Book Squad Goals

It's time for the squad to meld minds with Seattle Book Club's Sam Clark to discuss Immaculate Conception, Ling Ling Huang's sophomore novel. Is this a sci-fi novel? Is it literary fiction? Is this queer? Does the art described in this book sound legit? Well, yes to all of that... but it's complicated. Tune in to find out more. And don't forget to come back next time for our discussion of Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein with friend/husband of the pod, Todd! And if you're already ready to prepare for our next bookpisode, we'll be discussing Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer on 12/23!If you listen, don't forget to rate and review (and we will love you forever. And take a peek at our Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/booksquadgoals. It's only $3 a month to join!TOC0:00:30 Welcome Sam from Seattle Book Club!0:13:19 Immaculate Conception Synopsis from Fable0:16:10 Kelly's Art Critique0:27:43 The Setting of the Book0:36:15 AI in the novel0:39:10 Art & Technology & Parenthood0:48:25 Enka & Mathilde's relationship0:53:14 Empathy and SCAFFOLD0:59:29 The Mother-in-Law1:03:40 Enka’s husband!1:14:02 Immaculate Conception1:18:30 Gay? And Final Thoughts1:20:35 Rating1:28:20 Interview with Sam1:43:30 What's on the Blog?/Be Afraid, Todd! (He is Afraid)

It’s cold outside, but the squad is still thinking about Midsommar. Author Tatiana Schlote-Bonne journeys to the Hårga with the rest of the squad for a fun, sunny, nine-day midsummer festival. What could possibly go wrong? After we chat about human sacrifice, bears, “good for her” horror movies, and responsible mushroom use, stick around for a spoiler-free talk with Tatiana about her latest horror novel, The Mean Ones. And if you have thoughts about Midsommar and/or creepy cults, don’t forget to write in to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com to let us know! Next on the pod (11/25), Sam Clark from Seattle Book Club joins us to discuss Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang. And on December 9, we’ll chat about Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein with friend of the pod, Todd! Skål!TOC:30 – Welcome, Tatiana! And icebreaker6:00 – Movie intro8:33 – Personal history with Midsommar16:18 – Why is this movie so iconic?21:44 – Is Christian evil?28:16 – Mental health39:27 – Is this movie for or against community?44:29 – How should we feel when it ends?50:24 – Interview with Tatiana! 1:1819 – What’s up next?Linkshttps://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/midsommar-ari-aster?rq=midsommar

You know what they say: Hell is going to grad school. Or that’s what R. F. Kuang says, and we here at Book Squad Goals tend to agree with her assessment. This week, the squad dives into Kuang’s latest, Katabasis, discussing everything from the state of Booktok and the publishing landscape to whether or not an erection qualifies a book for Romantasy status. Feel free to weigh in by sending an email to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com. You can also check out our blog for at least one NEW POST (gasp) at booksquadgoals.com/blog. Stay tuned for our next episode on 11/11 where we’ll be revisiting the film Midsommar along with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of The Mean Ones. You should also read along for our next bookpisode on Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang, where we’ll be joined by Sam, owner/founder of Seattle Book Club, on 11/25. Finally, please consider subscribing to our Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/booksquadgoals, for just $3 a month! Please!!!!TOC:0:30– Welcome! And icebreaker14:05–Magic as metaphor18:20–Is this book too academic?35:04–Alice and women in academia1:00:00–Pacing and what could go1:16:19–Anything else? Ratings?1:20:02–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Things get creepy on the BSG podcast when four unreliable female narrators come together to discuss the Netflix adaptation of The Woman in Cabin 10, based on the thriller by Ruth Ware. This week, Tirzah Price, author of In Want of a Suspect and the upcoming A Matter of Murder, joins the squad aboard our lavish yacht. Tune in as we tackle important questions like: Why is this woman so tired? Why did the movie switch up the story so much? And most importantly, how the heck did Lo Blacklock get herself in this situation yet again in the sequel? If you watch The Woman in Cabin 10, starring Keira Knightly holding an iPhone for the first time in her life, make sure to write in and let us know your thoughts! And tune in next time (Oct 28) as we discuss Katabasis by RF Kuang! And on Nov 11, Tatiana Schlote-Bonne joins us to discuss Midsommar and her novel The Mean Ones! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review, and join our Patreon for exclusive pet pics!TOC1:18 Tirzah is Here!7:50 Intro. Question13:50 Book Vs. Movie Changes28:33 The Cast32:16 The Ending48:05 Is This Movie Good?54:20 The Woman in Suite 11 (light spoilers)1:04:10 Why is the Woman-Preposition-Noun trend so popular?1:14:03 A Matter of Murder by Tirzah Price!1:18:58 What's on the Blog! Wrap-Up Stuff!

