Gays Reading

Latest Episodes:

Danny Pellegrino (The Jolliest Bunch) on the Art of Gift Giving, Lindor Balls, and Meat Sticks Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Everything Iconic podcast host Danny Pellegrino (The Jolliest Bunch) about traditions, how to avoid "stuffing disappointment," Judy Greer dream casting, a shocking piece of advice about *that* Mariah song, and much, much, more.
Danny Pellegrino is the New York Times bestselling author of How Do I Un-Remember This?: Unfortunately True Stories and The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories. He's also a comedian, actor, and screenwriter who created and hosts the hit podcast Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino. Guests include people like Drew Barrymore, Kelly Ripa, Keke Palmer, Katie Couric, Rosie O'Donnell, Elizabeth Olsen, Andy Cohen, Cameron Diaz, Miss Piggy, and more!
Danny is from Solon, Ohio, and can be found on social media via @DannyPellegrino, or in front of the TV with a glass of bed wine.

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December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Nonfiction November Book Recs feat. Sy Montgomery Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

To kick off #NonfictionNovember, Jason and Brett share some of their favorite nonfiction books before talking to prolific nonfiction author, Sy Montgomery. (How many times can one say "nonfiction" in a description?) They talk to Sy about the nonfiction genre, how she decides her topics, and about her newest book Of Time and Turtles. (Nonfiction count: 4. Technically 5.)
In addition to researching films, articles, and thirty-six books, National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery has been honored with a Sibert Medal, two Science Book and Film Prizes from the National Association for the Advancement of Science, three honorary degrees, and many other awards. She lives in Hancock, New Hampshire, with her husband, Howard Mansfield, and their border collie, Thurber.

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December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Pidgeon Pagonis (Nobody Needs to Know) on the "I" in LGBTQIA+, Trauma Soup, and Pizza Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Do you know what the "I" in LGBTQIA+ stands for? In case you don't, Jason and Brett talk to Pidgeon Pagonis (Nobody Needs to Know) about what intersex means and Pidgeon's experience living "in between." They also discuss the best Chicago-style pizza, gush over diners, and debate a controversial A League of Their Own question.
Check out Pidgeon's website: http://pid.ge/
Intersex Resources: http://pid.ge/resources
Check out Pidgeon's brand, Too Cute to Be Binary: https://toocutetobebinary.com/
Pidgeon Pagonis is an activist on behalf of intersex and marginalized people. They have advanced youth advocacy with interACT, launched an intersex YouTube channel, written for Everyday Feminism, cofounded the Intersex Justice Project (IJP) and the #EndIntersexSurgery campaign, and introduced the intersex and nonbinary clothing line Too Cute to Be Binary. They’ve created two short documentaries, The Son I Never Had, which premiered at Outfest, and A Normal Girl, which screened at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival; appeared on the cover of National Geographic’s “Gender Revolution” special issue; and been honored as an LGBT Champion of Change by the Obama White House. They are currently documenting intersex people of color for Physical Record, a new photo series subsidized by Astraea’s Intersex Human Rights Fund.

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December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Dann McDorman (West Heart Kill) on Mysteries and Shenanigans Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

In this spoiler-free conversation, Jason and Brett talk to Dann McDorman (West Heart Kill) about his reverence for the classic mystery story, why so many people are drawn to the genre, his least favorite trope, and his experience writing his debut novel.
Dann McDorman is an Emmy-nominated TV news producer, who has also worked as a newspaper reporter, book reviewer, and cabinet maker. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children. @dann_mcdorman
*Reiterating that as always, Gays Reading is spoiler-free, so you can listen whether you've read the book or not!

