Book Squad Goals

Escape the pandemic and join us in 1920s Mexico for a discussion of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Gods of Jade and Shadow.” From more than six feet apart, we talk about the book’s fairy tale structure, the unlikely romance at its center, and whether or not it’s actually a YA novel (spoiler: it’s not). Then, Emily treats us to her lovely interview with Josie Silver, author of the romance novel “The Two Lives of Lydia Bird,” which you can purchase now — hopefully online from your favorite local indie bookstore! If you need suggestions for indie bookstores to order from, search ‘featured bookstore’ on our blog, where you can also read about all the other content we’ve been consuming during this time of social distance. Next time on the podcast (4/6) we’ll be joined by BSG fave Grady Hendrix for a discussion of Netflix’s new “Dracula” miniseries, and we’ll also talk with Grady about his new novel, “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.” Be sure to read along for our next bookpisode (4/20) on Tamsyn Muir’s “Gideon the Ninth.” As always, you can follow us @booksquadgoals on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and you can send us any comments or questions to [email protected]. Stay safe, friends, and stay inside!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1:07–join us in quarantine
8:38–what’s your trendy book name?
13:01–book intro
15:07–does the Jazz age add anything?
20:00–what do we actually know about Mayan mythology?
29:52–fairy tales, new adult lit, and genre
49:09–so what makes this a fairy tale?
53:06–how was the romance?
57:55–ratings!
1:03:19–an interview with Josie Silver!
1:30:54–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Call your lady squad because it’s time for the second edition of #BookSquadGames! This time we play Velvet Glove (by Sara “doombringer” Richardson), an RPG focused on gritty girl gangs in the 70s. Follow us as we prep for the big 4th of July drag race and try to solve a mystery! Next we catch up on what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along for our next #bookpisode on Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (3/23). Then watch the Dracula miniseries on Netflix for our next #othersode on 4/6, where we’ll be joined by author Grady Hendrix (My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires)! Follow us on social media at @booksquadgoals, and send your feedback and thoughts to [email protected].

TOC
1:00 – Game introduction and hellos
11:16 – Characters and skills
34:00 – The plot begins!
1:43:21 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

You can find Sara Richardson at @scorchadoom on Twitter!
Song in our Monthly Mane ad is Acid Trumpet by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3340-acid-trumpet
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dive into the pit with the Squad as we discuss The Need, a novel by Helen Phillips. We talk about genre fusion, motherhood, and what exactly “the need” is. After we dig into The Need, Emily interviews author Julie Marie Wade about her book, Just an Ordinary Woman Breathing. Then we read some listener feedback about Elevation and tell you about the newest stuff on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along with us for our next #Bookpisode on 3/23, where we’ll cover Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Head to our Instagram to enter our giveaway with Monthly Mane – winner will be announced 2/27! Song in our Monthly Mane ad is Acid Trumpet by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3340-acid-trumpet
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

1:00–intro question—spoilers ahead!
12:00–Book Intro and Summary
13:40–combining genres: does it work?
24:59—motherhood
37:34–what IS the need?
45:56–relationships with yourself
51:26–the ending
56:47–last thoughts and ratings
1:04:10–interview with Julie Marie Wade!
1:46:29–Elevation feedback
1:49:29–giveaway! What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Things get spoooooky on this #othersode as the squad discusses "The Remaking" by Clay McLeod Chapman. We talk about storytelling, remakes, trauma, and of course, ghosts! Next we dig into some hot takes on "Little Women" in our listener feedback. Head to the #BookSquadBlog for TV recaps, Oscars talk, comic reviews, and Emily’s February Foreign Films series. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoalscom! Read along with us for our next #bookpisode on "The Need" by Helen Philips on February 24.

Table of Contents

:30 – Intro and favorite remakes
10:45 – Book intro
12:50 – The conceit of the novel, storytelling
19:50 – Is remaking a good thing?
34:54 – How does this story engage with trauma? Is there healing?
4:15 – Why would true crime fans enjoy this?
44:50 – Ratings!
50:00 – An ode to Pea
52:58 – Listener feedback!
1:05:50 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Black Christmas: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/12-days-of-christmas-movies-day-9-black-christmas
True story of the Little Witch Girl: http://www.louisvilleghs.com/LGHS_MASTER/SUB/Legends/Pilots%20Knob/pilots_knob.htm

The #BookSquad returns to Castle Rock for a short, uplifting novella by Stephen King. We dig into Elevation to discuss small town politics, tolerance, body issues, and what the heck is going on with our protagonist’s strange weight loss. Plus, we interview Kelly Watt, author of the novel “Mad Dog.” Join us for an extra book in our next #othersode on February 10 as we talk about “The Remaking” by Clay McLeod Chapman. Then join us on February 24 for our next official #bookpisode on “The Need” by Helen Philips. Send listener feedback to [email protected] and don’t forget to subscribe on Apple podcasts!

TOC

1:16–what’s your fave novella or short story?
8:43–novel intro
10:30–conflict in the novel
23:00—Scott’s condition
33:15–the ending
39:06–but what is this story doing?
43:11–ratings
47:45–the tweet controversy
54:50–interview with Kelly Watt
1:25:40–listener feedback
1:27:55–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Visit Kelly Watt at http://www.kellywatt.ca

Join your four favorite Little Women (aka the Book Squad) for a discussion of Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of – you guessed it – "Little Women." We talk about the film’s narrative structure, the characters and casting, and the ending – all the while comparing notes from the 1994 film adaptation and Louisa May Alcott’s novel. Then we get into some listener feedback for 2019 faves and update you on what on the #BookSquadBlog! Read along with us for our 1/27 #bookpisode on "Elevation," a novella by Stephen King, and then join us for a bonus book on our next #othersode: "The Remaking" by Clay McLeod Chapman on 2/10! Send listener feedback to [email protected] and don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple podcasts!

Table of Contents

0:30 – What Little Women character are we?
12:40 – Film intro
15:15 – What about the new structure of the story?
25:05 – Let’s talk about Amy
42:25 – Louisa May Alcott is in the movie??
48:33 – Thoughts on casting
54:42 – Chalamet Debate Club
1:03:30 – Ratings
1:06:09 – Feedback
1:11:30 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Explore the meaning of “nature” with the Squad as we discuss "Nature Poem" by Tommy Pico. We dig into the book-length poem to talk about what constitutes a “nature poem,” how the speaker’s identity affects his connection to nature, and how Pico uses language to analyze questions of white privilege, queer sexuality, indigenous issues and more. Check out the #BookSquadBlog for TV recaps, Emily’s 12 Days of Christmas Movies series, YA Book Club, and so much more! Go see the new "Little Women" film for our next #othersode on 1/13, and read Stephen King’s novella "Elevation" for our next #bookpisode on 1/27! Send listener feedback on this episode or any other to [email protected]!

TOC

1:04 – What’s your favorite “natural thing?”
12:08 – Book Intro
15:10 – Kelli’s publishing corner
16:48 – what is a nature poem? Is this a nature poem?
35:35 – language and meaning
54:04 – being known and being famous / poetry references
1:07:03 – ratings and Todd’s five things
1:16:03 – the power feedback
1:17:23 – what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

It's the most wonderful time of the year: #BSG Best of the Year episode time! The Squad breaks down each of our top three favorite pop culture things of 2019 — including books, movies, TV shows, podcasts, video games, and new music. Then we exchange Secret Santa gifts and give you that delicious ASMR wrapping paper noise you've been craving. Write to [email protected] to tell us YOUR favorite things of 2019! Read along with us for our last #bookpisode of the year on Tommy Pico's "Nature Poem" (12/30), and go see the new "Little Women movie" for our next #othersode on January 13!

TOC

:58 — Intro q: What’s a new thing you want to try this year?
7:29 — Favorite things! Mary’s #3: The Righteous Gemstones
12:45 — Susan’s #3: Here to Make Friends Live
17:15 — Emily’s #3: Baby Yoda
22:04 — Kelli’s #3: Booksmart
- Booksmart blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/be-a-smartie-go-see-booksmart
25:57 — Mary’s #2: Sekiro
- Bloodborne Blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/late-to-the-game-bloodborne
30:20 — Susan’s #2: CRJ’s Dedicated
- CRJ Blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/run-away-with-us-the-official-bsg-carly-rae-jepsen-starter-pack
35:20 — Emily’s #2: Growing Things by Paul Tremblay
39:15 — Kelli’s #2: Fleabag season 2
43:06 — Mary’s #1: Orville Peck
47:40 — Susan’s #1: Scams and Fraud
- Elizabeth Holmes Blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/my-obsession-with-elizabeth-holmes
- Fyre Fest Blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/basically-a-trash-fyre
54:40 — Emily’s #1: Parasite
- Us Blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/us-vs-us-our-spoiler-heavy-review-of-jordan-peeles-us
59:10 — Kelli’s #1: Keep It
1:05:47 — Secret Santies
1:24:31 — Feedback!
1:27:30 — What’s up next? What’s on the blog?

Grab your night-vision goggles and discrete compact because it’s time for some espionage! This week, the #BookSquad covers American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson. We talk about the novel’s epistolary form, racism and sexism in America, questions of loyalty, and the romance at the center of the story. Then we get into some listener feedback about Evvie Drake Starts Over, Circe, and the Memory Police. Check out the #BookSquadBlog for television recaps, holiday-themed posts, and Emily’s 12 Days of Christmas Movies series! Join us on 12/16 for our Best of 2019 / Secret Santa #othersode, and read along with us for our next #bookpisode on Nature Poem by Tommy Pico -- available 12/30.

Special Offer for BSG Listeners! Get 20% off the 2020 Refresh Weekly Planner by Workspacery when you enter the code BOOKSQUAD at checkout at www.workspacery.com!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
:57–intro question—favorite spy property
9:30–book intro
13:24–the epistolary novel is back!
21:07– racism and sexism in America
24:46–how does Marie’s race affect her loyalty to her country and how she’s seen at her job?
33:06–the women in Marie’s life
40:55–Sankara
50:00– the ending
56:12–ratings
1:05:45–feedback! Finally!
1:14:00–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

https://electricliterature.com/finally-a-novel-centered-on-a-black-woman-spy/

Put on your magic hats and watch out for bathtub ghosts because the #BookSquad is discussing "Doctor Sleep" this week! Join us and special guests Jen and Justin as we dig into the sequel to "The Shining" and discuss the films vs. the novels, what is “scary” in this movie, and how well the movie works overall as a sequel to the original. Head over to the #BookSquadBlog for more content on television, movies and books, and join us for our upcoming episodes! Read along with us for our next #bookpisode on "American Spy" by Lauren Wilkinson (12/2), and listen as we celebrate our favorite things of 2019 on our next #othersode (12/16). Send listener feedback to [email protected], and keep an eye out for our giveaway with Workspacery on social media this week!

TOC

0:30 – Introduction of special guests and intro question
SPOILER WARNINGGGG
11:15 – plot synopsis
13:45 – “a child of The Shining”
24:05 – the pressure to live up to Kubrick
43:22 – is anything here scary?
52:46 – how about that ending, though?
1:09:23 – ratings!
1:16:30 – NO FEEDBACK. Where r u Alex? What’s on the blog? What’s up next?