The SSR Podcast

Episode 318: xoxo, SSR (Goodbye for now!)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT

It has been a wild, amazing ride and I couldn't be more grateful for all of your support over the years. Please enjoy this reflective last episode, which includes some of my thoughts on podcasting more broadly, a bit of housekeeping, and a whole lot of Q&A.

Thank you for every little thing.

Love,

Alli

KEEP IN TOUCH!

Follow me on Instagram @allihoffkosik.

Check out (and subscribe to!) my Substack: Getting It Alli Together

Remember: All 318 episodes of SSR will still be available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Please continue to recommend the show to your loved ones... and never stop listening to the conversations from the archives that make you feel warm and fuzzy :)

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Episode 317: Absolutely Normal Chaos (with Rebecca Fishbein)

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

For the last-ever guest episode of SSR, Alli is thrilled to revisit a book by one of her personal favorites, Sharon Creech. The book is Absolutely Normal Chaos, a diary-style read from the '90s that serves as a fascinating entry point to grief and loss for young readers. Tune in for a discussion about the emotional roller coaster of the book, but also for some comparing and contrasting with Creech's other work, reflections on friendship and early relationships, and more.

Rebecca Fishbein is the author of Good Things Happen to People You Hate and Floral Estrangements. Follow her on Instagram @bfishbfish.

CHECK OUT REBECCA'S PREVIOUS APPEARANCE ON SSR HERE!

CHECK OUT REBECCA'S BOOKS:

Floral Estrangements

Good Things Happen to People You Hate

CHECK OUT REBECCA'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

MORE READING:

"Absolutely Normal Chaos" (Kirkus, 1995)

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Episode 316: Princess Academy (with London Sperry)

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Add this to the list of Alli's favorite SSR reads of all-time—and just in time for the show to say goodbye in a couple of weeks! Nearly 20 years after it was published and won a Newbery Honor, Shannon Hale's Princess Academy was a delight to read and discuss. The book inspires conversations on Episode 316 about everything from hometown pride and tropes about female bodies to the value of education and lame princes. Alli's guest also blows her mind with some facts about 2025 slang.

London Sperry's debut novel Passion Project hits shelves on 4/8/25. Follow her on Instagram @londonsperrywrites.

CHECK OUT LONDON'S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT LONDON'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan

Unromance by Erin Connor

You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon

But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson

MORE READING:

"Book Review: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale" (Books: A True Story, 2013)

"Review: Princess Academy" (The Princess Blog, 2018)

"Book Review: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale" (Turn the Page, 2012)

"Shannon Hale Says Her Novels Are Not 'Girl Books'" (Bustle, 2015)

"Q&A with Shannon Hale" (Publishers Weekly, 2015)

"One Things Leads to Another: An Interview with Shannon Hale" (The Hub, 2014)

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Episode 315: WTF # 7 | WTF Do I Do to Promote a Book?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

On this last installment of our monthly SSR: WTF (WriTing Friends) series, Alli and Abby look to the future!

In anticipation of the 2026 publication of Alli's debut novel, they discuss all things book promotion: book events, PR boxes, social media icks, supporting authors online and IRL, newsletters, pre-orders, and more. They also chat more about the decision to end SSR and give you a preview of their future (potential) collaborations!

CHECK OUT AND SUBSCRIBE TO ABBY'S SUBSTACK NEWSLETTER HERE!

BOOK SHOUTOUTS:

Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts by Bec Evans and Chris Smith

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Episode 314: Stacey's Big Crush (Baby-Sitters Club #65) (with Saumya Dave)

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Bad news: this is the last Baby-Sitters Club-centric episode of SSR.

Good news: this is an amazing Baby-Sitters Club-centric episode of SSR!

This week, former BSC superfan Saumya Dave joins Alli for one final trip to Stoneybrook to hang with everyone's favorite young entrepreneurs. They discuss the sixty-fifth book in the series, Stacey's Big Crush, along with hot teachers, women in STEM, all-consuming crushes, long school days, portrayals of divorce in books, goat sitting, and how the baby-sitters have helped us understand ourselves over the years.

Saumya Dave is the author of Well-Behaved Indian Women, What a Happy Family, and—most recently—The Guilt Pill, which was inspired by her work as a pyschiatrist. Follow her on Instagram @saumyajdave.

CHECK OUT SAUMYA'S BOOKS:

Well-Behaved Indian Women

What a Happy Family

The Guilt Pill

CHECK OUT ASHA'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

The Push by Ashley Audrain

The Other Lata by Kirthana Ramisetti

MORE READING:

"Stacey's Big Crush" (The Baby-Sitters Club Wiki)

"#65: Stacey's Big Crush" (Live the Movies)

"Stacey's Big Crush" (Baby-Sitters Club Snark-fest!)

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Episode 313: The It Girl (with Asha Elias)

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Beyond the ivy-covered walls of the Constance Billard School and the moneyed Upper East Side is upstate New York and the equally moneyed Waverly Academy—and Jenny Humphrey is bound for them as we meet her at the start of Gossip Girl spin-off, The It Girl! Episode 313 is a juicy deep dive into all things Boarding School Jenny: rich kids, nuanced mean girls, problematic love affairs, hedonism, and the deliciously nostalgic aesthetic of the Gossip Girl extended universe.

Asha Elias is the author of Pink Glass Houses and the forthcoming The Namaste Club. Follow her on Instagram @asha.sue.elias.

CHECK OUT ASHA'S BOOKS:

Pink Glass Houses

The Namaste Club

CHECK OUT ASHA'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Don't Be a Stranger by Susan Minot

MORE READING:

"The It Girl (Novel Series)" (Gossip Girl Wiki)

"The It Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar Review" (Courtney Shek, 2024)

"Review: It Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar" (Grown Up Book Reports, 2017)

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Episode 312: Flowers for Algernon (with Emma Alban)

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This week, Alli and her guest revisit some required reading from their school days in Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Picking up this 1966 novel was just as emotional and thought-provoking as picking up the 1959 short story was years ago, and this time around, they unpack the experience together on the podcast. Tune in for conversations about their fuzzy memories of reading Flowers for Algernon as kids, the book's classification in the science fiction genre, the differences between intelligence and life experience and kindness, icky depictions of women, animal testing, the linguistic challenges of dissecting a book like this, and so much more.

TW: sexual shame

Emma R. Alban is a screenwriter and a USA Today bestselling queer historical romance author. Her books include Don't Want You Like a Best Friend and You're the Problem, It's You. Follow her on Instagram @eraofemma.

CHECK OUT EMMA'S BOOKS:

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend

You're the Problem, It's You

CHECK OUT EMMA'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill

A Rival Most Vile by R.K. Ashwick

A Captured Cauldron by R.K. Ashwick

MORE READING:

"Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes—review" (The Guardian, 2016)

"Book Review: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes" (David Bruns, 2014)

"Book Review: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes" (Frappes and Fiction, 2020)

"Flowers for Algernon: Book Review" (Threefold Advocate, 2023)

"Flowers for Algernon" (Kirkus, 1966)

"Review of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes" (Rhapsody in Books, 2018)

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Episode 311: The Case of the 202 Clues (The New Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley) (with Jamie Harrow)

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Grab your denim bucket hats, butterfly hair clips, and overalls, listeners, because we're going to the land of the Olsen twins! Episode 311 unpacks all things Mary-Kate and Ashley, with a special emphasis on their multiple book series and one of their mystery novels, The Case of the 202 Clues. After reading this book, Alli and her guest have lots of thoughts about basset hounds, kid-friendly stakes, and what makes the perfect entry point for the mystery genre. They also take a bigger picture walk down millennial memory lane, comparing notes on their favorite MKA core memories and reflecting on the twins' many contributions to pop culture.

Jamie Harrow is the author of One on One and Fun at Parties. Follow her on Instagram @jamieharrowbooks.

CHECK OUT JAMIE'S BOOKS:

One on One

Fun at Parties

CHECK OUT JAMIE'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee

No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel

MORE READING:

"Growing Up Olsen: What Mary-Kate and Ashley Meant to Millennials" (E News, 2016)

"Dissecting Gen Z's Obsession with the Olsen Twins" (British Vogue, 2024)

"The Lasting Impact of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Content Empire" (Chatterblast, 2021)

"The Series We Loved: Mary-Kate and Ashley" (Book Riot, 2020)

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Episode 310: WTF #6 | WTF Does My Writing Process Look Like in 2025?

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

It's the first SSR: WTF (WriTing Friends) episode of 2025, and it's only fitting that Alli and Abby kick off the new year with a discussion about routines, processes, practices, and how they're rethinking all of those things at the moment. They discuss their creative mindsets in the new year and compare notes about specific elements of their creative lives: planned breaks, problematic mindsets, time management, organizational tools, inbox zero, cheap notebooks, writing in longhand, and romanticizing the process.

CHECK OUT AND SUBSCRIBE TO ABBY'S SUBSTACK NEWSLETTER HERE!

LISTEN TO OUR PLOTTING VS. PANTSING EPISODE HERE!

BOOK SHOUTOUTS:

Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts by Bec Evans and Chris Smith

Motherhood by Sheila Heti

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

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Episode 309: The Tower Treasure (The Hardy Boys #1) (with Christina Cooke)

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

At last, the Hardy Boys get an episode all their own! Episode 309 takes a deep dive into the first book in the series—The Tower Treasure—as well as the bestselling franchise as a whole... and the conversation is juicy! Launched in the 1920s, the Hardy Boys prompts discussion about gendered book marketing, racism, white saviorism, letting boys be boys, virtuous poverty, Nancy Drew, the interchangeability of the Hardy brothers, nepotism, obstruction of justice, portrayals of law enforcement, and depictions of women.

Christina Cooke is the author of Broughtupsy. Follow her on Instagram @christina.j.cooke.

CHECK OUT CHRISTINA'S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT CHRISTINA'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julia Otsuka

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle

MORE READING:

"Book Review: The Tower Treasure (1927) and The Tower Treasure (1959) by Franklin W. Dixon" (Read-At-Home Mom, 2017)

"I read all 190 Hardy Boys books" (Reddit, 2023)

"In Which I Read My First Hardy Boys Mystery" (Pages Unbound, 2022)

"Reading Through the Hardy Boys Mysteries (Books 1-10)" (Pages Unbound, 2023)

"1: The Tower Treasure" (Hardy Boys Book Reviews, 2013)

"The Hardy Boys have not aged well" (Reddit, 2024)

"The Hardy Boys: Comparing Hulu's Show to the Classic Book Series" (Den of Geek, 2020)

"The Knotty Nostalgia of the Hardy Boys Series" (The Atlantic, 2019)

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Episode 308: The Hundred Dresses (with Kirsty Greenwood)

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Many requests later, SSR has finally answered the call to cover The Hundred Dresses. Written by Eleanor Estes, published in 1944, and granted a Newbery Honor in 1945, this beautiful little book tackles the well-trod bullying narrative with a uniquely soft and empathetic hand. It creates space for conversations about what it means to play the bystander to bad behavior, rising above one's bullies, what justice looks like, and everything in between.

Kirsty Greenwood was once a book editor, but is now a full-time writer of love stories that make readers belly laugh and ugly cry, including The Love of My Afterlife. Follow her on Instagram @kirsty_greenwood.

CHECK OUT KIRSTY'S BOOKS:

He Will Be Mine

The Love of My Afterlife

CHECK OUT KIRSTY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

All Fours by Miranda July

MORE READING:

"Realistic Fiction: The Hundred Dresses" (The Western Corner of the Castle, 2019)

"The Hundred Dresses: A Little Book with a Long Impact" (Nerdy Book Club, 2018)

"The Hundred Dresses" (The Good and Beautiful Book List)

"The Hundred Dresses" (American Library Association)

"The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes" (Children's Lit Love, 2020)

"Book Review—The Hundred Dresses" (GC Annison, 2022)

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Episode 307: Girls in Love (with Lucy Jane Wood)

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2025 with a conversation with a friend from across the pond, highlighting a series and book that's been a particular favorite for young readers in the U.K. Jacqueline Wilson's Girls in Love takes center stage! Tune into Episode 307 for discussions about fake boyfriends, shifting friendships, diet culture, self-image, and more.

TW: attempted assault, body image, diet culture

Lucy Jane Wood is an online content creator, avid reader, and coziness-seeker. Her debut novel is Rewitched. Follow her on Instagram @lucyjanewood and YouTube.

CHECK OUT LUCY'S BOOK HERE!

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

CHECK OUT LUCY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

MORE READING:

"Girls in Love" (Publishers Weekly, 1997)

"Are we too young for Jacqueline Wilson's Girls in Love" (The Guardian, 2011)

"Book Review — Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson" (Yipee Ki-Yay, Motherbooker)

"Jacqueline Wilson to release new adult sequel to Girls in Love book series" (Independent, 2024)

"Girls in Love" (Jacqueline Wilson Wiki)

"Everything that happened in the Jacqueline Wilson Girls series" (Penguin, 2024)

"Review — Girls in Love — Jacqueline Wilson" (Blog of a Bookaholic, 2012)

"Why do Jacqueline Wilson's books resonate with young people, especially girls?" (Quora)

"'These books captured our hearts': Jacqueline Wilson's Girls series is back—and millennials are rejoicing" (The Guardian, 2024)

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Episode 306: Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) (with Kat Tang)

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:24 GMT

The Magic Tree House has been making readers, history buffs, and science geeks of kids for more than thirty years—and at long last, SSR dives in! Episode 306 covers all things Magic Tree House with a special focus on the first installment, Dinosaurs Before Dark. Alli and her guest chat about everything from the origin of Magic Tree House and unpopular opinions about the books to the allure of treehouses and time travel. Also... dinosaurs.

Kat Tang is a former lawyer turned fiction writer with an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. Her debut novel Five-Star Stranger has made most-anticipated and must-read lists by many outlets. Follow her on Instagram @tangkat.

CHECK OUT KAT'S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT KAT'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

Half a Life by Darin Strauss

MORE READING:

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about Magic Tree House" (Big Books, Little Ears)

"30 years and 65 books later, Mary Pope Osborne reflects on 'Magic Tree House'" (Today, 2022)

"Book Reviews: An Unpopular Opinion about the Popular Magic Tree House Series" (Dragon Bite Books & Crafts, 2021)

"Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Magic Tree House Collection" (First Book, 2022)

"Series Review: The Magic Tree House" (The Starving Artist, 2017)

"The Magic Tree House's Magical Popularity" (Pine Reads Review, 2021)

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Episode 305: WTF #5 | WTF Do You Do to Write a Memoir? (with Molly Roden Winter)

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:00:31 GMT

Alli and Abby are BACK for the fifth installment of SSR: WriTing Friends, this time for a conversation with memoirist Molly Roden Winter about the personal, vulnerable, intimate experience of putting one's own story on paper for public consumption. They put their heads together to consider the similarities and differences between writing fiction and writing memoir and tackle some specific aspects of the former: the nature of memory, the ethics of reviewing memoirs, how to edit your personal experience, reading your old journals, having hard conversations, and what we can learn from someone else's story.

Molly's New York Times bestselling debut memoir—More: A Memoir of Open Marriage—is available wherever books are sold. Follow her on Instagram @mollyrwinter.

CHECK OUT MOLLY'S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT MOLLY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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Episode 304: The Catcher in the Rye (with Beth Kander)

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:00:33 GMT

On Episode 304, Alli and her guest right the wrong (???) of somehow missing The Catcher in the Rye in their reading lives. In this juicy, thoughtful episode, they consider the book's place in the American canon and on school reading lists everywhere. They chat about sad boy fiction, Holden Caulfield's complicated character and legacy, love bombing, New York City as a character, teen angst, slut shaming, and more.

TW: death by suicide, sexual assault

Beth Kander is a writer with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. Described as a "genre-defying author and playwright" (Oxford American), her work has been called "riveting" and "habit-forming." I Made It Out of Clay is her latest novel. Follow Beth on Instagram @bethkander.

CHECK OUT BETH'S BOOKS:

I Made It Out of Clay

Do Not Eat This Book!

CHECK OUT BETH'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Night Owls by A.R. Vishy

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner

MORE READING:

"Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger — review" (The Guardian, 2012)

"The Meaning of The Catcher in the Rye" (Thought Catalog, 2024)

"Story Skeleton — The Catcher in the Rye" (The Darling Axe, 2023)

"From everyteen to annoying: are today's young readers turning on The Catcher in the Rye?" (The Guardian, 2019)

"He's Not Holden!" (Slate, 2013)

"I Hated Catcher in the Rye As A Teen — But It's Exactly The Book I Needed As An Adult" (Bustle, 2018)

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Episode 303: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (with Sarai Johnson)

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:00:16 GMT

It's our first-ever holiday episode! No matter what you celebrate at this time of year, Episode 303 will get your wheels turning as we unpack The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. Alli and her guest chat about the surprisingly religious bent of the book, among other things: the unruly children trope, nativity plays, the book's new adaptation, fatphobia, and disappearing narrators.

Sarai Johnson is the author of Grown Women. Follow her on Instagram @sarajwrites.

CHECK OUT SARAI'S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT SARAI'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me by Glory Edim

MORE READING:

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Early Review" (Love Thy Nerd, 2024)

"Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson" (The Story Sanctuary, 2020)

"Book Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (A Journey of Words, 2022)

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—Book Review" (Simply Learning Together, 2022)

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (Bookology, 2019)

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in Public School?" (Reddit, 2022)

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Episode 302: The Curse of the Ruby Necklace (Sweet Valley Twins) (with Sally Franson)

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:00:17 GMT

We’ve covered our fair share of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield’s high school hi-jinx on the podcast, but at long last, Alli and her guest turn their attention to a kinder, softer version of the twins: the middle school sub-series, Sweet Valley Twins. Episode 302 is all about The Curse of the Ruby Necklace, which chronicles the ~super chilling~ journey the twins take when they find their way to a local Hollywood film set and a decades-old family mystery. Guest Sally Franson is a superfan of the series and this book, and the episode is a rollicking good time that celebrates Jess and Liz as sixth graders with questionable detective skills.

Sally Franson is the author of Big in Sweden and A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out. Follow her on Instagram @sallyjf.

CHECK OUT THE SWEET VALLEY EPISODES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Episode 202: Tall, Dark, and Deadly (Sweet Valley High #126) (with Andie J. Christopher)

Episode 289: Alone in the Crowd (Sweet Valley High #28) (with Claire Lombardo)

CHECK OUT SALLY’S BOOKS:

Big in Sweden

A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out

CHECK OUT SALLY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Swift River by Essie Chambers

Blood Test: A Comedy by Charles Baxter

Show Don’t Tell: Stories by Curtis Sittenfeld

MORE READING:

“My Erotic Awakening in the Pages of ‘Sweet Valley High’” (The New York Times, 2024) <— written by our guest!

“The lasting power of ‘Sweet Valley Twins’: How my daughter and I are connecting over the series” (Today, 2024)

“YA Authors Reminisce About the Influence of ‘Sweet Valley High’” (Publishers Weekly, 2024)

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Episode 301: Troubling a Star (with Elise Hu)

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 07:00:01 GMT

This week, join Alli and her guest for an exciting voyage to Antarctica… and also for a conversation about Troubling a Star by Madeleine L’Engle. The fifth installment in L’Engle’s beloved Austin Family Chronicles series, the book was published in 1994 and explores subjects of espionage, nuclear waste dumping, drug trafficking, and more. Join the fun as we try to unpack all of it—and don’t be turned off if you’re not familiar with the story. Alli and Elise both read Troubling a Star, and they’re still not sure how much they know about it.

Elise Hu is a journalist, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Host of TED Talks Daily and co-host of Forever 35, Elise also recently published Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. Follow her on Instagram @elisewho.

CHECK OUT ELISE’S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS MADELEINE L’ENGLE EPISODES:

Episode 15: A Wrinkle in Time

Episode 184: A Ring of Endless Light

CHECK OUT ELISE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

What Looks Like Bravery: An Epic Journey Through Loss to Love by Laurel Braitman

Toward Eternity by Anton Hur

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom

MORE READING:

“Troubling a Star, by Madeleine L’Engle” (Pickle Me This, 2019)

“Troubling a Star by Madeleine L’Engle” (Fill Your Bookshelf, 2020)

“Troubling a Star” (Kirkus, 1994)

“Book Review: Troubling a Star by Madeleine L’Engle (1994)” (Read-at-Home Mom, 2014)

“The Creepy Authoritarianism of Madeleine L’Engle” (The Paris Review, 2019)

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Episode 300: THREE HUNDRED! | A Retrospective

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:35 GMT

Join Alli as she marks the big 3-0-0 with a rare (and unscripted!) solo show. She reflects on why she struggled to plan this special episode, what she’s been thinking about as this milestone approaches, the journey she’s taken with SSR since 2018, and the behind-the-scenes struggles she rarely shares. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Cheers to 300 episodes!

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Episode 299: The Princess Bride (with Georgia Clark)

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 07:00:07 GMT

As you wish(ed), listeners, it’s time to unpack The Princess Bride. Alli and her guest focus on the 1973 novel by William Goldman but bring in lots of context from the cult classic movie, as well. Adventures, unreasonable beauty standards, metanarratives, beloved characters, and iconic lines abound!

Georgia Clark is an award-winning, six-times published novelist and performer. She’s the author of Island Time, It Had to Be You, The Regulars, The Bucket List, and others. Her latest novel, Most Wonderful, is now out and ready to claim its spot on your holiday season TBR. Follow Georgia on Instagram @georgialouclark.

CHECK OUT GEORGIA’S BOOKS:

CHECK OUT GEORGIA’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

All Fours by Miranda July

Whoever You Are, Honey by Olivia Gatwood

The Prospects by Kt Hoffman

Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London

MORE READING:

“Book Review: The Princess Bride by William Goldman” (Lara’s Wanderings, 2020)

“The Princess Bride: We love the book and the film” (Fantasy Literature)

“The Princess Bride at 50” (Quillette, 2023)

“Book Review — The Princess Bride by William Goldman” (Muse With Me, 2018)

“The Princess Bride: The ‘Good Parts’” (Out of the Box, 2017)

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Episode 298: Tiger Eyes (with Courtney Preiss)

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 06:00:37 GMT

Almost seven years into SSR, we’ve covered almost all of Judy Blume’s kid lit masterpieces. On Episode 298, Alli and her guest dive into a Blume novel that feels like something of an outlier: Tiger Eyes, which was published in 1981. In it, Judy takes a darker tone, exploring matters of violence, loss, hypocrisy, and mental health. Tune in to learn more about how Tiger Eyes stands apart from the rest of Blume’s beloved backlist and what makes it special.

TW: infertility, gun violence, substance abuse, anxiety, depression

Courtney Preiss is the author of Welcome Home, Caroline Kline. Follow her on Instagram @cocogolightly.

CHECK OUT COURTNEY’S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT COURTNEY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

MORE READING:

“Life in Books: Tiger Eyes” (Much Madness is Divinest Sense, 2010)

“Judy Blume Hits The Big Screen With Tiger Eyes Adaptation” (NPR, 2013)

“Tiger Eyes: Judy Blume’s book and its film adaptation” (American Indians in Children’s Literature, 2012)

“Willa Holland Tells Us All About Starring in the Judy Blume Flick Tiger Eyes” (Teen Vogue, 2013)

“Judy Blume on the Tiger Eyes Film, What She’s Reading, and Why Moms Can’t Get Their Daughters to Read Her Books” (Vanity Fair, 2013)

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Episode 297: Looking for Alaska (with Alissa DeRogatis)

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:00:50 GMT

At long last, it's John Green time! Episode 297 unpacks Looking for Alaska, the YA superstar's award-winning debut novel. Conversations range from manic pixie dream girls and the male gaze to addiction and the problematic language that made Alli and her guest cringe in 2024.

TW: suicide, addiction, parental loss

Alissa DeRogatis is the author of Call It What You Want. Subscribe to her Substack newsletter

Probably Oversharing and follow her on Instagram @alissaderogatis.

CHECK OUT ALISSA’S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT ALISSA’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

OTHER BOOK SHOUTOUTS:

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

MORE READING:

“Looking for Alaska” (Kirkus, 2005)

“Book Nook: Looking for Alaska” (Shorewood Ripples, 2022)

“Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green” (Of Whiskey and Words)

“Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green” (A Paper Arrow, 2019)

“Looking for Alaska by John Green — review” (The Guardian, 2013)

“Looking for Alaska” (School Library Journal, 2005)

“Book Review for Teens: John Green Looking for Alaska” (Your Teen, 2014)

“Book Review: Looking for Alaska” (Sara du Jour, 2014)

“How Hulu’s Looking for Alaska Updates John Green’s Book for a New Generation” (Time, 2019)

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Episode 296: Ramona the Brave (with Jessie Rosen)

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:55:57 GMT

You already know that Ramona Quimby is curious, precocious, hilarious, and bold... but now she gets to be brave, too. On Episode 296, Alli and her guest take a close look at the third book in Beverly Cleary's beloved Ramona series, Ramona the Brave. There's classroom enemies, feminism, craft projects, scary new bedrooms, and big moments of self-esteem. What more could you want?

Jessie Rosen is a writer, producer, educator, and speaker. Her novel The Heirloom is available wherever books are sold. Follow Jessie on Instagram @jessierosenwriter.

CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS RAMONA EPISODES:

Episode 18: Beezus and Ramona (with Penny Luksic)

Episode 253: Ramona the Pest (with Kara Alloway)

CHECK OUT JESSIE’S BOOK HERE!

CHECK OUT JESSIE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg

MORE READING:

“Beverly Cleary Made It OK To Be A Ramona In A World Of Susans” (BuzzFeed News, 2021)

“How Ramona Quimby Helps Kids Make Sense of This Unstable World” (Literary Hub, 2019)

“Ramona the Brave” (Kirkus, 1975)

“Book Review: Ramona the Brave” (A Journey of Words, 2023)

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**Please note that the Bookshop.org links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links. Please do not feel inclined to purchase unless you are excited to add these books to your TBR list!**

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Episode 295: WTF #4 | WTF Is My Sign... And What Does It Mean?

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Abby and Alli welcome their first-ever guest to the WriTing Friends series for a conversation about the publishing process, astrology, and everything in between.

Carinn Jade is the co-host of Pop Fiction Women and the author of The Astrology House. Follow her on Instagram @carinnjade.

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Episode 294: Someone Like You

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Longtime listeners know that Sarah Dessen books always, always bring the spice and juicy discussion to the podcast. This episode is no exception as Alli and her guest dish about 1998's Someone Like You. The book tackles a lot of issues—and we try to do the same on today's show. Topics include bad boyfriends, intense friendships, losing your virginity, teen pregnancy, and tension between kids and parents.

Aurora Palit's debut novel Sunshine and Spice is now available wherever books are sold. Follow her on Instagram @aurorapalit.

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Episode 293: The Wanderer

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Jump aboard Episode 293 for a transatlantic voyage on the gorgeous writing of kid lit GOAT, Sharon Creech. This week, it's all about her 2000 Newbery Honor winner, The Wanderer, and the big thinking it inspires. Alli and her guest dive into discussions of trauma, accidental feminism, real-world fantasy, diary-style writing, and so much more.

Charlee Dyroff is the author of Loneliness & Company. Follow her on Instagram @charleedyroff.

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Episode 292: Mary Anne Saves the Day (Baby-Sitters Club #4)

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Join Alli and her guest for a trip to one of our favorite settings: Stonybrook, Connecticut—home of the Baby-Sitters Club. This time, the discussion focuses on the fourth book in Ann M. Martin's beloved series, Mary Anne Saves the Day, which is a critical text in the BSC cinematic universe. Tune in to Episode 292 to hear us talk about Mary Anne's day-saving efforts, as well as conflict resolution, crisis situations before cell phones, the big Dawn intro, messages about bodies and beauty, found family, and (as always) so much more.

Afoma Eme-Umesi is a writer, voracious reader, and the founder of Reading Middle Grade, a website dedicated to sharing books for middle grade readers. Afoma loves contemporary realistic fiction and will never say no to a graphic novel. Follow her on Instagram @whatafomareads, check out Reading Middle Grade's Patreon, and sign up for her newsletter.

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Episode 291: Mockingjay

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 06:00:00 GMT

At long last, we tackle the final book in the original Hunger Games trilogy: Mockingjay. This is a heavy book, so there's lots to get into in this episode: cycles of violence, the consequences of war, what it means to be a symbol, PTSD, and plenty of moral ambiguity. And it wouldn't be a Hunger Games episode (of course) without a Team Gale vs. Team Peeta debate—and this one gets especially spicy!

TW: suicide, PTSD, trauma

E.B. Asher is the pen name for the writing trio of Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegemund-Broka, all of whom have written many books under their own names. This Will Be Fun is their debut novel under the E.B. Asher pseudonym. Follow their work on Instagram @eb_asher.

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Episode 290: WTF #3 | (Main) Character Energy

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to SSR: WriTing Friends! This time around, Alli and Abby are digging a little deeper into one of their favorite elements of the writing process: creating characters. They discuss what inspires their characters, how they create nuanced fictional people, and what it's like to find compassion for antagonists. They also consider the challenges that come with being more drawn to characters than plot and how much their characters resemble themselves.

Follow Abby on Instagram @shmab and @abookwolfe.

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Episode 289: Alone in the Crowd (Sweet Valley High #28)

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

It’s been too long since we paid a visit to Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield in good old Sweet Valley, California. Let’s fix that! Episode 289 covers the twenty-eighth installment in Francine Pascal’s beloved series, Alone in the Crowd, a book that explores insecurity, songwriting, the complicated nature of mother/daughter relationships, and rocking chair fundraisers. Alli and her guest find much to clown on here and it’s a truly excellent time.

TW: suicide

One of Alli’s all-time favorite authors is on the pod today! Claire Lombardo is the New York Times bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had—a Reese’s Book Club pick—and Same As It Ever Was. She’s taught at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and works part-time as a bookseller at Prairie Lights. Follow her on Instagram @claire_lombardo.

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BONUS EPISODE: All About Judy Blume!

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

This special bonus episode features Rachelle Bergstein, author of the new book The Genius of Judy. In it, Alli and Rachelle cover all things related to SSR queen JUDY BLUME! They chat about Judy's journey to publication, the process of researching her career, their favorite (and maybe least favorite) Judy books, the Blume legacy, feminism, book bans, and more.

Rachelle Bergstein is also the author of Women from the Ankle Down and Brilliance and Fire. Follow her on Instagram @rachellewb.

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Episode 288: The New Girl (Fear Street #1)

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

This week, SSR gets a jump on Halloween festivities with a long overdue trip to R.L. Stine’s Fear Street. Specifically, Episode 288 is all about the first title in the series, The New Girl, in which a lovesick teenager falls for a villain disguised as a manic pixie dream girl. The book takes us into conversations about the horror genre as a whole, stranger danger, friend zoning, missing adults, men’s gymnastics, teen hormones, and more.

TW: potential abuse, dead animals

Claire Kann is the author of several novels—most recently, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places. She’s an award-winning online storyteller whose favorite stories are the kind about everyday life with just a touch of supernatural in the details. Follow her on Instagram @kannclaire.

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Episode 287: Fearless

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Colleen McKeegan returns this week to celebrate another book hitting the shelves and to unpack another one of her favorite summer reads from childhood. This time, it's Fearless by Francine Pascal (RIP!)—the first title in a series of the same name that explores the nature of fear, social anxiety, vigilantism, and (of course) the dramas of teenage romance. Alli and Colleen also chat about power dynamics, New York fantasies, Sweet Valley similarities and differences, and more.

Colleen McKeegan is the author of Rip Tide and The Wild One. Follow her on Instagram (@clmckeegan).

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Episode 286: WTF #2 | Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsing or Plotting

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

On the second installment of our SSR: WriTing Friends series, Alli and Abby focus on the writing process: plotting, pantsing, and everything in between. They talk about their own approaches to writing fiction, how those approaches might continue to evolve over time, how we learn from characters, the importance of maintaining forward motion in our work, killing our darlings, and more. Abby also shares a milestone moment in her writing journey.

Follow Abby on Instagram @shmab and @abookwolfe.

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Episode 285: How to Eat Fried Worms

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Let's talk about How to Eat Fried Worms! Thomas Rockwell's 1973 book has never been out-of-print, which is a pretty big deal. On Episode 285, Alli and her guest discuss this little morsel of a novel that really is as simple as its title. They talk about gendered book marketing, how the book might be different in 2024, banned books, betting in childhood, and the expectation for morality lessons in kid lit.

Morgan Matson is a New York Times bestselling author of books for teen and tween readers. Her latest releases are The Ballad of Darcy and Russell and The Firefly Summer in paperback. Follow her on Instagram (@morgamat).

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Episode 284: Uglies

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 06:00:00 GMT

By popular demand, we are finally covering Scott Westerfeld's Uglies! Alli and her guests talk about the book's unique place in the broader dystopian genre, consider its lack of diversity, and analyze the many messages it sends about everything from body image and aging to beauty standards and friendship.

This week's guests are Neha and Shruti, the co-hosts of The Novel Tea podcast. They bonded over their love of books in middle school, became best friends, and have been reading together ever since. They started their podcast to diversify and deepen their reading lives and to expand what we all think of as "classics." Listen to Novel Tea wherever you find your favorite pods and follow the show on Instagram (@thenoveltea.pod).

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Episode 283: Franny and Zooey

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 GMT

This week, SSR takes it all the way back to 1961 for a discussion about a classic: J.D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey. Alli and her guest talk about the book’s publishing history and deep dive into its content: insufferable men, existential dread, the nature of wisdom, quarter-life crises, and emotional states best shared via AIM away message.

TW: suicide, depression

Sheila is the author of the novels The Goddess Effect and Friends in Napa, which Mindy Kaling called “smart and wildly entertaining… like drinking a glass of wine with an endlessly witty, scandalous friend.” Her work has appeared in many publications, including Vogue, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. Sheila lives in Los Angeles with her husband and you can follow her on Instagram @sheilaym.

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Episode 282: WTF #1 | Getting to Know You

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:51:29 GMT

Welcome to the first episode of SSR: WriTing Friends! This new monthly series—co-hosted by Abby Wolfe—is a fun look at the writing process from multiple perspectives and stops along the way. Broadly speaking, our goal with WTF is to make the writing process transparent at every stage and to further connect readers and writers in this community and beyond.

In this inaugural episode, Abby shares more about herself and her writing life with listeners! Alli and Abby also talk more about their vision for WTF going forward, their thoughts on genre, and Alli’s DNF era.

Follow Abby on Instagram @shmab and @abookwolfe.

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Episode 281: A Journey to the New World (Dear America)

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Timed appropriately (and accidentally) with the 4th of July holiday, Episode 281 is a return to the beloved Dear America series! This time, Alli and her guest tag along on a frankly miserable journey on the Mayflower with Remember Patience Whipple in 1620. The book is A Journey to the New World and it was written by Kathryn Lasky and published in 1996. Former Scholastic book fair fans will especially enjoy this walk (cruise?) down memory lane in spite of its many sad moments.

TW: suicide, depression, grief, loss of a parent

Olivia Muenter is a writer, reader, and a co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Her first novel Such a Bad Influence is available wherever books are sold. In her free time, you can find her working on her old house in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and her dog. Follow her on Instagram @oliviamuenter.

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Episode 280: Keep Out, Claudia! (Baby-Sitters Club #56)

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:00:00 GMT

For the first time this year, we’re back to Stoney Brook with our favorite sitters! The fifty-sixth book in the series explores blatant racism… while the girls produce a musical with their young charges. There’s a lot going on! Episode 280 breaks down the way race and racism are portrayed in Ann M. Martin’s fictional world, looking closely at which sitters bear the brunt of the responsibility for explaining prejudice, if the author does a disservice to other sitters by making them so naive, and what young readers can learn from stories like Keep Out, Claudia!

Melissa Mogollon holds an MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a BA from the George Washington University. Originally from Colombia and raised in Florida, she now teaches at a boarding school in Rhode Island, where she lives with her partner and dog. She is passionate about education, youth empowerment, Rihanna, and ceviche. Oye is her first novel. Follow her on Instagram (@melissamogollonwriter).

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Episode 279: The Tale of Despereaux

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Like the book at its center, Episode 279 will feel like a warm hug! Kate is back, this week to discuss the Newbery Medal-winning The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. The conversation covers everything from dysfunctional families and empathy to fairy tale tropes and the author's origin story.

Kate Czyzewski is an educator turned bookstore manager and event coordinator at Thunder Road Books in Spring Lake, NJ. Follow her @thesaltybookworm.

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Episode 278: Bookseller Q&A

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a bookseller at an independent bookstore? Kate from Thunder Road Books in Spring Lake, NJ—who you might also recognize as @thesaltybookworm—is on SSR to answer all of your questions! Kate tells us…

* How she transitioned from being a teacher to a bookseller

* How the team chooses backlist titles to stock in the store

* How she comes up with the perfect recommendations for customers

* What she does when she doesn’t know anything about (or like!) a book requested by a customer

* The throwback reads young bookworms still request in the store

* Her favorite and least favorite parts of the job

* What it’s like to plan author events

… and so much more! Kate also shares a summer reading preview!

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Episode 277: The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 06:00:00 GMT

If you’ve been missing SSR’s signature approach to the literary throwbacks of your teen and tween years, the wait is over! Episode 277 marks our official return to the pod’s usual format—and this time, it’s all about Gail Carson Levine’s The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Published in 2001, the book is a story of bravery and sisterhood, and it creates space for conversations about so many of our favorite tropes from kid lit of the early aughts. Alli and her guest also explore the connection between fairy retellings (like Gail Carson Levine’s work, including Ella Enchanted) and the wildly popular romantasy trend of 2024 (think Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses).

Chelsey Feder of @chelseyreads, Novel Pairings, and The Eclectic Reader is back for a record-breaking FOURTH appearance!

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Episode 276: Welcome Back!

Tue, 28 May 2024 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is back after Alli’s maternity leave! We’ll be back to discuss a new literary throwback next week, but we’re kicking things off (again!) with a little catch-up session. Chelsey Feder of @chelseyreads and Novel Pairings plays co-host to help bring the SSR community up to speed on what’s been happening since you last tuned into the podcast.

Alli and Chelsey discuss two major developments in Alli’s life, as well as what her reading routine has looked like recently. You’ll also hear more about what to expect from this new chapter of SSR.

Big thanks to Chelsey for joining as co-host for this special episode… and to all of YOU for your patience and support!

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Episode 275: Listenersode 2023!

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Thanks to all of the listeners who participated in this year’s crowd-sourced episode: Abby, Diane, Julia, Holly, Kat, Shira, and Tracey.

Tune in to hear them answer questions about their favorite childhood reading, times when they disagreed with the podcast, book recommendations for 2024, and more!

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Episode 274: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

For the final book episode of 2023, Alli and her guest turn their attention to a real classic: Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It’s the first time reading the 1943 semi-autobiographical novel for both of them… and there’s a lot to discuss in this hefty volume! Topics of conversation include imperfect adults, the importance of education, pragmatism vs. idealism, the evolution of our language around mental health, financial insecurity, red flags, anti-Semitism, and how they might have experienced a book like this had they read it as children.

TW: addiction, death of a parent, infant loss

Ore Agbaje-Williams is the author of The Three of Us. Follow her on Instagram (@oreawilliams).

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Episode 273: Among the Hidden

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

At long last, Alli and her guest turn their attention to a book that’s been requested many times by listeners: Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Among the Hidden. The first installment in the Shadow Children series, Among the Hidden explores the consequences of a totalitarian government taking extreme measures to combat (alleged) overpopulation. Episode 273 covers everything from reproductive rights and propaganda to the history of dystopian literature and different types of activism.

Claire Ahn is the author of I Guess I Live Here Now. Follow her on Instagram (@cuhlaireahn).

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Episode 272: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

With New Reads November 2023 behind us, we’re back to throwbacks, starting with Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. Alli’s guest recently read the 1970 novel with her own children… and she has thoughts. Episode 272 features conversations about gender representation, fatphobia, the power of illustrations, violence, and the glorification of stealing.

Bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto is known for a number of books, including Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Dial A for Aunties, and The Obsession. Her latest YA novel is called Didn’t See That Coming. Follow her on Instagram (@jesseqsutanto) and Twitter (@thewritinghippo).

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Episode 271: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute (New Reads November)

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the grand finale of SSR’s New Reads November 2023… and the perfect time to discuss Talia Hibbert’s YA debut, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. With a trio of fantastic guests, Alli gets into the details of the book’s plot and pays special attention to OCD representation, outdoorsy scholarship experiences, romance tropes, and the extent to which there are two sides to every story.

Thanks to Brittany (@britsgotbooks), Cait (@whatcaitreads), and Shira (@shira243) for being part of this first-ever Patreon episode of the podcast! Join the Patreon family to get in on the fun HERE.

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Episode 270: Throwback (New Reads November)

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Week 3 of New Reads November takes a very close, very fun look at Maurene Goo’s Throwback. The book inspires conversations about everything from the complicated nature of mother/daughter relationships and empathy between generations to high school homecoming experiences and the tension between conformity and standing out. Alli and her guest also consider who Throwback is meant for and discuss the book’s origin story.

Becca Freeman is the author of The Christmas Orphans Club and co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Follow her on Instagram (@beccamfreeman).

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Episode 269: Their Vicious Games (New Reads November)

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Week 2 of New Reads November 2023 is all about Joelle Wellington’s Their Vicious Games. The book feels like a real return to the heyday of YA, with the addition of organic, fresh threads about class, race, and privilege. On Episode 269, Alli and her guest do plenty of fangirling over the book and discuss concepts like performative allyship, white saviorism, satire, and more.

Erin La Rosa is the author of For Butter or Worse and Plot Twist. Follow her on Instagram (@erinlarosalit) and Twitter (@erinlarosalit).

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Episode 268: Friday I'm in Love (New Reads November)

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

New Reads November is BACK for a SIXTH year!

This time around, we get things rolling with a conversation about Camryn Garrett’s Friday I’m in Love, which was published in January 2023. The book inspires conversations about “coming out narratives,” casual racism, self-aware narrators, the subversion of tropes about sweet sixteens, and the pressures that many teens experience. Alli’s guest also takes her behind-the-scenes of how he writes for the YA audience!

Eliot Schrefer is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of books for young people, including his latest, Charming Young Man. Follow him on Instagram (@schrefer) and Twitter (@EliotSchrefer).

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BONUS EPISODE: Behind-the-Scenes of Bookish Content Creation + Maternity Leave Plans

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On this special bonus episode, Alli is joined by Sara Hildreth of Fiction Matters and the Novel Pairings podcast! As she prepares to take a brief podcast maternity leave in early 2024, Alli looks to Sara for advice on how to manage a pause in sharing content with her community. They take you behind-the-scenes of the business of podcasting, Patreon, Substack, and more!

Follow Sara on Instagram (@fictionmatters).

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Episode 267: Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery (American Girl Mysteries)

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Listener favorites Allison and Mary from Dolls of Our Lives are BACK for Episode 267! This time around, they join Alli to discuss Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery, a 2005 installment in the American Girl Mysteries series that was written by Kathleen Ernst. They talk broadly about Kit’s storyline and the AG mysteries as an offshoot of the rest of the American Girl series. In the context of Danger at the Zoo, they also chat about kid journalism, the Depression, the history of the word “hobo,” and more.

Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney are the co-hosts of the Dolls of Our Lives podcast and the authors of Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl. Follow the podcast on Instagram (@dollsofourlivespodcast) and Twitter (@DollsLivesPod).

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Episode 266: Fall 2023 Q+A!

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On this special episode, Alli answers listener questions about…

* How she handles tricky situations with podcast guests
* Whether she would rather deal with a boring book or a boring guest
* The books she’s most excited to share with Baby K
* The best marriage advice she’s ever received
* The books that are still on her podcast wish list
* Her current thoughts on Bethenny Frankel
* How to get started with writing fiction

… and so much more!

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Episode 265: Fifteen

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 265, Alli and her guest explore a new side of all-time kid lit rock star Beverly Cleary — a more ~mature~ side! This week, the focus is one of Cleary’s books for teen readers, Fifteen. The conversation covers everything from awkward first date moments and ‘50s crush etiquette to class undercurrents and the importance of confidence. Alli and her guest also unpack a hard-to-read scene set in a Chinese restaurant.

Alison Rose Greenberg is the author of Bad Luck Bridesmaid and Maybe Once, Maybe Twice. Follow her on Instagram (@alison.greenberg) and Twitter (@alisongreenberg).

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Episode 264: Because I'm Worth It (Gossip Girl #4)

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Let’s get back to the Upper East Side, listeners! Episode 264 explores the fourth book in the bestselling Gossip Girl series, Because I’m Worth It. Alli and her guest consider the specific place that Gossip Girl occupies in their shared millennial pop culture history and talk through some especially disturbing parts of the book.

Jamie Lilac is the author of Bellegarde. Follow her on Instagram (@jamie_lilac).

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Episode 263: First Test (Protector of the Small #1)

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 263, Alli’s guest walks her through the first installment of one of her all-time favorite series: Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small. They discuss the ins and outs of First Test, as well as why the book has meant so much to the guest over the years. They also talk about toxic masculinity, the importance of quiet good deeds, protagonists who can work through their fears, and the significance of the First Test heroine’s choice to wear a dress during her knight training.

Huda Fahmy’s latest graphic novel Huda F Are You? joins Huda F Cares and That Can Be Arranged on shelves. Follow her on Instagram (@yesimhotinthis) and Twitter (@yesimhotinthis).

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Episode 262: New Moon

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Five years after our first foray into the world of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, SSR finally returns to the Twilight universe. At long last, Alli and her guest take a look at 2006’s New Moon, the book that gave Team Jacob Twihards their moment in the spotlight. Tune in for conversations about mental health, toxic relationships, and more, along with a moment for the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate.

Emma Noyes is the author of The Sunken City, The Fallen Witch, and the forthcoming Guy’s Girl. Follow her on Instagram (@emmanoyesmaybe).

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Episode 261: All-of-a-Kind Family

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 06:00:00 GMT

At long last, Episode 261 dives into the oft-requested All-of-a-Kind Family, the 1951 novel by Sydney Taylor that represented an important step for Jewish representation. Conversation topics range from model minorities and fatphobia to Jewish holidays and shocking romantic twists.

Taleen Voskuni is the author of Sorry, Bro. Follow her on Instagram (@taleenauthor) and Twitter (@taleenvoskuni).

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Episode 260: It's Not the End of the World

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Let’s have a Judy Blume moment, shall we? Episode 260 takes a close look at the iconic author’s 1972 “divorce book,” It’s Not the End of the World. Alli and her guest discuss the ways in which our conversations with kids about divorce have changed… but also the ways they’ve stayed the same! They also talk about the emotional immaturity of the adults in the book, kid psychology, imperfect parents, and the importance of centering children’s feelings.

TW: markers for domestic abuse

Laura Taylor Namey is the New York Times and international bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, The Library of Lost Things, When We Were Them, and the forthcoming A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak. Follow her on Instagram (@laura_namey).

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Episode 259: The Secret Garden

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 259 centers around The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett! Originally published in 1911, this is one of the oldest books covered on the podcast yet, making it a unique case for discussion. Alli and her guest talk about the notion of “classics” as a whole, as well as colonialism, disability, manifestation, the supernatural, unlikable kid protagonists, and mind-over-matter approaches to health.

Genevieve Wheeler is the author of Adelaide. Follow her on Instagram (@geewheeler).

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Episode 258: Surprise Island (The Boxcar Children #2)

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 06:00:00 GMT

For the first time in YEARS, SSR once again takes on Gertrude Chandler Warner’s beloved Boxcar Children series. Episode 258 is all about the second installment, Surprise Island… and the biggest surprise of all might just be that it’s a pretty quiet story! All aboard for the discussion about the general appeal of the Boxcar Children, gender roles, what makes a mystery, domestic fantasy, wish fulfillment, and more.

Andrea Bartz is an essayist, journalist, and the New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, We Were Never Here, and The Spare Room. Follow her on Instagram (@andibartz) and Twitter (@andibartz).

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Episode 257: Jessi and the Jewel Thieves (Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #8)

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Tune in for a special announcement in the episode intro!

Get ready to investigate, listeners, because we’re revisiting the Baby-Sitters Club Mystery spin-off series. Episode 257 is all about Jessi and the Jewel Thieves, in which BSC junior officer Jessi Ramsey takes a trip to the Big Apple, plans to break-up with her long-distance BF, and somehow manages to get involved in what she *thinks* is a brewing plot to steal some high-value gems. Alli and her guest begin with a big-picture conversation about the Baby-Sitters Club and then chat about the particulars of this installment in all its endearing chaos.

Danielle Jackson is the author of The Accidental Pinup and Accidentally in Love. Follow her on Twitter (@DJacksonBooks) and Instagram (@djacksonbooks).

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Episode 256: Choose Your Own Adventure

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 256, Alli and her guest cover not just one throwback read, but a whole series of them! Adventurers and decisive bookworms, this one’s for you, because it’s time to take a walk down memory lane to chat about the Choose Your Own Adventure series. This episode offers lots of insight into the history of these books, along with why so many kids love them and what they teach us about making choices.

Sara Desai is the author of diverse romantic comedies, including The Singles Table, The Dating Plan, The Marriage Game, and To Have and to Heist. Follow her on Instagram (@saradesaiwrites) and Twitter (@saradesaiwrites).

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Episode 255: Cheaper By the Dozen

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 255, Alli and her guest consider Frank B. Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey’s Cheaper By the Dozen… and it’s absolutely nothing like the romp of a Steve Martin movie you remember from your childhood. Instead, the book that inspired the movie(s) opens up conversations about the problematic nature of efficiency experts, narcissism, the Duggars, corporal punishment, and extremely toxic masculinity. You don’t want to miss this thoughtful, thorough discussion!

Jake Maia Arlow is the author of Almost Flying, How to Excavate A Heart, and The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet. Follow them on Instagram (@jakewhosasillygoose).

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Episode 254: The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events #5)

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Buckle up for some real darkness this week, listeners, because we’re heading back to the world of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events! Episode 254 is all about the fifth installment in the series, The Austere Academy, in which the Baudelaire orphans are dropped off at an absurdly horrendous boarding school. Join Alli and her guest as they unpack the appeal of Snicket’s work and chat about what makes this particular book an especially fun read.

Noelle Crooks is the author of Under the Influence. Follow her on Instagram (@noellecrooks).

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Episode 253: Ramona the Pest

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Join us on Episode 253 for a nostalgic journey back to Beverly Cleary’s Klickitat Street, more specifically, a discussion about the 1968 classic Ramona the Pest. Alli and her guest discuss their favorite Ramona-isms, fangirl over this self-aware young heroine, and chat about the many things that Cleary gets so incredibly right about childhood.

Kara Alloway’s debut novel Most Hated is now available! Follow her on Instagram (@karaalloway) and Twitter (@karaalloway).

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Episode 252: Amelia's Notebook

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Grab your favorite pens, markers, and stickers and prepare to jump back into the pages of Amelia’s Notebook! Listen to Episode 252 for a cozy, nostalgic visit back to the days of handwritten documentation and old school creativity. It’s a super fun ride that features discussions about likability, sass, jelly roll noses, and more.

Mikki Hernandez is an actress, voiceover artist, and the author of Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients. Check out her blog MixedKids&Co and follow her on Instagram (@momikki | @mixedkidsco) for more.

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Episode 251: Beautiful Creatures

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is BACK from summer break and jumping right into a conversation about 2009’s Beautiful Creatures, a southern gothic novel that explores witchcraft, first love, and teen angst. Tune in to hear Alli and her guest discuss everything from revisionist history and slut shaming to the “not like other girls” trope and iPods. They also discuss one major question: is this book *too* long?

Joelle Wellington is the author of Their Vicious Games. Follow her on Instagram (@jowellington) and Twitter (@joelle_welling).

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Episode 250: Hope Was Here

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Five years of the podcast and 250 episodes… it’s a big week! And what better way to celebrate than by revisiting one of Alli’s deep cut childhood favorites, Joan Bauer’s Hope Was Here? Join the party as Alli and her guest take a sweet walk down memory lane with the help of this Newbery Honor book, covering topics ranging from Gilmore Girls parallels and the glamorization of working in food service to found family and political organizing.

Bridget Morrissey is the author of That Summer Feeling, A Thousand Miles, Love Scenes, When the Light Went Out, and What You Left Me. Follow her on Instagram (@bridgetjmorrissey) and Twitter (@bridgemorrissey).

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Episode 249: Six Months to Live

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 06:00:00 GMT

The subject matter of Episode 249 is HEAVY because it mirrors the equally heavy subject matter of Lurlene McDaniel’s long career in YA “sick lit.” More specifically, Alli and her guest chat about Six Months to Live, the 1985 novel that began the Dawn Rochelle series. In it, seventh grader Dawn is diagnosed with cancer and forced to completely reorder her life accordingly. They discuss the draw of books like this for kids, the formula Lurlene McDaniel devised, tropes about grief and dying, evolution in tragic YA, representation, and more.

Kelly Loy Gilbert is the author of Conviction, Picture Us in the Light, When We Were Infinite, and Everyone Wants to Know. Follow her on Instagram (@kellyloygilbert) and Twitter (@KellyLoyGilbert).

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Episode 248: Dawn (California Diaries)

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:00:00 GMT

The SSR Podcast has spent no shortage of time on Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club and their idyllic life in Stonybrook, Connecticut… but what happens when we take one member of the BSC to the west coast? Well, you get the California Diaries series. On Episode 248, Alli and her guest discuss the first installment of that series, Dawn. Their conversation touches on shifting friendships, maturity gaps, the adult drama they wanted more of, queer coding, hazing, hilarious titles, and what they loved about Dawn’s voice on the page.

Rachel Koller Croft is a WGA Award-nominated screenwriter and the author of Stone Cold Fox. She lives by the beach with her husband, Charles, and their rescue pitbull, Juniper. Follow her on Instagram (@rachkollercroft).

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Episode 247: Bloomability

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 247, Alli finally gets the chance to revisit a book that’s been at the top of her personal SSR wish list for years: Bloomability by Sharon Creech. With the help of her guest, Alli follows main character Dinnie on a journey from her nomadic life in the U.S. to a Swiss boarding school, where she makes new friends, is forced to see her family back home in a new way, and learns more about herself. The book opens up conversations about everything from family dysfunction and dream journals to culture shock and belonging.

Kaitlyn Hill is the author of Love from Scratch and Not Here to Stay Friends. Follow her on Instagram (@thekaitlynhill) and Twitter (@thekaitlynhill).

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Episode 246: And Then There Were None

Tue, 30 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 246 takes a sweeping look at the mystery genre and Agatha Christie, paying special attention to a book that has made many a teenager a mystery fan over the last decades: And Then There Were None. Alli and her guests — whose recent work was inspired by Agatha Christie — talk about reading and writing mysteries. They also discuss the racist legacy of And Then There Were None, their favorite characters from the book, the standards its set for mysteries, and why we should give teens more credit.

Kathleen Glasgow is the author of Girl in Pieces, How to Make Friends With the Dark, and You’d Be Home Now. She lives and writes in Tucson, Arizona. Follow her on Instagram (@misskathleenglassgow).

Liz Lawson is the author of The Lucky Ones and lives with her family and two very bratty cats. Follow her on Instagram (@lzlwsn).

Together, Kathleen and Liz are the authors of The Agathas and The Night in Question.

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Episode 245: Matched

Tue, 23 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Let’s talk about the eerie world of Ally Condie’s Matched! In it, main character Cassia Reyes anticipates her Match Banquet, during which Officials from the Society in which she lives will dictate her future husband. The Officials are responsible for just about everything in Cassia and her community’s lives… but the events of the Match Banquet kick off a series of events that leave her wondering if they really have her best interests at heart and if she has more choices than she realizes.

On Episode 245, Alli and her guest unpack the world of Matched. They also talk about love triangles, the technology of dystopia, the way we treat older folks in our community, and so much more.

Lauren Kung Jessen is the author of Lunar Love. Follow her on Instagram (@laurenkjessen) and Twitter (@LaurenKJessen) and subscribe to her Substack!

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Episode 244: Princess in the Spotlight

Tue, 16 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT

At long last, the podcast turns its attention back to Mia Thermopolis with a conversation about the second book in Meg Cabot’s beloved Princess Diaries series, Princess in the Spotlight. Alli and her guest cover core reading memories, toxic best friends, secret admirers, the world of AIM, sick days, sex talks, public platforms, and fancy weddings.

India Hill Brown is the author of The Forgotten Girl, The Girl in the Lake, and the soon-to-be-published Rhythm & Muse. Follow her on Instagram (@booksandbighair) and Twitter (@booksandbighair).

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Episode 243: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Tue, 09 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Prepare to swoon, listeners, because Episode 243 is all about sweet summer romance! Alli and her guest gush about Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which they both read for the first time for the show. They reflect about the significance of summers in their own lives and cover everything from the male gaze and tankinis to love interests and fraught mother/daughter relationships.

Grace Chlosta is the bookstagrammer behind @gracesreadingnook and the host of the One Woman Book Club podcast.

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Episode 242: Emily of New Moon

Tue, 02 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 242 is all about L.M. Montgomery’s Emily of New Moon. With the help of her guests, Alli digs into orphan tropes, universalism, atheism, cats as reading buddies, grief, and more. She also auditions to be their friend!

Sadie Carpenter and Gavri’el HaCohen are the hosts of the Leaving Eden Podcast. Follow the show on Instagram (@leavingedenpodcast) and Twitter (@LeavingEdenPod).

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Episode 241: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Is your child talking back? Refusing to bathe? Staying up past their bedtime? Call Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, the star of Betty MacDonald’s 1947 novel Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a series of other books that followed. Alli’s guest on Episode 241 was a major fan of these books when they were growing up, and they’re here to jump into MacDonald’s wacky world all over again. Tune in for discussions about conformity, radishes, fatphobia, negligent dads, childless millennials, and so much more.

Meryl Wilsner is the author of Something to Talk About, Mistakes Were Made, and the forthcoming Cleat Cute. Follow them on Instagram (@merylwilsner) and Twitter (@merylwilsner).

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Episode 240: The Truth About Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club #3)

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Whether you’re looking for lessons in beating your competition in business, being an advocate for your own health, designing a Kid Kit, or simply being the best babysitter (AKA person) in the game, you can find your answers in The Truth About Stacy. The book covers Stacy McGill’s journey to find her voice as her parents seek more support for her diabetes and the BSC’s war against the competing Baby-Sitters Agency (how DARE they?). Alli and her guest share all of their thoughts and feelings!

Rochelle Bilow is a romance and food writer. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute, she’s worked as a baker, a line cook, and the social media manager for Bon Appetit and Cooking Light magazines. Her articles about home cooking, restaurants, food news and trends, spirits, groceries, and products have appeared in a variety of national publications. Rochelle’s memoir — The Call of the Farm — was published in 2014, and her fiction debut Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year hit shelves earlier this year. Follow her on Instagram (@rochellebilow).

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Episode 239: Flowers in the Attic

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 239 takes a close look at the polarizing 1979 novel by V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic. Alli and her guest work through the complicated nature of the discourse around the book and talk about its triggering content, as well as the author’s quirky behavior and incredible talent.

TW: attempted murder, child abuse, child death, incest, poisoning, rape, religion, starvation

Carley Fortune is the New York Times-bestselling author of Every Summer After and the forthcoming Meet Me at the Lake. Follow her on Instagram (@carleyfortune) and Twitter (@CarleyFortune).

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Episode 238: Dear Sister (Sweet Valley High #7)

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:00:00 GMT

There’s never a dull moment in Sweet Valley, California… and there’s never a dull moment on SSR when Alli and her guests dive into the Sweet Valley High series! On Episode 238, book podcasts collide as hosts of Double Love Anna and Karyn join the pod to discuss Dear Sister, the seventh book in Francine Pascal’s series. Tune in to hear conversations about self-awareness (or lack thereof), weird relationships between teens and adults, motorbike accidents, bad parenting, and lots of unhinged behavior from the Wakefields and their pals.

TW: sexual assault, fatphobia, eating disorders

On the Double Love podcast, hosts Anna and Karyn explore the strange and terrifying world of Sweet Valley High, book by book. Find it wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Follow Double Love on Instagram (@svhpodcast) and Twitter (@svhpodcast).

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Episode 237: Baby-Sitters on Board! (Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #1)

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Baby-Sitters Club Super Specials take the standard BSC format and make them even more, well, super… by alternating POVs so readers get takes from all of the club members and taking the gals on bigger and better adventures so they have great stories to tell. Baby-Sitters On Board! was the first installment in this series extension — and it does not disappoint! In it, the Club sets sail on a cruise and then ventures to Disney World, basically living the dream of every kid ever. There are crushes, new friends, treasure maps, and, of course, baby-sitting. On Episode 137, Alli and her guest discuss the book as a whole. Guest Sara Shepard also reflects on the ways in which it may have inspired her own writing career!

Sara Shepard is the author of bestselling, iconic series for teens, including Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, and The Perfectionists. Her new book — Wait for Me — is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@saracshepard) and Twitter (@sarabooks).

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Episode 236: Catching Fire

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Published in 2013, Catching Fire was the follow-up to Suzanne Collins’s wildly popular The Hunger Games… and on Episode 236, we’re back in the proverbial arena to discuss it! Tune in to hear conversations about love triangles, celebrity culture, trauma bonding, PTSD, movement-building, and more. Alli’s guest is an expert in public policy and economic disparity with a unique take on the world and culture of Panem.

Heather McGhee designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. Her award-winning, New York Times-bestselling book The Sum of Us was adapted for young readers in February of 2023. It was also adapted into a podcast by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company. Follow her on Instagram (@heathermcghee) and Twitter (@hmcghee).

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Episode 235: Just a Summer Romance

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Ann M. Martin has written more than just the 100+ titles in the beloved Baby-Sitters Club series. She’s also authored a range of other books, including 1987’s Just a Summer Romance, a book that inspires lots of juicy conversation on Episode 235 . On this episode, Alli and her guest cover all kinds of ground, including the maturity of teen characters, meet cutes, dating red flags, celebrity love stories, diet culture, and pre-social media nostalgia.

Falon Ballard is the author of Lease on Love and Just My Type. Follow her on Instagram (@falonballard) and Twitter (@FalonBallard).

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Episode 234: Blubber

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

In one word, Episode 234 is ICONIC. It brings together YA superstar Meg Cabot with a book written by our queen Judy Blume, Blubber. Meg shares her love for and personal connection with this complicated book, which offers a unique, real take on bullying. She and Alli talk about queen bees, banned books, fatphobia, diet culture, and more.

TW: fatphobia, racism, bullying, abuse

Meg Cabot is the author of beloved, award-winning books, including the Princess Diaries series, the Mediator series, the Heather Wells Mystery series, and Avalon High. The Quarantine Princess Diaries hits shelves in March 2023. Follow Meg on Instagram (@officialmegcabot) and Twitter (@megcabot).

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Episode 233: Going Bovine

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

On this episode, author Carlyn Greenwald joins Alli to discuss one of the weirdest books they’ve ever read: Libba Bray’s Going Bovine. They talk about the novel as a 2009 time capsule and consider why bizarre stories like this one are so captivating for readers. Other discussion topics include road trip narratives, existentialism, OCD representation, unlikable characters, drug use, and toxic positivity.

Carlyn Greenwald is the author of two forthcoming novels: Sizzle Reel and Time Out, which she co-authored with Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner. Follow her on Instagram (@carlyn_gee) and Twitter (@CarlynGreenwald).

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Episode 232: The Broccoli Tapes

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 232, Alli and her guest attempt to analyze her bizarrely vivid memory of Jan Slepian’s The Broccoli Tapes. They discuss loneliness, death, different kinds of grief, the main character’s sexual awakening, and the book’s bizarre racial undertones. They compare and contrast the multiple covers of The Broccoli Tapes and consider the deeper questions Slepian explores about love and loss.

TW: death, abuse

Nikki Payne is the author of Jane Austen remixes, including Pride and Protest. Follow her on Instagram (@nikkipaynebooks) and Twitter (@NikkiPayneBooks).

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Episode 231: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

If you thought we’d made it through all of Judy Blume’s iconic kid lit, you thought wrong! As you’ll discover in Episode 231, Alli and her guests still have plenty of gems to enjoy, including Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson, the 1993 follow-up to Just As Long As We’re Together. Like all of Judy’s work for tweens, the novel takes seriously the seemingly silly concerns of tweens and teens: acne, frustration with siblings, being called “too sensitive,” and the pressures of perfectionism. Listen to learn more!

TW: suicide

Kwana Jackson is a USA Today bestselling author, who also writes as K.M. Jackson. Her latest novel is Knot Again and is the second installment in her Real Men Knit series. Follow her on Instagram (@kwanawrites) and Twitter (@KwanaWrites).

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Episode 230: Little House in the Big Woods

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Join Alli and her guest Jo Piazza for a journey back to the Little House in the Big Woods and for a conversation about all things Laura Ingalls! Their discussion centers around the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved series, in which very little happens… but that might just be the point. They consider that possibility, along with the depiction of parenting, corporal punishment, prayer, and special occasions in the book. There’s also a conversation about the larger significance of the Little House series and what we can do with its complicated legacy.

Jo Piazza is the bestselling author of many books, including We Are Not Like Them, Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, How to Be Married, The Knockoff, and the forthcoming You Were Always Mine. You might also recognize her from the podcast space from shows like Under the Influence and Committed. Follow Jo on Instagram (@jopiazzaauthor) and Twitter (@jopiazza).

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Episode 229: Whatever Happened to Janie?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT

It’s been nearly four years since our episode about The Face on the Milk Carton… but we’re finally ready to jump into the next chapter of Janie Johnson’s story! Episode 229 focuses on the second book in Caroline B. Cooney’s beloved series, Whatever Happened to Janie? Conversation topics range from sibling rivalry and victim blaming to the evolution of our collective language around trauma and depictions of sex work.

Caitlin Barasch is the author of A Novel Obsession. Follow her on Instagram (@soembarasched) and Twitter (@CaitlinBarasch).

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Episode 228: The Emerald City of Oz

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 228, join us for another journey to the Land of Oz! This time, our focus is on the seventh book in L. Frank Baum’s series, The Emerald City of Oz. Alli’s guest is a self-professed Oz superfan, so they discuss her special connection to this fictional universe, as well as the unique publishing history associated with this particular book. They swap notes on their favorite scenes, talk about the challenges of reading material meant for kids as an adult, and consider the ways in which Oz collides with the real world.

This week’s guest is Jen DeLuca! The latest installment in her Renaissance Faire romance series — Well Traveled — is now available wherever books are sold. Follow her on Instagram (@jendelucawrites) and Twitter (@jaydee_ell).

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Episode 227: Revenge of the Wannabes (The Clique #3)

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 227, guest Iman Hariri-Kia makes a strong case for Lisi Harrison’s Clique series as social commentary and tween empowerment narrative. She and Alli focus on Book #3 — Revenge of the Wannabes — but also talk about the world of Massie Block and Octavia Country Day more broadly, touching on matters of insecurity, tenderness, and empathy. They also have frank conversations about portrayals of sexualization, objectification, and disordered eating in the book.

Iman Hariri-Kia is an award-winning journalist and the author of A Hundred Other Girls. Follow her on Instagram (@imanharirikia).

TW: disordered eating, body insecurity

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Episode 226: The Trumpet of the Swan

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT

It’s a new year of throwback reads with SSR! This week, Alli and her guests get things started with a cozy conversation about E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan. They discuss what the book has to say about love, ableism, capitalism, difference, the animal kingdom, and more. They also share their very personal connections to the novel!

Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka are the authors of The Roughest Draft and the forthcoming Do I Know You?, along with several novels about romance for teens. Follow Emily (@wibbs_ink) and Austin (@austins_b) on Instagram.

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Episode 225: Listenersode 2022!

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the FOURTH annual SSR Listenersode, featuring bookish and nostalgic insights from our friends Tracey, Rachel, Margaret, and Julia. What a way to wrap up another year of the show!

Thanks to each and every listener for another fantastic year. Wishing you all the health and happiness in 2023 : )

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Episode 224: Wishbone

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

For our final book episode of 2022, we strap on our walking shoes, grab our dog treats, and take a real stroll down memory lane with everyone’s favorite literary canine: Wishbone! Alli and her guests tackle all things Wishbone on-screen and on the page and share their experiences revisiting specific classics as told by this storytelling pup.

Kiley Reid is the author of Such a Fun Age, as well as an assistant professor at University of Michigan. Follow her on Instagram (@kileyreid) and Twitter (@kileyreid).

Megan Angelo is the author of Followers. Follow her on Instagram (@meganangelo) and Twitter (@meganangelo).

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Episode 223: The Midwife's Apprentice

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Karen Cushman’s The Midwife’s Apprentice was published in 1995 and won the Newbery Medal in 1996… which makes it a pretty big deal! The book presents young readers with the grim reality of a lonely, nameless girl living in the Middle Ages who finds some community with a tough local midwife named Jane. It also offers lots of food for thought, even all these years after it hit shelves. On Episode 223, you’ll hear general conversations about The Midwife’s Apprentice, along with more specific ones about fables, misogyny, names, resilience, and the way we read hero’s journeys.

Chloe Liese writes inclusive romances that affirm her belief that everyone deserves a love story, the most recent of which is Two Wrongs Make a Right. Follow her on Instagram (@chloe_liese) and Twitter (@chloe_liese).

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Episode 222: The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

New Reads November is over… and we’re back to our usual throwback reads! This week, the focus is Paula Danziger’s The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, a 1974 novel that explores themes of patriotism, feminism, self-esteem, and body confidence. Tune in to find out what makes it so timeless!

Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times best-selling author. Her novels include The Wedding Date, the Reese’s Book Club selection The Proposal, and By the Book. Follow her on Instagram (@jasminepics) and Twitter (@thebestjasmine).

TW: body shaming, prescription drug abuse, abusive relationships

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Episode 221: See You Yesterday (New Reads November)

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the final episode of New Reads November 2022… and we’re making it a grand finale! Alli and her guest discuss Rachel Lynn Solomon’s See You Yesterday, a time loop that explores trauma, reinvention, the college experience, new love, and more. On Episode 221, you’ll hear conversations about everything from time travel and body insecurity to representation and consent.

Morgan Baden is a YA author and former YA ghostwriter. She has a growing collection of teen magazines and shares them on @teenmagmuseum, and she pairs up iconic Real Housewives quotes with teen books from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s @realhousewivesofYA. Her work includes The Hive and the Scholastic Daphne and Velma series. Follow her on Instagram (@morganbaden) and Twitter (@MorganBaden).

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Episode 220: Anne of West Philly (New Reads November)

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

For Week 4 of New Reads November, Alli and her guest talk about Alli’s first-ever graphic novel: Anne of West Philly. Written by Ivy Noelle Weir and illustrated by Myisha Haynes, Anne of West Philly is a fresh retelling of the classic Anne of Green Gables that casts Anne Shirley as a spunky foster kid who develops a passion for coding while living with the Cuthberts in Philadelphia. Tune in to hear about all things graphic novels, Anne of Green Gables, representations of foster care, and some seriously sweet teachable moments.

Erin Entrada Kelly is the Newbery Medal-winning, bestselling author of books for young readers, including Hello, Universe and We Dream of Space. Her latest work is Surely, Surely Marisol Rainey. Follow her on Instagram (@erinentrada) and Twitter (@erinentrada).

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Episode 219: Ophelia After All (New Reads November)

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Tune in for Week 3 of SSR’s New Reads November 2022, on which Raquel Marie’s Ophelia After All takes center stage! This one is the story of a high school senior who is excited for the prom but decidedly not excited about the prospect of the big changes that are coming her way. When the way she starts to see herself begins to change, too, you know it’s about to get tricky. On this episode, Alli and her guest talk about everything from labels and identity to representation and bigger bodies as portrayed on the page. They also swap stories from their own high school experiences!

Lyssa Kay Adams is the author of the beloved Bromance Book Club series. The latest installment — A Very Merry Bromance — is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@lyssakayadams) and Twitter (@LyssaKayAdams).

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Episode 218: Kings of B'More (New Reads November)

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Week 2 of New Reads November 2022 is all about R. Eric Thomas’s Kings of B’More, a YA novel that celebrates platonic love and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Episode 218 journeys into all kinds of conversational territory, including the importance of books as “empathy engines,” some great fictional parenting moments, our collective understanding of queer love stories, popularity, the outsized nature of teenaged feelings, COVID in literature, and more.

Tracey Livesay is an award-winning author of contemporary interracial romance, including American Royalty. Follow her on Facebook (@TraceyLivesayAuthor), Instagram (@tracey.livesay), and Twitter (@tlivesay).

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Episode 217: Last Night at the Telegraph Club (New Reads November)

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Happy New Reads November 2022!

This year, we kick off our annual exploration of recently-published YA and middle grade with a conversation about Malinda Lo’s Last Night at the Telegraph Club, which has earned about a million awards and deserves every one. Alli and her guest do their fair share of fangirling about the novel and also discuss intersectionality, safe spaces, xenophobia, banned books, the immigrant experience, girls in STEM, microaggressions, and the importance of queer rep.

Lily Chu is the author of romantic comedies set in Toronto with strong Asian characters, including The Stand-In and The Comeback (now available on Audible and soon in-print!). Follow Lily on Instagram (@lilychuauthor) and Twitter (@lilychuauthor).

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Episode 216: L.A. Candy

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 216 takes us back to another time and place — more specifically, to Los Angeles circa 2009. Alli and her guest chat about L.A. Candy, Lauren Conrad’s Y.A. debut and a very obvious attempt to spill *just a little* tea about her time on reality television. They discuss their personal memories of the L.C. era and the changing nature of fame and reality TV. They also speculate about what’s “real” in L.A. Candy and why Lauren (and her co-author) made the decisions she made when developing the story.

Claire Parker is one half of the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast. Follow Claire on Instagram (@clairethescare). Follow the podcast on Instagram (@celebritymemoirbookclub).

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Episode 215: Double Crossing (Nancy Drew & Hardy Boys SuperMystery #1)

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys come together for the crossover Super Mysteries series… and on Episode 215, Alli and her guest come together to discuss its first installment, Double Crossing. They chat about the impossible-to-ignore chemistry between Nancy and Frank Hardy, the murky details of technology and national security as presented in the book, and some of the most harrowing situations we observe in this particular mystery. They also discuss why Nancy endures as a favorite protagonist across so many decades.

Nisha Sharma is the critically acclaimed author of YA and adult contemporary romances, including Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance and Dating Dr. Dil. Follow her on Instagram (@nishawrites) and Twitter (@Nishawrites).

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Episode 214: Can't Stay Away (SVH Senior Year #1)

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 214, Alli and her guest go back to Sweet Valley… but they find it grittier and sassier than you’ve seen it before. In the first book of the SVH Senior Year series Can’t Stay Away, the Wakefields and their classmates adapt to a new normal after their lives are shaken up by a major earthquake. But what happens when Sweet Valley is forced to merge with the student body from El Carro High? One word: drama. Tune in to this episode to hear Alli and Elissa Sussman unpack all of said drama and discuss weird gestures around diversity, bad boy stereotypes, the enemies to lovers trope, slut shaming, Jessica and Elizabeth’s questionable senior year resolutions, misogyny, and this new take on the classic series.

Elissa Sussman is the author of books for teens and adults, including Drawn That Way and Funny You Should Ask. Follow her on Instagram (@elissa_sussman) and Twitter (@ElissaSussman).

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Episode 213: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 213, Alli and her guest explore a newer and also lesser-known throwback, E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. This 2009 Printz Honor recipient might just be Alli’s new SSR favorite, so tune in even if you’re not familiar with it! The discussion about Frankie focuses primarily on matters of feminism, power dynamics, and questioning the status quo.

S.K. Ali is the New York Times bestelling and award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Saints and Misfits, Love from A to Z, Misfit in Love, Once Upon an Eid, and The Proudest Blue. Her latest novel Love from Mecca to Medina hits shelves on October 14, 2022. Follow her on Instagram (@skalibooks) and Twitter (@SajidahWrites).

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Episode 212: Slumber Party

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 06:00:00 GMT

You are cordially invited to one of the most terrifying slumber parties in history: more specifically, Christopher Pike’s Slumber Party, which was published in 1985. In addition to being terrifying, this gathering is also extremely problematic… and you *know* that Alli and her guest are going to discuss every last detail. They chat about the book’s bizarre depiction of teen girls, spontaneous combustion, highly un-charming love interests, grotesque language around bodies, and so much more.

TW: eating disorders, sexual assault, bodily trauma

Ali Hazelwood is the bestselling author of contemporary romcoms about women in STEM and academia, including The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. Follow her on Instagram (@alihazelwood).

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Episode 211: Maniac Magee

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee was published in 1990 and won the Newbery Medal in 1991. On Episode 211, Alli and her guest discuss the book itself, but also the larger messages it sends about race and racism and how those messages read differently in 2022. They also talk about their favorite snack cakes, the meaning of home, stereotypes, and the differences between equality and equity.

TW: racism, sexual assault

Jordan Hernandez is the reader behind @_completelybooked, through which she runs a monthly book club that prioritizes representation in publishing and on the page. Check out her shop for cute bookish merch!

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Episode 210: The Invasion (Animorphs #1)

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 210, Alli and her guest travel back to the ‘90s and share their first experience with the Animorphs—more specifically, the first book in the series, The Invasion. They explore the blurry lines between YA and middle grade, classic kid lit tropes, mall hangs, the Scholastic industrial complex, the Animorphs as a metaphor for puberty, horse girls, cult behavior, the mechanics of teens morphing into animals, and author K.A. Applegate’s anti-war stance.

Ashley Poston is the author of the Once Upon a Con series and The Dead Romantics. Follow her on Instagram (@heyashposton) and Twitter (@ashposton).

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Episode 209: Pippi Longstocking

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Pippi Longstocking has been beloved by readers of all ages for decades thanks to her strength, generosity, silliness, bravery, and kindness. On Episode 209, Alli and her guest chat about all the warm fuzzinnes of her story, which was written by Astrid Lindgren and published in 1945. Tune in for conversations about Pippi’s timelessness, self-compassion, self-awareness, kid lit post-WWII, the importance of taking up space, subversions of orphan tropes, and their favorite Pippi adventures.

Claribel Ortega is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of middle grade and YA fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage, including Witchlings and Frizzy. Follow her on Instagram (@claribel_ortega) and Twitter (@claribel_ortega).

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Episode 208: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Prepare for a trip down the rabbit hole! On Episode 208, Alli and her guest chat all things Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: its social commentary, aesthetic, adaptations, absurdity, and everything in between. They also dig into world building and the Alice origin story.

Roselle Lim is the author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune, Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop, and Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club. Follow her on Instagram (@rosellewriter) and Twitter (@rosellewriter).

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Episode 207: Wayside School Is Falling Down

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 207 brings us back to Louis Sachar’s Wayside School — more specifically, to his 1989 novel Wayside School Is Falling Down. Will this installment get a warmer reception from Alli than the first book in the series? Listen and find out! The conversation touches on representation, identity development, bathroom humor, Book Tok, existential dread, darkness in kid lit, the importance of names, critiques of the K-12 school system, and more.

Denise Williams is the author of How to Fail at Flirting, The Fastest Way to Fall, and Do You Take This Man. Follow her on Instagram (@nicwillwrites) and Twitter (@nicwillwrites).

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Episode 206: The Witches

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 206, Alli and her guest get ahead of spooky season with a discussion about Roald Dahl’s The Witches. They talk about the controversy surrounding both the book and the author, consider how dark is too dark for young readers, debate the merits of happy endings versus messy endings, and chat about the negative reception that the 2020 adaptation of The Witches received.

Amanda Aksel is the author of Delia Suits Up and No Funny Business. Follow her on Instagram (@amandaaksel).

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Episode 205: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Judy Blume and the Hatcher family are BACK! On Episode 205, Alli and her guest revisit the rowdy world of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing with a chat about fatherhood in the ‘70s, group projects, fatphobia, and why anyone would choose to eat a turtle. They also dig deep into sibling dynamics and seek justice for big brother Peter!

Carola Lovering is the author of Tell Me Lies, Too Good to Be True, and Can’t Look Away. Follow her on Instagram (@carolatlovering).

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Episode 204: Meet Addy (American Girl)

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 204, Alli and her guest dig into all things Addy Walker. They discuss the larger origin story that brought American Girl’s first non-white doll to market, as well as the specifics of Meet Addy. They talk about the importance of different kinds of representation for BIPOC folks, the complicated nature of Addy’s slave narrative, what the basic structure of the Addy series tells us about white privilege, the significance of the actual Addy doll, and so much more.

