Category Archives: Podcasts

Podcast audio files

by | September 9, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 132 – Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth, a dystopian society controlled by Buzzfeed quizzes, has been one of most frequently-requested episodes. In an effort to bring peace to the five factions, we invited Annie, author of The Chance You Won’t Return and cohost of the Crossover Appeal podcast to read this flash-in-the-pan dystopian novel with us. Listen to this episode on your next trip to Chicago–just make sure to be careful when jumping off the El train!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: GoodReads Interview with Veronica Roth

Official Divergent Faction Quiz

Bean cleaned: Workers quickly remove graffiti from Chicago’s beloved sculpture

Candy Pairing:  Annie says Pop Rocks and Coke, Kait says chocolate with a razor blade in it, Renata says abandoned chocolate.

Coming up next: The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , ,

by | August 26, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 131 – Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Dora and the Lost City of Gold movie novelization by Steve Behling

 

Hola! We read the Dora and the Lost City of Gold movie novelization by Steve Behling so you don’t have to! We were joined by librarian extraordinaire and Dora the Explorer watcher Kristi, who helped us avoid getting stuck in the quicksand of this self-aware novel that briefly took Twitter by storm. Strap on your backpack and listen to this episode as you hack your way through the jungle!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: The Dora the Explorer movie sounds absolutely bonkers

Candy Pairing:  Kait says movie theater popcorn, Kristi says last year’s Halloween candy, Renata says pan dulce.

Coming up next: Divergent by Veronica Roth.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , ,

by | August 12, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 130 – Dealing With Dragons

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede

As Flashback Summer draws to a close for another year, our friend Kelsey joined us to return to a feminist favorite: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. The three of us all loved this book as tweens and were thrilled to report that it holds up. Listen to this episode while cleaning your dragon’s cave.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: The Problem of the Improper Princess by Catherine Nichols

Candy Pairing:  Kait says mini Twix bars, Kelsey says cherries jubilee, Renata says lemon drops.

Coming up next: Dora and the Lost City of Gold junior novel by Steve Behling.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , ,

by | July 29, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 129 – Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories series)

The Rotten Romans by Terry Deary and Martin Brown

For this installment of Flashback Summer, we flashed way back to ancient Rome. We read The Rotten Romans from the Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary & Martin Brown with returning guest, librarian Laura. It’s a whimsically British look at history with some cartoons that remain inscrutable, even to the eyes of adult Americans with history degrees. This podcast is only available in English, because Latin is a dead language (RIP).

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Ancient Roman Readers Advisory sent by listener Lydia

Ecce Romani memes

Our Fake History podcast

Sawbones podcast

Candy Pairing:  Kait says Fig Newtons, Laura says chocolate, Renata says no thank you.

Coming up next: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Audio Player

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | July 15, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 128 – Pickle Puss (Polk Street School)

Pickle Puss by Patricia Reilly Giff

Flashback Summer continues with a trip to the Polk Street School, where the kids aren’t alright. Becca joined us to read Pickle Puss by Patricia Reilly Giff, an early chapter book about how not to run a summer reading program or care for a pet. Listen to this episode on your way to deceive your local librarian!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Endangered Series: The Kids of Polk Street School.

Candy Pairing:  Becca says melted Hershey’s kisses, Kait says sugar free hard candy, Renata says Scandinavian Swimmers.

Coming up next: Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories series) by Terry Deary & Martin Brown.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , , ,

by | July 1, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 127 – Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

 

The next stop on our Flashback Summer vacation is the 30th floor of an elementary school. Literary agent Amy joined us to read Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Everyone should listen to this episode, unless you’re secretly a dead rat in a raincoat. Dead rats are not allowed. Everyone else, join us on Apple podcasts before Mrs. Gorf turns you into an apple!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “The Absurd Joy of ‘Sideways Stories From Wayside School'” by Adrienne LaFrance

Louis Sachar’s FAQs

Ghost Quartet

Candy Pairing:  Amy says candy apples, Kait says Sky Bars, Renata says dinosaur egg oatmeal.

Coming up next: Pickle Puss (Polk Street School Kids series) by Patricia Reilly Giff.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 17, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 126 – Bunnicula

Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe

It’s the return of Flashback Summer and the 40th anniversary of beloved children’s classic Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe. We were joined by Laura to discuss the story of some irresponsible pet owners. Listen now to hear one weird trick to make your vegetables more Instagrammable!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “The Enduring Legacy of Bunnicula, a 40-Year-Old In-Joke That’s Still Hilarious” by Sarah Gailey

Overdue #138 – Bunnicula

Candy Pairing:  Kait says Ecto Cooler, Laura says white chocolate, Renata says white Skittles.

Coming up next: Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 3, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 125 – Interview With the Vampire

Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice

 

We ran out of Twilight books so we had to read about some less-sparkly vampires, ugh! Fortunately, we were #blessed with the company of not only Meredith Goldstein (author of the Boston Globe’s Love Letters column as well as the books Can’t Help Myself and Chemistry Lessons) but also a live audience at Trident Booksellers, for our discussion of Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice. If you weren’t able to join us in person, now at last you can hear our agonized discussion of a book with a lot of arson and insufficient glam (which could have been rectified by the addition of Cher.)

Transcript (experimental): Here.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Interview With the Vampire film on Wikipedia

Vampire Chronicles Timeline

Candy Pairing:  Kait says black jellybeans, Meredith says Hershey’s Hugs, Renata says atomic fireballs.

Coming up next: Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , , ,

by | May 20, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 124 – The Five People You Meet in Heaven

If you like sitting around, listening to esoteric monologues that may or may not relate to your life from random people who refuse to answer any pertinent questions, do we have the vision of the afterlife for you! Chelsea joined us for The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, a trudge through one man’s severely messed-up existence that was probably meant to be inspirational, but mostly made us feel disturbed and dead inside. Hold onto your keys and join us on this carnival ride into our own personal hell!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: The Five People You Meet In Heaven movie trailer

Reading ‘The Next Person You Meet in Heaven’ is Hell by Ron Charles

Death Parade opening theme song

Candy Pairing:  Kait says generic lollipops, Chelsea says Tootsie Rolls, Renata says saltwater taffy.

Coming up next: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, live from Trident Books!

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , ,

by | May 6, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Episode 123 – Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

We don’t have anybody’s HBO login, so instead of watching the show, we were forced to read the book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty! Fortunately, we were joined by Melissa of the Truer Words podcast for this trip through the delightfully sordid world of Australian elementary school politics. Are you #TeamMadeline or #TeamRenata? Duarte is #TeamRenata, but only because Madeline has never fed him.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Chloe’s Big Little Lies playlist on Spotify

The Dixie Chicks – Goodbye Earl

Framed: She Was the PTA Mom Everyone Knew. Who Would Want to Harm Her? by Christopher Goffard

This American Life #447 – The Incredible Case of the P.I. Moms

Candy Pairing:  Kait says Tim Tams, Melissa says Calissons, Renata says champagne Jelly Bellies.

Coming up next: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Filed under Podcasts

Tagged as , ,