Book Squad Goals

Latest Episodes:

BSG #79: Caleb de Suerte / Our Share of Night Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Join the Book Squad (plus special guest Ellis!) as we take on a thicc book, Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez. We talk about the narrative structure, shifting perspectives, Argentinian politics, Mariana Enriquez’s Instagram, and of course, culty stuff (we love culty stuff). Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory, will be back for our next Othersode to talk about The 355 on May 2. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy on 16! Send feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and don’t forget to leave us a rating and review!
TOC:
30– Welcome back, Ellis! Icebreaker
10:10–Book intro
20:00–Structure
39:00–Political context
51:00–the cult
1:04:10–The ending?
1:22:36–Ratings
1:29:12–Feedback!
1:38:23–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Get the anthology Ellis is in:https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1323

Othersode #78: Follow Me to the Bowl / Daisy Jones and the Six Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Tell me, tell me, tell me…would you like to hear the Squad sing? Join us for our discussion of Daisy Jones and the Six (the Amazon Prime show, but also the TJR book)! We talk about the differences between the novel and the show, the casting and acting, and of course, the original songs created for the show and the now REAL album, Aurora. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Our Share of Night by Maria Enriquez (with special guest Ellis!) on 4/17. Then join us for our next Othersode featuring Gabriella Saab, author of the new novel Daughters of Victory on 5/1. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe so you never miss an ep!
TOC
0:00 – A special note and oopsie – sorry Jayce!
3:20 – Welcome and icebreaker!
13:25 – the music of the show
30:00 – Let’s talk about differences in the book and show
54:00 – How does this work as a show?
1:01:15 – What’s on the blog? Lol What’s up next?
Follow Jayce at @im_jayce on Instagram and subscribe to The Edit Podcast!

BSG #78: House, Activate! / The Spite House Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Would you stay in a haunted house to make big bucks? This week, the Squad is talking about Johnny Compton’s debut horror novel, The Spite House. We discuss what makes the house scary, how the book’s secrets are revealed, and what the book is really about below the surface. Then we get into some listener feedback and preview what’s coming up on the blog. Check out the new Amazon Prime series, Daisy Jones and the Six, based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, for our next Othersode on 4/3 where we’ll be joined by returning guest Jayce Chambliss! Then, read along for our next Bookpisode on 4/17 when special guest Ellis joins us to talk about Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez.
:30 – Intro and icebreaker
9:17 – Book intro
12:45 – Ghosts! What makes ghosts scary or not scary?
20:20 – Hidden information
30:20 – Point of view
42:20 – What is this about really?
51:48 – The ending?
1:05:00 – Ratings
1:10:54 – Listener feedback
1:12:22 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Othersode #77: Red Hair-ing / Knock at the Cabin with Samantha Allen Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Knock, knock. It’s the Book Squad! Join us and special guest Samantha Allen (author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle) for a chat about Knock at the Cabin. Of course, we also discuss the novel the film is based on, The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. We talk about the film’s structure, the performances, the weird camera tricks, and of course, the key differences between the book and the movie. Read along for our next Bookpisode on The Spite House by Johnny Compton on March 20, and check out the Daisy Jones and the Six limited series on Amazon Prime for our next Othersode on April 3. Leave us a rating so we can read it on the pod, and send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
TOC
:30 – Welcome, Samantha! And an intense icebreaker
15:50 – Movie description, spoiler warnings, content warnings warnings
17:28 – Does the overall structure of the movie work for us? Character investment
31:19 – Other performances and wild camera tricks
47:06 – Big differences in how the book and movie are told
59:13 – talking about the ending freely
1:13:57 – Let’s rate this movie.
1:20:14 – M3GAN feedback
1:23:40 – New ratings??
1:26:29 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
- Samantha’s review of Knock at the Cabin https://www.them.us/story/knock-at-the-cabin-review-lgbtq-representation-jonathan-groff-ben-aldridge
- The Visit blog https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/revisiting-the-visit-by-m-knight-shyamalan
- Old blog https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/we-went-to-the-beach-that-makes-you-old

