We had the pleasure of recording a bonus episode with Katie Kitamura, the author of our May Book Club Pick, Audition! We ask her about the book’s inspiration, the writing process of such an experimental novel, what’s ~actually~ going on in the plot, and the origins of the scenes that have stuck with us the most. 

This Month’s Book Club Pick - All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

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Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We’re SO excited to discuss Audition by Katie Kitamura! While this book may be hard to recap (uh, what actually happened??), we can’t wait to dive into theories and themes. 

We share our feelings about the ambiguous plot and discuss the theme of performance throughout the book. We also explore overlaps with two other past pieces of favorite content. 

And get ready, we’ll have a bonus episode out tomorrow with Katie Kitamura herself to get a behind-the-scenes look on the process of writing this book. 

Obsessions

Becca - U Beauty tinted moisturizer

Olivia - Katie Kitamura (stay tuned for our bonus episode tomorrow!) 

What we read this week

Becca - It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Olivia - The Road To Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

This Month’s Book Club Pick - All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Cozy Earth - Use code BOP for 40% off best-selling sheets, pajamas, and more at cozyearth.com. 

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week, we're chatting about the ins and outs of writing Young Adult Fiction with Jessica Goodman! We talk with her about getting started in the genre, the challenges of writing YA, how she gets inspiration for her books, and more! 

Read more from Jessica in The Meadowbrook Murders, The Counselors, The Legacies, They’ll Never Catch Us, and They Wish They Were Us.

Obsessions

Olivia -  Ocean Vuong’s Interviews

Becca - Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneakers

What we read this week

Becca - Silver Elite by Dani Francis

Olivia - All The Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Audition by Katie Kitamura (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER to get 10% off your first month.

Master Class - Save at least 15% off at MasterClass.com/BOP

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

Whether you’re a library reader, a used bookstore connoisseur, or just buy books faster than you read ‘em, this episode is for you! We’re chatting about the backlist books (AKA books released over 1 year ago) on our TBR. 

Olivia’s List

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin (2020)

Seawife by Amity Gaige (2020)

Godshot by Chelsea Bieker (2020)

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018)

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (1993)

Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998)

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (2020)

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton (2020)

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (2019)

Becca’s List

Greenlights by Matthew McConaghey (2020)

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiney (2021)

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (2020)

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (2001)

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (2020)

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005)

Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin (1978)

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (1956)

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (2008)

Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand (2019) or Summer People (2003)

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors (2022)

Listener Reccomendations

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018)

The Country Club Murders (Book 1 The Deep End by Julie Mulhern)

The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McCallister

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal 

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens 

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas

Obsessions

Becca - Maybe Happy Ending musical

Olivia - Walks + Merlin bird ID app

What we read this week

Becca - Maggie; Or A Man and a Woman Walk Into A Bar by Katie Yee (7/24)

Olivia - She Used To Be Nice by Alexia LaFata (8/12), The Colony by Annika Norlin

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Audition by Katie Kitamura (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns

Wayfair - Shop a huge selection of outdoor furniture online at wayfair.com

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

It’s Three Things time! We’re covering topics from Olivia’s family parasocial obsession, spin-off books, sleep routines, party snacks, and more! 

Olivia’s Things

Standout Book Covers of 2025

The Today Show Hosts’ Impact on Boomers

What snacks would you be excited to find at a party?

Becca’s Things

What book characters do you want to read a spinoff about?

Glennon Doyle’s week on Substack

Sleep Routines

Obsessions

Becca - Forever 31

Olivia - Four Seasons

What we read this week

Olivia - Ravishing by Eshani Surya, The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Becca - The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Audition by Katie Kitamura (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Nuuly - Take $28 off your first month at nuuly.com with code BOP

Cozy Earth - Head to cozyearth.com and use code BOP for 40% off best-selling sheets, pajamas, and more.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

So excited to talk about our April Book Club Pick, Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy! We went into this book without much context and loved experiencing this literary mystery. We discuss what genre this book falls in, our feelings on climate fiction, the real-life inspirations behind this books, and of course the many twists and turns of the mystery plotline.

