Microdose your smoothie and come along for a peaceful journey through the Hulu series "Nine Perfect Strangers," based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Returning guest Tirzah Price (author of "Pride and Premeditation") joins us for a wild discussion of how this TV adaptation holds up, what’s missing from the book, what the show is saying about body image, grief, and drugs, and, of course, Manny Jacinto. Join us on November 1 for our next Bookpisode on "Detransition, Baby" by Torrey Peters, plus an interview with SJ Sindu, author of "Blue-Skinned Gods." Then Gabriella Saab, author of "The Last Checkmate" will guest on our next Othersode—stay tuned for the topic! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe. Send any and all thoughts on "Nine Perfect Strangers" or any of our other episodes to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com! TOC:30 – Welcome Tirzah! Intro question 10:00 – Show intro11:45 – Big changes between adaptations 26:66 – Body image32:00 – Nicole Kidman…40:55 – The Marconis and grief56:24 – The ending in the book and how it was better1:04:38 – Frances and Melissa McCarthy1:13:00 – A love triangle, women’s day, and Manny Jacinto 1:26:15 – What’s up next?Find Tirzah at https://tirzahprice.com/ and pick up "Pride and Premeditation" now!

Book Squad Goals

Othersode #59: Is This Based On a Book? / Nine Perfect Strangers (The Show!) with Tirzah Price

Come into the woods with the Book Squad and special guest Leah Rachel von Essen to discuss Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon. We talk about the book’s pacing, Vern’s characterization, gender identity and sexuality, the mistreatment of Black people by white America, and of course, mushrooms. Next, Emily interviews Catriona Ward, author of the novel The Last House on Needless Street. You don’t want to miss this fun interview! After that, we dig into some listener feedback on Klara and the Sun, Harrow the Ninth (the sequel to Gideon the Ninth), and The Final Girl Support Group. Join us and Tirzah Price for our next Othersode on the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, on October 18th. Read along for our next Bookpisode on November 1 when we discuss Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters. Send feedback to thesquad@booksquad.com or DM us on Instagram!TOC:30–Welcome, Leah! Spoiler warning and intro q10:55–Book intro12:00–How the book is divided into sections27:37–Cult stuff37:22–Stolen land, Indigenous presence 50:27–The body55:50–Gender identity 1:10:19–Ratings!1:19:52–Interview with Catriona Ward1:56:12–feedback2:05:26–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?Find Leah at: https://whilereadingandwalking.comLinks:https://whilereadingandwalking.com/post/650390706536448000/river-solomon-talks-sorrowland-with-sarah-gailey

BSG #59: A Fun Guy / Sorrowland with Leah Rachel von Essen / Interview with Catriona Ward

Grady Hendrix returns to the podcast to talk about the Scream franchise and his new novel, The Final Girl Support Group! We talk about our favorite final girls (and how Sidney stacks up), how Scream revolutionized the slasher genre in the 1990s, how the sequels compare to each other, and why Gale’s hair goes rogue in 2 and 3. Plus, Grady shares a SUPER FUN FACT about Scream 2 that blows all of our minds. Then we ask Grady about The Final Girl Support Group and learn how the book came to be and what he has coming up in the future! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon, featuring special guest Leah Rachel von Essen, and stick around for an interview with Catriona Ward, author of The Last House on Needless Street. Catch up on Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu for our next Othersode on October 11th!:30–Welcome Grady Hendrix! And icebreaker q12:41–Scream intro and discussion of what holds up and what doesn’t 27:40–style and hair 33:55–is it horror or mystery? 48:00–Let’s talk about the cold opens 52:36–Scream 557:11–rankings1:12:12–Final Girl Support Group1:37:00–What’s up next?Links: https://screenrant.com/scream-movie-aged-poorly-timeless/http://www.gradyhendrix.com

Othersode #58: Courteney Cox's Bangs / Scream with Grady Hendrix

Call up your Artificial Friend—it’s time to talk about "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Special guest “Wizzy” of @sailormoonwisdom joins us to discuss the meaning of Klara’s relationship with the sun, why “simple” doesn’t mean “not complex,” whether or not humans are special, and Rick and Josie’s love for one another. Then we catch up with what’s on the blog, including more book, podcast, and television reviews. Tune in on September 20th for our chat with Grady Hendrix about the Scream series and his new novel, "The Final Girl Support Group." Join us for our next #Bookpisode on "Sorrowland" by Rivers Solomon, featuring special guest Leah Rachel von Essen, and stick around for an interview with Catriona Ward, author of "The Last House on Needless Street!" TOC: :30–Welcome, @sailormoonwisdom! And icebreaker 14:06–Book summary18:05–What do we think of the sun’s role considering its potential connection to religion?31:44–Is this book too simplistic?41:16–Think of the children!49:22–Josie and Rick55:10–Klara and the trash 1:03:33–Ratings!1:11:55–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

