Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Whose Monster: Feminism, Othering, and Queer and Trans Representation in Horror

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Mariquita welcomes Sarah Knickerbocker, the host behind Eugene, Oregon’s Horrible Bingo, as they discuss shifting the lens on horror to find the threads of feminism, examine how the genre uniquely showcases women’s stories, and to untangle why horror fans are so frequently wonderfully queer. For an extra bonus and to exponentially grow your TBR, check […]

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Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Maternal Hauntings and Surveillance in Mother is Watching

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Marlena and Mariquita discuss Mother is Watching, the horror debut by Karma Brown. In this spoiler-free conversation, they explore how the novel uses horror to amplify everyday anxieties around motherhood, bodily autonomy, and identity. Together, they unpack the emotional stakes at the heart of the story, examining how art, obsession, and pregnancy intertwine to blur

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Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Controversy on the Moors: What’s up with Emerald Fennell and Wuthering Heights?

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Mariquita, Jordy, and Nox get together to explain the controversies around Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, weigh in on whether they think the uproar is valid (spoiler: they do!), and provide their opinions on just how romantic literature’s first romance book really is. CW: intimate partner violence, child abuse, animal abuse, sexual assault, generational

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Girls Play Dead with Jen Percy

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Mariquita talks with Jen Percy about her recent book, Girls Play Dead: Acts of Self-Preservation. Based on her article, What People Misunderstand About Rape, Girls Play Dead expands the conversation about the myriad responses to sexual assault and rape, weaving in personal stories and historical context. Their conversation covers the common reactions of tonic and

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Unbearable: A Discussion with Irin Carmon on Pregnancy in America

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Mariquita talks with author Irin Carmon about her newest book, Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America. Their discussion covers the racist roots of ob/gyn medicine in America, provides context for the current state of reproductive care, and ties in vital personal stories of families that have been affected by the legacy

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Blog

Favorite Books of 2025 So Far (Mariquita and Kenesma’s version)

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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

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Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Reevaluating Unhinged Women: From Bad Moms to Playboy Bunnies

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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

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Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Big Family Drama

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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

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Blog, Book Reviews, Podcast Shownotes

National Book Award Finalists for Fiction

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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

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