The Bitch Moms Book Club

This week we dive into Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow, a multigenerational novel of a southern black family trying to navigate and overcome the hurdles before them. Topics of discussion include the cycle of abuse, the discouragement of arts among people of lower socio-economic backgrounds, systemic discrimination, how historical fiction authors weave in real history, and the media. The kids books this week are Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan and The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

This week we delve into Former First Lady Michelle Obama's autobiography Becoming, which details her life from her youth through her time as First Lady. The kids' book feature this week is Sing a Song of Seasons, collated by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Fran Preston-Gannon. Other topics this week include community, pregnancy loss, thirsting after a former president, marriage of opposites.

This week, we delve into Sadeqa Johnson's House of Eve, a historical novel about two young women navigating love, their position in the world, and the ache of motherhood. The children's book feature this week is The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and Martin Martchenko Other topics of discussion include the lost history of the Black Elite in America, colorism, unwed mother homes, every brown person's first "reckoning," and the lack of advocacy for women in the medical field

This week's episode is a pretty heavy one, topic-wise. We review Salt Houses by Hala Alyan, a multigenerational story about a Palestinian family who face displacement after displacement in the wake of wars in the Middle East. The kids book feature "These Olive Trees" by Aya Ganameh is also a Palestinian story. Other topics mentioned in this episode include a brief historical context of Israel-Palestine relations, the "Not In My Backyard" mentality, Sunk-cost fallacy, the danger of getting caught up in a niche aspect of an issue, how we're not meant to know all the terrible news. If you're interested in the brand of bike Shay and April got for their kids, you can check it out at: https://guardianbikes.com/ If you would like to donate to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, please donate at: https://www.pcrf.net/

This week, we delve into Michelle Zauner's Crying in H Mart, a memoir about her experience as a Korean American and navigating her mother's illness. Topics of discussion include the difference between autobiographies and memoirs, a long tangent on American food culture, food as cultural representation, food as a marker of love, the idea of just not existing, and not ever entertaining the thought of us--the mothers--being the ones to go first. The kids books this week are Big by Vashti Harrison and White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein.

This week, we welcome Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a cozy novel about found families, set at an estate house in the UK. Tangential topics include tokenization, tea, women's default to hiding their true selves, and Taylor Swift of course. Kids book is Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy and Ekua Holmes

We're back! Here is our first official episode of Season Two! This week, we delve into Nadia Hashimi's When the Moon is Low, a moving novel about an Afghan mother trying to get her children to safety. Topics include mother-in-law relationships, weird boy mom culture, different cultural approaches to storytelling, the importance of the education of women and young girls, and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. We also reference Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "The Danger of a Single Story" talk, the podcast You Are Good. and Melinda Gates' The Moment of Lift. The kids books mentioned in this episode are: We Could Fly by Rihannon Giddens and Briana Mukodiri Uchendu Worm loves Worm by J. J. Austrian and Mike Curato Escargot by Dashka Slater and Sydney Hansen *Correction in today's episode: the movie Shay mentions is actually Billy Madison, not, in fact, Happy Gilmore. They are both Adam Sandler movies that came out in the mid '90s.

Today we have a really special bonus episode! March 21 marks the publishing anniversary of our very own Shay Galloway's debut novel The Valley of Sage and Juniper, To celebrate this milestone, we sit down and discuss the book, and, as usual juggle our sick children while going on our own tangents including sex scenes, taciturn past generations, and strong female characters.

This week, the Bitches tackled Rachel Yoder's raw, walloping, and divisive Nightbitch. Topics of discussion include Literary fiction, mental load, PPD, being judgmental of other mothers, projecting our own insecurities, creativity and motherhood, and whether children are worth it. Today's kid book is Miimi Maraal, Mother Earth by Melissa Greenwood

This week, the Bitch Moms present of their long-time favorites: Joanne Harris' Five Quarters of the Orange, a historical novel set in German-occupied France. Topics of discussion include generational differences in parenting, how children can be both terrible and motivating, the stupid insurance-based American healthcare system. Today's kids book is My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss