Book Squad Goals

Grab an orange jumpsuit and cuff your ankles together because the #BookSquad is heading to prison this week for our discussion of Rachel Kushner’s novel The Mars Room. We talk about characterization, how this relates to other prison-based media, and what this book is or isn’t trying to say about the justice system. We also read lots of listener feedback on An Absolutely Remarkable thing. (Thanks, #goalies! Keep it coming!) Head to the #BookSquadBlog for various TV recaps, movie reviews, music reviews and more, and watch Black Mirror season five with us for our next othersode on July 1!

TOC

:35--Intro/what’s your prison nickname?
5:27--book summary and characterization
17:05--Rachel Kushner’s research process and realism
23:50--The audiobook and Emma Fay voice
26:30--What did we want more of?
34:15--Reflection on a quote
40:23--The ending
51:50--Feedback time!
1:13:00--What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

This week, instead of traveling to the fictional locale of a novel, we’re going to New Orleans IN REAL LIFE. That’s right, the #BookSquad got together for real and spent a weekend trying food and drink, looking for lost cars, taking high-quality model photos, singing karaoke and basking in the sweet warmth of togetherness. Follow us on our trip where we did not actually see Ariana Grande, but we did talk about her a lot. You’re welcome. Send your feedback to [email protected], and read "The Mars Room" by Rachel Kushner for our next episode on June 17th!

0:29 - Kelli introduces us to the travelsode
2:10 - Kelli at the airport
4:50 - Mojo Coffee with Kelli, Mary, and Emily’s hair
5:56 - Act I: Bonnie
27:24 - Susan arrives!
29:33 - Act II: Wine
31:30 - Act III: BOOKSQUAD UNSOLVED: The Columns
36:21 - Morning
37:30 - Act IV: A Bad Thing Happened
41:09 - Act V: Something Else Happened
42:26 - Act VI: The Hundred Baby Challenge
- Emily's blog post: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/sims100babychallenge
45:26 - Act VII: Fancy Dinner
49:17 - Act VII Part B: The Lady At Dinner
51:02 - Susan’s time to shine
53:27 - Act VIII: Karaoke
1:00:00 - Goodnight, Susan
1:01:00 - Face Masks
1:02:11 - Act IX: Breakfast

Where were you when the Carls appeared? Join the #Squad for a discussion of Hank Green’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. We talk about the book’s unique angle on its themes, voice and characterization, and what the heck new adult lit is. Plus we read some listener feedback on the Gunners and get into what’s on the #BookSquadBlog right now (lots of TV recaps!). Look out for our next #othersode on 6/3, our very first #travelsode as the #Squad takes on New Orleans together. Then read along with us for our next #bookpisode on Rachel Kushner’s The Mars Room on June 17! Don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe and send your feedback to [email protected]!

Table of Contents:
:30–book intro and Wizard Rock q
7:03–goodreads summary
14:10–is this book different from other stories like it? Or is it about something else?
19:05–an interview with Hank Green, gamergate, politics
32:40–voice and tone and characterization
47:13–what even is new adult lit
53:35–the ending
1:04:03–ratings!
1:07:37–The Gunners feedback
1:16:00–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Link to the Vox Interview: https://www.vox.com/2018/10/8/17908288/hank-green-interview-book-an-absolutely-remarkable-thing

Grab a drink because you’re gonna need it. It’s time for our second #Hatepisode, featuring "A Stranger in the House" by Shari Lapena. We discuss the bonkers plot, the cardboard characters, and the oh-my-goodness-it’s-so-bad writing. Then we dig into some reviews so you don’t just take our word for it. Everything gets way better after that because it’s also our second BIRTHDAYSODE! Listen as we exchange gifts and tell each other how awesome we are. Read along for our next #Bookpisode, a book we think you’ll actually like, with "An Absolutely Remarkable Thing" by Hank Green. On our next #othersode, it’s our first ever #travelsode as the #BookSquad heads to New Orleans! Follow us on social media and don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe!

