Fully-Booked: Literary Podcast

In this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast , we wrap up our month-long exploration of alternate history fiction by delving into the 2018 AMC series The Terror . Based on the 2007 novel by Dan Simmons, the show's first season reimagines the ill-fated Franklin Expedition, which set out to navigate the Northwest Passage in 1845. By blending historical fact with supernatural horror elements, The Terr...

In this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast , we delve into the pervasive phenomenon of World War II alternate history books. As we near the end of our month-long exploration of alternate history literature , we couldn't help but notice the sheer volume of stories that focus on this pivotal global conflict. From imagining a world where the Nazis emerged victorious to speculating about the conseque...

In this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast , we dive into the fascinating world of alternate history fiction with the 2016 Hulu miniseries 11.22.63 , based on Stephen King's 2011 novel of the same name. While King is primarily known for his horror works, 11.22.63 showcases his versatility as a writer, blending elements of science fiction , historical fiction, and thriller to create a compelling n...

In this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast , we delve into the fascinating subgenre of alternate history, a topic we're also covering in-depth on our website and newsletter this month. As we explore the different flavors of alternate history fiction, from magical retellings of Tudor England to dystopian tales of parallel universes, we find ourselves pondering the age-old question: what if? Defini...

In this episode of the Fully Booked podcast , we dive into the world of alternate history with the 2022 Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane , based on the 2016 novel of the same name. The show offers a whimsical and fantastical retelling of the life of Lady Jane Grey, the "Nine Days' Queen" who briefly ruled England in 1553. While we typically dip our toes into science fiction and dystopian themes ,...

In this engaging podcast episode of Fully Booked , hosts Meaghan and Shirin explore the rich territory of haunted house literature as they close out their spooky season coverage. We find ourselves drawn into their thoughtful discussion about why these stories continue to captivate readers and what deeper meanings lie beneath their supernatural surfaces. Current Reading Experiences We begin by join...

In this episode of the Fully Booked podcast , we continue our exploration of occult and spooky topics for the month of October. Today, we venture into the realm of cryptozoology, focusing on the legend of the Mothman and the 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies. As we delve into this intriguing subject, we’ll examine the origins of the Mothman legend, its cultural impact, and the movie’s attempt to br...

In this episode of the Fully Booked podcast , hosts Meghan and Shirin delve into the latest adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 novel, Salem’s Lot. Released on HBO Max on October 3rd, 2024, this new version attempts to bring King’s vampire tale to a modern audience. As we explore the film’s strengths and weaknesses, we’ll examine how it compares to the source material and previous adaptations, and d...

In our latest podcast episode , we delve into the fascinating journey of how these magical female characters have been portrayed throughout history. From ancient Greek mythology to modern fantasy novels , we’ll examine the changing perceptions, cultural influences, and societal reflections that have shaped the witch archetype in literature. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our w...

In our latest podcast episode , hosts Meaghan and Shirin provide in-depth analysis and critique of the 2024 Netflix book adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s young adult novel Uglies. As we delve into their discussion, we’ll explore the film’s premise, its execution, and how it compares to both the source material and the current social climate. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our...

In this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast , hosts Meaghan and Shirin discuss Sofia Coppola’s 2023 film adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me. The hosts explain that while they are in the middle of a dystopian fiction month on their podcast, they decided to release this previously recorded discussion about Priscilla as a special episode. NoteThe following is an editorialized...

In a recent episode of the Fully Booked podcast , hosts Meaghan and Shirin delved into the fascinating realm of dystopian young adult (YA) fiction . The duo explored the genre’s popularity, discussed notable works, and analyzed its themes and tropes, offering listeners a comprehensive look at this influential literary category. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literar...

In this episode of the Fully Booked podcast , host Meaghan and Shirin dive into a detailed discussion of the 2023 film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy offers a deep dive into the origins of future Panem President Coriolanus Snow, set against the backdrop of the 10th annual Hunger Games. Setting t...