BSG #77: I Thought We Were Solving a Murder / Witches / Interview with Dizz Tate Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Accompany the squad on a potentially misleading adventure that does not actually involve any investigative reporting as we cover Witches by Brenda Lozano (translated by Heather Cleary). We talk about literature in translation, the novel's narrative voices, and some 'high brow feminist shit.' Later in the episode, Kelli interviews childhood friend Dizz Tate, author of Brutes. They discuss their adolescence spent in Florida, the highs and lows of teenage girlhood, and the lasting power of The Virgin Suicides. Plus, they give great advice, especially for people with "no hopes for the future!" Send us any feedback you have to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, and join us 3/6 for our episode on Knock at the Cabin with special guest Samantha Allen, author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle. Don't forget to read along for our next bookpisode on Johnny Compton's debut novel, The Spite House, on 3/20.
**content warning: rape, anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice, and interpersonal violence**
TOC
:30 – Welcome and icebreakers!
12:00 – A note on catapult and book intro
16:20 – Structure and style
29:53 – Paloma and Leandra
38:54 – Women!
48:57 – The ending??
55:00 – Ratings
1:00:00 – Interview with Dizz Tate!
1:36:08 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links
https://twitter.com/booksquadgoals/status/1626223608430465024
https://catapult.co/dont-write-alone/stories/how-do-you-publish-literature-translation-witches-brenda-lozano-kendall-storey-heather-cleary
https://chireviewofbooks.com/2022/08/19/language-gender-and-power-in-witches/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jan/26/the-virgin-suicides-at-30-why-im-obsessed-with-this-dark-dreamy-novel

Othersode #76: We’ve Touched the Puppet Hole / M3GAN with Grady Hendrix Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Grady Hendrix, author of How to Sell a Haunted House, joins the Book Squad to talk about the new film M3GAN and all things uncanny valley! Then we chat with Grady about his latest book, haunted dolls, puppet theater, book tour presentations, and what he’s working on now. Catch our next Bookpisode on 2/20 — we’ll be talking about Witches by Brenda Lozano, plus Kelli interviews Dizz Tate, author of Brutes. Then come back on 3/6 for our next Othersode on Knock at the Cabin with special guest Samantha Allen, author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle. Send feedback, questions, and pictures of your creepy childhood dolls to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
TOC:
:30 – Welcome, Grady Hendrix!
21:23 – M3GAN intro
22:30 – Why are dolls scary?
37:45 – Grief and horror
48:48 – Do trailers ruin everything?
55:45 – What’s next for M3GAN?
1:04:07– Chatting with Grady about How to Sell a Haunted House
1:52:40 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/style/m3gan-movie-costume-design.html
https://www.gradyhendrix.com

BSG #76: The Gimlet or the Eye / Cult Classic Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Come along with us on a journey through romances past as we discuss Sloane Crosley’s new novel Cult Classic. We talk about the novel's genre and tone, the writing style, what our protagonist learns, and of course, the mysterious Clive and the Goldonda. Plus, you get to hear us talk about our exes a little. (In every case, it was their loss.) Check your feeds on February 6th for our next Othersode where we’ll discuss M3gan with one of our favorite guests, Grady Hendrix, author of How to Sell a Haunted House. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about Witches by Brenda Lozano on February 20th. Send us feedback about our recent Hatepisode on It Ends With Us to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or DM us on social! Then, while you’ve got your phone out, go leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts!
TOC
:30– Welcome back, Susan!
14:15– Book intro
17:22– Is this a mystery, then? What genre is it?
29:50– The Golconda
42:30– What is Lola supposed to learn?
58:52–writing style
1:12:55– Why did that one thing happen at the end?
1:18:20–ratings
1:23:57– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Othersode #75: Steampunk Funeral / It Ends With Us Hatepisode w/ Mean Book Club Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

