The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Back from the dead, and it's even better the second time 'round! Alison and Jody motor through chapters 8-9 of Norma Klein's 1981 novel, "Domestic Arrangements." They present another fascinating letter from The Karen Files and interview Jody's English Mum about her adventures with the f-word. Meanwhile, Rusty baby-sits Kerim and makes up with Joshua via a blowjob, Dad is appalled at her Christmas...

Good lord, this one's a doozy. Alison and Jody make their way through chapters 6-7 of Norma Klein's "Domestic Arrangements," published in 1981. The girls get an incredible, intriguing letter from a Blume Head with some serious intel. They chit chat about millennial strawberries, the Clueless Targ-Bucks takeover, chairs shaped like hands, THC drops, Jock Jams, great tits, and Gunne Sax. Meanwhile,...

Breaking news: Rusty's in a movie, y'all! Jody and Alison cover chapters 4-5 of Norma Klein's 1981 YA novel "Domestic Arrangements," where fourteen-year-old Tatiana (aka Rusty) has lots of mediocre sex with her boyfriend, attends a bizarre giant penis photography show with Daddy, and is going to be the star in a new Columbia Pictures movie. She will appear nude in said movie. WTF?! Along with the...

Alison and Jody are back in the Cocoon to talk about Norma Klein’s “Domestic Arrangements” chapter 3! This one’s a shortie, but we’ll get back to our regular programming next week. Rusty has a horrifically forthright conversation with her “cool mom” and butters Daddy up after his chat with the Laskers. We learn that Joshua has some naked pics, and most importantly, that Rusty has starred in some k...

Are you ready for a new book? How about a new author? Or a new co-host? Alison is out this week, but Sara joins Jody in the Cocoon to discuss chapters 1-2 of Norma Klein’s 1981 novel, “Domestic Arrangements.” Not only was Norma one of Judy Blume’s close pals, they both found themselves on the “Most Banned” lists for YA fiction in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Jody and Sara present their research on the pop c...

It's the final "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" episode! Alison and Jody wrap up chapter 10 of Judy Blume's brilliant book, the one where Fudge Hatcher does the unspeakable. You know what it is. Peter is devastated by the loss of Dribble, and no one seems to care! Will his family ever make it up to him? Alison presents an exclusive interview with Blume Head Amanda -- a real live person who grew u...

The Hatcher men are on their own! Alison and Jody cover chapters 8-9 of Judy Blume's delightful "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." Fudge becomes the star of a new Toddle Bike commercial, Peter gets his first kiss from Dad's secretary, there's a movie theater emergency during "A Bear's Life," and Dad cooks a truly disgusting 12-egg omelette (with mushrooms). Join the gals for their most earnest, en...

Join Alison and Jody as they cruise through chapters 5-7 of Judy Blume’s 1972 childhood treasure, “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing!” Fudge turns three and has an absolute shitshow birthday party with a puker, a biter, and a crybaby. Peter grows increasingly resentful of his li’l bro, especially after being forced to do a weird balloon dance. The fam spends a day in the city which ends with mashed...

Alison and Jody zip through chapters 3-4 of "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," one of Judy Blume's most famous novels, written in 1972. Fudge gets a cereal bath and has a jungle gym accident in Central Park, Peter gets into trouble with Mom, and we finally meet the legendary Sheila Tubman. Alison remembers being a very mature five-year-old, and Jody shares her secret to the perfect headstand (it's...

New book alert! Alison and Jody take you back to early '70s New York City, the world of Peter Hatcher and pesky Fudge, as they read chapters 1-2 of Judy Blume's kid lit hit "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." Jody gives a Special Report on the unprecedented spate of bizarre airline hijackings in 1972, while Alison sets the scene and walks us through the popular music, movies, and TV of the era. The...

You thought "Wifey" was over? Hah, not quite! Alison and Jody wrap up Judy Blume's scandalous 1978 novel and say goodbye to Sandy Pressman the only way they know how: Special Reports, decades-old People and Bust magazine interviews, hilarious one-star book reviews, and a Jeopardy quiz. Alison digs up some dirt on the history of key parties, and boy are you in for a shocker. We also learn what a Ho...

Can you believe it?! Jody, Alison, and special guest Cathy finish "Wifey," Judy Blume's outrageous sexy adult novel published in 1978! Sandy tells Norm she has The Clap, he goes ballistic, she spends the night in the attic with a Snoopy sleeping bag, and we finally learn more about Brenda Partington Yvlenski via the Tufts Box Letters. Oh, and the Motorbator makes one last appearance. Alison talks...

The weird world of "Wifey" is getting wilder! In Judy Blume's groundbreaking 1978 novel about bleakest suburbia, Sandy get the Gon-Gon and has to notify all her lovers, Shep brings some soul-crushing real talk, Banushka goes for a ride, and the Motorbator's identity is revealed... maybe. Jody and Alison discuss chapters 22-24, complete with readings, sidebars, and expert analysis. They also announ...

