Book Club with Julia and Victoria

Julia finds herself of an age somewhere between Jane Eyre and Miss Marple, and she's asking herself: Does she have money and/or prospects? Remains to be seen.

In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Lu is made up of intricate world-building, clever language development, and stories-within-stories-within-stories. There's a lot packed into this little novella! Julia and Victoria do their best to parse through it and how it made them feel.Become a Member to catch our review of the Pachinko adaptation starting in two weeks! Follow Us on Instagram! or Join the Storygraph Challenge!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in this episode: In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi LuGame for practicing neopronounsBook Club episode 068 Pachinko by Min Jin LeePachinko TV show on AppleTVVoyage Into Genre episode S. Qiouyi Lu and Silvia Moreno-Garcia Talk Neo-Pronouns and Genre-Hopping Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno GarciaS. Qiouyi Lu's publicationsBook Club episode 092 The Fifth Season by N. K. JemisinBook Club episode 090 Story of Your Life by Ted ChiangHer Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria MachadoRecommendations:Ghost in the Shell (1995 anime film)The Matrix (1999 film)Attack on Titan (anime TV series)Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana TakedaThe Fifth Season by N. K. JemisinCurrently Obsessed:Authentic: The Story of Tablo podcast by Vice and iHeartEscaping NXIVM podcast by CBCAnd They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Baharri

Julia and Victoria discuss when they figured out the twist in The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (at very different points in the book) and all the ways Jemisin expertly builds the world of the Stillness (through language, mythology, science, and culture). Also, Julia listened to this while she had a migraine, and now she's obsessed with the audiobook reader.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram! or Join the Storygraph Challenge!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned:Avatar: The Last AirbenderWired Interview with N. K. JemisinBeloved by Toni MorrisonRecommendations:The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. JemisinBlack Sun by Rebecca RoanhorseThe Maze Runner by James Dashner

Julia and Victoria read the first book by one of their favorite comedians: Everyone You Hate Is Going to Die by Daniel Sloss. They ask themselves, why do celebrity memoirs get published? And why this one in particular? Then they give a poor imitation of their favorite jokes from the book for their own personal enjoyment.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram! or Join the Storygraph Challenge!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in this episode:Everyone You Hate is Going to Die: And Other Comforting Thoughts on Family, Friends, Sex, Love, and More Things That Ruin Your Life by Daniel SlossDouglas stand-up special by Hannah GadsbyBook Club episode 089 Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress CycleJessica Simpson's memoir Open BookThe Good Place (TV Show)Book Club episode 051 Becoming by Michelle Obama30 Rock (TV Show)Book Club episode 078 Ayoade on Top by Richard AyoadeCrashing (TV Show on HBO)Recommendations:Bossypants by Tina FeyComedy Sex God by Pete HolmesIs Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy KalingHunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie BrownsteinYour Song Changed My Life by Bob BoilenAyoade on Top by Richard AyoadeCurrently Obsessed:Not Me (YouTube series)

Julia and Victoria (whose mic simply refused to cooperate this episode) dip their toes into the world of science fiction with “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, and its film adaptation Arrival. This inspires them to think some big, timey-wimey thoughts about language and brains and the way our experience of time affects our views on life.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in this episode:Arrival (2016 film)The Martian (2015 film)Ringworld series by Larry NivenStar TrekStarlight 2 anthologyStory of Your Life, and Others by Ted Chiang“Ted Chiang's Soulful Science Fiction” by Joshua Rothman in The New YorkerRecommendations:Dune (2021 film)Dune by Frank Herbert2001: A Space Odyssey (1968 film)2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C ClarkeLeviathan Wakes by James S A CoreyThe Expanse (TV series)Enders Game by Orson Scott CardEnders Game (2013 film)Saga by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona StaplesWatchmen (2019 TV mini series)Currently Obsessed:The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and WengrowUntitled Dad Project podcastSounds Like a Cult podcast

