Book Squad Goals

Join the #BookSquad for a chat about Brit Bennett’s newest novel, "The Vanishing Half." We discuss memory and time, identity and choice, and performance, as well as our favorite stories about twins. Next, we read some listener feedback on "Magic for Liars" and "We Set the Dark on Fire" and catch up with what’s on the #BookSquadBlog, including a spooky movie series and book and TV reviews. Watch "T...

Pack up the car for a super weird road trip and our discussion of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things," the new Charlie Kaufman film based on the novel by Iain Reid. We talk about how the movie differs from the book, the acting (shout out to Toni Collette), and what the heck is actually going on here. Next, we get a delayed take on "The Secret Garden" and catch up on what's on the #BookSquadBlog, inclu...

Throw on your resistance gear and join the squad as we rise up against The System with a discussion of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s “We Set the Dark on Fire.” We talk about the book’s real life parallels to the broken immigration system in our country, how the novel handles the patriarchy of it all, and of course, most importantly, the ROMANCE PLOT. After our ratings, we get into what’s on the blog, and the...

Get out of your big ornate bed and join us in "The Secret Garden" as we discuss the new 2020 adaptation of the classic children’s novel! We discuss the key changes in this adaptation, including the setting and the narrative arc of the children’s parents. We also answer the very important question: Is Colin Firth a daddy? Next, Emily interviews Adrienne Brodeur, author of the memoir "Wild Game: My...

Things get a little magical this week as the Book Squad discusses "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey. We cover the inevitable comparisons to those *other* books set in a magical school, how this book works as a mystery novel, and how we feel about our narrator, Ivy. Then, Emily interviews Karen Salyer McElmurray, author of "Wanting Radiance." Later, we dig into a little listener feedback and catch...

Join us *in the room where it happens* to talk about "Hamilton," the 2015 hit Broadway musical that recently became available to stream on Disney+! We talk about our favorite characters and moments, how women are represented, deviations from history (but in a not-annoying way!), other musicals that have had crossover cultural success, and how "Hamilton" represents our particular politico-historica...

Join the #BookSquad—and special returning guest Said!—for our discussion of The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. We talk about memory and storytelling, the “magic” of the story, how women are represented in the book, complicated characters, and enslavement. Next, we dig into some listener feedback from Ninth House and offer some reading suggestions from Black writers. Plus, the #BookSquadBlog is...

As the United States enters the sixth week of national protests over the brutal police murders of unarmed Black people, we thought it best to interrupt our regular schedule for some anti-racism reading and reflection. So this week, we're discussing Ibram X. Kendi’s "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America." We cover the book’s interesting structure, highlight...

We’re off to sunny, sweaty Florida to talk about “Mostly Dead Things,” the debut novel by Kristen Arnett. We discuss taxidermy, the characters, grossness, and the ideas of masculinity and vulnerability. Then, Emily interviews Erica Boyce, author of the new book “Lost at Sea.” Then we dig into some listener feedback from a few of our earlier book picks. In light of recent events, we’ve changed our...

Join the Book Squad as we discuss "Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children," an HBO docuseries that is more relevant than ever. We discuss the nature of the crimes, the racial tensions and violence plaguing Atlanta in the 1970s and 80s, the questionable “evidence,” and how well the series works as a whole. Next, Susan interviews Mary Kay McBrayer, author of the new book "America’s First...

Come behind the Veil with us as we discuss Leigh Bardugo’s novel "Ninth House." We talk about fantasy and mystery, class and privilege, trauma and more in Bardugo’s first novel for adults. Then we have a special interview with Veronica Roth, author of "Chosen Ones" and the Divergent series. Next, we dig into some listener feedback from some throwback BSG reads and fill you in on what’s on the #Boo...

It has been predetermined that you will listen to this episode. This week on #BookSquadGoals, we examine "Devs," the FX series on Hulu. We discuss determinism vs. free will vs. multiple universes, religion, the characters, and all the Alex Garland-ness of the series, including his casting choices. Plus, it’s our third birthday! We exchange “Secret Santa” birthday gifts and celebrate three years of...

In the myriadic year of our lord—the twenty thousand and twentieth year (after death), the year of the COVID-19 pandemic!—the Book Squad packs our pets, our books, and our dirty magazines, and we escape to the House of the Ninth. Joined by guest Leah Rachel Von Essen, we engage in a rousing discussion of “Gideon the Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, the first in Muir’s Locked Tomb trilogy. Topics include que...

