Book Squad Goals

Gidday, Goalies! Join the squad on the sun-drenched Australian coast for a tale of love (?) and loss with Thirst for Salt, the debut novel by Madelaine Lucas. We discuss the writing style, the book’s central relationship, and themes of motherhood. Next we catch up with what might or might not be on the blog and share some news about our Patreon – that’s right, we have a Patreon now! Tune in on 9/19 for our next Othersode about What We Do in the Shadows with special guest Grace Treutel. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang on 10/3. Send your feedback to [email protected] and become a patron at pateon.com/booksquadgoals!

TOC
:30 – Welcome!
12:28 – Book intro
14:38 – Why is the narrative structure like that
25:00 – The writing
31:59 – The relationship
44:49 – Mom stuff
59:34 – Ratings
1:04:07 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

HI BARBIE! It’s girls’ night, plus one Ken (special guest Nathan Simmons)! Join the squad for our discussion of the already iconic Barbie movie. We talk about the film’s brilliant marketing, Barbie’s particular brand of feminism, the excellent cast, motherhood and daughterhood, and of course, the weird conservative backlash. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas on 9/5. Then join us and special guest Grace Treutel (author of the chapbook From the Humid Chambers of My Heart) for an Othersode about What We Do in the Shadows on 9/19! Send us feedback (PLEASE) to [email protected]! And while you’re at it, leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts. Thanks, Barbie!

Table of Contents:
:30– Welcome, Nathan! And icebreaker
8:10– The Barbie Movie intro
13:50– Barbie’s marketing
24:55– Literary influence
41:32–Casting
51:45– response from critics
1:08:00–Motherhood corner
1:18:21– we are Barbie gorls
1:24:40– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Where to find Nathan:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-thats-a-scary-movie/id1578168937
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-silver-linings-playlist/id1328636209
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aipt-comics/id1448147137
https://www.youtube.com/@thefevertherage

Variety Barbie Marketing article:
https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/

Sorry to *bug* you, but we’ve got a new episode here! Join the Squad for a discussion of Piñata by Leopoldo Gout. We chat about the horrors of colonialism, puberty, and of course, whether the book is scary. Next we get into some listener feedback for Chain-Gang All-Stars and catch up with what’s on the ol’ Book Squad Blog, including new Bachelorette recaps. Get ready to party for our next Othersode on Barbie! We’ll be joined by fellow podcaster Nathan Simmons for that one on 8/22. Next, read along for our Bookpisode on Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas on 9/4. Send us any and all feedback to [email protected] and be sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, pretty please!

TOC
:30 – Hello and Welcome!
6:50– Book Intro and jumping right in
21:13 –Colonialism is bad
37:28 – Is this book just about puberty?
53:24 – Where are we again? Is this book scary?
1:03:35 –Let’s rate it!
1:07:31 – Listener Feedback!
1:17:10– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?


Links:
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/fury-born-from-helplessness-on-leopoldo-gouts-pinata/
https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-pinata-author-leopoldo-gout/
https://www.esthersarahkim.com/https://twitter.com/angelmamii5?lang=en

Have you ever wondered: What if Jane Austen, but gay? Join the squad and returning guest Tirzah Price for an episode where we explore this very important question. First, we discuss Andrew Ahn’s 2022 film Fire Island, a queer retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Then, we talk with Tirzah about her new book, Manslaughter Park, the third in her YA series of Jane Austen Murder Mysteries — and the first to feature a sapphic romance. If you have comments, questions, or ideas for more gay adaptations of classics, please email us at [email protected], and follow us on social @booksquadgoals. Stay tuned for our next bookpisode on Piñata by Leopoldo Gout (8/8), and then on 8/22 as we finally dive into Barbie!

TOC
:30–welcome, Tirzah! And icebreaker
7:36–film intro
9:04–what makes this film different from other adaptations?
22:54–romance and representation
33:15–beauty standards and gay culture
42:00–misc topics
44:50–manslaughter park!!
1:19:38–feedback!
1:21:40–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links
https://www.instagram.com/queerloveinhistory/
https://www.them.us/story/manslaughter-park-tirzah-price-queer-jane-austen-interview
https://www.instagram.com/jfkillsdarlings/?hl=en

In this very special post-July 4th episode (featuring some fireworks), the Squad discusses Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s debut novel Chain-Gang All Stars. Join in as we chat about incarceration in the United States, dystopian/futuristic methods of torture, reality tv, football, Jenna Bush Hager’s book club, and everything we hate about America. It’s a fun time. Also, there’s actually new stuff on our blog this week?!?! You don’t want to miss this.

Join us next time for another FIRE episode as we discuss the film Fire Island with one of our favorite guests, Tirzah Price, author of Manslaughter Park (episode will be out on July 28). And read along for our next bookpisode out on August 8 when we’ll be reading Piñata by Leopoldo Gout. Don’t forget to leave us a review (5 stars only… love ya). And send your feedback or questions to [email protected] or DM us on IG!