Julia is joined by fellow anthropology graduate student Katie to talk about the alien language of “Academic English” and how it has affected their own academic careers.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club episode 076 Watching the English by Kate FoxBook Club episode 029 This Is Your Brain on Birth Control by Sarah E. Hill PhDRecommendations:Mining Capitalism: The Relationship Between Corporations and Their Critics by Stuart KirschThe Dispossessed by Ursula K LeGuinThe Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David WengrowWatching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behavior by Kate FoxThe Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing

Julia and Victoria provide a little feedback sandwich on Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, a book designed to help women cope with the unique burnout that results from dealing with the patriarchy.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, DMACome as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski PhDMaintenance Phase podcastThe Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination by Gilbert and GubarBook Club episode on Jane EyreSemlerRecommendations:“Completing the Stress Cycle” episode of Unlocking Us with Brené Brown podcastDaring Greatly by Brené Brown Ph.D.The Wisdom of Your Body by Hilary McBride PhDYou're a Miracle (And a Pain in the Ass) by Mike McHargue“Fearology (FEAR) Pt. 1” and “Fearology (FEAR) Pt. 2” episodes of Ologies podcastCurrently Obsessed:Sex Education on NetflixUnder Our Roof podcastAll of Us Are Dead on NetflixEpik High Is Here Pt 2 album by Epik HighJulia was featured on Sad In the City podcast Ep 10 “Sad But Jokes”!

Julia and Victoria get into their feels with A Thousand Mornings, a book of poetry written by Mary Oliver, and chosen by their special guest Samira Sakbay.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver“Daisies” by Mary OliverWhat Mary Oliver's Critics Don't Understand by Ruth Franklin in The New Yorker“No Birth No Death” with Thich Nhat Hanh by Plum VillageRecommendations:Upstream by Mary OliverThe Waves by Virginia WoolfHow I Became a Tree by Sumana RoyThe Hidden Life of Trees by Peter WohllebenAn American Sunrise by Joy HarjoRalph Waldo Emerson collected writingsEmily Dickinson collected poemsWalden by Henry David ThoreauE. E. Cummings collected poemsRupi Kaur's InstagramMorgan Harper Nichols's InstagramThe Soul of an Octopus by Sy MontgomeryCurrently Obsessed:D.P. K-Drama on NetflixHighasakite's new album MotherYouth of May K-Drama Punisher by Phoebe BridgersBroken Horses by Brandi CarlisleBy the Way, I Forgive You by Brandi Carlisle

While discussing the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Julia and Victoria ask the question on everyone's mind: Are there too many World War II novels? Julia gets stuck on the fact that this story is sort of about a magical gemstone.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrJanet Jackson's autobiography True YouAbout Grace by Anthony DoerrCloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony DoerrJust and Unjust Wars by Michael WalzerKristin Harmel Parade article “Words and War: Why WW II Fiction Is so Hot Right Now—and Six Books You Can't Miss”Courtney Rodgers Book Riot article “Why I'm Not Reading About WWII Anymore”Bridge of Sighs by Richard RussoRecommendations:The Book Thief by Markus ZusakAll Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria RemarqueAtonement by Ian McEwanThe Women in the Castle by Jessica ShattuckPachinko by Min Jin LeeHomegoing by Yaa GyasiThe Great Believers by Rebecca MakkaiCurrently Obsessed:Big Mouth - Season 5 on NetlfixWordleSad In The City podcast with Taylor Tomlinson

