The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Alison and Jody bumble through chapters 3-4 of “Puberty Blues,” written by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey (when they were just 16!) in 1979. Now that Deb and Sue are in the Greenhills Gang, their next mission is to get spunky older boyfriends. And to lose their virginities at the drive-in. Jody presents some Mini Special Reports on the various types of Australian accents and ‘70s-era panel vans....

Oh, handle it ya slack-arse molls! We are starting a NEW BOOK, "Puberty Blues," written by Australian authors Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey in 1979! Travel with Jody and Al through chapters 1-2, to Sydney's southern beaches, where surfie chicks and spunky guys eat Chiko Rolls, wear straight-legged Levis, and suck whole oranges in the back of the bus. Protagonists Deb and Sue are two 13-year-old...

Such a delight to have author and funny lady Amanda Rosenberg join us in the Cocoon! Alison and Jody chitchat with Amanda about her new book, “That's Mental: Painfully Funny Things That Drive Me Crazy About Being Mentally Ill” as well as British boarding school life, shoes with keys in the soles, the crazy-chic aesthetic of “Girl, Interrupted” and the nightmare of book promotion. There’s also a lo...

A very special episode in which Jody and Alison wrap up 20+ weeks of Judy Blume’s “Summer Sisters.” The gals dig up Judy’s history with Martha’s Vineyard and her very own Psycho House, what inspired her to write the book, and which character she loves (but her husband hates)! There’s also a historically accurate reenactment of Lena Dunham’s 2014 interview, Vix and Caitlin fan fic readings, book re...

We've finished “Summer Sisters”! Can you believe it? Join Alison and Jody for chapters 45-46 (and the Epilogue) of Judy Blume’s 1998 novel. No spoilers here, but tune in for a shocker ending, dramatic reenactments, chat about Key West architecture, Postman Pat, bathtub revelations, Teen Mom tie-ins, and a Lockerbie bombing follow-up. The gals also read a great letter from a New Mexico listener who...

Our 100th episode, baby! And yikes, this one’s a doozy. Alison and Jody cover chapters 43-44 of “Summer Sisters,” written by Judy Blume in 1998. Ex-boyfriend sexy times, BFF betrayal, and a doomed Martha’s Vineyard wedding – it’s all here. Will Vix and Caitlin's friendship survive? Listen in for some iconic dramatic readings, classic early '90s TV commercials, and a lovely Blume Head letter. Ginor...

It’s finally Now Times! Jody and Alison break into chapters 41-42 of Judy Blume’s 1998 grown-up novel, “Summer Sisters.” Vix gets an invite to celebrate Caitlin’s nuptials… with who? Bru! She jets to Martha’s V, dons a commemorative tee, and proceeds to get snockered at the Pre-nup Din Din, while Gus and Dan have a very bro-ey convo on a beach log. Alison and Jody learn what Mike Dukakis is up to,...

This week’s a hot mess but Alison and Jody overcome adversity to bring you chapters 39-40 of Judy Blume’s “Summer Sisters.” Vix meets a gentleman(?) at the charity ball and jumps out of his car two weeks later, Ed has a health scare, Lanie’s kids are terrible, and Caitlin makes her way back to Martha’s Vineyard! Jody and Alison chat VCSO girls, velvet suits, bowling ball finger condoms, and middle...

Bust out your rollerblades and skate with us through chapters 37-38 of Judy Blume’s 1998 best-seller, “Summer Sisters.” Vix quits her job and meets some city folk who make her ponder the meaning of luck. Then she takes a secret trip to Atlantic City for a poker junket. She also has some erotic dreams involving peonies. Caitlin plans the opening of Eurotrash and takes care of her dying pal Donny. G...

Put on your best pinstripe suit and settle in for chapters 35-36 of “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume, published in 1998. Vix, Paisley, and Maia move to NYC to share a flea market hospital ward and start their careers. Caitlin swoops into town for some shrimp fettuccine and an awkward solo flamenco dance. Gus takes a trip to Seattle and has a regrettable meetup. Abby invents Facebook. Alison gives so...

Pop some echinacea and join us in the Cocoon for chapters 32-34 of “Summer Sisters,” Judy Blume’s gorgeous adult novel published in 1998. Vix channels her inner Werner Herzog and lands a PR job in New York City! Bru proposes! Vix says nicht-nicht! Caitlin sends some more weird postcards. Jody and Alison read two great Blume Head letters and talk about early-20s relationships, seven minutes in heav...

Alison and Jody try not to drown in the Charlie Swamp as they cover chapters 30-31 of Judy Blume’s fan-favorite novel, “Summer Sisters” (1998). Vix and Bru take a fateful road trip to Santa Fe and we learn that you really can’t go home again. Sharkey may or may not be conducting mouse experiments, Maia proves to be a nice friend, and Caitlin visits LA to reconnect with her TV star molester. The gi...

Leave your egos at the door and come inside the Cocoon for chapters 28-29 of Judy Blume’s spectacular 1998 novel, “Summer Sisters.” Vix has a rough Thanksgiving and is questioning her relationship, Caitlin finally comes home with some thigh high boots after an abortion in Paris, meanwhile Lamb turns 50 and realizes his kids are the WORST at speeches. Settle in for Jody’s in-depth Special Report on...