Obsessions

Becca - Wegmans Cannoli chips and dip

Olivia - Daffodils

What we read this week

Becca - Anatomy of A Breakthrough by Adam Alter, Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Audition by Katie Kitamura (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Cozy Earth - Go to cozyearth.com and use code BOPBOGO

Wayfair - This summer, get outside with Wayfair at wayfair.com

Master Class - Our listeners get a discount of at least 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/bop

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

We thought it was time for a good ol’ catch-up! We have much to cover, including (but not limited to) writing updates, new journaling habits, career developments, travel plans, spring hobbies, and MORE! 

Highly recommend reading What is Glitter by Caity Weaver in the New York Times

Obsessions

Becca - Soeos White Peach Candy

Olivia - He Wasn’t Man Enough by Toni Braxton

What we read this week

Olivia - This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin, The Dream Hotel by Laila Lailami

Becca - Quicksilver by Callie Hart

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Quince - go to quince.com/bop to get free shipping and 365-day returns

Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/BADONPAPER today to get 10% off your first month

Wayfair - Get renovating with Wayfair at Wayfair.com

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

This week, we're talking about rejection, failure, and how two guests dealt with them! First, we’re talking to New York Times best-selling author Andrea Bartz about navigating rejection on submission, and the daily rejections entailed in living a creative life. Then, we’re talking to Azora Zoe Paknad about shuttering her business and going back to the corporate world. 

You can read more from Andrea in her newsletter, Get It Write, and her books The Spare Room, We Were Never Here, The Herd, and The Lost Night. Her latest novel, The Last Ferry Out, is out May 20. 

Read more from Azora in her newsletter, First Rodeo. You may also remember our episode from 2020 about starting her eco-friendly e-commerce marketplace, Goldune.

Obsessions

Olivia - Butter Pecan Iced Coffee at Dunkin

Becca - The audiobook Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter

What we read this week

Becca - Audition by Katie Kitamura, Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee

Olivia - Old Money by Kelsey Miller (Out September 30!)

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Wayfair - Get renovating and head to Wayfair.com.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

Long time, no things! We’re excited to dive into the random topics on our minds lately, from shows we’re watching, movie news, the celebrity quiz we’re positive you didn’t see coming, and more!

Becca’s Things

Casual Viewing Content (inspired by this N+1 Article), specifically The Night Agent and Running Point

Applying body lotion (Olivia thinks the Necessaire Body Serum is worth a try!)

Are you a Bird or a Potato?

Olivia’s Things

Project Hail Mary Movie News at Cinemacon

Your Favorite Bookstores! (Becca’s - McNally Jackson, Books are Magic, East City Bookshop, Beacon Hill Books, Trident Booksellers, Powell’s, Back Cove Books | Olivia - Buxton Village Books, Daunt Books, Rare Birds Books, Kinderhook Books, McNally Jackson, Tombolo Books)

Pinterest Feed Tours

Obsessions

Olivia - Pen Pals Podcast

Becca - Learning French (on Duolingo)

What we read this week

Becca - Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Out April 22), Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

Olivia - 

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Quince - Go to Quince.com/bop for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order.

Wayfair - Shop the best selection of home improvement online at Wayfair.com

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.

Have you ever wondered how a bookstore runs? We think about it all the time, and we are so thrilled to get the scoop from the owner of Liz’s Book Bar in Brooklyn, and author of Acts of Forgiveness, Maura Cheeks!

We chat with Maura about her dreams of opening a bookstore, what the opening process entails, how Liz’s Book Bar stands out, the book selection process, and how she published her first novel and opened Liz’s Book Bar in the same year.

A book frequently purchased at Liz’s Book Bar is Scorpionfish by Natalie Bakopoulos. 

Obsessions

Becca - Ken Leung being miles on Lost and Eric in Industry. (anti-obsession of Fruit Riot Sour Candy Grapes)

Olivia - The Severance Season 2 Finale 

What we read this week

Olivia - The Favorites by Layne Fargo

Becca - Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (out 5/13)

This Month’s Book Club Pick - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (have thoughts about this book you want to share? Call in at 843-405-3157 or email us a voice memo at [email protected])

Sponsors

Nuuly - Get $28 off your first month at nuuly.com with code BOP.

Cozy Earth - Visit CozyEarth.com and use code BOP for 40% off.

Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! 

Buy our Merch!

Join our Geneva!

Order Olivia’s Book, Such a Bad Influence!

Subscribe to Olivia’s Newsletter!

Order Becca’s Book, The Christmas Orphans Club!

Subscribe to Becca’s Newsletter! 

Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.