The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Alison and Jody begin their NEW Judy-adjacent book, "One Crazy Summer," by Rita Williams-Garcia (2010). The gals take you on a wild ride through the turbulent year of 1968 and discuss the events, music, entertainment, and fashion that made it so memorable – from neo-Edwardian fashion, to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., to Olivia Hussey's boobs, to the first Miss Black America pageant...

Jody and Alison tie up some loose ends and wave goodbye to Judy Blume's cherished 1987 YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together." Jody presents Special Reports on witchcraft, purple, and Operation Babylift. Alison reads some questionable book reviews, and the gals take a quiz to find out what type of witches they are! Spoiler: Alison is a Sea Witch and Jody is an Air Witch. Tune in to hear chat a...

It's the final episode of "Just as Long as We're Together" by Judy Blume (1987)! There's a KILLER FLU (how timely) going around and everyone's got it, except our Hershey Bar. Steph has a cute chat with friend-zone Peter Klaff, a heart-to-heart with mom, a literal run-in with Jeremy Dragon, and a beautiful lake walk with old pal Rachel. Alison learns Gena is preggers and plans her escape to Paris....

We're nearing the end of "Just as Long as We're Together" with chapters 38-39 of this YA classic! Steph turns thirteen, has a blast at the Groundhog Day Dance, gets her first kiss, and her first period all on the SAME DAY! Dad ditches Iris and announces his East Coast return, the moms try to get their daughters back together, and Bruce turns out to be a true Renaissance Brother with some decoupage...

Special guest Katy joins Alison and Jody in the Cocoon to discuss chapters 36-37 of "Just as Long as We're Together" by Judy Blume! They explore socially responsible plungers, shopping personalities, and the INCREDIBLE "Dickionary" seven-year-old Katy co-authored in 1987. Ever heard of a run-and-hump? In the novel, Steph, Rachel, and Alison shop at stores with amazing names and have a run-in with...

Jody and Alison get a little wacky this week, reading chapters 33-35 of Judy Blume's 1987 novel, "Just as Long as We're Together". Alison presents a thoughtfully-researched Boner Report and Jody reads divorce advice from "Letters to Judy." Mom gets WILD lightning bolt earrings for her very first fling, Dad finally apologizes to Steph, Marcella and Jeremy Dragon are caught Frenching at the movies,...

Chapters 30-32 of Judy Blume's 1987 YA novel about friendship and separated parents, "Just as Long as We're Together" with your hosts Alison and Jody! Danamy breaks up but gets back together again one day later, Bruce wins second place in the Kids for Peace poster contest, Steph writes a fabulous essay on losing her optimism, and Rachel gets hit on by new boy Max. Jody and Al don double-headphones...

Alison and Jody are reunited and it feels so good! They cover chapters 27-29 of Judy Blume's YA classic, "Just as Long as We're Together." Jody reads a 1984 diary entry from Blume Head Lisa, Alison fills us in on her shelter-in-place happenings, and there's chat about real-world therapist run-ins, flushing photos down the toilet, Uber Cab towncars, and ID bracelets. Meanwhile, Steph is fat-shamed,...

Hop into the Car Cocoon with Special Guest Andrea Afra, Blume Head, writer, and plant lady! Jody and Andrea cover chapters 24-26 of Judy Blume's 1987 YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together" and chat about plantar warts, jello jigglers, territorial pissings, and laundry room pornos. Steph, Rachel, and Alison exchange very purple gifts and part ways for the holidays. Steph and Bruce head to sunny...

We're so excited to have comedian, writer, and HUGE Blume Head Molly Sanchez in the Cocoon to cover chapters 21-23 of Judy Blume's "Just as Long as We're Together"! Jody and Molly go deep into D-I-V-O-R-C-E, depression eating, erotic fan fic, A/S/L chat room memories, and tween fantasy crushes. Molly reads an old diary entry, in which her horny 14-year-old self proclaims her penchant for Harry Pot...

Special guest Beth joins Jody in the virtual cocoon to discuss chapters 18-20 of Judy Blume's 1987 YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together." Steph, Rachel, and Alison dress like raver witches to impress Jeremy Dragon and we learn that JEREMY KNOWS RACHEL'S NAME! Rachel has been keeping a dark secret (hint: she's in advanced math), but Steph finds out and is not pleased. Jody provides the scoop (...

Our very first crossover podcast with the hilarious ladies of Vicious Cycle! Jody and Alison chat with Kate, Meg T, and Meg H about "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret," THE period book written by Judy Blume in 1970. This is actually part two of our conversion, so don't miss part one on the Vicious Cycle feed! The gals read some absurd one star reviews, Nancy Wheeler fan fic, and share experien...

Blume Head Power! A very special episode in which we unite in the name of Social Distancing with a collaborative take on "Just as Long as We're Together," by Judy Blume. Listeners Molly Sanchez, Dara Sabadin, Laura Ingles, Deanna McMillan, Sue Johnson, Helen Marangi, and Jessica Norton cover chapters 14-17 of this truly beautiful YA novel. Steph and Alison head to the Shore to bake Sadie Wishnik's...

This one's a shorty but goody! Chapters 11-13 of Judy Blume's unforgettable YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together." Steph, Rachel, and Alison learn who Mr. Kravitz the exterminator REALLY is, Steph enters a fugue state and baptizes herself in Palfrey's Pond, Eric becomes the class hero, and Alison makes up a song about the Boy With Remarkable Eyes. Jody and Al talk about bats, contact lenses,...

Chapters 8-10 of "Just as Long as We're Together" by the one and only Judy Blume (1987)! Jeremy Dragon casually pops into Going Places, the gals go shopping for expensive home decor, Steph discovers she can perv on the soccer field from the girls' bathroom, and we learn that Alison's mom is a famous TV star (excuse us, ACTRESS). The big question: is Gena Farrell a fictionalized Mia Farrow? Also, J...

It's time for chapters 6-7 of Judy Blume's 1987 YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together"! WARNING: Jody and Alison are running at sub-optimal performance levels, but they do it with pizzazz. Stephanie and Rachel check out Alison's house and hear a wild story from Maizie, the French-language dog. Then Bruce has a sweaty nightmare and Steph pens a nuclear disarmament appeal to Ronald Reagan over d...

Move over Benjamin Moore, Jeremy Dragon’s heeeere! Jody and Alison read chapters 4-5 of Judy Blume’s 1987 YA novel, “Just as Long as We’re Together” and chat more about Max Headroom, the flattening of the Golden Gate Bridge, Speak & Spells, court calls, familial nudity, Cheer, Bert & Harry, and sunglass leashes. Meanwhile, our heroines start their first day of seventh grade, wear cool baggy outfit...

New book alert! Alison and Jody start reading chapters 1-3 of Judy Blume fan favorite, “Just as Long as We’re Together.” Stephanie Hirsch and her BFF Rachel Robinson reunite after summer camp and swoon over a strategically placed poster of Richard Gere (aka Benjamin Moore). But then new girl Alison shows up at Palfrey’s Pond. Who is this mysterious barefoot Californian, and what’s up with her talk...

It's the big Puberty Blues Wrap-Up Party you've been waiting for! Alison and Jody dissect Bruce Beresford's 1981 adaptation of "Puberty Blues" (the iconic Aussie novel co-written by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey). They compare and contrast the film with the book with the TV show and present their research on the infamous and elusive Salami Sisters. There's also two terrific letters from Blume He...

Jody and Alison finish Puberty Blues! Enter the Cocoon for chapters 15-16 of the hallowed Australian YA novel, written in 1979 by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette. Deb gets pregnant and then not pregnant, Cheryl drops acid and puts on quite the show at assembly, the Greenhills gang succumbs to heroin, and our gals decide to drink milkshakes and START SURFING! Follow along as Alison and Jody muddle...

Chapters 13-14 of "Puberty Blues," written in 1979 by Australian teen authors Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey. Things are getting deadset dramatic down on Cronulla Beach. Deb pulls a Margaret and finally gets her rags! And if that's not enough, she also does a Kath and loses her virginity the very same night. But her relationship with Garry doesn't last long... (spoiler alert!) he's a heroin addic...

Happy 2020 Blume Heads! Jody and Alison discuss chapters 11-12 of "Puberty Blues" by Australians Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey, written in 1979. Deb gets in trouble for spending too much time behind the library with her new BF and we learn just how VILE the surfie boys actually are (JUSTICE FOR FRIEDA CUMMINS!). There's also some incredible Aussie TV commercials from the early '80s, talk about s...

I'M ON ME RAGS! Hello and welcome to chapters 9-10 of THE Australian YA classic, "Puberty Blues," penned by teenagers Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey in 1979. Deb and Sue get drunk for the first time and it does not end well. Deb gets dropped and has an epic driveway meltdown, Sue finally gets her friendship ring, the gang roams aimlessly around Miranda Fair, and there's some strange tickling fore...

See ya later old cheese! Join your favorite Blume Heads for chapters 7-8 of “Puberty Blues,” the iconic Australian YA novel by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey (1971). Sydney surfie chicks Deb and Sue are still getting up to no good – guzzling brandyvino, dating terrible boys, watching Benny Hill, wearing see-thru underpants, and getting called to the headmaster’s office. Meanwhile, Jody and Alison...

Chapters 5-6 of “Puberty Blues” by Aussie teens Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey (1979). The Greenhills gals don multicolored undies and take up JAZZ BALLET, Deb and Sue try surfing for the very first time, and the whole gang eats Cheezels as they wait to root in the rumpus room. Jody and Alison talk about leaky air mattresses, muckbang, boob enhancing techniques, and “equestrian duties”. There’s a...