Gays Reading

Jason and Brett talk to Tommy Orange ( Wandering Stars ) about dreams and spirituality, learn about sound engineering and roller hockey, and how understanding your history can shape your future. Come for special insider info about a character's playlist, stay for a Moulin Rouge debate. Tommy Orange is a graduate of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. An enrolled member o...

Jason and Brett take a break from talking to authors to answer your questions! Everything from choosing books and finding time to read to their experience and relationship to books as queer people.  Support the show BOOK CLUB! Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White SUBSTACK! https://gaysreading.substack.com/ MERCH! http://gaysreading.printful.me WAT...

Jason and Brett talk to Armistead Maupin ( Mona of the Manor ) about living in the world of Tales of the City for 50 years, inspiration for the character of Mona, a day in his life at nearly-80, shows he's seen in the West End recently, Bernadette Peters, and more. Armistead Maupin is the author of the Tales of the City series, which includes Tales of the City, More Tales of the City, Further...

In the second installment of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING , Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their soon-to-be released books. Lottie Hazell ( Piglet , Feb 27) talks about working as a board game designer; Ursula Villarreal-Moura ( Like Happiness , Mar 26) shares her stories writing fan letters; and Alexandra Tanner ( Worry , Mar 26) tells real-life stories...

Jason and Brett talk to Bianca Bosker ( Get the Picture ) about the immersive approach to her writing, why we need to unlearn how to behave around art, developing new tastes, and the importance of context in the context of art. Bianca Bosker is the New York Times bestselling author of Cork Dork and a contributing writer at The Atlantic . Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker , The New York Ti...

Jason and Brett talk to Ijeoma Oluo ( Be a Revolution ) about actionable steps for making social change, the importance of diversifying where you get your information, doing your own research, outlining a blueprint for being the catalyst of change. Ijeoma Oluo is a writer, speaker, and internet yeller. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race and, most r...

Jason and Brett talk to Mark Daley ( Safe ) about his new memoir chronicling a piece of his journey becoming an adoptive parent. They talk about some of the systemic issues within the adoption process, chosen family, and the impetus to telling this story. Mark Daley is a social activist, entrepreneur, and foster-turned-adoptive father. Daley has over two decades of experience in message developmen...

Jason and Brett talk to Dolly Alderton ( Good Material ) about hetero optimism (yes, it's a thing), Geri Halliwell as a sexual awakening, Robbie Williams as... another sexual awakening, Nora Ephron (unrelated to sexual awakenings), and so much more. Grab your Zabar's mug and enjoy. Dolly Alderton is an award-winning author, screenwriter and journalist based in London. She is a columnist...

Jason and Brett talk to Crystal Hefner ( Only Say Good Things ) about life following her time in the famed Playboy mansion, beauty standards and carrying the burden of how we want to be perceived in the world, and what she's discovering about herself now that she's on the other side. Crystal Hefner is a world-renowned model, advocate, and entrepreneur. A former Playboy Playmate, she now...

Jason and Brett talk to Kaveh Akbar ( Martyr! ) about his transition from poet to novelist, listening to your dreams, how language is a sense memory, parallels with the musical Pippin , and much more. Kaveh Akbar ’s poems appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Best American Poetry , and elsewhere. He is the author of two poetry collections: Pilgrim Bell and Calling a W...

In the first installation of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING , Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their soon-to-be released books. Christina Cooke ( Broughtupsy , Jan 23) talks about how it took 13 years to write and publish her book; Daniel Lefferts ( Ways & Means , Feb 6) shares how his novel emerged from a short story he wrote in college; and Rebecca K R...

In the first episode of the new year, Jason and Brett discuss books they’re excited to check out in 2024. They’re joined by editor and author Jenny Jackson (who initially put The Rachel Incident on their radar—one of Jason’s Most Memorable 2023 Books!) Jenny talks about titles, some of which she served as editor, that she’s looking forward to this year. You’ll also find an Easter egg for an upcomi...

In the season finale of Gays Reading , Jason and Brett share not the "favorite" and not the "best," but their most memorable books of 2023. What makes a memorable book? Do any overlap? Check out this episode and prep for the new year by adding a whole bunch of books to your TBR.  Support the show BOOK CLUB! Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE December Book: Like Family...

