Book Squad Goals

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...

It might be nearly Christmas, but it's always Halloween in our hearts, which is why this week we're talking about the new television adaptation of Anne Rice's classic, "Interview with the Vampire." We're joined by special guests Ellis and Todd for a discussion of vampire rules, how the show's deviations from the source material play for us, how it stacks up against the original film adaptation, an...

Special guest Carrie joins Emily and Kelli to discuss The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings! The gang talks about what it means to be a woman, how dystopias traditionally neglect POC, and how one of the love interests is hotter than the rest. Come see if magic is real and tune in! On our next ep, we’ll talk about AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. Halloween is never really over in our hearts. Drop...

It’s midnight, and the Squad is gathering together to discuss Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix series “The Midnight Club,” based on the novel by Christopher Pike. We won’t be telling our own scary stories, but we will be breaking down all the themes explored in this show and discussing each character’s astrological sign. Do you agree with our takes? Listen in and then let us know by emailing thesqua...

Sink to the bottom of the sea with us for a discussion of Julia Armfield’s debut novel, “Our Wives Under the Sea.” We’ll talk grief metaphors large and small, pacing, character preference, and, of course, the widely seen and beloved 2020 horror film “Underwater” star ring Kristen Stewart. Do you have thoughts on this book or on the film “Underwater?” Send them to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com . Stay...

Come little children and join us for our witchiest episode ever as we discuss “Hocus Pocus 2.” We’re joined by returning guests Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson, authors of “Toil and Trouble: A Women’s History of the Occult,” who contribute their expert knowledge to our conversation about the long-awaited sequel to the 90s Halloween classic. After the review, we dig into “Toil and Trouble,” cov...

This week, accompany the three remaining non-mothers of the squad for a discussion of “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chan. We discuss the way the book explores the intersection of race, motherhood, and the legal system, officially coin the term “low scifi,” and fantasize about casting Oscar Isaac in the upcoming adaptation. Plus: we finally read Jordan’s listener feedback! Join us for...

Horror season is officially in full swing, and the Squad is celebrating with special guest Clay McLeod Chapman, author of "Ghost Eaters"! Join Clay and the Book Squad as we discuss the 1973 horror classic "Don’t Look Now," directed by Nicholas Roeg and starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. Get ready to dive deep into the grief horror genre, red raincoats, clairvoyance and seances, and muc...