Ebony LaDelle is an author and experienced marketing and publishing professional who just can’t shut up about books. She is the co-host of Why Not YA? and the author of Love Radio. Follow her on Instagram (@ebonyladelle) and Twitter (@EbonyLadelle).

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Episode 203: Summer 2022 Q&A!

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 06:00:00 GMT

We’re overdue for a Q&A episode, so let’s make up for lost time! On Episode 203, Alli answers listener questions about…

* How to start a podcast
* The SSR reads that have most surprised her
* Her vision for SSR
* Dream podcast guests
* How her friends and family feel about the show
* Her MFA program and novel-writing process
* All things IRV

… and so much more!

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Episode 202: Tall, Dark, and Deadly (Sweet Valley High #126)

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Anything can happen when the Wakefield twins are around… including the arrival of a brooding, mysterious vampire who becomes the most popular guy at Sweet Valley High. On Episode 202, Alli and her guest dive into the 126th book in the SVH series, Tall, Dark, and Deadly. It’s the first installment in the famed “vampire trio” and it’s quite a ride. This episode covers everything from vampire canon and camp love affairs to stalker-ish antics and the lack of representation in Jessica and Elizabeth’s world.

Andie J. Christopher is a USA Today bestselling author of sharp, witty, sexy contemporary romances about complex people finding happily ever after. Her work has been featured in NPR, Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Post. Thank You, Next is her latest book. Follow her on Instagram (@authorandiej) and Twitter (@authorandiej).

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Episode 201: Summer Sisters

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is back for year FIVE… and there’s no better way to return from summer break than with a conversation about Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters. On Episode 201, Alli and her guest discuss why this book written for adults appeals so much to teen readers, the novel’s multiple POVs, the empathy they have for the parent characters, toxic friendships, bad hygiene, Gilmore Girls, Blume’s handling of sexuality, and so much more!

Alison Rose Greenberg is the author of Bad Luck Bridesmaid. Follow her on Instagram (@alison.greenberg) and Twitter (@alisongreenberg).

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Episode 200: Just Listen

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Cue the confetti and the champagne, because it’s SSR’s TWO-HUNDREDTH episode!

To celebrate, Alli and her guest have a fun, thoughtful conversation about Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen. Tune in to hear them talk about appearances vs. reality, main character Annabel’s experiences in the modeling industry, the misplaced expectations readers can place on books, delicate treatment of heavy subjects, anger, and the power of knowing you’re not alone. They also discuss what makes Sarah Dessen’s work so special across the board.

TW: rape, assault, eating disorders, racism, trauma

Leah Johnson is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults, including You Should See Me in a Crown and Rise to the Sun. Her debut middle grade novel, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, is forthcoming from Disney-Hyperion in 2023. Follow Leah on Instagram (@byleahjohnson) and Twitter (@byleahjohnson).

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Episode 199: The Devil's Arithmetic

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 199, a subject matter expert in Jewish identity and culture walks Alli through Jane Yolen’s award-winning Holocaust novel The Devil’s Arithmetic. This is a heavy conversation, but it’s also a must-listen! You’ll walk away with a new appreciation for Jewish representation and Holocaust narratives, not to mention a better understanding of why memory is so important in Jewish culture.

Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath is a lifelong Jewish educator and learner. She is an expert in teen identity development and the author of #antisemitism: Coming of Age During the Resurgence of Hate. Follow her on Instagram (@samvinokor) and Twitter (@Sam_Vinokor).

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Episode 198: P.S. Longer Letter Later

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 198 is more than a decade in the making! Alli and guest Colleen McKeegan went to high school (and were cheerleaders!) together and have been planning for Colleen’s appearance on the pod since the day they started talking about becoming novelists at happy hour in midtown Manhattan. In this conversation about P.S. Longer Letter Later, it finally happens! This epistolary novel was published in 1998 and is a collaboration between two legends: Ann M. Martin and Paula Danziger.

Tune in for discussions about the unique nature of a pen pal relationship, chosen family, a subversion of common ‘90s depictions of what’s “normal,” and models for healthy conflict. Alli and Colleen also share memories from high school and discuss which of P.S. Longer Letter Later’s narrators they relate to and why.

Colleen McKeegan is a writer and editor who’s held roles at Marie Claire (where her work was nominated for a National Magazine Award), Bloomberg, and Fortune among others. The Wild One is her debut novel. Follow her on Instagram (@clmckeegan) and Twitter (@cmleahey).

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Episode 197: Mandy

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Julie Andrews is Mary Poppins, Maria von Trapp, Queen Clarisse, Lady Whistledown… and a beloved author. On Episode 197, Alli and her guest discuss her first published work: Mandy. They speak in-depth about a story they describe as a “warm cup of tea” and cover a wide range of subjects: their favorite Julie Andrews moments, the appeal of orphan stories for kid readers, Mandy’s emotional complexity, themes of luck and exceptionalism, and more.

Erin La Rosa is the author of For Butter or Worse. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters (two feline, one human). Follow her on Instagram (@erinlarosalit) and Twitter (@erinlarosalit).

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Episode 196: Voyage on the Great Titanic (Dear America)

Tue, 31 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 196 will make you feel almost as many feels as the blockbuster film Titanic did… and not only because it’s about a book that covers the same historical territory. In it, Alli and her guest discuss one of the most popular installments in the Dear America series: Ellen Emerson White’s Voyage on the Great Titanic. In spite of the heavy subject matter, the conversation is still a fun one that touches on why young bookworms manage to get away with reading spicy content, global interest in the Titanic, the challenges inherent in building tension in a book with an ending everyone already knows, class, maritime vocabulary, Kate and Leo, survivor’s guilt, privilege, and so much more.

Kelsey McKinney is a co-founder and owner of Defector Media, author of the novel God Spare the Girls, and host of Normal Gossip. Follow her on Instagram (@mckinneykelsey) and Twitter (@mckinneykelsey).

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Episode 195: Ready or Not

Tue, 24 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Whether you’re ready or not… things are about to get both steamy and political on Episode 195. Alli and her guest discuss Meg Cabot’s Ready or Not. In this sequel to All-American Girl, main character Samantha Madison wrestles with her complicated feelings about sex and the new conservative political agenda for which she’s unwittingly become the poster child. There’s talk of the murky business of likability, the “not like other girls” trope, the pressures of having a platform, the absurd misunderstanding that drives Ready or Not from start to finish, and models of popularity and femininity in the early aughts. Of course, there’s also plenty of talk of sex — more specifically, the way it’s portrayed in the book.

Shauna Robinson is the author of Must Love Books. Follow her on Instagram (@shauna.robs) and Twitter (@shaunarobs).

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Episode 194: The Truth About Forever

Tue, 17 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Major spoiler alert: The Truth About Forever is officially Alli’s favorite of the Sarah Dessen books she’s read so far for the pod.

The main character is relatable, the love interest is the swooniest, the emotions are real and nuanced, and all of the summer details are *chef’s kiss*. Plus, the book inspires a fantastic conversation on Episode 194 — a conversation that explores perfectionism, toxic relationships, terrible boyfriends, the realities of working in a library, the way our collective approach to grief has shifted in the last 20 years, intense moms, our suggestions for a future adaptation of The Truth About Forever, and Sarah Dessen’s masterful craft and world-building.

Martha Waters is the author of To Have and To Hoax, To Love and to Loathe, and To Marry and to Meddle. Follow her on Instagram (@marthabwaters) and Twitter (@marthabwaters).

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Episode 193: The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew #3)

Tue, 10 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 193, Alli and her guest explore the third book in the Nancy Drew series, The Bungalow Mystery. As always when it comes to Nancy, it’s complicated — and you’ll hear them explore what is empowering and inspiring about this famed teen detective while also unpacking why she feels so problematic in 2022. They discuss Nancy’s fast friendships, her tendency to make quick judgements, the way the books focuses on property law, various tropes about women, and the history of the series. They also take a deep dive into Carson Drew.

Kate Spencer is the co-host of the Forever35 podcast and the author of The Dead Moms Club and In a New York Minute. Follow her on Instagram (@katespencer) and Twitter (@katespencer).

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Episode 192: Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself

Tue, 03 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

All hail Queen Judy Blume! Episode 192 is all about Judy’s most autobiographical novel, Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself. Published in 1977, Sally tells the story of a young Jewish girl navigating a move from New Jersey to Miami in the aftermath of World War II. The novel inspires conversations about Holocaust literature more broadly, how to best capture tragedy and humor simultaneously, old tech, teasing as flirting or flattery, writing about death for kids, our changing expectations for children, and the one language choice Alli struggled with in this book.

Hena Khan is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Amina’s Song, Amina’s Voice, More to the Story, and most recently, Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun. Follow her on Instagram (@henakhanbooks) and Twitter (@henakhanbooks).

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Episode 191: Hoot

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 191, Alli and her guests finally explore the wacky world of Carl Hiaasen as it’s written in the 2003 Newbery Honor-winning novel Hoot. They chat about environmental advocacy, adults in kid lit, depictions of police institutions, and the importance of making kids feel respected by the books they read.

Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick are co-authors of the New York Times bestselling novel She Gets the Girl. Rachael is also the author of The Lucky List and the co-author of Five Feet Apart and All This Time. They live in Pittsburgh with their dog, Hank. Follow them on Instagram (@rachaellippincott | @whoisalysonanyway) and TikTok (@alysonandrachael).

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Episode 190: Amelia Bedelia

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 190 is a historic moment for SSR because it explores a book series intended for truly younger readers: Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia. Alli and her guest deep dive into a five-book box set and reminisce about the moments of wordplay and miscommunication they most remember from their childhood reading experiences. They also discuss the moments they found less charming as adult readers! They touch on Amelia Bedelia reboots, a reframing of perceptions of domestic work, how cool they felt when they learned to write in cursive, Amelia’s artful passive aggression, ageism, and what it really means to dress a chicken.

Kate Kennedy is the host of the Be There In Five podcast. Follow her on Instagram (@bethereinfive).

This episode is brought to you by Kensington’s newest title, Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas.

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Episode 189: Horse Crazy (Saddle Club #1)

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is way overdue for a Saddle Club moment — but on Episode 189, it finally happens! Alli and her guests discuss the first book in Bonnie Bryant’s iconic horse girls series, Horse Crazy. They cover everything from their own personal horse girl experiences and middle school drama to Stevie Lake’s questionable business practices and the portrayal of POC in the book. Saddle up, because this episode is a very fun hang!

Hannah and Laura are the co-hosts of the On Wednesdays We Read podcast, which is fondly known as OWWR Pod. Tune in wherever you listen to your favorite pods and follow the show on Instagram (@owwrpod) and Twitter (@Owwrpod).

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Episode 188: Anacaona, Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490 (The Royal Diaries)

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Almost exactly one year to the day since SSR first dove into the Royal Diaries series, Alli and her guest are back to explore the fictionalized journal of another young royal. This time, the focus is on the second to last installment from the series: Anacaona, Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490. Having never learned about Anacaona, they share her story and lament the revisionist history that’s kept her out of our textbooks. They also discuss the value of learning history through epistolary novels, the parasocial nature of our relationships with royals over the years, the need for a wider range of narratives from marginalized communities, and so much more.

TW: suicide

Amber Burns is a writer, podcaster, and avid reader currently living in Philadelphia. Follow her on Instagram (@byamberburns) and Twitter (@byamberburns) and listen to her podcast Thank You For Asking wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

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Episode 187: Kristy's Big Day (Baby-Sitters Club #6)

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 06:00:00 GMT

We are gathered here today to celebrate the love of Kristy’s mom and Watson… but also the love among the members of the BSC. On Episode 187, Alli and her guest explore Ann M. Martin’s favorite Baby-Sitters Club installment, Kristy’s Big Day. They chat about blended families, Kristy as a queer icon, traditional gender roles throughout the series, and the class dynamics we see between the Brewers and the Thomases. They also praise the club’s entrepreneurial know-how and demand better pay for them! This is guest Alison Cochrun’s first-ever experience reading a BSC title, which makes it extra fun.

Alison Cochrun is the author of The Charm Offensive. Follow her on Instagram (@alisoncochrun) and Twitter (@AlisonCochrun).

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Episode 186: Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Break out those magnifying glasses, listeners! On Episode 186, Alli and her guest join one of the classic kid sleuths for some seriously interactive detective work. During their conversation about Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, they chat about the origins and evolution of the series as a whole, smart kids in pop culture, the portrayal of lone girl character Sally Kimball, and parallels between Encyclopedia Brown and the BSC. This episode is also heavy on the Gilmore Girls references! In a parallel universe, would Rory and Encyclopedia date successfully? Tune in and find out!

Jules Buonocore is the blogger behind The Literary Lifestyle, where books meet lifestyle. It’s like Reading Rainbow for grown-ups! Popular topics include celebrity book clubs, bookstagram tips, and the Rory Gilmore Book Club, which inspired this episode of SSR. Follow Jules (@bookish_jules) and the Rory Gilmore Book Club (@therorygilmorebookclub) on Instagram.

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Episode 185: Inkheart

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 185, Alli and her guest have a bit of a love fest in honor of Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart. Alli is coming to the book for the first time and she compares notes with her guest, who remembers it fondly from her childhood. They talk about world building, the tricky business of translation, the author/reader relationship, compelling adult characters in books meant for kids, and grief. It’s a conversation about a book about books, so book lovers — get excited!

Akshaya Raman is the author of The Ivory Key. Follow her on Instagram (@akshraman) and Twitter (@akshraman).

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Episode 184: A Ring of Endless Light

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT

For the first time since the SSR episode about A Wrinkle in Time back in 2018, Alli returns to the world of Madeleine L’Engle, this time for a deep dive into A Ring of Endless Light. Listen to Episode 184 for conversations about everything from grief and loss to dolphins and ESP. Alli and her guest also share their thoughts on a series of potential love interests for main character Vicky and discuss the ways in which this book feels painfully timely for readers in 2022.

TW: suicidal ideation, depression, PTSD, trauma, grief

Claire Legrand is a New York Times bestselling author. Her new book Extasia is now available.

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Episode 183: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 183, Alli and her guest get reacquainted with Shirley Temple Wong, the spunky young heroine from Bette Bao Lord’s In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. Shirley’s experience as a Chinese-American immigrant in 1947 inspires conversations about identity, language, race, the American dream, the pressures placed on marginalized communities, and (of course) baseball.

Traci Chee is the best-selling and award-winning author of books for young people, including The Reader, We Are Not Free, and most recently, A Thousand Steps Into Night. Follow her on Instagram (@tracicheeauthor) and Twitter (@tracichee).

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Episode 182: A Little Princess

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 07:00:00 GMT

This week, SSR takes it allllll the way back to a classic with a conversation about Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess. Alli and her guest discuss the things they love about this cozy read, along with the weirdness with which it approaches gender, parental responsibility, race, class, privilege, manners, and morality. They also consider how movie adaptations influence our readings of an original text and dive into the world of Instagram manifesting babes.

Danya Kukafka is an agent at Trellis Literary Management and the author of Girl in Snow and Notes on an Execution. Follow her on Instagram (@danyakukafka) and Twitter (@danyakukafka).

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Episode 181: I Was a Teenage Fairy

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 181, Alli and her guests explore Francesca Lia Block’s I Was a Teenage Fairy. They discuss everything from fairy tales and beautiful writing to trauma and masculinity. They also examine what the book is saying about sexuality, size, empathy, and more.

TW: child sexual abuse, sexual assault

Emma Gray and Claire Fallon are co-hosts of Love to See It with Emma and Claire and co-authors of Rich Text. Follow them on Instagram (@claireandemmapod) and Twitter (@lovetoseeitpod).

Emma Gray is the author of A Girl’s Guide to Joining the Resistance. Her work, which focuses on gender, culture, and politics, can also be found in Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, NYLON, and HuffPost. Follow her on Instagram (@emmaladyrose) and Twitter (@emmaladyrose).

Claire Fallon is a books and culture writer. Previously a staff writer at HuffPost, her work can also be found in Vice and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram (@claireefallon) and Twitter (@ClaireEFallon).

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Episode 180: Anna and the French Kiss

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Alli is joined by romance author Alana Albertson to dish about Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Tune in to hear them chat about everything from cheating love interests and the meaning of home to film adaptations and privilege. They also talk quite a bit about the romance genre, touching on the sexist nature of the way it’s often criticized, how love stories are plotted, and so much more.

Alana Quintana Albertson has written thirty romance novels, rescued five-hundred death-row shelter dogs, and danced one thousand rumbas. Her latest book Ramón and Julieta is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@authoralanaalbertson) and Twitter (@AlanaAlbertson).

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Episode 179: Kidnapped By the Cult! (Sweet Valley High #82)

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 07:00:00 GMT

On this very exciting episode, Alli is joined by linguist and cult expert Amanda Montell for a conversation about the eighty-second book in Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High series, Kidnapped By the Cult!, in which they discover that the SVH portrayal of cults is actually pretty accurate. You’ll learn about the history and language of cults, Amanda’s first impression of the Wakefields, teen brain chemistry, and so much more. Plus, Alli and Amanda reminisce on high school angst and mall hangs!

Amanda Montell is a writer, linguist, and author of the critically acclaimed books Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language. Her writing has appeared in publications like Marie Claire, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, and others. She is also the creator and co-host of the “comedy-cult” podcast Sounds Like a Cult. Amanda grew up in Baltimore, holds a degree in linguistics from NYU, and lives in Los Angeles with her partner, plants, and pets. Follow her on Instagram (@amanda_montell).

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Episode 178: Artemis Fowl

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT

For the grand finale of Manuary 2022, Alli finally returns to a book that she’s been wanting to discuss on the pod for years: Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl. Will it live up to her memories and expectations? You’ll have to listen to find out! On this episode, Alli and her guest chat about fairy lore, antiheroes, bathroom humor, racism in fantasy, office politics, law enforcement in literature, boy geniuses, and Santa Claus.

Zack Loran Clark is a writer and editor of children’s books. He is the author of The Lock-Eater and co-author of The Adventurers Guild trilogy, with Nick Eliopulos. Follow Zack on Instagram (@zacktly) and Twitter (@zackloranclark).

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Episode 177: Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Take one eager canine narrator, a well-read cat, and a seemingly harmless rabbit who might *actually* be a vampire, and you’ve got yourself Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery, the 1979 children’s novel by James and Deborah Howe that started a beloved series. For the third week of Manuary 2022, Alli and her guest laugh their way through a discussion of vampire lore, neurotic pets, and animal antics. They also talk about the Bunnicula origin story and the way the story has been adapted over the years. They wrap things up with an important discussion about how to prevent the banning of books.

Lev Rosen — AKA L.C. Rosen — is the award-winning, beloved author of books for people of all ages, including Camp and Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts). His next book, Lavender House, will be released in the fall of 2022. Follow him on Instagram (@levacrosen) and Twitter (@LevACRosen).

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Episode 176: Dear Mr. Henshaw

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT

It’s Week 2 of Manuary 2022 and Alli and her guest turn their attention to Beverly Cleary’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Their discussion covers everything from Beverly Cleary’s legacy and the way the book offers an unfiltered look at divorce from a child’s perspective to writing advice and class. Guest Jeff Zentner also shares how he’s been influenced by Dear Mr. Henshaw and Beverly Cleary.

Jeff Zentner is the award-winning, critically-acclaimed author of The Serpent King, In the Wild Light, Goodbye Days, and Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee. Follow him on Instagram (@jeffzentner) and Twitter (@jeffzentner).

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Episode 175: The Story of Dr. Dolittle

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 175, Alli and her guests — the hosts of the Overdue podcast — kick off a new year and the fourth-annual Manuary with a conversation about The Story of Dr. Dolittle, which was written by Hugh Lofting and originally published in 1920. And if you thought the Dr. Dolittle universe was all about talking animals, you’re very mistaken! In fact, the book inspires discussions about everything from animal personhood and colonialism to socialism and the various ways talking animals are portrayed on-screen.

Overdue is a podcast about the books you’ve been meaning to read, hosted by Andrew Cunningham and Craig Getting. New episodes drop every Monday on your favorite podcast player! Follow the pod on Instagram (@overduepod) and Twitter (@OverduePod). Follow hosts Andrew (@AndrewWrites) and Craig (@MCgetting) on Twitter, too!

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Episode 174: Listenersode #3!

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Happy holidays and happy (almost) new year!

To wrap up 2021, we’re once again inviting SSR listeners to join the fun on the show! Listeners share about their favorite childhood books, the books the pod has ruined for them (sorry!), the books they’ve discovered from SSR, the books they’d most liked to see adapted for film or TV, and so much more.

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Episode 173: Finding My Voice

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT

For the final book episode of 2021, Alli and her guest experience a new-to-them classic, Marie Myung-Ok Lee’s Finding My Voice, which was first published in 1992 and reissued in 2021. The book explores the universal questions of identity and race and tackles the unfortunately still-relevant matter of racism, specifically against the Asian-American community. It inspires conversations about the immigrant experience, popularity, people pleasing, and how we’ve been conditioned to react to the “cool guy.”

Jane Igharo is the author of The Sweetest Remedy and Ties That Tether, as well as the forthcoming Worth Having (out September 2022). Follow her on Instagram (@jane_igharo) and Twitter (@VictoriousJane).

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Episode 172: The A-List

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 07:00:00 GMT

After an amazing month of New Reads November 2021, it’s time we get back to throwback reads, starting with Zoey Dean’s The A-List! On Episode 172, Alli and her guest return to the era of all things wealth and mean girls. They discuss the appeal of this very ‘00s genre, the rampant slut shaming and fatphobia they see in the book, reinvention in YA, nuanced parent/daughter relationships, and so much more.

Zakiya Dalila Harris is the New York Times bestselling author of The Other Black Girl. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Cosmopolitan, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. Follow her on Instagram (@zakiyadalilaharris) and Twitter (@zakiya_harris).

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Episode 171: Tokyo Ever After (New Reads November)

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT

This week, New Reads November 2021 comes to its grand finale with a conversation about Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After. Tune in for discussions about the importance of representation in publishing, the differences in book covers from one country to the next, tabloid culture, fantastic literary parents, the tensions between tradition and progress, and The Princess Diaries.

Talia Hibbert is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Get a Life, Chloe Brown; Take a Hint, Dani Brown; and Act Your Age, Evie Brown. Follow her on Instagram (@taliahibbert) and Twitter (@TaliaHibbert).

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Episode 170: Prairie Lotus (New Reads November)

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT

At long last, Alli is reading and discussing the book that has been most frequently recommended to her by guests and listeners in 2020 and 2021: Linda Sue Park’s Prairie Lotus. This book presents a long overdue perspective about the same (highly complicated) era romanticized by Laura Ingalls Wilder and explores matters of race, xenophobia, loss, Otherness, and assault. On Episode 170, Alli and her guest discuss the importance of embracing one’s full identity, the depiction of Native American culture in Prairie Lotus, the pressures placed on children and women of color, and so much more. Enjoy this third week of New Reads November 2021!

Veera Hiranandani is the author of several highly-acclaimed, award-winning books, including The Night Diary and The Whole Story of Half a Girl. Her new book — How to Find What You’re Not Looking For — is now available. Follow Veera on Instagram (@veerawrites) and Twitter (@VeeraHira).

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Episode 169: Camp (New Reads November)

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to New Reads November 2021! This week, L.C. Rosen’s Camp takes center stage. In Camp, main character Randy navigates the ups and downs of a relationship with his longtime camp crush… under less than transparent circumstances. The conversation on Episode 169 explores questions of changing yourself for relationships, identity, internalized homophobia, and keeping the people you love safe. Alli and her guest also chat about complicated characters, the degree to which teen characters are forced to stay connected to their families of origin, and their own camp experiences.

Dahlia Adler is an editor of mathematics by day, the overlord of LGBTQReads by night, and a young adult author at every spare moment in between. She is the editor of several anthologies, including Junior Library Guild selection His Hideous Heart, and the author of many novels, including Indie Next pick Cool for the Summer. She lives in New York with her family and an obscene number of books. Find her on Twitter (@MissDahlELama) and Instagram (@missdahlelama).

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Episode 168: You Have a Match (New Reads November)

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 06:00:00 GMT

It’s Week 1 of New Reads November 2021! This year, we’re kicking things off with a conversation about You Have a Match by Emma Lord. This 2021 title — which combines serious Parent Trap vibes with influencer culture and mail-in DNA tests — was selected for Reese’s YA Book Club, which is a pretty big deal! On Episode 168, Alli and her guest discuss queer rep, portrayals of social media and technology in literature, and how much is “too much” in a novel. They also chat about the golden age of YA!

Emma Benshoff is a digital marketing manager for Underlined, the teen branch of Random House Books for Young Readers. Follow her on Instagram (@emmabenshoff) and Twitter (@emmabenshoff).

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Episode 167: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT

To all the listeners I’ve loved before… let’s talk about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before! At long last, it’s time to dive into Jenny Han’s beloved 2014 YA rom com, made all the more famous by Netflix’s recent adaptations. Alli and her guest chat about said adaptations, along with the book’s portrayal of sisterhood, people pleasing, sex, popularity, healthy relationships, and so much more. They also discuss the importance of representation in pop culture.

Farah Naz Rishi is the author of It All Comes Back to You and I Hope You Get This Message. Follow her on Instagram (@farahnazrishi) and Twitter (@farahnazrishi).

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Episode 166: Redwall

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT

The first of Brian Jacques’s twenty-two Redwall books was published in 1986… and it’s about time it gets the SSR treatment! On Episode 166, Alli and her guest chat about the original Redwall installment, in which readers are introduced to the world of Redwall Abbey and Mossflower Woods. They discuss their memories of the series from childhood and the degree to which it has since influenced guest Namina Forna’s work. They also talk about the author’s backstory, epic fantasy tropes, so-called “women’s work,” and their favorite characters and moments from the book.

Namina Forna is the author of The Gilded Ones. Follow her on Instagram (@namina.forna) and Twitter (@NaminaForna).

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Episode 165: Deenie

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 165 kicks off with a proper Judy Blume lovefest! From there, Alli and her guest get into the good, the bad, and the ugly of 1973’s Deenie. They discuss the way the book portrays scoliosis, complicated mother/daughter relationships, and the general awkwardness of middle school. They consider perspectives from writers who, like Deenie, were diagnosed with scoliosis as teenagers. They chat about Deenie’s more controversial elements, most notably masturbation. And they wrap up with a nuanced conversation about empathy, reliability, and likability in literature.

Hayley Krischer is the author of The Falling Girls and Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf. Follow her on Instagram (@hayleykrischer) and Twitter (@hayleykrischer).

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Episode 164: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT

E.L. Konigsburg’s Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth may have the longest title of any book covered on SSR so far, but that’s not the only special thing about it! This award-winning middle grade title also features unique characters, a relatable voice, and one fifth-grader’s journey to find friendship through witchcraft. Spooky!

On Episode 164, Alli and her guest use Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth as a jumping-off point for conversations about toxic friendships, portrayals of race, the “not like other girls” trope, being mean to mean girls, Ayahuasca, and more.

