Broads and Books

Welcome to our BONUS series: The Broads Talk Books With! This is where we talk to some of the authors we’ve recommended, or will recommend soon, and nerd out about books. In this episode, we’ve got Chanelle Benz ! We recommended her book The Gone Dead in Episode 36: Poetic Justice . Amy also loves her story collection, The Man Who Shot Out My Eye is Dead .  In our conversation, Chanelle tells funn...

This week, we're talking about the books that we can't stop reading. Along the way, we dissect ruts we don't want to escape, using time travel to finally crack our unachievable TBR piles, and Podcat's probable past.  Live in or near Iowa? Come check out our new partnership with Beaverdale Books ! You'll find a shelf curated by your favorite Broads, full of picks from past...

It's Library Shelfie Day! So this week we're talking beautiful books, worthy of a shelfie.  Along the way, we talk about our library organization obsessions, whether it'd be worth it to marry Beast for his library, and Podcat's personal mission to make her mark on library books.  Need some book porn? Check out these amazing libraries , and a few shelfies of the Trinity College...

This week we're talking books that spark a deep connection.  Along the way, Erin reveals her abiding love for lifeguards in hot tubs , Amy admits the abuse that Podcat puts her through, and we wonder about the intricacies of loan sharking.  We also mention a couple amazing book-related newsletters you should subscribe to, including the New York Times Books Newsletter , and Lithub .  _____ Our...

Every week, in our regular Broads and Books episodes, we tell you about our favorite books based on different weekly themes. And we got to thinking: the authors that write the books we love? They probably love books too. We should ask them about it!  So welcome to our BONUS series: The Broads Talk Books With. This is where we talk to some of the authors we’ve recommended, or will recommend soon, a...

One of our listeners, Tim, issued us a challenge: Find books with kids that even Amy would like. Amy felt deeply seen.  We accepted this challenge, and we're offering some books with outstanding offspring as characters. Along the way, Erin talks about her abilities as a stage mom, Amy reveals what age kids she would like to have, and we remember the time Erin got thrown out of a wrestling mee...

We're taking a break from our regular themed episodes this week to tell you about our favorite things from 2019. From clothes to tech to body parts to books, here's what we loved from this year!  Our favorite things from 2019: 10.  Amy: TUXES Erin: Bluetooth speaker for the shower 9.  Amy: Things said by nephews and nieces Erin: Big Acai Bowl 8.  Amy: New vegan snacks, including Coolhaus...

Take a cue from Madonna and celebrate . With a period.  We're talking about all kinds of holidays this week, with picks that center around this time of year. Along the way, Amy and Erin remember the highs and lows of past holidays, practice their own Schweddy balls routine, and sing the praises of Alan Rickman.  Plus: Here's Amy's favorite holiday music , courtesy of the best limo d...

Every week, in our regular Broads and Books episodes, we tell you about our favorite books based on different weekly themes. And we got to thinking: the authors that write the books we love? They probably love books too. We should ask them about it!  So welcome to our new BONUS series: The Broads Talk Books With. This is where we talk to some of the authors we’ve recommended, or will recommend soo...

What happens when gifts go bad? Some great books, and comedy gold.  We're talking about gifts in every form this week, gifts that backfire spectacularly. Along the way, Erin and Amy remember their worst gifts, wonder why kids always smell like syrup, and propose a new investigation podcast, just for an excuse to dig into weirdness.  _____ Our picks this week:  Novels: Amy: The Power,  Naomi A...

Every week, in our regular Broads and Books episodes, we tell you about our favorite books based on different weekly themes. And we got to thinking: the authors that write the books we love? They probably love books too. We should ask them about it!  So welcome to our new BONUS series: The Broads Talk Books With. This is where we talk to some of the authors we’ve recommended, or will recommend soo...

What time is it? Time to TREAT YO' SELF .  Holiday season can be stressful AF. So we're offering you some picks that are just damn fun and satisfying.  Along the way, Erin and Amy propose new holidays to treat your damn self, propose a write-in mayoral campaign for Erin, and set up the newest franchise for Real Housewives, with Podcat as chief shit stirrer.  Plus: Have you visited our sh...

