The title of this episode is a nod to the Bread and Roses strike at textile mill in 1912, where women banded together to demand bread aka money as well as roses aka art and beauty. In a time where working conditions were abysmal, the strike and poem/song of the same name were a rallying cry for decent wages and better conditions. Your podcast producer Renee was reminded of this when she was putting these segments together. While we’re not discussing the early 20th century labor movement today, we are discussing finances, art, and power. 

Roses and Reckoning

Jordy explores The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith, a Victorian-inspired romantasy filled with fae bargains, glittering balls, and cutthroat trials. From the enchanting world-building to themes of power, sisterhood, and resilience, we’re diving into what made this tale so compelling 

Women Who Define Their Worth

What do sex work, banks, and women’s basketball have in common? Ashley answers that question in this discussion of women defining their own worth. Tune in to hear her review two books and introduce a new basketball league to women’s sports fans.

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

Soft Core by Brittany Newell

Give Her Some Credit by Grace L. Williams

Unrivaled Basketball League

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Ashley: Instagram

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Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

With the current administration actively trying to whitewash Black History Month, Nox and Ashley sat down to share their Black history recommendations. They provide books, authors, and movies for various age ranges and topics in Black history, as well as a reminder to celebrate and uplift Black history all year round, not just in February.

Content warnings: This episode and the recommendations in it discuss racism, murder, and police brutality, specifically regarding Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and Emmett Till, as well as the LA Riots in 1992 and the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

My Black Country by Alice Randall

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith

Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert

The Barn by Wright Thompson 

The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernandez

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams 

The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown

Girl from the Ashes by India Hill Brown

The Fire Inside (movie)

One of them Days (movie)

The Piano Lesson (movie)

Rob Peace (movie)

Beverly Jenkins: A Romance Revolutionary - Feminist Book Club

Beverly Jenkins: Teaching Black History Through Romance - Readin' Magazine

Discover Our Glory with @rachel.cargle - an annual BHM learning series curated by Rachel Cargle

The Loveland Foundation - a foundation to connect Black women and girls with therapy

Therapy for Black Girls - mental health resources for Black women and girls

LA Fires: The Impacted Black Community Urgently Needs Help! - Go Fund Me - collecting funds for Altadena’s Black community that were impacted by the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Nox: Instagram // TikTok // Threads

Follow Ashley: Instagram

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

In this episode, Jordy and Nox dive deep into Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley, a dark romantasy brimming with Fae politics, perilous trials, and a fierce rebellion against a sadistic faerie king. From the brutal magic of the underground Fae realm to Kenna Heron’s journey of courage, resilience, and unexpected love, we’re exploring what makes this tale both gripping and unforgettable. *some spoilers mentioned* 

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley 

A Witch’s Guide to Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley 

A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley 

Lightlark by Alex Aster 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli 

The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones 

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter 

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

We love messy family dramas and today our podcasters are talking about two newer releases, The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha and Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong. These two contemporary fiction novels tackle big families with big drama, from handing over the family business to momfluencers ignoring their kids’ consent. Tune in for thoughtful and nuanced discussions of the books and these themes.

Murder Among the Millionaires (0:22)

In this segment, Jordy dives into The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha, a murder mystery packed with family drama, high stakes, and Succession-style power plays. From Luxury island intrigue to explosive secrets and betrayal, we’re unpacking what made this thriller an addictive read–and where it could have surprised us more

Hate Follow: Navigating Social Media as an Extremely Online Parent (5:38)

When Steph, Mariquita, and Nox read Erin Quinn-Kong’s Hate Follow, they had FEELINGS. In this conversation, they share how the book sparked thoughts on navigating social media as a parent, influencer culture, and setting (and respecting) healthy boundaries.

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha

Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong 

Momfluenced by Sara Petersen 

Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli 

A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men - The New York Times 

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Mariquita: Instagram

Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter 

Follow Steph: Instagram // Website

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

The podcast is back with a quick review of The Jewel of the Isle from Jordy for all our adventure-loving romcom fans. But the bulk of this episode is dedicated to Nox and Mhairie’s conversation regarding how online communities tend to respond to natural disasters. While this episode was recorded in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the conversation rings true as we watch the wildfires in California. Resources below.