Trish Doller is the author of Float Plan and The Suite Spot. When she's not writing, Trish loves sailing, camping, and avoiding housework. She lives in southwest Florida with an opinionated herding dog and an ex-pirate. Find Trish on Twitter (@trishdoller) and Instagram (@trishdoller).

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Episode 163: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was published in 1971 and won the Newbery Medal in 1972. It explores matters of community cooperation, civilization-building, education, and humanity’s shortcomings. It also features some pretty cute (and brilliant) little creatures! On Episode 163, Alli and her guest delve into the world of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, paying special attention to the author’s structural choices, the Mrs. Frisby character, and why the book may have some barriers of entry to kid readers.

Sarah Enni is an author, podcaster, and journalist. Her debut novel Tell Me Everything was released in 2019 and you can read her short story (“The Blessing of Little Wants”) in the bestselling villain anthology Because You Love to Hate Me. Sarah created and hosts the First Draft podcast. Follow Sarah (@sarahenni) and First Draft (@firstdraftpod) on Instagram.

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Episode 162: Bud, Not Buddy

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 162, Alli and her guest have a thoughtful conversation about Christopher Paul Curtis’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, Bud, Not Buddy. They talk about the nuances of race and class in the book, the way the main character walks the perfect line between wisdom and innocence, the author’s writing process, and Bud, Not Buddy’s approach to teaching young readers about history. You won’t want to miss this fantastic discussion!

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the author of Ace of Spades. Follow her on Instagram (@faridahlikestea) and Twitter (@faridahlikestea).

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Episode 161: Betsy-Tacy

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMT

If Alli had to describe this episode — not to mention the associated book! — in one word, that word would be COZY. On Episode 161, she and her guest take a long walk down memory lane for a discussion about Maud Hart Lovelace’s beloved Betsy-Tacy. They talk about the series’ massive fandom, how the books came to be, and why they endure for so many generations of women. They also discuss the experience of reading a book featuring such young protagonists, consider how the author handled heavy emotional moments, and get sentimental about everything from paper dolls and birthday parties to dress-up and the first day of school.

Laura Hankin is the author of A Special Place for Women and Happy and You Know It. Follow her on Instagram (@laurahankin) and Twitter (@LauraHankin).

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Episode 160: Claudia and the Mystery at the Museum (BSC Mystery #11)

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is no stranger to the Baby-Sitters Club, but we have yet to explore the BSC Mystery subseries… until now! On Episode 160, Alli and her guest talk about Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #11, Claudia and the Mystery at the Museum. Tune in to hear discussions about classic mystery storytelling, weird vibes between the tween baby-sitters and adults, a bizarre B-plot featuring a child star, the importance of writing young girl characters with agency, and so much more.

Andrea Bartz is a journalist and the bestselling author of The Lost Night, The Herd, and We Were Never Here. Follow her on Instagram (@andibartz) and Twitter (@andibartz).

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Episode 159: Number the Stars

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

As far as transformational books written for young readers go, Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars certainly tops the list. On Episode 159, Alli and her guest explore the many reasons why this 1990 Newbery Medal winner has made such a major impact on so many lives, as well as the reasons its been dubbed a key part of Holocaust education for kids. They discuss what they learned about World War II while reading this book as adults, marvel at Lois Lowry’s ability to write both suspense and sentiment, chat about how to have respect for young readers when writing for them, and fangirl over their new favorite kid lit parents.

Returning guest Hannah Howard is the author of Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family and Feast: True Love in and Out of the Kitchen. Follow her on Instagram (@hannahmhoward) and Twitter (@hannahhoward).

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Episode 158: The Awakening (Vampire Diaries #1)

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 158, Alli finally gets up to speed on the world of the Vampire Diaries! You may be familiar with this universe from the show that premiered on The CW in 2009, but it all started with a series of books written by L.J. Smith, beginning in 1991. The first book in the series is called The Awakening, and it inspires conversations on this episode about everything from Renaissance garb and mean girls to the logistics of vampirism and the evolution of YA.

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of longtime writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the New York Times, USA TODAY, and #1 internationally bestselling authors of the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series, The Unhoneymooners, Twice in a Blue Moon, The Honey Don’t List, In a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation. Follow Christina Lauren on Instagram (@christinalauren) and Twitter (@ChristinaLauren).

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Episode 157: All I Want Is Everything (Gossip Girl #3)

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Hey, Upper East Siders — it’s time for another Gossip Girl episode on SSR!

Episode 157 takes on the glitter, glamour, and patriarchal vibes of the third book in the series, All I Want Is Everything, which was written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published in 2003. Tune in to hear Alli and her guests talk about the villainization of ambitious girls, cringey crush stories, slut shaming, depictions of sex that subvert our expectations, and the Gossip Girl reboot on HBO Max. They also compare Gossip Girl characters to their favorite Bravolebrities.

Taylor Misiak and Alyssa Litman are hosts of the Table Flipping Podcast, which you can find on your favorite podcast player (Apple Podcasts | Spotify). Follow the podcast on Instagram (@tableflippingpodcast). Follow Taylor on Instagram (@taylormisiak) and Alyssa (@alyssalitman) on Twitter.

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Episode 156: Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

In case it’s not clear from the title of Paula Danziger’s 1994 novel, Amber Brown is not a crayon. Nope — she’s a third-grader who’s dealing with the news that her best friend Justin will be moving away with his family. In Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon, readers ride the ups and downs of this experience with our spunky heroine. You’ll hear Alli and her guest chat about all of those ups and downs on Episode 156. They also discuss the “not like other girls” trope, how to treat young readers with respect, subtle moments of representation, portrayals of divorce, and miniature chocolate chips.

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the author of books for teens and adults, including The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This. Follow her on Instagram (@rlynn_solomon).

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Episode 155: Zoey Fools Around (Making Out #1)

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT

It’s always a treat for Alli when a podcast guest introduces her to a book from their teen or tween years that’s brand new to her… so imagine what a treat it is when a guest shares an entire SERIES with her! On Episode 155, Alli has her first experience with Katherine Applegate’s Making Out series, more specifically, the first installment Zoey Fools Around. She and her guest discuss the unique social dynamics of the teen cast of the series, draw parallels between the book and popular teen dramas of the ‘90s and early ‘00s, share their love for the writing style of this time period, consider the way the author positions sex and dating, weigh in on the depiction of race in Zoey Fools Around, and so much more.

Casey Dembowski is the author of When We’re Thirty. Follow her on Instagram (@casey_dembowski) and Twitter (@casey_dembowski).

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Episode 154: Stuart Little

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Published in 1945, Stuart Little was E.B. White’s first book for children and has been beloved among young readers for the better part of a decade… but revisiting it with adult eyes in 2021 is a pretty bizarre experience! On Episode 154, Alli and her guest break that experience down, discussing all of the lovely moments AND the weird ones. Tune in to hear conversations about beautiful writing, publishing behind the scenes, unlikable characters, egomaniacs, bad date behavior, funny cats, and toxic mouse-culinity.

Deb Caletti is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of nearly 20 books for teens and adults, including Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, A Heart in a Body in the World, and her latest novel, One Great Lie. Follow her on Instagram (@debcaletti) and Twitter (@debcaletti).

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Episode 153: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT

It’s always a good day when a Judy Blume book takes center stage on the pod… and it’s one of those good days!

On Episode 153, Alli and her guest have a conversation about Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, an installment in the beloved Fudge series that was published in 1972. They talk about Sheila’s many fears and anxieties, books as windows and mirrors, old tech, summer camp, slam books, and body shaming. Guest S.K. Ali also shares about the many important impacts this book — and Judy Blume, in general — had on her as a young reader and writer.

S.K. Ali is the award-winning author of Saints and Misfits, Love from A to Z, and Misfit in Love. Follow her on Instagram (@skalibooks) and Twitter (@SajidahWrites).

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Episode 152: Logan Likes Mary Anne! (Baby-Sitters Club #10)

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT

The tenth installment in Ann M. Martin’s iconic Baby-Sitters Club series is a big one for the baby-sitters! In Logan Likes Mary Anne!, we are introduced to new boy Logan Bruno — and his budding relationship with Mary Anne sends some major waves through the BSC. On Episode 152, Alli chats with a pair of Baby-Sitters Club experts about the many ways in which this book is significant in the overall BSC universe. They discuss the transition to eighth grade, queer anxiety throughout the series, Kristy’s entrepreneurial strength, surprise parties, mansplaining, weird standards for maturity, and so much more.

Marisa Crawford and Megan Milks are the co-editors of We Are the Baby-Sitters Club: Essays and Artwork from Grown-Up Readers. Follow them on Instagram (@marisa_crawford | @sklimnagem) and Twitter (@marisacrawford | @sklimnagem).

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Episode 151: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT

We’ve all been known to be a little dramatic… but none of us have anything on Lola Cep, the star of Dyan Sheldon’s 1999 YA novel Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. That’s right — it was a book before it was a Lindsay Lohan movie!

On Episode 151, Alli and her guest take a ridiculous journey through the source material that inspired the 2004 LiLo performance. They discuss everything from unreliable narrators and band breakups to easy-to-like villainesses and rowdy pop stars. You might just want an encore!

Rachael Lippincott is the coauthor of All This Time and the #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart. Her new book The Lucky List is now available! Follow her on Instagram (@rachaellippincott) and Twitter (@rchllipp).

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Episode 150: Secrets (Sweet Valley High #2)

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT

As has become an unofficial summertime tradition, SSR returns to Sweet Valley to kick off a new year of the podcast! On Episode 150, Alli and her guest discuss the second book in Francine Pascal’s iconic series, Secrets. They chat about their own high school memories, the social hierarchy of Sweet Valley, jealous boyfriends, the dangers of gossip, and why these books have been so popular with readers of different ages.

Lacie Waldon is a writer with her head in the clouds — literally! A flight attended based in Washington, D.C., Lacie spends her days writing from the jump seat and watching the world for new stories. The Layover is her debut novel. Follow her on Instagram (@allaboutthat_lace) and Twitter (@LacieWaldon).

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Episode 149: The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew #2)

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Grab your sleuthing supplies, listeners, because it’s time to go on another mission in the world of Nancy Drew! On Episode 149, YA superstar Maureen Johnson joins Alli to chat about the second book in the series, The Hidden Staircase. They discuss Nancy’s historical significance, the story’s crazy twists and turns, and The Hidden Staircase’s emphasis on notary publics and lunch breaks.

Maureen Johnson’s latest book, The Box in the Woods, is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@maureenjohnsonbooks) and Twitter (@maureenjohnson).

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Episode 148: Molly's Route 66 Adventure

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Pack your bags and jump in the car, listeners, because you’re about to join Alli and her guests for a little cruise down Route 66… in 1946! Tune in to Episode 148 for a discussion about the first installment in American Girl’s scrapbook series, Molly’s Route 66 Adventure. The conversation starts with an extensive chat about all things Molly and winds up with an examination of Molly’s interactions with indigenous people — but there are plenty of pit stops along the way!

Allison and Mary are the hosts of the American Girls Podcast. Follow the podcast on Instagram (@americangirlspodcast) and Twitter (@AGirlsPod) — and support the show on Patreon, too! Follow Allison and Mary on social media, too…

Twitter: Allison (@allisonhorrocks) | Mary (@MaryMahoney123)

Instagram: Allison (@allisonhorrocks) | Mary (@mimimahoney)

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Episode 147: Sarah, Plain and Tall

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Patricia MacLachlan’s Sarah, Plain and Tall was published in 1985 and went on to win the Newbery Medal, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and the Golden Kite Award in 1986. And while it’s the shortest book that Alli has ever covered on SSR, it inspires no shortage of thoughtful conversation! Tune in to Episode 146 for conversations about historical revisionism, whiteness, erasure, beautiful writing, literary scapegoating, the complexities of memory, the dynamics of choice, mail order brides in the American West, Accelerated Reader, and more.

Olivia Cole is a writer from Louisville, Kentucky. She is the author of the new adult series Panther in the Hive and a young adult series, which includes A Conspiracy of Stars and An Anatomy of Beasts. Her essays have been published at Bitch Media, Real Simple, The L.A. Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Gay Mag, and others. Olivia’s next book — The Truth About White Lies — is out in March of 2022. Follow Olivia on Twitter (@RantingOwl) and Instagram (@rantingowl).

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Episode 146: Mary Poppins

Tue, 25 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

You may think you know Mary Poppins from the 1964 Disney movie starring Julie Andrews… but you might not recognize the original portrayal of the magical nanny as she’s written in the book that inspired the film! Mary Poppins was written by P.L. Travers and published in 1934 — and it’s not as warm and fuzzy as the version we’ve seen on-screen! On Episode 146, Alli and her guest take a close look at Travers’s book, discussing their complicated feelings about the characters, swapping notes about their favorite Mary Poppins adventures, and considering the historical and personal context that inspired the story.

Misa Sugiura is the author of It’s Not Like It’s a Secret and This Time Will Be Different, as well as a story in the anthology Come On In. Her new book Love & Other Natural Disasters will be available on June 8, 2021. Follow Misa on Instagram (@misallaneous1) and Twitter (@misallaneous1).

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Episode 145: Keeping the Moon

Tue, 18 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

For only the second time, SSR is taking on the Sarah Dessen universe on Episode 145, this time in a conversation about Keeping the Moon. Tune in to hear Alli and her guest discuss the 2019 Sarah Dessen controversy, their complicated feelings about main character Colie’s arc in Keeping the Moon, the fictional love interests that ruined them as teens, the makeover trope that took over pop culture in the ‘90s, and the way this book depicts appearances and body image.

Lily Herman is a writer, editor, and digital strategist who also co-hosts Bad Bitch Book Club’s Friends to Lovers podcast with Mackenzie Newcomb. Lily is currently the writer and TikToker for Yahoo’s brand The Yodel and a culture writer at Bustle. Follow Lily on Twitter (@lkherman) and Instagram (@lilykherman).

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Episode 144: I Am an Artichoke

Tue, 11 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 144, Alli and her guest Elise Bryant have a thoughtful, honest, and at times vulnerable conversation about I Am an Artichoke, which was written by Lucy Frank and published in 1995.

The book tells the story of an angsty teen named Sarah who takes a summer job as a mother’s helper in New York City, only to discover that the family who hired her is working through trauma that they’re not willing to acknowledge. Together, Alli and Elise consider the dangers of the way that eating disorders are depicted in this book, share the parts of Sarah’s experience that resonated with them, and so much more.

TW: eating disorders, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, body image

Elise Bryant is the author of Happily Ever Afters, as well as the forthcoming One True Loves (out January 2022!). Follow her on Instagram (@elisembryant) and Twitter (@elisembryant).

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Episode 143: Pretty Little Liars

Tue, 04 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

She’s a little late to the party, but Alli is finally getting up to speed on PLL! On Episode 143, she and her guest discuss the first book in Sara Shepard’s bestselling series, Pretty Little Liars, which was published in 2006. They discuss each of the book’s main characters, along with its casual approach to major issues of power imbalance in relationships, eating disorders, race, and more.

TW: self harm, eating disorders, relationship violence

Joya Goffney’s debut novel Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry is now available! Follow Joya on Instagram (@joya.goffney) and Twitter (@joya_goffney).

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Episode 142: Best Friends for Never (The Clique #2)

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 142, Alli has her second-ever experience with Lisi Harrison’s The Clique series — more specifically, the second book in the series, Best Friends for Never. She and her guests discuss everything from teen confidence and dress codes to co-ed parties and how hard it is to discern the age of the girls in the Pretty Committee.

Frannie Comstock and Sophie Krueger host the Girls Like Us podcast, which covers The Clique and other YA books. Each episode asks the question What does a literature degree get you? and answers it with, “A podcast about books for teen girls.” Listen on your favorite podcatcher and follow the show on Instagram (@girlslikeusshow) and Twitter (@GirlsLikeUsShow).

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Episode 141: Chasing Redbird

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Sharon Creech’s Chasing Redbird is the story of Zinnia Taylor, a thirteen-year-old who is navigating the chaos of her large family with the guilt she feels about the untimely deaths of her beloved cousin Rose and her Aunt Jessie. Oh, and there’s also an older boy named Jake Boone who is suddenly paying a lot of attention to her. But what happens when Zinny takes on the task of uncovering a twenty-mile trail behind her house? As you can probably guess, the project is going to take her on a major ~journey~.

On Episode 141, author Sarah Hogle joins Alli for a conversation about grief, mental health, guilt, identity, and so much more. They also address one burning question: Is Jake Boone a hero or a creep?

Sarah Hogle is the author of Twice Shy and You Deserve Each Other. Follow her on Instagram (@sarah_hogle) and Twitter (@witchofthewords).

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Episode 140: The Long Winter

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 140 of SSR, Alli and her guest circle back to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairies series, this time for a discussion about the sixth installment, The Long Winter. This Newbery Honor winner tells the story of a particularly punishing winter season for the Ingalls family and feels oddly relatable to pandemic life in 2020 and 2021. Tune in for a frank conversation about the racist underpinnings of the Little House series and a closer exploration of The Long Winter, specifically.

Lauren Tarshis is the New York Times bestselling author of the I Survived series, which has over 34 million copies in print. The latest installment — I Survived: The Nazi Invasion, 1944 — is now available for purchase. Follow Lauren on Instagram (@laurentarshis) and Twitter (@laurenTarshis).

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Episode 139: Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles (The Royal Diaries)

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Let them eat cake! On Episode 139, Alli and her guest discuss the fourth installment in the beloved Royal Diaries series, Marie Antoinette, Princess of Versailles, written by Kathryn Lasky. They chat about the disturbing nature of marriage and royalty in the eighteenth century, try to reconcile the voice of Antonia in the diary with the infamous Marie Antoinette, wonder why gambling was such a key part of a royal’s education, and consider the many contradictions of Versailles.

Angela Lashbrook writes about consumer tech and health for OneZero, VICE, Refinery29, and other outlets. She blogs about books at angelalashbrook.medium.com. Follow Angela on Twitter (@lemonsand) and bookstagram (@theangelashelf).

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Episode 138: Both Sides of Time

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to travel through time? Have you ever suspected that some era gone by might be a happier time period than the one you’re living in? If so, you’re not alone! Annie Lockwood — the protagonist of Caroline B. Cooney’s Both Sides of Time — is right there with you, and on Episode 138, Alli and her guest take a close look at her story, which is the first installment in Cooney’s Time Travelers Quartet. Tune in to find out if Annie’s time travel expectations are met… and if this 1995 novel holds up under a 2021 lens.

Tirzah Price is a contributing editor at Book Riot and the author of Pride and Premeditation, out April 6, 2021. Follow her on Instagram (@tirzah.price) and Twitter (@TirzahPrice).

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Episode 137: Frindle

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 137, Frindle by Andrew Clements takes the stage! Frindle chronicles the adventures of a fifth-grader named Nick Allen who turns his community upside down when he decides to start using the word “frindle” to describe pens. On this episode, Alli shares why this book is so close to her heart and talks with her guests about troublemakers, cultural differences in the classroom, double standards, strict teachers, the power of a villain, and more.

Daman and Khyati are the hosts of Brown Girls Read. On every episode, they discuss the books they’re reading, as well as their culture. Follow them on Instagram (@browngirlsreadpod | @browngirlshappyhour).

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Episode 136: Boy Meets Boy

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 136, Alli and her guest discuss David Levithan’s trailblazing queer YA romance, Boy Meets Boy. Published in 2003, the novel tells the story of a high schooler named Paul, his many complicated relationships, and a utopian town in which all people are loved and accepted. Tune in for a conversation about the guest Ashley Woodfolk’s personal connection to the book, why Boy Meets Boy is so powerful, our changing vocabulary around identity, friend breakups, and more.

Ashley Woodfolk is a YA author. Her new books — the paperback edition of When You Were Everything and Noelle: The Mean Girl — are out today! Later this year, look out for more of Ashley’s work in Blackout, Tobyn: The It Girl, and Battle of the Bands. Follow Ashley on Instagram (@ashwrites) and Twitter (@AshWrites).

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Episode 135: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Years before MGM released The Wizard of Oz in 1939, there was a book that inspired the now-classic film! Published in 1900 and written by L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz takes readers alongside Dorothy on a magical journey to the fantastical land of Oz and on a quest to discover what she and her new friends most desire! On Episode 135, Alli and her guests take their own journey down the yellow brick road, unpacking their experiences with the story past and present, addressing the author’s controversial background, and more!

Tara and EmKay are the hosts of Down the Yellow Brick Pod, a show that celebrates their enchantment with the world of Oz. Their second season premieres soon! Support their work on Patreon and follow along on Instagram (@downtheyellowbrickpod).

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Episode 134: The Hunger Games

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Alli volunteers as tribute… to discuss The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! On Episode 134, it’s finally time to tackle this pop culture phenomenon! Alli and her guests discuss how the series impacted the YA category, how it mirrors real-life past and present, and the dystopian genre as a whole. They also chat about their feelings about the book’s love triangle and Katniss Everdeen’s experience as a young woman in the public eye… and more!

Margaux Poupard and Emilie Begin are the hosts of the Old Millennials Podcast, which you can find on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you listen to podcasts! The show offers a deep dive on shallow topics AKA the movies, shows, music, and trends of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Follow Old Millennials on Instagram (@theoldmillennialspod) and Facebook.

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Episode 133: Then Again, Maybe I Won't

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Long ago, Judy Blume was established as one of the reigning queens of the SSR podcast.

On Episode 133, Alli and her guest take a look at a book that feels like a bit of a departure for our queen — Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, which was published in 1971. Unlike many of Blume’s coming of age stories, this one centers around a boy main character, thirteen-year-old Tony Miglione. Tune in to hear a discussion about the significance of this unique perspective on puberty, as well as conversations about mental health, wealth, sex ed, shoplifting, family, creepy spying behavior, Gossip Girl, and Grease.

Jen Calonita is a middle grade and YA author. Her latest book is Go the Distance — a Disney Twisted Tale — and will be available on April 6! Follow her on Instagram (@jencalonita) and Twitter (@JenCalonita).

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Episode 132: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 132, Alli and her guest Renée road trip through Christopher Paul Curti’s award-winning novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963. They talk about how the book portrays bullying, family, masculinity, race, and mental health, and the ways in which it was ahead of its time in many ways!

Renée Hicks is the book lover behind the Book Girl Magic community, a book club that celebrates black women authors and seeks to bring people together through reading. Follow Book Girl Magic on Instagram (@book_girl_magic) and Twitter (@bookgirlmagic).

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Episode 131: The Secret of the Attic (Magic Attic Club #1)

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

It’s a straight-up ‘90s Nostalgia Fest on Episode 131!

Alli and her guest discuss the first book in the Magic Attic Club series, The Secret of the Attic. They chat about the Magic Attic Club brand as a whole and answer your burning questions — Is it related to American Girl? And where did it even go? They also discuss representations of racial and religious diversity in kid lit, the Magic Attic girls they most relate to, their deep-seated fears of kidnapping, and more.

Mackenzie Newcomb is the founder of the Bad Bitch Book Club and the co-host of the Friends 2 Lovers podcast. Follow her (@mackinstyle) and Bad Bitch Book Club (@badbitch.bookclub) on Instagram.

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Episode 130: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Episode 130 marks the conclusion to Manuary 2021 — and Alli’s first experience with the oft-requested Avi novel, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. The book was published in 1990 and won a Newbery Honor in 1991 and has quite the fandom within the SSR community. On this episode, Alli and guest Jordan Moblo have an in-depth conversation about The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and what it says about power, race, gender, class, and morality.

Follow Jordan on Instagram (@jordys.book.club).

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Episode 129: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Strap on your motorcycle helmets and get ready to take an adventure with Ralph S. Mouse! On Episode 129, Alli and her guest discuss Beverly Cleary’s 1965 middle grade novel The Mouse and the Motorcycle. They chat about mice in kid lit and do an extensive compare and contrast between Ralph and Stuart Little. They talk about the fun of stories that take place in a hotel setting and the challenges of discussing nostalgia. They consider The Mouse and the Motorcycle as a fantasy story and the book’s more gendered elements… and so much more!

Anand Kalra is the founding director of Uncaged Librarian Arts & Information, which produced Octavia of Earth, the documusical inspired by the life of sci-fi luminary Octavia E. Butler. Follow along on Instagram (@uncagedlibrarian) and Facebook.

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Episode 128: Night of the Living Dummy (Goosebumps #7)

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the second week of Manuary, the second episode of 2021, and Alli’s second-ever experience reading one of R. L. Stine’s beloved Goosebumps books!

On Episode 128, SSR takes a spooky look at the seventh book in the iconic series, Night of the Living Dummy, in which we meet a very famous ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Alli and her guest discuss their personal feelings about and experiences with ventriloquism, the portrayal of sibling rivalry in the book, and the suspension of disbelief necessary in the horror genre. They also chat about the genre, more generally.

David Luzader is an improv comic, long-time podcaster, and winner of America’s Next Top Podcasters Season 2. His two current podcasts are Hit Me One More Time and Movie Go Round. Follow David on Twitter (@davluz).

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Episode 127: Because of Winn-Dixie

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Happy 2021, friends!

SSR kicks off a new year and the third annual Manuary with a conversation about Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning middle grade novel Because of Winn-Dixie. Published in 2000, the book tells the story of a young girl named Opal who navigates life in a new town — among a colorful cast of characters — with the help of a dog named Winn-Dixie. On Episode 127, Because of Winn-Dixie inspires conversations about everything from Dave Matthews and empathy to toxic masculinity and pet personalities.

Follow Hunter McLendon on Instagram (@shelfbyshelf), Twitter (@shelfbyshelf), and YouTube (Shelf By Shelf). Check out Shelf by Shelf for reviews, book discussions, and more.

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Episode 126: Listenersode #2!

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Once again, we’re inviting SSR listeners on to the show to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences about the books they loved most as kids… and maybe even some of the books the podcast has ruined for them. (Sorry!)

Enjoy this special episode — and happy new year! See you in 2021!

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Episode 125: Esperanza Rising

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the final ~official~ episode of 2020, and Alli and her guests are turning their attention to Pam Muñoz Ryan’s 2000 middle grade novel, Esperanza Rising. This beautiful, meaningful book touches on themes of immigration, family, race, class, mental health, the patriarchy, privilege, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this 2020 grand finale, featuring a very special, award-winning book.

Check out Marci and Ako’s bi-weekly podcast, the Colored Pages Book Club. Follow the show on Instagram (@thesecoloredpages) and Twitter (@TheColoredPages).

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Episode 124: Ballet Shoes

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMT

In the 1998 movie You’ve Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly shares her love for the “Shoe books” by Noel Streatfeild. Her favorite, she says, is Ballet Shoes — and since we are *big* fans of Kathleen Kelly around here, it’s time to tackle it!

On Episode 124, Alli and her guest Jenny Bayliss dive into the world of the Fossil family — Pauline, Petrova, Posy, and their caretakers Garnie and Nana. They talk about the pressures the sisters feel to support their family, the way they embrace found family, and the various forms of privilege they straddle. They discuss the way misogyny presents itself in Ballet Shoes and the hints of progressivism they find in an otherwise fairly classic book.

