Book Squad Goals

Oh listener, why did you have to go and make a fool of death with your (insert noun here)? This week, the Squad discusses Akwaeke Emezi’s romance novel “You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty,” and that last sentence was just a little taste of all the bad jokes we make about this title. We also get into genre tropes, grief, and the instantaneous orgasm, and we even make time to read some Goodre...

Take the WORLD’S FASTEST TRAIN on up to the PNW with the Squad and special guest Samantha Allen as we discuss the new film "Bullet Train" (based on the book by Kotaro Isaka) as well as Samantha’s new book, "Patricia Wants to Cuddle." We cover everything from the film’s whitewashing allegations to the way the Bachelor franchise is basically a horror movie, so you definitely don’t want to miss this....

Okay, but seriously, what IS the American dream? This week, we’re joined by special guest Janet Dale as we attempt to find the answer in the pages of Olga Dies Dreaming, the debut novel by Xochitl Gonzalez. Also on the agenda: dysfunctional families, Puerto Rico’s historic and continued struggle as a U.S. territory, the personal cost of becoming a revolutionary, and men with coca cola-colored eyes...

Wink, wink. ;) Why is the Book Squad winking at you? Because we watched the new "Persuasion" adaptation on Netflix, that’s why! Join us and special guest Tirzah Price for our discussion about the film, including the fourth wall-breaking, the anachronisms and other bold choices, the plot simplification, and the characterization of Anne. Next we chat with the always delightful Tirzah about her lates...

The Book Squad visits death row this week with our discussion about "Notes on an Execution" by Danya Kukafka. We talk about the narrative structure and writing style, morality and choice, and the fascination with serial killers and crime. Next we get into some feedback for "Book of Night" and catch up with what’s on the blog. Returning special guest Tirzah Price (author of "Sense and Second-Degree...

Zip back in time with the Book Squad for our discussion of the new HBO series The Time Traveler’s Wife. We talk about the differences between the novel and the show (and that one movie no one liked), the “grooming” criticisms, the pacing, the casting, and how the show ends…or does it? Join us for our next Bookpisode on Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafa on July 11th. Then tune in on July 25th f...

Special guest Ellis (and her shadow) joins the Book Squad this week for our discussion of Holly Black’s adult debut, Book of Night. We dig into the novel’s magic system, adult vs. YA fantasy writing, character development, and how we felt about the ending. Check out The Time Traveler’s Wife series on HBO before our next Othersode on June 27th. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode about...

The Squad is joined by special guest, author Susie Dumond, to discuss I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston. We talk about “likable” characters, queer representation in YA books (featuring a special “Ask a Man” appearance by Todd), the book’s southern setting, and of course, Shara herself. Next, we chat with Susie about her book, Queerly Beloved! Read along for our next Bookpisode on June 13th...

We’re going deep into the Mojave desert this week to talk about Catriona Ward’s new novel Sundial. Join the squad as we discuss the book’s structure, perspective vs. reality, wild plot twists, and unexpected reveals. Then we get into some listener feedback about "Reprieve" and catch up with what’s on the blog. Tune in on May 30th for our next Othersode about "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" by Casey McQui...

Bernie, boys, and babies! The Book Squad husbands join us as we finally discuss the 1989 film masterpiece* "Weekend at Bernie’s." We talk about the movie’s cult status, how the comedy works and doesn’t work, and why Terry Kiser deserves a shelf full of awards for his performance as a dead guy. Then it’s baby shower time! Susan and Justin open gifts for their baby-to-be and oooh and ahhh over all t...

Description The Book Squad locks themselves in a full-contact haunted house for the night in their latest episode! Just kidding, but they do discuss Reprieve by James Han Mattson. Reprieve explores themes of race and horror throughout its twisting, nonlinear narrative. Join us next time when we discuss Weekend at Bernie’s, at long last, just in time to celebrate Susan’s new bb. After that, we’re t...

Come along with us (and special guest Angela!) to the Lost City of D for our discussion of the new film "The Lost City," starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. We talk about romance book tropes on screen, our favorite funny moments, the appeal of the himbo, why Daniel Radcliffe and Brad Pitt are fantastic, and why “fun” is a perfectly fine measure of how good a book is. Next we read some list...