Every week, in our regular Broads and Books episodes, we tell you about our favorite books based on different weekly themes. And we got to thinking: the authors that write the books we love? They probably love books too. We should ask them about it!  So welcome to our new BONUS series: The Broads Talk Books With. This is where we talk to some of the authors we’ve recommended, or will recommend soo...

Who in the hell are we?? That's the question in our picks this week.  And along the way, Erin and Amy do some deep introspection. Erin reveals why she'll never be a marine biologist or someone who wears Lipsense, and Amy reveals something from her past that will blow your mind. _____ Our picks this week:  Novels: Amy: The Need , Helen Phillips Erin: Property , Lionel Shriver Other Books:...

We're talking chosen families in this week's picks, the kind that may not be related by blood, but who just GET YOU.  Along the way we talk about about the weird families on Amy's childhood street, how Erin wants nothing to do with your boxed DNA kits, and how dentists might be hiding something real shady.  _____ Our picks this week:  Novels: Amy: The Strange Case of the Alchemist&a...

This week, we are hitting you hard with some TRUTH. Whether it's fictional retellings of stories we thought we knew, nonfiction dives into a misrepresented past, or some multimedia revisionist history, we got it.  Along the way, we talk about who Amy would catfish, Erin's alter ego, and how our faces just won't support that damn pixie cut.  _____ Novels: Amy: Circe , Madeline Miller...

This week, our characters have run out of F's to give. We're talking about curmudgeonly characters, the kind that will defy your norms and yell at you to get off the lawn.  Along the way, we talk Erin's favorite neighborhood curmudgeon, Amy as Cruella Deville with an army of shirtless dudes, and our suspicions that the remaining video stores out there are for sure money laundering o...

This week, karma is a B-I-T-C-H. We're talking about picks that dig into matters of justice, and come up with a sense that something might actually be right in the world.  Along the way, we talk about Erin's perfect day with Keith Morrison, how Amy will cover up any crimes Erin gets into, and how we'd do in a bar fight. Obviously, we'd be amazing.  _____ Our picks this week:  N...

Let's talk about sex! This week's picks are all about sexcapades, sexual desire, and the complications and joys of sexy sex.   Along the way, we consider joining a nudist colony, talk through our sex education curriculum, and rehash Erin's nanny job that put her face-to-face with a giant portrait of genitalia.  Listen and learn how you're a sexual snowflake. _______ Our picks t...

It was only a matter of time. So this week, we're all about witches.  Along the way, we wonder about pay disparity between witches and warlocks, worry about splinters when riding a broom, and discuss the nutritional value of what's in Erin's cauldron.  And because why not, we dig into Amy's future as a redhead vampire with a bedazzled coffin. _____________ Our picks this week: ...

Ghosts, monsters, and all things supernatural are on our minds this week, so our picks are strange, weird, and downright scary.  Along the way, we talk about that time Erin sang Shania Twain under hypnosis, who we'll haunt when we're ghosts, and how Amy will announce her ghostly presence (and be a buddy ghost cop with David Bowie).  If you're not sure what Podcat is saying when she...

This week we're talking all things cultified.  Whether it's fundamentalists, polygamists, or even sports teams, our picks are all about what happens when you join that group that promises all the answers (and needs your bank account. And your genitals.) Along the way, we talk about the cult that made Erin pee her pants, the glass ceiling among cult leaders, and how our hatred for bunk be...

Where in the world are Amy and Erin? In this week's episode, we're EVERYWHERE.  Our picks this week were originally written in Persian, Swedish, Catalan, Korean, Spanish and Cantonese. And through the brilliant work of some super smarty pants translators, we get to read/view them in English.  Along the way, we talk poor grammar, the pronunciation of a specific Spanish city, and Amy'...

To get that book into your bookshelf, most authors have to deal with a lot of rejection first.  This week we're reading amazing authors who persisted past the rejection in order for greatness. Along the way, we're sharing our adolescent and adult rejection stories, and considering what Podcat would be like as a teenage girl.  Pro tip from Amy and Erin: Beware Panera or State Fairs. There...

Think Iowa is all fields of corn and State Fair antics? Get your head in the game (and keep that corn away from Erin).  This week we're highlighting Iowa authors and local big deals. Come for the great picks, stay for our time capsule ideas involving Herky the Hawk that take a deadly turn.  We're nice in Iowa . But that doesn't stop us from trying to get Erin on Dateline.  _________...