PagesAndPopcornPodcast

Back from another unplanned hiatus… this week I bring you a review and author interview. What you are about to hear is an interview that I did with Chris Jarvis as part of our It's A Queer Thang podcast when we interviewed George M Johnson, author of All Boys Aren’t Blue, which is an amazing memoir and has the delightful distinction of being one of the most challenged and banned books in the US. T...

Back from an unplanned hiatus… this week it’s Bob The Drag King’s 2025 speculative fiction novel Harriet Tubman Live In Concert! As always, I discuss the book’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and more. Plus, a popcorn fact and our new segment “Back To The Blurb” where I revisit and then opine about the book’s promo blurb. Enjoy! You can find sources and all past and future episodes o...

Warning: This week’s review is a bit different than normal. First off, there was no real script. Just KJaylia winging it into the microphone. Secondly, this week’s book is not a novel but a short story collection. A sci-fi short story collection! This week’s Spoiler Free review is for Charles Yu’s 2012 collection “Sorry, Please, Thank You” I talk about the book’s atmosphere and writing style. Ther...

The premise is intriguing, the writing is well done, and even though there aren’t witches, (as I originally thought) there is some magic that warrants a closer look. This week’s Spoiler Free review is for Adrienne Young’s 2023 romantic and mysterious historical novel: The Unmaking of June Farrow. As always, I examine the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and overall entertainmen...

This week, I discuss Ann Liang's 2024 historical novel A Song To Drown Rivers. This book avoids the pitfalls of the YA genre, tells a compelling story, and even has some interesting things to say about power and the patriarchy. I have two main plot quibbles that I will warn you about in this Spoiler-Free review,… and then I will totally rant about the ending in a video coming to TikTok, Instagram,...

This week we have a special Mail Bag Episode! Kaylia answers a few listener questions about favorite books, the possibility of using YouTube, and a potential double meaning of the title of Tilt! Plus a very sweet personal popcorn fact. Enjoy! You can find sources and all past and future episodes of this podcast on its website kmmamedia.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Stay in touch! Pages and Popcorn Po...

Kaylia gives a Spoiler-Free review of the 2025 “cozy thriller” Jane and Dan At The End of the World by Colleen Oakley. This book is a fast, fun read about a married couple having an adventure in a fancy restaurant… an adventure that could make or break their marriage. Maybe. This light read is perfect for the beach, the pool, or the airplane. As always, I look at the novel’s atmosphere, writing st...

Kaylia gives a Spoiler-Free review of The Sun Was Electric Light, a literary debut novel by Rachel Morton. This book is short, powerful, cerebral, highbrow, and Hemingwayesque. It might be just what you are looking for. This episode is longer than normal because Kaylia went a bit off script in the “spoiler” section at the end. As always, we look at the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, char...

Kaylia reviews Emma Pattee's 2025 novel Tilt. This page-turner thriller about a pregnant woman in the aftermath of a disaster is emotional, poignant, and masterfully written. One of the best books of the year so far, Tilt will make you laugh, cry, and feel hope while showcasing the writing chops of this amazing debut novelist. As always, we look at the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, char...

In this episode, Kaylia gives a Spoiler Free Review of the 1993 speculative fiction classic Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.  Part warning about the future, part supernatural adventure, and part philosophical deep dive into humanity’s desire for religion… this book just might be the perfect read for January 2025. Pages and Popcorn Podcast on Instagram instagram.com/Pages_pop_podcast Faceboo...

Join Kaylia for a Spoiler-Free review of The Future by Naomi Alderman Alderman reinterprets a Bible story and uses it as the basis for a cult while at the same time pointing a very accusatory finger at tech billionaires for the evils of the world. This is not a post apocalyptic novel (or is it?) and it doesn’t have all the answers (or does it?) But in terms of a deep dive into murky waters where t...

In this episode, Kaylia gives a Spoiler Free Review of the 2024 historical fiction book James by Percival Everett… a retelling of the story of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Jim, the runaway slave side character from the Mark Twain classic. A transcript of this review along with any sources and notes, and a snazzy graphic, can be found on my blog at www.kayliametcalfe.com/blog and you...

In this episode, Kaylia gives a Spoiler Free Review of the 2022 novel Small Angels by Lauren Owen… This well-crafted sapphic fairy tale will have you believing in magic, true love, and the power of memory. Show notes and all past and future episodes of this podcast can be found on its website www.kmmamedia.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast You can also touch base with the show on social media: Instagram...

