Book Squad Goals

Get transported to the other side of the world with the squad (minus Mary) as we discuss The Sun Sets in Singapore, the debut novel by Kehinde Fadipe! We discuss the main characters’ struggles and story arcs, the women’s friendships, the ~drama~, and the setting. Then we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the Book Squad Blog! Steal your friend’s Peacock login info to watch Apples Never Fall for our next Othersode on 4/30. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi on 5/14. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and don’t forget to leave us a rating and review!TOC:30 – welcome!8:25 – book intro13:20 – which story were you most interested in?20:45 – friendship!29:18 – the Jenna bush of it all49:38 – ratings56:04 – listener feedback!1:00:16 – what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

You probably didn’t think we were going to cover the new Lindsay Lohan Netflix film Irish Wish…but what if we did?? Come along to the Emerald Isle with the squad and special guest Nathan Simmons, co-host of Oh! That’s a Scary Movie podcast, as we discuss the nature of wishes, what it means to “be” Irish, couture fashion, and the James Joyce of it all. Plus, enjoy a very special tangent on the screenwriter and her many, many favorite things. Read along for our next Bookpisode about The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe on 4/16, and check out the Peacock series Apples Never Fall (based on the Liane Moriarty novel) for our next Othersode on 4/23. PS: We would loooove a five-star rating if the spirit of St. Brigid moves you! TOC:0:30 — Welcome, Nathan! And icebreaker10:50 – Movie intro13:20 – What’s this movie’s whole deal?20:02 – The wish41:28 – Who wrote this?? And more miscellaneous comments 51:53 – What is everyone wearing?56:32 – Why is this set in Ireland?59:00 — James Joyce1:07:03 – Ratings 1:09:54 – Reedback 1:12:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: https://www.vulture.com/article/netflix-irish-wish-is-an-ai-generated-harbinger-of-doom.html

Mirror, mirror, on the wall... oh wait, that was our last book. Join the squad on another journey into the land of fairytales and their tropes as we discuss Thornhedge, the latest novella by T. Kingfisher. Special guest Jen educates us on everything from the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index to the many crimes of Giambattista Basile, and Susan educates us on The Frog Prince (1986). Make sure to tune in next time, when we'll be joined by Nathan Simmons of the Oh! That's a Scary Movie podcast for a discussion of the latest Lindsay Lohan/Netflix vehicle, Irish Wish (4/2), and read along for our next bookpisode on The Sun Sets In Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe (4/16). Follow us on social media @booksquadgoals, subscribe to our Patreon, leave us a rating and review on the Apple podcasts app, and send LITERALLY any feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!TOC::30 – Icebreaker Q, welcome Jen!5:05 – Book intro6:50 – Tale types14:48 – What’s up with Toadling?24:13 – Other subversive fairy tales?28:42 – Halim 41:00 – Fayette and the ending of the book49:00 – Why do we keep retelling tales?52:44 – Ratings56:44 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emily-and-ben-beat-cancer

From the hearts…the minds…the dreams…of the Book Squad…comes a special discussion of the Jennifer Lopez film? visual album? This Is Me…Now. It’s hard to describe our chat because it’s hard to describe this project. But some topics we cover include: celebrity zodiac signs, eye-roll moments, which husband is which, and the meaning of a factory. Then we head back to non-green screen land to catch up with what’s on the blog, including YA Book Club and Bachelor recaps! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, featuring special guest Jen Roy, on 3/19. Then put on your best green outfit for our next Othersode on Irish Wish, the new Lindsay Lohan movie, on 4/2. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts – we’ll read it on the next episode! Send listener feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!TOC:30 – Icebreaker10:26 – Movie description and expectations13:08 – Previous J-Lo feelings22:48 – What is this?30:25 – The Great Heart Factory Debate44:56 – Kelli’s tweet corner; where are the kids?50:00 – What else? The music?57:50 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty – we’re talking about Rouge by Mona Awad! Special guest Mary Kay McBrayer (author and podcast host) joins us for a deep dive into this surreal world to chat about genre, mother-daughter relationships, the toxic beauty industry, and of course, Tom Cruise himself. Next we catch up with what’s on the blog, including a post about Hazbin Hotel and new Bachelor recaps! Buckle up for our next Othersode on Jennifer Lopez’s movie-thing, This is Me…Now on March 5th. Then read along for our next Bookpisode about Thorn Hedge by T. Kingfisher on March 19th! Please leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, and we might read it on the pod!Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/booksquadgoalsTOC:30 – Welcome Mary Kay! And childhood crushes9:11 – The very extra Goodreads summary14:44 – Genre21:41 – Mother Daughter relationships52:57 – The ending1:08:40 – Tom Cruise1:23:30 – Cover art corner1:26:35 – Ratings1:31:16 – Mary Kay’s new podcast, what’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: https://www.vogue.com/article/mona-awad-fathers-day-essayhttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-greatest-true-crime-s-128412643/

