Mary: Weeeeelcome to YA Book Club, where we talk about a new YA book approximately once per month. This time around, Todd is joining us to discuss Darcie Little Badger’s A Snake Falls to Earth. You might remember that Emily and I read Elatsoe last year and loved it. We had (perhaps unrealistic) high hopes for A Snake Falls to Earth, so it shot to the top of our to-read list when it came out. Todd also loved Elatsoe, and I happen to be married to him and think he’s smart, so he’s here, too! Hello, Todd!
Read moreIt's Time to Revisit Red Clocks
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas (Little Brown) By the way, this is the best abstract illustration of a vulva on a book? Right? The cover was designed and illustrated by Lauren Harms and I’m obsessed.
Since the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked at the beginning of May, showing the court is posed to overrule Roe v. Wade any day now, I can’t stop thinking about a book I originally read when it was published in 2018.
Read moreOthersode #67: Sometimes You Only Have So Many Voices Inside You / I Kissed Shara Wheeler
Othersode #67: Sometimes You Only Have So Many Voices Inside You / I Kissed Shara Wheeler
The Squad is joined by special guest, author Susie Dumond, to discuss I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston. We talk about “likable” characters, queer representation in YA books (featuring a special “Ask a Man” appearance by Todd), the book’s southern setting, and of course, Shara herself. Next, we chat with Susie about her book, Queerly Beloved! Read along for our next Bookpisode on June 13th on Book of Night by Holly Black. Then check out The Time Traveler’s Wife series on HBO for our next Othersode on June 27th. Send listener feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or DM us on the socials!
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Read moreBSG #67: Not a Beach Read / Sundial
BSG #67: Not a Beach Read / Sundial
We’re going deep into the Mojave desert this week to talk about Catriona Ward’s new novel Sundial. Join the squad as we discuss the book’s structure, perspective vs. reality, wild plot twists, and unexpected reveals. Then we get into some listener feedback about Reprieve and catch up with what’s on the blog. Tune in on May 30th for our next Othersode about I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston. We’ll be joined by special guest Susie Dumond, author of Queerly Beloved, so you don’t wanna miss it! Then, read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Book of Night by Holly Black, featuring special guest Ellis, on June 13th. Send us feedback and tell us what you consider a “beach read.” Email us at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or DM us on social media!
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Read moreOthersode #66: Bernie is Climate Change / Weekend at Bernie's
Othersode #66: Bernie is Climate Change / Weekend at Bernie’s
Bernie, boys, and babies! The Book Squad husbands join us as we finally discuss the 1989 film masterpiece* Weekend at Bernie’s. We talk about the movie’s cult status, how the comedy works and doesn’t work, and why Terry Kiser deserves a shelf full of awards for his performance as a dead guy. Then it’s baby shower time! Susan and Justin open gifts for their baby-to-be and oooh and ahhh over all the cute things. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Sundial by Catriona Ward on May 16th. Then join us and special guest Susie Dumond, author of Queerly Beloved, for a discussion of her book, plus I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey MicQuiston on May 30th. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts or the podcast app of your choice!
*Susan wrote this description
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Read moreBSG #66: I Draw the Line at Teeth / Reprieve
BSG #66: I Draw the Line at Teeth / Reprieve
The Book Squad locks themselves in a full-contact haunted house for the night in their latest episode! Just kidding, but they do discuss Reprieve by James Han Mattson. Reprieve explores themes of race and horror throughout its twisting, nonlinear narrative.
Join us next time when we discuss Weekend at Bernie’s, at long last, just in time to celebrate Susan’s new bb. After that, we’re talking all things Sundial by one of Emily’s faves, Catriona Ward.
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Read moreEverything Everywhere All at Once: A Review
(Image: A24)
Mary: We’ve gathered here today to talk about Everything Everywhere All at Once, the new movie directed by Daniels, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, and starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan. It’s difficult to describe this movie, I think, but I’ll say that it’s a sci-fi look at family and the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, told through the eyes of Evelyn (Yeoh), the matriarch of the Wang family. Needless to say, we’re going to spoil some things.
Read moreYA Book Club: Cold by Mariko Tamaki
Mary: Hello and welcome back to YA Book Club, where we’re putting on our detective hats and solving a murder mystery. Today we’re talking about Cold by Mariko Tamaki. You might remember Tamaki from YA Book Club in Paradise way back in 2018, where we discussed This One Summer. Mariko Tamaki often writes with her cousin and collaborator Jillian Tamaki, but Cold is a solo venture! I think it’s clear we both love stories about crime, and we’ve enjoyed reading Tamaki in the past, but what made us pick up this book, Emily?
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!
Read moreOthersode #65: This Podcast is Pro Himbo / The Lost City
Othersode #65: This Podcast is Pro Himbo / The Lost City
Come along with us (and special guest Angela!) to the Lost City of D for our discussion of the new film The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. We talk about romance book tropes on screen, our favorite funny moments, the appeal of the himbo, why Daniel Radcliffe and Brad Pitt are fantastic, and why “fun” is a perfectly fine measure of how good a book is. Next we read some listener feedback for No Exit and catch up with what’s on the blog. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Reprieve by James Han Mattson on April 18th. And then get ready for our Weekend at Bernie’s Othersode (it’s really happening!) on May 2nd. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
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Read moreQueer Girl Book Club: Fiona and Jane
Emily: It’s time for another installment of everyone’s favorite queer girl book club, Queer Girl Book Club! This time around we’re talking about Fiona and Jane, a sort of novel/sort of linked short story collection (we can talk about what exactly it is as we chat) about two friends. You guessed it. Their names are Fiona. And Jane.
So I chose this book because I typically enjoy linked short stories, and I love books about female friendship. Fiona Lin and Jane Shen have been best friends since the second grade. Both Fiona and Jane are Taiwanese American women growing up in Los Angeles with different but equally tumultuous family lives. As with most friendships, there are moments in time when Fiona and Jane grow closer to one another, and other periods of time where they drift apart.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!
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