It’s “Summer Sisters: The College Years” in chapters 26-27 of Judy Blume’s seminal adult novel. Vix is finally at Harvard, hating her roomie Maia and struggling with all the BS analytical chit-chat that surrounds her. Caitlin is still in Your-Up, making all sorts of late night calls and having dalliances with a woman who cuts up panties (hello, Rusty’s diaphragm!). Alison and Jody talk about fresh...

Come inside the Cocoon for chapters 23-25 of “Summer Sisters,” written by Judy Blume in 1998. Vix and Caitlin graduate high school, get into fancy colleges, and (gasp!) part ways for the summer! Caitlin jets off to Your-Up, while Vix spends her leisure time in Bru’s sexy lean-to. Abby and Phoebs finally meet and picture each other in bed with Lamb. Tawny continues to be extremely lame. Lanie gets...

Pour yourself some juice and grab a donut for chapters 21-22 of Judy Blume’s riveting adult novel, “Summer Sisters,” published in 1998. Vix runs away to Trisha’s houseboat, starts a new waitress gig, and loses her V in the V on the V. But a terrible family tragedy brings it all crashing down. You’ll have to listen to find out what happens. The gals answer some Blume Head questions, chat about the...

We’re baaaack! Jody and Alison present chapters 19-20 of Judy Blume’s gorgeous adult novel “Summer Sisters,” published in 1998. Vix finally turns 17 and Caitlin plans a very intimate beachside gathering. She gets a weird machine washable garden party dress (could be a nightgown?) but the night does NOT go as planned… or DOES it?! The gals read FOUR (4) letters from some badass Blume Heads, discuss...

Settle in for a real humdinger episode of assorted content! Alison and Jody read chapters 17-18 of Judy Blume’s fan favorite novel “Summer Sisters,” written in 1998. Vix is doing private things with Bru in his shaggin’ wagon. The gals get a couple awkward talks from Abby. We discover that Dan is basically an incel and Sharkey might be having some GSA (dare you to look it up!). Jody and Alison drin...

In chapters 14-16 of Judy Blume’s “Summer Sisters” (1998), our gals Caitlin and Vix are seventeen, just like the Dancing Queen! They’re all grown up, cruisin’ the island in their pickup truck, flirting with all the boys, and dabbling in some garden variety existential terror. Abby and Lamb have an epic fight and poor Sweetie crosses the Rainbow Bridge. But most notably, BRU KISSES VIX!!! Alison an...

It's 1980, baby! Alison and Jody read chapters 12-13 of Judy Blume's riveting 1998 novel, "Summer Sisters." Caitlin and Vix are now 15 and their friendship is tested when they end up at the same high school. The Countess makes her grand entrance with casually discarded cigarettes and a strange bathtub scene. Our heroines end up babysitting for a celebrity couple but it does not end well. All we ca...

Chapters 9-11 of “Summer Sisters” (1998) by the one and only Judy Blume! It’s 1979, the hottest summer ever on the Vineyard. Vix wins a bet, the Chicago boys get rude at the movies, Tawny pays an unexpected visit, Dorset pines for her Magic Pole, and Grandmother Regina Mayhew Somers plays the whole fam. Alison and Jody read an incredible letter from Blume Head Maria, Alison learns some new British...

Jody and Alison delve into chapters 7-8 of Judy Blume's essential nostalgic beach read, "Summer Sisters" (1998). Bitchy Grandmother Somers and flaky Dorset pay a visit to Martha's Vineyard and we learn about Lamb's tragic past. Vix and Caitlin practice a new toothbrushing technique, become tiny witches, bury their alter egos, and vow to only use their Powers solo. Come inside the cozy Blume Cocoon...

I’ve got the POWER! Hello and welcome to chapters 5-6 of the spectacular “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume. It’s still 1977 in Martha’s Vineyard and Vix and Caitlin are weathering storms, having tantrums, flirting with boys, and – in true Judy fashion – getting periods. There’s a new woman in Lamb’s life, Abby, and Caitlin is not having any of it. Join Jody and Alison for talk about Doggie Bjorns, go...

NBO or die! Alison and Jody discuss chapters 3-4 of Judy Blume’s beloved adult novel “Summer Sisters” (1977). So much is happening at the Psycho House in Martha’s Vineyard: Vix and Caitlin discover their Power and get up to some secret shenanigans, Sharkey speaks, Von and Bru turn heads, Trisha makes her debut, and the whole gang hits up a nude beach. Jody and Al talk about Pogs, wearing children’...

Nothin’ like a NEW BOOK! Alison and Jody start reading Judy Blume’s 1998 fan favorite adult novel, “Summer Sisters” (chapters 1-2). The girls set the scene for ‘77, the year Vix meets Caitlin and her life is changed forever. There’s already so much intrigue, surprise, and serious questions to ponder: who the hell is Bru? How does a Pizza Wagon work? Does Judy have an animal nickname fetish? And wh...