BSG #58: Artificial Friends / Klara and the Sun with Wizzy, AKA SailorMoonWisdom

Come back to medieval times with us as we welcome Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum, a podcast featuring some of the strangest, most absurd, and befuddling examples of medieval writing. The co-hosts of The Maniculum help us uncover some of the secrets of A24’s latest film The Green Knight, which stars Dev Patel and Alicia Vikander. From our favorite Arthurian heroes to the moody atmosphere of David Lowery’s lush landscapes, no stone goes unturned in this discussion.After you’re finished with this episode, get ready for what’s on deck next! We’ll welcome “Wizzy” from @SailorMoonWisdom to discuss Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. After that, Grady Hendrix triumphantly returns to talk all things Scream and answer some questions about his new novel, The Final Girl Support Group. 1:22–Welcome Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum! 12:50–Film synopsis14:43–What kinds of expectations did we have?24:25–Cinematography and filmmaking28:20–Differences in the movie and the book57:49–A24 has a great marketing team, and TTRPGs1:06:53–Misc. Thoughts1:30:37– What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Othersode #57: Distracted by Dev Patel / The Green Knight (with The Maniculum)

Surf’s up, listeners! Join us for one hell of a party as we discuss "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Special guest RJ Sorrento joins us to talk about the structure of the story, the characters and their motivations, TJR’s writing style, and—you guessed it—a little bit of "Weekend at Bernies." After the party ends, stick around for Mary’s interview with Kristen Radtke, author of "Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness." Tune in on August 23rd for our next Othersode on "The Green Knight" with guests Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum Podcast. Then read along with us for our next Bookpisode on September 6, where we’ll cover "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro with special guest Wizzy from @sailormoonwisdom on IG. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode!TOC:30–Welcome RJ Sorrento!7:00–What celebrity party would you want to go to?14:49–Book intro18:35–Narrative structure32:50–Let’s talk about the Rivas48:30–TJR’s writing 1:01:09–Ratings1:09:20–Interview with Kristen Radtke1:38:48–Listener feedback 1:44:35–What’s up next?Find Kristen at: http://kristenradtke.com Find RJ at: https://instagram.com/rjs.readingnook

BSG #57: Weekend at Nina's / Malibu Rising with RJ Sorrento / Interview with Kristen Radtke

It’s time to work till you drop! Just kidding, we’re not about that life. But we are all about discussing the new documentary "WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn." We are joined by special guest “Nicole,” who has some real-life experience with WeWork, to talk about hustle culture, cult-like workplaces, toxic positivity, and the many things that went wrong with WeWork. Next we get into some listener feedback and catch up with what’s on the blog, including Bachelorette recaps, Gossip Girl recaps, and more. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Then watch Dev Patel in "The Green Knight" for our next Othersode, featuring special guests Mac and Zoe from The Maniculum podcast! Don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and send us your feedback on this or any other episode!TOC:30 – Welcome, Nicole! 2:58 – What would your WeWork venture be called?6:50 – Documentary intro7:41 – Hustle culture27:00 – How and why does this work?/Cult stuff48:07 – Toxic positivity and utopia1:10:19 – Listener feedback!1:12:13 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: I Lived Adam Neumann’s Perfect Day. It Was Terrible. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/i-lived-adam-neumanns-perfect-life-for-a-dayit-was-dismal.htmlBillion Dollar Loser–https://www.avidbookshop.com/book/9780316461368 The Cult of We–https://www.avidbookshop.com/book/9780593237113

Othersode #56: Uber for Rooms / WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn

Jump into the Jazz Age as the Book Squad discusses "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo, a queer, magical retelling of "The Great Gatsby." We tread new and old territory as we talk about perspective, race, sexuality, magic, and both books’ messages. Next, Kelli hosts a delightful interview with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman, authors of "The Very Nice Box." Don’t miss our next very special #Othersode with returning guest Grady Hendrix, author of the new novel "The Final Girl Support Group," as we talk about his book and the Scream franchise movies! On our next #Bookpisode, we’ll be joined by writer and book blogger RJ to discuss "Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!TOC0:30 – Icebreaker 6:11 – Book intro8:34 – Hey! Spoilers! Also, how does the story change because of Jordan’s race and sexuality?20:30 – Magic!34:10 – What’s the difference in messaging? Also quick writing corner 41:14 – What about that ending?45:54 – Ratings 47:52 – Interview with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman1:20:40 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links: Bookpage interview: https://bookpage.com/interviews/26361-nghi-vo-science-fiction-fantasy#.YOcv6hNKhz8

