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Latest Episodes:

BSG #59: A Fun Guy / Sorrowland with Leah Rachel von Essen / Interview with Catriona Ward Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Come into the woods with the Book Squad and special guest Leah Rachel von Essen to discuss Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon. We talk about the book’s pacing, Vern’s characterization, gender identity and sexuality, the mistreatment of Black people by white America, and of course, mushrooms. Next, Emily interviews Catriona Ward, author of the novel The Last House on Needless Street. You don’t want to miss this fun interview! After that, we dig into some listener feedback on Klara and the Sun, Harrow the Ninth (the sequel to Gideon the Ninth), and The Final Girl Support Group. Join us and Tirzah Price for our next Othersode on the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, on October 18th. Read along for our next Bookpisode on November 1 when we discuss Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters. Send feedback to thesquad@booksquad.com or DM us on Instagram!
TOC
:30–Welcome, Leah! Spoiler warning and intro q
10:55–Book intro
12:00–How the book is divided into sections
27:37–Cult stuff
37:22–Stolen land, Indigenous presence
50:27–The body
55:50–Gender identity
1:10:19–Ratings!
1:19:52–Interview with Catriona Ward
1:56:12–feedback
2:05:26–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Find Leah at: https://whilereadingandwalking.com
Links:
https://whilereadingandwalking.com/post/650390706536448000/river-solomon-talks-sorrowland-with-sarah-gailey

Othersode #58: Courteney Cox's Bangs / Scream with Grady Hendrix Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

Grady Hendrix returns to the podcast to talk about the Scream franchise and his new novel, The Final Girl Support Group! We talk about our favorite final girls (and how Sidney stacks up), how Scream revolutionized the slasher genre in the 1990s, how the sequels compare to each other, and why Gale’s hair goes rogue in 2 and 3. Plus, Grady shares a SUPER FUN FACT about Scream 2 that blows all of our minds. Then we ask Grady about The Final Girl Support Group and learn how the book came to be and what he has coming up in the future! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon, featuring special guest Leah Rachel von Essen, and stick around for an interview with Catriona Ward, author of The Last House on Needless Street. Catch up on Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu for our next Othersode on October 11th!
:30–Welcome Grady Hendrix! And icebreaker q
12:41–Scream intro and discussion of what holds up and what doesn’t
27:40–style and hair
33:55–is it horror or mystery?
48:00–Let’s talk about the cold opens
52:36–Scream 5
57:11–rankings
1:12:12–Final Girl Support Group
1:37:00–What’s up next?
Links: https://screenrant.com/scream-movie-aged-poorly-timeless/
http://www.gradyhendrix.com

BSG #58: Artificial Friends / Klara and the Sun with Wizzy, AKA SailorMoonWisdom Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Call up your Artificial Friend—it’s time to talk about "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Special guest “Wizzy” of @sailormoonwisdom joins us to discuss the meaning of Klara’s relationship with the sun, why “simple” doesn’t mean “not complex,” whether or not humans are special, and Rick and Josie’s love for one another. Then we catch up with what’s on the blog, including more book, podcast, and television reviews. Tune in on September 20th for our chat with Grady Hendrix about the Scream series and his new novel, "The Final Girl Support Group." Join us for our next #Bookpisode on "Sorrowland" by Rivers Solomon, featuring special guest Leah Rachel von Essen, and stick around for an interview with Catriona Ward, author of "The Last House on Needless Street!"
TOC:
:30–Welcome, @sailormoonwisdom! And icebreaker
14:06–Book summary
18:05–What do we think of the sun’s role considering its potential connection to religion?
31:44–Is this book too simplistic?
41:16–Think of the children!
49:22–Josie and Rick
55:10–Klara and the trash
1:03:33–Ratings!
1:11:55–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Othersode #57: Distracted by Dev Patel / The Green Knight (with The Maniculum) Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Come back to medieval times with us as we welcome Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum, a podcast featuring some of the strangest, most absurd, and befuddling examples of medieval writing. The co-hosts of The Maniculum help us uncover some of the secrets of A24’s latest film The Green Knight, which stars Dev Patel and Alicia Vikander. From our favorite Arthurian heroes to the moody atmosphere of David Lowery’s lush landscapes, no stone goes unturned in this discussion.
After you’re finished with this episode, get ready for what’s on deck next! We’ll welcome “Wizzy” from @SailorMoonWisdom to discuss Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. After that, Grady Hendrix triumphantly returns to talk all things Scream and answer some questions about his new novel, The Final Girl Support Group.
1:22–Welcome Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum!
12:50–Film synopsis
14:43–What kinds of expectations did we have?
24:25–Cinematography and filmmaking
28:20–Differences in the movie and the book
57:49–A24 has a great marketing team, and TTRPGs
1:06:53–Misc. Thoughts
1:30:37– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

BSG #57: Weekend at Nina's / Malibu Rising with RJ Sorrento / Interview with Kristen Radtke Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Surf’s up, listeners! Join us for one hell of a party as we discuss "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Special guest RJ Sorrento joins us to talk about the structure of the story, the characters and their motivations, TJR’s writing style, and—you guessed it—a little bit of "Weekend at Bernies." After the party ends, stick around for Mary’s interview with Kristen Radtke, author of "Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness." Tune in on August 23rd for our next Othersode on "The Green Knight" with guests Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum Podcast. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on September 6, where we’ll cover "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro with special guest Wizzy from @sailormoonwisdom on IG. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode!
TOC
:30–Welcome RJ Sorrento!
7:00–What celebrity party would you want to go to?
14:49–Book intro
18:35–Narrative structure
32:50–Let’s talk about the Rivas
48:30–TJR’s writing
1:01:09–Ratings
1:09:20–Interview with Kristen Radtke
1:38:48–Listener feedback
1:44:35–What’s up next?
Find Kristen at: http://kristenradtke.com
Find RJ at: https://instagram.com/rjs.readingnook

