“You were challenged beyond the bounds of what could be done, and found a path to make it true.”

In our conversation we talk about the boundaries women have to negotiate to take care of themselves and their families. Survival can look like selfishness and even fair bargains can be traps. In Novik’s story there is a battle between the fire demon Chernobog and the Staryk King of winter. The people of Lithvas are trapped in between. Miryem, Irina, and Wanda find ways to help themselves, their family, their people, and each other.

We linger in a discussion of how sometimes utilitarian arrangements or market transactions between indifferent people can lead to real understanding and even love as they learn and grow and change. Loving one person who is really different from you can open up a whole new world of people to love. We enjoy the twists in the story and the numerous charming references to other stories and folk tales. We also talk about the mentions of tax rolls in the story! Nice work, Naomi Novik! They are rare but always appreciated.

We do leave some questions unanswered, especially whether the Staryk coldness is a kind of virtue or goes too far and becomes a vice. We hope you’ll let us know what you think.

A special thanks to our first-time guest Ashley Zappe whose suggestion of Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver sparked the original idea of having a Romantasy season. Ashley is a psychology professor and science communicator, with a soft spot for speculative fiction. The only thing she loves more than a good romantasy or space opera is the weird and wild realm of actual reality. Her beautiful children's book about New Mexico wildflowers can be found here: https://www.dawnwheat.com/styled-2/

Next up for the Book Club Podcast is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern followed by The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen. You can get your copies of all the books using our affiliate links at our bookshop.org page. When you buy from us, you support us and your favorite indie book store at no additional cost to you. (Christy supports The Secret Nook: Coffee & Books in Conway, Arkansas. Carly supports Collected Works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Try it! You’ll like it).

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack and you can join the conversation with other listeners about each episode by leaving comments; or you can support the podcast by tipping us through venmo at @bookclubpod.

We hope you enjoy the opening question and all the ones that come after.

This podcast was made by humans.

“‘I love you,' he whispered, and kissed my brow. 'Thorns and all.'.”

This season starts with one of the biggest titles in the Romantasy genre: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Christy warms to it but Carly remains cold.

What do women want? What do women need? C&C discuss what characters are looking for and what a reader wants from her books. Two important moments in A Court of Thorns and Roses revolve around what Feyre, the main character, is and isn’t willing to say. She hesitates about telling Tamlin she loves him and dire consequences follow. In the end, however, she saves herself, her lover, and the realm when she solves a riddle with love and speaks it out loud.

Romance themes C&C spend some time with are enemies to lovers and magical males. Fantasy themes include reluctant heroines, good versus evil, and the quest to save the world (or at least your corner of it). They also talk about Mr. Darcy, probably more than they should, if we’re being really honest with you, dear listener. (Pride & Prejudice next season, anyone?!?)

Fate and Favor, the sixth and newest book of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is coming out October 27th, 2026 so there’s definitely more if you like what you hear. We think you could probably get caught up by then if the story captures you like Amarantha captures Feyre.

Next up for the Book Club Podcast is Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, followed by The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. You can get your copies of all the books using our affiliate links at our bookshop.org page. When you buy from us, you send pennies our way and support your favorite indie book store at no additional cost to you. (Christy just made her first order supporting The Secret Nook: Coffee & Books in Conway, Arkansas. It just feels good, people).

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack and you can join the conversation with other listeners about each episode by leaving comments; or you can support the podcast by tipping us through venmo at @bookclubpod.

We hope you enjoy the opening question and all the ones that come after.

This podcast was made by humans.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with Carly and Christy
Suncatcher: Seven Days in the Sky by Alia Gee with Carly and Caroline
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson with Carly and Caroline

What do you get when you add some fantasy to your romance novels? Our new season of the Book Club Podcast. This season, we are reading two of the biggest titles in the genre: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. But size isn’t the only thing that matters. We also chose titles we loved or came with rock-solid abs, I mean, recommendations. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen are great choices for when autumn breezes start to rustle and candy corn appears in the aisles. Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree and Hunting the Heiress: A Romantic Space Fantasy by Kathleen Beatty are also keeping our book ends working.

Some of the themes we will discuss are enemies becoming lovers, fated soul mates, the timeless pairing of grumpy and sunshine personalities, reluctant heroines, found and chosen families, and the quest to save the world (or at least your corner of it). We’ll also talk about what we can learn about female desire from these characters and the popularity of these stories.

Read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas for our first book discussion, to be released in two weeks. The sixth and newest book of the series Fate and Favor is coming out October 27th so there’s definitely more if you like what you hear. You can get your copy of all the books using our affiliate links here:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Hunting the Heiress by Kathleen Beatty

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

When you buy from us, you send pennies our way and support your favorite indie book store at no additional cost to you.

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack at bookclubpod.com now and you can join the conversation with other listeners about each episode by leaving comments or you can support the podcast by tipping us through Venmo at @bookclubpod.

Happy Reading!

In the season three recap episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly is joined by frequent guests My Nguyen and Christy Lynn Horpedahl to discuss their experiences revisiting childhood classics like A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver. The conversation dives into themes of nostalgia, the portrayal of female characters, and the evolving nature of connection in a digital age. The trio reflects on how these books have shaped their understanding of the world and whether they prepared millennials for adulthood. They also explore the balance between the solitary and communal aspects of reading and the impact of technology on personal and collective experiences.

Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads! You can support the podcast by making a contribution on Venmo to @bookclubpod.

