempt at circumnavigating the Earth, and Hadley Baxter, a modern...

Relevant links include: Why The Ransomware Crisis Suddenly Feels So Relentless (via MIT Technology Review) Naomi Osaka And The Power Of ‘Nope’ (via New York Times) Viral Video Of Teen Pushing Bear Off Fence (via Instagram user @bakedlikepie) “Help Da Bear” Mystikal Freestyle (via YouTube) Sex Points by Bat Sheva Marcus Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter Nerdette’s Virtual Book Society Event !!! Jo...

This week we checked back in with Dr. Emily Landon, an epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago, to get all of your latest COVID questions answered! We talked about the CDC’s new masking guidelines -- which she calls a “mistake” -- how to navigate reopening with unvaccinated kids, and the future of the pandemic. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions this w...

It’s that time again! This month, we discuss Susie Yang’s best selling debut novel ‘White Ivy’ with author Leland Cheuk (‘No Good Very Bad Asian’) and Barathi Nakkeeran, a New Delhi-based researcher and contributor to the Chicago Review of Books. We talk about class anxiety, anti heroes, and unhappy endings. Plus, we hear from a bunch of you! It’s a pretty good time! See Privacy Policy at https://...

This week we’re joined by ‘1A’ senior producer Jonquilyn Hill and Danielle Kurtzleben, co-host of ‘The NPR Politics Podcast.’ Together, we unpack the week that was, including societal reopening, UFOs, and the latest escalation in the unending generation wars. Plus, romance novelists Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, who have written more than a dozen novels together under the pen name Christina...

This week we’re joined by Amy Ratcliffe, author of ‘A Kids Guide To Fandom’ and managing editor of Nerdist, and Jasmine Warga, who wrote ‘Other Words For Home’ and ‘The Shape Of Thunder.’ They tell us about their “off the rails” pandemic moments, opinions on the Golden Globes, and how often they’ve been showering as of late. Then, Anna Sale, host of WNYC’s ‘Death, Sex, And Money’ joins to discuss...

Welcome back to Nerdette Book Club! It’s just like a regular book club only you never have to leave your house! This month’s pick is ‘White Ivy’ by Susie Yang. It’s a thrilling debut about a young Chinese American woman harboring a dark obsession for her childhood crush. Listen to our spoiler-free discussion of the book with Susie, and be sure to come back later this month for a spoiler-filled con...