Othersode #56: Uber for Rooms / WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

It’s time to work till you drop! Just kidding, we’re not about that life. But we are all about discussing the new documentary "WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn." We are joined by special guest “Nicole,” who has some real-life experience with WeWork, to talk about hustle culture, cult-like workplaces, toxic positivity, and the many things that went wrong with WeWork. Next we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the blog, including Bachelorette recaps, Gossip Girl recaps, and more. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Then watch Dev Patel in "The Green Knight" for our next Othersode, featuring special guests Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum podcast! Don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and send us your feedback on this or any other episode!
TOC
:30 – Welcome, Nicole!
2:58 – What would your WeWork venture be called?
6:50 – Documentary intro
7:41 – Hustle culture
27:00 – How and why does this work?/Cult stuff
48:07 – Toxic positivity and utopia
1:10:19 – Listener feedback!
1:12:13 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links: I Lived Adam Neumann’s Perfect Day. It Was Terrible. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/i-lived-adam-neumanns-perfect-life-for-a-dayit-was-dismal.html
Billion Dollar Loser–https://www.avidbookshop.com/book/9780316461368
The Cult of We–https://www.avidbookshop.com/book/9780593237113

BSG #56: A Gatsbyness About Him / The Chosen and the Beautiful / Interview with Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

Jump into the Jazz Age as the Book Squad discusses "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo, a queer, magical retelling of "The Great Gatsby." We tread new and old territory as we talk about perspective, race, sexuality, magic, and both books’ messages. Next, Kelli hosts a delightful interview with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman, authors of "The Very Nice Box." Don’t miss our next very special #Othersode with returning guest Grady Hendrix, author of the new novel "The Final Girl Support Group," as we talk about his book and the Scream franchise movies! On our next #Bookpisode, we’ll be joined by writer and book blogger RJ to discuss "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
TOC
0:30 – Icebreaker
6:11 – Book intro
8:34 – Hey! Spoilers! Also, how does the story change because of Jordan’s race and sexuality?
20:30 – Magic!
34:10 – What’s the difference in messaging? Also quick writing corner
41:14 – What about that ending?
45:54 – Ratings
47:52 – Interview with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman
1:20:40 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
Bookpage interview: https://bookpage.com/interviews/26361-nghi-vo-science-fiction-fantasy#.YOcv6hNKhz8

Othersode #55: Book Squad Games: Tokyo Drift Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Back by popular demand! Hit the streets of Tokyo with the Squad (plus Todd) for the third installment of Book Squad Games. We finally got to inhabit our true supernatural forms as we played Urban Shadows from Magpie Games! Join us on an adventure to save the supernatural beings of Tokyo from a mysterious hunter.
Tune in on July 12th for our next Bookpisode about the queer, magical Gatsby retelling "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo. Then, Grady Hendrix will join us on July 26th to talk about his new novel, "The Final Girl Support Group," and discuss the entire Scream movie franchise with us! You don’t wanna miss this one!
TOC:
:30 – Intro to Urban Shadows
4:55 – Game setup and intro questions
20:00 – Let’s begin the game!
2:03:50 – Episode wrap-up/What’s up next?
Urban Shadows 2e Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magpiegames/urban-shadows-second-edition

BSG #55: Off the Beaten Grid / Earthlings Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Join us on our spaceship for our discussion of "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata. We talk about the various pressures women face, society as a monster, the strange and complicated characters, body hair, and that wild ending. Next we get into some listener feedback on "Ready Player Two" and "Make Up Break Up," and then we catch up with what’s on the blog! Tune in on June 28th for our third installment of Book Squad Games, and read along for our next Bookpisode about "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo on July 12th!
TOC
0:00 – Intro question
10:00 – Content warning and book intro
24:56 – Society as a monster
33:29 – The trauma
49:00 – Let’s talk about Yuu
53:18 – Natsuki’s husband and Kise
1:10:00 – Hair talk
1:06:32 - The ending!
1:23:37 – Ratings
1:29:50 – Feedback
1:36:19 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
Interview with Murata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4qiX8xYJ4c

Othersode #54: I Totally Had Sex: A Hatepisode / Ready Player 2 Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Put on your haptic feedback suit and jump into the OASIS with us as we discuss Ernest Cline’s Ready Player Two. This is a hate-pisode, and we all knew we’d have mixed feelings going in, but have no fear. The squad is here to detail all of the negative aspects of Ready Player Two, including its trouble with being a sequel, problematic gender representation, and indistinguishable characters. Can Wade get out of the OASIS...again? Will he push the big read button and end it all? What are people on Goodreads saying about this trash fire of a novel? We cover it all on this episode. Spoilers abound as we tear apart this novel and wish for sci-fi with a conscience.
If you want to catch up on Ready Player One, you can hear our episode on the movie here: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/readyplayer1-movie
Come back next time for a discussion of Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, a novel we won’t hate!
TOC
1:00–What’s a good sequel?
14:22–Book intro
20:50–How does this work as a sequel?
48:45–Gender stuff. Yikes (Jessie Gender’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOa8FacyF4)
1:14:08– Ernest Cline can’t write women
1:18:40– Indistinguishable characters and plagiarism
1:24:27– The button and Goodreads reviews
1:30:00–Ratings
1:32:14–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

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