00:00 Welcome to the Season Three Recap

00:15 Introducing the Guests

00:58 Nostalgia and Childhood Books

01:40 Revisiting Old Favorites

02:51 Critiquing Beloved Characters

04:52 The Joy of Rediscovery

07:50 The Expanse and The Princess Bride

12:56 Reading as a Primer for Life

18:16 Sharing Books Across Generations

27:36 The Solitary and Communal Nature of Reading

33:38 Hiding your Books

36:54 Connection with High Nutritional Value

41:29 The Importance of Generosity and Honesty in Connection

48:47 Technology and Radical Humility

50:48 Female Characters and Their Portrayal

57:40 Millennials and a Changing World

01:02:03 Just Because you Like it

In this special bonus episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, joined by Andrene and Joel from the Rewind Rewatch Podcast, delves into Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. They explore themes of genetic engineering, human arrogance, and scientific discovery, discussing character developments such as Hammond's moral irresponsibility, Nedry's sabotage, and Malcolm's philosophical insights. The episode examines the narrative role of Lex and Tim, the depiction of female characters, and the contrast between the book and the movie. The hosts reflect on the story's relevance to contemporary issues like technological progress and environmental exploitation. They also highlight the 1993 film's enduring visual impact and influence on millennials, wrapping up with recommendations for Crichton's sequel, The Lost World.

Listen to the Rewind Rewatch episode on the movie Jurassic Park on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

00:00 Life Finds a Way

00:13 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast

00:31 First Impressions of Jurassic Park

03:02 Diving into the Plot

10:07 Hammond's Delusions and Grandchildren

14:23 Character Dynamics and Development

25:58 The Arrogance of Humans

39:59 Living Systems and Chaos Theory

41:32 Automation and Nedry's Role

43:08 Nedry's Betrayal and Consequences

47:40 Hammond's Hubris and Park's Flaws

50:33 Children in Jurassic Park

53:39 Millennial Nostalgia and Connection

57:35 Female Characters in Jurassic Park

01:02:42 Modern Reflections and Genetic Power

01:08:39 Impact of the Movie on Millennials

01:14:33 Final Thoughts on Jurassic Park

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, Margaret, and David delve into The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The discussion ranges from character connections, gender dynamics, and the significance of storytelling within stories, to the cultural impact and enduring nostalgia of the film. They also share their perspectives on the possibility of remaking the beloved movie and reflect on the broader genre themes present in both the book and film.

Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

00:00 Quote from The Princess Bride

00:52 Personal Histories with The Princess Bride

02:19 Summary of The Princess Bride

07:12 Opening Question on Storytelling

15:28 The Love Story and Ripple Effects

25:42 Buttercup Redemption

28:55 Max and Valerie: A Model Couple

32:53 Bill's Midlife Crisis and Reflections

36:01 Wesley Didn’t Age Well

37:20 The Miracle Pill and Screenwriting Influence

39:19 Millennials and DVD Extras

42:41 Exploring Genuine Connections

45:25 Female Characters in The Princess Bride

50:07 Adventure and Genre Themes

54:25 Never Remake The Princess Bride

57:25 Final Thoughts and Millennial Nostalgia

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly, an Elder Millennial, is joined by guest Jenni to discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. The episode delves into personal anecdotes about discovering the series, revisiting the story, and its impact on their generation. They explore the book's plot, character relationships, societal themes, and the broader Harry Potter universe. The conversation also touches on the challenges and emotional aspects of revisiting beloved childhood books, the portrayal of female characters, and the movie adaptation's strengths and weaknesses. Tune in next month for a discussion on William Goldman’s The Princess Bride!

Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

00:00 The Goblet of Fire Chooses Harry

00:45 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast

01:02 Personal Harry Potter Journeys

03:50 Discussing the Goblet of Fire

05:12 Summary of the Goblet of Fire

12:14 Wizarding World and Muggle Relations

21:01 Rita Skeeter and Journalism

24:59 Impact of Cedric's Death

36:01 Revisiting Harry Potter

38:35 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Initial Impressions

38:59 Breaking Rules: A Millennial Perspective

39:24 Generational Differences and Rule-Breaking

47:22 The Importance of Genuine Connection

52:25 Female Characters in Harry Potter

58:32 The Hero's Journey and Millennial Reflections

01:03:01 Movie Adaptation: Hits and Misses

01:07:20 Final Thoughts and Next Book Discussion

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly and guest Margaret, both elder millennials, discuss the book Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. The discussion includes a detailed summary of the plot, touching on Mrs. Frisbee’s journey to save her sick son, her encounters with wise mice and intelligent rats, and the mysterious background of the rats of NIMH. They delve into themes such as ecosystems and civilizations, the impact of scientific experimentation, and the lack of significant character development. The conversation also compares the book with its darker, magic-filled movie adaptation. The episode concludes with reflections on how millennial childhood media, including dark movies, might have influenced their resilience. Tune in next time for our episode on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

00:00 Mysterious Marching Figures

01:37 Introduction to the Book Club Podcast

02:55 Summary of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH

07:48 Discussion on Ecosystems and Civilization

13:24 The Role of Education and Longevity

23:00 The Farmer and the Natural Cycles

32:37 Morality and Justice in Mrs. Frisbee's World

33:34 Natural Disasters and Human Vulnerability

35:50 The Scary Imagery of Childhood Movies

36:41 Millennial Nostalgia and Dark Childhood Films

38:05 The Horror Elements in Mrs. Frisbee's Story

38:44 Magical Elements in the Movie Adaptation

43:07 Exploring Themes of Connection and Isolation

45:31 Female Characters and Their Roles

49:01 Hero's Journey and New Genre Themes

51:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!