Julia and Victoria make a glorious return to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series with The Sea of Monsters, in which the heroes complete Odysseus' ten-year journey in just four days. J & V revisit the “girl power” scenes with Circe as adults, and they have Feelings.Note: While we're discussing a YA novel, our episode is not intended for young listeners. We use some mild profanity and mention some adult topics.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:The Sea of Monsters by Rick RiordanBook Club episode 059 The Lightning ThiefRick Riordan Presents imprintThe Odyssey by HomerBook Club episode 043 CirceSuicide Squad (2021 film)Ramy (TV show on Hulu)Howl's Moving Castle (2004 film)Stranger Things (TV show on Netflix)Recommendations:The Titan's Curse by Rick RiordanMythos by Stephen FryCirce by Madeline MillerThe Thief Lord by Cornelia FunkeHowl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne JonesCurrently Obsessed:Saga by Brian K VaughnPaper Girls by Brian K VaughnYou're Wrong About podcastOlogies podcastNora From Queens (TV show on HBO)Insecure (TV show on Hulu)Gentleman Jack (TV show on HBO)Apocalypse Whenever by Bad Suns

Victoria is one to set goals, make plans, collect data, and track progress. So why do reading goals feel so…difficult!? In this solo minisode, Victoria recounts her troubled past of setting reading goals, sings the praises of The StoryGraph (again), and shares questions to consider if you're looking to set bookish goals (or anti-goals) for 2022.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or The StoryGraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:- This opening scene of The Emperor's New Groove (2000 film)- Agatha Christie- The StoryGraph- The StoryGraph Reads the World Challenge- The StoryGraph Genre ChallengeReflection Questions:- What do you value about reading? Why do you read?- How do you feel when you read? How do you want to feel?- How else would you spend your time if you weren't reading?DM us or send a message through our website and let us know what your reading goals (or anti-goals) are for this year!

Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Nothing matters! Julia and Victoria reflect on the changes of 2021.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram or Storygraph!Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that give us a commission if you decide to make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn more.Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club episode: The Wisdom of Your BodyJames Acaster's Perfect Sounds podcastBook Club episode: Red, White & Royal Blue

Julia and Victoria get very excited about their spur of the moment decision to talk about Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, the queer royal romance the world was waiting for. Julia had some technical difficulties and recorded on a less-than-ideal microphone, but it couldn't be postponed because they were too pumped.-Follow us on Instagram and StoryGraph!Learn more about Book Club membershipMentioned in the Episode:Book Club Take a Hint, Dani Brown episodeBook Club The Story of a New Name episodeBook Club The Wedding Date episode Casey McQuiston interview with AdvocateRecommendations:One Last Stop by Casey McQuistonI Kissed Shara Wheeler by Case McQuistonRoyal Holiday by Jasmine GuilloryJulia's Red, White & Royal Blue Spotify playlistYuri on IceCurrently Obsessed:The Great British Baking Show

Well over a year later, Julia and Victoria face their fears of long page counts and return to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan series with The Story of a New Name. They discuss the complexity and ingenuity of Ferrante's depiction of womanhood, and how much they hate Nino Sarratorre.Follow us on Instagram and StoryGraph!Mentioned in the Episode:Book Club episode, My Brilliant FriendBook Club episode, PachinkoBook Club episode, Take a Hint, Dani BrownRecommendations:Read the rest of Ferrante's Neapolitan series!Ferrante's newest release, The Lying Life of AdultsMy Brilliant Friend on HBONight and Day by Virginia WoolfHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieCurrently Obsessed:Mythos by Stephen FryRed, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Julia and Victoria (and project manager Rebecca) recorded the Q&A session from their first ever LIVE online Book Club members event. Some audio quality may be compromised, but the enthusiasm for reaching the two year mark of making Book Club is not!Follow us on Instagram and StoryGraph!Learn more about Book Club membership.

