Happy To Be Here

This week, scholar, author, and organizer Eve Ewing joins forces with X-Ray Vision podcast co-host Jason Concepcion to talk about Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown and the importance of soft pants.Then, podcast host and TV writer Jamie Loftus stops by to tell us about her new book Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs. It’s a travelogue with a slice of American history, a squirt of capitalist critique, and a dollop of relish on top!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This month’s book club selection is Idra Novey’s Take What You Need, a novel that centers around Jean, an older woman who welds giant sculptures in her rural Pennsylvania living room, and Leah, her estranged ex-stepdaughter. We’re joined by two novelists who wrote books that came out in 2022: Cleyvis Natera, the author of Neruda on the Park, and Fellowship Point author Alice Elliott Dark for a reflection on the imperfections of love, the importance of art, and the narrative structure of the novel. A warning: there are spoilers in this episode! If you have not read the book yet, you can go back and listen to our spoiler-free interview with Idra Novey first!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette had the great privilege of hosting a live WBEZ event with Samantha Irby to celebrate the release of her newest book Quietly Hostile. Like her other books, it’s a collection of essays that span a huge variety of topics. She writes about lesbian nun porn fantasies, living with teenage stepkids, why her wife has SO many condiments in their fridge, and chronic illness. (If you’ve read Sam’s work before, you won’t be surprised to hear it includes a lot of diarrhea.)In addition to her essays, Sam also writes for TV. She wrote for And Just Like That…, the new Sex and the City reboot, along with the cartoon Tuca & Bertie and the Hulu adaptation of Lindy West’s book Shrill.We chatted about her relationship to fans who know intimate details about her life, why she hates New York, and her favorite toilet paper.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Greta is joined by host of City Cast Chicago Jacoby Cochran and WBEZ reporter Araceli Gómez-Aldana. We get into the newly announced sequel to Freaky Friday and whether Martha Stewart’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover is really breaking down barriers. Then, NPR host-at-large Elise Hu tells us about her new book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. It’s about how South Korea is a leading influencer of beauty standards and trends worldwide, from multi-step skincare routines to lipstick colors to plastic surgery. Her book is heavily-reported, but it also offers up her own reflections on the intense pressure around women’s appearances and how Elise wants her own daughters to think about beauty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tracie Hunte, correspondent and producer for WNYC studios, and Arionne Nettles, journalism lecturer at Northwestern University, join us to wade through some of the week’s most amusing stories, from the coronation to a study on how to properly call a cat. Then, Tre’vell Anderson tells us about their beautiful new book We See Each Other: A Black Trans Journey Through TV and Film. It’s a look at the history of trans representation on screen, as well as an exploration of Tre’vell’s own journey of self discovery as a Black, trans entertainment journalist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pulitzer Prize in fiction was awarded this week to Hernan Diaz’s novel ‘Trust,’ a Nerdette Book Club pick! To celebrate, we are sharing our book club conversation with the author from December of last year. In this spoiler-free episode, Hernan discusses the novel, male privilege, and who does – and doesn’t – have the power to tell their own story. Hernan shares the prize with Barbara Kingsolver for her novel ‘Demon Copperhead.’ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get ready to add a LOT of new titles to your TBR list this summer! Three of the best readers around came on to talk about the book they’re extra excited about: Liberty Hardy, senior contributing editor and podcast host at Book Riot, Lupita Aquino, who is on Instagram and Substack as Lupita Reads, and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast. Head to our website for more info on the books mentioned in today's episode: https://trib.al/QhoRdF0Here are the titles in order of appearance: Rivermouth by Alejandra Oliva Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah When Crack Was King by Donovan X. Ramsey Loot by Tania James Where There Was Fire by John Manuel Arias The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Happiness Falls by Angie Kim American Whitelash by Wesley Lowery 24 Hours in Charlottesville by Nora Neus The People Who Report More Stress by Alejandro Varela My Murder by Katie Williams See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our May book club pick is ‘Take What You Need’ by Idra Novey. The story opens with Leah, who has just learned that her estranged stepmother Jean died falling off a ladder while making a giant, metal sculpture. The book alternates points of view between Leah in the novel’s present day, and Jean before she died. It explores messy familial relationships, creativity, and the changing American cultural landscape. Idra joined us for this spoiler-free conversation. Book club will be back the last Tuesday of the month and you are invited to join in! Record a voice memo with your reaction to the book, plus where you're calling from. Then, email that file to NerdettePodcast at Gmail dot com. You may just hear yourself on our next book club episode! