BSG #44: Four Brunettes and a Book / Magic For Liars / Interview with Karen Salyer McElmurray

Explicit content warning

08/10/20 • 103 min

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

Previous Episode

Othersode #43: Phantom of the Suburbs / Hamilton!

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 [email protected] 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

Next Episode

Othersode #44: Speaking of Mothers / The Secret Garden / Interview with Adrienne Brodeur

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 [email protected].
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?