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December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Amy Schneider (In the Form of a Question) on "Who is Amy Schneider?" Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider (In the Form of a Question) about life before and after her lauded run on the show, the impact of teachers, her experience writing nonfiction and stand-up comedy, and how hard it is to execute the infamous "Jeopardy! poker face."
Amy Schneider is an American software engineer and recent Jeopardy! champion. Following an impressive forty-game winning streak, she became the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!. She is second all-time in the show’s history, trailing only Ken Jennings. Amy is also the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. She has been covered in People, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, USA TODAY, and more, and she has appeared on Good Morning America.

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BOOK CLUB!
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December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Ashley Winstead (Midnight is the Darkest Hour) on Thrillers, Plot Twists, and Twilight Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Ashley Winstead (Midnight is the Darkest Hour) about twist pressure, the difference between mysteries and thrillers, Twilight, and more. This episode also features special guest Dennis Michel aka @scaredstraightreads who talks about favorite thrillers.
Ashley Winstead is an academic turned novelist with a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature. She lives in Houston with her husband, two cats, and beloved wine fridge. ashleywinstead.com

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BOOK CLUB!
Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE
December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Alex Gino (Green) on Being a Banned Book Author and Writing for the Next Generation Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Alex Gino (Green) about favorite sweets, book banning, their experience as a banned book author, using the singular they pronoun, and creating a safe world for young readers.
Alex Gino writes queer and progressive middle grade novels, including the Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning Melissa. They love glitter, ice cream, gardening, wordplay, and stories that reflect the complexity of being alive. Alex is from Staten Island, NY and now lives in Western Massachusetts with Thunder the Wonder Cat. alexgino.com
Melissa Cover Fix
Get your sticker if you have an old cover for Melissa HERE.
More info about PEN America HERE.

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BOOK CLUB!
Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE
December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

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Nathan Hill (Wellness) on the Stories We Tell and Modern Romances Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Nathan Hill (Wellness) about monogamy, parental relationships, social media and the algorithm, and how stories can be both constructed and constricted by the worlds we live in.
Wellness is the September 2023 Oprah’s Book Club Pick
Nathan Hill’s best-selling debut novel, The Nix, was named the number one book of 2016 by Entertainment Weekly and one of the year’s best books by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Slate, and many others. It was the winner of the Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction from the Los Angeles Times and was published worldwide in more than two dozen languages. A native Iowan, Hill lives with his wife in Naples, Florida.

Support the show

BOOK CLUB!
Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE
December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

SUBSTACK!
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MERCH!
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WATCH!
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FOLLOW!
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hello@gaysreading.com

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The Booker Prize Episode feat. Gaby Wood and Tan Twan Eng Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Gaby Wood, the Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation about the prize process. Gaby talks about choosing judges, facilitating meetings, and other aspects of her role which includes making some difficult decisions. They also talk to three-time Booker Prize listee, Tan Twan Eng about his experience as a nominee and his unique insight as an 2023 International Booker Prize judge. Twan is currently represented on the 2023 longlist with his book, The House of Doors.
- Watch how the Booker Prize works in this animated video
- Official Booker Prize rules

Support the show

BOOK CLUB!
Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE
December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White

SUBSTACK!
https://gaysreading.substack.com/

MERCH!
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WATCH!
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Mona Awad (Rouge) on Fairy Tales and Beauty Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Jason and Brett talk to Mona Awad (Rouge) about the key ingredients of a fairy tale, the cult of the beauty industry, and how her own biracial background influenced her writing this contemporary gothic Snow White.
Mona Awad is the author of the novels All’s Well, Bunny, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. Bunny was a finalist for a Goodreads Choice Award and the New England Book Award. It was named a Best Book of 2019 by TIME, Vogue, and the New York Public Library. It is currently being developed for film with Bad Robot Productions. All’s Well was a finalist for a Goodreads Choice Award. 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Awad’s forthcoming novel Rouge, is being adapted for film by Fremantle and Sinestra. This spring, Margaret Atwood named Awad her ‘literary heir’ in The New York Times’s T Magazine. She teaches fiction in the creative writing program at Syracuse University and is based in Boston.