Handbook Podcast
42 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsHosts Meghan Griffin and Elle Riccardi breakdown books by people who have definitely done something not great or have some seriously questionable morals or who are just plain bad.
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Episodes
Cocky Talk 11: Chpt 43-The End
October 26, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBWe did it! We have finished the end of Cocky Surgeon, by Faleena Hopkins. Cockygate is almost at an end! Does Caden get to come back to Atlanta? Does Janet get....what....she....deserves? We discuss how preachy this book gets (there's a lot of preachiness at the end) and even discuss Faleena's 7 tips on writing romance and if they are actually used in this book. And truly, this book gets the ending it deserves in this episode. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Music...
CockyTalk 10: Chpt 37-42
October 11, 2018 11:00 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBAfter a very exciting wedding weekend, Elle and Meg are a little congested and glad to have read some sexy, sexy scenes. Just kidding, we continued on with Cocky Surgeon. Do Caden and Elizabeth get back together officially? What ARE the least sexy foods you can eat slash compare genitals to? What's the sexiest food? Why is everyone mesmerized by sand? And what more is to come after we finish these chapters?! Also discussed: Dear David and Creepypasta Follow us on Twitter | Faceboo...
CockTalk Part 9
October 05, 2018 12:03 - 49 minutes - 43.4 MBHave we hit an actual stride of good chapters? We have at least hit some drama and a time jump! Get ready to jump into Chicago's medical world. Does Caden get super cocky and start sleeping with someone new? Does Elizabeth wander around without any purpose? Do we figure out why Janet is the apparent bad guy? Who knows! But we definitely make dick jokes. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Music this season: "The Porn King" by The Funky Filter
CockyTalk 8: Chapters 24-29
September 29, 2018 00:48 - 50 minutes - 44.3 MBIn order to get through the book quicker, Elle and Meghan have set a finale date! Which is to the benefit of everyone, as this week's episode is about six chapters of an erotica novel with NO SEX. So buckle in for 6 chapters of family drama non-sense. Because it does get weird. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Music this season: "The Porn King" by The Funky Filter
CockyTalk 7: Kettle Corn Tasting Smirking Junk
September 20, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBMeg and Elle are back with several new chapters! We read chapters 19-23 of Cocky Surgeon, which led to so many new observations about Hopkins's writing. Instead of cats, we try to figure out if smirking penises are euphemisms for something, how doctor residencies actually work, and whether or not the author sticks with one theme throughout all 18 books. Chapter 19 - How old are you when you learn your last name? Chapter 20 - weird sex and workout routines Chapter 21 - in which we have ...
Cockygate Chapters 16-18
September 06, 2018 14:06 - 1 hour - 53.9 MBElle and Meg are back! We discuss the court case briefly: what actually happened in the court room and why the case was dropped. As for the book, we read three chapters: two boring weird medical chapters sandwiching FINALLY SOME SEX. Is it good? Is it worth the wait? How awkward do Elle and Meg get? Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Music this season: "The Porn King" by The Funky Filter
Cockygate 12-15
August 31, 2018 11:18 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBThis week Elle and Meg read chapters 12-15 of Cocky Surgeon! We were going to talk about the court case this episode, but too much ridiculousness happens in this book that we had to talk about these chapters. But you know what doesn't happen? Sex. Elle comes up with the best game to make this book actually interesting, and spoiler: it doesn't involve just drinking more. We also try to remember anything about the Cocker family from week to week and try to make sense of what the plot of ...
Cockygate Chapters 8-11
August 24, 2018 14:06 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBElle and Meg are back this week with Chapters 8-11! We get some awkward flirting, a hand job where you would least expect it, and the sudden realization that the side characters are the better characters. Also, should you discuss politics in a bar? Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Music this week: "The Porn King" by The Funky Filter
CockyTalk 3: Cocky Surgeon Chapt 4-7
August 09, 2018 11:17 - 1 hour - 142 MBElle and Meghan are back with some....pretty boring chapters honestly. And when there isn't a lot of sex, they definitely find other things to talk about. And there are still plenty of things to wonder what the heck the author was talking about in these chapters. Discussed this episode: cold brew coffee, breakfast teas, new adult romance/erotica books, healthy relationships, is Janet the hero of this book? Is Dev? and who impregnated Sonic?? Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Gr...
