Book Squad Goals

We’re off to the kingdom of Gyldan for a discussion of The Secret World of Briar Rose by beloved BookTuber Cindy Pham! Special guest Hena joins the squad to discuss all things Cindy, the book’s dual timelines, the joylessness of reading about depression, the characters, and more. On our next Othersode on November 10, we’ll be discussing Mike Flanagan’s new Carrie miniseries. Then on November 24, we’ll be talking about Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim for our next Bookpisode! If you haven’t left us a rating and review yet, what are you even doing? Get to it!TOC:30 – Welcome, Hena!11:18 – Book Intro15:00 – What did you know about Cindy before this book?20:55 – Audiobook corner25:00 – Timelines32:50 – Depression43:55 – Characters1:01:10 –YA books and romance1:17:30 – Other takes1:25:18 – Ratings

Wipe the blood from your neck and meet us at our remote chalet for a discussion of the new film Verity, based on the novel by Colleen Hoover. Along with our two guests, Angela and Emily, we talk about our experiences viewing this film, differences between the book and movie, the performances, our favorite unhinged moments, and of course, the difference between an autobiography and a memoir. (Is there one? Verity says no.) Read along for our next Bookpisode about The Secret World of Briar Rose, the debut novel of BookTuber Cindy Pham, on October 27. Then dive back into the world of Mike Flanagan and Stephen King for our next Othersode about the Carrie series on November 10. Feeling generous? Go check out our Patreon and consider supporting us for just $3 a month. Don’t wanna pay money? You can still support us by leaving us a rating and review!TOC::30–Welcome, Ang and Other Emily! 12:50–Movie summary14:45–Have you read the book? What do you know about Verity?31:20–Differences between book and movie37:23–What genre is this even?49:00–Camp and performances1:19:00–The ending1:32:35–What’s next?

If you think about it, this podcast is our hustle. (Minus the money.) Join us for a discussion of Hustle, Baby by Priya Guns. We talk about the distinctive voice, quirky characters, the (North) American Dream, and how this is eerily similar to another book we covered recently! We’re headed back into the CoHo-verse on October 13 to talk about the Verity film adaptation, so you don’t want to miss that Othersode. Then read along with us for our October 27 Bookpisode about The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham. We’ll be joined by special guest Wizzy from Sailor Moon Wisdom! P.S. October 13 is also Emily’s birthday, and her number one wish is that you leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t let the birthday girl down!TOC:30 – Welcome, and intro6:47 – Book intro9:20 – Characters21:15 – Mary on Mary25:41 – The (North) American Dream43:05 – the ending50:54 – Comparing to Lost Lambs59:04 – The snake1:01:00 – Ratings1:12:07 – What’s up next?

Do you ever wonder if the squad looks so good because we all took a magic potion? Turns out we’re just that beautiful. But we’d love it if you joined us for a chat about Death Becomes Her, featuring special guest, author Ally Russell! We talk about our personal experiences with the film, body image, the icons Meryl and Goldie, and why this film is still so great. Then we have a spoiler-free interview with Ally about her latest novel, Mystery James Returns from the Grave. Our next Bookpisode will be about Hustle, Baby by Priya Guns (September 29), and our next Othersode will be about the new film adaptation of Verity (October 13).TOC:45 – Welcome, Ally! 6:22 – Icebreaker15:30 – Movie intro17:37 – Prior experience with this movie?32:25 – Body image52:55 – Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn58:40 – Why is this such an iconic film?1:08:50 – What genre is this?1:12:17 – Talking with Ally about Mystery James Returns from the Grave! 1:50:24 – What’s up next?https://allyrussellbooks.com/

Come along, dear flock, and join us for a discussion of Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. We talk about the Flynn sisters as characters, conspiracy theories, the writing style, and more. Plus we once again try to define what satire actually is. Were we successful? Listen to find out! Author Ally Russell is joining us for our next Othersode about the film Death Becomes Her on September 15th. Then on our next Bookpisode, we’ll be chatting about Hustle, Baby by Priya Guns on September 27th. TOC:30 — Hellooooo and icebreaker9:59—Book intro11:50—The sisters and characterization26:50—Satire, conspiracy theories, etc.43:04—The writing52:20—The ending58:00—Does the Flynn family successfully represent America?1:04:00—Ratings1:05:52—Wild Feedback1:20:00—What’s up next??Linkshttps://www.vulture.com/article/madeline-cash-lost-lambs-honor-levy-close-reads.htmlhttps://www.booksquadgoals.com/blog/disneys-moana-is-a-response-to-rape-culture

Next time someone casually taps your shoulder, ask yourself: “Am I possessed now?” Even if the answer is yes, you can join us and special returning guest Clay McLeod Chapman for a discussion of the 1998 film Fallen. We talk about how the film mixes genres, the performances by every working actor in the 90s, the demon mechanics, and that twist at the end. Then we have a spoiler-free Q and A with Clay about his new horrormance novel, Devil Inside. Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. That episode drops on September 1. Then Ally Russell, author of Mystery James Returns from the Grave, joins us for our next Othersode on September 15th!0:04:36 Icebreaker Question0:11:02 Fallen Description0:15:40 What genre is Fallen?0:24:04 Let's Talk About Azazel/Demon Mechanics0:31:20 DemonVision©0:37:31 Rapid Fire Gripes 0:42:17 Clay McLeod Chapman Interview1:22:12 Next on the Pod!

