Intro to Romance Books for Non-Romance Readers
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
The romance genre is what keeps the book industry afloat, but where do you start if you’re not typically a romance reader? Join Renee, Mhairie, and Shoshana for a quick introduction to some of the terms used in the romance genre, plus recommendations for folks who don’t typically read romance. This episode is perfect for readers new to romance, confused by romance, or long-time romance readers looking for some fresh recommendations! Books mentioned: Resources mentioned: (Brooklyn...
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Feral and Hysterical: In conversation with Mother Horror
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
The ‘ber months are here, so that means we’re reading horror. You know we read horror all year round, but we brought in the expert - Mother Horror herself! Tune in to hear Mhairie chat about horror books, women in horror, becoming an accidental author, and good old fashioned vibes reading. Books mentioned: - Sadie Hartmann - Peter Straub - Sadie Hartmann - V. E. Schwab - John Boyne - Elizabeth Macneal () - Monique Asher () - Trevor Noah (Audiobook is an Audible exclusive so we won’t link it, screw you Amazon!) - Silvia Moreno-Garcia () - Stephen...
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Man’s Best Friend? Thoughts on Sabrina Carpenter
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
In this episode, Mhairie, Ashley, and Nox dive into the bold and provocative album art for Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend. The conversation explores the layered imagery, the cultural reception, and how it intersects with themes of power, desire, and kink. From feminist critique to playful banter, the hosts unpack how art can spark dialogue around pleasure, performance, and pushing boundaries. Support and follow our guest and host! Follow Ashley: // Follow Mhairie: // Follow Nox: // // This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on...
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Girl on Girl, Part II: Desire, Consent, & the Marketplace of Pleasure
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
Join hosts Ashley, Mhairie, and Mariquita as they return for the much-anticipated follow-up to their deep dive into Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert. In this episode, the conversation moves beyond pop culture’s impact on women and digs into the murky intersection of porn, commodification, and the market’s influence on sexual agency. Prepare for a thoughtful and candid exploration of what it means to possess—and reclaim—real agency in a world that often packages sex and desire as products. Books Mentioned: Support and follow our guest and host! Follow Ashley: //...
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Affirming Masculinity with Jacob Tobia
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
Ashley sits down with Jacob Tobia to discuss their book Before They Were Men. Together, they explore why Jacob avoids the phrase “toxic masculinity,” what healthier models of masculinity could look like, and how the different places Jacob has lived have shaped their views on gender and gender nonconformity. Books Mentioned: by Jacob Tobia Support and follow our guest and host! Follow Jacob: Follow Ashley: // This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people. Original music by Learn...
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Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
Mariquita, Mhairie, and Ashley dive into , unpacking its most thought-provoking themes. In Part I, they explore how reality TV and social media have shaped generational beauty standards, question the pitfalls of so-called “empowerment” movements, and discuss how media literacy can equip the next generation to be both powerful and protected. Books Mentioned: Support and follow our hosts! Follow Mariquita: // Follow Mhairie: // Follow Ashley: // This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of...
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The Hollow Half by Sarah Aziza
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
Looking for your next beloved memoir? Rah and Ashley dive into by Sarah Aziza—a lyrical, layered exploration of queerness, family, conflict, and the passage of time. They unpack how Aziza weaves these themes into a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative, and why savoring the book slowly made all the difference. Content Warnings: disordered eating, sexual assault, self-harm, social justice conflict Books Mentioned: by Roza Nozari by Lamya H by Samra Habib by Rashid Khalidi by Omar El Akkad Support and follow our hosts and guest! Follow...
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Nostalgic Summers and Prophetic Dystopia
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
Our feminisms contain multitudes. First, Jordy shares some books and tv shows to ingest if you don’t want to watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon but still want the sweet nostalgic summer vibes. Then, Kenesma chats with Idrys Creed about her forthcoming book 14 Flags, a dystopian novel inspired by current events in the spirit of Octavia Butler. The Summer I Turned Pretty, minus the Bezos (0:22) Join Jordy for a jam-packed episode of book and TV show recommendations that give The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes without supporting Amazon. If you’re craving summer swoons,...
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Libraries Get It Right While We Get It Wrong
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
In today’s two-part episode, you’ll hear some of our contributors take a deep dive into a smattering of library systems across the United States. It’s fascinating to compare and contrast different regions, especially in light of funding threats. Libraries certainly do it right. Then hear from a woman who did it all wrong–Rax King–as she discusses her new book Sloppy. Libraries Across America (0:22) Join Jordy, Shoshana, and Mariquita as they explore the contrasts between funding and accessibility to teen summer reading lists in urban and rural libraries across the U.S....
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Favorite Books of 2025 So Far (Mariquita and Kenesma's version)
Feminist Book Club: The Podcast
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 people geek out about books, this episode is for you. Books/Resources Mentioned: ...
info_outlineOur feminisms contain multitudes. First, Jordy shares some books and tv shows to ingest if you don’t want to watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon but still want the sweet nostalgic summer vibes. Then, Kenesma chats with Idrys Creed about her forthcoming book 14 Flags, a dystopian novel inspired by current events in the spirit of Octavia Butler.
The Summer I Turned Pretty, minus the Bezos (0:22)
Join Jordy for a jam-packed episode of book and TV show recommendations that give The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes without supporting Amazon. If you’re craving summer swoons, emotional drama, and a sprinkle of teen angst (minus the Prime subscription), she’s got you covered with stories full of romance, nostalgia, and self-discovery.
14 Flags with Idrys Creed (7:06)
In this episode, Kenesma sits down with writer Idrys Creed for an intimate conversation about her forthcoming novel, 14 Flags. Set in a near-future America marked by fear, surveillance, and silence, 14 Flags is a political thriller that doubles as a timely mirror to our world. Idrys shares her inspiration for the story, her thoughts on truth-telling in dangerous times, and why she believes resistance can be found in the smallest choices. It’s a powerful preview of a book that’s sure to challenge, provoke, and spark conversation.
If you’d like to be a beta reader for this book, email Idrys at [email protected] and let her know Feminist Book Club sent you!
Books Mentioned:
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Happy Place by Emily Henry
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
TV shows mentioned:
Heartstopper on Netflix
XO, Kitty on Netflix
Never Have I Ever on Netflix
The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max
Movie mentioned:
To All of the Boys I Loved Before on Netflix
Resources:
Support and follow our hosts and guest!
Follow Jordy: Instagram // TikTok
Follow Idrys: Instagram // Substack
Follow Kenesma: Instagram
Check out our online community here!
This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.
Original music by Amarissa
Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.