Get in, losers; we’re listening to a podcast the whole way there! Join the Book Squad, aka the Army of Skanks, to discuss the new Mean Girls movie, which IS in fact a musical. We talk about our individual histories with Mean Girls, the music and singing, the performances, and changes that worked and didn’t from the original. Next we catch up with what’s on the blog and Kelli shames listeners (Send feedback! Leave a rating! Write a review! Become a patron!). Read along for our next Bookpisode on Rouge by Mona Awad, featuring special guest Mary Kay McBrayer on 2/20. Then brace yourself for whatever This Is Me…Now is because we’re discussing it on our next Othersode on 3/5. TOC::30– Welcome! And Icebreaker9:40– Movie intro and spoiler warning29:54– What was up with the marketing?40:45– The cast and the music1:00:40– Changes the new adaptation made1:14:10– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? Kelli’s shame corner

Biography, but make it fiction. Join the Book Squad for a discussion of Biography of X by Catherine Lacey. We talk about the novel’s alternative-America backdrop, the depiction of the South, X’s “art, and what is up with the narrator. After that, Kelli interviews author Emily Austin (Interesting Facts About Space, Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead) about her latest novel, her writing process, the importance of queer stories, and of course, space! Plus, Emily asks Kelli some questions about designing her beautiful book covers! Then we get into some listener feedback for Looking Glass Sound and catch up with what’s on the blog. Go see the new Mean Girls movie and join us for our next Othersode on 2/6 to hear us talk about it. Then special guest Mary Kay McBrayer will join us for our next Bookpisode on Rouge by Mona Awad on 2/20! Please leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and consider becoming a patron for just $3 a month!TOC:30 – Welcome! And icebreaker6:29 – Why biography?? And book intro14:00 – Alternate history23:39 – And how it relates to the south35:00 – How X sucks46:04 – What is up with the narrator?50:37 – Kelli’s art corner59:00 – Ratings1:02:30 – Emily Austin interview!1:51:10 – Listener Feedback1:56:26 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/01/catherine-lacey-that-constant-nervous-twitter-energy-repels-me-biography-of-x

It’s the most wonderful time of year – time for our (pretty much) annual “Best of the Year” episode! Join us as we chat about our favorite pop culture from 2023. Plus, hear from some of our 2023 guests on their favorite things of the year. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Biography of X by Catherine Lacey on January 23rd, and go see Mean Girls for our next Othersode on February 6th! Send us your highlights of 2023 via DM or email at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com! Thanks for being with us in 2024!TOC2:34– Icebreaker11:22–Round 130:24– Round 248:22– Round 31:07:30– Honorable mentions1:20:30– Listener feedback!1:28:00–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Help! We're trapped inside this podcast and we can't get out! Just kidding, that didn't happen to us. It happened to our friend. Or did it...? This week, the squad attempts to untangle the complexities of Catriona Ward's latest novel, Looking Glass Sound. We spend a good chunk of the podcast nailing down the plot, but we also find time to discuss the merits of stories within stories, watery books, and, obviously, gay stuff. If you feel like you can explain any of this better than we did, please drop us a line at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, and if you're not all Christmased out, check out Emily's 12 Days of Christmas Movies series on the blog! Stay tuned for our upcoming othersode on our favorite things of 2023 (1/9), and read Biography of X by Catherine Lacey to prep for our next bookpisode (1/23) which will also feature an interview with Emily Austin, author of Interesting Facts About Space. Happy (???) New Year!TOC:30 - Unhinged milk conversation3:55 - Actual welcome & intro question9:49 - Dog advice11:30 - Goodreads summary (featuring a mistake)14:25 - Remembering what happened in this book16:55 - Establishing basic plot points27:26 - When things start to spiral36:40 - The “present” of the book47:30 - Witchcraft?51:02 - Stories within stories - do these work?56:00 - Catriona Ward’s other books that we’re obsessed with1:01:08 - Gay stuff!1:06:30 - The setting and wet books1:10:50 - Character specifics and humor1:14:21 - Emily’s ONE critique1:19:00 - Ratings1:26:45 - Listener feedback1:33:10 - What Emily wrote for the blog1:40:00 - What’s next on the pod