TOC
:30 – Welcome!
17:50 – Book Intro
19:30 – How do dystopian tropes work in this novel? Are we horrified it’s so close to reality?
40:15 – How did the sci-fi elements work for us?
45:50 – Does the novel cover too much ground? Too many perspectives?
1:00:12 – ~ROMANCE~
1:06:56 – The ending
1:16:50 – the Jenna of it all
1:27:44 – Ratings
1:34:09 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/06/legislatures-passed-550-anti-trans-bills-so-far-this-year/
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/11/journalist-blinded-during-protest-sues-minneapolis-police-state-patrol/
https://www.today.com/video/-chain-gang-all-stars-author-talks-about-his-action-packed-thriller-178654277518

The future of the world is going to be okay because the squad has… THE POWER! In this episode, we talk about the Amazon Prime adaptation of The Power by Naomi Alderman, which we read for the podcast back in 2019. How does the TV series stack up against the book? You’ll have to listen to see if the show has the spark.

Read along to get ready for our next book episode, where we’ll discuss Chain Gang All-Stars by Kana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. For our next Othersode Tirzah Price will join us to talk about her new book, Manslaughter Park, and the film Fire Island.

TOC:
:30– Welcome!
12:50– Show Intro
16:09– Book to movie
25:30–Gender representation
40:09–Casting
57:03– How far does the show go?
1:08:58–So did we like it?
1:14:12–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Link to the Mary Sue article: https://www.themarysue.com/the-power-captures-the-best-parts-of-the-book-and-addresses-its-biggest-problem/

Join us in the formal dining room for our discussion of Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. We talk about satire (and how this book isn’t that), class and the antics of The Rich, the characters, and nepo babies. Then we get into some fun listener feedback and talk about what we might write on that blog we used to do. Check out The Power (TV series) for our next Othersode on 6/27 – and revisit our episode on The Power by Naomi Alderman to prep! Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on 7/11. Go leave us a (5 star) rating and a review right this moment, please! Send your feedback or questions to [email protected] or DM us on IG!

TOC
:30 — Welcome!! And icebreaker
4:42 — Book intro and spoiler warning
7:00 — Why is everyone gushing about this?
15:15 — Are these characters…characters?
36:37 — What is this saying about class
40:33 — Let’s talk about Jenny Jackson
50:03 — why is Curtis here?
51:56 — Ratings
53:25 — Listener feedback
58:00 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Are you there, God? It’s us, the Squad – and special guest Annika! This time we talk about the 2023 film adaptation of Judy Blume’s coming-of-age classic, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. There’s no time like the present to jump into Blume’s work and think about the agony of young adulthood. Join us!

Up next: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Next Othersode: The Power on Amazon Prime

TOC
:30–Welcome, Annika! And icebreaker
16:20– Movie intro
17:30–The time period and adaptation
31:19– Who is this movie for?
42:40– How does the film balance its themes?
54:00– Let’s talk about the cast
1:06:52– last thoughts, ratings, etc.
1:18:51– Listener feedback, what’s on the blog? What’s up next?


Notes:
Annika’s website: https://annikaobscura.com/Annika at Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/author/annika-barranti-klein/

Atlantic Judy Blume Profile: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/04/judy-blume-books-are-you-there-god-margaret-movie/673091/

Your prayers have been answered! A tattooed, queer nun is here to save the day! Join the Squad as we chat about Margot Douaihy’s debut novel, Scorched Grace. We talk about the novel’s genre play, Sister Holiday’s uniqueness, Douaihy’s writing style, and what we would like to see out of this series. Next up on our Othersode on 5/30 is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with special guest Annika Klein. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson on 6/13. Send feedback on any episode to [email protected]!

TOC
:30 – Hello and welcome!
8:56 – Book intro and spoiler alert
10:53 – How does the genre work here?
20:00 – Sister Holiday isn’t like other nuns
49:10 – The actual mystery!
56:29 – Writing style
1:00:45 – Would you read the sequel?
1:06:45 – Ratings
1:09:20 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Author Gabriella Saab joins the Book Squad to talk about her new novel, Daughters of Victory. But first, we have to discuss the wild romp that is The 355. We question the plot, chat about our favorite characters, ask why women can’t just have fun movies, and describe what an idea sequel would do. Then we have a super informative (and totally spoiler-free!) interview with Gabriella all about her latest novel, her research techniques, and what she’s working on now. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Scorched Grace by Margot Duaihy on May 16th. Then watch Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for our next Othersode on May 30th. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review! Send any feedback to [email protected].

TOC:
30–welcome, Gabriella! 355 quiz
20:40– the plot and the characters
30:52–critic and audience disparity
35:00–would we watch a sequel?
46:30–ratings
48:00–interview with Gabriella!
1:19:48–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Links:

• https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59781695
• Www.GabriellaSaab.com