Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week is a twofer! Get ready to discuss Zodiac Academy books 3 and 4, The Reckoning and Shadow Princess. The girls are getting more confident, the boys are basically just as mean, the relationships are getting steamier, and we are here for it! Pour up a drink and enjoy!

Next week's book: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Welcome to another episode of the 5 O'Clock Book Club. Spring has sprung and the sun is shining.

This week we read Kindred by Octavia Butler. Kindred is a highly acclaimed sci-fi-meets-feminist-meets-social justice novel that has been described as Afro-futurism. Dana is a Black woman living in the 1970s who is suddenly transported back in time to the antebellum South without explanation. Terror, resilience, and chaos ensue.Keep in mind, this episode will discuss themes of slavery, abuse, rape, death, and self-harm, so keep that in mind before you listen.

Next week's episode: The Reckoning and Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy Books #3 and #4)

Love ya,

-Em and SK

Happy Wednesday!

After a hiatus week, we are back and better than ever! Spring has sprung, and we are feeling great.

This week we read a cornerstone of dark academia, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. This book is full of mystery, intruige, lengthy descriptions, and hedonistic hijinks. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then buckle up! Join us for a round of martinis and enjoy listening to this week's episode.

Also, give us a follow on socials for updates and bonus content! Instagram: @the5oclockbookclubpod. TikTok: @5oclockbookclub.

Next week's book: Kindred by Octavia Butler

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Hello, hello!

Another Wednesday, another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club; and not just any episode, but our 20th! After a solid 20 minutes of fixating on sparkling beverages and yoga, we discuss the book James by Percival Everett. James was short-listed for the 2024 Booker Prize (though it did not win the award) and has received immense critical acclaim. It is easy to see why! James is a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain from the perspective of Jim, his enslaved companion. Everett describes James as a conversation with Adventures of Huckleberry Finn rather than an argument against it. We describe it as the perfect 'yes, and...' to Mark Twain's novel.

*Disclaimer*

Of course, this book explores sensitive themes such as racism, slavery, torture, and death so be prepared to hear about these topics before listening to our discussion. It was our intention to discuss these topics with the attentiveness and gravity that they deserve, so they are not glossed over. That being said, we do not claim any expertise or authority over this subject matter.

Due to a family emergency, it is likely that we will not be putting out an episode next week.

So, next, next week's book (04/09): The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Happy Wednesday, kings and queens!

We are back again with another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. This week we read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Demon Copperhead won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction and it's easy to see why. This book offers such an authentic glimpse into the life of a boy, Damon (a.k.a. Demon), growing up poor in Southern Appalachia. The title, Demon Copperhead references Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, which was the inspiration for this novel. We both thoroughly enjoyed this read and we hope YOU enjoy the episode! Get cozy, pour a drink, and listen up!!!

Next week's book: James by Percival Everett

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club! As you can see, we're reading a different book than the one we said we were going to this week (sorry). However, in honor of International Women's Day (earlier this week) aaaaand in honor of Demon Copperhead being a suuuper long book (original plan for this week), we decided to read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacquelin Harpman.

Released in 1995, this book was way ahead of its time and very different than what either of us expected. I Who Have Never Known Men tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who was raised in a jail-cell-meets-underground-bunker with 39 other women. They have no idea where they are or why they are there and have long given up trying to answer these questions when suddenly, they get out. Strangely, release from this captivity creates more new questions than it does answers. At no point does this story go where you think it's going to.

You'll need a stiff drink to make it through our convoluted arguments on the various theories for this one.

Enjoy! Find us on socials and let us know your theories!

Next week (for real): Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome back to another episode of The 5 O'Clock Book Club. Em is back from Costa Rica, so we're done with our pre-recorded movie minisodes and are coming at you "live"-ish. This week, we finally read and discussed Rebecca Yarros's highly anticipated Onyx Storm, the third book in the Empyrean Series. Was it a little confusing at first? Yes. Were we SAT the f down for it, though? Also, yes.

This book continues the romance between Violet and Xaden, uncovers more information about the evil Venin, and gives us some background on Andarna's kind. Overall, it was a great read, and the cliffhanger it left us on makes waiting a gazillion years for the 4th book to come out feel tortuous.

Pour up a drink, get comfy, and enjoy this week's episode.

Next week's book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome back to the 5 O'Clock Book Club! This is our final week of movie discussions (for now). SK's pick this week was Whiplash (2014). This movie is a masterful display of acting, directing, editing, sound mixing, and everything else that goes into filmmaking. We are both obsessed and neither of us can stop talking about it. If, like Em, you have been putting off watching this movie, this. is. your. sign. Watch it now!

Whiplash follows Andrew Neiman, a talented jazz drummer in his quest to become the next "great". Esteemed composer and belligerent teacher Fletcher is the only one standing in his way. Or is he the key to Neiman's success? This one is a doozy.

Pour up and enjoy this week's episode!

Next week's book (finally): Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3) by Rebecca Yarros

Love ya,

Em and SK <3

Hiiiiiii (we're running out of greetings, lol)!

Welcome back to our second movie minisode. This week we'll be discussing one of Em's favorite movies, Grizzly Man (2005). This documentary by Werner Herzog combines interviews conducted by Herzog as well as footage taken by Timothy Treadwell to create a truly mesmerizing, perplexing, and unsettling piece of art.

Timothy Treadwell embodied what it meant to feel the call of the wild. He spent 8 years, solo, in the Alaskan wilderness among the grizzly bears that he strove to understand and protect. Ultimately, and perhaps inevitably, he was killed and eaten by one of them.

This movie is beautiful, awe-inspiring, and so so strange. It will captivate you.

You'll definitely want a drink for this one!! Pour up and enjoy!

Next week's movie: Whiplash (2014)

Love ya,

-Em and SK <3

Happy Wednesday!

The 5 O'Clock Book Club is back... but with a twist! Enjoy a three minisode run of movie discussions while Emily is in Costa Rica doing her yoga teacher training.

Our first selection is one of SK's favorites (and one that Em had never seen), When Harry Met Sally (1989). Truly an iconic movie! Can men and women be friends? Sally thinks so but Harry does not. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's chemistry is off the charts in this movie that is inadequately defined by "rom-com".

Pour up a drink and enjoy!

Next week's movie: Grizzly Man (2005)

Love ya!

-Em and SK <3