Book Squad Goals

Escape the real pandemic with a fictional outbreak as we discuss Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay! We talk about how the novel’s events relate to current events, how the main characters are used to tell the story, and whether or not this is a zombie narrative. Next, we get into some listener feedback on The Vanishing Half and catch up with what’s on the #BookSquadBlog, including Bachelorette recaps and Emily’s Spooktober series. For our next #Othersode on 11/16, we’re covering Lovecraft Country, so catch up on HBO! And read along for our next #Bookpisode on Docile by Kevin Szpara (11/30). Send feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com, and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
TOC
0:30–welcome and intro question
12:46–book intro
16:04–what does it mean that this is a song?
22:34–current events and Survivor Song
37:38–what about the actual story? The format? Characters?
56:49–is this a zombie story?
1:08:56–ratings
1:17:37–listener feedback (and breakfast discussion)
1:33:25–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Grab your cake batter and badly-made tea because the Book Squad is discussing "The Haunting of Bly Manor." We talk about all of the Henry James literary connections, the (sometimes hidden) ghosts, grief and memory, and of course, love stories. Then we get into some listener feedback about "I’m Thinking of Ending Things" and catch up with what’s on the #BookSquadBlog, including a new featured bookstore, a spooky series, and Bachelorette recaps! Read along for our next #Bookpisode on "Survivor Song" by Paul Tremblay on November 2, and watch "Lovecraft Country" (HBO) for our next #Othersode on November 16.
0:30 – Introductions and icebreaker
8:30 – Show introduction
12:58 – Inspiration for the show
21:13 – Secret ghosts
24:20 – Who are these ghosts?
36:50 – Time, frame narratives
41:36 – Grief and trauma
56:40 – Love stories
1:11:47 – Ratings
1:21:55 – Listener feedback
1:33:00 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Henry James stories: https://screenrant.com/haunting-bly-manor-every-henry-james-ghost-story/
Hidden ghosts: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a34318015/haunting-of-bly-manor-book-based-on/

Join the #BookSquad for a chat about Brit Bennett’s newest novel, "The Vanishing Half." We discuss memory and time, identity and choice, and performance, as well as our favorite stories about twins. Next, we read some listener feedback on "Magic for Liars" and "We Set the Dark on Fire" and catch up with what’s on the #BookSquadBlog, including a spooky movie series and book and TV reviews. Watch "The Haunting of Bly Manor" on Netflix for our next #Othersode on October 19, and read along for our next #Bookpisode on Paul Tremblay’s "Survivor Song" on November 2. Send your feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
TOC
:30 – Icebreaker q and intros!
9:20 – Book intro
11:06 – Time, memory, structure
17:30 – Identity struggles and crises
32:25 – Let’s talk about race
48:10 – Moralizing and where the characters end up
62:30 – Ratings!
1:07:37 – Feedback
1:15:23 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Link to Mean Book Club's "Couple Next Door" Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-couple-next-door-by-shari-lapena/id1434373989?i=1000491312268
Emily on Hugos There Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hugos-there-podcast-45-american-gods-by-neil-gaiman/id1214652745?i=1000493230070

Pack up the car for a super weird road trip and our discussion of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things," the new Charlie Kaufman film based on the novel by Iain Reid. We talk about how the movie differs from the book, the acting (shout out to Toni Collette), and what the heck is actually going on here. Next, we get a delayed take on "The Secret Garden" and catch up on what's on the #BookSquadBlog, including two spooky series and YA Book Club! Read along with us for our next #Bookpisode on "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett (October 5th), and watch "The Haunting of Bly Manor" on Netflix for our next #Othersode (October 19th). Send us your thoughts/questions/answers about "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" or any other topic we've covered to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
:30 — Hellooooo! Introductions
15:40 — Summary and intro
19:00 — Is the movie a faithful adaptation of the book?
29:40 — So what actually happens?? How does it fit into Kaufman’s other work?
48:30 — Who is the woman? Authorship in the movie
57:40 — How was pop culture integrated into the film?
1:08:50 — Acting!
1:20:40 — Secret Garden thoughts
1:25:00 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Links to help you think about the movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ruSWSb5TuE&ab_channel=spookyastronauts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvIiNmyLeUY&ab_channel=ImpressionBlend