TOC

:30 Introduction question! How would you fake your own death?
9:00 - Summary (?)
13:00 - What is this book? A mystery? A thriller?
16:51 - We should probably just tell you the plot. Buckle up. It’s wild.
31:26 - Why do these detectives have THE DUMBEST theories?
36:10 - Is this worse than "The Couple Next Door" and why
49:40 - Goodreads reviews—including Emily’s!
1:00:50 - Present time!
1:24:04 - What’s on the blog, what’s up next??

Things get magically weird this week as the #BookSquad discusses ‘Gingerbread’ by Helen Oyeyemi. We discuss childhood and nostalgia, friendship and family relationships, and what the heck is actually happening plot-wise. Plus, we talk about some of our own family recipes and get into 'Pet Sematary' feedback. Head over to the #BookSquadBlog for more content, including TV recaps, book reviews and other miscellany. Next Up: HATEpisode #2! Rage-read along with us for Shari Lapena’s novel ‘A Stranger in the House,’ coming up on the next othersode. On our next bookpisode, we’re covering ‘An Absolutely Remarkable Thing’ by Hank Green. Check our social media on April 26 for a special giveaway featuring this book and pet-related goodies!

TOC

0:30 - Is it ok to call women “girls?”
6:07 - A favorite family recipe!
15:30 - Summary
19:40 - OK, but what’s really happening?? It’s wild.
29:25 - Is Gretel evil?
41:20 - Childhood and nostalgia
47: 45 - What does it mean to write a story about gingerbread?
56:00 - Favorite quotes
57:30 - Friendship is a weird thing.
1:03:17 - Ratings - both ours and Vox’s
- Vox Review: https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/3/7/18254730/gingerbread-review-helen-oyeyemi
1:12:20 - 'Pet Sematary' feedback!
1:18:19 - What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Next Othersode 5/6: 'A Stranger in the House' by Shari Lapena
Next Bookpisode 5/20: 'An Absolutely Remarkable Thing' by Hank Green

Get unburied with the #BookSquad (and special guest Charlie, Emily’s dad!) as we come back from the dead to talk about the new 2019 film adaptation of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary.” We discuss grief, death and the big changes between the book (and the 1989 film) and the new movie. Plus, you get to learn a little about our childhood pets! Then we dig into some Captain Marvel listener feedback and tell you what’s on the #BookSquadBlog right now. Up next for our #bookpisode: "Gingerbread" by Helen Oyeyemi. Read along with us for that and for our next #othersode, where we’ll (probably) hate on "Stranger in the House" by Shari Lapena.

TOC

00:30 - Introduction and pet icebreaker!
13:10 - Synopsis of the film
14:14 - But how do these kids look the same, though? And how is this cat so beautiful?
18:14 - What is this movie about, anyway?
34:00 - Doctors, decisions, and Louis
47:50 - Big changes between the book and movie
1:10:12 - Shining parallellsssss
1:12:12 - Would you bury someone you love in the Pet Sematary?
1:17:40 - Ratings
1:21:50 - "Captain Marvel" feedback!
1:29:23 - What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

The #BookSquad takes a shady trip to 1990s Colombia this week as we discuss "Fruit of the Drunken Tree" by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. We talk about the historical fiction genre, trauma and violence, womanhood, and the relationship between the book's two protagonists, Chula and Petrona. Plus, we talk more about "Captain Marvel" and get Susan’s thoughts on how awesome the movie is. There’s plenty of great content on the #BookSquadBlog, including TV recaps, movie reviews and more! LISTEN UP, GOALIES: Please send us listener feedback on any of our episodes or blogs to [email protected]. We love hearing from you, and we missed you this week. :)

**SPOILER WARNING!!**

1:14 – Here we are! Icebreaker q: What plant do you associate with your childhood?
6:51 – Goodreads summary
10:00 – What even is historical fiction??
- NPR interview: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/28/632769085/a-thwarted-child-kidnapping-inspired-fruit-of-the-drunken-tree
23:00 - The structure of the novel and how time works
29:55 - Violence, trauma, and how it affects children
40:30 – The relationship between the two girls
49:30 – Womanhood and gender
1:03:09 – Why is the title the title?
1:04:32 – Ratings!
1:18:49 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next??