Sandy strikes out! Join Alison and Jody as they recap chapters 20-21 of Judy Blume's 1978 erotic novel, "Wifey." Secret motel liaisons, a rendezvous at The Cape, and quite possibly the first signs of a psychotic break. Jody develops a theory about who (or what) Sandy Pressman REALLY is, while Alison reveals her obsession with the Met Gala. Tune in for some great forgotten '70s commercials, melodra...

Storm's a-brewin' in chapters 17-19 of Judy Blume's "Wifey"! Sandy gets crushed at the Club tournament, hijacks a golf cart, has an intense car-fight with Norm, and decides to give Shep a buzz. Meanwhile, Myra considers divorce and Steve hunts for his very own Mrs. Robinson. The girls receive a great letter from a new Blume Head, Alison gives a lesson on low-number license plates, and Jody uncover...

Sandy's world gets more bizarre as Jody an Alison cover chapters 15-16 of Judy Blume's 1978 novel about a horny housewife. The twins get bogo rhinoplasties, Sandy has her date with Vincent X. Moseley and hunts for Shep, Myra finds out Gordy is cheating, and a sexy, hairy plumber appears. Jody presents a Special Report on '70s nose jobs, while Alison does her finest voice acting yet. But the best p...

Holy organza! Alison and Jody read through "Wifey" chapters 12-14, which contain THE raunchiest scenes ever re-enacted within the Blume Cocoon. Sandy goes commando and reconnects with Shep at the Club Formal, then gets the full treatment from her Gyno-Bro Gordon, and finally realizes she hates golf. It's a Judy Blume book club! Join us every week. *** Use code BLUME to receive 15% off any Sudio he...

It's a full house! Jody and Alison envelop author and Literary Death Match creator, Adrian Todd Zuniga, into the Cocoon to chat about his new book, "Collision Theory," his journey to becoming a bona fide novelist, and the time he HUNG OUT with Judy Blume in Miami! Then, Blume Head Cathy drops by to discuss chapters 10-11 of "Wifey," Judy's positively naughty adult novel from 1978. Sandy gets a pix...

Our beefiest episode yet! Alison and Jody cover chapters 7-9 of Judy Blume's sexy, fantasy-filled adult novel, "Wifey." Sandy decides to be her best self on the eve of 1970, has a mind-blowing open marriage convo with Lisbeth, and spots Shep on the train. She receives some obscene phone calls and another visit from the Mystery Motorcycle Masturbator. Jody presents two Special Reports on vasectomy...

In chapters 4-6 of Judy Blume's scandalous 1978 novel, Wifey, Sandy Pressman evades a crew of expat swingers, finds a new way to entertain herself on the beach, and learns about ganja from her 10-year-old son. Norman continues to be a total douche, but has inexplicably become a choice cut for the ravenous Club Ladies. Sparing no gory detail, Jody and Alison read aloud the most wild/excruciating/se...

Alison and Jody start a new book... WIFEY!!! Judy wrote it, her first adult novel, in 1978 above a Los Alamos donut shop and turned the literary world upside-down. The gals read chapters 1-3, present some 1970 deep cuts, and find themselves wrapped up in Sandy's wild world of unexplained illness and frenzied masturbation. The Pressmans argue over half-baked Chicken Piquant, Sandy finds the pervy g...

The "Blubber" finale! Things take a turn for Jill as she finds herself in Linda's shoes. More dramatic bathroom encounters, bus stop brawls, and Kiddie Justice ensue. Alison and Jody re-enact all the crucial scenes and provide whiskey-fueled analysis on the characters' motivations. They also read a sweet letter from an Ohio Blume Head and bust out some 1974 issues of Teen Star Gossip magazine to b...

Three's company! Special guest Beth joins Alison and Jody to discuss Judy Blume's "Blubber," chapters 13-16. The tables have turned and the bullies are on their way to sweet Kiddie Justice. Jill eats a toilet sandwich at Warren Winkler's Bar Mitzvah, Linda and Kenny become BFFs, and Judge Wendy presides over the trial of the century. Beth recalls a (literally) shocking childhood memory, Jody and A...

Happy birthday week, Judy!!! Queen Bees, frenemies, bullies, and betches. Is there no end to Linda Fischer's living nightmare? Alison and Jody read chapters 10-12 of "Blubber," Judy Blume's 1974 YA novel. Jill writes a nasty letter to the Superior Stamp Company (just like the one Jody wrote to Ann M. Martin), Mrs. Sandmeier drops a bomb, Linda is force-fed a fake ant, and Mr. Machinist catches his...

Poor Linda Fischer! Despite her new celery diet she continues to get bullied by the Mean Girls of class 206. Jody and Alison plow through chapters 7-9 of Judy Blume's YA classic, "Blubber," with recaps, dramatic readings, and of course some singing. Jill loses her tooth during a choir performance, Linda really nails an unintentional solo (brrrrreast!), and a kickball accident sends Linda to the nu...