Throw on your resistance gear and join the squad as we rise up against The System with a discussion of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s “We Set the Dark on Fire.” We talk about the book’s real life parallels to the broken immigration system in our country, how the novel handles the patriarchy of it all, and of course, most importantly, the ROMANCE PLOT. After our ratings, we get into what’s on the blog, and then prep you for our upcoming episodes. We’re covering Netflix’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” for our next othersode (9/21), and for our next bookpisode (10/5), we’re reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. Please follow us on social media @booksquadgoals, check out our latest blog posts at booksquadgoals.com/blog, and send any and all feedback you have to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
TOC
0:30 – Hello! Introductions and intro question
11:40 – Book introduction
14:00 – The roles that women must fill in this society
25:15 – What’s this book saying about class divides, religious divides, and immigration?
34:09 – Politics and Protests
39:33 – ROMANCE
46:30 – Who would you cast?
48:50 – Ratings
58:50 – What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Get out of your big ornate bed and join us in "The Secret Garden" as we discuss the new 2020 adaptation of the classic children’s novel! We discuss the key changes in this adaptation, including the setting and the narrative arc of the children’s parents. We also answer the very important question: Is Colin Firth a daddy? Next, Emily interviews Adrienne Brodeur, author of the memoir "Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me." Then, we dig into a bit of "Hamilton" feedback and chat about what’s on the #BookSquadBlog. Read along with us for our next #bookpisode on "We Set the Dark on Fire" by Tehlor Kay Mejia (September 7), and watch the film adaptation of "I’m Thinking of Ending Things" for our next #othersode (September 21)! Join our discussions and send any feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com.
TOC:
0:30 — What would your secret garden be like?
6:20 — Intro to the movie
9:45 — What do we gain from changing the time period/setting?
14:40 — Why do we have to redeem the parents?
29:30 — Is the garden magic?
33:20 — Why was there a dog, though?
36:00 — Where is Dickon?
38:55 — Is Colin Firth a daddy? And...how do we feel about school in this movie?
44:15 — Interview with Adrienne Brodeur!
1:07:22 — "Hamilton" Feedback
1:09:25 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Things get a little magical this week as the Book Squad discusses "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey. We cover the inevitable comparisons to those *other* books set in a magical school, how this book works as a mystery novel, and how we feel about our narrator, Ivy. Then, Emily interviews Karen Salyer McElmurray, author of "Wanting Radiance." Later, we dig into a little listener feedback and catch up on what’s happening on the #BookSquadBlog. Rent "The Secret Garden" for our next #Othersode on August 24th, and read along with us for our next #Bookpisode on "We Set the Dark on Fire" by Tehlor Kay Mejia on September 7th!
TOC
0:30 — What magical subject would you teach?
8:19 — Book intro
10:00 — How does "Magic for Liars" work to do something different from Harry Potter?
21:21 — How the novel works as a mystery
37:37 — Ask a man
41:42 — Ratings
51:24 — Interview with Karen Salyer McElmurray
1: 26:52 — A little listener feedback
1:30:25 — What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Some Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
PDX Portland Bail Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdx-protest-bail-fund
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