Jenny Bayliss is the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas. Follow her on Instagram (@jennibayliss) and Twitter (@BaylissJenni).

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Episode 123: The Cricket in Times Square

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMT

New Reads November is over… and we’re back to our usual literary throwback programming! On Episode 123, Alli and her guest take a walk down reading memory lane for a discussion about George Selden’s The Cricket in Times Square, which was published in 1960 and won a Newbery Honor in 1961. The book is a celebration of friendship, New York City, and the American dream. Tune in to hear Alli and Melissa discuss their personal experiences with this book (hint: Alli had a childhood pet named after the main character), the power of the arts, the presidential fitness test, and more.

Melissa de la Cruz is the bestselling, critically-acclaimed author of dozens of books for all ages. Her latest book — Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy — is out now! Follow her on Instagram (@authormelissadelacruz) and Twitter (@MelissadelaCruz).

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Episode 122: You Should See Me in a Crown (New Reads November)

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the final week of New Reads November 2020! And we’re going out with a grand finale — a discussion about Leah Johnson’s much-buzzed debut, You Should See Me in a Crown. On Episode 122, Alli and her guest Jenny Lee talk about everything from prom and queer rep to anxiety and mean girls. You don’t want to miss this one (or the book that inspired it)!

Jenny Lee is a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles. She is also the author of the YA novel, Anna K. Follow Jenny on Instagram (@jennyleewrites).

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Episode 121: Grown (New Reads November)

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:00:00 GMT

For Week Three of New Reads November, Alli and her guest dive into a discussion about TIffany D. Jackson’s latest YA novel, Grown. Published in September 2020, Grown tells the story of an aspiring singer named Enchanted Jones who is swept into the scary world of beloved superstar Korey Fields. It’s a commentary on power and influence and race and the way our society treats victims of sexual assault — and it offers so much important food for thought in this conversation!

(Trigger warning: sexual abuse, rape, assault, child abuse, kidnapping, addiction)

Hayley Krischer is a journalist whose work has been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, Lenny Letter, and more. Her debut novel — Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf — is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@hayleykrischer) and Twitter (@hayleykrischer).

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Episode 120: Clap When You Land (New Reads November)

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s week two of New Reads November 2020 and Alli and her guest are turning to Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land (which just so happens to have been the most-requested title for New Reads November!). You don’t want to miss the conversation about this novel in verse, which addresses matters of identity, race, family, sexuality, feminism, and the patriarchy… not to mention the fact that it’s beautiful writing from start to finish!

Kara Lee Corthron is an author, playwright, and TV writer based in Los Angeles. Her latest novel Daughters of Jubilation is now available. Follow her on Instagram (@kara.corthron) and Twitter (@KaraLeeCorthron).

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Episode 119: The Voting Booth (New Reads November)

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the first episode of New Reads November 2020!

Appropriately (since Episode 119 drops on Election Day), the first new YA title up for discussion for New Reads November is Brandy Colbert’s The Voting Booth. The Voting Booth chronicles a single Election Day from two perspectives — the politically passionate Marva and the quiet activist Duke. What happens when Marva commits to doing whatever is necessary to get Duke to vote? Listen to this episode (and read the book!) to find out!

Bookstagrammer Cayla Turner joins Alli for this conversation about everything from voter suppression and race to Instagram pets and healthy relationships. Follow her on Instagram (@bookitqueen).

And remember to vote!

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Episode 118: Karen's Witch (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #1)

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT

For way too long, Alli underestimated one amazing character in the BSC world: Karen Brewer, AKA Kristy’s younger stepsister. Netflix’s 2020 adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club showed her just how amazing Karen is… and she’s thrilled to be turning the spotlight on her for Episode 118 and a discussion of Karen’s Witch.

The first book in the BSC spin-off series Baby-Sitters Little Sister, Karen’s Witch tells the story of what happens when our heroine becomes convinced that her dad’s neighbor Mrs. Porter is actually a witch named Morbidda Destiny. The book also touches on matters of divorce and blended families — all of which Alli and her guest chat about on this episode!

Allison Winn Scotch is the author of eight novels, including the newly released Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing. Follow her on Twitter (@aswinn) and Instagram (@aswinn).

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Episode 117: Meet Kirsten (American Girl)

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s time for another American Girl deep dive! This time, the focus is pioneer girl Kirsten Larson — and Alli couldn’t have picked a better guest for this one. On Episode 117, she welcomes the ~queen~ of pop culture deep dives, Kate Kennedy from the Be There in Five podcast.

Tune in to listen to Alli and Kate’s conversation about Meet Kirsten, which was published in 1988 and written by Janet Shaw. They share about their personal histories with the American Girl brand as a whole and examine the emotional roller coaster that is Meet Kirsten, specifically. Kate and Alli also discuss the ways in which Kirsten’s immigrant story is still resonant and relevant today.

Follow Kate on Instagram (@bethereinfive) and Twitter (@BeThereInFive).

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Episode 116: The View from Saturday

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Every once in a while, Alli stumbles her way back to a book that tells her more than she ever could have expected about the kind of reader and writer she’s grown up to be… and The View from Saturday is one of them! On Episode 116, she and her guest take a close look at this 1996 middle grade novel by E.L. Konigsburg, which won the Newbery Medal in 1997.

Alli and Kate discuss the book’s multiple perspectives and framing device, share which of the four core characters they most relate to, talk about the magic of a story that’s about kindness and being seen, and chat about whether or not The View from Saturday should be adapted for the screen. They also talk about elements of the book that most certainly did not hold up very well — most glaringly, its tendency to other characters of color and the use of a noose as a recurring image in the story.

Kate Stayman-London is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. One to Watch is her first book. Follow her on Instagram (@_ksl) and Twitter (@_ksl).

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Episode 115: The BFG

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Roald Dahl may be a beloved children’s author, but he’s also a problematic figure. Similarly, The BFG is a beloved children’s book… but it’s not without its problems and complexities. On Episode 115 of SSR, Alli and her guest Christina Hammonds Reed break down The BFG — from its magical use of language to its xenophobic undertones, and everything in between.

Christina is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Black Kids. Follow her on Instagram (@christinahammondsreed).

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Episode 114: The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1)

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

A conversation about Lemony Snicket’s beloved A Series of Unfortunate Events has been a long time coming… but it’s finally here! On Episode 114, Alli and her guest discuss the first book in the series, The Bad Beginning, which was published in 1999.

Much of the conversation on the episode focuses on one core question: how dark is too dark for kids? There’s discussion about why kids love the darkness in the series, as well as Snicket’s tendency to write about incompetent adults and broken legal systems.

Kayla Graves is an essayist and educator working at the forefront of creating equitable and just urban communities. Her current series — Racism in American Cities — focuses on how various policies and events throughout American history have led to the creation of modern race relations in cities. Follow her on Instagram (@honeybuttergal).

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Episode 113: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

For some odd reason, Alli never read Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist when she was a teen reader herself, but she’s finally experiencing the David Levithan and Rachel Cohn novel for the first time on Episode 113! Tune in to hear her and her guest chat about so many things: the importance of music, the evolution in our language around queerness and gender fluidity, the way sexuality is leveraged against girls, the emotional power of YA, hotel vending machine makeout scenes, and so much more!

Sarah Wendell is the co-founder and current mastermind of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and the host of Smart Podcast, Trashy Books. She is also the author of Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels and Lighting the Flames, as well as the co-author of Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels. Follow her on Twitter (@SmartBitches) and Instagram (@smartbitches).

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Episode 112: The Mystery at Lilac Inn (Nancy Drew #4)

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s been more than two years since SSR last examined Nancy Drew — but we’re back with another Nancy convo for Episode 112! On this episode, the hosts of the Novel Pairings podcast join Alli to discuss the fourth book in the iconic series, The Mystery at Lilac Inn. They chat about how Nancy Drew can be simultaneously trailblazing and problematic and take a deep dive into the ways in which the book portrays race, class, appearance, law enforcement, and more.

Listen to Novel Pairings wherever you find your favorite pods! Follow the show on Instagram (@novelpairingspod) and Twitter (@NovelPairings). Follow Sara (@fictionmatters) and Chelsey on Instagram (@chelseyreads), too!

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Episode 111: Freaky Friday

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Author Suzanne Park joins Alli on Episode 111 to discuss Freaky Friday, the 1972 middle grade novel by Mary Rodgers that served as the inspiration for many adaptations, including the 2003 movie starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. They discuss the differences between the book and the movies, focusing especially on how one fosters more empathy within the mother/daughter relationship than the other. They also discuss the book’s more problematic elements, namely a racist housekeeper and a misogynist dad. And they chat about the fundamental misunderstandings that exist between kids and parents!

Suzanne Park is the author of The Perfect Escape and Loathe at First Sight. Follow her on Instagram (@suzannepark) and Twitter (@suzannepark).

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Episode 110: This Lullaby

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 110, book lover and bookstagrammer Sarah Coquillat is on the pod to chat about a book she absolutely loved as a teenager, Sarah Dessen’s This Lullaby. Does she still love it just as much after a reread? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Sarah and Alli discuss dreamy (and not-so-dreamy) literary heartthrobs, slut-shaming, the lack of diversity in YA from this era, and the author’s portrayal of sexual assault in This Lullaby. They also talk about several common tropes in teen romance: characters who don’t believe in love, young men ruthlessly pursuing their love interests, and young women needing to be “figured out” by their partners.

(**Trigger warning: sexual assault)

Follow Sarah on Instagram (@bookishandblack).

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Episode 109: You Know You Love Me (Gossip Girl #2)

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s time for another Gossip Girl chat! On Episode 109, author (and Gossip Girl expert) Hannah Orenstein joins Alli to discuss the second title in Cecily von Ziegesar’s iconic series, You Know You Love Me. They talk about the many disturbing elements of the book that would likely not land in 2020 (homophobia, chain smoking, blatant body shaming), the complicated relationships (and love triangles) among characters, and the pressures of the college application process. They also explore the possibility that Nate Archibald is the single worst boyfriend in the history of ever and consider whether Dan Humphrey is sweet or stalkerish.

(**Trigger warning: eating disorders, disordered eating)

Hannah Orenstein is the author of Head Over Heels, Playing With Matches, and Love at First Like. Follow her on Instagram (@hannahorens) and Twitter (@hannahorens).

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Episode 108: The Headless Cupid

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Author Jen Doll joins Alli on Episode 108 for a conversation about Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s Newbery Honor-winning novel, The Headless Cupid. They discuss blended family dynamics, the importance of mental health resources for kids, and ghost stories! They also address an extremely disturbing, racist scene that would never fly in 2020… and shouldn’t have flown when it was written in 1971, either.

Jen is the author of Unclaimed Baggage and Save the Date: The Occasional Mortifications of a Serial Wedding Guest. Follow her on Instagram (@jendoll) and Twitter (@thisisjendoll).

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Episode 107: Catherine, Called Birdy

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 107, Alli is joined by podcaster and comedian Kelly Anneken to discuss Karen Cushman’s 1995 Newbery Honor winner, Catherine, Called Birdy. They chat about babysitting, Accelerated Reader, and their misguided impressions of the Middle Ages. They take a close look at the way Catherine, Called Birdy depicts heavy issues of childbirth, agency, domestic violence, diversity, consent, and the patriarchy. Alli and Kelly also chat about the unique challenges of adapting a book like this one for film or TV.

Kelly is co-host of the Red All Over and Up Yours, Downstairs podcasts. Follow her on Instagram (@kellyanneken) and Twitter (@kellyanneken).

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Episode 106: Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:01:50 GMT

On Episode 106, Alli and her guest explore one major question: how good (or not-so-good) does it feel to read a book that feels like a time capsule of an era gone by?

As you’ll hear in the episode, there are plenty of upsides and downsides, all discussed in the context of Louise Rennison’s 1999 YA hit Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. The conversation jumps from ‘90s movies and bad hair to toxic friendships and teen confidence.

Jessica Goodman is the author of They Wish They Were Us. Follow her on Twitter (@jessgood) and Instagram (@jessicagoodman).

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Episode 105: Mr. Popper's Penguins

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 105, Alli sets aside her very real, very intense fear of birds for a conversation about Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Written in 1938 by Richard and Florence Atwater, this Newbery Honor winner is the story of a house painter named Mr. Popper who dreams of traveling to the Arctic and the penguins who come into his life thanks to one of his heroes, explorer Admiral Drake. Alli and her guest Swati chat about the many antics of Popper’s penguins, as well as the extent to which Mr. Popper represents a little bit of all of us! They also talk about how the book would be received by animal rights groups if it were published in 2020, the lack of nuance in Mrs. Popper’s portrayal, and cancel culture, more broadly.

Swati Teerdhala is the author of The Tiger at Midnight and The Archer at Dawn. Follow her on Instagram (@swatiteerdhala) and Twitter (@swatiteerdhala)!

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Episode 104: Eight Cousins // Rose in Bloom

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s been well-established that Alli is a superfan of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, but on Episode 104, her guest introduces her to two of the author’s other books — Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom. On this episode, they chat about how Alcott’s real-life influenced her storytelling and consider the many ways in which these books were highly progressive and feminist when they were written, even if it doesn’t seem that way now.

Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times-bestselling author of 27 novels. Her latest novel is Hello, Summer. Follow her on Instagram (@marykayandrews).

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Episode 103: Who's Who? (Sweet Valley High #62)

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s become an unofficial tradition to come back for a new year of the podcast with a Sweet Valley episode… and this year is no exception! On Episode 103, Alli’s soon-to-be podcaster friends Jaimie Farris and Abby Tracy join her to chat about Book #62 in the series, Who’s Who?

Check out this episode for conversations about old school “computer dating services,” body image, high school romances, the motivational quotes that inspired us in high school, and about a thousand laughs. Jaimie, Abby, and Alli also discuss the age-old question: Team Jessica or Team Elizabeth?

Jaimie and Abby’s show — the Odd Job Podcast — will launch later this summer.

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Episode 102: Bonus Q+A #3!

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

Rounding out year TWO of the podcast, it’s time for another round of Q+A!

On this episode, Alli answers questions about everything from her favorite episodes and goals for the show to her personal writing and her recent move to Philadelphia.

Enjoy this bonus episode!

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Episode 101: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT

This is the fourth and final week of Pride Month on the pod. Cheers to many more! Thanks so much to all of the guests who have joined Alli to celebrate Pride on SSR.

On Episode 101, Tim Swenarton guests to chat about the book that made him a reader, Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief. The first title in the five-book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the novel was published in 2005 and shot Riordan to immediate kid lit stardom. Tune in to this episode to hear more about why The Lightning Thief meant so much to Tim as a kid, along with conversations about representation, mythology, empathy, and what it really means to be a hero. Tim and Alli also award the first-ever honorary SSR book award and discuss their wild post-quarantine dream plans.

Tim is a bookstagrammer working in publishing and living in Brooklyn. When he’s not reading, he’s matching his makeup to book covers. Follow along on Instagram (@bookedbytim).

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Episode 100: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s Episode 100 of SSR — and Week 3 of Pride Month! There’s so much to celebrate on the podcast this week!

Episode 100 is all about Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty, the 2003 YA novel that kicked off the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. Megan Tripp joins Alli to discuss everything from world-building and problematic othering of BIPOC to subtle hints at queerness and young women claiming their agency! You don’t want to miss it.

Follow Megan on Instagram (@booksnblazers).

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Episode 99: Keeping You a Secret

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT

We’re back for the second episode of Pride Month 2020!

Allison Punch joins Alli to chat about a book that made a huge impact on her life, Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters. On this episode, they discuss the lack of queer love stories in mainstream YA in decades gone by and how this book compares to other coming-out narratives. They also dig into the sweet dynamics of the romance in Keeping You a Secret, as well as the homophobia that the main characters experience.

Follow Allison on Instagram (@allisonreadsdc) and Twitter (@ajpunch).

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Episode 98: Peter Pan

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 98 kicks off Pride Month 2020 on SSR!

This week, Alli is joined by podcaster and kid lit enthusiast Bryce Kelly for a conversation about J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. And we’re not talkin’ the Disney version! Tune in to hear them chat about this story’s deep publishing/adaptation history, unpack its strict depiction of traditional gender roles and weird conception of parenthood, and consider which characters are “good” and which characters are “bad.”

Bryce is the co-host of the Percy Jackson podcast Radio Camp Half Blood and the former co-host of the Lemony Snicket podcast Unfortunate Associates. They studied children’s literature as an undergraduate at Bard College and regretfully know too much about Roald Dahl. Follow them on Instagram (@bkellygorman), Twitter (@BKellyGorman), and Tumblr. Support their current endeavors on Patreon!

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Episode 97: Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Tue, 26 May 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Every once in a while, Alli has to share what she *really* thinks is going to be an unpopular opinion on the podcast. Well, this is one of those times. Without any nostalgic attachment to Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School, she’s not quite sure how to feel about it… but you’ll have to tune in for all the details! On this episode, you’ll hear Alli and her guest Katie Cragwall discuss their favorite things about the book’s format/structure, the way it shows its age with respect to name-calling, the extent to which the author was “in on the joke” in writing these stories, and how the book flies in the face of their rule-following natures!

Katie is one of the founders of The Bookly Club, an online book club that’s open to all. Follow The Bookly Club on Instagram (@thebooklyclub) and Twitter (@thebooklyclub).

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Episode 96: Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell (Dear America)

Tue, 19 May 2020 06:00:00 GMT

There have been so many requests for a Dear America episode — at last, we deliver! On Episode 96, Alli and her guest discuss the fifth installment, Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847. Tune in to hear them chat about Alli’s elementary school obsession with all things Oregon Trail, the joys and embarrassments of keeping a diary, and how their reading tastes have developed since childhood. They also talk about the book’s depiction of race relations, share their newfound appreciation for the rigor of the Oregon Trail journey, and determine — without a doubt — how not cut out for it they would be.

The guest on Episode 96 is Jimalion Perry, who works in Emergency Management by day and reads voraciously by night! Follow her on Instagram (@itsabookishworld_) and Twitter (@ItsaBookishWorld) and check out her book blog!

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Episode 95: My Side of the Mountain

Tue, 05 May 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Long-time listeners of The SSR Podcast will hardly be surprised to discover that Alli is not the biggest fan of survival stories, but on Episode 95, she and her guest revisit Jean Craighead George’s Newbery Honor-winning novel My Side of the Mountain. After all, it is a classic!

Tune in to find out if this is the book to change Alli’s mind about the survival genre and to hear her frustrations about its lack of character context and backstory. How old is the main character? Why did he run away? Why do his parents seem so unconcerned? Episode 95 covers it all.

Guest Akemi Dawn Bowman is the author of Starfish, Summer Bird Blue, and Harley in the Sky. Her upcoming sci-fi series The Infinity Courts is set to release in 2021. Follow Akemi on Instagram (@akemidawnbowman) and Twitter (@akemidawn).

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Episode 94: New York, New York! (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #6)

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT

When it comes to The Baby-Sitters Club and SSR, too much of a good thing is never enough… so it’s lucky for you that Episode 94 is yet another Super Special installment, New York, New York! In this book — the sixth BSC Super Special — the crew has a big apple adventure for their spring break, during which each baby-sitter finds her own NYC story. Some are much more interesting than others, but on this episode, Alli and her guest Megan Angelo discuss each of them, along with their memories of reading the BSC series out of order as tweens, their thoughts on the weird dynamics between adult men and the baby-sitters, the subtle nods to race and masculinity in Jessi’s storyline, and so much more. They also consider a very controversial question: is it possible that Mary Anne and Stacey are, in fact, very bad baby-sitters? Find out!

Megan Angelo has written about TV, film, women and pop culture, and motherhood for publications including The New York Times, Glamour, Elle, The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, and Slate. Followers is her first novel. Follow Megan on Instagram (@meganangelo) and Twitter (@meganangelo).

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Episode 93: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1)

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Alli experiences a serious case of retroactive FOMO on Episode 93, thanks to a discussion about the first book in Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series, I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You. Along with guest Phoebe Wright, she discusses the many, many cool aspects of the Gallagher Academy, considers how the series may have planted some early feminist seeds, ponders alternate endings, and swoons over the magical first moment of being fully “seen” as an insecure teen. Oh, and there’s talk of Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls!

Phoebe is a NYC-based actor and reader and the voice behind Read & Wright. Follow her on Instagram (@readandwright) and Twitter (@readandwright2) and check out her book podcast Read It or List It.

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Episode 92: Superfudge

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Once again, we return to an SSR *~queen~* — Judy Blume! On Episode 92, it’s all about the Hatcher family — Peter, Fudge, baby Tootsie, their parents, and the many adventures and misadventures they get into in Superfudge, published in 1980.

Tune in to hear Alli and her guest discuss Blume’s expert portrayal of sibling and family dynamics, the honesty with which she seems to write about parenting, and the extent to which they related to the grown-ups in the book. They also consider accusations from parents who say that Judy Blume ruined Santa Clause for their children in Superfudge. Yikes!

Caroline Zancan is the author of Local Girls and We Wish You Luck. Follow her on Instagram (@carolinezancan82) and Twitter (@carolinezancan).

Thanks so much to the Girl Means Business podcast for sponsoring Episode 92!

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Episode 91: Snowbound (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #7)

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 91, get snowed in with Alli, the Stoneybrook babysitters, and guest Margaret Willison, who read her first-ever BSC book for SSR!

Alli and Margaret chat through the situations in which each babysitter finds herself in an unexpected blizzard, discuss how much easier it is to weather a bad storm in 2020 than it was in 1991 when the book was published, and talk more generally about the series and the babysitters themselves.

Margaret is a librarian, writer, and podcaster. Follow her on Instagram (@mrsfridaynext) and Twitter (@MrsFridayNext), check out her culture newsletter Two Bossy Dames, and tune into her TV podcast Appointment Television!

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Episode 90: Coming Home (Heartland #1)

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT

SSR gallops into the world of horse books for Episode 90! Alli and her guest Hannah Williams are chatting about the first book in Lauren Brooke’s Heartland series, Coming Home. Tune in to hear them swap notes about their own horse girl pasts, reminisce about the many horse books they loved as kids, and consider why kids are so drawn to horses and stories about them. They also take a deep dive into the ways in which Coming Home depicts trauma, grief, and family dynamics.

Hannah is a full-time wife, mom, and behavioral therapist for children diagnosed with Autism. When she isn’t reading a book, she’s probably listening to one. Follow Hannah on Instagram (@booknerdnative).

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Episode 89: Don't Die, My Love

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT

It’s rare that Alli’s met a reader who has been as deeply affected by a book as the guest on Episode 89 has been affected by Lurlene McDaniel’s Don’t Die, My Love. You don’t want to miss this story!

On this episode, Alli and her guest Hitha Palepu also talk about the power of books like McDaniel’s tragic teen romances to help kids better understand and cope with crisis situations. They discuss the extent to which they emphasize with the parents in Don’t Die, My Love and the many (real) things they learned about cancer from reading the novel… even as adults!

Hitha is an investor, the author of How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip, and the host of the 1 Smart Thing podcast. Follow her on Instagram (@hithapalepu) for reading recommendations, book reviews, and honest answers to your questions.

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Episode 88: The Birchbark House

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 88, Alli and her guest Uli Beutter Cohen discuss their first experience reading Louise Erdrich’s The Birchbark House, which was a National Book Award finalist for young people’s fiction in 1999. In their conversation, they get real about the gaps in American education regarding the true history of indigenous people, talk about the importance of own voices stories, and share their love for the ways in which Erdrich’s work connects both readers and characters to the natural world.

Uli Beutter Cohen is the creator and editor of the Subway Book Review. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine, Esquire, Vogue, Glamour, Forbes, and The Guardian, among others. Follow the Subway Book Review on Instagram (@subwaybookreview).

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Episode 87: Jacob Have I Loved

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMT

For Episode 87, Alli comes to Katherine Paterson’s Newbery-winning Jacob Have I Loved for the first time — and what a ride it was! This middle grade book is a story of sibling rivalry, resentment, privilege, and family responsibility. It’s also a story about learning to take responsibility for your own path… although Alli has some seriously mixed feelings about how that last part is handled. Tune in to hear her and guest Sara Hildreth take a close look at family dynamics, stumble their way through an Enneagram digression, consider Jacob Have I Loved through a feminist lens, and so much more.

Sara is a reader, English teacher, and the blogger behind Fiction Matters. Follow her on Instagram (@fictionmatters) and check out her new book podcast — co-hosted by @chelseyreads from Episode 34 of SSR — Novel Pairings (@novelpairingspod).

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Episode 86: Gossip Girl #1

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMT

XOXO, it’s (finally!) time for the SSR Gossip Girl episode!

On Episode 86, Alli and guest Alexandra Monir discuss the elements of the Gossip Girl universe that don't hold up so well in 2020, both in terms of technology and teen behavior. They consider parental objections to the book’s racy content and look at multiple sides of the argument for “light reading” versus no reading at all. They also talk about the depictions of friendship in Gossip Girl and answer the age-old question: Team Blair or Team Serena?

Alexandra is the author of The Final Six, The Life Below, Timeless, and three other YA novels. Follow her on Instagram (@alexandramonir) and Twitter (@TimelessAlex).

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Episode 85: The Castle in the Attic

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 07:00:00 GMT

As we all know, Alli loved A LOT of books when she was a kid, but for some inexplicable reason, Elizabeth Winthrop’s The Castle in the Attic seems to have buried itself in her subconscious more than most. On Episode 85, she and her guest Amanda Lovelace try to figure out why it’s been so memorable to her for so many years!

Tune in to this episode to hear Alli and Amanda discuss The Castle in the Attic’s affirmative messages about celebrating your personal strengths and abilities, as well as its positive take on masculinity. They also uncover some not-so-great language around taking a woman’s power away by forcing her to take up less physical space. Yikes.

Amanda Lovelace is the author of the celebrated Women Are Some Kind of Magic series. She is also the two-time winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for best poetry, as well as a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller. Follow her on Instagram (@ladybookmad) and Twitter (@ladybookmad).

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Episode 84: Meet Felicity (American Girl)

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 84, SSR finally enters the American Girl universe, this time with a conversation about Meet Felicity! Alli and her guest Rachel King discuss the gender politics of Felicity’s world, the frankness with which the author approaches issues like alcohol and animal abuse, and the book’s apparent whitewashing of race relations. They also consider Felicity Merriman from a feminist perspective!

And no American Girl conversation would be complete without a chat about the brand as a whole, as well as Alli and Rachel’s personal memories of the books, dolls, catalogs, magazine, and more!

Rachel is an editor at Fortune Magazine. She also runs a personal blog about wine, books, and related events in New York called Champagne and Fries. Follow her on Instagram (@rachelking25) and Twitter (@rachelking).

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Episode 83: All-American Girl

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 07:00:00 GMT

On Episode 83 of SSR, Atlas Obscura newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang joins Alli to discuss all things Meg Cabot’s All-American Girl. Is this the patriotic book that we need in these trying political times? Tune in and find out!

