Book Club with Julia and Victoria

Julia and Victoria make a glorious return to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series with The Sea of Monsters, in which the heroes complete Odysseus’ ten-year journey in just four days. J & V revisit the “girl power” scenes with Circe as adults, and they have Feelings.Note: While we're discussing a YA novel, our episode is not intended for young listeners. We use some mild profanity and mention some adult topics.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:The Sea of Monsters by Rick RiordanBook Club episode 059 The Lightning ThiefRick Riordan Presents imprintThe Odyssey by HomerBook Club episode 043 CirceSuicide Squad (2021 film)Ramy (TV show on Hulu)Howl’s Moving Castle (2004 film)Stranger Things (TV show on Netflix)Recommendations:The Titan’s Curse by Rick RiordanMythos by Stephen FryCirce by Madeline MillerThe Thief Lord by Cornelia FunkeHowl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne JonesCurrently Obsessed:Saga by Brian K VaughnPaper Girls by Brian K VaughnYou’re Wrong About podcastOlogies podcastNora From Queens (TV show on HBO)Insecure (TV show on Hulu)Gentleman Jack (TV show on HBO)Apocalypse Whenever by Bad Suns

Victoria is one to set goals, make plans, collect data, and track progress. So why do reading goals feel so…difficult!? In this solo minisode, Victoria recounts her troubled past of setting reading goals, sings the praises of The StoryGraph (again), and shares questions to consider if you’re looking to set bookish goals (or anti-goals) for 2022.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or The StoryGraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:- This opening scene of The Emperor’s New Groove (2000 film)- Agatha Christie- The StoryGraph- The StoryGraph Reads the World Challenge- The StoryGraph Genre ChallengeReflection Questions:- What do you value about reading? Why do you read?- How do you feel when you read? How do you want to feel?- How else would you spend your time if you weren’t reading?DM us or send a message through our website and let us know what your reading goals (or anti-goals) are for this year!

Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Nothing matters! Julia and Victoria reflect on the changes of 2021.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club episode: The Wisdom of Your BodyJames Acaster’s Perfect Sounds podcastBook Club episode: Red, White & Royal Blue

Julia and Victoria get very excited about their spur of the moment decision to talk about Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, the queer royal romance the world was waiting for. Julia had some technical difficulties and recorded on a less-than-ideal microphone, but it couldn’t be postponed because they were too pumped.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club Take a Hint, Dani Brown episodeBook Club The Story of a New Name episodeBook Club The Wedding Date episode Casey McQuiston interview with AdvocateRecommendations:One Last Stop by Casey McQuistonI Kissed Shara Wheeler by Case McQuistonRoyal Holiday by Jasmine GuilloryJulia’s Red, White & Royal Blue Spotify playlistYuri on IceCurrently Obsessed:The Great British Baking Show

Well over a year later, Julia and Victoria face their fears of long page counts and return to Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan series with The Story of a New Name. They discuss the complexity and ingenuity of Ferrante’s depiction of womanhood, and how much they hate Nino Sarratorre.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club episode: My Brilliant FriendBook Club episode: PachinkoBook Club episode: Take a Hint, Dani BrownRecommendations:Read the rest of Ferrante’s Neapolitan seriesFerrante’s newest release The Lying Life of AdultsMy Brilliant Friend on HBONight and Day by Virginia WoolfHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieCurrently Obsessed:Mythos by Stephen FryRed, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Julia and Victoria (and project manager Rebecca) recorded the Q&A session from their first ever LIVE online Book Club members event. Some audio quality may be compromised, but the enthusiasm for reaching the two year mark of making Book Club is not!Follow us on Instagram and StoryGraph!Learn more about Book Club membership.

Julia and Victoria plumb new psychological (and physiological) depths on the subject of embodiment with The Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Hillary McBride. Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image Dr. Hillary McBrideThe Liturgists podcastOther People’s Problems podcastTake a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (listen to our episode!)Concept of “the second arrow” in BuddhismRecommendations:You’re a Miracle (And a Pain in the Ass) by Mike McHargueHeadspace appThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der KolkCurrently Obsessed:Parks and Recollection podcastBig Mouth season 5 on netflixAminé album TWOPOINTFIVETaco Chronicles on NetflixNo Time to Die (film)

Julia and Victoria, and special guest Chelsea Kuchik, return to the spicy world of contemporary romance fiction with Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. They find their favorite tropes and consider what Bridgerton did for the acceptance of romance novels.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Follow @chelsea.is.reading on instagram!Mentioned in the Episode:Sarah Dessen (author)Twilight by Stephenie MeyerBridgerton on NetflixThe Bridgerton novel series by Julia QuinnFifty Shades of Grey by E. L. JamesThe NewsroomThe X FilesSchitt’s CreekThe Princess Switch on netflixCrazy Rich Asians by Kevin KwanThe Princess Diaries by Meg CabotWe Coach (non-profit)Sidelined USA (non-profit)Recommendations:Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonMating the Huntress by Talia HibbertBromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay AdamsBig MouthDaring Greatly by Brene BrownThe Bright Sessions podcastThe Untamed on NetflixThe Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (listen to our episode!)Currently Obsessed:Sex Education on netflixCome As You Are by Emily NagoskiPercy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Julia and Victoria get super excited about sentence structure and contemplate the chaotic nature of grief with The Year of Magical Thinking by the queen of nonfiction, Joan Didion.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the episode:“The Second Coming” poem by YeatsBook Club episode: Gold Plated GirlsGood Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry PratchettBeloved by Toni MorrisonJoan Didion’s websiteRun River by Joan DidionBlue Nights by Joan Didion“My Universe” by Coldplay and BTSRed by Taylor SwiftRecommendations:Still Alice on HuluThe Center Will Not Hold documentarySlouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan DidionDora Bruder by Patrick ModianoCurrently Obsessed:Mylo Xyloto by ColdplayThe Financial Feminist podcastLucy DacusOur Gold Plated Girls guest essay!

Julia and Victoria are joined by Hayley and yet another Victoria (No, this is not confusing at all.) from Gold Plated Girls to chat about creativity and pop culture, choosing your team and fighting imposter syndrome, and--unbelievably--baseball.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Follow Gold-Plated Girls!Subscribe to the Gold-Plated Girls newsletter on ButtondownTwitter: @goldplatedgirls @victoriaedel @bluesuedeschueInstagram: @gold.plated.girls  @bluesuedeschue    Mentioned in the episode:“Julia,” by the BeatlesMamma Mia: Here We Go Again!Victoria Edel’s piece in the New YorkerHow to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy by Lynette RicePeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily HenryThe Secret History by Donna TartPachinko by Min Jin Lee“The Most Surprising Side Effect of Regular Exercise” by Hayley SchuenemanSquid GameGirl Wash Your Face by Rachel HollisScarlett Johannsen suing DisneyParasiteRecommendations:TaskmasterNew GirlMystic PizzaPray Away documentary