Books matter, even the weird ones. This episode kicks off with some of Sally’s favorite “WTF” books so get your TBRs ready. Then Ashley and Jordy share their thoughts on the genre-bending novel Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris. Finally, Nox discusses the importance of books and why book bans are terrible for everyone and stick around for some excellent diverse children’s book recommendations!

 

WTF Did I Just Read?! (0:22)

Sally loves weird little books that make her think, “wtf did I just read?” Maybe they make us question reality, maybe it’s a train wreck you can’t look away from, maybe it’s so unsettling that it takes days or even weeks to recover. If you’re into that sort of thing, or just want to learn about some 2024 releases with stellar writing and unhinged women, this segment’s for you.

 

A Discussion of Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris (6:58)

If you love mystery, romance, and/or fantasy, listen up! This book has all of those things and more. Ashley and Jordy discuss Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris, the allusions to other classic monster stories, the 20th century French setting, the slowburn sapphic love story, and lots more.

 

Book Bans Don’t Protect Anyone (20:51)

Nox talks about how she feels when she sees books being banned, both as an educator and as someone who didn’t have access to books that represented her until she was an adult. She talks about the importance of books and how they can help you see yourself in many ways, plus some of her favorite diverse books in her classroom.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Our segment on gross books

An Excellent Host by Chelsea G. Summers (an Independent Bookstore Day exclusive, so it may be tricky to find, but lots of indie bookstores still have copies!

The Coin by Yasmin Zaher

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

Supplication by Nour Abi-Nakhoul

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

Full Full Full of Love by Trish Cooke

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food and Love, edited by Elsie Chapman and Caroline Tung Richmond

The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil

The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan

How to Fight Book Bans and Challenges (from BookRiot)

NCAC Book Censorship Action Kit

 

Support this episode’s hosts:

Follow Sally: Instagram // The StoryGraph

Follow Ashley: Instagram // Twitter // Website

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter // TikTok

 

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This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

 

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

 

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