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BSG #44: Four Brunettes and a Book / Magic For Liars / Interview with Karen Salyer McElmurray Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

Things get a little magical this week as the Book Squad discusses "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey. We cover the inevitable comparisons to those *other* books set in a magical school, how this book works as a mystery novel, and how we feel about our narrator, Ivy. Then, Emily interviews Karen Salyer McElmurray, author of "Wanting Radiance." Later, we dig into a little listener feedback and catch up on what’s happening on the #BookSquadBlog. Rent "The Secret Garden" for our next #Othersode on August 24th, and read along with us for our next #Bookpisode on "We Set the Dark on Fire" by Tehlor Kay Mejia on September 7th!
TOC
0:30 — What magical subject would you teach?
8:19 — Book intro
10:00 — How does "Magic for Liars" work to do something different from Harry Potter?
21:21 — How the novel works as a mystery
37:37 — Ask a man
41:42 — Ratings
51:24 — Interview with Karen Salyer McElmurray
1: 26:52 — A little listener feedback
1:30:25 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Some Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
PDX Portland Bail Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdx-protest-bail-fund
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

Othersode #43: Phantom of the Suburbs / Hamilton! Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

Join us *in the room where it happens* to talk about "Hamilton," the 2015 hit Broadway musical that recently became available to stream on Disney+! We talk about our favorite characters and moments, how women are represented, deviations from history (but in a not-annoying way!), other musicals that have had crossover cultural success, and how "Hamilton" represents our particular politico-historical moment. Also—the #BookSquadBlog is back! Check it out for brand new content! For our next #Bookpisode on August 10, read "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey. Then, check out the new film adaptation of "The Secret Garden" for our next #Othersode on August 24. Send your thoughts on "Hamilton" or any other topic we’ve covered to thesquad@booksquadgoal.com or DM us on social media @booksquadgoals!
TOC
0:30 - Intro and icebreaker
8:21 - Musical intro
11:38 - What’s your experience with this musical?
19:06 - Wikes and dislikes
33:42 - Women in the musical
46:00 - Controversy about the musical, representing history
59:11 - Crossover success!
1:06:07 - Recorded musicals v movies v live
1:27:57 - What’s everyone’s favorite leitmotif?
1:37:40 - Listener feedback
1:39:40 - Special announcements
1:43:41 - What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
- Historical facts: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/movies/hamilton-musical-history-facts.html
- Hamilton cast Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFaUY3OAzow
- Adam's scholarship: https://gail.uga.edu/adam-cramond-martin-giving
- Kickstarter for Two Trumps and a Lie: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sethgriffin/two-trumps-and-a-lie-card-game
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Some Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
PDX Portland Bail Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdx-protest-bail-fund
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

BSG #43: The Tina Fey of The Water Dancer / Ta-Nehisi Coates' The Water Dancer with Said Medina Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

Join the #BookSquad—and special returning guest Said!—for our discussion of The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. We talk about memory and storytelling, the “magic” of the story, how women are represented in the book, complicated characters, and enslavement. Next, we dig into some listener feedback from Ninth House and offer some reading suggestions from Black writers. Plus, the #BookSquadBlog is BACK! Check it out for new YA Book Club content, plus posts about video games, movies and more! Watch Hamilton with us for our next #Othersode (7/27), and read Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey for our next #Bookpisode (8/10)! Follow us on social media, and send any feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
Coates discussing The Water Dancer w/Ibram X. Kendi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXcpOuFSxqc
TOC
:30–intro and special guest, Said!
8:44–spoiler warning and book intro
12:23–the power of memory and storytelling
18:35–what is the value of the magic in the book?
20:25–women in the novel
55:27–problematic characters
1:02:00–history in the novel
1:05:26–terminology
1:10:18–quotes from the Coates and Kendi talk
1:17:13–would this be a good limited series?
1:22:27–ratings?
1:32:31–listener feedback
1:42:54–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Consider Donating:
https://thelovelandfoundation.org/
https://www.theokraproject.com/
https://alp.org/
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

Othersode #42: Anti-Racist Reading / Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

