Feminist Book Club: The Podcast

MINI POD! Jordy dives into the magic of holiday romances and the tradition of finding "home" in books. From friends-swapping vacations to chaotic family gatherings and second-chance love, this episode explores how these festive reads bring comfort, joy, and cheer to even the loneliest holiday season.   Books mentioned: The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark A V...

Not every book we read will skyrocket to the top of our lists. Casey, Jordy, and Nox discuss this and more regarding Cleopatra's story in I Am Cleopatra by Natasha Solomon . Nox DNF'd it, and Jordy and Casey felt it left the reader wanting more, especially regarding Cleopatra's power and influence. All three agree that Solomon's prose is lush and worth reading, though! Light (yet hilarious) spoile...

  MINI POD! Nox discusses two instances of disrespect towards powerful Mexican women in recent news: The treatment of Fatima Bosch (Miss Mexico) by the Miss Universe executive director, and the public groping of Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the current President of Mexico. Nox digs into these stories and the importance of women working together/   Books mentioned: Liliana's Invincible Summer by Cristi...

We're not joking when we say this one is required listening. Mariquita talks with author and activist Soraya Chemaly about her latest book, All We Want is Everything: How We Dismantle Male Supremacy . Soraya explains how male supremacy is the structure upon which all of our systems are built, whether they be close to home or on a global scale. Together, Soraya and Mariquita give suggestions for ho...

Mariquita talks with Jen Percy about her recent book, Girls Play Dead: Acts of Self-Preservation . Based on her article, What People Misunderstand About Rape, Girls Play Dead expands the conversation about the myriad responses to sexual assault and rape, weaving in personal stories and historical context. Their conversation covers the common reactions of tonic and collapsed immobility, evolutionar...

MINI POD! Jordy dives into the worlds of Lyla Sage, where small towns meet big emotions, and love is both fierce and tender. This episode explores how Sage's stories remind us that feminism can hold grace and grit in equal measure, and that choosing yourself can be the bravest kind of love story.    Books by Lyla Sage mentioned: Done and Dusted   Swift and Saddled  Lost and Lassoed  Wild and Wrang...

Join Jordy and Nox as they dive into Sister Wife , the new memoir from TLC's Sister Wives star Christine Brown Wooley . What begins as a story about reality TV and polygamy transforms into a conversation about faith, autonomy, and liberation. Together they unpack Christine's courageous decision to leave not only her marriage but an entire belief system, and what it means to reclaim your story.   ...

MINI POD! Luxury ships, love triangles, and late-state capitalism, oh my! In this mini episode, Jordy dives into An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew , a feminist dystopia that asks what happens when the world's elite sail away from the chaos they've created, and one girl decides to sink the system from within.   Support and follow our host!  Follow Jordy: Instagram // Bookworm Reads // Pagebound.co @jordym...

Mariquita talks with author Irin Carmon about her newest book, Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America. Their discussion covers the racist roots of ob/gyn medicine in America, provides context for the current state of reproductive care, and ties in vital personal stories of families that have been affected by the legacy of racism and lack of safe, equitable treatment for wome...

MINI POD! Who are some of your must-read authors? Renee shares one of hers, Sarah Gailey. You can always count on Gailey to write the most outlandish, unusual books. Today, Renee shares four for your shelves.   Support and follow our host!  Follow Renee: Instagram // The StoryGraph   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land...

Grab your magnifying glass, don your monocle and trench coat, because we're talking murder mysteries today! First, Shoshana and Mariquita define the mystery genre, subgenres, and key terms. They also share some of their favorite mystery books for your TBR. Then Renee dives into her favorite sub-sub-genre of mysteries: cozy food mysteries by and about women of color. Happy reading!   Books and Reso...

MINI POD! We love a hyper-niche genre, and today Jordy dives into three books she's categorizing as satirical feminist fairytales and mysteries. This episode explores how feminism isn't about rejecting the notion of fairytales, but rather rewriting them to our standard.   Mentioned:  This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales A Terribly Nasty Business by Juli...

Feeling ghoulish? We have an expertly curated reading list for you! Mhairie and Mother Horror herself, Sadie Hartmann, share some of their horror book recommendations, using the format and trope categories from Sadie's new book, Feral and Hysterical .    Books and Resources Mentioned:  Feral and Hysterical Mother Horror's Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women - Sadie Hartm...

