Book Squad Goals

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...

Things get downright demonic as the #BookSquad is joined by Mary Kay McBrayer (author and co-host of Everything Trying to Kill You podcast) to talk about Grady Hendrix’s novel My Best Friend’s Exorcism. We talk about rad 80s nostalgia, feminism, religion, class, tropes of possession narratives, and -- most importantly -- friendship! Catch up with us on the #BookSquadBlog with recaps, television an...

Are you ready to change your life? Join the #BookSquad and special guest Tirzah Price (BookRiot) at Tranquillum House for our discussion of 'Nine Perfect Strangers' by Liane Moriarty. We talk about character development, body image, the “wellness” trend, and most importantly, whether Doritos are good. Head to the #BookSquadBlog for more content, including 'Survivor' recaps, a roundup of fall poems...

It’s time to get spooky with the #BookSquad and special guests Lisa Kröger and Melanie Anderson, authors of "Monster, She Wrote" (just out from Quirk!!) and hosts of the Know Fear Cast! Join us as we discuss the Shirley Jackson classic "We Have Always Lived in the Castle." We talk about what makes the book frightening, sympathetic magic and rituals, why we love ghosts, and how Shirley Jackson fits...

Grab your earbuds before they disappear and listen to our discussion of The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. We talk about the setting, character development, memory and loss, and why this novel feels so timely even though it was originally published in 1994. Then we dig into some listener feedback for our Circe episode and tell you what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along with us for our next #others...

Go missing with the #BookSquad as we discuss the new movie Where’d You Go Bernadette?, based on the novel by Maria Semple. We talk about how the epistolary form translates on screen, the depiction of a few female characters, and the thing everyone is wondering: What is Bernadette’s deal anyway? In the second half of this #othersode, Emily interviews Kate Davies, author of the new novel In at the D...

Get exiled with the #BookSquad to the deserted island of Aeaea as we discuss Madeline Miller’s second novel, "Circe." We talk about our favorite myths, whether this novel is feminist, what’s so great about mortals, witchy witchcraft, and more. We also get into some listener feedback for "The Mars Room" and hear about Emily’s featured bookstore, Star Line Books in Chattanooga. Head to the #BookSqua...

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the #BookSquad meets todaaaaay! Get your singing voices ready for our discussion of the new "Lion King" remake. Special guest Said joins us to talk about the visual effects, standout (and not-so-standout) performances, our favorite songs, and storytelling in the Pridelands. Plus we get into some listener feedback on our "Black Mirror" #othersode and talk about wha...

Things get romantic this week on #BookSquadGoals as we discuss "Evvie Drake Starts Over," the debut novel by Linda Holmes. Special guest Liberty Hardy joins us to talk about pop culture in books, the romance genre, themes of grief and guilt, and of course, our favorite rom-coms. Then we read some listener feedback on "The Mars Room" and "Fruit of the Drunken Tree" and tell you all about the awesom...

If this podcast was a "Black Mirror" episode, the #BookSquad would take over your brain and control your motor functions and force you to subscribe to our podcast...alas, this is just a regular BSG episode, but it’s about "Black Mirror" - Season 5. We dig into this three-episode season and discuss themes of gender, sexuality, teenage girldom, and more. We also talk about the best and worst episode...

Grab an orange jumpsuit and cuff your ankles together because the #BookSquad is heading to prison this week for our discussion of Rachel Kushner’s novel The Mars Room. We talk about characterization, how this relates to other prison-based media, and what this book is or isn’t trying to say about the justice system. We also read lots of listener feedback on An Absolutely Remarkable thing. (Thanks,...

This week, instead of traveling to the fictional locale of a novel, we’re going to New Orleans IN REAL LIFE. That’s right, the #BookSquad got together for real and spent a weekend trying food and drink, looking for lost cars, taking high-quality model photos, singing karaoke and basking in the sweet warmth of togetherness. Follow us on our trip where we did not actually see Ariana Grande, but we d...

Where were you when the Carls appeared? Join the #Squad for a discussion of Hank Green’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. We talk about the book’s unique angle on its themes, voice and characterization, and what the heck new adult lit is. Plus we read some listener feedback on the Gunners and get into what’s on the #BookSquadBlog right now (lots of TV recaps!). Look out for our next #o...

Grab a drink because you’re gonna need it. It’s time for our second #Hatepisode, featuring "A Stranger in the House" by Shari Lapena. We discuss the bonkers plot, the cardboard characters, and the oh-my-goodness-it’s-so-bad writing. Then we dig into some reviews so you don’t just take our word for it. Everything gets way better after that because it’s also our second BIRTHDAYSODE! Listen as we exc...

Things get magically weird this week as the #BookSquad discusses ‘Gingerbread’ by Helen Oyeyemi. We discuss childhood and nostalgia, friendship and family relationships, and what the heck is actually happening plot-wise. Plus, we talk about some of our own family recipes and get into 'Pet Sematary' feedback. Head over to the #BookSquadBlog for more content, including TV recaps, book reviews and ot...

Get unburied with the #BookSquad (and special guest Charlie, Emily’s dad!) as we come back from the dead to talk about the new 2019 film adaptation of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary.” We discuss grief, death and the big changes between the book (and the 1989 film) and the new movie. Plus, you get to learn a little about our childhood pets! Then we dig into some Captain Marvel listener feedback and t...

The #BookSquad takes a shady trip to 1990s Colombia this week as we discuss "Fruit of the Drunken Tree" by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. We talk about the historical fiction genre, trauma and violence, womanhood, and the relationship between the book's two protagonists, Chula and Petrona. Plus, we talk more about "Captain Marvel" and get Susan’s thoughts on how awesome the movie is. There’s plenty of gr...

The #BookSquad crash lands on planet C-53, aka Earth in the mid-90s, to talk about "Captain Marvel," the newest origin story movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We discuss where this movie fits in the MCU, how it works as trauma narrative, the film's feminist themes, how it compares to other superhero origin stories, and — of course — Goose the cat! Plus, we give you a rundown of what's on the...

Feel like a townie with us as we go to Lackawanna, NY for a strange reunion of a group of childhood friends in Rebecca Kauffman’s novel, The Gunners. We talk about revealing secrets, character development, the problems with Mikey, and whether people can really change. Plus, we tell you all the goodies currently on the #BookSquadBlog. Go see Captain Marvel, and join us for our next #Othersode on 3/...