
We are once again returning to the rosy world of The Bachelor with our special guest Rebecca Kim Wells (@RebeccaWriting), Bachelor fan and the author of Shatter The Sky, Storm The Earth, and Briar Girls. This time we had the good sense to read Miss Me With That by Rachel Lindsay, a woman who found love on reality television and then was smart enough to walk away from the franchise.
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: Episode 159 – The First Time
“Rachel Lindsay and Raven Gates: A Timeline of the ‘Bachelor’ Alums’ Friendship and Falling Out” by Erin Crabtree
“Alexis Is Dolphinitely A Shark On ‘The Bachelor'” by Martha Sorren
‘The Bachelorette’: “Whaboom” Guy Admits He Went on the Show for Fame” by Christina Schoellkopf
Coming up next: How To Be a Boss Bitch by Christine Quinn.

Episode 202 – Miss Me With That

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Comedy

Books


 
Flashback summer, eh? Ann Foster of Vulgar History joined us to read No Coins, Please, an early work by the venerable Canadian author Gordon Korman. Listen to this episode while driving cross-country with a van full of chaotic tweens!
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: About Gordon Korman
Coming up next: Stonewords by Pam Conrad.

Episode 243 – No Coins Please


It’s Morphin’ Time! We’re kicking off Flashback Summer Animal Style. We returned to the world of the Animorphs by reading the three books in the iconic David Saga–The Discovery (#20), The Threat (#21) and The Solution (#22), all by K.A. Applegate. We were joined by Moniquill Blackgoose, author of To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Listen to this episode while driving to the mall to pick up a Cinnabon and/or fight a lion!
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: Episode 52 – Animorphs #1
Coming up next: No Coins Please by Gordon Korman.
 

Episode 242 – The Discovery


We continue Celebrity Memoir May with another wronged woman of the early 00s, Ms. Jessica Simpson. Annie Cardi, author of Red, joined us in righteous indignation on behalf of our favorite former Newlywed after reading her memoir Open Book. Listen to this episode while practicing your Dukes of Hazzard-style stunt driving.
Content warnings: Child sexual abuse, substance abuse, publicly being a woman in the early 00s.
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: “Wait a Sec…Jessica Simpson’s Beloved ‘Cottage’ from Her Memoir Is Literally a Mansion (and J-Law Lives There Now!)” by Dara Katz
“Jessica Simpson is Selling Her Beverly Hills Home” by Maria Salova
“Jessica Simpson and Daughter Maxwell Poke Fun at Her Chicken of the Sea Mishap in New Ad for the Brand (Exclusive)” by Nicholas Rice
“John Mayer’s Dating History: Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry and More”
“Jessica Simpson’s billion-dollar brand went bankrupt after she sold it — here’s why she ‘drained everything to buy it back’” by Jade Scipioni
“Jessica Simpson talks about being the target of fat jokes for wearing ‘mom jeans’: It ‘broke my heart'” by Suzy Byrne
Coming up next: The Discovery (Animorphs #20) by K. A. Applegate.

Episode 241 – Open Book


 
Unlike Scientology, Celebrity Memoir May is inescapable. Known Suppressive Person, librarian, and author Angie Manfredi (@MissKubelik) joined us to discuss Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini. Join us as we swear oaths of fealty to the Queen of Queens!
Content warning: Verbal abuse, icky parenting, escaping a cult.
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: “A Strange Chapter in ‘Wog”s Hateful History”
The Underground Bunker
“Exclusive: Shelly Miscavige and The Missing Scientologists: How The LAPD Made Scientology’s Problem Go Away” by Yashar Ali
Leah Remini’s “Roar” dance on Dancing with the Stars
“An Interview with the One and Only Michelle Visage” by Michael Podell
“Michelle Visage says Leah Remini got her into Scientology, but she quit over church’s anti-gay views” by Joey Nolfi
“Another Celeb Just Fueled Rumors of Jennifer Lopez & Leah Remini’s Feud” by Maggie Clancy
Coming up next: Open Book by Jessica Simpson.

Episode 240 – Troublemaker


 
Horny dragons were fun, but we’ve moved on. Onto another planet, actually. Lily Sparks, author of The Merciless King of Moore High, joined us to discuss Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. Upload this episode directly to your alien translator earpiece to listen to it in any language!
Content warning: Dubious consent and mentions of sexual assault.
Readers advisory: Here.
Footnotes: “How sexy blue aliens invaded Amazon’s bestseller lists” by AJ Willingham
About the Motorcycle Clubs
Coming up next: Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini.

Episode 202 – Miss Me With That

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