Alli and Ashley chat about the fine line between being angsty and being annoying, recall their days of listening to CDs at FYE, and wonder why *both* of the love interests in All-American Girl are so irritating to them as adults. They consider the political aspects of the story and wonder how they might be different (or the same!) if the book was written in 2020. They also talk about sibling relationships, privilege, and Gwen Stefani.

Follow Ashley on Twitter (@sweetsoleil). She’s (legitimately) one of Alli’s favorite people to follow and retweet. Check out the All-American Girl-inspired Spotify playlist the Ashley created here!

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Episode 82: The Parent Trap

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Manuary is over and the ladies are back! On Episode 82, Alli welcomes Christie and Izzy from the From Where She Sits podcast for a conversation about Erich Kästner’s The Parent Trap, the little-known German children’s book that inspired the blockbuster 1998 movie. The book is nothing like the sparkly summer camp movie you might remember, though!

Tune in to hear Alli, Christie, and Izzy chat about the darker elements of this book — neglectful parents, infidelity, and an unreasonable expectation that children should be responsible for adults’ relationship issues. They also chat about the story’s sexist presentation of parenting and working moms.

Check out Christie and Izzy’s podcast From Where She Sits! Follow on Instagram at: @fwsspodcast | @fromwherechristiesits | @fromwhereizzysits

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Episode 81: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Episode 81 of SSR is an extra special one, not only because it’s the final installment of Manuary 2020, but because it features Alli’s husband Matt as the guest! She can’t wait for the pod community to get to know him a little better.

Matt decided to take things in the required reading direction for his episode, and Episode 81 is all about Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ever since its publication in 1885, Huck Finn has been at the center of literary controversy, largely because of its language and depiction of race relations in the deep south of the nineteenth century. On this episode, Alli and Matt explore various takes on this controversy. They also discuss Twain’s use of regional dialect, their respective reading styles and preferences, and Alli’s first time listening to a book for the podcast instead of reading it on paper!

Also, have you ever heard Huckleberry Finn compared to Ferris Bueller? No? Well, that’s about to change.

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Episode 80: The Giver

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s Week 3 of Manuary, and we’re finally tackling Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Published in 1993, the book won the Newbery Medal in 1994 and is basically the OG dystopian YA of our generation. The Giver follows 12-year-old Jonas in his journey to fulfill his newly assigned role: the Receiver of Memory for a community that has done away with all memories and feelings in favor of a state of sameness.

Jonas’s story is a heavy and thought-provoking one, and it opens up conversations about all kinds of big moral questions. Brett Vergara joins Alli to discuss many of them on Episode 80 of SSR! Follow Brett on Instagram (@brettsvergara) and Twitter (@BrettSVergara) for takes on politics, The Bachelor, and Baby Yoda.

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Episode 79: The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids // Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 07:00:00 GMT

It’s another week of Manuary 2020, and Alli is welcoming Andrew and Craig from Overdue Podcast for a conversation about the first book in the beloved Bailey School Kids series, Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots.

Tune in for discussions about everything from class clowns and popcorn reading to ambiguous cliffhanger endings and Emily Deschanel. You’ll also hear Andrew, Craig, and Alli attempt to decipher the meaning of “goldfish noises” on mic.

Follow Overdue on Twitter (@OverduePod), Instagram (@overduepod), and Facebook (@OverduePod).

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Episode 78: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Happy 2020 and Happy Manuary, listeners!

To kick off this special month, we’re welcoming Hunter from Shelf by Shelf for a conversation about Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Published in 1964, the book tells the story of Charlie Bucket, an underprivileged young boy who — along with a zany group of kid characters and their parents — gets the chance to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious candy factory.

On Episode 78, Hunter and Alli take a deep dive into Charlie’s controversial publishing history, discuss the book’s film adaptations, and analyze problematic messages around food, weight, body image, race, and so much more. They also consider why the story has remained a favorite for so many for so many years!

Follow Hunter on Instagram (@shelfbyshelf), Twitter (@shelfbyshelf), and YouTube (Shelf by Shelf).

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Episode 77: Listenersode #1!

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 07:00:00 GMT

For the first time ever, we’re inviting SSR listeners on to the show to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences about the books they loved most as kids… and maybe even some of the books the podcast has ruined for them. (Sorry!)

Enjoy this special episode — and happy new year!

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Episode 76: The Clique

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 07:00:00 GMT

In 2004, Lisi Harrison’s The Clique series launched with its first book, which was aptly titled The Clique. The book brought the mean girls content that was so popular during this time period to the middle school set, introducing readers to a seventh grade queen bee named Massie Block, her gaggle of rich besties, and the new girl who she’s being forced to befriend. Alli didn’t read The Clique when she was growing up, and coming to it for the first time as an adult was an experience!

Tune in to Episode 76 to hear Alli and her guest discuss the mean girls cultural moment, why we love to read about wealth, the pure weirdness of middle school, the sexualization of tweens, the politics of school uniforms, middle schoolers in stilettos, creepy dads, the moral responsibility (or not!) of middle grade authors, and so much more.

This week, SSR welcomes Rachel Wainz to the show! Rachel works as digital manager at The Newsette and shares most of her reading, snacks, and NYC adventures on Instagram (@rachel.wainz).

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Episode 75: Forever

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:00:00 GMT

At long last, SSR tackles the infamous “Judy Blume sex book” — her 1975 YA novel Forever! On Episode 75, Alli and her guest discuss the way that the book portrays teen sex and informs readers about the importance of consent and safety. They also chat about the ways in which mixed messages about sex and relationships can inform the way a teenager makes decisions and the ways in which different kids react to the end of high school. Does Forever really deserve its reputation as the “Judy Blume sex book?" Listen and find out!

The guest on Episode 75 is Emily Edwards, freelance writer and host of the Fuckbois of Literature podcast. Follow FBoL on Instagram (@fuckboisoflit) and Twitter (@FuckboisOfLit). Follow Emily on Twitter (@MsEmilyEdwards).

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Episode 74: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:00:00 GMT

After a fabulous month of New Reads November, it’s back to literary throwbacks on the pod this week, and we’re psyched to be kicking things off with a discussion of Louis Sachar’s 1988 novel There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom. Over the course of this hour, Alli and her guest Lisa Schwartz chat about mental health (and the stigmas around it!), toxic masculinity, and the importance of modeling a healthy counselor relationship to kid readers. They also discuss the (sometimes gross) protocols surrounding bathroom use for elementary schoolers. And, importantly, how does the title of this book hold up in 2019?

Lisa is an actress, writer, and producer, best known for her YouTube channel Lisbug, which has garnered more than 2.2 million unique subscribers. Her first book Thirty-Life Crisis is on sale now. Follow Lisa on Instagram (@lisaschwartz) and Twitter (@lilschwartzie). Thanks so much to Lisa for guesting on this episode of SSR!

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Episode 73: Opposite of Always (New Reads November)

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

It’s the final week of New Reads November 2019, and Jeopardy! champ (and SSR fan!) Emma Boettcher is joining Alli to discuss Opposite of Always, the 2019 debut novel from Justin A. Reynolds. On this episode, Alli and Emma chat about the book’s unique time travel structure, unrequited love within friendships, and the reasons it can be difficult for us as adults to buy into the intensity of young relationships in teen books, movies, and TV. They also muse about some of the bigger questions explored in Opposite of Always: How much is too much to give up for someone you love? What is the real responsibility in supporting someone? How much would you sacrifice in one relationship for the sake of another?

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Episode 72: Nevermoor (New Reads November)

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Fun fact: Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow was the single most requested title for New Reads November 2019, and on Episode 72, Alli talks all about it with middle school ELA teacher Alex Fahey. They chat Harry Potter comparisons, world building, strong female protagonists, character development, isolation, immigration, and the appeal of power versus the appeal of community. Spoilers are minimal, so tune in for an intro to this book even if you haven’t read it yet!

Follow Alex on Twitter (@TeacherAFahey) and Instagram (@ourlives_afahey).

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Episode 71: The Princess and the Fangirl (New Reads November)

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

For Week 2 of New Reads November 2019, we’re chatting all things fandom, life swapping, and sci-fi conventions, thanks to Ashley Poston’s The Princess and the Fangirl. a twist on old school fairy tale The Prince and the Pauper. Alli and guest Rachel Strolle talk about the struggles of celebrity, the misleading nature of fame, and the good and scary sides of the fan community. They also chat about the refreshing approach this book takes to diversity in terms of race, sexuality, and relationships.

Rachel Strolle is a youth librarian, blogger, former bookseller, and YA buff. Follow her on Twitter (@recitrachel) and Instagram (@recitrachel).

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Episode 70: Frankly in Love (New Reads November)

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

New Reads November is back! The first title we’re discussing in this very special, very fun series is David Yoon’s YA debut Frankly in Love, which quickly became a bestseller when it was published in September 2019. In it, we meet high school senior Frank Li, who is experiencing the “normal” growing pains of your average American teen along with the unique challenges of being the child of Korean immigrants who moved to the U.S. to give him a better life. The book touches on everything from fake dating schemes and first love to challenging conversations about identity and the loss of a parent. Join Alli and guest Cara Meiselman for this discussion of identity, cultural education, and so much more.

Cara Meiselman is an obsessive reader and the co-programming lead for self-care community and newsletter Girls’ Night In. She helps run GNI Reads, the Girls’ Night In monthly book club with meet-ups in more than ten cities across the U.S. and Canada. Follow her on Instagram (@Caraizzle).

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Episode 69: Gingerbread

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Published in 2002, Gingerbread is the story of Cyd Charisse, a teen who makes her way from a posh New England boarding school to her home in San Francisco and then to the larger-than-life streets of New York City, where she hopes to bond with the biological father she’s idealized for over a decade. In the book, author Rachel Cohn explores the ideas of blended families, chosen families, unhealthy relationships, and tough choices. On Episode 69, Alli and her guest Kristina fangirl over Cohn’s writing, take a deep dive into the way the book portrays abortion, recap Cyd Charisse’s highly emotional journey through the novel, and so much more.

Kristina Forest is the author of the YA rom-com I Wanna Be Where You Are. Follow her on Twitter (@KristinaForest) and Instagram (@kristinaforest_).

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Episode 68: Just as Long as We're Together

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 06:00:00 GMT

There’s nothing quite like a simple, solid friendship story to really bring you back to what it felt like to be a kid, and that’s exactly what you get in Judy Blume’s Just as Long as We’re Together. On Episode 68, author Caroline Moss joins Alli to discuss this title (which just so happens to be one of her childhood favorites!), as well as what it says to kid readers about friendship, family, weight, and body image. Is three really a crowd? Can you have more than one best friend? Is it cool for tweens to be totally self-absorbed? How should we talk to kids about emotional eating? It’s all covered in this episode!

Caroline Moss is a Brooklyn-based writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, New York magazine, Cosmopolitan, VICE, and more. She’s the co-author of Hey Ladies! and the author of the Work It, Girl series. Follow her on Twitter (@CarolineMoss).

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Episode 67: Dragonsong

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Dudes abound in the world of science fiction and fantasy, and author Anne McCaffrey was a true trailblazer… just like the protagonist in her 1976 YA novel Dragonsong. The book is a celebration of fighting the patriarchy and any other institution that keeps you from pursuing your passions and talents. On Episode 67, author Tui Sutherland joins Alli to discuss her lifelong passion for McCaffrey’s work and to break down all the reasons that main character Menolly is a total badass (in the best possible way).

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Episode 66: The Baby-Sitters Club // Claudia and the Sad Goodbye

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Alli and guest Jaime Elsey — who you may know better as bookstagram’s @absorbedinpages — are getting real on Episode 66 as they discuss the heartbreaking twenty-sixth book in Ann M. Martin’s beloved Baby-Sitters Club series, Claudia and the Sad Goodbye. Tune in to hear them compare Claudia’s experience with the loss of a loved one to their own, and to hear them discuss the amazing ways in which this book communicates truisms about death to young readers and normalizes the complicated feelings that come with the grief process. (Oh, and because it’s the Baby-Sitters Club, there’s also some arts and crafts in the mix.)

Jaime Elsey is the avid bookworm behind Absorbed in Pages, as well as a wife, mother, and attorney.

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Episode 65: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 06:00:00 GMT

October is here… and we’re kicking off the spookiest month of the year with Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the first book in a series of the same name, published in 1981. Alli’s not the biggest fan of being scared, but in Episode 65, she learns to appreciate the history of these stories and the research that went into curating them. She and guest Gale Galligan talk about which of the scary stories are their favorites, consider how our definitions of scary change over time, and wonder why so many kids enjoy being scared in the first place!

Gale Galligan is the creator of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel adaptations of The Baby-Sitters Club, Dawn and the Impossible Three and Kristy’s Big Day. Learn more about her work on her website and follow her on Instagram (@robochai).

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Episode 64: Ozma of Oz

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Think you know all there is to know about the land of Oz? It’s more than just The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! In Episode 64, guest Heather Boaz joins to share a meaningful story from her own childhood, the third book in L. Frank Baum’s series, Ozma of Oz. Tune in to hear us discuss our favorite elements of the Oz world and the lessons this story has to teach about the dangers of judging based on appearance, underestimating those around us, and fearing the unknown.

Follow Heather on bookstagram (@mlleboaz.bibliophile).

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Episode 63: Homecoming

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

If you feel like every episode of The SSR Podcast is basically just a lovefest about whatever book we happen to be discussing (and you’re sick and tired of it!), then you should definitely check out Episode 63. Our feelings about Cynthia Voigt’s Homecoming are A LOT more complicated. Let’s just say it’s a love/hate thing.

On this episode, Alli and guest Kelly Jensen try to look at this 1981 novel from every spot on that love/hate spectrum. They also swap stories about their own middle and high school English classes and compare notes on the kinds of books they were reading in the nineties. There’s talk of birth order, mental health, religion, circus performers, and cold hot dogs — a little something for everyone!

Follow Kelly on Instagram (@heykellyjensen) and be sure to check out her work on Book Riot!

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Episode 62: To Kill a Mockingbird

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Ever since its publication in 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird has been earning accolades and showing up on school required reading lists. In more recent years, the conversation around this book — more specifically, around what it has to say about race and racial injustice — has become more complicated. On Episode 62, Alli and guest Amy Jo Bunselmeyer take a good, hard look at this classic and try to make sense of the role it should play in our larger dialogues about important social issues.

Thanks to Amy Jo for guesting on this episode! You may know Amy Jo better as bookstagram’s @literaryjo. Check out the book reviews on her blog, as well!

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Episode 61: Hatchet

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 61 of SSR, we’re taking to the Canadian wilderness — but unlike thirteen-year-old Brian in Gary Paulsen’s 1987 Newbery Honor-winning novel Hatchet, we’re not going alone. It’s a team effort to journey through the many conversations that come with this book! Tune in to hear us talk about the way Hatchet busted the “boy/girl book dichotomy” when we were kids, Paulsen’s presentation of trauma, and how shocked we were to realize as adults that we’d missed Brian’s suicide attempt when we read the book years ago. We also fangirl over Paulsen’s beautiful writing and chat about what makes certain children’s books stand up as classics, while others do not.

Follow author Sara Faring on Instagram (@sarafaring) and Twitter (@sarafaring).

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Episode 60: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 06:00:00 GMT

It’s finally happening… we’re talking about Harry Potter on the podcast! More specifically, Episode 60 of SSR is all about the book that started it all: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In this episode, we talk about why the books have been challenged by conservative communities, obsess over the amazing world of Hogwarts and beyond, and chat about what we would have liked to see more of from Rowling’s female characters. Alli also reveals her true feelings about the movie adaptations and takes a guess at which House she would be sorted into. And that’s just the start… there’s so much to talk about when it comes to Harry!

Learn more about guest Gemma Hartley by following her on Instagram (@gemmalhartley) and Twitter (@gemmahartley).

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Episode 59: Ender's Game

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:42:58 GMT

In Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, we meet Ender Wiggin, a six-year-old boy who has been identified as a high-potential child soldier in a future human society readying for war with an alien species known as “the Buggers.” To prepare him for life as a military leader, high-ranking officials send him to Battle School, where they put him through a series of war games and simulations while isolating him from his peers in an effort to hone his fighting skills. Ender excels, and in the book’s twist ending, we discover that he’s been given way more responsibility than he expected.

On Episode 59, we consider the book’s real antagonist, talk about what Ender’s Game has to say about good and evil and the moral implications of war, and discuss the lack of representation and social progress in a book meant to portray a more evolved future. We also spend quite a bit of time at the top of the show talking about the author’s problematic politics.

This week’s guest is Katy Rose Pool, author of the forthcoming YA novel, There Will Come A Darkness. Follow Katy on Instagram (@katyrosepool) and Twitter (@KatyPool).

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Episode 58: Go Ask Alice

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Originally billed as the real life diary of an anonymous teen drug addict, Go Ask Alice offers plenty of food for conversational thought — not only because of its graphic content, but because of the many questions of authorship that have emerged around it since the book was published in 1971. In Episode 58, Read It Forward’s Abbe Wright joins Alli to consider how much these questions of authorship really matter and to discuss the role that Go Ask Alice has played in drug and alcohol education for teens over the last few decades.

Follow Read It Forward on Instagram (@readitforward // @bookbento) and Twitter (@readitforward). Follow Abbe on Instagram (@abbewright1) and Twitter (@AbbeWright), too!

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Episode 57: Running Out of Time

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Alli’s called a lot of SSR books her favorite… and this one is no exception! On Episode 57, she’s joined by writer and debut author Rebecca Fishbein to discuss Margaret Peterson Haddix’s 1995 thriller Running Out of Time, in which we meet a thirteen-year-old who thinks she lives in 1840s Indiana but is actually part of a weird tourist attraction plopped right in the middle of 1996. It’s up to her to escape to the modern world and save her loved ones from diphtheria — no pressure.

Tune in to this episode to hear Alli and Rebecca chat about their shared love of Colonial Williamsburg, the lack of adventure books geared toward young girls, accusations that the movie The Village was plagiarized from the book, and some plot points that didn’t hold up so well on the reread. They also consider whether or not the premise of Running Out of Time would be as shocking to kids in 2019 as it was to them in the nineties.

Follow Rebecca on Twitter (@bfishfish) and check out her forthcoming book of essays Good Things Happen to People You Hate, out in October 2019.

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Episode 56: The Outsiders

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 06:00:00 GMT

As a high schooler, Alli missed the boat on reading S.E. Hinton’s iconic 1967 novel The Outsiders, but all that changed for Episode 56 of SSR! Along with guest Esther Zuckerman — a senior entertainment writer at Thrillist — she discovers the original context of “Stay gold, Ponyboy,” discusses the book’s unique portrayal of masculinity, and considers the ways in which its representation of marginalized youth and communities is (sadly) still relevant in 2019. Alli and Esther also talk about S.E. Hinton’s fascinating overnight journey from (literal) teen to publishing sensation and the larger cultural significance of The Outsiders.

Follow Esther on Twitter (@ezwrites).

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Episode 55: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 06:00:00 GMT

With the help of a cult fan base and a 2012 movie adaptation, Stephen Chbosky’s 1999 epistolary novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower has become a beloved piece of YA history for people of all ages. Chbosky’s beautiful writing has made the book iconic, and the way he presents sensitive subjects (sexual abuse, abortion, dating violence, suicide, drug abuse, and more) to teen audiences has made Perks a valuable lifeline for readers braving their own traumas. In Episode 55, Alli and guest Caitlin Flynn discuss the universal nature of Charlie’s story, chat about the nuances of high school social groups, consider how many heavy topics are too many heavy topics for one book, and dig deep into what The Perks of Being a Wallflower has to say about trauma, coping, and personal growth.

Caitlin Flynn is a freelance journalist who covers travel, politics, culture, and health through a feminist lens. Follow her on Twitter (@caitrose609) and Instagram (@thecaitlinflynn) and learn more about her work on her website.

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Episode 54: Sweet Valley High // Double Love

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 06:00:00 GMT

SSR is back for year TWO, and we’re kicking things off with a conversation about the first book in Francine Pascal’s beloved Sweet Valley High series, Double Love. In this episode, we (sadly) reveal a lot of problematic messages in the book about sexuality, class, privilege, and relationships. We also dive into the emphasis that these characters place on physical appearances and on the lack of female empowerment we see in Sweet Valley. There’s a hilarious game of FMK, a little Jessica vs. Elizabeth debating, and reflections on our own awkward teen years and misguided fashion choices.

Thanks so much to Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman, hosts of the Bad on Paper podcast, for joining Alli for Episode 54! Follow Bad on Paper (@badonpaperpodcast), Grace (@graceatwood), and Becca (@beccamfreeman) on Instagram, and be sure to check out more content from Grace on The Stripe.

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Episode 53: Bonus Q+A #2!

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

It’s round two of SSQ Q+A! Tune in to hear Alli talk about mental health, favorite music, podcast behind the scenes, favorite movies, body image… and for plenty of book talk, too. Thanks so much for all of your support in the first year of the podcast!

Follow Alli on Instagram (@ahoffkosik) and Twitter (@ahoffkosik).

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Episode 52: Walk Two Moons

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons was published in 1994 and went on to win the celebrated Newbery Medal in 1995. It’s the story of thirteen-year-old Sal’s journey — both literally and metaphorically — to learn (and accept) the truth of her mother’s recent disappearance, to empathize with the struggles that her peers are going through, and to find her own identity in the chaos of life. Walk Two Moons is populated with lovable characters and perfectly poignant moments… to say nothing of the beautiful writing!

Guest Katharine Scrivener joins Alli to discuss everything from guilt and grief to motherhood and mental health. You may recognize Katharine as bookstagram’s @readwithkat, and as one-fourth of The Bookly Club (@thebooklylcub)! Follow Katharine on Instagram (@katharinescriv) for more book hoarding, as well as resources about Cystic Fibrosis.

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Episode 51: Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Among the Harriets and Nancys of the mystery world, Sammy Keyes has always been a breath of fresh, relatable air for kid readers. The first book in her eponymous series — Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief — was published in 1998, and author Wendelin Van Draanen went on to expand Sammy’s world with a whopping seventeen more titles! In Episode 51 of SSR, we take a closer look at the first book, reminiscing about how much we loved the zany cast of characters, reflecting on the lessons it teaches about avoiding snap judgements, discussing its take on interpersonal relationships, and swapping notes on a few elements that have aged a little less well. We also make lots of hilariously random pop culture references.

Thanks to LA-based writer and comedian Jocey Coffman for guesting! Follow Jocey on Twitter (@joceydotcom) and Instagram (@joceydotcom) for biting room temperature takes.

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Episode 50: Bridge to Terabithia

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Katherine Paterson’s beloved Bridge to Terabithia is the perfect subject for SSR’s milestone FIFTIETH episode! The winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal, this novel is perhaps best known for its truly heartbreaking ending and the way it introduces young readers to grief. Drawing on her own experience watching her young son lose a best friend to a tragic accident, Paterson touches on themes of imagination, friendship, poverty, conservatism, religion, and more in Terabithia. We take a deep dive into all of these subjects in Episode 50!

This week’s guest is Meg Elison, who identifies as an LGBTQ writer and essayist. She also writes satire and stage comedy for her sketch group, The Mess. Meg is well-known for a viral McSweeney’s essay entitled “If Women Wrote Men The Way Men Wrote Women,” and her novel The Book of the Unnamed Midwife was named a “Best Book of the Year” by Publisher’s Weekly. Her latest novel is called The Book of Flora. Follow Meg on Twitter (@megelison).

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Episode 49: Weetzie Bat

Tue, 28 May 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Published in 1989, Francesca Lia Block’s Weetzie Bat is the story of an LA native named Weetzie Bat who finds and creates family on her own terms, alongside her best friend Dirk and their partners Duck and Secret Agent Lover Man (these names!). The book explores themes of identity, sexuality, addiction, and suicide, and is ultimately a celebration of transcendent love, acceptance, and inclusivity. On this episode, we discuss the book’s queer themes, the beauty of found family, the problems with “cancel culture,” and the lessons that Weetzie Bat can teach all of us about how to be a good friend and ally. And don’t even get us started on how beautiful the writing is!

Thanks so much to author and illustrator Maia Kobabe for guesting on Episode 49! Maia identifies as nonbinary and queer, and eir first full-length book Gender Queer: A Memoir is now available from Lion Forge. Follow Maia on Instagram (@redgoldsparks) and Tumblr (@redgoldsparks), and learn more about eir work on Patreon.

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Episode 48: The Brothers Lionheart

Tue, 21 May 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Quite possibly the darkest and most unique book we’ve read to date on SSR, The Brothers Lionheart is the story of brothers Jonathan and Rusky, both of whom die tragically in the first two chapters (!!!!) and find themselves in a seemingly idyllic afterlife called Nangijala. Once there, they get involved in a resistance movement against the evil Tengil. Written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren in 1973, the book has themes of bravery, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Many thanks to this week’s guest for introducing me to this novel (which we break down in great detail on the episode, for those who aren’t familiar!).

Amy Ignatow is the author and illustrator of The Popularity Papers series, The Mighty Odds, and Revenge of the Sis. Follow her on Twitter (@amyignatow).

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Episode 47: Charlotte's Web

Tue, 14 May 2019 06:00:00 GMT

In celebration of Mother’s Day and special ladies everywhere, Alli welcomes her own mom Deb Cummins Stellato to Episode 47, in which they discuss a book they loved reading together years ago: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Tune in to hear them discuss childhood reading rituals, the importance of listening, the value of friendship, and loss. They also share about their love of animals and take a close look at the personalities of Charlotte’s Web’s animal characters and their own pets. Deb even dishes on a few embarrassing stories from Alli’s childhood!

Learn more about Deb’s work with Think Good Leadership, and follow her on Facebook (Think Good Leadership) and Instagram (@think_good_leader // @deb_cummins_stellato).

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Episode 46: Anastasia Krupnik

Tue, 07 May 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Unless you can get yourself a time machine, there are few better ways to go back to childhood than to read a middle grade book — and Lois Lowry’s Anastasia Krupnik is written from such an amazing kid perspective that you’ll feel like an elementary schooler all over again when you pick it up. The first in a series of nine books, Anastasia Krupnik isn’t a fantastical journey or magical quest. It’s the story of a relatable (and cheeky and funny and dramatic) kid dealing with relatable — maybe even boring — things (baby brothers, crushes, ailing grandparents, and more). Writer and editor Kayleen Schaefer joins Alli on Episode 46 to discuss Anastasia’s misadventures, along with “cool parents,” misguided hairstyles, and the things that can easily go over a kid reader’s head.

Follow Kayleen on Instagram (@iknowkayleen) and Twitter (@kayleener).

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Episode 45: Island of the Blue Dolphins

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 06:00:00 GMT

It’s Episode 45 and about time that we take a journey to the Island of the Blue Dolphins — AKA a small island off the coast of California where a woman actually survived alone for eighteen years alone in the nineteenth century. This woman’s incredible story inspired Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphins, a book written in 1960 that won the Newbery Medal in 1961 and has continued to be a favorite for so many in the decades since. It’s certainly not without its problems — and we talk about those! — but we also discuss the pure badassery that is main character Karana.