Next Othersode 4/8: PET SEMATARY!!!
Next Bookpisode 4/22: "Gingerbread" by Helen Oyeyemi

The #BookSquad crash lands on planet C-53, aka Earth in the mid-90s, to talk about "Captain Marvel," the newest origin story movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We discuss where this movie fits in the MCU, how it works as trauma narrative, the film's feminist themes, how it compares to other superhero origin stories, and — of course — Goose the cat! Plus, we give you a rundown of what's on the #BookSquadBlog (it's a lot of recaps!) and what's up next on the pod. Read along with us for our next #bookpisode on "Fruit of the Drunken Tree" by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. Our next #othersode will be on the remake of "Pet Sematary," coming to theaters soon! Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and send any listener feedback to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!

0:30 – Welcome to our weird voices/what’s your fave MCU movie?
11:50 – Let’s get into the movie—a digression on race and aliens, and a history lesson!
19:50 – Captain Marvel as a trauma story
26:40 – Feminism themes
29:45 – Nick Fury and young people make up
33:02 – The 90s setting
37:37 – Sweet Goose (and Emily’s Australia corner)
44:20 – Captain Marvel v. other origin stories
54:35 – Representation matters!
1:03:30 – Reviews
1:07:00 – Sleepy Ben Opinions
1:10:15 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Articles referenced:

Dana Stevens' review: https://slate.com/culture/2019/03/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-movie.html
Internet trolls & Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.avclub.com/the-fight-against-trolls-goes-beyond-captain-marvel-yo-1833165390
Friend-of-the-pod Gabriella's review for Express: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1095785/Captain-Marvel-review-Brie-Larson-Carol-Danvers-feminism-marvel-movie

Feel like a townie with us as we go to Lackawanna, NY for a strange reunion of a group of childhood friends in Rebecca Kauffman’s novel, The Gunners. We talk about revealing secrets, character development, the problems with Mikey, and whether people can really change. Plus, we tell you all the goodies currently on the #BookSquadBlog. Go see Captain Marvel, and join us for our next #Othersode on 3/11/19! Email us your feedback to [email protected] and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

:30–tell us about your hometown! (and petition for baby c)
21:04–book intro
27:18– S E C R E T S
40:29- The BIG secret
1:02:47–can people ever change really?
1:06:02–workshop corner and closing thoughts
1:12:12–The Power feedback!
1:13:57–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Things get downright whimsical this week as the #BookSquad plays Magical Fury with special guest Todd! Join Becky, Kitty, Heather and Hook at North Bay High School as they encounter a ~strange happening~ and transform into magical girls to battle with some unsavory creatures. We'll let you decide who has the coolest magical girl powers after you listen. After the magic dust settles, we cover what's on the #BookSquadBlog and what's next on the podcast. Write to us about anything you'd like at [email protected], and don't forget to rate, review and subscribe!

Episode TOC:

0:30 – Game intro
4:45 – Let’s get into the game!
7:45 – Becky Prescott
16:30 – Kitty Singh
26:07 – Heather Wilcox
44:06 – Tori Hooker (Hook)
55:25 – That fateful day...
1:07:20 – We transform!
1:29:30 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Please consider donating to the The Adam Cramond Martin Travel Award, a University of Georgia scholarship created in memory of Emily's brother and our friend, Adam. Give here: https://gail.uga.edu/giving/as/fy19-adam-cramond-martin-giving-page

Next episode: "The Gunners" by Rebecca Kauffman, February 25th
Next othersode: Captain Marvel, March 11th