CockTalk 2: Cocky Surgeon Chpts 1-3
August 02, 2018 13:36 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBElle and Meghan officially start their dive into Cocky Surgeon by Faleena Hopkins! We actually...get a little bit of a story before any sexual acts? We breakdown a little of what led to #cockygate, starting with Kindle Unlimited and Bookclicker. We discuss why authors need to stop claiming their characters are feminists (sigh) and our deathly fears of mirrors in bedrooms! Join us next Thursday as we dive further into the whole #cockygate scandal, including Kindle, #TiffanyGate, and plen...
Handbook Podcast Presents: Cock Talk Episode 1!
July 26, 2018 14:42 - 1 hour - 67.9 MBMeghan and Elle officially take on #cockygate! And what we realized was the #cockygate is only the small problem of a much larger to do. We read the sample of Cocky Roomie, Meghan complains about Atlanta knowledge, Elle does some dramatically wonderful readings of the book, and we keep repeating the phrases "moist ash" and "lemonade shower." Join us next Thursday as we dive further into the whole #cockygate scandal, including Kindle, #TiffanyGate, and plenty more. Note: The show...
Handbook for Mortals Recap Part 2
July 20, 2018 11:55 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBElle and Meghan finish up their recap of Handbook for Mortals, as well as a discussion on Starbucks! We discuss primarily the treatment of women in the book, as well as what we think the author does for a daytime job. Join us next Thursday to talk about our newest author, the scandal she's involved in, and where we read the preview of her first book! Note: The show music has been removed as the owner has requested it not be used in podcasts. We will be putting together new music for the...
Handbook for Mortals: A Recap
July 12, 2018 11:12 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBElle and Meghan are back to wrap up A Handbook for Mortals! You think you are sick of it and haven't heard everything? You are very wrong. Elle rewrites a few sentences and makes them beautiful, we talk about word choices throughout the book, the descriptions of Mac and his clothing, and whether or not we should call Las Vegas shows to see if they'll let us audition in front of the entire cast and crew! Join us next Thursday to talk about the second half of this book, and listen to us nam...
June Bonus Episode!
June 20, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBMeghan is joined by a new podcast cohost: Elle Riccardi! The podcast isn't officially back, but we were way too excited to discuss the screenplay that's made its way to the light, as well as getting our dream casts out into the universe (come on Anna Kendrick — don't you want to play the "villain" Sophia?!) We also briefly discuss the direction of the podcast (cockygate books, anyone??) and what we plan on talking about next, as well as realizing we have a lot of media consumption in commo...
June Bonus Episode!
June 20, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBMeghan is joined by a new podcast cohost: Elle Riccardi! The podcast isn't officially back, but we were way too excited to discuss the screenplay that's made its way to the light, as well as getting our dream casts out into the universe (come on Anna Kendrick — don't you want to play the "villain" Sophia?!) We also briefly discuss the direction of the podcast (cockygate books, anyone??) and what we plan on talking about next, as well as realizing we have a lot of media consumption in commo...
Book 2 Preview and Acknowledgements
April 09, 2018 11:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MBTHERE ARE STAR WARS SPOILERS IN THIS EPISODE — SPOILER ALERTS FOR THE LAST JEDI. Meghan and James read the preview of Book 2 that comes with this book. We are immediately thrown into the end of Book 1 (why wasn't this just part of the ending? Who knows.) The preview comes with a side of transphobia or queer-phobia, which leads to a discussion of whether or not Aunt Aldyth is embracing his femininity for witchy reasons or other reasons. We discuss the concept of destiny as a plot device...
Chapter 21: The World
April 02, 2018 13:58 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBMeghan and James are back for the final episode! It's more like a quick epilogue. We don't read the entire thing on the podcast, but you get genuine first reactions to this ending from James and trust me — they're enjoyably hilarious. Who gets married? Who catches the bouquet? What is the cringe-worthy last sentence and how do we react? We also discuss if we feel there should be sequels, James makes a LOT of faces, and we discuss what the heck we are going to do next. Join us April...
Chapter 20: Judgement
March 26, 2018 09:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBWe discuss the penultimate episode! Zade is awake, so let's see how life is. Has she picked between Mac and Jackson? Is Jackson still around? Does she ask permission to take memories (man we talk a lot about this.) There's is one more cliffhanger in the last chapter, which we briefly discuss what James thinks is going to happen! Join us on April 1st for the finale chapter! We are going to read the entire chapter on air and give our thoughts. And don't forget to go rate and review our ...