Husband of the Pod Todd joins Mary, Kelli, and Emily for a discussion of John Green’s new nonfiction book, Everything is Tuberculosis. They ask important questions about the ethics of illness narratives, cowboy hats, the US presidents, and whether or not it is sexy to look tired. Plus: an impassioned defense of Paper Towns from a heterosexual white man!Next Othersode: The Woman in Cabin 10 with Tirzah Price - 10/14Next Episode: Katabasis by RF Kuang - 10/28TOC:30—Welcome Todd! And icebreaker15:00—Book intro16:46—The story of tuberculosis33:25—Henry’s story53:00—Is John Green the best person to tell this story?1:07:44—Ratings1:11:18—What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Author Ally Russell (Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave) joins the squad to discuss Ryan Coogler’s Sinners! Ally graciously stuck around to tell us about her new book as well, and we had a great conversation about the supernatural, cemeteries, and all things strange and unusual. Ally is an absolute gem, and you won’t want to miss this one! Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave is available now wherever you get your books.Up Next: Everything is Tuberculosis with Todd Osborne (9/30)And Then: The Woman in Cabin 10 with Tirzah Price (10/14)TOC:0:00– Welcome, Ally! (and cat tour)9:39– Icebreaker17:50– Sinners intro19:19–Trailers, expectations28:23– Characters37:25– Performances54:39–What’s up with how horny this movie is? … also romance1:00:20–Music1:25:39–Interview with Ally Russell!2:01:50– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? Dev Forst - https://www.instagram.com/devforst/ Ally Russell - https://www.instagram.com/onedarkally/

In a post-apocalyptic world, a mysterious convent is some women’s only hope for survival, but when the beautiful Lucia enters the scene, the unnamed narrator feels inspired to get to the bottom of the convent’s many secrets. This week, Emily, Mary, and Kelli discuss Agustina Bazterrica’s The Unworthy, covering everything from the structure of the convent's mysterious religion to the merits of writing diary entries with your own blood. Next Othersode: Sinners with Ally Russell (Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave) 9/16Next Episode: Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green 9/30TOC::30—Welcome! Beverage check and icebreaker6:00—Book intro10:29—How does the narrative device work?20:00—Dystopia28:40—Religion39:14—Lucia49:12—There’s a LOT happening in this book57:55—The ending1:02:28—Ratings1:09:10—What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Horror author Paul Tremblay joins us for ANOTHER episode, this time to discuss John Carpenter’s The Thing. Then, we turn our lens to Paul as we talk about his latest book, Another, a horror tale geared at younger readers. Tune in for our next episode where we will discuss The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica on September 2 (and follow along on our Fable book club now). On our next Othersode on September 16, we'll discuss Sinners and with Ally Russell, author of Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave!

