The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

"Smart Women," chapters 15-16. Andrew Broder is MOVING IN. (We are still processing.) Margo's on cloud nine but Michelle ain't having it. This 1983 Judy Blume adult novel delivers it all – drama, bad decisions, and glove shopping. Molly and Jody act out scenes and talk about moms with boyfriends. There's also a Special Report on the death of Steve McQueen. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us ever...

"Smart Women," chapters 14-15. OMG it's the end of Part One! Jody and Molly discuss everyone's favorite 1983 Judy Blume adult novel about Colorado divorcees, wherein BB gets sassy, Margo lets loose, and Andrew reveals the truth about Bobby. Join your hosts for plenty of dramatic readings and Bluebeard chat. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 12-13. Join Jody and Molly on this rollercoaster of a 1983 Judy Blume adult novel! BB wallows and Michelle grumbles, but Sara and Andrew have a grand ol' time eating cheese and watching Bo Derek run on the beach. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 10-11. Margo and Andrew Broder somehow turn boxed raisins and a handshake into unbearable sexual tension, while poor BB realizes her chiffon dress is cursed. Along the way, your hosts Jody and Molly spiral into conversations about fantasy Dixie Cup dates, Apocalypse Now, and cheating on the Presidential Fitness Test. Expect dramatic readings, deep literary analysis, messy r...

"Smart Women," chapters 8-9 (NOT 10!). In this 1983 Judy Blume adult novel, Sara gets caught sneaking to her dad's, and BB asks Margo to spy, much to Margo's indignation. Meanwhile, Clare plans a trip to Paris and a potential reconciliation with her ex. There's also a pig with teeth, a Jazzercise mic drop, and a gal named Puffin. Molly and Jody do their usual dramatic readings and reading between...

"Smart Women," chapters 6-7. Jody and Molly pull themselves together (just barely) to bring you insights, analysis, and dramatic readings from Judy Blume's 1983 adult novel. We flash back to Andrew Broder's Boulder arrival, BB's wedding at Uncle Morris' estate, and learn about the mysterious Bobby (RIP). Things are getting JUICY and we're here for it. Molly presents a Special Report on the controv...

"Smart Women," chapters 4-5. We are loving Judy Blume's 1983 adult novel, in which BB takes to her bed, Margo makes Jewish Chicken Soup, and Michelle deftly inhales a deviled egg! Jody and Molly do dramatic readings, read listener letters, and present a Special Report on Beau Jo's Colorado Style Pizza. Thank you to Blume Heads Helen and Hecka Jecka for their correspondence! It's a Judy Blume book...

"Smart Women," chapters 2-3. Jody and Molly are THRILLED to be reading this 1983 novel, one of Judy Blume's finest! Michelle cries in bed, B.B. gets a shocking letter from her ex, and we assume Margo is still waltzing around in her robe. Your hosts revisit Yearbook Club (theme: Passive-Aggressive), and read some excellent Blume Head letters (thank you so much, Susan and Dani)! It's a Judy Blume bo...

"Smart Women," chapter 1. Grab yourself a Courvoisier, settle into the Jacuzzi, and join us in Judy-land for this racy adult novel set in 1983! Margo meets her new (nude) neighbor right before her kids come back from their East Coast summer. Jody and Molly set the scene for "The Year Pop Went Crazy" with Special Reports on Gloria Steinem, Vanessa Williams, Jenny Craig, and a headless body. It's a...

Molly and Jody finally close out Norma Klein's Beginner's Love! To celebrate, they read one-star reviews, some vintage ABCs of Abstinence, a lovely ode to Norma by her daughter Jennifer Fleissner, and sage sex advice from Queen Judes. The gals talk about Windows on the World, Tucker Max, revolving restaurants, Beginner's Love-related media, and reveal the NEXT BOOK. Thank you to our listener corre...

"Beginner's Love" by Norma Klein, chapters 20-21 – THE FINALE! It's true, Jody and Molly have finally finished this 1983 YA novel about teens, love, and sex. Leda and Joel meet new besties at the abortion clinic and Berger becomes a full-on Wife Guy. And sweet Dani is never to be seen again. Join us for dramatic readings, wonky plot analysis, and plenty of Girls chat. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume...

"Beginner's Love," chapters 18-19. Happy New Year, Blume Heads! We are SO close to finishing this Norma Klein epic, in which Joel goes full Don Draper in California and Lassie Bligen makes her triumphant return. Join Molly and Jody in the Cocoon for vintage commercials, dramatic popcorn reads, and an overly complicated theory about the unluckiest teens in human history. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blu...

