The Shrieking Shack

Latest Episodes:

SHHG! Episode 25: Finnick-Beete-Nutz Mar 25, 2024

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This week we convene to enjoy a big, warm bowl of classic Shriekcast third segment style content as we check in with Quora questions about Catching Fire! Epic length essays about whether or not an INTJ could win a Hunger Game, extremely dodgy political opinions, and excellence in the field of run-on-sentence construction abound. And that's not all; we've also got exciting strings updates, opinions on What's Going On With Planes, kitchen gadget nightmare scenarios, and more!

SHHG! Episode 24: You Should've Seen What Gollum Did Mar 06, 2024

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Catching Fire chapters 24-27 It's been a busy couple of weeks for both of us (working; moving) but that didn't stop us from finishing the last four chapters of Catching Fire! And boy, if we thought we were in a rush, nothing compares to this book's bizarre finale. People often offer the criticism that certain stories "just stop," but the last few moments of this novel are on their own level. We discuss the breakneck final action sequence and practically bullet-pointed list of reveals as well as checking in with strings drama, Ikea, and those three famous detectives we all know and love!

SHHG! Episode 23: Clock Mentioned Feb 19, 2024

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Catching Fire chapters 22 & 23 TWO giant reveals that we avoided having spoiled! Can you believe it!? This one is particularly funny, given our hobby trajectories of late. This awesome new arena mechanic is revealed alongside an exciting action sequence, some ridiculous (complimentary) side characters joining Katniss's party, some ridiculous (derogatory) Peeta moments, and some small worldbuilding revelations that send us reeling. Plus! More Strings Drama--and a step back into the mysterious world of three detectives with curious names...

SHHG! Episode 22: How Did We Not Get Spoiled On This Feb 05, 2024

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Catching Fire chapters 20-21 Remember how we had somehow remained completely unaware of the werewolves in the first Hunger Games book? Somehow, by some beautiful miracle, we remained equally, blissfully unaware of another animal threat in this series. Not much happens in these action-packed chapters outside, but boy does a lot happen. There are chapters that feel like novels, as they say... Anyway, aside from the fight scene involving a bunch of mutant monkeys, we discuss the fun character dynamics between Katniss, Finnick, and Peeta (I guess he's still alive), this book's inventive twists on the survival story trappings from the first novel, and okay I'm exaggerating we mostly talk about the monkey fight. And that's not all--we also discuss the new James Patterson novel!

SHHG! Episode 21: Accountants' Day Jan 16, 2024

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Catching Fire chapters 18-19 We are so back! We kick off 2024 with a rowdy return to podcasting about work sucking, holidays sucking, and Peeta sucking. We have some exciting news on that front this week however, although neither of us is convinced it really happened. Still, even if things are feeling a bit predictable, we certainly can't accuse these chapters of being boring! Waterworld antics, bonkers lies, trident headshots--there's a lot of wild stuff packed in here as we finally get to the Hunger Games part of this Hunger Games novel.

SHHG! Episode 20: Seasonal Attack Pea Dec 18, 2023

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Catching Fire chapters 16-17 We're still not at the Hunger Game. It sure seems like we're running out of book, but instead of duking it out in the arena our heroes are still meeting their foes and/or potential allies. Are Katniss and Peeta building a heist team, or are they just going to fight all these guys? We've got lots to discuss about this and more, but first we also have some Neopets updates, strings drama, and dental work to discuss! (If you're not a fan of dentist anxieties/horror stories, you can start the episode at 9:20!)

SHHG! Episode 19: The Sugar Cube Gambit Nov 20, 2023

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Catching Fire chapters 14-15 Life threw Liz some work-related lemons this past week, but we're here and discussing how best to turn them into bonus lemonade! We chat about future plans for discussing future plans, give an update on what's going on in strings world, and get attacked by Earl--and that's all before we get into our crazy chapters! We learn all about sugar, Hunger Games hacks, and Dr. Seuss ass map design. There's also some juicy critical stuff to discuss re: character work and the overall metaphor of the Games. Sugar cube?

SHHG! Episode 18: Five Nights at Peeta's Nov 07, 2023

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Catching Fire chapters 12 & 13 We have a lot to catch up on this week! Neopets news, string performances, (not so) scary films... plus, we've got a pair of chapters that propel Catching Fire forward into exciting territory. Hopefully? There's going to be another Hunger Game in these books, it turns out. We speculate on how exactly that might shake out, what would make it more interesting than the first outing, and much more. Side note: I recommend Alan Wake in the beginning segment. I don't spoil anything direct, BUT if you are getting into the series because of the new sequel and want to go in as pure as possible, skip forward 3 minutes when I bring it up! Likewise, I bring up the FNAF movie and I don't think I truly spoil anything but I talk about the overall structure.

SHHG! Episode 17: DMV Tycoon Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Catching Fire chapters 10-11 We're back! Load roadworks couldn't keep us away from talking about these chapters, that feature some absolutely massive twists--political and technical. Did you know that there are solar-powered perpetual energy generating guns in Panem? Neither did we! We discuss those strange new worldbuilding additions, and attempt to sus out this book's relationship is to America's political discourse in the 2000s. Is this about the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq? Is it about 2000s geopolitical fearmonger--and if it is, which end is it coming down on? Is it trying to say something, or is it just deploying all of this loaded imagery to make a point about American Idol? Plus: we consider taking out an ad at the DMV!

SHHG! Episode 16: I Know (?) Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Catching Fire chapters 7-9 We start this week with another music game, with another unexpected twist! Plus, an update on all things strings and Neopets. Then we've got three exciting chapters to cover as the rebellion in District 12 starts heating up--or maybe doesn't, depending on who last spoke to Katniss. We chat about some of the great character development, the slightly silly worldbuilding, and try to figure out just where all this is going... and if that's another Hunger Games!

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