Mentioned in the Episode:Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image by Dr. Hillary McBrideThe Liturgists podcastOther People's Problems podcastTake a Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (Listen to our episode!)Concept of “the second arrow” in Buddhism Recommendations:You're a Miracle (And a Pain in the Ass) by Mike McHargueHeadspace appThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der KolkCurrently Obsessed:Parks and Recollection podcastBig Mouth season 5 on NetflixAminé album TWOPOINTFIVETaco Chronicles on NetflixNo Time to Die (film)

Follow @chelsea.is.reading on Instagram! Mentioned in the episode:Sarah Dessen (author)Twilight by Stephenie MeyerBridgerton on NetflixThe Bridgerton novel series by Julia QuinnFifty Shades of Grey by E L JamesThe NewsroomThe X FilesSchitt's CreekThe Princess Switch on NetflixCrazy Rich Asians by Kevin KwanThe Princess Diaries by Meg CabotWe Coach (non-profit)Sidelined USA (non-profit)Recommendations:Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinstonMating the Huntress by Talia HibbertBromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay AdamsBig MouthDaring Greatly by Brene BrownThe Bright Sessions podcastThe Untamed on NetflixThe Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (listen to our episode!) Currently Obsessed:Sex Education on NetflixCome As You Are by Emily NagoskiPercy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Julia and Victoria get super excited about sentence structure and contemplate the chaotic nature of grief with The Year of Magical Thinking by the queen of nonfiction, Joan Didion.Mentioned in the episode:“The Second Coming,” poem by William Butler YeatsOur Gold Plated Girls bonus episodeGood Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry PratchettBeloved by Toni MorrisonThejoandidion.comRun River by Joan DidionBlue Nights by Joan DidionSir Gawain and the Green Knight by Simon ArmitageThe Notebook by Nicholas SparksThe Year of Magical Thinking stage production“My Universe” by Coldplay and BTSRed, album by Taylor SwiftRecommendations:“Still Alice“ on Hulu“The Center Will Not Hold” documentarySlouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan DidionDora Bruder by Patrick ModianoCurrently Obsessed:Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay“The Financial Feminist” podcastLucy DacusOur Gold Plated Girls guest essay!

Julia and Victoria are joined by Hayley and yet another Victoria (No, this is not confusing at all.) from Gold Plated Girls to chat about creativity and pop culture, choosing your team and fighting imposter syndrome, and--unbelievably--baseball.Follow Gold-Plated Girls!Subscribe to the Gold-Plated Girls newsletter on ButtondownTwitter: @goldplatedgirls @victoriaedel @bluesuedeschueInstagram: @gold.plated.girls @bluesuedeschueFInd more show notes on our website: https://bookclubwithjv.com/episodes/bonus-gold-plated-girls

Julia and Victoria make another foray into the gothic genre with Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and spend a fair amount of time talking about mushrooms.Mentioned in the episode:The Shining by Stephen KingGods of Jade and Shadow by Moreno-GarciaMoreno-Garcia interviewThe Dark (horror magazine)Innsmouth Free PressBook Club Jane Eyre episodeBeloved by Toni MorrisonVoyage Into Genre podcastRecommendations:Fantastic Fungi documentaryIf I Can't Have Love I Want Power by Halsey on HBOFriction Vol. 18 LegacyVelvet Was The Night by Moreno-GarciaWar of the Worlds by H. G. WellsIn the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi LuHer Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria MachadoCurrently Obsessed:Koval whiskeyPodnews.netThestorygraph.comSquid Game

Julia and Victoria have an impromptu therapy session discussing And Then We Grew Up by Rachel Friedman about the complicated relationship creative adults have with the art forms they pursued in their youth.Mentioned in the Episode: Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman Cave painting article in the Guardian Recommendations: On Balance by Adam Philips Missing Out by Adam Philips Still Writing by Dani Shapiro Scratch by Manjula Martin Having and Being Had by Eula Biss EveningCrickets YouTube channel Veronique Doisneau from Paris Opera Ballet on YouTube Currently Obsessed: Wheelchair Sports Camp (musician) Kikwetu coffee roaster in Chicago Sam Trump (musician)