In this bonus podcast episode , we explore the newest Netflix adaptation: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder . The story follows the story of Pippa (Pip) Fitz-Amobi, a high school student in small-town England (notably, the book is set in the US, while the show shifts the setting to England). Pip decides to investigate a five-year-old murder case for her final school project, which doubles as a univers...

We recently had the pleasure of revisiting the 2002 Disney book adaptation of Natalie Babbitt’s beloved 1975 children’s novel , Tuck Everlasting. Directed by Jay Russell and starring Alexis Bledel, Ben Kingsley, Sissy Spacek, and Jonathan Jackson, the film brings to life the enchanting tale of Winnie Foster, a teenage girl who stumbles upon a family’s incredible secret: a spring that grants eterna...

We begin our discussion by noting that this is a bonus podcast episode to cover the recently released film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s wildly popular novel It Ends With Us. We acknowledge the film’s heavy subject matter, particularly domestic violence, and provide a content warning. The film has received mixed critical reviews but very positive audience scores so far. We express our pleasant su...

In this literary podcast episode , hosts Shirin and Meaghan embark on a journey down memory lane, reminiscing about their favorite childhood books that shaped their reading habits and tastes as adults. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literary podcast. If you would like to listen to the podcast, click the play button above or listen on your favorite platform with the...

Louis Sachar’s Holes captivated readers with its intricate plot and memorable characters when it was published in 1998. Five years later, the beloved young adult novel made was adapted for the big screen , introducing Stanley Yelnats and Camp Green Lake to a wider audience. While both versions tell the story of an unlucky teenager’s journey through a juvenile detention camp and a centuries-old fam...

Our literary podcast ‘s theme for the month of July continues to be young adult thrillers. For this week’s episode, we explore the dramatic transformation of the thriller genre, particularly in young adult literature and its adaptations across various media. Over recent years, we’ve observed a significant escalation in the level of danger and stakes presented to characters, often blurring the line...

On our weekly podcast episode, we are covering a young adult thriller TV show Panic. Panic is a TV series that premiered on Amazon Prime in 2021, adapted from Lauren Oliver’s 2014 novel. Set in the fictional town of Carp, Texas, it revolves around a dangerous annual game where high school graduates compete for a $50,000 prize. The story centers on Heather, a girl from a poor family who reluctantly...

For the month of July, on our literary podcast , we have delved into an interesting discussion about the evolution of young adult thrillers and mysteries. As we explored this topic, we noted several key points and themes that highlight the significant shift in this genre over time. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literary podcast. If you would like to listen to the p...

We begin by noting that this episode of the Fully-Booked: Literary Podcast is focused on young adult mystery thrillers, a genre that has become increasingly popular in recent years. To kick off the month, we’ve chosen to discuss the 2021 Netflix book adaptation of There’s Someone Inside Your House, based on a 2017 novel by Stephanie Perkins. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our...

It’s time for a bonus episode of our podcast ! We’re finally taking a look at part 2 of Bridgerton season 3, and talking about spice, secrets, and happy endings. We discussed how the second half of the season picks up immediately after Colin proposes to Penelope. The engagement is announced to the Bridgerton family, who are mostly excited, though Eloise confronts Penelope about not telling Colin s...

In this literary podcast episode, we are discussing J.R.R. Tolkien’s immense influence on the high fantasy genre . As we wrap up our coverage of high fantasy this month, we recognize that it’s impossible to talk about the genre without examining Tolkien’s foundational work. We acknowledge that while fantasy existed before Tolkien, he created one of the most elaborate and expansive fictional univer...

We begin this literary podcast episode by discussing high fantasy books and series that we believe are ripe for screen adaptation, reflecting on both older, established series and newer, popular works. We share our current reading experiences, including works by Riley Sager and a cozy mystery series featuring a Chinese Indonesian family. NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our week...