Happy To Be Here

We teamed up with WBEZ’s Curious City to answer a listener's question about how librarians always seem to know what we want to read before we do. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We check in on how YOU are feeling. Plus, bestselling author Susan Cain tells us why she is happy to be melancholy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The news is a lot right now, so we're checking in. Send your voice memos to nerdettepodcast [at] gmail [dot] com for Friday's episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Book Riot’s Liberty Hardy reads hundreds of books a year. She tells us the best new books of this summer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EGOTS for everyone! This week, ‘City Cast Chicago’ host Jacoby Cochran and Vox’s Jonquilyn Hill join the panel to talk about the week in pop culture. Then, Linda Holmes tells us about her new book ‘Flying Solo.’ Plus, we listen back to our interview with Michael Greyeyes in honor of the release of ‘Rutherford Falls’ season 2. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

First, we talk about updating the Bechdel test and re-embracing Kate Bush with bestselling author and host of ‘Bad With Money’ Gaby Dunn. Then, we hear about the new HBO documentary ‘The Janes,’ which is about a group of women who performed abortions before it was legal. Plus, what are the best summer blockbusters? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...

The New York Times bestselling author reflects on his writing before and after the #MeToo movement. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk about the cake throwing incident at the Mona Lisa and all of the TV you should watch this summer. Plus, a viral tweet says there are only 35 premises in all of literature, and … it's not far off? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ready or not, book club is taking on the horror novel ‘This Thing Between Us’ by Gus Moreno. We chat with two horror enthusiasts, Chicago bookseller Javier Ramirez and writer Gabino Iglesias. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yes, COVID is still a thing. Nerdette’s “resident epidemiologist” Dr. Emily Landon gets us up to speed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer Amil Niazi tells us why ditched ambition for mediocrity. Plus, we talk to Emma Straub, author of one of this year's most anticipated books, 'This Time Tomorrow.' See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We round up the best cookbooks of the year so far. Plus, chefs give us their recommendations for cooking with late spring vegetables. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here is an episode that you can dance to! J.P. Brammer and Daniel Lavery unpack the week in pop culture. Then, Sofía Valdés tells us about her lush new EP. Plus, we have the soundtrack for your summer! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gus Moreno joins us to talk about his terrifying debut novel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elon Musk attempts a Twitter takeover. Plus, Julia Child’s legacy 60 years after her television debut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our panel discusses the multigenerational epic and whether or not the television adaptation measures up. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We unwind from another tumultuous almost-spring with the producer and host of the podcast ‘Normal Gossip.’ Topics include our (irrational?) love of houseplants, our ambivalence about Season 2 of ‘Russian Doll’ after a perfect Season 1, and what we love about banned books. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The planets are aligning. Are you ready for a new vibe? Kat Chow and Margaret Willison discuss. Then, Jennifer Egan tells us about her new book ‘The Candy House.’ Plus, the history behind the “adopt don’t shop” dog rescue movement. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emily St. John Mandel tells us about her new book ‘Sea of Tranquility.’ Plus, we dig into the significance of the new Amazon union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our book club dives into ‘Notes on an Execution’ by Danya Kukafka and contends with our cultural obsession with crime stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk to Dylan Marron about his podcast ‘Conversations with people who hate me.’ Plus, are travel guidebooks dead? Or are they cake? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is whole grain flour the secret to the best chocolate chip cookie? Plus, the woman who swims in Lake Michigan every day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to our live event on crafting and activism with Shannon “Badass Cross Stitch” Downey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette’s “resident epidemiologist” answers your questions on the lifting of mask mandates. Plus, we listen to the pop stars singing “F U.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk about the catharsis of crying at the movies and trade recommendations for what to watch this weekend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.