Jason and Brett 's love for books and Broadway come together in this exciting episode!  They talk to musical book writer and lyricist Kait Kerrigan about adapting The Great Gatsby for the stage, Merri Sugarman about the casting process and her new book From Craft to Career , and Matthew Chisling (aka @mattyandthebooks) about book adaptations coming to Broadway. A behind-the-scenes conversatio...

Jason and Brett talk to Stephen Markley ( The Deluge ) about writing his climate fiction epic over the course of 13 years, scaring Stephen King,  differences between writing for television and novels, and growing up in Ohio.  Stephen Markley is the acclaimed author of Ohio , which NPR called a “masterpiece.” A graduate of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Markley’s other books include the memoir Publish...

'Tis the season to be under a blanket, sitting by a fireplace, reading a book! Just in case your TBR doesn't have something you're in the mood for, Jason and Brett have some cozy recommendations for you. If that's not enough, they also enlist  the help of bestselling author Jasmine Guillory ( The Wedding Date, The Proposal ) to share her recs. Jasmine Guillory is a New York Tim...

Jason and Brett talk to Mick Peterson , Bill Lyons , Robert Reeves , and Jessay Martin aka The Old Gays ( The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life ) about chosen family, the importance of talking about the past, social media bringing people together, and their admiration for the younger generation's acceptance. The Old Gays , best friends Robert, Mick, Jessay, and Bill, have won over the hearts of...

Jason and Brett talk to sexpert Zachary Zane ( Boyslut ) about bisexuality, kinks, overcoming  shame, and the importance of talking openly and honestly about sexual expression in its many forms. In case the title of the episode doesn't make it clear: sex comes up a lot in this episode. Zachary Zane is a Brooklyn-based columnist, sex expert, and activist whose work focuses on sexuality, cultur...

Jason and Brett talk to Greg Marshall ( Leg ) about Speedos, the importance of finding your community, Speedos (there's a lot of Speedo talk), parents (of course, we're all gay), and how queer people are responsible for inventing culture. Greg Marshall was raised in Salt Lake City. A National Endowment for the Arts Fellow in Prose, Marshall is a graduate of the Michener Center for Writer...

Jason and Brett talk to Jedediah Jenkins ( Mother, Nature ) about topics ranging from starter words on Wordle to the best time to eat donuts,  about complicated parent relationships, the nuances of LTRs, and everything in between. Jedidiah Jenkins is the New York Times bestselling author of To Shake the Sleeping Self and Like Streams to the Ocean . A graduate of USC and Pepperdine University Schoo...

Jason and Brett talk to RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Ginger Minj ( Southern Fried Sass ) about how to keep your house and heart open, auditioning for the live action Little Mermaid , naming Bette Midler as her new drag mom, and the important differences between throwing shade and reading.  Ginger Minj is the stage name of Joshua Allen Eads, an American drag queen, actor, singer-songwriter, and reality...

Jason and Brett talk to Everything Iconic podcast host Danny Pellegrino ( The Jolliest Bunch ) about traditions, how to avoid "stuffing disappointment," Judy Greer dream casting, a shocking piece of advice about *that* Mariah song, and much, much, more. Danny Pellegrino is the New York Times bestselling author of How Do I Un-Remember This?: Unfortunately True Stories and The Jolliest Bun...

To kick off #NonfictionNovember, Jason and Brett share some of their favorite nonfiction books before talking to prolific nonfiction author, Sy Montgomery . (How many times can one say "nonfiction" in a description?) They talk to Sy about the nonfiction genre, how she decides her topics, and about her newest book Of Time and Turtles . (Nonfiction count: 4. Technically 5.) In addition to...

Do you know what the "I" in LGBTQIA+ stands for? In case you don't, Jason and Brett talk to Pidgeon Pagonis (Nobody Needs to Know) about what intersex means and Pidgeon's experience living "in between." They also discuss the best Chicago-style pizza, gush over diners, and debate a controversial A League of Their Own question.  Check out Pidgeon's website: http://...

In this spoiler-free conversation, Jason and Brett talk to Dann McDorman ( West Heart Kill ) about his reverence for the classic mystery story, why so many people are drawn to the genre, his least favorite trope, and his experience writing his debut novel. Dann McDorman is an Emmy-nominated TV news producer, who has also worked as a newspaper reporter, book reviewer, and cabinet maker. He lives in...