Mentioned in the episode: The West Wing (HBO) View From the Top (film) The West Wing Weekly (podcast) The Graham Norton Show The Mighty Boosh The Double (film) Submarine (film) The Crystal Maze (game show) The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger John Oliver The Arctic Monkeys Radiohead The YeahYeahYeahs Vampire Weekend Kasabian The Great British Baking Show “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper Heideger (philosopher) Ways of Seeing by John Berger Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Watching the English by Kate Fox Shrill by Lindy West Samin Nosrat Hrishikesh Hirway Recommendations: The Grip of a Film by Richard Ayoade Gold Plated Girls newsletter Big Fat Quiz of the Year IT Crowd How Did This Get Made (podcast) Shit, Actually by Lindy WestCurrently Obsessed: Big Mouth (Netflix) The Allusionist (podcast) “ Isolation,” by The Parasocial Club Dear White People season 4 (Netflix) Money Heist season 5 (Netflix) Montero by Lil Nas X Starcrossed by Kacey Musgraves Screen Violence by Chvrches

Julia and Victoria, along with Julia's mom, chat about their comfort books and the novel Leave It To Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse.Become a Member! Follow Us on Instagram! or Join the Storygraph Challenge!

Before Julia and Victoria return for Season 8, Book Club's Project Manager Rebecca selected her favorite episode from the pod's back catalogue to reminisce on the early pandemic days and listen to the delightful conversation with special guest Simone about Becoming by Michelle Obama.7

Julia and Victoria read their favorite (and only) social anthropology book, Watching the English by Kate Fox, which helped Julia tap into her innate anthropological powers.Mentioned in the Episode:Topping and Company Booksellers, ElyAnthropologist Robin FoxStar TrekRecommendations:Quiet by Susan CainUgly Delicious on NetflixHome Game on NetflixX by Daniel SlossThe Culture Map by Erin MeyerNativLang on YoutubeLost in the Pond on YoutubeCurrently Obsessed:Exiles by Max Richter

Julia and Victoria try to solve the Who, the How, and the Why of Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu and may or may not reach a verdict. Victoria invents a new grammatical tense.Mentioned in this Episode:- Birdman (film)- Master of None on Netflix- Bob's Burgers on Fox- Westworld on HBO- Legion on Hulu- Sorry For Your Loss on Facebook Watch- Charles Yu on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah- Law and Order: SVU on Hulu- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl- Jane Austen's Use of Free Indirect Discourse- Virginia WoolfRecommendations:- Ayoade on Top by Richard Ayoade- Community on Netflix- The Truman Show (film)- How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe by Charles Yu- Sorry Please Thank You by Charles YuCurrently Obsessed:- Duolingo- Bleachers new album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night

Julia and Victoria enter a dream state to talk about Beloved by Toni Morrison and its place within both the horror genre and American history.

Julia reads her essay “What Your Autistic Body Feels Is Real: How I Found Out I Was Gaslighting Myself For Years and What I'm Doing Now.”Mentioned in the Episode:The Cozy Robot ShowNeurotribes, by Steve Silberman (and Book Club episode)The Reason I Jump, by Naoki Higashida (and Book Club episode)Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8, by Naoki igashida (and Book Club episode)The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion (and Book Club episode)Book Club membership tiersThe original essay on medium

Julia and Victoria, who had somehow never read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery, are joined by ANGR Podcast host Sofia Syntaxx, who has collected upwards of ten editions of the book from all over the world, including the most recent translation into their indigenous language Anishinaabemowin. They talk about translation across languages and cultures, childhood dreams, and being haunted by the Duolingo owl.Mentioned in the Episode:ANGR podcastSofia's blog Too Sexy for Contactslink.tree/sofiasyntaxxBook Club #bookstagram episodeThere There by Tommy OrangeGambit from X-MenAnishinaabemowin language - The Seven Grandfather teachingsA Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'EngleWind, Sand, and Stars by Atoine de Saint ExuperyOgimaans: Ojibwe translation of The Little PrinceReading Rainbow“The Emperor's New Clothes”Lemonade (film) by BeyonceRecommendations:Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard BachThe Hobbit by J. R. R. TolkienWaiting for Godot by Samuel BeckettThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoThe Velveteen Rabbit by Margery WilliamsCurrently Obsessed:This Way Up season 2 on HuluHalsey's new album/film If I Can't Have Love I Want PowerBlack Widow filmCamp Creep podcastYou're Wrong About podcastMaintenance Phase podcastYou Are Good podcast

