Judging Book Covers Podcast

Thank you for letting us take some time to deal with personal problems! We are back with an exciting fantasy book called Black Sun. We are so excited to share this book with listeners! Fantasy with gods and cults and massive ships! Meghan and Stephanie discuss how good it is to see a fantasy book where women are allowed to be themselves and where queer and non-binary people are allowed to just exist.  Next Book: The Diviners by Libba Bray Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

Stephanie and Meghan take a spooky turn in their reading challenges! This week we read The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike! This Japanese book falls somewhere on the horror/gothic spectrum, and we had a blast discussing haunted apartment buildings and basements. Don't go into your basement alone at night! CW: Discussion of animal deaths, ghosts, horror  Next Book: A Desired Past: A Short History of Same-Sex Love in America by Leila Rupp Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

Stephanie and Meghan continue to dive into Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge! This week we read a nonfiction book about anti-racism: Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper! This book differed from the anti-racism books we've read in the past, as it discusses primarily black women and how we need change our focus and thoughts about them.  CW: Sexual assault and rape are discussed in this episode.  Next Book: The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

Judging Book Covers kicks off our 2021 Reading Challenge: The Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge! Our first challenge up is a book that intimidates us, and we went with the recommendation of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro!  We talk about what intimidates us in books, did this book make us cry, whether we believe in love in this book, and clones!  Next Book: Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper  Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

The biggest duh ever: 2020 was a rough year. Stephanie and Meghan both had pretty big issues during the year, but chose instead to remember the good things they experienced!  This episode includes Judging Book Cover's 2020 favorite:  Books TV Shows Podcast  Music As well as a discussion of what we are doing in 2021!  We are going to be doing Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge for 2021! Check out the episode for which books we are doing in January!  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

After a long delay, we have a LONG EPISODE! Stephanie and Meghan read Scott Sigler's Mount Fitzroy,  the sequel to Earthcore, which we read and loved a few years ago!!  While this book is only out in audiobook, it is 30 hours long!! Which means heads up: this episode is LONG. And we do talk spoilers. So this is your fourth warning that we do discuss spoilers!  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

For Stephanie's birthday, we decided to read an advance copy of the newly released How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole! Because this podcast stans Alyssa Cole almost more than anyone else?! This is a new spin off of her Reluctant Royals series, and there are so many characters that pop up! We also talk about how great it is that Cole can blend social commentary into a romance novel in ways that actually had us taking notes.  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

This week Stephanie and Meg read Memorial by Bryan Washington! This book has recently been released, so there is a bit of a spoiler warning. But don't worry - we break it out into a non-spoilery and then spoilery conversation. This book addresses relationships in a hard light, both romantic and family. Lots to unpack here!  Content warnings: Parental (Father) death, cancer, abuse, tough family relationships, break ups Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

This week Meghan and Stephanie read How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi! This book discusses challenging your way of thinking so that you are continuously getting better and better. It discusses the different kinds of racism, and how we can achieve becoming antiracist.  This episode was recorded prior to the election, and while we try to not let our feelings out, it is definitely a tense discussion at times! And then it was delayed because we were too focused on the election.  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

This week we are joined by Case Aiken to discuss The Banks by Roaxane Gay, Ming Doyle, and Jordie Bellaire! We chat about what we like and wish we could change of this comic about a matriarchal line of thieves! What would happen in your life to get you to join up with the thieves in your family? And how does one steal bitcoin??  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram And our guest:  Another Pass | Men of Steel | Scruffy Nerfherders| Case's Twitter Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

This week Stephanie and Meghan set out to read a horror book by an author they like  - Nos4A2 by Joe Hill! Unfortunately, perhaps due to the environment of 2020, they found themselves unable to actually finish the book. This is an episode to discuss why we occasionally DNF (do not finish) a book, and why you can choose to DNF a book and still have respect for the author. We handle the topic without throwing shade on anyone for liking the book too! It's just not for us for the reasons we discuss in the episode.  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Discord Link | 

This week's episode is a little late because we wanted to drop it during Banned Book week! So happy Banned Book Week! Please go read some books that have been challenged or banned, particularly if you can find one you haven't read before, or who doesn't have a terribly horrible TERF-y author!  This week we did just that, as we invited on Frankie (MJ) Bradley-Lestrange to talk about Alanna, The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce! We discussed why these books were challenged, whether we agree with this, and how much authors can and should grow and change in their writing!  Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram And our Guest:  MJ's Twitter | Archives of the Dragon Network Information:  Certain POV Net

JBC is back from hiatus and ready to read!  But FIRST: We joined a network! Thank you to Certain POV Network for inviting us to be a part of your amazing group. Please go check out the website and find all the amazing podcasts you can listen to!  This week we broke our rules a little because one of our favorite authors, Alyssa Cole, has released a new thrilled called When No One is Watching. We don't typically talk about book so close to their release date, but we had to break all traditions here!  We also close with a discussion of bookstores to support, since libraries are still (mostly) closed. Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram Network Information:  Certain POV Network | Di

This week Stephanie and Meghan read The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae! As she is close in age to us, we had fun discussing our own relationship with some of the topics she discusses!  Please note, JBC will be on hiatus for about a month. We will see you in mid-August!  We also close with a discussion of bookstores to support, since libraries are still (mostly) closed. Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

In this episode, Stephanie and Meghan read This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender! This book has a great realistic teenage love story, and never once feels like a book trying to make a statement, which makes us love it more! We discuss a little bit of our outlooks from when we were teenagers, as well as how we can still get advice from a sixteen year old boy.  We also close with a discussion of bookstores to support, since libraries are still (mostly) closed. Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

This week Stephanie and Meghan are joined again by Ollie Brady to discuss R L Stine's Fear Street: The First Evil! We discuss the books of our childhood, particularly focusing on the horror books that shaped our reading styles. We also dive into some of the book drama going on in the world, so this episode is a little heavier than we expected.  We also close with a discussion of bookstores to support, since libraries are still closed. Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

This week Stephanie and Meghan read Lot:Stories by Bryan Washington! This is a short story collection that is well done and powerfully important.  We also close with a discussion of bookstores to support, since libraries are still closed. Judging Book Covers Podcast stands with the Black Lives Matter movement, and if you are looking for black owned bookshops, please check out these links:  50 in 50 Black Owned Bookstores A More Current List  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

This week Stephanie and Meghan are joined by Victoria Lucia! Victoria brought us The Magicians by Lev Grossman, the book one of her favorite shows is based on! Spoiler: the tv show is definitely better than the book!  Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram and guest:  Victoria's Twitter | Victoria's Blog

This week Stephanie and Meghan get all up in some heists while reading Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Rohrig! We also spend a good portion of the episode discussing food and cooking and all the cooking shows that go with that! Next up: A book with a Blue cover!   Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

Happy anniversary to JBC! And as always to celebrate, we invited Tim Lowe to come back and read another book with us. Tim picked the Veronica Mars novel The Thousand Dollar Tan Line. We do have spoilers for the first three seasons and Veronica Mars movie, but no spoilers for season 4!  Next Up: A book given to us for free! Find us on the web: Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram and guest:  Tim's Twitter | Minds at Yeerk Instagram