MINI POD! Rah can't stop thinking about the book I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. Tune in to hear why this book has been stuck on their brain.     Mentioned:  Carmen Maria Machado's "'I Who Have Never Known Men' Is A Warning" in the New Yorker I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpmen, Translated by Ros Schwartz, with an introduction by Carmen Maria Machado     Support and f...

It may be Swiftemonium out there, but we're still thinking about Sabrina Carpenter. Nox and Ashley wrap up their two-part conversation on Sabrina Carpenter's latest album, Man's Best Friend. They dive into how the music itself compares with the album's rollout, reflect on their favorite tracks, and unpack the growing trend of shorter songs in pop music. The conversation doesn't stop with the music...

MINI POD! In this short episode, Jordy shares three fall reads that range from haunting suspense to dark romance and cozy mystery. Whether you're craving a thriller, a morally gray serial killer love story, or a nostalgic whodunnit, this line-up has your fall TBR covered.   Books Mentioned:  Jackal by Erin E. Adams  Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver  Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver  Murder by C...

This week we're sailing into magical realms and creeping through gothic shadows! First up, Shoshana and Jordy gush about all things fantasy — what makes the genre so enchanting, why we can't get enough, and a few favorite books to add to your TBR. Then Ashley chats with author Kathleen Kaufman about feminist gothic horror, the Scottish roots behind her novel The Entirely True Story of the Fantasti...

MINI POD! This short episode is a quick hit of memoirs by former and current women's basketball players in celebration of the current WNBA Play-Offs. Books mentioned: They Better Call Me Sugar by Sugar Rodgers (cw: family death and incarceration) Catch a Star by Tamika Catchings Dear Black Girls by A'ja Wilson Love & Justice by Maya Moore Irons and Jonathan Irons (cw: incarceration) You Let Some G...

The romance genre is what keeps the book industry afloat, but where do you start if you're not typically a romance reader? Join Renee, Mhairie, and Shoshana for a quick introduction to some of the terms used in the romance genre, plus recommendations for folks who don't typically read romance. This episode is perfect for readers new to romance, confused by romance, or long-time romance readers loo...

The 'ber months are here, so that means we're reading horror. You know we read horror all year round, but we brought in the expert - Mother Horror herself! Tune in to hear Mhairie chat about horror books, women in horror, becoming an accidental author, and good old fashioned vibes reading.   Books mentioned: Feral and Hysterical Mother Horror's Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction...

In this episode, Mhairie, Ashley, and Nox dive into the bold and provocative album art for Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend. The conversation explores the layered imagery, the cultural reception, and how it intersects with themes of power, desire, and kink. From feminist critique to playful banter, the hosts unpack how art can spark dialogue around pleasure, performance, and pushing boundarie...

Join hosts Ashley, Mhairie, and Mariquita as they return for the much-anticipated follow-up to their deep dive into Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert. In this episode, the conversation moves beyond pop culture's impact on women and digs into the murky intersection of porn, commodification, and the market's influence on sexual agency. Prepare for a thoughtful and candid exploration of what it means to...

Ashley sits down with Jacob Tobia to discuss their book Before They Were Men. Together, they explore why Jacob avoids the phrase "toxic masculinity," what healthier models of masculinity could look like, and how the different places Jacob has lived have shaped their views on gender and gender nonconformity.   Books Mentioned:  Before They Were Men: Essays on Manhood, Compassion, and What Went Wron...

Mariquita, Mhairie, and Ashley dive into Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert , unpacking its most thought-provoking themes. In Part I, they explore how reality TV and social media have shaped generational beauty standards, question the pitfalls of so-called "empowerment" movements, and discuss how media literacy can equip the next generation to be both powerful and protected.   Books Mentioned:  Girl o...

Looking for your next beloved memoir? Rah and Ashley dive into The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders by Sarah Aziza—a lyrical, layered exploration of queerness, family, conflict, and the passage of time. They unpack how Aziza weaves these themes into a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative, and why savoring the book slowly made all the difference. Content Warnings: disordere...