Laughs, Love, and Lost Treasures: The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea (0:22)

In this segment, Jordy explores Kerry Rea’s The Jewel of the Isle, a rom-com adventure packed with witty banter, absurd mishaps, and navigating grief.This book is full of hilarious, heartwarming moments, and heavy themes that make this treasure hunt a true gem of a read.

Who Deserves Empathy? (3:06)

Nox and Mhairie talk about the discussions around recent natural disasters Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and how people talk with a lack of empathy regarding those impacted by the disasters. Why do we talk about people like this? What makes us write others off in such situations?

Content Warnings: Discussions regarding recent natural disasters, homelessness, the ability to evacuate, death (as well as a story mentioning child death), and religion are had in this segment.

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea

Raiders of the Lost Heat by Jo Segura

Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis

Disability and Disaster Hotline: (800) 626-4959 or [email protected] 

LA Times’ list of resources for anyone impacted by the wildfires

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter // TikTok

Follow Mhairie: Instagram // TikTok

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

The holiday season is full of ups and downs and we’ve wrapped up all of those feelings in one episode. Whether you’re falling in love this season, alternating between grief and rage, or channeling your inner Ina Garten, we’ve got books to recommend!

Christmas Bops and Flops (0:22)

Jordy shares her thoughts on two holiday romances–one that fell flat and another that truly delivered. From small-town charm to heartfelt second chances, we’re unwrapping what worked and what didn’t in these festive reads!

Becoming Medusa: Mariquita Reviews Mad Wife (4:55)

Mariquita reviews Kate Hamilton’s memoir, Mad Wife, and explores what it means to live denying the patriarchal demand for a perfect victim, how to escape a violent marriage, and why it is important sometimes to become a monster. 

Parallels of Time through Memoir (11:09)

Ashley and Sam discuss Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens. They explore the themes that resonated, what drew them to the memoir, and the way the present reflects the past in many ways.

Books/Resources Mentioned: 

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Megan Quinn

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun 

Mad Wife: A Memoir by Kate Hamilton  

The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten 

Online chat: hotline.rainn.org/online - immediate emotional support or practical help for sexual assault 

Call 800-656-HOPE – RAINN 

www.RAINN.org 

Online chat: www.thehotline.org - immediate emotional support or practical help for domestic violence 

Call 800-799-SAFE 

Batteredmotherscustodyconference.com - Provides educational material, resources, support and networking opportunities for mothers attempting to use family court to protect their children and themselves from abusive situations 

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Mariquita: Instagram // Threads

Follow Ashley: Instagram // Twitter // Website

Follow Sam: Twitter // Instagram 

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

This one is for the Swifties and the Swifties only. In this special episode, Jordy sits down with Kristie Frederick Daugherty, bonafide Taylor Swift scholar, poet, and literary critic. They discuss their favorite eras, but more importantly, why we ought to take Taylor Swift seriously as a poet. Daugherty’s new book Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift is out now.

Mentioned in this episode:

Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift edited by Kristie Frederick Daugherty

Yellow Wallpaper 

Support this episode’s host and guest:

Follow Kristie Frederick Daugherty: Website // Instagram

Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

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

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

Curious about the National Book Award finalists? Last week and this week, our team dived into the shortlists for the Young People’s Literature and Fiction titles. Today, Mariquita and Mhairie discuss the five shortlisted books in Fiction. The National Book Award winners will be announced tomorrow!

Mentioned in this episode:

All Fours by Miranda July

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

My Friends by Hisham Matar

Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda

Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku

James by Percival Everett

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Support this episode’s hosts:

Follow Mariquita: Instagram // Threads

Follow Mhairie: Instagram // TikTok

Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here! 

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

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

Renee, Rah, and Sally reconvene to ask is doxxing justified?, plus Grammy takeaways, and what we're watching and reading.

Want to see the video recording and put faces to names? We publish these the same day in the FBC Community! Join us here: https://feministbookclub.mn.co/

Books mentioned: 

The Disordered Cosmos by Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance by Kellie Carter Jackson

The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn