Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr

Latest Episodes:

The Kissing Booth 2 (2020) Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Brenna and Joe return to the world of Wattpad to check out Beth Reekles' 2020 sequel, The Kissing Booth 2: Going The Distance, as well as its Netflix adaptation.

The book is better written, but where is the conflict? There's nothing here! The film is much better thanks to a committed performance by Joey King (and her wig), as well as the addition of Taylor Zakhar Perez.

Plus: questioning the book's interest in Elle & Noah as a couple, egregious montages, fun closing credits, and Dance Dance Revolution?!

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag 31: Adult Julie Murphy and Girls in STEM Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Brenna and Joe answer emails from Tea, Books & Chocolate (about Julie Murphy's adult fiction novel Merry Little Meet Cute) and Alex (looking for recommendations of YA featuring girls in STEM).

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild Pork and Watercress (1986) / Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Brenna and Joe close out a month of New Zealand programming with a look at Barry Crump's 1986 novel Wild Pork and Watercress, as well as Taika Waititi's long-in-development adaptation from 2016.

We're talking about how prolific Crump is, Waititi's humour, and the depiction of Māori youth across several texts.

Plus: montages, survivalism, tanks, and justice for Aunt Bella!

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flight of the Albatross (1989) Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

New Zealand month enters its third week as Brenna and Joe tackle Deborah Savage's 1989 book Flight of the Albatross.

Despite being very readable, we're got some issues with the white saviour storyline and the use of Maori characters to further the protagonist's journey.

Plus: Sarah's obsession with weight, bad mom Pauline, the German (!) film adaptation we can't screen, and bizarre 80s book covers.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whale Rider Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

New Zealand month continues as we tackle our first Māori text with Witi Ihimaera's 1987 novel and Niki Caro's 2002 film adaptation.

The book is short but beautiful, particularly the unusual "framing" device from a whale's perspective that provides an underlying religious element.

The film plays more like a standard coming-of-age tale made for a broad (read: white) audience. It's still good, but the intention is surprisingly different considering the many 1-to-1 adaptation choices that were made.

References:

> Ed. Gonzalez. "Whale Rider: Review" Slant Magazine

> Michael O’Sullivan. “Niki Caro: lifting the lid on the Whale Rider 'backlash’” Stuff

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag 30: Dutch Margaret Mahy Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Listener Miriam writes in with her reflections on Margaret Mahy's The Catalogue of the Universe, its Dutch language title and book cover, and why it appealed to her as a slightly pretentious teen.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Catalogue of the Universe (1985) Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

New Zealand month begins with a classic text: Margaret Mahy's The Catalogue of the Universe (1985).

Brenna and Joe discuss the literary prose, the need (even in the 80s) to use romance to sell YA, and the divisive reader reactions to our dual protagonists.

Plus: great families, a wild finale, and an overview of Mahy's prolific career...which weirdly never made a splash in North America.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag 29: YA Isn't Just For Young Adults (Shocker) Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Guest Alex Heeney trolls Brenna and Joe with an article from The Millions entitled "YA Isn't Just For Young Adults". Naturally we have thoughts, including how 2018 this argument is, Book Tok, Threads, and what we call "fighting with air."

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Us is Lying Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Brenna and Joe venture to California to discuss Karen M. McManus' 2017 book One of Us is Lying and S01 of Erica Saleh's 2021 TV series.

We're discussing the characters we latched onto in each version, as well as the changes made in the adaptation and how that would change the next book/season.

Plus: thoughts on the "twist" and "villain" reveal, the beautiful 25 year olds on the show, and its sheer Canadianess.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dark Rise (2021) Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Following recommendations from listeners Emma and Line, we're finally checking out C.S. Pacat's Dark Rise (2021).

The magical fantasy text features a multiplicity of Chosen One protagonists, as well as tons of twists and turns. Could it have used a firmer hand in the editing and an abbreviated first part? Sure, but there's plenty to like here.

Plus: abusive queer sexuality, (non)binary roles, and Brenna's surprising favourite character.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:

> Brenna: @brennacgray (BlueSky/Instagram)

> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Twitter/Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Have a mail bag question? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com

Theme music: Ben Fox "Think About the Lights"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.