Thanks to Perrin Brown for joining as a guest on this episode and sharing her thoughts on the book from the perspective of intersectional feminism. Follow her on Instagram @feministscript and @celiacqueen.

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Episode 44: Alanna: The First Adventure

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 06:00:00 GMT

In Episode 44, Alli is introduced for the first time to Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness quartet, and HuffPost’s Claire Fallon joins to discuss the first book in the series, aptly named Alanna: The First Adventure. In it, our heroine Alanna seeks to circumvent the expectations of girls in her society by dressing as a boy named Alan and taking her twin brother’s place at the palace, where she can begin training to becoming a knight. The book raises questions of identity, gender, conformity, and whether or not violet eyes are really ever found in nature.

Follow Claire on Twitter @ClaireEFallon and Instagram @claireefallon. Listen to the Here to Make Friends podcast!

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Episode 43: The Egypt Game

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Published in 1967, Zilpha Keatley Snyder’s Newbery Honor-winning book The Egypt Game is the story of April Hall and Melanie and Marshall Ross, three smart, imaginative kids who create their own land of ancient Egypt in the backyard of a mysterious local curio shop. They establish a series of rituals and ceremonies and even go on to welcome three more children into the group (boys included!). In this episode, Alli breaks down the story with debut author Andrea Bartz. Together, they discuss diversity in kid lit, the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, teasing as a form of flirting and social currency, the importance of imaginative play, bossiness, mental illness, the way we talk to kids about hard things, and more!

Follow Andrea on Twitter @andibartz and Instagram @andibartz.

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Episode 42: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 06:00:00 GMT

It’s the 1930’s in rural Mississippi, and nine-year-old Cassie Logan is learning to face the realities of racism. She has her brothers — Stacey, Christopher John, and Little Man — to help her find her way, and a host of strong-minded adults to guide her in figuring out the best way to approach the tensions and prejudice she faces. This is the set-up for Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and we’re talking all about it on Episode 42. You’ll hear conversations about family legacy, pride, annoying friends, institutional racism, the opportunity gap, The Hate U Give, and so much more.

Join guest Renée’s Book Girl Magic community! Follow her on Instagram @book_girl_magic and on Twitter @bookgirlmagic. Join the party on Facebook and YouTube, too!

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Episode 41: The Golden Compass

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 41 of The SSR Podcast, we’re diving into the fascinating world of Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass. And it is fascinating — and complicated! Tune in to hear discussions about politics, a child’s loyalty, the Garden of Eden, the pros and cons of seeing the future, the nature of souls, puberty, loneliness, ruling religious bodies, failed movie adaptations, and so much more.

Thanks to Refinery29 entertainment writer Elena Nicolaou for joining Alli for this episode! Follow Elena on bookstagram @booksandelena and on Twitter @elenawonders.

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Episode 40: Little Women

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT

A century and a half after its publication, it’s time to give Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women the SSR treatment! With the help of comedy writer and satirist Caitlin Kunkel, Alli relives the adventures of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, as well as their parents and suitors. Together, they reflect on the 1994 movie, fangirl about Gerta Gerwig’s forthcoming adaptation, discuss the big questions — Do we all want to be Jo? Why must Louisa May Alcott kill Beth? Is Little Women a feminist novel? — and discover whether or not it’s possible to effectively ruin a classic.

Follow Caitlin on Instagram @kunkeltron and Twitter @kunkeltron and check out The Belladonna, too!

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Episode 39: Speak

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT

On Episode 39, we discuss Laurie Halse Anderson’s groundbreaking 1999 novel Speak, which explores the troubling issues of sexual and assault and trauma through the story of 14-year-old Melinda. Alli and guest Morgan Hoit — better known as nycbookgirl — talk about the value of the diary-style/epistolary novel, chat about their experiences with high school gossip culture, and break down in great detail Speak’s role as an entry point to an understanding of rape and sexual assault for so many young readers.

Follow Morgan’s adventures in all things books and New York City on Instagram @nycbookgirl and on her blog, NYC Book Girl!

**TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of rape, trauma, sexual assault, self-harm, and depression.

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Episode 38: The Face on the Milk Carton

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT

You may know her as @molliereads from her blog Mollie Reads and her podcast No Thanks We’re Booked, and on this week’s episode of SSR, Mollie Turbeville joins Alli to discuss Caroline Cooney’s 1990 YA thriller The Face on the Milk Carton. In Episode 38, they break down the plot that’s been freaking teens out for the last three decades (what if you suspected that your parents might have kidnapped you???), gossip about pushy boyfriend Reeve, and compare notes on how the author portrays trauma on the page.

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Episode 37: The Boxcar Children #1

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Allow us to (re)introduce you to Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden. You probably know them better as The Boxcar Children and the protagonists of the now 150+ titles in the beloved series of the same name. Having been orphaned, the children are left to fend for themselves, and they rebuild their lives in an abandoned boxcar. In Episode 37, writer and educator Abby Wolfe joins Alli to chat about the first book in the series (The Boxcar Children #1). Tune in to listen to them talk about important lessons of resourcefulness and perspective, discuss the heteronormative stereotypes that are so often imposed on young children, and speculate on just how many pine needles it would take to turn a boxcar into a cozy home.

Follow Abby on Twitter @shmabbywolfe and Instagram @shmab, and stay tuned for her forthcoming podcast!

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Episode 36: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 07:00:00 GMT

If there’s one book that’s been requested for the podcast time and time again by women of all ages, it’s Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. This 1970 novel has served as a kind of guidebook for girls preparing to navigate middle school, puberty, and all of the confusing things that come with them for the last four decades.

Joining Alli to talk all things religion and being a lady on Episode 36 is Emma Gray. Emma is a senior reporter focused on women’s issues at HuffPost and the author of A Girl’s Guide to Joining the Resistance: A Feminist Handbook on Fighting for Good. She is also the co-host of the Bachelor-themed podcast “Here to Make Friends,” which was named a “must-listen” by The Daily Dot. Follow Emma on Twitter @emmaladyrose and Instagram @emmaladyrose.

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Episode 35: I Know What You Did Last Summer

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Before I Know What You Did Last Summer was a blockbuster hit movie, it was a 1973 young adult thriller by Lois Duncan, and with the help of Literary Roadhouse’s Anais Concepcion, we’re chatting about it on Episode 35. Of course, we break down the plot, but we also talk about hotness in YA, discuss the roots of the #MeToo movement in chauvinistic literary characters, and LOL at various relics of the ‘70s.

Follow Literary Roadhouse on Instagram @literaryroadhouse and Twitter @litroadhouse and follow Anais on Twitter @anaisconce.

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Episode 34: Tuck Everlasting

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Happy Valentine’s week, listeners! In honor of all things love, we’ve picked something a little dreamy and romantic for Episode 35 — Natalie Babitt’s 1975 novel, Tuck Everlasting. Tune in to hear us talk symbolism, Alexis Bledel, the creepy child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the trouble with first impressions. We also dive into the pros and cons of immortal life and debate the nature of the relationship between shy, ten-year-old Winnie and teenage heartthrob Jesse Tuck.

Chelsey is an English teacher, bookworm, and podcaster. Tune in to her podcast He Read She Read! Follow her on Instagram @hereadsheread for podcast updates and @chelseyreads for book reviews.

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Episode 33: Anne of Green Gables

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Having never read Anne of Green Gables before, Alli finally meets the strong-willed, imaginative Anne Shirley for Episode 33. With the help of freelance writer Julie Vadnal, Alli discusses Anne as a role model, debates the decision our heroine must ultimately make between work and family, and considers the possibility that she might actually be a little annoying.

Julie’s work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Glamour, and Real Simple. Follow her on Twitter @JulieVAD and Instagram @julievadnal. Sign up to receive her JULES newsletter at JulieVadnal.com.

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Episode 32: Holes (Manuary)

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 07:00:00 GMT

In Episode 32, Alli resists the urge to fangirl as she welcomes one of her favorite podcasters to wrap up Manuary and discuss Louis Sachar’s Holes. A commercial and critical success, the novel has maintained its popularity for more than two decades thanks to its humor and sense of adventure — but from where we sit in 2019, we realize that there are bigger themes at play, as well, including race, class, and the prison industrial complex. Tune in to hear us talk all things Stanley Yelnats, along with broader conversations about how we process culture as adults versus how we process it as kids, the pressure we put on creators to have strong opinions, and why Holes has been so beloved for so long.

Kevin T. Porter is a writer and comedian and the host of the Gilmore Guys (currently focusing on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Good Christian Fun podcasts. Follow him on Twitter @kevintporter.

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Episode 31: James and the Giant Peach (Manuary)

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Much like a large piece of fruit, Manuary rolls on with Episode 31, in which we discuss Roald Dahl’s 1961 classic James and the Giant Peach. With the help of guest Chris Rosen, Alli wonders about just how violent and scary is too violent and scary for kids, considers how we should talk to young readers about grief and loneliness, and speculates on how creative (and maybe bizarre) Dahl must have been to create worlds like this one. There’s also extensive conversation about giant bugs, of course.

Chris Rosen is the editor-in-chief at TV Guide. Follow him on Twitter @chrisjrosen.

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Episode 30: The Phantom Tollbooth (Manuary)

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 07:00:00 GMT

There is perhaps no other book in history that captures the importance of imagination — and of sucking it up and having a good attitude about learning new things — better than Norton Juster’s 1961 The Phantom Tollbooth. In Episode 30, Alli jumps aboard a giant toy car with protagonist Milo and his friend Tock (the literal watchdog) and explores the fascinating Kingdom of Wisdom with the help of Curtis from the He Read She Read podcast. Alli and Curtis geek out over wordplay, speculate on “what the kids are doing these days,” and break down the many brilliant, zany moments of The Phantom Tollbooth. Follow @hereadsheread and @curtisreads on Instagram, and tune into He Read She Read on Apple Podcasts.

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Episode 29: BSC Super Special // Baby-Sitters Island Adventure (Manuary)

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 07:00:00 GMT

The Baby-Sitters Club Club’s Jack and Tanner join Alli for this history-making first episode of Manuary! In it, they break down the ridiculous circumstances that lead Dawn, Claudia, and several children (!!!) to find themselves shipwrecked in Connecticut in Book #4 of the Baby-Sitters Club Super Special series extension, Baby-Sitters Island Adventure. They also make an argument for which babysitter is objectively the worst, share their definitive list of Ann M. Martin’s best-ever novels, and explain why the Baby-Sitters Club series holds up better long-term than Sweet Valley High.

Follow the Baby-Sitters Club Club on Twitter (@BSCCPodcast), and join them on Facebook, too (@The Baby-Sitters Club Club). Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

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Episode 28: Bonus Q+A #1!

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 07:00:00 GMT

For the first time ever, SSR host Alli answers listener questions! Tune in to hear her talk about her marriage, her previous job in the publishing world, and her career as a freelance writer… and for plenty of book talk, too. Alli dishes on her favorite titles past and present, her favorite genre, and the books that have been on her TBR list for, like, ever.

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Episode 27: The Westing Game

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Ever since its publication in 1978, Ellen Raskin’s Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game has been introducing young readers to key elements of amazing books: a fascinating ensemble cast of characters, a whodunit storyline, and a series of shocking bombshells at the end. It’s no surprise, then, that the novel has endured as a favorite for so many over the years. In Episode 27, guest Lauren Boone joins Alli to break down the many twists and turns of this beloved book, to discuss the way stereotypes were handled by authors in the seventies, and to generally marvel at how freakin’ talented Ellen Raskin was. Follow Lauren — who currently works at Renaissance Literary & Talent — on Instagram (@lalafalana).

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Episode 26: Stargirl

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl was a favorite of Alli’s when she was growing up, and in Episode 26, she discovers that she can still mostly love rereading a book from childhood, while also recognizing that it’s pretty problematic. Is she still a Stargirl fan? Tune in and find out! In this episode, Alli and guest Britta Lokting talk about all things high school stereotype, popularity, and conformity. They also discuss first loves, the #MeToo movement, Taylor Swift, Hillary Clinton, and Alli’s hilarious history as part of her high school’s morning news show. Britta is a New York-based freelance journalist, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Village Voice, The Baffler, and more. Follow her on Instagram (@blokting) and Twitter (@BrittaLokting).

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Episode 25: The Dark Is Rising

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Published in 1973, Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising feels in many ways like the OG Harry Potter — in it, a young, seemingly average British boy learns on the eve of his eleventh birthday that his fate is much bigger than he ever could have imagined. In Episode 25, Alli (a total newbie to this series!) and guest Erica Berger discuss everything from spiritual energetic centers and childhood nostalgia to Star Wars and modern politics. Are the lines between dark and light really so clear? Is it more important for kid protagonists to learn by making mistakes or by beating impossible odds? Tune in to hear what they think! Hear more from journalist, host, strategist, and investor Erica on the TBD Podcast. Follow her on Twitter (@GoodBerger).

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Episode 24: The Hate U Give (New Reads November)

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Published in 2017, Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give has become a bestselling phenomenon and a conversation starter among readers of all ages. The book — which tells the story of 16-year-old Starr Carter in the days and weeks after her unarmed best friend is shot and killed by a police officer right in front of her — makes the Black Lives Matter movement all the more real for teens and assigns a relatable face to an all-too-frequent tragedy that may feel distant to kids who only hear about it on the news. Traci Thomas joins Alli on Episode 24 to discuss both the merits and the shortcomings of this hugely popular title — and to offer suggestions for important next steps. LA-based Traci hosts The Stacks podcast. Follow The Stacks on Instagram (@thestackspod).

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Episode 23: Leah on the Offbeat (New Reads November)

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Fans of the movie “Love, Simon” or the book that inspired it Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda will already be familiar with Leah Burke, Simon’s BFF and the title character of Becky Albertalli’s 2018 novel Leah on the Offbeat. In it, cool, confident, and body positive Leah is keeping two major secrets from her tight-knit group of friends: her bisexuality and her lingering feelings for former best pal Abby. Albertalli goes on to explore everything from racism and labels to the LGBTQ+ spectrum and fights in the dressing room with your mom. For Episode 23, we’re joined by real life YA author Laura Stampler. Check out her book Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies and follow her on Twitter (@laurastampler) and Instagram (@lastamp).

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Episode 22: We Are Okay (New Reads November)

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 07:00:00 GMT

Meet Marin, the star of Nina LaCour’s 2017 Printz Award-winning novel We Are Okay. In it, Marin is grappling with the recent loss of her Gramps, whose sudden death reveals the startling and upsetting circumstances of his life. Having moved across the country to start her freshman year of college, she’s isolated herself from everyone back home in order to cope with the fallout of the tragedy. Over the course of We Are Okay, LaCour examines mental illness and tells beautiful, heartbreaking stories of different kinds of love. The guest on Episode 22 is Chiara Charida, who is the co-host of the Books & Booze podcast. Check out the show on Instagram @booksboozepod, and follow Chiara (bookish.kiki) and her co-host Jade (@boho_bookworm), too!

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Episode 21: When Dimple Met Rishi (New Reads November)

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 07:00:00 GMT

In the first-ever New Reads November episode, Alli and guest Laura Yamin discuss the 2017 YA novel When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. First-generation teens Dimple and Rishi meet at a coding conference called InsomniaCon, but — twist! — career-focused Dimple has no idea that their Indian parents are actually working behind the scenes to see if they can arrange a marriage between the two. When she learns the truth, Dimple shuts down the idea entirely, and she and Rishi spend the summer getting to know each other, building an app, choreographing a Bollywood dance routine, and (maybe!) falling in love all on their own. When Dimple Met Rishi is a book about culture, tradition, identity, and first love, and we couldn’t have picked a better debut title for New Reads November. Laura Yamin is the bookworm behind the What to Read Next blog and podcast. Follow her on Instagram (@laurayaminreads).

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Episode 20: The Black Cauldron

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Alli puts aside her distaste for Halloween to dive into Lloyd Alexander’s The Black Cauldron, which is the second book in the beloved high fantasy series, The Chronicles of Prydain. Published in 1965, the book went on to win a Newbery Honor and to inspire a 1985 Disney film. The Black Cauldron tells the story of an unlikely group of crusaders seeking to squelch an undead military force called the Cauldron-Born, but there’s so much more to the book than that. In our 2018 reading, we find it to be a fascinating portrayal of gender politics — the role of heroines, mansplaining, and different versions of masculinity (including the toxic kind). Thanks to author Erin Nelsen Parekh for joining us for this spooky episode! Check out her website Drivel and Drool and follow her on Twitter (@ENParekh).

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Episode 19: Sweet Valley High // The New Jessica

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield mostly made twinning look like a dream… but things are rarely as simple on the inside (LOL). In Volume 32 of Francine Pascal’s beloved Sweet Valley High series, Jessica (AKA the impulsive twin) has decided that she’s sick of being one of an identical pair. She takes drastic action to differentiate herself from Elizabeth (AKA the bookish twin). Hijinks ensue, relationships are tested, and everyone is essentially being the most ridiculous version of themselves. Alli and Sweet Valley High enthusiast Gabrielle Moss talk all the good elements of The New Jessica and Sweet Valley as a whole — escapism, fashion, and hilarity — as well as the bad — privileged behavior, disturbing plotlines, and seriously problematic language.

Gabrielle is the author of Paperback Crush and Glop. Follow her on Twitter (@Gaby_Moss)!

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Episode 18: Beezus and Ramona

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Episode 18 is a total sister act! Alli and guest Penny Luksic — both older sisters in their own families — at long last gab about the Quimby family, focusing on Beverly Cleary’s 1955 Beezus and Ramona, which was the first in the Ramona series. We discuss Ramona’s many pest-like — but lovable — antics, reflect on our own experiences growing up with younger siblings, and chat about the lack of diversity and complexity among families featured in the books of this era. Follow Penny on Instagram (@lennypuksic) and Twitter (@lennypuksic)!

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Episode 17: Twilight

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

In 2005, Stephanie Meyer’s YA vampire romance fantasy Twilight kicked off a four-book series, a blockbuster movie franchise, and generally a pop culture phenomenon. NBD. In Episode 17, podcaster and entrepreneur Kelly Parker Smith joins us to discuss all things Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, from the moodiness of Forks to the nature of their relationship… and, of course, we cover the age old #TeamEdward vs. #TeamJacob debate. Is Edward weirdly overprotective? Is it cool to be a vampire? We cover these questions and so much more! Check out Kelly’s work at Hello World Paper Co. (www.helloworldpaperco.com), Creative Biz Rebellion Podcast (www.creativebizrebellion.com), and Creative Rebel Base (www.creativerebelbase.com). Follow Hello World Paper Co. (@helloworldpaperco), the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast (@creativebizrebellion), and Kelly’s pattern designs (@kellyparkersmith) on Instagram, too!

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Episode 16: Julie of the Wolves

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 06:00:00 GMT

When author Jean Craighead George traveled to Barrow, Alaska in 1971 to study wolves, she thought it was for an article in Reader’s Digest… but when her editor rejected the piece, she decided to refocus on turning what she’d learned into a book for children. The (Newbery Medal-winning!) finished product was Julie of the Wolves, the story of a 13-year-old Eskimo girl who is forced to learn to survive among a pack of wolves on the tundra after running away from an unhealthy (to say the least) situation at home. In this episode, we talk about isolation, arranged marriage, the differences between Disney and The Revenant, my new puppy, and more. Thanks so much to Rose McAleese for joining us as a guest for Episode 16! Rose is an LA-based screenwriter who’s had the opportunity to write for shows on BET and Complex Magazine’s streaming platform. Check out her work at www.rosemcaleese.com and thenewblogontheblock.com. You can also follow her on Instagram (@rose_ettastone) and Twitter (@rose_ettastone).

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Episode 15: A Wrinkle in Time

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

In 1962, Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning A Wrinkle in Time brought readers to bizarre (AKA creepy) new planets, challenged them with theories of physics and time travel, and introduced them to a relatable protagonist in 13-year-old Meg. This book is so beloved, in fact, that stars no less famous than Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and OPRAH were called upon to star in its 2018 adaptation! Loaded Literature’s Anya Spector joins us for Episode 15 to discuss all things A Wrinkle In Time. Follow Anya (@AnyaMSpector) and Loaded Literature (@loadedlitpod) on Twitter.

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Episode 14: Lily's Crossing

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

TBH, Patricia Reilly Giff’s Newbery Honor award-winning Lily’s Crossing isn’t a book that I’ve thought about that often since my childhood… but when this week’s guest reminded me of it, I was immediately reminded of how much I’d loved it. In Episode 14, we discuss all the reasons why — the beautiful writing, the relatable main character, and its timeless quality. Oh, and there’s also a hot dad. Brooklyn-based freelance writer, editor, and advertising copywriter Elizabeth Entenman joins us! Elizabeth is currently the books editor at HelloGiggles. Follower her on Instagram (@entenman) and Twitter (@elizabenten), and check out her work at www.elizabethannentenman.com.

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Episode 13: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

For the first time EVER, lifelong BFFs Tibby, Carmen, Bridget, and Lena are about to be separated for the summer. Luckily for them, they find a pair of seemingly magic pants to hold them together as they scatter around the world… and luckily for us, Ann Brashares shared their story in her 2001 YA novel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. There’s a lot more to this book than I realized myself as a teen — questions of sex, depression, death, blended families, and more — and we break it all down in Episode 13. West Philadelphia-based special education teacher Katie Hartman joins us for all the girl talk. Follow Katie’s awesome bookstagram (@katiefullybooked).

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Episode 12: Ella Enchanted

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

For those of us raised on a steady diet of (often helpless) Disney princesses, Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted was a revelation, a girl power fairy tale retelling. Yes, Ella is passive, but it’s only because she has to be, thanks to an obedience curse placed on her when she was a baby. In Episode 12, we break down the many facets of this smart, spunky — dare we say feminist? (yes.) — heroine. Thanks to Sarah Brittain for joining us a guest! Sarah is the co-host of the Unassigned Reading podcast. Follow the show in Twitter (@unassignedpod) and Instagram (@unassignedreading).

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Episode 11: Goosebumps // Welcome to Dead House

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Twenty years too late, Alli is finally joining the Cool Kids Club and reading Goosebumps for the first time! In Episode 11 of The SSR Podcast, we discuss the first book this beloved, best-selling series from R.L. Stine, Welcome to Dead House. How scary is too scary for middle grade? Are helicopter parents ruining kid lit? Why are girls socialized to read some book series, while boys are socialized to read others? We’ll discuss these questions and so much more with this week’s guest Sarah Slusher, founder of the Really Into This pop culture blog. Follow Sarah on Instagram (@stslusher) and Twitter (@Stslusher)! You can also follow Really Into This on Instagram (@reallyintothis) and Twitter (@reallyintoblog).

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Episode 10: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 05:00:00 GMT

On Episode 10, Good Christian Fun podcast co-host Caroline Ely joins us to discuss the third — but best known — book in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Published in 1950, it has quite the historical and religious context, and you’ll hear all about it! You’ll also find out which C.S. Lewis book Alli wrote a rap about in elementary school and which Narnian character seriously traumatized her all the way into adulthood. Follow Caroline on Instagram (@carolinesfarts) and Twitter (@CarolinesFarts).

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Episode 09: Little House on the Prairie

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 05:00:00 GMT

With the help of elementary education pro and super-reader Drew Gannon, we’re talking all things Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingalls Wilder on Episode 9. We’ll dig into the historical context of the book (including the elements that have seriously not held up since it was published in 1935), Pa’s general hotness, and more. Follow Drew on Instagram (@drewalison).

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Episode 08: Animal Farm

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 05:00:00 GMT

It’s time for a little required reading! On Episode 8 of The SSR Podcast, we talk with film and TV writer Meredith Dawson about George Orwell’s political allegory Animal Farm… and how it feels eerily similar to the climate in modern America. Follow Meredith on Instagram (@meredawson) and Twitter (@meredawson).

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Episode 07: The Baby-Sitters Club // Kristy's Great Idea

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Say hello to your friends! The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin is quite possibly the most iconic book series of the 80s and 90s… and we’re breaking it down in Episode 7 of The SSR Podcast. YA superfan and Cosmopolitan Magazine senior editor Jessica Goodman joins us to chat all about the first book in the BSC line-up, Kristy’s Great Idea. Follow Jess on Instagram (@jessicagoodman) and Twitter (@jessgood).

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Episode 06: Sloppy Firsts

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT

On this episode of The SSR Podcast, we break down Megan McCafferty’s 2001 novel Sloppy Firsts, the first book in the bestselling Jessica Darling series. We dive into every last delicious detail of high school drama and tackle some big questions, too. Can things ever stay the same with a friend after she moves away? Can a bad boy like Marcus Flutie ever really be reformed? How do frank discussions of sex, drugs, and suicide affect teen readers? Follow guest Maddie Boardman on Instagram (@mboardman) and Twitter (@ml_boardman).

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Episode 05: Nancy Drew // The Secret of the Old Clock

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Nancy Drew devotees, beware! On this episode of The SSR Podcast, Alli and her guest — Brooklyn-based writer Kase Wickman — take a deep dive into the question of whether or not OG girl detective Nancy is really a feminist icon and discuss her highly important role in the history of female protagonists in #kidlit. They focus on the first-ever book in the series, The Secret of the Old Clock. Follow Kase on Instagram (@worstkase) and Twitter (@worstkase).

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Episode 04: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT

On this episode of The SSR Podcast, Alli has — refreshingly! — almost nothing bad to say about E.L. Konigsburg’s 1967 book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. For this literary love fest, she’s joined by the brilliant author and food writer Hannah Howard. Follow Hannah on Instagram (@hannahmhoward) and Twitter (@hannahhoward).

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Episode 03: Matilda

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMT

On this episode of The SSR Podcast, Alli and Alexandra Fishwick (@alexandra_fish) — who is the assistant director of a childcare facility by day, but a writer and the blogger behind Authentically Alex at night — talk Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel Matilda. There’s plenty of good (little Matilda’s obsession with books), plenty of bad (the evil headmistress Miss Trunchbull), and plenty of ugly (some very weird gender dynamics).

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Episode 02: The Princess Diaries

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 11:10:00 GMT

On this episode of The SSR Podcast, Alli and publishing pro Haley Davis (@hayc12) relive the life-changing experience of seeing the movie The Princess Diaries for the first time, then compare that to the experience of reading the book (Meg Cabot, 2000) both as tweens and adults.

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Episode 01: Harriet the Spy

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 11:00:00 GMT

On this episode of The SSR Podcast, Brittney Lynn (@brittneyllynn) joins Alli to break down Louise Fitzhugh’s 1964 novel, Harriet the Spy. Learn all about Alli’s complicated history with this character and listen to us talk about A LOT of really mean fictional kids.

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Episode 00: Prologue

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 00:06:00 GMT

Welcome to The SSR Podcast! In this trailer episode, learn more about what inspired the show and get a sneak peak at the books we’ll discuss in our launch episodes, out June 26!

Follow SSR on social media!

Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

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