The Worst Bestsellers

The whole internet has been talking about Adult Braces by Lindy West, so we decided to join the conversation. And who better to join us than Friend of the Show Margaret H. Willison (@MrsFridayNext)? You can find Margaret at Culture Study and you can find us in Key West, petting Ernest Hemingway’s polydactyl cats. Listen now to find out our legally binding ruling on whether or not Lindy West needs a divorce!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Love Letters: Meredith & Margaret on Lindy West’s Adult Braces

“Lindy West’s How-Not-To Guide to Polyamory” by Scaachi Koul

AMA: Nonmonogamy Edition from Lindy West’s Substack

The Lindy West Deep Dive from Ashley Ray’s Substack

“Big Love” from Jennifer Weiner’s Substack

Ijeoma Oluo on Threads

Coming up next: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.

May the 4th be with you! (If you’re listening to this on the day it comes out! If not: may the Force be with you.) In honor of this faux Star Wars holiday, we read Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. We were joined by writer and Star Wars enthusiast Nanci Schwartz to discuss this story that’s more than a video game and less than a movie. Many Bothans died to bring you this episode.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 173 – The Courtship of Princess Leia

The Birth of Cheesoid

Gungans and Daddies: All That Jizz

Coming up next: Adult Braces by Lindy West.

We’re crawling out of our coffins and we’re doing just fine. We were joined by Rebecca Mahoney, author of Thrall, to discuss The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Please do not play this episode in the presence of Akasha, Queen of the Damned–the audio waves will only agitate her.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Thrall Book Launch event at Porter Square Books on April 24th

Episode 125 – Interview With the Vampire

Savage Garden on Wikipedia

Lestat the Musical

Coming up next: Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry.

Two of the greatest minds of our generation, Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, have joined forces to give the world this extremely mid book: Remain. Fortunately, we were joined by the delightful Annie Cardi, author of Winter White, for a walk to remember through Cape Cod, led by a beautiful ghost whose purpose on earth is to teach an entitled man how to do basic chores. Listen to this episode while you research property law.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 25 – True Believer

Episode 70 – The Notebook

Tate Donovan on IMDB

Rocky on Wikipedia

Coming up next: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.

We conclude our arbitrary celebration of Canada Month with a playoff episode that went into overtime. Yes: we read Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. We needed two guests to handle a title of this magnitude, so we were joined by fangirl in STEM Sarah and authentic Canadian/Canadien Kathleen Gros, author and artist of several books including Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of). Listen to this episode while driving to the cottage!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Canadian Heritage Minutes

“Heated Rivalry Is Chess” by Rebecca Alter

“Weapons’ Hot Dog Scene Is Actually a Heartfelt Tribute to Zach Cregger’s Late Friend” by Tai Gooden

“Those Tuna Melts in Heated Rivalry are So Gay” by John Birdsall

Important Heated Rivalry Fan Art

Coming up next: Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan.