The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 19-20. It's the big Ellis Island trip, baby! Rachel tries her Sea-Bands, fights with a 10-year-old, and plans a DATE(?!) with Paul Madeiros. Dad and Charles reconnect. Mom is nowhere to be found. Join Alison and Jody for an extremely thorough run-down of the incredible Are You There God, It's Me Margaret film, dramatic readings, advice on how to tune up y...

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 17-18. Jody and Alison invite you into the Cocoon to talk about this 1993 Judy Blume follow-up to "Just as Long as We're Together"! A Robinson-Rybczynski family dinner turns sour, Dad gets mad, Charles turns into a gargoyle and quotes Tolstoy, and Rachel finds her feelings in therapy. There's dramatic readings and listener letters about sex hotlines and m...

Alison and Jody take a break from Rachel Robinson to hang with the directors/producers of Judy Blume Forever, Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok! Listen in for an intimate Blume Head chat about the absolutely phenomenal documentary and a li'l recap of the film, out now on Amazon Prime! Thank you Davina and Leah for spending time in the Cocoon with us, what a TREAT!

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 15-16. Alison and Jody's read-along of this nostalgic Judy Blume novel brings you back to 1993 and the world of Palfrey's Pond. Rachel wins her debate and gets a Jeremy Dragon lapdance, Mom takes to her bed after losing the Big Case, Dana Carpenter asserts herself, and Paul is a creep. Join the gang for dramatic readings, commentary, a Seinfeld impression...

“Here’s To You, Rachel Robinson,” chapters 13-14. Drama and excitement descend upon Palfrey’s Pond! Charles embarks upon a name change journey and hosts a Metallica party. Rowena and The StairMaster go line dancing. But most thrilling of all, JEREMY DRAGON AND MACBETH PLAY MONOPOLY! In Rachel’s room! Join Jody and Alison as they travel back to 1993 and get into all the gory details of this wonderf...

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 11-12. Jody and Alison read, dissect, and discuss this fan-fave Judy Blume novel, published in 1993. Rachel practices being a Natural Helper, Jessica lands a job at Going Places and campaigns for Accutane, and Steph has a tough time dealing with Rowena's New Groove. Meanwhile, Judes is driving around Key West in her shiny new StairMaster-powered Ford Expl...

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 9-10. In one of Judy Blume's finest YA novels, Rachel continues to obsess over her normalcy and crushes on an older man with rimless frames. Charles tries to woo Alison with a fake adoption (don't worry, he later gets barfed on). Mom teaches us all a good lesson in problem solving and the Crusades. Join Al and Jody for the usual dramatic readings, comedic...

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 7-8. Join Jody and Al as they dive into Judy Blume's 1993 sequel to "Just as Long as We're Together." Rachel is overextended, stressed and rolling down literal hills, and Stephanie and Alison just DON'T GET IT. Charles eats mayonnaise salmon and has a shower. Dana and Jeremy Dragon go through some marital issues – rumor has it MARCELLA is to blame (love y...

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 5-6. Charles comes home to bake coffee cake, Rachel names her future child Toledo, and Gram comes to life on Mother's Day. Join Jody and Alison for a Special Report on Arthur the Hairball Lion, dramatic readings, prom talk, and two beautiful letters from Blume Heads Dara and Alycia! Keep that mail coming! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 3-4. In this 1993 sequel to Judy Blume's "Just as Long as We're Together," Rachel practices for the seed spitting championship, broods over Charles' antics, and runs away from Steph and Alison's constant questioning. Matthew scores a womb goal. Jody and Al work up theories about mom and Dr. Sparks, do dramatic readings, and listen to some nostalgic commer...

“Here’s To You, Rachel Robinson,” chapters 1-2. Jody and Al get back to their Judy roots with this 1993 follow-up to “Just as Long as We’re Together.” They talk about the world events, movies, music, and TV that shaped Rachel, Steph, and Alison’s lives. Think: Beanie Babies, Jurassic Park and Norwegian Black Metal murders. Meanwhile in Palfrey's Pond, Rachel writes her very Wes Anderson-eqsue bio,...

Part TWO of our Alice Odds and Ends extravaganza! Alison and Jody discuss Rick Emerson's "Unmask Alice," which sheds so much light on the warped world of Beatrice Sparks, her motivation for writing Alice, Jay's Journal, and so many other faux diaries. Art Linkletter and the Satanic Panic also feature heavily. Then the gals recap and critique the surprisingly decent 1973 "Go Ask Alice" made-for-TV...

Part One of our epic two-part Alice Odds and Ends! This week Jody and Alison discuss all things “Go Ask Alice” – from fanfic, to its critical reception, to reader reviews. There’s also some great listener letters from Blume Heads Sawyer and Dani. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, Jody finally dishes on the New York screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and her momentous Judy Blume meet cute. Yo...

“Go Ask Alice,” August 14, 1970–Epilogue. Well friends, we did it. Jody and Alison are DUNZO. Alice makes water ballet friends, meets her first subway armpit hair, has a rendez-vous with Joel, and decides to stop journaling. And THEN some. Join us for vintage commercials, dramatic readings, and to hear who Al met at the Emmys. It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Go Ask Alice," July 25–August 12, 1970. Mac and cheese with bits of bologna, anyone?! Alice moves into the Youth Center/Asylum and meets babbling Babbie, interviews her fellow inmates for her social work career, and watches TV with thirty older ladies. Come join Alison and Jody for some deep analysis, critique, and melodramatic readings from this classic YA novel. You've never read this book the...

“Go Ask Alice,” June 16–July 24, 1970. Buckle up, y’all, this is a NUTTY episode. Gran dies, RIP Gran. Joel leaves town, RIP Joel. Alice eats chocolate-covered LSD peanuts, has a mega freak-out, and ends up in the Booby Hatch. Alison and Jody chat worms, Adam Sandler, and perform dramatic readings. And there’s a great letter from new Blume Head, Donna! It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every we...

“Go Ask Alice,” April 27–June 16, 1970. Alice meets an innocent young scholar at the college library (he’s doomed!) and gets bullied at school. Gramps dies, RIP Gramps. Join Jody and Alison for some post-Thanksgiving good times, including dramatic readings, literary critiques, the most stupid quiz ever, and a hilarious letter from Blume Head Danielle! It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every wee...

“Go Ask Alice,” ?-April 24, 1970. Join us for fruit cups and wilted lettuce salad, it’s time for more Alice shenanigans! Alice meets herself in the park, somehow finds her way back home, has a terrifying-but-sexy flashback, and yet manages to whip up a gourmet meal for mom. Alison and Jody talk about hair, firemen, and dogs in strollers. And there's dramatic readings galore. It’s a Judy Blume book...

“Go Ask Alice,” Feb 6, 1970-? Alice hitchhikes to Denver, ends up in Coos Bay, then somehow finds herself in Southern California. In between sleeping under a shrub and becoming a Priestess of Satan, she’s made some new friends and hit some new lows. Join Jody and Alison for Fentanyl Skittles, dramatic readings, some more Drug Talk (™), and a Special Report on the Digger Free Store. It’s a Judy Blu...

“Go Ask Alice,” Dec 13, 1969–Jan 30, 1970. Cover yourself in ashes and sackcloth, Blume Heads, Alice and Chris are DUNZO with Berkeley! They fly home and have a nice, wholesome holiday season with orange yeast rolls. But then Black and Blue Lane comes along and ruins it all. Alison and Jody talk about texting etiquette, uppers vs. downers, and famous trust fund pets. Join us for dramatic readings,...

“Go Ask Alice,” Oct 19-Dec 12, 1969. Alice and Chris move to San Francisco! And then Berkeley! They buy a TV, try heroin, and open a boutique! Join Alison and Jody as they bravely maneuver through this 1971 pseudo-diary and bring light to the darkness. They perform dramatic readings, calculate inflation, and do their best to figure out where the hell Alice lives. Thank you to Blume Head Geniene fo...

“Go Ask Alice,” Aug 14-Oct 18, 1969. Alice goes back home, pledges a drug-free life only to end up peddling LSD to elementary school kids. But we have great news – she's not pregnant! Join Jody and Alison for chat about outlet shopping, insomnia, Dexies and Bennies. And you don’t want to miss the hilarious Molly Sanchez reading from her 7th grade diary (excuse us, DIARA). It's a Judy Blume book cl...

“Go Ask Alice,” June 15-Aug 13, 1969. Alice visits Gran and Gramps and goes HARD with torpedoes, speed, Adam and Eve. She goes all the way with Bill only to have true love Roger reappear soon after. Alison and Jody talk about bad trips, Pretty Wild, and read snippets of Jody’s boy-crazy 10th grade diary. Thank you Blume Head Sue for her sugary letter! It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every wee...

“Go Ask Alice,” Jan 1-June 13, 1969. Alice has a horrible time at her new school but makes a friend, Mom’s a nag, Tim and Alex suck, and the boys JUICE IT UP! Join Alison and Jody to chat about this wild faux-diary by Anonymous, listen to dramatic readings, and soak up some glorious vintage commercials. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

“Go Ask Alice,” Sept 16-Dec 25, 1968. New Judy-adjacent book alert! Join Jody and Alison as they embark upon their maiden Alice voyage. Your hosts will lead you through the music, movies, events, and pop culture of the years 1968-1970 as a primer, followed by some dramatic readings, critiques, and analysis. There's also an exciting Rumberger reveal. Alice gets the runaround from her one true love,...