Mariquita and Kenesma dive into their top 5 favorite books of 2025 (so far—with six months of reading still ahead!). In this spoiler-free conversation, they highlight memorable quotes, unpack recurring themes, and explore what makes each of these reads so unforgettable. From powerful storytelling to characters that linger long after the last page, this chat is a celebration of books that moved, challenged, and inspired them. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just love hearing pe...
Jul 08, 2025•22 min•Season 9Ep. 61
We’re continuing our series of our team’s top five books of the year… and we won’t judge one of our contributors for misreading the prompt and sharing her top five books of all time. In fact, it made for an even richer conversation! Join FBC contributors Jordy and Casey as they share their all-time favorite reads and standout books of the year. From thrillers to non-fiction, it's a fun, heartfelt chat for anyone who loves great books, meaningful conversations, and a detour into the Hunger Games ...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min•Season 9Ep. 60
It’s no surprise that the FBC Team is incredibly well-read across multiple genres, but this episode especially feels like a testament to that! Join Mariquita and Jordy as they discuss righteous vengeance in two young adult novels. Then stick around for Shoshana and Nox’s top five books of 2025 so far to get a taste of haunting yet hopeful books for your TBR. Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (0:22) Mariquita and Jordy are diving into revenge narratives featuring the justifiable rage of teenage girls ...
Jun 24, 2025•47 min•Season 9Ep. 59
We have a double header for you today! First, you’ll hear some of our team’s favorite LGBTQIA+ books from the last few years with diverse recommendations from all different genres. Then, get inspired through an interview with Amber Oliver, author of When the Music Hits, as she shares personal insights on ambition and how she wrote ambition into her novel. Queerly Beloved (0:22) Join FBC contributors Jordy, Shoshana, and Nox as they celebrate Pride Month with a lively conversation about their fav...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 58
Our contributors have paired up to tell one another about their favorite books of the year so far. You’ll hear these segments over the next few weeks! Today, Ashley and Mhairie share their top five of 2025. If you’re a fan of memoirs or horror, this episode is for you. Books/Resources Mentioned: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce T...
Jun 10, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 57
Our contributors have paired up to tell one another about their favorite books of the year so far. You’ll hear these segments over the next few weeks! Today, Renee and Yasi share their top five of 2025. Then Ashley reflects on this year’s Met Gala, the inspiration behind it, and why it matters. Renee and Yasi’s Favorite Books of the Year (so far) (0:21) Renee and Yasi share their favorite books they’ve read so far this year, from off-beat contemporary fiction to memoirs of women in tech. You’ll ...
Jun 03, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 56
The International Booker Prize celebrates translated literature from across the world that have been published in the UK or Ireland in the last year. In this episode, Mhairie and Nox split the six shortlisted titles, read them, and share their thoughts with one another. If reading more translated lit is on your bookish bucket list, get your TBRs ready! Books/Resources Mentioned: The International Booker Prize Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico Heartlamp by Banu Mushtaq Small Boat by Vincent Delecr...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Season 9Ep. 55
The Amazing Race. Cooking competitions. Bachelor Nation. We touch on a little bit of everything in this episode! Nox, Rah, and Shoshana discuss reality TV’s impact on society, considering questions such as what draws viewers to reality TV? What are the ramifications (positive and negative) to the dominance of reality TV? What is the relationship between viewing reality TV and empathy? Join us on a deep dive into the world of unscripted television. Books/Resources Mentioned: Cue the Rising Sun! B...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 54
We’re chatting about Black wealth, Black joy, and happy Black endings in today’s episode. Tune in to hear Ashley discuss why she loves the soap opera Beyond the Gates, then stick around for Jordy and Mhairie’s discussion of Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron, a Black, queer retelling of Cinderella. Beyond the Gates: Wealth and Escapism (0:22) Ashley talks about “Beyond the Gates”, a soap opera about a wealthy Black family in Maryland. She talks about how escapism has a bigger purpose. She also ...
Apr 22, 2025•36 min•Season 9Ep. 53
Sometimes we just wanna gush about the things we love. For Renee and Margot, it’s hardboiled fiction. For Ashley and Nox, it’s Lady Gaga’s new album. Tune in for two conversations around why we love the things we love. What Is Hardboiled Fiction? with Margot Douihy (0:23) Renee has been reading a lot of books described as “hardboiled” but what does that actually mean? Thank goodness author Margo Douihy is a friend of FBC, because she’s a literal expert on this topic. Margot shares some of the ha...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Season 9Ep. 52
Dive into the enchanting and eerie world of selkies, sirens, and mermaids with author and literary agent Rachel Ekstrom Courage and FBC contributor, Jordy! In this episode, we explore the origins of these mythical women, their ties to patriarchal narratives, and why their stories continue to captivate us today. Jordy also shares some mermaid and siren inspired novels that are on her TBR (to be read) list. If you love folklore, feminist retellings, and unraveling the mysteries of the deep, this c...
