Best Ladies Who Library Podcasts (2025)

1
International Booker Prize Shortlist 2025 40:50

9d ago40:50

40:50

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 re…

1
Back on Our Reality TV Soapbox 31:28

30d ago31:28

31:28

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 be…

1
Happily Ever After for All 35:32

1M ago35:32

35:32

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) Ashl…

1
Hardboiled Lesbian Fiction + Lady Gaga’s Mayhem 36:18

2M ago36:18

36:18

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…

1
Selkies, Sirens, and Mermaids, oh my! 27:26

2M ago27:26

27:26

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 si…

1
Reevaluating Unhinged Women: From Bad Moms to Playboy Bunnies 42:11

2M ago42:11

42:11

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…

1
Into the Deep End with the Audie Awards 31:55

3M ago31:55

31:55

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 wh…

1
E-Readers, Repairability, and Why We Don’t Like Kindle 30:51

3M ago30:51

30:51

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 sec…

1
Accessible Resistance: Use Your Library 28:21

3M ago28:21

28:21

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 accessibili…

1
Bread and Roses 13:59

3M ago13:59

13:59

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 produ…

1
Recommendations for Black History 24/7/365 20:25

4M ago20:25

20:25

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 …

1
Introducing: A new season of 'Darkness' 3:10

4M ago3:10

3:10

On the evening of April 16, 1960, a young woman from McAllen, Texas named Irene Garza went to church for confession. She never returned home. A week later, her body was found floating in a canal. Decades would pass before the priest who murdered Irene was brought to justice in a historic case for the church and the Rio Grande Valley. In Season five…

1
“The magical dagger is basically Audrey II”: A Discussion of Servant of Earth 38:20

4M ago38:20

38:20

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 …

1
Big Family Drama 37:17

4M ago37:17

37:17

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 nu…

1
Empathy and Natural Disasters 49:18

4M ago49:18

49:18

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 c…

1
Medusa, Ina Garten, and Holiday Love 25:48

6M ago25:48

25:48

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…

1
Taylor Swift, Poetry, and Invisible Strings 36:53

6M ago36:53

36:53

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 Resp…

1
Even Weird Lit Matters 27:57

6M ago27:57

27:57

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 exce…

1
National Book Award Finalists for Fiction 22:38

6M ago22:38

22:38

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 Jul…

1
FBC Weekly - Nov. 15, 2024 22:28

6M ago22:28

22:28

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 …

1
National Book Award Finalists for Young People’s Literature 28:49

7M ago28:49

28:49

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 …

1
FBC Weekly - Nov. 8, 2024 22:42

7M ago22:42

22:42

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…

1
The Memeification of Culture (and this election) with Dr. Lauren Cagle 57:10

7M ago57:10

57:10

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 …

1
FBC Weekly - Nov. 1, 2024 21:59

7M ago21:59

21:59

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/…

1
Cool Authors Doing Cool Shit 37:53

7M ago37:53

37:53

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 Experi…

1
Stories to Soothe Your Soul 15:30

7M ago15:30

15:30

We’re in the final weeks until the election, so we thought we’d share a few books (and one documentary!) that brought a glimmer of hope to our hearts. Tune in for Mariquita’s review of A Bit Much, Sally’s review of The Inner Mountain, and Ashley’s discussion of the documentary Sacred Soil alongside the book Admissions. A Bit Much: Relishing Poetry …

1
Escaping or Showing Up: How Books Can Help Both 39:04

8M ago39:04

39:04

We all know that books can help us escape the real world and they can also demonstrate how we might show up in the world as our whole selves. This episode celebrates both ends of this spectrum. Sally kicks us off with some of her favorite quick horror novellas, a perfect escape for this time of year. Then Nox tells us about the impact the book Fat …

1
Why Reader Reviews Matter: A Discussion of One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon 28:56

8M ago28:56

28:56

Renee and Mariquita didn’t know what they were getting into when they decided to discuss the book One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon. Tune into this discussion for an overview of Yoon’s first adult novel, a thriller in the vein of The Stepford Wives, but stick around for Renee and Mariquita’s experience being humbled by Black readers’ reviews. Books/Re…

1
Boys to Men and Mental Health 22:27

8M ago22:27

22:27

Ashley and Mariquita discuss the book Rebels with a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves, and Our Culture by Niobe Way. They touch on topics of masculinity, the crisis of connection, and ways in which boys can create better pathways towards mental wellness. You may also hear them pontificate on why childless cat ladies exist. Other resources mentione…

1
Margo's Got Money Troubles 24:40

8M ago24:40

24:40

Join Sam, Mariquita, and Ashley for a roundtable discussion on one of our favorite books of the year, Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. They discuss the themes of motherhood, sex work, addiction and recovery, as well as the narrative perspective of Margo herself. Don’t let the heavy topics fool you – this book is hilarious, warm, and full …

1
Learning Through Fact and Fiction 34:35

9M ago34:35

34:35

While we love a good fluffy book, there’s just something about diving deep into a specific subject. At FBC, we know we can do that through both fiction and non-fiction. In this episode, Nox shares a non-fiction book about reproductive health that opened her eyes to how much learning she has to do. Then Renee talks to Monique Roffey about femicide i…

1
From Summer to Fall: Seasonal Stories 25:15

9M ago25:15

25:15

It’s the week after Labor Day when it still feels like summer but we’re starting to get the itch for fall. So today’s episode celebrates this liminal space. First, Ashley shares her thoughts on summer blockbuster films led by women. Then Renee shares her five must-read BIPOC thriller authors and her favorite books by each one. Twisters: A Female Le…

1
Gross Rebels 27:12

9M ago27:12

27:12

We’re not sure what this episode says about us as a team, but we like gross shit and we look up to rebels. In the first segment, listen in as Rah and Mariquita tell one another about some books they love that just gave them the ick. Then stick around for Sam’s review of Rebel Girl by Kathleen Hanna. Somehow Kathy Acker is name dropped twice in this…

1
The Big Review Episode! 25:59

9M ago25:59

25:59

Sometimes our contributors just want to tell you about the delightful books they’ve read recently, so tune in for four book reviews on some recent releases. What’s in this episode: The Backtrack by Erin LaRosa, reviewed by Mariquita (0:21) Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo, reviewed by Renee (3:25) Creation Lake by …

1
Madwomen: Is It Trauma or a Curse? 26:37

10M ago26:37

26:37

Renee shares some of her favorite mental health memoirs and Mariquita interviews author Anamely Salgado Reyes, all in a search for the answer to an age-old question: Are we mad or is it just trauma? Renee’s Reading Corner: Mental Health Memoirs (0:21) Instead of a longer review of one book, Renee shares six mental health memoirs that made a last im…

1
Reclaiming Our Narratives: Crisis in the Philippines and Love in Indian Country 33:01

10M ago33:01

33:01

The phrase “own voices” gets tossed around the bookish internet a lot, but have you ever paused to think about why it truly matters? Today’s podcast sheds light on the importance of reading stories told by the people within those communities. From the political crisis in the Philippines from an intrepid Filipino journalist to the first traditionall…

1
Media That Makes Us: Judy Blume, The Bachelor, and Reality TV 32:50

10M ago32:50

32:50

Get your TBRs ready because we’re discussing three books you won’t want to miss! Jordy reviews Made For You by Jenna Satterthwaite, Renee reviews All This and More by Peng Shepherd, and Mariquita sits down with Rachelle Bergstein to chat about her book The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us. This episode will have you th…

1
The Myth of Making It with Samhita Mukhopadhyay 32:11

10M ago32:11

32:11

After trying – and failing – to lean in and girlboss our way to success, what comes next? Ashley and Sally chat with Samhita Mukhopadhyay (former executive editor for Teen Vogue) about what we can take away from those movements, how community is key to a workplace revolution, and insights from her book The Myth of Making It. Books and Resources Men…

1
Fiction That Tackles Injustice 40:48

11M ago40:48

40:48

Move over non-fiction, we’ve got three novels that tackle big social issues in today’s episode! From violence against women in Murder After the Night Before, racist property laws in What You Leave Behind, and climate change in Troubled Waters, today’s episode proves that fiction can teach us and inspire us just as well, if not better, than non-fict…