Mary, Kelli, and Emily convene to talk about Vanishing World, the latest work by Sayaka Murata to be translated into English. When Amane finds out she was conceived in an unnatural way, it sets her up for a lifetime of mental anguish. Will Amane find her place in normative society? Will she have a child the “right” way? As usual Murata takes us on a wild ride with twists no one saw coming! We discuss how uncomfortable this book made us feel for a variety of reasons, and also talk about Murata’s profile in the New Yorker which left us with more questions than answers. Then, we address an unexpected piece of feedback from the blog.TOC::30–Welcome! And congrats, Susan!14:25–Book intro and a big ole content warning18:34–the basic premise of the novel24:09–Murata’s “Alien Eye”39:12–“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking”46:25–Deriving pleasure from your uterus49:30–So, the ending. The pivot.59:00–What is she trying to say?1:09:47–Ratings1:11:22– Survive the Night feedback1:20:44– What’s up next?Links:Sayaka Murata interview: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/14/sayaka-muratas-alien-eyeWithCindy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEWdtN0l0Is Emily and Mary talk Survive the Night: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/survive-the-book-mary-and-emily-read-riley-sager

Hello, old sports! Join us and our young and beautiful guests, Janet Dale and Allison Renner, as we revisit Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013). Then we chat with Janet and Allison about their new collaborative chapbook, Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata on August 5th. Then watch The Thing for our next Othersode with Paul Tremblay, author of the new novel Another, on August 19th.TOC:30 – Hello everyone! Welcome, Janet and Allison! 17:00 – How does this movie hold up?32:00 – Casting44:15 – The music48:45 – Why do people still love Gatsby?57:12– Interview with Janet and Allison!1:38:39 – What’s up next?

Hey, hun! It’s your old friends, the Book Squad, with an exciting opportunity for you! We’d love to invite you to join us for our discussion about El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott. We talk about the sisters’ relationships, money troubles, good ol’ fashioned pyramid schemes, and all things shocking and revolting. Drop in for our next Othersode on 7/22 featuring guests Janet Dale and Allison Renner, co-authors of Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle. We’ll be revisiting Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby with them!. Then read along with us for our second Sayaka Murata Bookpisode pick, Vanishing World, on 8/5! Don’t forget to check out our Patreon and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts!TOC:30– Welcome! And icebreaker9:00–Book intro11:20–The Bishop sisters and their relationship23:33–What’s their problem?29:45–MLM business46:00– The murder part56:56–TWISTS that are SHOCKING AND REVOLTING1:01:00–Ratings1:04:40–Feedback1:08:00– What’s up next?Links:The chefs at sororities: https://www.instagram.com/oldscoolkevmo/?hl=en

A deliciously queer romcommy episode is here! Author Susie Dumond returns to chat with us about the 2025 remake of the film The Wedding Banquet in all of its low-key chaotic glory. Then we interview Susie about her brand new novel, Bed and Breakup (available TODAY, June 24th, wherever you get books!). Drop back in on July 8th for our next Bookpisode on El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott. Then we’ve got another returning guest, Janet Dale, and a brand new guest, Allison Renner, joining us on July 22nd to talk about Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and their new co-authored book of flash fiction and found poetry, Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle! Want more BSG? Well you can at least get a monthly email of BSG pet pics by supporting us on Patreon for just $3 a month!  TOC::30– Welcome to Susie! And icebreaker8:52–Movie intro16:00– Let’s talk about the decisions these characters make27:00–Is this movie successful in recontextualizing this type of story?33:37–Mommy corner46:44– Interview with the wonderful Susie Dumond! About Bed and Breakup, her new book!1:17:00– What’s up next? Links:Go find Susie!: https://susiedumond.com/ https://www.instagram.com/susiedoom/?hl=en

It’s time to read with (?) Jenna again! Join us for a discussion of The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami. We talk about surveillance, the unfortunate parallels to our present moment, the novel’s structure, the characters, and of course, Jenna Bush Hagar and her book club antics. Then we dig into some listener feedback and chat about what’s up next! Watch The Wedding Banquet and tune in on June 24th for our next Othersode featuring Susie Dumond, author of Bed and Breakup! Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Megan Abbott’s new novel, El Dorado Drive, on July 8th! Check out our Patreon and consider supporting your fav indie pod for just $3 a month!TOC:30 – Hello! And Icebreaker10:20 – Book intro12:00 – So, this is prison, right? Data tracking and surveillance18:50 – Dreams and old fears27:02 – Jenna Reads (maybe)34:59 – Pacing… and more Jenna51:10 – Ratings54:20 – Feedback about Hum (spoiler warning)58:45 – What’s up next?

