Don’t cry because Flashback Summer is over; smile because Hot Evelyn Summer is beginning! Returning bisexual icon Margaret H. Willison (1/3 of Two Bossy Dames, don’t check the math) joined us to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. We had a great time unpacking Evelyn’s wardrobe (which is much more substantial than her frame narrative). If you listen to this episode, you’ll come closer to being able to distinguish Evelyn Hugo from Evelyn Hardcastle.

Readers advisory: Here.

Announcement: RSVP for our live show at Porter Square Books Boston on Tuesday, September 17th at 6pm!

Footnotes: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Movie: All About the Highly Anticipated Adaptation” by Rebecca Aizin

Coming up next: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Harcastle by Stuart Turton.

Hold on to your sock wine, because we’re ending this year’s Flashback Summer with a real rager! We were joined by Courtney Summers, author of I’m The Girl and other rad books, to discuss Stacey and the Bad Girls (Baby-Sitters Club #87) by Ann M. Martin. Listen to this episode on your way to the big U4Me concert!

Readers advisory: Here.

Announcement: RSVP for our live show at Porter Square Books Boston on Tuesday, September 17th at 6pm!

Footnotes: Stacey and the Bad Girls on the BSC Fan Wiki

Peter Lerangis on Wikipedia

Coming up next: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

By popular demand, we took Flashback Summer to the land of Tortall. Rebecca Kim Wells, author of Briar Girls and other great queer fantasy books, joined us to discuss Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce. Put on your purple contact lenses and listen to this episode while you study the blade.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Tamora Pierce name pronunciation

Tamora Pierce’s statement on J.K. Rowling

Coming up next: Stacey and the Bad Girls (Baby-Sitters Club #87) by Ann M. Martin.

We were digging through some boxes in our totally not-haunted attic and found Stonewords by Pam Conrad. It seemed like a chill Flashback Summer vibe, so we had our friend KL join us to discuss it. Be careful not to play this episode around your secret ghost friend–they might get jealous!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Pam Conrad’s obituary.

Coming up next: Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Y’all horny for some dragons? We forged a soul bond with comedian, writer, and Scary Mommy Sarah Aswell by reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros together. Listen to this episode while pondering ways to legally murder your classmates!

Content warning: Here there be dragons. Also, dead parents.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “How Rebecca Yarros Packed Dragons, Magic and Steamy Sex Into a Blockbuster Fantasy” by Alexandra Alter

“Q&A: Rebecca Yarros on Chronic Illness Representation in Fourth Wing” by Riyana Straetker

NPR Weekend Edition: “Veronica Roth’s ‘Carve The Mark’ Is A Fantasy Inspired By Chronic Pain”

Coming up next: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon.