The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Latest Episodes:

129. Delicious Floating Buffet Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Get out your white go-go boots and settle in for chapters 9-10 of Rita Williams-Garcia's "One Crazy Summer." Cecile sends her daughters out into the wild in search of breakfast. They have a stand-off with Beak Man over Miss Pattycake and eat cold eggs with orange slices. Al and Jody provide an insider exclusive about their "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" focus group and do an impromptu mini tarot sesh. There are two Special Reports on the name Inzilla (Nameberry says DON'T DO IT) and the historic rec center at Oakland's De Fremery Park. Keep listening for the usual dramatic readings and analysis, with plenty of off-topic discussion about Puffalumps, Go-Go the Walking Pup, My Buddy, and My Pretty Ballerina.

128. A Muppet Foot Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Chapters 7-8 of "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia! Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern spy on a secret Black Panther meeting, put themselves to bed, and have an ice water standoff with Cecile. Delphine also meets Cecile's roommate: a giant pair of angel wings. Alison and Jody do some dramatic readings and analysis, talk about their favorite Muppets, and get into some existential weirdness. Thank you Blume Head Helen for her mini Special Report on Judy Blume in The Simpsons!

127. Say Yes! Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Order up some lo mein and a Pepsi, it's time for chapters 5-6 of "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia! First and foremost, please excuse Jody's terrible sound quality (we blame Gremlins). Delphine and her sisters are starving, so Cecile barricades the verboten kitchen and sends them out to fetch dinner from Ming's. They make a pricey call to Big Ma and meet a boy with a Burning Man wheelchair. Back at home, Cecile is visited by three mysterious figures. Who could they be?! Jody recalls the time when she fielded collect calls from metalhead prisoners, and Alison reminisces about the time she was able to shower in the morning. There's dramatic readings, fabulous TV commercials from 1968, and some surprise cupcakes! What a night.

126. You're a Carport Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

We're in Oakland, baby! Chapters 3-4 of Rita Williams-Garcia's "One Crazy Summer" (2010), the novel about three sisters spending the summer of 1968 with their estranged mother. Delphine and crew meet a shady-looking Cecile at the airport and are whisked away to the funky green stucco structure they'll be calling home for 28 days. We quickly learn that Cecile is no Carol Brady – what is going to happen to these poor children?! Alison recounts her very Sheila-esque shimmy through the garage window, and Jody reads a great letter from Blume Head Dustin about growing up with Judy Blume and his plans for an Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great birthday party (aka THE DREAM)! Lastly, thank you to all of our Patrons, we so appreciate you!

125. SVU Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Alison and Jody begin their NEW Judy-adjacent book, "One Crazy Summer," by Rita Williams-Garcia (2010). The gals take you on a wild ride through the turbulent year of 1968 and discuss the events, music, entertainment, and fashion that made it so memorable – from neo-Edwardian fashion, to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., to Olivia Hussey's boobs, to the first Miss Black America pageant. Meanwhile, in the book, Delphine and her two younger sisters fly to Oakland to see their long-lost mother, Cecile. Delphine keeps her siblings in line, catches a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, and has thousands of dollars burning a hole in her sock. To top it all off, there's a fabulous letter from Blume Head Amanda (who read Wifey in FOURTH GRADE) and a Law & Order / Doogie Howser mashup not to be missed. Please don't forget to join our Patreon! www.patreon.com/theblumesaloon

Odds and Ends #15: JALAWT Wrap-Up Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Jody and Alison tie up some loose ends and wave goodbye to Judy Blume's cherished 1987 YA novel, "Just as Long as We're Together." Jody presents Special Reports on witchcraft, purple, and Operation Babylift. Alison reads some questionable book reviews, and the gals take a quiz to find out what type of witches they are! Spoiler: Alison is a Sea Witch and Jody is an Air Witch. Tune in to hear chat about Sky Dancers, rollerblading misadventures, some incredible fanfic dramatic readings (thank you Dara!) and Blume Head Deanna's dispatch on 1987 hip-hop, college rock, and metal!