The Squad is coming for the CoHort as they dive into "It Ends With Us" for a very special Hatepisode. Johnna and Sarah from Mean Book Club join in on the fun and lend some expert hating skills to the ep! The crew discusses all things Colleen Hoover, as well as tired romance tropes, fanfiction, and trendy steampunk flowershops. Do you have what it takes to make it through a whole episode about CoHo? Does the cycle of Hatepisode abuse really end with us? Listen in to find out. Stay tuned for our next bookpisode on 1/23 where we'll discuss "Cult Classic" by Sloane Crosley, and our next othersode on 2/6 when we'll talk M3GAN with returning guest and author of "How To Sell A Haunted House," Grady Hendrix!
TOC
Content warning: domestic abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, suicidal ideation
0:30 – Welcome Mean Book Club’s Johnna and Sarah!! Also Susan is back!
18:11 — Book summary
20:30 — How does mean book club do it?
27:55 — The dumb flower shop
49:23 — Domestic abuse and childhood trauma—neither of these are romance
1:10:47 — Note from the author
1:23:31 — Why do people like this book?
1:27:45 — Ratings?
1:31:50 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Thanks again to Mean Book Club! https://twitter.com/meanbookclub

BSG #75: Homewritten / The Weight of Blood Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

This holiday season, the Book Squad is heading to prom! Join us and special guests Scott and Amber as we discuss Tiffany D. Jackson's "The Weight of Blood." Yes, this is a retelling of Stephen King's "Carrie," and yes, we discuss the stories' similarities and differences. We also chat about what it was like going to high school in Georgia. And of course, we talk about racism, sexism, witchiness, creepy dads, and what it means when a Goodreads review seems "homewritten." Did you read "The Weight of Blood"? What are your thoughts? Be sure to send us some feedback at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and we'll read it on our next bookpisode. Stay tuned for our next episode: the highly anticipated hatepisode on Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us," featuring the return of Susan! And after that, read along for our next bookpisode, which will be on "Cult Classic" by Sloane Crosley. Follow us on social media @booksquadgoals, and visit our website at www.booksquadgoals.com.
TOC::00–a statement on Harper Collins
1:00–welcome, Scott and Amber! And an icebreaker
14:25–book intro and warnings
17:20–the Carrie of it all
34:17–updated themes
56:50–the structure
1:02:08–twists and turns
1:13:05–other thoughts?
1:20:05–ratings
1:28:08–listener feedback!
1:33:17–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Follow the Harper Collins Union on social media to learn more about how you can support them:
https://www.instagram.com/hcpunion/
https://twitter.com/hcpunion

Othersode #74: If I Can't Have Two Men, I Can Have Cher / Interview with the Vampire Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

It might be nearly Christmas, but it's always Halloween in our hearts, which is why this week we're talking about the new television adaptation of Anne Rice's classic, "Interview with the Vampire." We're joined by special guests Ellis and Todd for a discussion of vampire rules, how the show's deviations from the source material play for us, how it stacks up against the original film adaptation, and, of course, gay stuff. If you have strong opinions like we do, please send us some feedback at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and we'll read it on our next othersode! Stay tuned for our next bookpisode (and our last of the year) where we'll cover "The Weight of Blood" by Tiffany D. Jackson. Then, to ring in the new year, Susan will make her triumphant return for a hatepisode on Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us." Follow us on social media @booksquadgoals, and visit our website at www.booksquadgoals.com. Oh, and happy holidays!
TOC
:30 – Welcome Ellis and Todd! And icebreaker
14:40 – Show summary
16:00 – Ch-ch-changes
25:30 – Daniel and Claudia
47:00 – Sex and intimacy
52:15 – The acting
1:03:20 – Armand
1:11:05 – Hopes for season 2
1:23:00 – Todd feedback
1:26:32 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
https://ellisburnheart.com/
https://twitter.com/tadasborne

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