Book Squad Goals

Special guest Carrie joins Emily and Kelli to discuss The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings! The gang talks about what it means to be a woman, how dystopias traditionally neglect POC, and how one of the love interests is hotter than the rest. Come see if magic is real and tune in!
On our next ep, we’ll talk about AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. Halloween is never really over in our hearts. Drop us a line at [email protected]!

TOC
:30–welcome special guest and breaking the ice!
8:05–book intro
10:57–what does it mean to be a woman?
19:05–Preston
27:57–bodily autonomy
32:35–who counts as a woman? Who gets to be a witch?
35:55–dystopias/intersectionality
41:30–love interests!
50:00–parents
54:26–magic is real
59:52–let’s rate it
1:06:15–listener feedback!!
1:14:15–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Abortion advocacy groups: The Pink House Fund https://www.thepinkhousefund.com/
List of national abortion funds: https://abortionfunds.org/funds/
Indigenous Women Rising https://www.iwrising.org/
The AFIYA Center https://www.theafiyacenter.org/

It’s midnight, and the Squad is gathering together to discuss Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix series “The Midnight Club,” based on the novel by Christopher Pike. We won’t be telling our own scary stories, but we will be breaking down all the themes explored in this show and discussing each character’s astrological sign. Do you agree with our takes? Listen in and then let us know by emailing [email protected]. Don’t forget to come back next time to join our discussion of “The Women Could Fly” by Megan Giddings (11/28). And on our next othersode, we’ll chat about nurse Mark’s new favorite TV show “Interview with the Vampire” (12/12).

**CONTENT WARNING** This show deals with themes of depression and suicide, which we touch on during our discussion. If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 988 or visit https://afsp.org/

TOC
:30 – Icebreaker
7:40 – Show intro
8:40 – Show structure
19:05 – Character analysis
1:10:00 – Thoughts on cancer stories
1:28:23 – Listener feedback
1:35:33 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: https://givenow.lls.org/

Sink to the bottom of the sea with us for a discussion of Julia Armfield’s debut novel, “Our Wives Under the Sea.” We’ll talk grief metaphors large and small, pacing, character preference, and, of course, the widely seen and beloved 2020 horror film “Underwater” star
ring Kristen Stewart. Do you have thoughts on this book or on the film “Underwater?” Send them to [email protected]. Stay tuned for our next episode on Netflix’s “The Midnight Club” on 11/14, and then read along for our next bookpisode on “The Women Could Fly” by Megan Giddings, where we’ll be joined by special guest Carrie (11/28)!

TOC
:30- A sweet poem and welcome to us/ icebreakers
13:20– Book intro
15:40– What do we think of the book setup? Is there a better narrator? (Yes)
26:00–Is this book romantic?
34:32–Is this horror?
43:20– The end
55:36–What is it about the sea? And ratings
1:02:58– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links
https://www.missourireview.com/article/the-rememberer/

Come little children and join us for our witchiest episode ever as we discuss “Hocus Pocus 2.” We’re joined by returning guests Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson, authors of “Toil and Trouble: A Women’s History of the Occult,” who contribute their expert knowledge to our conversation about the long-awaited sequel to the 90s Halloween classic. After the review, we dig into “Toil and Trouble,” covering Mel and Lisa’s favorite witchy research topics, their thoughts on witchtok, and the very real Satanic Panic we’re going through at this very moment. We also read some listener feedback from podcast superfan Susan, and from Jordan, who has waited very patiently. Read along for our next episode on 10/31 when we’ll be discussing “Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield, and stay tuned for our 11/14 othersode on the new Netflix series “The Midnight Club.”

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690801/toil-and-trouble-by-lisa-kroger-and-melanie-r-anderson/
https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/hocus-pocus-2-viral-clip-kathy-najimy-rcna51372
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/bette-midler-defends-social-posts-criticized-transphobic-rcna36893

TOC

:30–Welcome Lisa and Melanie!
9:00–Let’s get into the movie
10:20–Why?
21:00–How does this balance nostalgia and new viewers? Likes and gripes
1:01:23–Toil and Trouble!
1:39:40–Feedback
1:45:30–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

This week, accompany the three remaining non-mothers of the squad for a discussion of “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chan. We discuss the way the book explores the intersection of race, motherhood, and the legal system, officially coin the term “low scifi,” and fantasize about casting Oscar Isaac in the upcoming adaptation. Plus: we finally read Jordan’s listener feedback! Join us for our next episode on 10/17 when we’ll talk “Hocus Pocus 2” with Melanie Anderson and Lisa Kröger – authors of “Toil and Trouble: A Women’s History of the Occult” — and don’t forget to read along for our next bookpisode on “Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield on 10/31, because nothing says Halloween like sad lesbians. We DARE you to send us your feedback to [email protected]!

TOC
:30– Welcome! A light icebreaker
9:48– Book intro
10:53– Meaning and themes
45:36–the dolls!
53:22– the ending
1:00:19–casting thoughts?
1:05:38– ratings
1:10:57– Listener feedback time!
1:14:04– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links: https://pen.org/the-pen-ten-jessamine-chan/
https://deadline.com/2022/01/jessica-chastain-adapt-jessamine-chans-the-school-for-good-mothers-tv-jude-weng-1234903726/

Horror season is officially in full swing, and the Squad is celebrating with special guest Clay McLeod Chapman, author of "Ghost Eaters"! Join Clay and the Book Squad as we discuss the 1973 horror classic "Don’t Look Now," directed by Nicholas Roeg and starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. Get ready to dive deep into the grief horror genre, red raincoats, clairvoyance and seances, and much more. Then stick around as we chat with Clay about his new book (no spoilers!) and the upcoming film "Wendell & Wild." Beware: this episode is filled with ghooooooosts! Don’t forget to join us for our next bookpisode where we’ll be discussing Jessamin Chan’s "The School for Good Mothers" (October 3rd). And then come back for or next Othersode on October 17, when we’ll be joined by Melanie Anderson and Lisa Kröger to discuss their new book "Toil & Trouble!" And, hey, if you listen to this ep, don’t forget to send us your feedback and leave a review! We love you!