Author and pal Mary Kay McBrayer joins us to talk all things Madame Queen, AKA Stephanie St. Claire, mysterious criminal mastermind and numbers genius. Before we jump into discussing Mary Kay’s latest book, Madame Queen: The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair, we discuss Hulu's Good American Family, another tale of crime, scams, and a case of a misrepresented age. We dig into the story of Natalia Grace, the way this series compares to the documentary and real-life details of the case, and our general affection for Mark Duplass. If you love true crime, organized crime, or really, any old kind of crime, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.On June 10, come on back for a discussion of The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami, and on June 24 Susie Dumond will be here to discuss The Wedding Banquet – and more importantly, her new book, Bed and Breakup!TOC:30 – Welcome, Mary Kay McBrayer! And icebreaker9:25 – Show intro11:06 – Shifting perspectives19:42 – Acting and casting36:05 – Thoughts on the real case42:15 – Interview with Mary Kay!1:13:07 – Feedback1:16:26 – What’s up next?The Greatest True Crime Story Ever Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-greatest-true-crime-stories-ever-told/id1718699612Madame Queen: https://www.amazon.com/Madame-Queen-Underground-Racketeer-Stephanie/dp/0778310655

None will be spared…when we talk about When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy! Join the Book Squad for a chat about this wild ride of a novel—we talk about the action and pacing, horror subgenres, the characters, mom/dad stuff, and goodness vs. badness. Then we finally read some really old feedback from husband of the pod, Ben (sorry about that, Ben). Tune in on May 27 as special guest Mary Kay McBrayer (author of Madame Queen) drops by to talk about her new book and Good American Family (Hulu). Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode about The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami on June 10. Don’t forget to check out our Patreon and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts while you’re at it!TOC:30– Welcome!10:47–Book intro12:30–Pacing18:30– What’s actually happening?24:49– Theme of Nat Cassidy’s “trilogy”30:40–The Afterward40:05–Characters49:00– The power of improv51:39– Let’s talk about the dad1:02:00– Was there any other ending that could’ve happened?1:14:19–Ratings1:19:25–Feedback1:22:23–what’s up next?

We’re briefly leaving our luxury villas to talk about season three of The White Lotus! Join us as we chat about the cast, the season’s setting, the characters we loved and hated, and what we can learn about the characters based on their book choices. Then we have a long overdue conversation with Todd Osborne about his debut poetry collection, Gatherer. You’ll even be treated to a few readings of his poems in this section of the episode!Look for our next Bookpisode on May 13th where we’ll be discussing When the Wolf Comes Home, the new novel by Nat Cassidy. Then join us and special guest Mary Kay McBrayer (author of Madame Queen: The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair) to talk about Good American Family (Hulu) on May 27.P.S. Our lil podcast just turned 8 years old! If you’d like to get us a birthday gift, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and consider supporting us on Patreon for just $3/month! TOC::30– Welcome, Todd!10:24–What is White Lotus?13:09–Cast talk15:00–Setting30:00– Characters54:14– What’s up with the storyline with Rick?1:05:38– What characters are reading1:12:46–Interviewing Todd about Gatherer!1:57:30– What’s up next?Links - “One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47536/one-art “Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas- https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night “Morning Rituals” by Todd Osborne- https://www.hobartpulp.com/web_features/morning-rituals Gatherer, available at Belle Point Press- https://bellepointpress.com/products/gatherer