BSG #56: A Gatsbyness About Him / The Chosen and the Beautiful / Interview with Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman

Back by popular demand! Hit the streets of Tokyo with the Squad (plus Todd) for the third installment of Book Squad Games. We finally got to inhabit our true supernatural forms as we played Urban Shadows from Magpie Games! Join us on an adventure to save the supernatural beings of Tokyo from a mysterious hunter. Tune in on July 12th for our next Bookpisode about the queer, magical Gatsby retelling "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo. Then, Grady Hendrix will join us on July 26th to talk about his new novel, "The Final Girl Support Group," and discuss the entire Scream movie franchise with us! You don’t wanna miss this one! TOC::30 – Intro to Urban Shadows4:55 – Game setup and intro questions20:00 – Let’s begin the game! 2:03:50 – Episode wrap-up/What’s up next? Urban Shadows 2e Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magpiegames/urban-shadows-second-edition

Othersode #55: Book Squad Games: Tokyo Drift

Join us on our spaceship for our discussion of "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata. We talk about the various pressures women face, society as a monster, the strange and complicated characters, body hair, and that wild ending. Next we get into some listener feedback on "Ready Player Two" and "Make Up Break Up," and then we catch up with what’s on the blog! Tune in on June 28th for our third installment of Book Squad Games, and read along for our next Bookpisode about "The Chosen and the Beautiful" by Nghi Vo on July 12th!TOC0:00 – Intro question10:00 – Content warning and book intro24:56 – Society as a monster33:29 – The trauma49:00 – Let’s talk about Yuu53:18 – Natsuki’s husband and Kise 1:10:00 – Hair talk1:06:32 - The ending!1:23:37 – Ratings1:29:50 – Feedback1:36:19 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Links:Interview with Murata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4qiX8xYJ4c

BSG #55: Off the Beaten Grid / Earthlings

Put on your haptic feedback suit and jump into the OASIS with us as we discuss Ernest Cline’s Ready Player Two. This is a hate-pisode, and we all knew we’d have mixed feelings going in, but have no fear. The squad is here to detail all of the negative aspects of Ready Player Two, including its trouble with being a sequel, problematic gender representation, and indistinguishable characters. Can Wade get out of the OASIS...again? Will he push the big read button and end it all? What are people on Goodreads saying about this trash fire of a novel? We cover it all on this episode. Spoilers abound as we tear apart this novel and wish for sci-fi with a conscience. If you want to catch up on Ready Player One, you can hear our episode on the movie here: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/readyplayer1-movieCome back next time for a discussion of Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, a novel we won’t hate! TOC1:00–What’s a good sequel?14:22–Book intro20:50–How does this work as a sequel?48:45–Gender stuff. Yikes (Jessie Gender’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOa8FacyF4) 1:14:08– Ernest Cline can’t write women1:18:40– Indistinguishable characters and plagiarism1:24:27– The button and Goodreads reviews1:30:00–Ratings1:32:14–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Othersode #54: I Totally Had Sex: A Hatepisode / Ready Player 2

This week, we’re off to South Korea to discuss "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" by Cho Nam-Joo (translated by Jamie Chang), a book that helped spark a women’s rights movement when it was first published in 2016. The Squad talks about the controversy surrounding the book and gets into some of our shared experiences of misogyny and sexism in America. After that, Emily interviews Ethel Rohan, author of the new short story collection "In the Event of Contact," winner of the 2021 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize. Join us on May 31st for our third-ever Hatepisode on "Ready Player Two" by Ernest Cline (Kelli assures us we’ll all hate it!). Then read along for our next Bookpisode on "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata on June 14th. In the meantime, check out the Book Squad Blog for additional content on books, movies, video games, and more! Send your feedback, thoughts, and weird gynecologist stories to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, or DM us on social media. 0:30 – Intro 9:58 – Book intro13:50 – Cultural context and consideration of controversy26:05 – What are some shared experiences we have with the book?45:05 – Is this a horror novel?52:30 - How does the narrator affect our understanding of the novel?1:03:45 – Ratings!1:07:50 – Interview with Ethel Rohan 1:45:16 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Kelli’s Glamour article; Are Guys Getting Paid More Just Because They're... Guys: https://www.glamour.com/story/12-real-people-discover-what-the-pay-gap-looks-likeNPR piece: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/19/835486224/south-korean-bestseller-kim-jiyoung-born-1982-gives-public-voice-to-private-painGuardian piece: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/15/cho-nam-joo-kim-jiyoung-born-1982-interviewMary’s Severance blog: https://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/book-review-severance-by-ling-maBBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50135152