"Beginner's Love," chapter 17. Norma Klein's 1983 YA novel is going off the rails and we're here for it. Berger and Ingrid "play doctor" and he reveals his secret with a truly bananas twist. Meanwhile Joel has the worst birthday imaginable thanks to an ill-advised card from Leda. Seriously, what were you thinking, Lee?! Molly and Jody talk about Courtly Love, laundry tips, and frenemies. Thank you...

"Beginner's Love," chapter 16. Folks, we tried to make this one a Thanksgiving shorty with one chapter, but in true Molly and Jody fashion, we somehow filled an hour! Joel and Leda go cowgirl and have another post-coital misunderstanding. And we STILL don't know if Leda is pregnant. Molly presents a David Niven Special Report, and Jody reveals the latest *crystals* discovery from Kleinstein. Last...

"Beginner's Love," chapters 14-15. Hope you don't mind this one being a real yap-fest, y'all! Jody and Molly read through this 1983 Norma Klein YA novel and discuss egg babies, Jody's ancient stash, and Molly's online beefs – with a couple vintage teen pregnancy PSAs thrown in. In the book, Berger finally meets his lady doctor and cusses out the PE teacher, while Joel learns that Leda is... LATE....

"Beginner's Love," chapters 12-13. Molly and Jody immerse themselves in Norma Klein's YA novel about sexual awakening in 1983. Leda frees the nipple for Joel's fam, Angelica cries over her nun-addled past, and Berger thinks he's found his lady doctor. Jody and Molly talk about diaphragms, Girl Scouts, and a visit to Judy's (and Sally's!) childhood home in Miami Beach. Thank you to Blume Heads Lisa...

"Beginner's Love," chapter 11. In this 1983 Norma Klein novel, Joel and Dad visit Yale and do weird things in the hotel room, Leda lives her best drag nun life, and Berger sets himself up for a lifetime of prank calls. Join Molly and Jody as they do dramatic readings, talk about antiquated psychiatric diagnoses, and solve a perplexing Joy of Sex mystery. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Jo...

"Beginner's Love," chapter 10 (sorry, we yapped too much before getting to chapter 11). Join Jody and Molly as they analyze this juicy Norma Klein 1983 novel, in which Joel and Leda enjoy their boneymoon with a side of laundry. We listen to vintage ads and chat '80s Happy Meal toys, post-boning movies, and diaphragms. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapters 8-9. Well, folks, we finally made it to the big sleepover in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first-time S-E-X. Berger plans a future with his lady Doogie Howser, Mom and Dad shred their friend group, and Joel and Leda score a home run. Molly and Jody talk about diary snooping, high school prudes, and ghost art. Molly presents a fascinating Special Report on The Joy of...

"Beginner's Love," chapters 6-7. It's getting a tiny bit steamy in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first love, age gaps, and getting lost at Simon and Garfunkel. Jody and Molly scrutinize Joel and his antics, Dad and his defenses, and Danny's summer reading. There's dramatic readings, vintage ads, and another installment of our Para-Norma Investigations. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club....

"Beginner's Love," chapters 4-5. Molly and Jody amble through this 1983 Norma Klein teen romance AND kick off their "Para-Norma Investigation" thanks to an anonymous tipster. Meanwhile, Joel and Leda touch tongues, Berger dispenses bad advice from his cigarette bed, and Hopie gets exactly what she wants. The gals talk Inferiority Complexes, glasses makeouts, humans with dog names, and perform radi...

"Beginner's Love," chapters 2-3. It's starting to get a li'l weird and uncomfy in this 1983 YA classic by Norma Klein (what else did we expect?!). Joel might be a robot, Leda makes an unprecedented move, and Hope is ELEVEN. Molly and Jody perform dramatic readings and learn all about Salome, that lusty wench. Thank you Lisa W. for her Special Report on gulls! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book clu...

"Beginner's Love," chapter 1! Welcome to 1983, a world of minivans, Chicken McNuggets, Return of the Jedi, and Norma Klein of course! Molly and Jody highlight the pop culture, music, TV, movies, and noteworthy inventions of that epic year and plunge into the first chapter of this racy YA novel. Join us for dramatic readings, nostalgia, comedy, and a couple wise moments here and there. Thank you Bl...

Sike, we are STILL talking about Fudge! Just a little chit-chat about the utterly adorable TV series, specifically the movie-length pilot, "Fudge-A-Mania." Learn all about the Porky's and Brady Bunch tie-ins, Judy's thoughts on the film, and why Molly has been son-pilled. And yes, we promise to start "Beginner's Love" by Norma Klein in two weeks. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other we...

Molly and Jody say adios to Fudge and friends by reading some favorite one-star reviews, musings from Judy on sibling rivalry, and a truly enlightening Oil of Olay Special Report. There's also vintage commercials, hilarious listener letters, and Molly's recommendations for Fudge-a-Mania adjacent content! The gals wrap it all up with their recap of the Netflix "Forever" pilot (what acually happened...