Get ready to listen to us say “peat” about a hundred times because we’re discussing The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister. We talk about the Haddesley sibling dynamics, the infamous Bog Wife herself, the bog as a character, and of course, generational trauma. Join us and special guest Todd Osborne (husband of the pod) on April 29 for a special one-year celebration of his poetry collection, Gatherer, and a chat about The White Lotus season three. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode about When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy on May 13. Feeling extra supportive this week? Head over to our Patreon and consider supporting us for just $3/month! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, and we’ll read it on the pod!TOC0:30 – Get on our Patreon, and icebreaker12:14 – Book intro16:20 – Siblings and their relationship dynamics33:33 – Who is the bog wife?44:00 – The bog is a character52:00 – How did they stay isolated?56:20 – Generational trauma and the patriarchy1:03:20 – Ratings1:06:18 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: https://electricliterature.com/in-kay-chronisters-novel-a-father-is-sacrificed-for-a-bog-wife-who-never-arrives/

It’s appropriate this book involves a circus because we about to clown on it. Join the squad for a Hatepisode about Brynn Weaver’s Scythe & Sparrow, the third installment in the Ruinous Love Trilogy. After Mary gives us an overview of the other two books, we get a special review of Butcher & Blackbird by Emily’s dad, Charlie. Then we talk about the cringeworthy “trigger warnings” and then spend a lot of time dissecting the “spice,” which is not as transgressive as it thinks it is. After we barely survive this discussion, we get into some listener feedback. Read along for our next Bookpisode about The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister on April 15th. Then join us April 29th for an Othersode about season 3 of The White Lotus, plus a conversation with Todd about his poetry collection, Gatherer. Have you read any of the Ruinous Love Trilogy? We need to hear from you. Email us at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or DM us on social media! Also, are you a patron yet? Support us on Patreon for only $3 a month and get a monthly newsletter of pet photos!TOC 1:11 — Icebreaker question13:15—Charlie's review35:30—The spice!45:28—Dialogue during sex scenes47:00—The audiobook--man doing man voice47:27—Cringy sex scene reading50:12—Ask a Man55:51—Marriage: why?58:00—The epilogue1:03—1 star reviews1:09—Feedback

Join us in the depths of the NYC subway system for an accidental hatepisode! We didn’t love Entitlement by Rumaan Alam, but we had a good time talking about billionaires, flat characters, lying to get a cool apartment, and of course, the guy on the subway poking people with a hypodermic needle. Join us on April 1st for an intentional hatepisode about Scythe and Sparrow by Brynne Weaver! Then read along for our next regular Bookpisode on The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister on April 15th!TOC:30 – Welcome to the madness9:30 – Book Intro12:23 – Why is this set in 2014?24:48 – Reviews and characterization44:22 – The Subway Pricker!53:00 – Ratings1:00:00 – What’s on the blog? LolWhat’s up next? 

It’s safe to listen, but whatever you do, don’t wind that monkey! Join us and special guest Samantha Allen, author of Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet, for a fun chat about The Monkey film, based on the short story by our man Stephen King. After discussing cursed toys of our own childhoods, we talk about the horror-comedy genre and how it relates to grief, the family relationships, performances, and our favorite deaths. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Entitlement by Rumaan Alam on March 18th. Then get ready for a special Hatepisode on Scythe and Sparrow by Brynne Weaver on April 1st! (Pure coincidence that it’s on April Fool’s Day. We’re actually very serious about being haters.) Drop us a rating and review, and if you’re feeling extra supportive, head over to our Patreon and become a patron of the pod!TOC:30 – Welcome, Samantha! And icebreaker13:30 – Movie intro15:09 – Short story v movie; genre23:00 – Let’s talk about the gore30:00 – Familial relationships and performancss45:40 – Fave deaths47:43 – Questions from the group57:00 – Ratings1:03:45 – Romance chat and what’s up next