Special guest Grady Hendrix joins the Book Squad this week to discuss the 2020 Netflix/BBC series "Dracula." We talk about Dracula lore, departures from Bram Stoker’s novel, the historical depiction of vampires, recent television trends, and the overall weird, wild ride that is this three-episode series. Next, we ask Grady all about his newest book, "The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampi...

Escape the pandemic and join us in 1920s Mexico for a discussion of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Gods of Jade and Shadow.” From more than six feet apart, we talk about the book’s fairy tale structure, the unlikely romance at its center, and whether or not it’s actually a YA novel (spoiler: it’s not). Then, Emily treats us to her lovely interview with Josie Silver, author of the romance novel “The Two L...

Call your lady squad because it’s time for the second edition of #BookSquadGames! This time we play Velvet Glove (by Sara “doombringer” Richardson), an RPG focused on gritty girl gangs in the 70s. Follow us as we prep for the big 4th of July drag race and try to solve a mystery! Next we catch up on what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along for our next #bookpisode on Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silv...

Dive into the pit with the Squad as we discuss The Need, a novel by Helen Phillips. We talk about genre fusion, motherhood, and what exactly “the need” is. After we dig into The Need, Emily interviews author Julie Marie Wade about her book, Just an Ordinary Woman Breathing. Then we read some listener feedback about Elevation and tell you about the newest stuff on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along wit...

Things get spoooooky on this #othersode as the squad discusses "The Remaking" by Clay McLeod Chapman. We talk about storytelling, remakes, trauma, and of course, ghosts! Next we dig into some hot takes on "Little Women" in our listener feedback. Head to the #BookSquadBlog for TV recaps, Oscars talk, comic reviews, and Emily’s February Foreign Films series. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadg...

The #BookSquad returns to Castle Rock for a short, uplifting novella by Stephen King. We dig into Elevation to discuss small town politics, tolerance, body issues, and what the heck is going on with our protagonist’s strange weight loss. Plus, we interview Kelly Watt, author of the novel “Mad Dog.” Join us for an extra book in our next #othersode on February 10 as we talk about “The Remaking” by C...

Join your four favorite Little Women (aka the Book Squad) for a discussion of Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of – you guessed it – "Little Women." We talk about the film’s narrative structure, the characters and casting, and the ending – all the while comparing notes from the 1994 film adaptation and Louisa May Alcott’s novel. Then we get into some listener feedback for 2019 faves and update you o...

Explore the meaning of “nature” with the Squad as we discuss "Nature Poem" by Tommy Pico. We dig into the book-length poem to talk about what constitutes a “nature poem,” how the speaker’s identity affects his connection to nature, and how Pico uses language to analyze questions of white privilege, queer sexuality, indigenous issues and more. Check out the #BookSquadBlog for TV recaps, Emily’s 12...

It's the most wonderful time of the year: #BSG Best of the Year episode time! The Squad breaks down each of our top three favorite pop culture things of 2019 — including books, movies, TV shows, podcasts, video games, and new music. Then we exchange Secret Santa gifts and give you that delicious ASMR wrapping paper noise you've been craving. Write to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com to tell us YOUR fav...

Grab your night-vision goggles and discrete compact because it’s time for some espionage! This week, the #BookSquad covers American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson. We talk about the novel’s epistolary form, racism and sexism in America, questions of loyalty, and the romance at the center of the story. Then we get into some listener feedback about Evvie Drake Starts Over, Circe, and the Memory Police. Che...

Put on your magic hats and watch out for bathtub ghosts because the #BookSquad is discussing "Doctor Sleep" this week! Join us and special guests Jen and Justin as we dig into the sequel to "The Shining" and discuss the films vs. the novels, what is “scary” in this movie, and how well the movie works overall as a sequel to the original. Head over to the #BookSquadBlog for more content on televisio...

Join the #BookSquad and special guest Leah Rachel von Essen for our #bookpisode about Akwaeke Emezi’s debut novel, Freshwater. We talk about the novel’s unique, nonlinear narrative structure, mental illness, the spirit world, gender and trauma. Then we get into some listener feedback on Circe and Nine Perfect Strangers and tell you about all of the great recaps, reviews and series on the #BookSqua...