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Niala Boodhoo, host of the podcast Axios Today, and Inkoo Kang, TV critic for The New Yorker, recommend the best things to read, watch, and listen to right now. Then, director Kelly Fremon Craig shares her experience adapting Judy Blume’s seminal 1970 novel ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ for the screen. You can find the complete list of recommendations at our website: https://trib.al/NFBwbMU See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Book club is back to discuss ‘Better the Blood’ by Michael Bennett! It’s about Hana Westerman, a Māori police detective who is hunting down a serial killer in Auckland, New Zealand. Angeline Boulley, author of the YA novel ‘The Firekeeper’s Daughter,’ and Steph Matuku, a New Zealand author who writes YA books centered on Māori characters, join us. We discuss the parallels to the history of colonialism in the U.S. and the complexities of the serial killer’s mission. Warning, there are spoilers in this episode, so if you have not read the book yet, you can go back and listen to our spoiler-free interview with Michael Bennett first! Thank you to all of the listeners who called in. We appreciate you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Atlantic’s Shirley Li and ‘Articles of Interest’ host Avery Trufelman stop by to chat about the end of an era for Netflix’s DVDs, the popularity of voice notes, and the woman who spent 500 days in a cave. Then, writer, actor, comedian, and musician Lane Moore joins us to discuss her new book ‘You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult.’ Plus, in this week’s installment of our Nerdy Jobs series, Micah Morton explains how food stylists make edible art. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Margaret Willison, communications director and faculty for Not Sorry Productions, and Christina Tucker, host of the podcast ‘Wait, Is This a Date?,’ return to discuss the ethics of TV spoilers, NPR’s decision to leave the Twitter-sphere, and why HBO thinks Max is a good idea. Then, one of our favorite chefs, Abra Berens, chats about her new book ‘Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit.’ Plus, we share another rendition of our Nerdy Jobs series, where we take a peek into a person’s very specific and maybe a little strange job. This week, we head to the opera to discover how a lighting designer brings stories to life through light. Marcella Barbeau is a freelance lighting designer based in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are bringing you a collection of stories from our Nerdy Job series! These profiles are a chance to learn about how a person ended up doing something super cool, surprising, and maybe even a little random. We talk to board game designer Elizabeth Hargrave, professional Netflix binge-watcher Sherrie Gulmahamad, and knitting pattern designers Andrea Mowry, Jennifer Berg, and Safiyyah Talley. Do you have a nerdy job? Do you know someone who does? Email us at NerdettePodcast at gmail! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our April book club pick is ‘Better the Blood’ by Michael Bennett. It is both a page-turning detective novel and a deep exploration of the lasting scars of colonialism. Hana Westerman, a Māori detective in Auckland, New Zealand, discovers that a series of murders are connected to the execution of a Māori chief by British colonial soldiers more than 150 years earlier. In pursuing the serial killer, Hana must confront her loyalties to both the police and her roots. In this spoiler-free interview, we talk to Michael Bennett about his experience as the first Māori author to write a thriller about a Māori detective. We will be back on the last Tuesday of the month to discuss the book, spoilers and all, and you can participate! Record a voice memo with your thoughts on the book and email the file to NerdettePodcast at gmail. We can’t wait to hear from you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Justin Richmond, host of the new podcast ‘Started From the Bottom,’ and Bridget Todd, host of the podcasts ‘There Are No Girls on the Internet’ and ‘City Cast DC,’ stop by to talk about an AI-generated image of the pope, a party that only people named Ryan can attend, and the return of Succession for its final season. Then, food writer and chef Tamar Adler tells us about ‘The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A to Z.’ In it, she argues that repurposing leftovers is not just about being frugal, but it is actually the way that great cooking is done. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since Rebecca Makkai’s novel ‘I Have Some Questions for You’ follows a podcast host who is investigating a crime, we decided to ask two podcast hosts who have done the same to talk about it! Jonquilyn Hill is the host of the Vox podcast ‘The Weeds’ and the former host of the WAMU podcast ‘Through the Cracks.’ Jason Moon is a reporter and producer at New Hampshire Public Radio, where he hosts ‘Bear Brook.’ Spoiler warning! We discuss what happens in this book in detail. You can find our spoiler-free interview with author Rebecca Makkai in our feed. Next month, we are reading ‘Better the Blood’ by Michael Bennett! Read it, then send us a voice memo at NerdettePodcast at gmail. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we are making space to commemorate three years since COVID first hit the U.S. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast co-hosts Susie An and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang of WBEZ help us to reflect on what we learned about ourselves during the past three years and what we hope to keep with us in the future. Plus, actor Mae Whitman tells us about starring in the new Hulu musical ‘Up Here,’ out now! You may remember Mae as Anne Veal from ‘Arrested Development’ (her? Yes, her.). We chat about treating yourself gently, the power of vulnerability and how Mae got the courage to take on her first singing role. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Nerdette, we feature two of our favorite interviews from 2022, both with people who work to find hope and joy in tandem with difficulty and grief. First up is Dylan Marron, whose book ‘Conversations with People Who Hate Me’ is based on what he learned from his podcast with the same name. Then, poet Ross Gay reflects on an often overlooked emotion in his newest book, ‘Inciting Joy.’ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, co-hosts of the podcast ‘Just Between Us,’ Gabe Dunn and Allison Raskin, stop by to talk about the dark side of credit card rewards programs, TikTok’s pros and cons for kids, and how old we feel in our brains. Also, did you know fewer and fewer teens are getting their driver’s licenses? We unpack the phenomenon with The Washington Post’s Caitlin Gibson. Plus, we hear a Nerdette listener and her high school sophomore, Kim and Bryce Herring, hash out why Bryce is dragging their feet on getting a learner’s permit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our March Book Club book is ‘I Have Some Questions’ for You by Rebecca Makkai! It’s a whodunit that interrogates the true crime genre, the carceral system and #MeToo narratives. The novel follows Bodie, a true crime podcaster who’s invited back to the boarding school she attended to teach a class. While back on campus, she is flooded with memories of her former roommate, Thalia, who was murdered during their time at school. A staffer, a Black man, was convicted of the crime. Yet, gaps in the investigation draw Bodie back into the case and push her to determine if the killer is actually still out there. Author Rebecca Makkai joined us for this spoiler-free conversation about the book! You’re invited to take part in book club too! Get your hands on a copy of the book and tell us what you think. You can record a voice memo on your smartphone and send the file to NerdettePodcast at gmail. We’ll try to include your voice in our spoiler-filled panel episode out on Tuesday, March 28! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we are leaning into baking! First, our panelists, senior producer of WBEZ’s Reset Meha Ahmad and the host of WNYC and Futuro Studio’s La Brega podcast Alana Casanova-Burgess, stop by to chat about the decline in college English majors, a study that finds a connection between mask-wearing and self-perceived hotness, and our most recent baking endeavors. Then, Bon Appétit food editor Shilpa Uskokovic stops by to discuss her March cover story all about cakes! We explore her philosophy on food and her secret to the best brown butter. Plus, baker and food stylist Jesse Szewczyk shares four surprising and delicious cookie recipes from his book ‘Cookies: The New Classics.’ You can find all of the recipes mentioned in today’s episode at our website: https://tinyurl.com/35zsvrsv See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette Book Club is back to discuss ‘How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures’ by Sabrina Imbler! This sparkling essay collection explores themes of community, queerness, and survival by weaving marine biology with stories from the author’s life. Kat Chow, former NPR reporter and the author of the memoir ‘Seeing Ghosts,’ and Rachel E. Gross, science journalist and author of ‘Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage,’ join us for the discussion. We gush about Sabrina’s writing, the power of empathy, and the beauty of creatures so unlike ourselves. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago, and Erin Allen, host of WBEZ's The Rundown, join us to unwind from the week! The publisher of author Roald Dahl is making edits to his children’s books to make them more appropriate for today’s readers. We discuss whether it’s a good idea. Plus, we debate how often we need to wash our towels. Then, we talk to actor Zoë Chao about her role in the new ‘Party Down’ reboot on STARZ. The show originally ran for two seasons back in 2009 and 2010. Now, it’s back for more. Zoë plays a new character on the team, Lucy Dang, a very serious and hilarious chef. We talk about the stress she felt joining a cast that was already so beloved. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben and WBEZ host and reporter Araceli Gómez-Aldana join the panel this week! We analyze an extremely comprehensive list of etiquette rules for 2023 from The Cut and discuss what it’s like for monogamous couples to sleep in separate bedrooms. Then, Erica Berry tells us about her new book ‘Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear.’ It’s about not only the animal, but also the symbolic role the wolf has played in history and culture for hundreds of years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Dave Franco and Alison Brie join us to talk about their new rom-com, ‘Somebody I Used to Know.’ Dave and Alison wrote the movie together. They also happen to be married. We chat about how they navigated it all on set, plus Alison's passion for streaking! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February’s book club pick is ‘How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures’ by Sabrina Imbler. From a mother octopus, to shimmering salps on the shores of a queer beach, to predatory worms, Sabrina looks at each creature as a symbol for their own life experiences. Part memoir, part science journalism, their essays explore themes of survival, gender, care, and joy. Sabrina joined us for this spoiler-free conversation about the book. We talked about what draws them to the sea, craft, and “charismatic creatures.” You can join in the conversation too! Record a voice memo with your thoughts on the book and email the file to NerdettePodcast [at] Gmail [dot] com by February 23. We will try to include your voice in our panel conversation! Here’s one question that you can answer: what sea creature do you identify with and why? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are bringing you an episode of NPR’s ‘Book of the Day’ podcast! Everyday, that podcast highlights a recent story or interview about books from NPR. Listen to host Leila Fadel speak with author George M. Johnson about their memoir ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue’ and the challenges to books by school boards across the country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We discuss the nostalgia and magic in ‘Now Is Not the Time to Panic’ by Kevin Wilson. Our panelists this month are Angie Kim, author of ‘Miracle Creak,’ and Gwen Kirby, author of ‘S*** Cassandra Saw.’ Be warned! We do not hold back on spoilers in this episode! Also, we extend a very special thanks to all of the listeners who called in! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our weekly panel chat is back! NPR’s Code Switch hosts B.A. Parker and Lori Lizarraga join us to discuss the week’s pop culture news. We cover the Academy Award nominations, cultural expectations for tipping and a man who survived off of ketchup while lost at sea. Then, Maintenance Phase co-host Aubrey Gordon tells us about her new book ‘You Just Need to Lose Weight: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People.’ In it, she tackles untruths like "being fat is a choice" and “fat people don’t experience discrimination.” We talk about how to combat anti-fat bias and Aubrey’s hope for greater legal protections. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the final installment of our “Undercover” series, we head to the movies (or just your living room couch)! Some of today’s biggest films and TV shows are adaptations of books. So what does it take to make a written story just as evocative on-screen? Can the movie *ever* be as good as the book? We take you inside the creative process for series like ‘Interview with the Vampire,’ ‘Little Fires Everywhere,’ and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For our special series “Undercover,” we are taking a deep dive into some of the different ways a book comes to life! This week, we’re peeking behind the curtain to learn more about one of Greta’s favorite ways to experience a story: the audiobook! We follow the lifecycle of a “book on tape” from author to producer to narrator to the sounds coming out of your earbuds. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette Book Club is back for another year of reading! Our January pick is ‘Now Is Not the Time to Panic’ by Kevin Wilson. It’s about Frankie, a misfit teen girl in rural Tennessee, and the one summer she will never forget. She meets Zeke, a fellow weirdo, and the two create an enigmatic poster together that upends their small town and, eventually, the world. Kevin joined us for a conversation about how the book came to be, his interest in strange, stunted characters, and why he sees this as his most personal novel yet. We would love to include you in our book club conversation! First, read the book. Then, record a voice memo on your smart phone with your thoughts. Send it to NerdettePodcast [at] gmail [dot] com by Monday, January 23. We’ll try to include you in the episode. Happy reading! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette is embarking on "Undercover," a three-part series into the different ways a book comes to life. First up, we take a look at a seemingly small, but very important element of a book: blurbs. Praise from well-known writers can help a new author find their footing, but the system is all about who knows who. We talk to authors, editors and readers about whether it’s time for a revamp. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Holidays! Team Nerdette is taking a break this week and we're bringing you a special episode from our friends at WBEZ's Making podcast. Robyn Rihanna Fenty was just 16 when she signed a record deal with Jay-Z. She was 19 when her smash hit “Umbrella” took the world by storm. Now at 34, she is not only known as a popstar but also a fashion mogul and billionaire. But how did she get here? Listen, and find out! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette Book Club’s December selection, Hernan Diaz’s critically-acclaimed ‘Trust,’ is a novel that invites readers to question the very act of reading. The historical novel is actually four different pieces of writing — a novella, an unfinished autobiography, a memoir and an excerpt from a personal diary. Each section changes the meaning of the preceding piece, creating what critic Hillary Kelly called a “puzzle box” in her review for LA Times. Kelly joined Lupita Aquino, who you can find on Instagram as @LupitaReads, to unpack the elements of this multi-layered story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that it's officially winter, there's no better time to catch up on the best TV series of the year. The New Yorker’s Inkoo Kang is back to wrap up the best in television of 2022, including a comedy special, a couple of genre-blurring memoirs and a new take on an old trope. You can find her full list at our website: https://tinyurl.com/59yxzdfa See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MJ Franklin, editor at The New York Times Book Review, joins Greta to discuss the best books of 2022. Plus, listeners chime in with their own book recommendations. You can find a list of all the books mentioned in today’s episode here: https://tinyurl.com/4jxyduuv See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Italian true crime to juicy gossip, Vulture podcast critic Nick Quah is back to share his top 5 podcasts of the year! You can find Nick's full list at our website: https://tinyurl.com/273xeerc See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