124. Just-A-Boy Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

It's the final episode of "Just as Long as We're Together" by Judy Blume (1987)! There's a KILLER FLU (how timely) going around and everyone's got it, except our Hershey Bar. Steph has a cute chat with friend-zone Peter Klaff, a heart-to-heart with mom, a literal run-in with Jeremy Dragon, and a beautiful lake walk with old pal Rachel. Alison learns Gena is preggers and plans her escape to Paris. Al and Jody chat about friendship quadrangles, conflict aversion, hot boys in choir, and Selling Sunset. And on to some important things:
Purchase your next book from a Black-owned bookstore:
https://lithub.com/you-can-order-today-from-these-black-owned-independent-bookstores/
* * *
Please join us in donating to:
Homeless Black Trans Women Fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/homeless-black-trans-women-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link-tip
The Bail Project:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project
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=2.222261272.109646934.1591851099-1466641442.1591851099
National Bail Out:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/national-bail-out-1?amount=$100
Unicorn Riot:
https://unicornriot.ninja/donate/
* * *
Some recommended Black-hosted and produced podcasts:
Black Wall Street 1921
Go Off, Sis
Still Processing
Dunzo
Snap Judgement
Scam Goddess
30 Something, Black, and Gay
Everybody Wants Something
It's Been a Minute
Black History Buff
Truth Be Told
Strong Black Lead
Why Won't You Date Me?
1619
Code Switch
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Communication books mentioned in this episode:
Nonviolent Communication:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71730.Nonviolent_Communication
No Hard Feelings:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42734244-no-hard-feelings?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=P1ZTCbspyM&rank=1

123. Tastes Like Chicken May 28, 2020

Show notes

We're nearing the end of "Just as Long as We're Together" with chapters 38-39 of this YA classic! Steph turns thirteen, has a blast at the Groundhog Day Dance, gets her first kiss, and her first period all on the SAME DAY! Dad ditches Iris and announces his East Coast return, the moms try to get their daughters back together, and Bruce turns out to be a true Renaissance Brother with some decoupage skillz. Jody and Alison talk about the incredible Authors Guild virtual gala honoring Judy Blume and Margaret Atwood, imaginary friends named Pinkfoot, nocturnal bee activities, and read listener-submitted middle school dance stories. And as usual, there are plenty of scene reenactments and insightful commentary on friendship, family relationships, and Victorian nightgowns.

122. Leech on a Weeny May 21, 2020

Show notes

Special guest Katy joins Alison and Jody in the Cocoon to discuss chapters 36-37 of "Just as Long as We're Together" by Judy Blume! They explore socially responsible plungers, shopping personalities, and the INCREDIBLE "Dickionary" seven-year-old Katy co-authored in 1987. Ever heard of a run-and-hump? In the novel, Steph, Rachel, and Alison shop at stores with amazing names and have a run-in with Amber Ackbourne. There's an epic dressing room fight scene you don't wanna miss. Join the gals for dramatic reenactments, insightful witchcraft commentary, and a tres-relatable Blume Head letter about 4th grade mean girls. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @theblumesaloonpodcast for DICKIONARY PHOTOS!

121. Put Mom on the Phone! May 14, 2020

Show notes

Jody and Alison get a little wacky this week, reading chapters 33-35 of Judy Blume's 1987 novel, "Just as Long as We're Together". Alison presents a thoughtfully-researched Boner Report and Jody reads divorce advice from "Letters to Judy." Mom gets WILD lightning bolt earrings for her very first fling, Dad finally apologizes to Steph, Marcella and Jeremy Dragon are caught Frenching at the movies, and Rachel tries to get Steph to read Gone With the Wind. Why won't those two just COMMUNICATE?! Your hosts chat quarantine hairdos, movie theatre heathens, and middle school soap operas. Thank you so very much to our new Patron, Grace Wenk!

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