Judging Book Covers Podcast

Meghan is joined again by Alicia and Heather to talk about Taylor Jenkins Reid's Maybe In Another Life! This book is a parallel storyline novel, where two different options are shown based on a decision the protagonist makes...... ....so of course we analyze both decisions as much as we wanted! And discussed how much we didn't like the audiobook for this one, despite really loving the story. There is talk of how much it resonates with us, the importance of friendship on top of relationships, and why we all kind of love Book of the Month Club! (It isn't an ad, we just really love it.  Join us again in two weeks, and don't forget to rate and review us!  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | That Gay Sh*t Podcast Facebook Group | That Gay Sh*t Podcast Twitter | The Best Friend Bookclub Blog | Heather's Instagram |   

Happy Halloween!!   Meghan is joined by two new guests, and at Alicia's suggestion, they read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson! It's a perfect Halloween book, and somehow ghosts got into our system! We also discuss other horror books we love and slasher movies and shows we enjoy.   Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | That Gay Sh*t Podcast Facebook Group | That Gay Sh*t Podcast Twitter | The Best Friend Bookclub Blog | Heather's Instagram |   

Due to some crazy traveling and scheduling conflicts, I brought back two past guests to talk horror books really quick, rather than start a new round of guests! James DeBruicker of Over the Tabletop and Ileana Garcia both were wonderful enough to take a little bit of time out of their day to talk about what they love about horror books, an appropriate topic for October.  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Over the Tabletop Twitter | Over the Tabletop Facebook | Ileana's Instagram | A Handbook for Handbook for Mortal Podcast

This week we have Carson Long and Millena Silva back to discuss their second YA book: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card! Meghan rants about nicknames being stupid, Millena proves that Hunger Games is just an updated female version of Ender's Game, and Carson braces himself in case Millena says she hates the book. We also try to convince Millena she needs to see IT (and never sleep again), and Meghan gets whiny about Ender's name and personality. All three of us begin our pitch on the Tim is our mutual friend podcast.  Also enjoy hearing some of The Wake Up Kids, then go check out their BandCamp page for more info!  Book Drink: Jack and Coke Books Discussed this Episode: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins GFL series by Scott Sigler Battle Royale by Koushun Takami The Last Harvest by Kim Liggett  Harry Potter  by JK Rowling IT by Stephen King Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmai

I am on the road, but I took a few minutes to discuss banned books. I'm joined by Ollie for a quick discussion on banned books in the US and Ireland! As per the norm, we get slightly off topic, but it was definitely interesting to hear the difference between how both countries view and the history of banned and challenged books.  Note: at one point I say books can't be banned, which isn't 100% true — schools classrooms and libraries can ban books, but that's about it. Enjoy!  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Facebook

This week we have new guests: Millena Silva and Carson Long of Kennesaw State University's podcast: Book Club Soda! We discussed our first of two YA books: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen! Meghan and Carson have some serious feelings about this book, but both agree that they will give Sarah Dessen books another try. Millena and Carson take a moment to talk Taylor Swift lyrics, all three kind of roll their eyes at the main character's first love, discuss YA tropes and major series, and explain that there is a difference between red heads and gingers. Book Drink: Mimosa Books Discussed This Episode:  Once and For All by Sarah Dessen Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Paper Towns by John Green Looking for Alaska by John Green DC Rebirth: Batman, Harley Quinn and The Flash A City Stained Red by Sam Sykes Harry Potter by JK Rowling East of Eden by John Steinbeck  Under the Dome by Stephen King Revival by Stephen King   Enter, Night by Michael Rowe Saga by Brian K. Vaughan  My Favorite Thi

This week we discuss book one of the Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer.  This book is a bit of a dystopian, postmodern nutter of a book, and none of us quite understand what the hell is going on in this world on a greater level. Book of the week: The Brightness, created by Liz! Check out the blog for the recipe.  Books Discussed This Week: Annihilation by James VenderMeer  True Blood Series by Charlaine Harris Bird Box by Josh Malerman Birdman by Mo Hayder Dating an Alien Popster by Kendra L. Sauder Authority by James VanderMeer Movies and Television Shows Discussed: Get Out Descendent Brazil Doctor Who (Cassandra) Back Swan   Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Liz's Twitter | Keeping Up With the Carringtons Podcast Twitter |  Beckett to the Future Podcast Twitter | Beckett to the Future Podcast Facebook

Meghan is joined this week by two new guests: Liz Babish, and Dawn Gildenmeister of Beckett to the Future Podcast! They discuss the first non-fiction book of the podcast: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach! Dawn discusses her past jobs and how cadavers have come into play, and Liz brings up some interesting topics in eco-burials and organ donation!  Books Discussed in this episode: Stiff by Mary Roach The Strange Bird by Jeff VanderMeer Children of the New World by Alexander Weinstein Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Tana French's works Book drink: Corpse Reviver For more information on Ecological Burials, please check out this link. Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Liz's Twitter | Keeping Up With the Carringtons Podcast Twitter |  Beckett to the Future Podcast Twitter | Beckett to the Future Podcast Facebook

Meghan is joined again by Gena and Erin to discuss Michael Rowe's Enter, Night, a vampire novel that pays homage to the 70s terrifying vampire stories! The three of them discuss how people are always worse than vampires, the difference between vampires and wendigos, and how creepy small towns are!  Book drink: Blood Berry Martini Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Kill By Kill Podcast Twitter | Kill By Kill Podcast Facebook | Gena's Blog | Over the Tabletop Twitter | Over the Tabletop Facebook | Erin's Blog