December's Book Club pick is ‘Trust’ by Hernan Diaz. It's one of Greta's favorite books of the year. In this spoiler-free episode, Hernan discusses the rhetoric of male power and who does – and doesn’t – have the power to tell their own story. Stay tuned for a spoiler-filled episode later this month, but before then, tell us what you think! Email your thoughts about ‘Trust’ to NerdettePodcast [at] gmail [dot] com for a chance to be featured in the final book club discussion of the year! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Jasmine Garsd, host of NPR’s The Last Cup, and Brandon Pope, host of WBEZ’s Making, drop in to discuss the World Cup, a lawsuit against Velveeta and the word of the year: gaslighting. Then, Radiolab reporter Heather Radke joins us to discuss her book, ‘Butts: A Backstory.’ It explores the history of the human behind and, as she puts it, "the multiple ways that patriarchy and misogyny can infect women’s bodies.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette Book Club is back for a spoiler-filled episode to discuss this month’s pick, ‘Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm’ by Laura Warrell. Public radio reporter Sonari Glinton and host of NPR’s 1A, Jenn White, join us to unpack Warrell’s jazzy debut novel. We also get the chance to listen to some of our amazing listeners. Thank you for calling in! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poet Ross Gay joins us to talk about his new essay collection, 'Inciting Joy,' and the beauty of finding solace and solidarity in complex life experiences. Plus, we hear from Nerdette listeners about what you are grateful for this holiday season! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘Who? Weekly’ hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber stop by to share their favorite celebrity gossip of 2022. They also offer highbrow and lowbrow viewing recommendations for the upcoming holiday weekend. Then, ‘She Said’ director Maria Schrader discusses centering the voices of survivors in #MeToo narratives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette’s “resident epidemiologist,” Dr. Emily Landon of University of Chicago Medicine, explains everything you need to know about navigating Covid, the flu and RSV this holiday season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We unwind from election week with 'Parenting is a Joke' podcast host Ophira Eisenberg and 'Fake the Nation' host Negin Farsad. Then, Claire Saffitz tells us about her new cookbook 'What's for Dessert.' Plus, we dip our toes into the weird world of YODELING. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, host of NPR’s ‘It’s Been A Minute,’ Brittany Luse, and host of NPR’s ‘Embedded,’ Kelly McEvers, drop in to talk about the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot, Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, and “pandemic amnesty.” Then, if you need TV recommendations for this cozy fall weather, The New Yorker’s Inkoo Kang has got you covered. You can find Inkoo’s list of shows at our website: https://www.wbez.org/stories/what-would-you-do-with-a-billion-bucks/1d9a7529-65bd-4ada-929e-1ec8b9c8fbed See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This November, Nerdette Book Club is reading Laura Warrell’s debut novel, ‘Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm.’ It’s about Circus Palmer, a struggling 40-something jazz trumpeter in Boston and the women he admires and disappoints. Laura Warrell joins us for a spoiler-free conversation about her jazz-filled, debut novel and the joys of becoming a published author later in life. Read along with us and tell us what you think! Record a voice memo on your phone and email us at [email protected] to be featured in our final book club discussion on the final Tuesday of the month. Happy reading! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We discuss candy, tombstones and television recommendations with two fun Halloween freaks. Delia Cai is a correspondent for Vanity Fair and Nick Quah is a podcast critic for Vulture. Then, Michelin star chef Sarah Grueneberg stops by to chat about her new cookbook ‘Listen to Your Vegetables.’ Plus, Utah State University English professor Joyce Kinkead tells us about the history of writer’s block. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nerdette Book Club is wrapping up October with this spoilery and delightful conversation on Celeste Ng’s newest novel, ‘Our Missing Hearts.’ Our panelists are Dessa, rapper and author of the new poetry collection ‘Tits on the Moon,’ and Elise Hu, ‘Ted Talks Daily’ host and NPR host-at-large. Thank you to all of the listeners who joined the conversation! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We chat about life as a professional reader with book influencer Lupita Aquino and ‘Missing Pages’ podcast host Bethanne Patrick. Plus, we talk to Veronica Roth, author of the 'Divergent' series, about her new dystopian novel for adults called 'Poster Girl.' You can find a list of the books mentioned in today’s episode at our website: https://www.wbez.org/stories/a-very-bookish-episode/5eef5d33-23eb-4227-8ee0-437db7db7429 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.