Julia and Victoria contemplate mortality (and whether they could be buried under paper trees to become books in their next lives) with the help of the darkly comic memoir Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Katelyn Doughty about a young woman trying to become a mortician and revolutionize the way Americans handle death.

Julia and Victoria revisit the hugely influential essay “The Case For Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates and examine the ways reparations have played out in the US and beyond.

Julia and Victoria try to figure out why their 2011 Harper Teen copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte looks suspiciously like Twilight and why that's interesting for the genre of Gothic literature.

When Julia and Victoria found out there was a book out there in the world which combined feminism, writing, and data (aka their three favorite things) called Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, they absolutely had to read it for Book Club. Victoria talks very fast about women's unpaid labor, and Julia realizes she can ask the world to design things that actually fit her tiny hands. Fair Warning: This is not the book to read before bed because it will fill you with a burning feminist rage that cannot be contained.Mentioned in the Episode:The Women's Room projectDo It Like a Woman by Caroline Criado PerezOlivia RodrigoSeven-Eights PianoGender-inclusive Bible translationUS Army expanding acceptable hairstyles for womenBook Club episode on This Is Your Brain on Birth Control by Dr Sarah E HillJohn Mulaney Kid GorgeousArticle about doctors ignoring self-reported pain of black womenShark Tank on ABCThinx period underwearHuffPost article on Twitter report buttonBook Club episode on Feminist EssaysRecommendations:Perez's Invisible Women newsletterMen Explain Things to Me by Rebecca SolnitRoxanne GayThis Is Your Brain On Birth Control by Dr. Sarah E. HillPeriod. End of Sentence. documentaryWanda Sykes Not NormalCurrently Obsessed:Master of None season 3The Legend of Korra on NetflixThe Queen's Gambit miniseriesGatcha! by LucyprAna activewear

Julia and Victoria are joined by their friend Andy Park to discuss Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and his family's experiences as Korean American immigrants. Julia makes several K-Pop references.Mentioned in the Episode:Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin LeeInterview with Min Jin Lee on Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books podcastEscaping North Korea by Mike KimFred Armisen learns he's a quarter KoreanJohn Oliver AAPI episodeParts Unknown with Anthony Bordain S2: EP1Asian Boss youtube channelConcept of “Han”Recommendations:Pachinko miniseriesThe Imperial Cruise by James BradleyGo by Kazuki KaneshiroHomegoing by Yaa GyasiThe Neapolitan Novels by Elena FerranteMr. Sunshine on NetflixWhite Paper ProjectMinari 2020 filmCurrently Obsessed:Inside by Bo BurnhamThe Mitchells Vs. The Machines on NetflixTXT album FreezeAgatha Christie novelsArlo Parks album Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks episode on Song Exploder podcastOne-Punch Man animeKim's Convenience on Netflix

Julia and Victoria contemplate how they will remember the pandemic.