The Book Squad (with special guest Jayve Chambliss) goes semi-off the grid for our discussion of The Atmospherians by Isle McElroy. We talk about online harassment, toxic masculinity, gender performance, satire, and the mall comeback no one anticipated. Next we get into some feedback on No Exit and catch up with what’s on the blog, including a new installment of YA Book Club, a video game review,...

Get trapped in a snowy rest stop with the Book Squad for our discussion of the film No Exit, based on the novel by Taylor Adams. We talk about whether this thriller is also a mystery, explore the differences between the book and the movie, and pick apart the characters. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on The Atmospherians by Alex McElroy on March 21. Our next Othersode topic is TBD, so...

The year is 2050-something and the world is…confusing? Join us in near-future America (and space!) for our discussion of "Goliath" by Tochi Onyebuchi. We discuss the “big ideas” the novel puts forth, as well as the writing style, the difficult-to-understand bits, and moments of joy(?). Then we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the blog, including new book reviews, TV show...

Remember when we did an episode on "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel back in 2018? We barely do either! But now we’re talking about the HBO limited series "Station Eleven." Full circle! We discuss the differences in the book and the show, the role of art and pop culture, favorite episodes, and what it was like to watch a pandemic show during an actual pandemic. Next we catch up with what’s...

Come along with the Book Squad to Proofrock, Idaho for a slasher-filled discussion of "My Heart Is a Chainsaw" by Stephen Graham Jones! We talk about the main character, Jade, how the novel deals with sexual assault, gentrifiction, and whether this book is scary. Next we get into some listener feedback about "Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch" and catch up with what’s on the Book Squad Blog. T...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—time for us to talk about all of our favorite things! Listen to us chat about our pop culture highlights of 2021, and as a special treat, hear from this year’s guests too! Then we exchange Secret Santa/non-denominational gifts and tell each other how much we love each other. Read along for our next Bookpisode on January 24th as we discuss My Heart Is a Chai...

Ayla Zuraw-Frieldand joins the squad to discuss Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen. The team takes it back to the 1600s to talk about ageism, humor, and history in this quirky standout 2021 novel. Next time, we’ll discuss our favorite things of 2021 and exchange presents. On our next bookpisode, we’ll discuss My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. TOC :30–Welcome, Ayla...

We’re journeying back through 2000s pop culture to discuss all the best gay stuff! Join us for our chat about Grace Perry’s essay collection The 2000s Made Me Gay. We talk about the personal aspects of the collection, Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, Buffy, Mean Girls, The Real World, and of course, anxiety. Tune in on December 27th for our next Bookpisode on Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch by Ri...

Come along to the (not as cozy as you’d think) English countryside for our discussion of "Unsettled Ground" by Claire Fuller. We talk about the setting, the writing style, the sibling relationship at the heart of the novel, the twist(s), and whether this book is sadness porn. Read along with us for our upcoming Othersode on December 13th as we shift gears into nonfiction with the essay collection...

Gather your gal pals for a listening party as author Gabriella Saab joins the squad for a chat about some of our favorite female friendships in pop culture! From the Spice Girls to the ladies of SATC, we’ve got all our besties covered. After we share our heavily 90s-influenced picks, we talk with Gabriella about her new historical fiction novel “The Last Checkmate,” which is out now and has alread...

You’ve heard of a love triangle, but what about a parenthood triangle? Join the Book Squad for our discussion of Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters. We talk about the complicated relationships between the characters, the connection between trans women and divorced cis women, and why people on Goodreads found this book “shocking.” After that, Kelli interviews SJ Sindu, author of the new novel Blue...

Microdose your smoothie and come along for a peaceful journey through the Hulu series "Nine Perfect Strangers," based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Returning guest Tirzah Price (author of "Pride and Premeditation") joins us for a wild discussion of how this TV adaptation holds up, what’s missing from the book, what the show is saying about body image, grief, and drugs, and, of course, Manny Jaci...

Come into the woods with the Book Squad and special guest Leah Rachel von Essen to discuss Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon. We talk about the book’s pacing, Vern’s characterization, gender identity and sexuality, the mistreatment of Black people by white America, and of course, mushrooms. Next, Emily interviews Catriona Ward, author of the novel The Last House on Needless Street. You don’t want to mi...