Mar 25, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 51
The unhinged woman trope is undoubtedly one of our favorites, but what kind of woman gets to be unhinged and who gets a redemption arc? In this episode, Mariquita and Mhairie tackle those questions in a discussion about All of the Other Mothers Hate Me, then Yasi and Nox discuss two memoirs from former Playboy bunnies. All the Other Mothers Hate Me (0:21) Mariquita and Mhairie discuss the debut novel All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman and just why it is that we love the trope of the u...
Mar 18, 2025•42 min•Season 9Ep. 50
Get those TBRs ready because we’re about to melt your library card. In this episode, romance lovers will hear Jordy’s review of the new Ali Hazelwood novel, Deep End. Then stick around for Shoshana’s podcast debut as she chats with Nox about this year’s Audie Award winners. Stick around for some excellent insight into the audiobook industry as a whole. Diving into the Deep End (0:23) Jordy dives into Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, a gripping romance set in the high-stakes world of competitive diving...
Mar 11, 2025•32 min•Season 9Ep. 49
Mhairie and Nox, both avid e-reader users, talk about what devices they use and their storied problems with the Kindle Fire breaking down. If you’re looking to get out of the Amazon ecosystem, Mhairie raves about her new Kobo e-reader, and Nox talks about using the Kindle app on devices that aren’t a Kindle. They also talk about refurbished and second-hand options for sustainability and affordability! Books/Resources Mentioned: Episode Thirteen by Craig Dilouie Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie ...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 48
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...
Feb 25, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 47
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, w...
Feb 18, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 46
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...
Feb 11, 2025•20 min•Season 9Ep. 45
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 ...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min
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 Sakh...
Jan 21, 2025•37 min•Season 9Ep. 43
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 ...
Jan 14, 2025•49 min•Season 9Ep. 42
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 re...
Dec 10, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 41
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 Kr...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min•Season 9Ep. 40
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?”...
Nov 26, 2024•28 min•Season 9Ep. 39
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 E...
Nov 19, 2024•23 min•Season 9Ep. 38
Renee, Rah, and Sally reconvene to ask is doxxing justified?, plus Grammy takeaways, and what we're watching and reading. Want to see the video recording and put faces to names? We publish these the same day in the FBC Community! Join us here: https://feministbookclub.mn.co/ Books mentioned: The Disordered Cosmos by Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance by Kellie Carter Jackson The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn...
Nov 18, 2024•22 min
Curious about the National Book Award finalists? This week and next week, our team is diving into the shortlist for the Young People’s Literature and Fiction titles. Today, join Renee, Jordy, and Nox as they tell each other about the five nominees for Young People’s Literature and which title they think is going to win the award. Mentioned in this episode: Kareem Between - Sharifa Saltagi Safadi The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky - Josh Galarza The Unboxing of a Black Girl - Angela Shante Th...
Nov 12, 2024•29 min•Season 9Ep. 37
Join Renee, Rah, and Sally as they catch up and share how they're coping post-election, what they're baking, and how they're escaping Want to see the video recording and put faces to names? We publish these the same day in the FBC Community! Join us here: https://feministbookclub.mn.co/ Books Mentioned: American Rapture by CJ Leede Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon Baking By Feel by Becca Rea-Tucker Private Rites by Julia Armfield A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen...
Nov 11, 2024•23 min
Mhairie speaks with Dr. Lauren Cagle, professor of rhetoric at the University of Kentucky, about the history of memes, their impact on culture, and particularly on prevalence of memes in the 2024 US Presidential election. They discuss the field of rhetoric more broadly, define the term “meme,” and investigate the generational differences in social media use and online communication as it relates to the consumption of political information. Join our online community to be a part of the election n...
Nov 05, 2024•57 min•Season 9Ep. 36
Renee, Steph, Rah, and Sally share their unfiltered thoughts on Halloween candy, Woman of the Hour, Love is Blind, Agatha All Along, and what they're reading. Want to see the video recording and put faces to names? We publish these the same day in the FBC Community! Join us here: https://feministbookclub.mn.co/
Nov 04, 2024•22 min
Is this real life? We are honored to be chatting with three amazing authors that we happen to admire so much! Sally chats with Jamie Raines and his wife Shaaba to discuss our November book of the month, The T in LGBT . Then Renee invites KJ Dell’Antonia back on the show to discuss the adaptation of her 2020 book The Chicken Sisters. The Trans Experience and Allyship (0:22) We’re heading into November, where our book club theme is Trans Voices and our non-fiction book is The T in LGBT. Sally sat ...
Oct 29, 2024•38 min•Season 9Ep. 35