1
S2 E3 The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 56:22

11M ago56:22

56:22

Kiley and Sam summarize and discuss this beautiful, heart-wrenching retelling of the Trojan War. In this episode, the hosts discuss the moments that moved them and the aspects that held them back from fulling enjoying the book. Although this story has been told many times and many ways over the millennia, it is highly recommended that you read the …

1
Reading LGBTQ+ Lit All Year Round 45:33

11M ago45:33

45:33

Pride Month may be over for 2024, but we’ll never stop reading and recommending queer lit! Especially when the books are as good as the two in this episode. First up, tune into Rah fanboi-ing all over TJ Alexander as they interview the author about their new book Triple Sec. Then join Mariquita and Sam in a discussion of Housemates by Emma Copley E…

1
Kiley's SJM Journey Part 2 36:30

11M ago36:30

36:30

Join Kiley and Sam as they continue to discuss Kiley's first ever read-through of the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series. In this episode your hosts discuss Kiley's impressions so far after completing A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury - the first two books in the series. Spoilers for the entire Maasverse may be revealed. This…

1
Furious Summer Heat 48:20

11M ago48:20

48:20

We love supporting women’s righteous anger… and let’s be real, it feels really good to be angry from time to time. In this episode, join Kenesma as she speaks with Defne Suman about her new book Summer Heat and the themes of anger, reconciliation, and family during Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus. Then stay tuned to hear Ashley and Rah thoughtfully dis…

1
Sapphic Romances + Separating Art from Artist 41:51

11M ago41:51

41:51

Pride Month is here and we've got our queerly beloveds on our minds. In this double header, you'll first hear Rah and Jordy discuss their favorite sapphic romances and why they love a good WLW love story. Then, Ashley and Mhairie tackle the question of whether we can ever separate a piece of art (such as a certain nostalgic magical series) from the…

1
S2 E2 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren 1:09:24

12M ago1:09:24

1:09:24

Kiley and Sam discuss this extremely emotional read by Christina Lauren. In this episode, the hosts get personal as they delve into the beautifully high highs and devastatingly low lows of this novel. Spoilers abound and plot twists are revealed, so reading the novel before listening is highly recommended!…

1
Dickie Had it Comin’ - The Talented Mr. Ripley and Its Adaptations 44:16

12M ago44:16

44:16

We’re truly in the golden age of book adaptations but move over, Reese Witherspoon, Patricia Highsmith is the reigning queen. Tune in to listen to Renee, Ashley, and Mariquita thoughtfully and hilariously discuss the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, as well as the 1999 film, and the new Netflix series. They compare and cont…

1
The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction Short List 44:46

12M ago44:46

44:46

When Sally mentioned in our team Slack that she was considering reading the six books on the short list for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, Renee chimed in that she’d already read two of them. Like the true feminist nerds they are, they teamed up to read three each. In this podcast episode, Sally and Renee rank the six books and make a predictio…

1
Smart Summer Beach Reads 32:32

1y ago32:32

32:32

Beach read season is upon us! There are lots of definitions of beach reads out there but to us, a good beach read is something that is smart, sexy, funny, and full of heart. Tune in to hear Jordy and Mariquita discuss This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune and then stick around for Renee’s review of The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. This Sum…

1
Kittentits and Giving a FECK 41:52

1y ago41:52

41:52

Today’s episode features two seemingly disparate segments with a lot in common. Alternate titles included Wisdom from the Windy City, Voices of Chicago Youth and Elders, Notes on Compassion, or something about absurdism and groundedness. Mariquita, Rah, and Renee discuss the new book Kittentits by Holly Wilson, then Ashley interviews Chaz Ebert abo…

1
Feminist Brain Candy 30:24

1y ago30:24

30:24

Is anyone else just generally Going Through It? Here at Feminist Book Club, we all kind of feel like life is a lot at the moment. So today we’re here with some feminist brain candy to keep you company when the going gets rough. Renee shares some books she’s read recently, then Ashley and Rah discuss the new film Challengers. What to Read When Every…

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