Special guest Jayce Chambless is back to discuss The Only One Left by Riley Sager with the Squad. We talk (complain) about the characters, try to do some Sager math, ponder the 1980s setting, and reveal what moment made us sigh with resignation. Then we review some reviews from Goodreads because we love that unhinged shit. Then we get into what’s on the blog and let ya know what’s up next on the pod! Read along for our next Bookpisode on Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward on 12/26, and drop in for our Best of 2023 episode on 1/9! Please do us a solid and leave us a 5-star rating, write us a review, and/or become a Patron! Toodles, our bookish noodles!TOC:30 — Welcome, Jayce! And intro question12:20 — Book intro14:30 — The characters (other yahoos)34:09 — So many twists. Riley Sager math54:48 — Why is this set in the 80s?58:20 — What’s a moment that made you sigh with resignation?1:11:19 — Review Reviews1:22:50 — Ratings1:28:00 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links:https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/survive-the-book-mary-and-emily-read-riley-sager

The whole Squad is back together and on a hunt for CAMP of any sort in our discussion of Chuck Tingle’s Camp Damascus. Put a pink bag over your head and join us as we talk about the novel’s plot and pacing, YA vs. adult fiction, religious trauma, autism, and of course, CAMP. Then we catch up with what’s on the (still alive, we swear) Book Squad Blog. Join us for what will probably be a Hatepisode as we discuss Riley Sager’s The Only One Left with returning guest Jayce on 12/12. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward on 12/26! Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review, and if you’re feeling extra generous, support us on Patreon at patreon.com/booksquadgoals.TOC: :30– Icebreaker11:30- Book intro and Tingle Intro23:16– Where’s the camp? Plotting/Pacing issues43:00– YA Lit and standards48:29– Religious trauma: the novel56:27– Autism in the novel1:03:10– Ratings1:10:00–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

This week, the Squad and special guest Ang Ferraguto (aka Kelli’s gf) discuss Sofia Coppola’s new film, Priscilla, based on the 1985 book Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. We talk about our own personal connections to Elvis, the Sofia Coppola aesthetic of it all, the problematic nature of Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship, and the ~discourse~ around the movie. Tangential conversation addresses Usher’s Vegas residency. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (11/28), and then tune in for our next Othersode about The Only One Left on 12/12. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!TOC:30 – Welcome to Ang Ferraguto and fave style icons9:52 – Film intro13:44 – Mary’s intro corner26:20 – Sofia Coppola43:00 – The relationship1:11:35 – The discourse around the film1:22:50 – Costuming1:33:35 – Listener feedback1:35:33 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links:People https://people.com/priscilla-presley-praises-sofia-coppola-priscilla-movie-8387678Variety: https://variety.com/2023/film/news/lisa-marie-presley-slammed-sofia-coppola-priscilla-script-1235777982/