As the United States enters the sixth week of national protests over the brutal police murders of unarmed Black people, we thought it best to interrupt our regular schedule for some anti-racism reading and reflection. So this week, we're discussing Ibram X. Kendi’s "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America." We cover the book’s interesting structure, highlight some of the new-to-us terminology, and share ways in which the book upended our own understanding of our country’s history. Of course, we also talk about pop culture and feminism, because how could we not? After our discussion, we read some listener feedback from our last othersode on Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, and talk a little bit about the current status of the blog.
Be sure to read along for our next episode on The Water Dancer by Ta Nehisi Caotes, which drops July 13th. Then, for our next othersode on July 27th, join us for another foray into American history: a discussion of HAMILTON, which will finally be made available to the masses via Disney+. In the meantime, please continue educating yourselves, fighting for what’s right, and wearing your masks!
:30–introductions and places to donate
8:33–gettin into the book. Spoiler warning: it’s history
23:45–terminology, learning new things
34:32–uplift suasion (and how it applies to the Bach nation)
58:26–Black women and feminism
1:06:40–pop culture
1:19:52–physicality and stereotypes
1:30:37–comments on the book
1:39:37–feedback
1:41:25–where’s the blog? What’s up next?
Links:
https://thelovelandfoundation.org/
https://www.theokraproject.com/
https://alp.org/
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

BSG #42: Shout Out to Publix / Mostly Dead Things / Interview with Erica Boyce Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

We’re off to sunny, sweaty Florida to talk about “Mostly Dead Things,” the debut novel by Kristen Arnett. We discuss taxidermy, the characters, grossness, and the ideas of masculinity and vulnerability. Then, Emily interviews Erica Boyce, author of the new book “Lost at Sea.” Then we dig into some listener feedback from a few of our earlier book picks. In light of recent events, we’ve changed our next Othersode topic—read along with us for our June 29 discussion of Ibram X. Kendi’s book “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” (available for free on Spotify right now!). Our next Bookpisode will cover “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and we’ll be joined by returning guest Said on July 13!
0:30 – Announcements
5:30 – Intro q
14:20 – Book intro
16:36 – Taxidermy as the center of the novel
23:50 – Characters and character development
41:40 – Gross stuff!
52:50 – Masculinity and vulnerability
59:55 – Ratings
1:09:25 – Interview with Erica Boyce!
1:39:02 – Listener feedback
1:45:07 – What’s up next?
Links:
The End of Policing: https://www.versobooks.com/books/2426-the-end-of-policing
Kandis’s film, Edible: https://www.gofundme.com/f/edible-short-film
Snap4Freedom: https://www.snap4freedom.org/home
The Okra Project: https://www.theokraproject.com
ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/
Audre Lorde Project: https://alp.org/
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
More Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

Othersode #41: Black Lives Matter / Atlanta's Missing and Murdered / Interview with Mary Kay McBrayer Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

Join the Book Squad as we discuss "Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children," an HBO docuseries that is more relevant than ever. We discuss the nature of the crimes, the racial tensions and violence plaguing Atlanta in the 1970s and 80s, the questionable “evidence,” and how well the series works as a whole. Next, Susan interviews Mary Kay McBrayer, author of the new book "America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster." Then we dig into some listener feedback on "Devs" and update you on all the good stuff on the blog! Read "Mostly Dead Things" by Kristen Arnett for our next #bookpisode on June 15, and watch "Shirley" on Hulu for our next #othersode on June 29!
TOC
:00 – Black Lives Matter
1:20 – what’s your favorite doc?
13:01 – documentary summary and our previous experience with the case
28:39 – but why Wayne Williams?
39:54 – let’s talk about the KKK guy
50:20 – Maynard Jackson
54:17 – how does this function as a documentary?
1:01:12 – feelings about the series
1:04:00 – interview with Mary Kay McBrayer!
1:38:58 – listener feedback
1:44:39 – what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Link to buy America’s First Female Serial Killer from Mango Publishing: https://mango.bz/books/americas-first-female-serial-killer-by-mary-kay-mcbrayer-927-b
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
George Floyd Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Campaign Zero https://www.joincampaignzero.org/solutions#solutionsoverview
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

BSG #41: I See Dead People / Ninth House / Interview with Veronica Roth May 19, 2020

Show notes

Come behind the Veil with us as we discuss Leigh Bardugo’s novel "Ninth House." We talk about fantasy and mystery, class and privilege, trauma and more in Bardugo’s first novel for adults. Then we have a special interview with Veronica Roth, author of "Chosen Ones" and the Divergent series. Next, we dig into some listener feedback from some throwback BSG reads and fill you in on what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. Our next #Othersode (June 1) will be filled with crime – watch "Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children" on HBO with us for our discussion of this case. Plus, we have another author interview with Mary Kay McBrayer, author of "America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster." Then, our next #Bookpisode on June 15 will cover "Mostly Dead Things" by Kristen Arnett! Read along with us and send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
Table of Contents
0:30–a special day for Mary
4:13–a content warning, and what’s your secret society?
10:54–book summary
14:20–how genre works in the book
19:17–mystery!
24:51–secret societies
29:30–privilege and class
42:20–violence
49:57–Hellie
54:44–ratings!
1:02:19–Veronica Roth interview!
1:13:00–listener feedback
1:39:40–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Leigh Bardugo’s NPR interview: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/06/767636941/leigh-bardugo-on-ninth-house