BSG #54: The Twist is Misogyny / Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 / Interview w/ Ethel Rohan

Light some candles and gather ‘round the pentagram, because things are getting satanic (panic!) on this episode. Author Clay McLeod Chapman joins us to talk about the 2009 film House of the Devil. We talk about the cultural context of the early 1980s, Greta Gerwig’s pizza performance, and the anxiety-making pacing of the film. Tangents include Cabbage Patch dolls and the forbidden television of our childhoods. Next, we chat with Clay about his new novel, Whisper Down the Lane, which was inspired by the McMartin Preschool trial of the 1908s. We all loved this book, so we kept the chat about it spoiler-free! He tells us about why he is drawn to this subject matter, as well as what’s coming up next for him and his writing. (Also, there’s a fantastic story about one of Clay’s readings in New York that you absolutely do not want to miss!) Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo (May 17th), and then take a detour with us for our third-ever Hatepisode (though some of us might not hate it?) on Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline on May 31st. Subscribe to Book Squad Goals on your favorite podcast app, and go read Whisper Down the Lane right away! TOC:30 welcome Clay! And movie intro4:52–icebreaker15:30-what was the satanic panic?22:37–authenticity27:35–pacing46:35–the ending49:29–Clay McLeod Chapman and Whisper Down the Lane1:17:40–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?NPR Review: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114084025Filmmaker interview: https://filmmakermagazine.com/1392-ti-west-the-house-of-the-devil/#.YIbCun1Kg-Q

Othersode #53: Pizza is Satanic / The House of the Devil with Clay McLeod Chapman

Join the Squad and special guest Tirzah Price to chat about "Make Up Break Up," the first novel for adults by Lily Menon! We discuss the romance, the characters, and of course, the fancy apps the love interests each created. Next we talk to Tirzah about her debut YA novel, "Pride and Premeditation." She tells us about the inspiration for the series, the writing process, and what to look for in upcoming books! Then we get into some listener feedback for "When No One is Watching" and catch up with what’s on the Book Squad Blog, including new installments of YA Book Club and Queer Girl Book Club, as well as TV and podcast reviews. Join us and special guest Clay McLeod Chapman on May 3rd for our discussion of "House of the Devil" (2009) and Clay’s new novel, "Whisper Down the Lane." Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" by Cho Nam Joo on May 17th. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com or hit us up on social media! TOC:30 — Intros and icebreakers 12:50 — Book intro15:15 — Does the romance work?28:40 — Culture and race38:39 — We need to talk about Hudson48:10 — Ratings!56:40 — Q&A with Tirzah Price!1:11:11 — Feedback1:19:10 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?Tirzah’s Reading log- https://bookriot.com/2021-reading-log/https://tirzahprice.comhttps://www.schulerbooks.com/pride-premeditation

BSG #53: I Don't Fantasize About Capitalism / Make Up Break Up with Tirzah Price

Things get culty in this BSG #Othersode! Join us for our discussion of "The Project" by Courtney Summers and a special author interview with Sarah Edmondson (HBO’s "The Vow") about her book, "Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life." Read along with us for our next #Bookpisode on Lily Menon’s novel "Make Up Break Up," featuring special guest Tirzah Price, author of the new novel "Pride and Premeditation" (April 19th). Then come get scared with us on our next #Othersode when we talk about "House of the Devil" (2009) with Clay McLeod Chapman, author of "Whisper Down the Lane," a new novel inspired by the McMartin Preschool trials and the Satanic Panic (May 3rd). Please leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, and subscribe so our episodes hit your feed right away! 2:22 - What kind of cult would you accidentally join?6:10 - Introducing "The Project" (spoilers to follow) 8:00 - The structure of the novel23:50 - It’s not stupid people that join cults27:10 - Let’s talk about the cult39:00 - What do we make of Lev?40:39 - Our ratings!47:00 - Interview with Sarah Edmondson1:26:04 - What is on the blog?1:33:47 - What’s next on the pod?Check out Mary on The Maniculum! https://www.themaniculumpodcast.comThanks again to Sarah for speaking with us! For more info on Sarah, her book, and her new podcast, visit https://www.sarahedmondson.com/

Othersode #52: Cultpisode / The Project / Interview with Sarah Edmondson

Looking for a book club but don't have time to squeeze real-life meetings into your schedule? Join Book Squad Goals, a bi-weekly podcast about—you guessed it—books, plus all the garbage pop culture we consume when we’re not reading (that’s what our “othersodes” are for!). While you’re paying attention, check out our website & blog at booksquadgoals.com, where we have weekly posts about books, pop culture, and probably our pets. We love our pets.

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