Julia and Victoria take a look at the children’s classic The Giver by Lois Lowry with fresh eyes as an extended critique of whiteness and dominant culture.Mentioned in the Episode:Other books by Lois Lowry:Gathering BlueMessengerSonNumber the StarsThe Willoughbys ReturnNancy Drew seriesThe Boxcar Children seriesThe Magic Treehouse seriesDescartes/Cartesian logicYou’re a Miracle (and a Pain in the Ass) by Mike McHargueThe Cozy Robot ShowAttack on TitanSmoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin DoughtyThe Red Couch PodcastPropaganda (the rapper)Recommendations:The Giver quartetOther books by Lowry:The Silent BoyThe WilloughbysGossamer“The Era” short story from Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahListen to our episode!“The Sunday Read: ’ The movement to bring death closer,’” by The DailyCurrently Obsessed:Given animeHood Politics podcastAdoreMe subscription boxes

Julia and Victoria outline the parallel narratives of We Were Eight Years In Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates: 1. The journey of Coates as a writer and thinker on the rise during Obama’s presidency, and 2. His essays unraveling the true tragedy of America’s history buried underneath the country’s larger-than-life myths.Mentioned in the Episode:Ta-Nehisi Coates’ websiteArticle about Coates writing Superman screenplayBlack Classic PressBecoming by Michelle Obama Listen to our episode!NasIda B WellsJames Baldwin"The Case for Reparations" essay by CoatesRed at the Bone by Jacqueline WoodsonListen to our episode!"How to Write a Tragic Story" by Shaunta GrimesDecolonize Palestine FAQRecommendations:Toni Morrison“I Am Not Your Negro” documentary"13TH" documentaryNYT Magazine 1619 projectThe Next Question series by Austin Channing BrownThe Humanity Archive podcastCurrently Obsessed:Wingspan board gameKiwiCo

Where does our food come from? (And why is there so much corn in everything?) Julia and Victoria, with special guest and Book Club’s project manager Rebecca Gesme, discuss Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma in which he endeavors to answer these very important and complicated questions.Mentioned in the Episode:Michael Pollan’s websiteNetflix series, “Cooked”Judith Belzer, painterPollan’s interview on Fresh Air (2018)Recommendations:Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari2016 Washington Post follow-up article by PollanDocumentary, “Fantastic Fungi” Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran FoerWe Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran FoerCookbook, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen by Sean ShermanRon Finlay Currently Obsessed:Keeping up with the Kardashians season 20The West WingCowboy Bebop

Julia and Victoria take a little interlude from reading to discuss the Instagram book community known as #bookstagram: the positive side of democratizing book reviews, the struggles of bowing to the almighty algorithm, and the weird trends that don’t make any sense.Mentioned in this episode:@bookclubwithjv #bookstagramHere’s an Annoying New Instagram Trend: Throwing Yourself on a Pile of Open Books by Hillary Kelly (Vulture)Recommendations:@maxi.mally@wellreadblackgirl@lit.memery@melanatedreader@thestackspod@alexereads@maria_reads_and_remembers

Julia and Victoria endeavor to answer some fundamental questions about Untamed by Glennan Doyle, such as “What is this book exactly?” and “What’s it about?” and “Who is actually it for?” Unclear whether they succeed.Mentioned in the Episode:Brené Brown Episode 054: “Braving the Wilderness”Glennon Doyle’s Blog, MomastaryAbby WambachThe Feminine Mystique, by Betty FriedanBook Club Minisode: “The History of the Novel”The Defining Decade by Meg Jay, PhDEducated: A Memoir by Tara WestoverScary Close by Donald MillerRecommendations:This by Michael GungorThe Liturgists podcastDirty Rotten Church Kids podcastKevin GarciaI’m Still Here by Austin Channing BrownWhite Homework (website & podcast) by Tori Williams DouglassAndre Henry’s podcast, Hope and Hard PillsHenry’s newsletter, It Doesn’t Have to Be This WayShameless by Nadia Bolz WeberInvisible Women by Caroline Criado PerezDaring Greatly by Brené BrownMothers, Daughters, and Body Image by Hilary McBride, PhDCurrently Obsessed:Nlve, “Tired”Natalia LaFourcade deluxe album, Hasta La RaizPropaganda’s new album, Terraform: The PeopleHidden Brain podcast episode, “The Easiest Person to Fool”Misterwives album, Superbloom

Naoki Higashida brought the tea with his most recent book in translation Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 about his experience as a non-verbal autistic young adult, and an extremely successful writer and speaker. Julia and Victoria share some of their favorite insights from his work on everything from ableism in education to the importance of allowing disabled people to express their full humanity in a world that prefers to pretend they do not exist.Mentioned in the Episode:The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida, Book Club episode 046Haruki MurakamiNaoki Higashida’s Japanese blogMindset by Carol S Dweck PhDPandemic Parenting webinar about building resiliency in childrenDr Bruce Perry’s work on trauma and resilienceInvisible Women by Caroline Criado PerezWomanism and Alice WalkerRecommendations:I am Greta film on HuluCrip Camp film on NetflixJoin the Book Club With JV ‘Tism Tier for more of Julia’s autism articlesNeurotribes by Steve SilbermanMorgan Harper NicholsCurrently Obsessed:DPR Ian album Moodswings In This OrderLucy (band) and their new song “Flowering”Half-Alive song “Rest” ft. Samm HenshawRecipe Club podcastSamin Nosrat’s tahdig recipeMy Persian Kitchen recipe blog

This week on the podcast, Julia and Victoria try to define just what exactly Red at the Bone by Jaqueline Woodson is about, and after an hour of conversation, they land on “nothing and absolutely everything,” which does not do this incredible and soul-stirring book justice. But it’s the best they’ve got.Mentioned in the Episode:Rudine Sims Bishop, Ph.D, mirrors and windows conceptBaldwin for the Arts fellowshipNYT interview with Jaqueline Woodson“A Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi CoatesWatchmen tv show on HBORecommendations:The Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoTalking to Ourselves by Andrés NewmanCurrently Obsessed:Run River North, Creatures In Your Head albumTablo podcastStaged season 2 on HuluDirty Rotten Church Kids podcastSemler music

Julia and Victoria are back to discuss The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion about an undiagnosed autistic man trying to navigate all the weird social rules of dating and relationships with a bunch of people who won’t explain anything. So for Julia, it was a comical reminder of her own journey not knowing how to make friends in college, and for Victoria, the book was a super fun love story and a good reminder on the importance of open and clear communication.

What’s going on with Book Club With Julia & Victoria? Why did they take such a long break? And what are their plans for the future? Find out in this week’s minisode as J&V reveal their hopes and dreams and big ideas.

Julia hasn’t stopped talking about BTS for an entire year, so she decided to channel that energy into a podcast episode. She’s joined by her fellow BTS fan (also called ARMY) Kristine Ilagan to go over their favorite BTS songs and all the reasons why they love these talented artists and their message of love and acceptance.

Julia and Victoria have relied on the insights of Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly countless times throughout the past year of lockdown. So during the Book Club hiatus, they wanted to share it again to spread some positive messages on the importance of vulnerability and love and acceptance.

This week Julia and Victoria travel all the way back to their sixth episode! Victoria was severely jetlagged, and they were recording into a computer mic on Julia’s bed. Ah, simpler times. Please enjoy this little time machine back to an exploration of the incredible book Educated by Tara Westover.

Julia and Victoria are taking a bit of a vacation to figure out what the hell they’re doing with their lives. But in the meantime, here’s one of their favorite episodes they’ve made so far (and the last one they recorded before the world shut down): My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, with special guest Jessia Campion Park.

Julia and Victoria spend a good portion of their conversation about Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine trying to figure out what a Lyric poem is. After that they can finally get into all the reasons why Rankine’s incredible, multi-media work about the experience of being a black person in America should be required reading for, well, everyone.

Grab your blue licorice, your celestial bronze swords, and your Ancient Greek dictionaries, because this week Julia and Victoria are diving into the 2005 young adult classic, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

This week with There There by Tommy Orange, Julia and Victoria get another chance to read their favorite type of book - one composed of lots of little stories to create a collage of perspectives - this one representing the urban Native American experience in Oakland, California.