Othersode #40: God's Plan for This Mouse / Devs / Our 3rd Birthday! May 04, 2020

Show notes

It has been predetermined that you will listen to this episode. This week on #BookSquadGoals, we examine "Devs," the FX series on Hulu. We discuss determinism vs. free will vs. multiple universes, religion, the characters, and all the Alex Garland-ness of the series, including his casting choices. Plus, it’s our third birthday! We exchange “Secret Santa” birthday gifts and celebrate three years of podcasting fun! Read along for our next #bookpisode on "Ninth House" by Leigh Bardugo on May 18. That episode will also have an extra special interview with Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series! For our next #othersode on June 1, catch up with HBO’s series "Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children," and get ready for another author interview with Mary Kay McBrayer about her debut book, "America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster." Send any listener feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or DM us on Instagram or Twitter @booksquadgoals!
0:30 – What would your tech company be working on in secret?
9:30 – Show intro
11:28 – Science, technology, and Devs
27:00 – Religion
36:30 – Determinism
57:06 – Representation
1:10:00 – Other comments
1:17:58 – Birthday pressies
1:37:44 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links to Alex Garland Interviews referenced:
- https://tv.avclub.com/devs-creator-alex-garland-on-silicon-valley-s-cult-vi-1842220132/amp
- https://www.thrillist.com/amphtml/entertainment/nation/alex-garland-interview-devs
- https://collider.com/devs-interview-cailee-spaeny-lyndon-gender/

BSG #40: The Bone Dome / Gideon the Ninth with Leah Rachel Von Essen Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

In the myriadic year of our lord—the twenty thousand and twentieth year (after death), the year of the COVID-19 pandemic!—the Book Squad packs our pets, our books, and our dirty magazines, and we escape to the House of the Ninth. Joined by guest Leah Rachel Von Essen, we engage in a rousing discussion of “Gideon the Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, the first in Muir’s Locked Tomb trilogy. Topics include queerness without romance, magical world-building, and the difference between necromancy and necrophilia. Then we cover some listener feedback and talk about what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. On our next episode (May 4) we’ll talk about “Devs,” the new Hulu show from BSG favorite Alex Garland. Our next bookpisode (May 18) will be about “The Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo. Send your comments and feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
TOC
:30--Introduction to our guest Leah, and icebreaker q
12:08--A spoiler warning and book introduction
15:29--What were our difficulties approaching the book? What drew us in?
26:50--necromancy
39:02--Is this a mystery novel?
47:10--Discussing Muir’s interview with Three Crows Magazine; discussing hard topics and queer sexual identities (http://threecrowsmagazine.com/tamsyn-muir-interview-there-is-a-lot-of-blood-on-my-dance-floor/)
1:06:06--Favorite moments/characters
1:15:12--Ratings
1:28:48--Feedback
1:30:54--What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Leah’s piece on queer romance: https://bookriot.com/2020/02/17/characters-shouldnt-need-to-kiss-to-be-queer/
You can find Leah at https://whilereadingandwalking.com/.

Othersode #39: Put Some Googly Eyes On It / Dracula with Grady Hendrix Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Special guest Grady Hendrix joins the Book Squad this week to discuss the 2020 Netflix/BBC series "Dracula." We talk about Dracula lore, departures from Bram Stoker’s novel, the historical depiction of vampires, recent television trends, and the overall weird, wild ride that is this three-episode series. Next, we ask Grady all about his newest book, "The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires." Then we dig into some feedback on several recent books and update what’s on the Book Squad Blog. Read along with us for our next #bookpisode on "Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir on April 20, and watch the Hulu miniseries "Devs" for our next #othersode on May 4!
TOC
0:30 – A special guest and special quiz!
18:28 – Show introduction
20:00 – How does the show change Stoker’s story?
37:36 – Makeup and special FX
44:00 – Episode 3 (and its big twist) and the nature of adaptation
52:07 – The history of the vampire
1:01:54 – Ratings, heroes, and toxic masculinity
1:10:20 – Q&A with Grady Hendrix!
1:42:43 – Feedback
1:49:30 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Mary Kay’s quiz: https://bookriot.com/2019/01/08/famous-vampire-quiz/
Review of "Dracula" at The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21065289/dracula-netflix-bbc-review-sherlock-novel-bram-stoker
Gwendolyn Kiste's "The Eight People Who Murdered Me": http://www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/the-eight-people-who-murdered-me-excerpt-from-lucy-westenras-diary/
Song in our Monthly Mane ad is Acid Trumpet by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3340-acid-trumpet
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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