Listen, we NEVER talk about vampires on this podcast, and we’re not gonna do it today. Just kidding; yes we are. In our discussion of Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, we also talk about romance, historical fiction, cover design, and the fact that westerns have to have a hot person for anyone on the squad to be interested. Next we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the blog (yes, we still have that!). On our next Othersode on 11/14, we’ll be talking about Sofia Coppola’s new movie, Priscilla. After that we’ll be reading Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle on our 11/28 Bookpisode. You should read along! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe, and if you’re feeling extra generous, support us on Patreon!TOC:30 – Welcome and icebreaker!13:30 – Book intro16:00 – Genre and expectations22:17 – The romance of it all33:03 – Vampires42:25 – Historical fiction49:50 – Cover design54:00 – Ratings58:25 – Listener feedback1:02:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Return guest Clay McLeod Chapman (author of The Remaking, Whisper Down the Lane, and Ghost Eaters) joins the Squad to chat about the depressing 2021 horror(?) film What Josiah Saw. We dig into the film’s narrative structure, characters, and general bleakness and ask the important question: did this movie abuse us? Then we have a two-part (spoiler-free and spoilers-ok) discussion about Clay’s new novel What Kind of Mother. This conversation covers everything from Nicolas Sparks to terrifying pizza. Next we get into some feedback on a blog post (of all things!) and Clay improvises a potential new theme song for the podcast. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas on 10/31, and go see Priscilla for our next Othersode on 11/14! Send any and all feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode! Not sure what to do next? Write us a review on Apple Podcasts and become at patron at patreon.com/booksquadgoals!TOC:30 – Welcome Clay! And icebreaker11:30 – Movie intro and spoiler alert13:25 – Narrative format and effectiveness31:30 – Why would anyone watch this?40:39 – The ending and what’s going on55:00 – Why incest?1:04:50 – Non-spoiler interview with Clay1:27:12 – Getting into spoilers with Clay2:01:18 – Skinamarink Feedback, what’s up nextLinkshttps://collider.com/what-josiah-saw-review-robert-patrick-nick-stahl-shudder/

So what if we stole this whole episode from some other podcast and called it our own? Is that a crime?? JK, this whole episode is our (four white ladies’) original take on Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. We talk about the protagonist’s decision-making skills, satire of the publishing industry and Twitter, cancel culture, and the author’s own publishing experiences. Then we get into some listener feedback with excellent questions and catch up with what’s on the blog. Join us and special guest Clay McLeod Chapman, author of What Kind of Mother, for a chat about What Josiah Saw (2021) on 10/17. Then read along for our next bookpisode on Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas on 10/31 — oooh, spooky! Support us at patreon.com/booksquadgoals and send feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!TOC:30—Subscribe to our Patreon! And Icebreaker10:21—Book intro12:14—The general concept of Yellowface27:45—June’s whole deal39:30—Satire of the publishing industry56:54—Cancel culture1:05:33—Similarities to R. F. Kuang’s life1:25:50—Ratings1:30:40—Listener feedback!1:40:30—What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Linkshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdFkRdgPDUhttps://www.npr.org/2023/05/16/1176508635/author-r-f-kuang-on-unlikable-narrators-and-cultural-appropriation-in-yellowface

Be a podcast vampire and consume this episode about What We Do in the Shadows, featuring special guest Grace Treutel! We talk about the show’s mockumentary style, favorite character arcs, the Guillermo of it all, and even fanfiction. Next we talk to Grace about her short story chapbook, From the Humid Chambers of My Heart. Read along for our next Bookpisode about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang on 10/3. Then join us and special guest Clay McLeod Chapman, author of What Kind of Mother, for our next Othersode about What Josiah Saw on 10/17. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and consider becoming a patron at patreon.com/booksquadgoals! TOC: :30– welcome! We’ve got a guest and we’re taking a quiz!15:00– Show intro and the show’s relation to the film20:00–Documentary format and comedy– how do they work together?29:45– That characters’ stories this season42:27–The Guillermo of it all1:04:48– Grace’s Fanfic corner!1:07:30– Interview with Grace about From the Humid Chambers of my Heart1:35:15– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Gidday, Goalies! Join the squad on the sun-drenched Australian coast for a tale of love (?) and loss with Thirst for Salt, the debut novel by Madelaine Lucas. We discuss the writing style, the book’s central relationship, and themes of motherhood. Next we catch up with what might or might not be on the blog and share some news about our Patreon – that’s right, we have a Patreon now! Tune in on 9/19 for our next Othersode about What We Do in the Shadows with special guest Grace Treutel. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode about Yellowface by R.F. Kuang on 10/3. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and become a patron at pateon.com/booksquadgoals!TOC:30 – Welcome! 12:28 – Book intro14:38 – Why is the narrative structure like that25:00 – The writing31:59 – The relationship44:49 – Mom stuff59:34 – Ratings1:04:07 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

HI BARBIE! It’s girls’ night, plus one Ken (special guest Nathan Simmons)! Join the squad for our discussion of the already iconic Barbie movie. We talk about the film’s brilliant marketing, Barbie’s particular brand of feminism, the excellent cast, motherhood and daughterhood, and of course, the weird conservative backlash. Read along for our next Bookpisode on Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas on 9/5. Then join us and special guest Grace Treutel (author of the chapbook From the Humid Chambers of My Heart) for an Othersode about What We Do in the Shadows on 9/19! Send us feedback (PLEASE) to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com! And while you’re at it, leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts. Thanks, Barbie!Table of Contents::30– Welcome, Nathan! And icebreaker8:10– The Barbie Movie intro13:50– Barbie’s marketing24:55– Literary influence41:32–Casting51:45– response from critics1:08:00–Motherhood corner1:18:21– we are Barbie gorls1:24:40– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Where to find Nathan:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-thats-a-scary-movie/id1578168937 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-silver-linings-playlist/id1328636209 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aipt-comics/id1448147137 https://www.youtube.com/@thefevertherage Variety Barbie Marketing article: https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/barbie-marketing-campaign-explained-warner-bros-1235677922/

Sorry to *bug* you, but we’ve got a new episode here! Join the Squad for a discussion of Piñata by Leopoldo Gout. We chat about the horrors of colonialism, puberty, and of course, whether the book is scary. Next we get into some listener feedback for Chain-Gang All-Stars and catch up with what’s on the ol’ Book Squad Blog, including new Bachelorette recaps. Get ready to party for our next Othersode on Barbie! We’ll be joined by fellow podcaster Nathan Simmons for that one on 8/22. Next, read along for our Bookpisode on Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas on 9/4. Send us any and all feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and be sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, pretty please!TOC:30 – Hello and Welcome!6:50– Book Intro and jumping right in21:13 –Colonialism is bad37:28 – Is this book just about puberty?53:24 – Where are we again? Is this book scary?1:03:35 –Let’s rate it! 1:07:31 – Listener Feedback!1:17:10– What’s on the blog? What’s up next? Links:https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/fury-born-from-helplessness-on-leopoldo-gouts-pinata/ https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-pinata-author-leopoldo-gout/ https://www.esthersarahkim.com/https://twitter.com/angelmamii5?lang=en

Have you ever wondered: What if Jane Austen, but gay? Join the squad and returning guest Tirzah Price for an episode where we explore this very important question. First, we discuss Andrew Ahn’s 2022 film Fire Island, a queer retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Then, we talk with Tirzah about her new book, Manslaughter Park, the third in her YA series of Jane Austen Murder Mysteries — and the first to feature a sapphic romance. If you have comments, questions, or ideas for more gay adaptations of classics, please email us at thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, and follow us on social @booksquadgoals. Stay tuned for our next bookpisode on Piñata by Leopoldo Gout (8/8), and then on 8/22 as we finally dive into Barbie! TOC:30–welcome, Tirzah! And icebreaker 7:36–film intro9:04–what makes this film different from other adaptations?22:54–romance and representation33:15–beauty standards and gay culture42:00–misc topics44:50–manslaughter park!!1:19:38–feedback!1:21:40–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/queerloveinhistory/https://www.them.us/story/manslaughter-park-tirzah-price-queer-jane-austen-interviewhttps://www.instagram.com/jfkillsdarlings/?hl=en