A “literary drama packaged as a two-act play”—or is it? Join the Book Squad for a discussion of All Us Saints by Katherine Packert Burke. We chat about the book’s unique format, the St. Cloud family dynamics, and what’s up with Roland. And we ask the big important question: what even is this about? On our next Othersode, returning guest Clay McLeod Chapman will be with us to talk about the film Fallen and his new novel, Devil Inside, on August 18. On our next Bookpisode on September 1, we’ll cover Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And while you’re at it, leave us a review!TOC0:30 – Welcome! And icebreaker8:45 – Book intro10:40 – Format and theatrics14:45 – The St. Cloud Family23:15 – Roland50:50 – What even was this about59:47 – Ratings1:00:45 – What’s up next?

Get out the half and half and pour yourself a White Russian because we’re talking about The Big Lebowski with returning guest, author Paul Tremblay (Horror Movie, The Cabin at the End of the World)! We chat about our own connections to the film, the Coen Brothers’ oeuvre, why the film is a cult classic, and how it holds up in 2026. Then we have a spoiler-free Q and A with Paul about his latest novel, Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep, which is a truly unique and exciting read. Read along for our next Bookpisode about All Us Saints by Katherine Packert Burke on August 4. Then join us for another fun Othersode with Clay McLeod Chapman. We’ll talk about the film Fallen and then we’ll interview him about his new novel, Devil Inside, on August 18. We’d loooooove for our listeners to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Next time you see a video of Jimothy, let that be a reminder to you to write a little review for your gals over at Book Squad Goals.TOC::30– Welcome, Paul! 15:30–Movie Intro17:00–Previous experience with the Dude24:30–How familiar are we with Raymond Chandler and do we see the connection with his work29:20–The Coen Bros34:00–Why is this a cult classic?40:45–How does this movie work in 2026?50:33–Interview with Paul Tremblay!1:31:17–What’s on the blog? What’s up next?

Grab your shovels for a conversation about The Body—no, not that The Body. This one is by Bethany C. Morrow and we’re not totally sure why that’s the title! We talk about the protagonist, Religious Trauma, infidelity, that ending, and whether or not this is a horror novel. Next up on the podcast, it’s an Othersode with returning guest Paul Tremblay, author of the new novel Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep! We’ll be talking about the cult classic The Big Lebowski and having a spoiler-free chat about Paul’s book on July 21. For our next Bookpisode, we’d love it if you’d read along and check out All Us Saints by Katherine Packert Burke on August 4! Alsooooo please leave us a rating and review. We love ratings and reviews!:30 – Hello! Mary’s not here womp womp9:00 – Book intro10:35 – How does starting the novel in this way set the tone for the rest of the book?17:42 – Mavis as a character25:55 – Religious trauma and marriage30:05 – What even happened at Mavis’ wedding?35:50 – A whole rainbow of infidelity48:39 – “Too good to be true?”52:12 – The ending1:02:43 – Is this horror?1:06:05 – Goodreads rating—why so low?1:19:34 – Mary’s thoughts on the book1:21:32 – Ratings1:29:29 – What’s Up Next? Kelli’s had it with your shit!

Put on your best bad wig and join us for our discussion of the Amanda Bynes classic She’s the Man with returning special guest, author Samantha Allen! We talk about the star quality of Amanda, the original text of Twelfth Night, gender stuff, romance, and feminism(?). Then we have a spoiler-free interview with Samantha about her latest novel, Puck, which is inspired by another Shakespearean play! Read along with us for our next Bookpisode on The Body by Bethany C. Morrow on July 7. Then join us another Othersode with author Paul Tremblay on July 21, wherein we’ll discuss The Big Lebowski and Paul’s newest novel, Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep.:30–Welcome, Samantha! 9:30–Movie intro11:00–How do we all feel about this movie nostalgically? Amanda Bynes?19:22–Has anyone read Twelfth Night?21:28–The Gender of it All33:10– Is this movie romantic?38:04–Is this movie funny?41:55– Is this movie feminist?51:04–Interview with Samantha Allen about Puck!1:44:00–What’s up next?