In this episode, Kaylia gives a Spoiler Free Review of the 2023 Queer Literary novel Dykette by Janny Fran Davis Show notes and all past and future episodes of this podcast can be found on its website www.kmmamedia.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast You can also touch base with the show on social media: Instagram instagram.com/Pages_pop_podcast Facebook facebook.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast And yes, you can...

Kaylia interviews local poet and writer S. Bryan Medina about his time as Fresno's Poet Laurette and his new book (release party Feb 15th 2025). Plus a very special reading of an unpublished poem. You can find S. Bryan Medina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryan.medina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanmedina2040/ Book release party information: https://www.facebook.com/events/92815...

Join Kaylia for a Spoiler-Free review of Emily Austin’s Interesting Facts About Space… a novel brimming with fun that still manages to feel deep. Pages and Popcorn Podcast on Instagram instagram.com/Pages_pop_podcast Facebook facebook.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Patreon patreon.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Website kmmamedia.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Email pagesandpopcornpodcast@gmail.com Kaylia Metc...

Join Kaylia for a Spoiler-Free review of this 2024 thriller (and sneaky speculative fiction) novel by Nicola Yoon. This memorable thriller asks us how much we would give up for safety… The answer for this Black family might surprise you. Pages and Popcorn Podcast on Instagram instagram.com/Pages_pop_podcast Facebook facebook.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Patreon patreon.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Web...

The classic Pages and Popcorn Book vs. Film discussion is back in this very special episode as Kaylia, Leah, and Kat discuss Nightbitch… a novel by Rachel Yoder that became the film starring Amy Adams. We talked about what worked in the book, what worked in the film, and how we would have "fixed" a few of the issues in both. Plus, some Star Trek trivia and a Buffy shout-out! Enjoy! Show notes, lin...

Join Kaylia for a Spoiler-Free review of this 2023 speculative suspense thriller by Lauren Beukes. This mind trip of a noble deals with mothers, daughters, choices, and the multiverse. Plus Kaylia has her mind blown when she watchest the Thriller music video for the first time. Enjoy! Thriller Music Video: https://youtu.be/sOnqjkJTMaA?si=Ak80h7_g5bluXLTA Pages and Popcorn Podcast on Instagram inst...

This week I look at the heavy theme of “the meaning of life” through the lens of the rather light 2022 speculative novel “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. I look at atmosphere, writing style, the plot, the characters, and the overall entertainment of the book to give you, my lovely listeners, a SPOILER FREE review. Plus some delightful popcorn facts at the end of the episode. Enjoy! You can find all...

Kaylia reviews The Bones Beneath My Skin which, despite the title, is not a horror book but a delightful sci-fi beach read about found family, love conquering all, and the universal power of bacon. She looks at the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and overall entertainment value and gives you a SPOILER FREE review. Plus a delightful popcorn fact at the end of the episode. Enjoy...

Kaylia reviews the 2024 80s-inspired thriller Young Rich Widows. Despite there being multiple issues for this grammar nerd, the book was overall fun, light, and very much 80s action adventure…. complete with a coke-fueled mob party and amateur sleuths in sexy lingerie. As always, we look at the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and overall entertainment value to give you a SPOIL...

Kaylia reviews the 2025 novel Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian. This much-anticipated novel tackles the issues of motherhood, millennial goals, and marriage. While not a beach read, this novel is funny, poignant, and very timely. (Even if it isn’t speculative fiction.) As always, we look at the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and overall entertainment value to give you a SPO...

In this episode, Kaylia explains WTH is going on with this feed and what you can expect to hear in the future. More details can be found here: https://kayliametcalfe.com/2024/12/19/relaunch-reviews-and-what-the-heck-is-aspect/ Pages and Popcorn Podcast on Instagram instagram.com/Pages_pop_podcast Facebook facebook.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Patreon patreon.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Website kmmame...

Kaylia and Matt talk about the modern story of the classic private detective in over his head that somewhat hits the mark and the movie based on it... that really really misses it. Show notes, links, resources, and back catalog of episodes: kmmamedia.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast Pages and Popcorn on Facebook: facebook.com/pagesandpopcornpodcast KMMA Media on Facebook: facebook.com/kmmamedia KMMA Med...