It's a hot summer, and movies are playing blockbusters to fill the air conditioned seats. The guest this week recommended the perfect book blockbuster for when you don't quite feel like walking out of your apartment into the heat! Meghan is joined by Erin Ayers and Gena Radcliffe to discuss Tim Power's The Anubis Gates, an 1980s "steampunk" time traveling novel that has literally everything. Egyptian gods, clones, time travel, evil clowns, werewolf serial killer?! Love?!  Don't believe me? Give us a listen!  Book Drink: Blueberry Gin Fizz Books Discussed:The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy series Declare by Tim Powers Doomsday by Connie Willis (Oxford Time Travel Series)  Timeline by Michael Crichton Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L’Engle A Swifting Tilting Planet Madeleine L’Engie 11/22/63 by Stephen King Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris The White Album by Joan Didion A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab Shrill by Lindy West Movies Discussed:Peggy Sue Got Married Back

Meghan is joined again by Ileana and Stephanie to discuss the YA anthology The Essential Bordertown, edited by Terri Windling and Delia Sherman. We discuss how the YA genre ends to reach back to its 90s roots and bring the grittiness back, especially when discussing elves and faeries!  Book Drink: Elder-Berry Tea Cocktail and Earl Grey Tea Cocktail Books/Movies/Shows discussed in this episode:  The Essential Bordertown Beauty and the Beast A Court of Thorn and Roses Logan X-Men/Dazzler Sailor Moon Hellboy 2 Lost Girl Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Ileana's Instagram

Meghan is joined by two new guests this week, Stephanie Cortez and Ileana Garcia. We read The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory and discussed our thoughts on 1500s clothing, movie adaptations, and whether or not British actors can pull off American accents.  Ileana introduces a new aspect of the podcast going forward, what cocktail goes with this book? Check out the website to review the official cocktails of past books!    Books/Movies/Shows discussed in this podcast:  Blackpool  The Other Boleyn Girl The Time Traveler's Wife Harry Potter's Butterbeer Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them The Devil in the White City  The Last Host Time Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Ileana's Instagram

In which Meghan is joined again by Emily Bennett and Ollie Brady of Best Acquaintances, and they discussed Haruki Murakami’s Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, a beautiful and weird book from the 1980s. Meghan apparently doesn’t know what “magical realism” is and keeps trying to apply it to all books, Ollie rants that he doesn’t want unicorns mixing in his science, and Emily explains how badass you can be even at 17 and when you’re considered “pink and chubby.” We all discuss what we would do on our last day on earth, more about unicorns, and how much boys think about food and sex.    Books discussed in this podcast:  Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World Kafka on the Shore The Metamorphosis  What I Talk About When I Talk About Running 1Q84 My Cousin Rachel Lamb Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Facebook

This week I am joined by Ollie Brady and Emily Bennett of Best Acquaintances! We discuss David Gemmell's Waylander II and giggle through the entire episode while Ollie tries to explain why this book was important to 11-year-old Ollie, Emily reads the most ridiculous physical comedy scene in a fantasy book, and we all discuss female characters in fantasy novels.  Books Discussed: Waylander II by David Gemmell I Don't Know Where You Know Me From by Judy Greer Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Persuasion by Jane Austen Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates  The Drenai Saga by David Gemmell Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Twitter | Best Acquaintances' Facebook

It's an off week for us readers, and yet there's an episode?! Today I've got my first of many giveaways, Feel Good Bar and Grill coloring book by Amy Davis Roth! Take a listen at this chill episode as I drink and chat at the featured bar on Saturn's moon, Enceladus! Check out Amy's stores and good luck!  Also, enjoy listening to how I sound super tired....sorry!  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Surly Amy's Stores: Redbubble | Etsy | Home Page

Mari and James join me again for episode 4 of the podcast, where we discuss Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. Lots of talk of zombies and steampunk in this episode, as well as Mari and I making James feel old for making a Simpsons reference.  Books referenced in this episode: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest Buffalo Soldier by Maurice Broaddus Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab Jerusalem by Alan Moore Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor Fables by Bill Willmingham Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Mari's Blog | James's Instagram

Word of the Day: Weird For episode 3 I welcome two new guests, James DeBruicker and Marilag Angway! We discuss Silk by Caitlin Kiernan, which is a darker book than the previous two books on the show. The book brings about memories of 90s goth, a discussion of intent vs. impact, and how a book can be excellent, but light on plot. Books Referenced in this episode: Silk by Caitlin Kiernan All Fall Down by Ally Carter Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Party at the World's End by James Curcio A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab Jerusalem by Alan Moore Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Join by Steven Toutonighi  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Mari's Blog | James's Instagram

Word of the day: Gooey For Episode 2 we discussed Tim's recommendation, Infected by Scott Sigler. I apologize in advance as I fidgeted around the entire episode with the necklace from Surly-Ramics Etsy Store and didn't realize it was picking up in the recording.  On top of the novel we discuss our vague survival plans for surviving the apocalypse, I Am Legend both book and movie, the author's approach to modern day "publishing", whether or not the guys would take Perry's way if infected, and host Meghan goes on a mini rant about how everyone should be watching Buffy again. Books referenced in this podcast episode:  Infected by Scott Sigler Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera The Children of Hurin by J. R. R. Tolkien  Heist Society by Ally Carter Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher Buffy Season 8 by Joss Whedon Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com  Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | Tim's Twitter 

Today is the premier of the podcast! I am joined by Tim Lowe and Joe Schulman as we discuss Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian. Joe tells us why this is one of his favorite books, I explain why I briefly thought this book was going to be a murder mystery, and Tim and I briefly debate whether or not Saga is the best story out there period.