Feminist Book Club: The Podcast

Mhairie and Nox both LOVE the library, and in this segment, they’re talking about how much they love libraries and audiobooks. Nox gushes about a program with her local library that delivers books to her because of her disabilities while Mhairie shares all of the things libraries can do besides sharing books. The two also talk about the accessibility that audiobooks provide, and how supporting your library is a (free!!) form of resistance.    Books/Resources Mentioned:  Queens Library - for $50, non New York residents can purchase a Queen Library e-card  LA Public Library - for $50, you can purchase an LA Public Library card even if you don’t live in California, but you have to go to the library in person to get it initially  Poyums by Len Pennie  I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones  What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez  The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters  Falling Back in Love With Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom    Support this episode’s hosts: Follow Nox: Instagram // TikTok // Threads Follow Mhairie: Instagram // TikTok Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

The title of this episode is a nod to the Bread and Roses strike at textile mill in 1912, where women banded together to demand bread aka money as well as roses aka art and beauty. In a time where working conditions were abysmal, the strike and poem/song of the same name were a rallying cry for decent wages and better conditions. Your podcast producer Renee was reminded of this when she was putting these segments together. While we’re not discussing the early 20th century labor movement today, we are discussing finances, art, and power.    Roses and Reckoning Jordy explores The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith, a Victorian-inspired romantasy filled with fae bargains, glittering balls, and cutthroat trials. From the enchanting world-building to themes of power, sisterhood, and resilience, we’re diving into what made this tale so compelling    Women Who Define Their Worth What do sex work, banks, and women’s basketball have in common? Ashley answers that question in this discussion of women defining their own worth. Tune in to hear her review two books and introduce a new basketball league to women’s sports fans.   Books/Resources Mentioned:  The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith Soft Core by Brittany Newell Give Her Some Credit by Grace L. Williams Unrivaled Basketball League Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Ashley: Instagram   Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.  

With the current administration actively trying to whitewash Black History Month, Nox and Ashley sat down to share their Black history recommendations. They provide books, authors, and movies for various age ranges and topics in Black history, as well as a reminder to celebrate and uplift Black history all year round, not just in February. Content warnings: This episode and the recommendations in it discuss racism, murder, and police brutality, specifically regarding Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and Emmett Till, as well as the LA Riots in 1992 and the Tulsa Race Massacre.   Books/Resources Mentioned:  My Black Country by Alice Randall The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert The Barn by Wright Thompson  The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernandez A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams  The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown Girl from the Ashes by India Hill Brown The Fire Inside (movie) One of them Days (movie) The Piano Lesson (movie) Rob Peace (movie) Beverly Jenkins: A Romance Revolutionary - Feminist Book Club Beverly Jenkins: Teaching Black History Through Romance - Readin' Magazine Discover Our Glory with @rachel.cargle - an annual BHM learning series curated by Rachel Cargle The Loveland Foundation - a foundation to connect Black women and girls with therapy Therapy for Black Girls - mental health resources for Black women and girls LA Fires: The Impacted Black Community Urgently Needs Help! - Go Fund Me - collecting funds for Altadena’s Black community that were impacted by the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles     Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Nox: Instagram // TikTok // Threads Follow Ashley: Instagram   Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

In this episode, Jordy and Nox dive deep into Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley, a dark romantasy brimming with Fae politics, perilous trials, and a fierce rebellion against a sadistic faerie king. From the brutal magic of the underground Fae realm to Kenna Heron’s journey of courage, resilience, and unexpected love, we’re exploring what makes this tale both gripping and unforgettable. *some spoilers mentioned*  Books/Resources Mentioned:  Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley  A Witch’s Guide to Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley  A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley  Lightlark by Alex Aster  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas  Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli  The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones    Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter    Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

We love messy family dramas and today our podcasters are talking about two newer releases, The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha and Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong. These two contemporary fiction novels tackle big families with big drama, from handing over the family business to momfluencers ignoring their kids’ consent. Tune in for thoughtful and nuanced discussions of the books and these themes.   Murder Among the Millionaires (0:22) In this segment, Jordy dives into The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha, a murder mystery packed with family drama, high stakes, and Succession-style power plays. From Luxury island intrigue to explosive secrets and betrayal, we’re unpacking what made this thriller an addictive read–and where it could have surprised us more   Hate Follow: Navigating Social Media as an Extremely Online Parent (5:38) When Steph, Mariquita, and Nox read Erin Quinn-Kong’s Hate Follow, they had FEELINGS. In this conversation, they share how the book sparked thoughts on navigating social media as a parent, influencer culture, and setting (and respecting) healthy boundaries.   Books/Resources Mentioned:  The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha Hate Follow by Erin Quinn-Kong  Momfluenced by Sara Petersen  Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli  A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men - The New York Times    Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Mariquita: Instagram Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter  Follow Steph: Instagram // Website   Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.  

