The Worst Bestsellers

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Episode 132 – Divergent Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

Divergent by Veronica Roth, a dystopian society controlled by Buzzfeed quizzes, has been one of most frequently-requested episodes. In an effort to bring peace to the five factions, we invited Annie, author of The Chance You Won't Return and cohost of the Crossover Appeal podcast to read this flash-in-the-pan dystopian novel with us. Listen to this episode on your next trip to Chicago--just make sure to be careful when jumping off the El train!

Episode 131 – Dora and the Lost City of Gold Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Hola! We read the Dora and the Lost City of Gold movie novelization by Steve Behling so you don't have to! We were joined by librarian extraordinaire and Dora the Explorer watcher Kristi, who helped us avoid getting stuck in the quicksand of this self-aware novel that briefly took Twitter by storm. Strap on your backpack and listen to this episode as you hack your way through the jungle!

Episode 130 – Dealing With Dragons Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

As Flashback Summer draws to a close for another year, our friend Kelsey joined us to return to a feminist favorite: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. The three of us all loved this book as tweens and were thrilled to report that it holds up. Listen to this episode while cleaning your dragon's cave.

The Rotten Romans by Terry Deary and Martin Brown — **Episode 129 – Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories series)** Jul 29, 2019
Show notes

For this installment of Flashback Summer, we flashed *way* back to ancient Rome. We read *The Rotten Romans* from the Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary & Martin Brown with returning guest, librarian Laura. It’s a whimsically British look at history with some cartoons that remain inscrutable, even to the eyes of adult Americans with history degrees. This podcast is only available in English, because Latin is a dead language (RIP).

**Readers advisory**: Here.

**Footnotes:** Ancient Roman Readers Advisory sent by listener Lydia

Ecce Romani memes

Our Fake History podcast

Sawbones podcast

**Candy Pairing:** Kait says Fig Newtons, Laura says chocolate, Renata says no thank you.

**Coming up next:** *Dealing With Dragons* by Patricia Wrede.

* *Worst Bestsellers* is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

*(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)*

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Episode 128 – Pickle Puss (Polk Street School) Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

Flashback Summer continues with a trip to the Polk Street School, where the kids aren't alright. Becca joined us to read Pickle Puss by Patricia Reilly Giff, an early chapter book about how not to run a summer reading program or care for a pet. Listen to this episode on your way to deceive your local librarian!

Episode 127 – Sideways Stories from Wayside School Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

The next stop on our Flashback Summer vacation is the 30th floor of an elementary school. Literary agent Amy joined us to read Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Everyone should listen to this episode, unless you're secretly a dead rat in a raincoat. Dead rats are not allowed. Everyone else, join us on Apple podcasts before Mrs. Gorf turns you into an apple!

Episode 126 – Bunnicula Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

It's the return of Flashback Summer and the 40th anniversary of beloved children's classic Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe. We were joined by Laura to discuss the story of some irresponsible pet owners. Listen now to hear one weird trick to make your vegetables more Instagrammable!

Episode 125 – Interview With the Vampire Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

We ran out of Twilight books so we had to read about some less-sparkly vampires, ugh! Fortunately, we were #blessed with the company of not only Meredith Goldstein (author of the Boston Globe's Love Letters column as well as the books Can't Help Myself and Chemistry Lessons) but also a live audience at Trident Booksellers, for our discussion of Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice. If you weren't able to join us in person, now at last you can hear our agonized discussion of a book with a lot of arson and insufficient glam (which could have been rectified by the addition of Cher.)

Episode 124 – The Five People You Meet in Heaven May 20, 2019

Show notes

If you like sitting around, listening to esoteric monologues that may or may not relate to your life from random people who refuse to answer any pertinent questions, do we have the vision of the afterlife for you! Chelsea joined us for The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, a trudge through one man's severely messed up existence that was probably meant to be inspirational, but mostly made us feel disturbed and dead inside. Hold onto your keys and join us on this carnival ride into our own personal hell!

Episode 123 – Big Little Lies May 06, 2019

Show notes

We don't have anybody's HBO login, so instead of watching the show, we were forced to read the book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty! Fortunately, we were joined by Melissa of the Truer Words podcast for this trip through the delightfully sordid world of Australian elementary school politics. Are you #TeamMadeline or #TeamRenata? Duarte is #TeamRenata, but only because Madeline has never fed him.

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