Join us *in the room where it happens* to talk about "Hamilton," the 2015 hit Broadway musical that recently became available to stream on Disney+! We talk about our favorite characters and moments, how women are represented, deviations from history (but in a not-annoying way!), other musicals that have had crossover cultural success, and how "Hamilton" represents our particular politico-historical moment. Also—the #BookSquadBlog is back! Check it out for brand new content! For our next #Bookpisode on August 10, read "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey. Then, check out the new film adaptation of "The Secret Garden" for our next #Othersode on August 24. Send your thoughts on "Hamilton" or any other topic we’ve covered to thesquad@booksquadgoal.com or DM us on social media @booksquadgoals!
TOC
0:30 - Intro and icebreaker
8:21 - Musical intro
11:38 - What’s your experience with this musical?
19:06 - Wikes and dislikes
33:42 - Women in the musical
46:00 - Controversy about the musical, representing history
59:11 - Crossover success!
1:06:07 - Recorded musicals v movies v live
1:27:57 - What’s everyone’s favorite leitmotif?
1:37:40 - Listener feedback
1:39:40 - Special announcements
1:43:41 - What’s on the blog? What’s up next?
- Historical facts: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/movies/hamilton-musical-history-facts.html
- Hamilton cast Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFaUY3OAzow
- Adam's scholarship: https://gail.uga.edu/adam-cramond-martin-giving
- Kickstarter for Two Trumps and a Lie: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sethgriffin/two-trumps-and-a-lie-card-game
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Some Resources to Fight Racial Injustice:
PDX Portland Bail Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdx-protest-bail-fund
Black Lives Matter https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6857/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.209233111.496632409.1590767838-1184367471.1590767838
Communities United Against Police Brutality https://www.cuapb.org/
Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home/#about
Change.org petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
Change.org petition for Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-minneapolis-justice-for-george-floyd
Change.org petition for Justice for Ahmaud Arbery https://www.change.org/p/liberty-county-distric-attorney-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery
A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources: https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

Join the #BookSquad—and special returning guest Said!—for our discussion of The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. We talk about memory and storytelling, the “magic” of the story, how women are represented in the book, complicated characters, and enslavement. Next, we dig into some listener feedback from Ninth House and offer some reading suggestions from Black writers. Plus, the #BookSquadBlog is BACK! Check it out for new YA Book Club content, plus posts about video games, movies and more! Watch Hamilton with us for our next #Othersode (7/27), and read Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey for our next #Bookpisode (8/10)! Follow us on social media, and send any feedback to thesquad@booksquadgoals.com!
Coates discussing The Water Dancer w/Ibram X. Kendi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXcpOuFSxqc
TOC
:30–intro and special guest, Said!
8:44–spoiler warning and book intro
12:23–the power of memory and storytelling
18:35–what is the value of the magic in the book?
20:25–women in the novel
55:27–problematic characters
1:02:00–history in the novel
1:05:26–terminology
1:10:18–quotes from the Coates and Kendi talk
1:17:13–would this be a good limited series?
1:22:27–ratings?
1:32:31–listener feedback
1:42:54–what’s on the blog? What’s up next?
Consider Donating:
https://thelovelandfoundation.org/
https://www.theokraproject.com/
https://alp.org/
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

Join the Squad on a sci-fi/fantasy/horror adventure as we discuss the HBO series "Lovecraft Country." We talk about HP Lovecraft and race, how the show plays with genre, the unique structure of the series, and our favorite characters. Next, we dig into some listener feedback on "The Haunting of Bly Manor" and catch up with what’s on the #BookSquadBlog, including Bachelorette recaps and a holiday movie series! Read along with us for our next bookpisode on "Docile" by K. M. Szpara (November 30th), and join us for our fourth annual Best of the Year #othersode on December 14th (LOL good luck to us coming up with great things from 2020).
TOC
0:30 – Intros and horror questions!
4:38 – Spoiler warning and show introduction
8:54 – Lovecraft and race
16:30 – Playing with genre
24:26– Structure: magic, feature episodes, and Christina’s nonsense
49:09 – Christina and Ruby
59:11 – Other characters
1:28:44 – Listener feedback!
1:33:40 – What’s up next? What’s on the blog?
Vulture recaps by Steffan Triplett: https://www.vulture.com/article/lovecraft-country-series-premiere-recap-episode-1-sundown.html
AV Club Recaps by Joelle Monique: https://www.avclub.com/c/tv-review/lovecraft-country/season-1
On Marilyn Manson: https://metalinjection.net/metal-crimes/video-of-evan-rachel-wood-detailing-alleged-abusive-relationship-with-marilyn-manson-in-senate-testimony-resurfaces