The podcast is back with a quick review of The Jewel of the Isle from Jordy for all our adventure-loving romcom fans. But the bulk of this episode is dedicated to Nox and Mhairie’s conversation regarding how online communities tend to respond to natural disasters. While this episode was recorded in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the conversation rings true as we watch the wildfires in California. Resources below.   Laughs, Love, and Lost Treasures: The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea (0:22) In this segment, Jordy explores Kerry Rea’s The Jewel of the Isle, a rom-com adventure packed with witty banter, absurd mishaps, and navigating grief.This book is full of hilarious, heartwarming moments, and heavy themes that make this treasure hunt a true gem of a read.   Who Deserves Empathy? (3:06) Nox and Mhairie talk about the discussions around recent natural disasters Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and how people talk with a lack of empathy regarding those impacted by the disasters. Why do we talk about people like this? What makes us write others off in such situations? Content Warnings: Discussions regarding recent natural disasters, homelessness, the ability to evacuate, death (as well as a story mentioning child death), and religion are had in this segment.   Books/Resources Mentioned:  The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea Raiders of the Lost Heat by Jo Segura Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis Disability and Disaster Hotline: (800) 626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org  LA Times’ list of resources for anyone impacted by the wildfires Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter // TikTok Follow Mhairie: Instagram // TikTok Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

The holiday season is full of ups and downs and we’ve wrapped up all of those feelings in one episode. Whether you’re falling in love this season, alternating between grief and rage, or channeling your inner Ina Garten, we’ve got books to recommend!   Christmas Bops and Flops (0:22) Jordy shares her thoughts on two holiday romances–one that fell flat and another that truly delivered. From small-town charm to heartfelt second chances, we’re unwrapping what worked and what didn’t in these festive reads!   Becoming Medusa: Mariquita Reviews Mad Wife (4:55) Mariquita reviews Kate Hamilton’s memoir, Mad Wife, and explores what it means to live denying the patriarchal demand for a perfect victim, how to escape a violent marriage, and why it is important sometimes to become a monster.    Parallels of Time through Memoir (11:09) Ashley and Sam discuss Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens. They explore the themes that resonated, what drew them to the memoir, and the way the present reflects the past in many ways.   Books/Resources Mentioned:  How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Megan Quinn Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun  Mad Wife: A Memoir by Kate Hamilton   The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten  Online chat: hotline.rainn.org/online - immediate emotional support or practical help for sexual assault  Call 800-656-HOPE – RAINN  www.RAINN.org  Online chat: www.thehotline.org - immediate emotional support or practical help for domestic violence  Call 800-799-SAFE  Batteredmotherscustodyconference.com - Provides educational material, resources, support and networking opportunities for mothers attempting to use family court to protect their children and themselves from abusive situations  Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Mariquita: Instagram // Threads Follow Ashley: Instagram // Twitter // Website Follow Sam: Twitter // Instagram  Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.  

This one is for the Swifties and the Swifties only. In this special episode, Jordy sits down with Kristie Frederick Daugherty, bonafide Taylor Swift scholar, poet, and literary critic. They discuss their favorite eras, but more importantly, why we ought to take Taylor Swift seriously as a poet. Daugherty’s new book Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift is out now.   Mentioned in this episode: Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift edited by Kristie Frederick Daugherty Yellow Wallpaper  Support this episode’s host and guest: Follow Kristie Frederick Daugherty: Website // Instagram Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.

Books matter, even the weird ones. This episode kicks off with some of Sally’s favorite “WTF” books so get your TBRs ready. Then Ashley and Jordy share their thoughts on the genre-bending novel Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris. Finally, Nox discusses the importance of books and why book bans are terrible for everyone and stick around for some excellent diverse children’s book recommendations!   WTF Did I Just Read?! (0:22) Sally loves weird little books that make her think, “wtf did I just read?” Maybe they make us question reality, maybe it’s a train wreck you can’t look away from, maybe it’s so unsettling that it takes days or even weeks to recover. If you’re into that sort of thing, or just want to learn about some 2024 releases with stellar writing and unhinged women, this segment’s for you.   A Discussion of Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris (6:58) If you love mystery, romance, and/or fantasy, listen up! This book has all of those things and more. Ashley and Jordy discuss Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris, the allusions to other classic monster stories, the 20th century French setting, the slowburn sapphic love story, and lots more.   Book Bans Don’t Protect Anyone (20:51) Nox talks about how she feels when she sees books being banned, both as an educator and as someone who didn’t have access to books that represented her until she was an adult. She talks about the importance of books and how they can help you see yourself in many ways, plus some of her favorite diverse books in her classroom.   Mentioned in this episode: Our segment on gross books An Excellent Host by Chelsea G. Summers (an Independent Bookstore Day exclusive, so it may be tricky to find, but lots of indie bookstores still have copies! The Coin by Yasmin Zaher The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim Supplication by Nour Abi-Nakhoul Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry I Am Enough by Grace Byers Full Full Full of Love by Trish Cooke Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food and Love, edited by Elsie Chapman and Caroline Tung Richmond The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan How to Fight Book Bans and Challenges (from BookRiot) NCAC Book Censorship Action Kit   Support this episode’s hosts: Follow Sally: Instagram // The StoryGraph Follow Ashley: Instagram // Twitter // Website Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok Follow Nox: Instagram // Twitter // TikTok   Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.  

Curious about the National Book Award finalists? Last week and this week, our team dived into the shortlists for the Young People’s Literature and Fiction titles. Today, Mariquita and Mhairie discuss the five shortlisted books in Fiction. The National Book Award winners will be announced tomorrow!   Mentioned in this episode: All Fours by Miranda July Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar My Friends by Hisham Matar Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku James by Percival Everett The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain   Support this episode’s hosts: Follow Mariquita: Instagram // Threads Follow Mhairie: Instagram // TikTok Get our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday here.   Check out our online community here!    This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.   Original music by @iam.onyxrose   Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.