TOC
:30 – Welcome Clay! And icebreaker
15:30 – Movie intro
17:00 – Spiritualism, cinematography, symbolism
37:15 – Visions
40:30 — Disability rep
47:43 — The sex scene
52:00 — Editing
55:00 — Grief, the message
1:03:00 — Interview with Clay!
1:52:00 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

https://bookriot.com/mushrooms-in-horror/

Oh listener, why did you have to go and make a fool of death with your (insert noun here)? This week, the Squad discusses Akwaeke Emezi’s romance novel “You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty,” and that last sentence was just a little taste of all the bad jokes we make about this title. We also get into genre tropes, grief, and the instantaneous orgasm, and we even make time to read some Goodreads reviews. What did you think of this book? We’d LOVE to hear from you, so please drop us a line at [email protected]! Don’t forget to tune in for our next episode on 9/19 with special guest Clay McLeod Chapman where we’ll talk with him about his new book, “Ghost Eaters,” after a review of the 1973 horror classic “Don’t Look Now.” Then, read along for our next bookpisode on 10/3 where we’ll cover “The School for Good Mothers” by Jessamine Chan.

TOC

:30–Intro q
8:45–Goodreads summary
11:09–the title
18:55–how the book explores grief
26:23–how is this working as a romance?
34:14–how did we feel about these characters?
43:28–what about the art in the book?
49:30–casting thoughts?
51:50–goodreads reviews
1:13:00–ratings
1:14:48–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Take the WORLD’S FASTEST TRAIN on up to the PNW with the Squad and special guest Samantha Allen as we discuss the new film "Bullet Train" (based on the book by Kotaro Isaka) as well as Samantha’s new book, "Patricia Wants to Cuddle." We cover everything from the film’s whitewashing allegations to the way the Bachelor franchise is basically a horror movie, so you definitely don’t want to miss this.

Next episode: "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi - 9/5
Next Othersode: "Don’t Look Now" with Clay McLeod Chapman - 9/19

TOC
:30 – Welcome, Samantha!
9:13 – Movie summary
10:29 – Whitewashing
19:50 – Joey king, I guess
36:00 – Praise for the twins and other casting
50:50 – Book gripes
54:56 – Final thoughts
55:45 – Q&A with Samantha Allen!
1:35:05 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links
Interview with Kotaro Isaka: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bullet-train-casting-author-kotaro-isaka-whitewashing-criticism-1235187480/
Info on Brad Pitt allegations: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-fbi-lawsuit-1235342770/
https://www.samanthaleighallen.com/

Okay, but seriously, what IS the American dream? This week, we’re joined by special guest Janet Dale as we attempt to find the answer in the pages of Olga Dies Dreaming, the debut novel by Xochitl Gonzalez. Also on the agenda: dysfunctional families, Puerto Rico’s historic and continued struggle as a U.S. territory, the personal cost of becoming a revolutionary, and men with coca cola-colored eyes who make love with their socks on. We also shout out Emily, who is absent due to her recent move to Seattle, and Susan, who welcomed her new baby girl, Amira Justine Reach, to the world! Join us for our othersode on August 22nd when we’ll talk about the new film Bullet Train with author Samantha Allen—and don’t worry, we WILL be discussing her lesbian bigfoot novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle. Then, on September 5th, you can enjoy our next bookpisode on You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, follow us @booksquadgoals on social, and email your feedback on this or any episode to [email protected]!

TOC
:30–Welcome, Janet! Icebreaker and announcements
9:30–content warnings and book intro
11:39–Triangle of family dysfunction
25:00–Educating the reader. Does it work?
34:00–stucture
50:00– ethical king Matteo
1:00:00–What is the American Dream?
1:06:35–This is getting a TV show! Thoughts on casting?
1:11:10– Ratings!
1:17:17– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/10/books/review/olga-dies-dreaming-xochitl-gonzalez.html
https://mobile.twitter.com/THEsisterjanet

Wink, wink. ;) Why is the Book Squad winking at you? Because we watched the new "Persuasion" adaptation on Netflix, that’s why! Join us and special guest Tirzah Price for our discussion about the film, including the fourth wall-breaking, the anachronisms and other bold choices, the plot simplification, and the characterization of Anne. Next we chat with the always delightful Tirzah about her latest novel, "Sense and Second-Degree Murder," and potential future novels! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on "Olga Dies Dreaming" by Xochitl Gonzalez on August 8th, featuring special guest Janet Dale! Then we’ll lean into our new status as your go-to Sandra Bullock podcast for our next Othersode on "Bullet Train" on August 22nd. Send us some listener feedback to read on the pod, and don’t forget to leave us a review!

TOC
:30 – Welcome, Tirzah! What’s your fave Austen adaptation?
6:50 – Film intro
9:25 – Thoughts on the 4th wall breaking aspect
14:16 – Other weird choices
27:34 – What about Anne?
34:48 – Does the movie justify its existence?
45:39 – Ratings!
49:28 – Interview with Tirzah
1:17:36 – Feedback
1:21:2 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Find Tirzah's work at https://tirzahprice.com/

Special thanks to Ang Ferraguto for editing this episode!