Chapter 19: Death
March 20, 2018 12:38 - 50 minutes - 46 MBThis week we discuss chapter 19: Death! Does Zade die? Can Dela read minds? What is the ritual used to try to save Zade's life?? If you are missing us between episodes, don't forget to check out our Facebook group! Join us on March 26th for Chapter 20! And don't forget to go rate and review our podcast! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 18: The Chariot
March 12, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBMeghan and James are back to discuss chapter 18: The Chariot! We discuss tarot (AGAIN for the love of god), a little about chaos magic, and a LOT about how the relationship between beliefs and magic and magical systems. We discuss a lot about Max's personality, the concept of consent (and how we the podcast hosts are pro-consent even with the book isn't), and how obnoxious this book is about telling things rather than showing, and how to say the word "athame" (which after a google search...
Chapter 17: The Lovers
March 06, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBMeghan and James are back, a little exhausted, a little broken, but we completed chapter 17. James shows off his Harry Potter and anime knowledge (SO PROUD!) We discuss our still long discomfort of how Mac is the most justifiable character despite being a totally terrible person, Meghan asks the legit question of why are we having this flashback? How old is Zade? (Hint, 25, twenty-something, or maybe in her 30s?) How old was Charles? How much do we want to hear about Zade's mom's boobs? ...
Chapter 16: Justice
February 26, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 69.4 MB*Please note that the first 40 minutes are the hosts discussing a recent interview the author of Handbook for Mortals did, as well as the Amazon review scandal. You are welcome to skip over this (to 40:36) as we did say we wouldn't discuss the scandal, and yet we did.* (I also promise it's not me just making groaning sounds for 40 minutes. I will also say that me assuming there are no comics that look like Spider-Man is me getting yell-y and blind sighted.) We discuss chapter 16, Justic...
Chapter 15: The Tower
February 19, 2018 13:23 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBMeghan and James have finally made it to the climactic chapter of this book! But wait — aren't there 5 or 6 chapters left to go? Yes, gentle listener, there is! James gives his discussion on chaos magick finally, we try to explain the major illusion that has been practiced for so many chapters now, and we finally discuss some bombshell news this chapter brings! We might also finally prove Zade is an alien, so yay on that theory? Join us on February 26th for Chapter 16! Follow us o...
An Interview with Amanda Surowitz
February 12, 2018 11:30 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBWhile we pretty much agreed on no guests for the first season, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to talk to someone who attended Lani Sarem's panel a few weeks ago! Amanda was amazing enough to come on the show and talk to us about what the author addressed in the panel! While we discuss our thoughts and opinions on the author's stance on a few things, Amanda is incredibly objectable, we loved having her on the podcast! Amanda's Website | Amanda's Twitter Join us on February 12th for a...
Chapter 14: Wheel of Fortune
February 05, 2018 12:20 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBPlease forgive the brief car alarm at the beginning - it's hard to edit out when someone is talking! James does some digging to see how many books have been purchased on Amazon, leading to a small discussion of how many books have been sold. James and Meghan are a chapter before the climax (?) of the story. We have a long conversation about how weird her boss/employee relationship is, and while spying on the girl you're dating is SUPER BAD, we can't help but be on his side in how weird...
Chapter 13: The High Priestess
January 30, 2018 01:19 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBThis chapter brings out some BDSM jokes, some discussion of why on earth a boss would get so involved in an employee's relationship — without her knowledge — what tense this book is in, how it's probably not a great idea to date a guy who insults your heritage and religion, and if your knee pops when you kiss a guy.... see a doctor. Join us on February 5th as we discuss Chapter 14! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 12: The Sun
January 22, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBThis week Meghan and James discuss how to not apologize, how we are more and more convinced that the main characters are aliens, how naive Zade is, and whether or not she's a virgin (look, her interactions are fascinating and we are super curious.) We also discuss Heathers and Cruel Intentions briefly, how AGAIN oozed is not a compliment, and how Zade forgets she has magic. Join us on January 29th as we discuss Chapter 13! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group Thank you to ...
Chapter 11: The Devil
January 15, 2018 12:18 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBMeghan and James read an entire chapter that has action, but it happens entirely off-screen. James re-writes the chapter in 30 seconds to make more sense, we discuss the author's use of the word "ooze" in a positive tone, and there is a long conversation about clothing — particularly of male clothing. Join us on January 15th as we discuss Chapter 12 Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 10: The Hanged Man
January 08, 2018 04:04 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBHappy New Year! Are you sick of seeing that on your podcast episodes? Well, TOO BAD IT'S OUR FIRST EPISODE BACK! Meghan and James came back from a break, groaning a bit as we picked this book back up. We had briefly forgotten how bad the writing of this book really is, as we have read other books in our break! This chapter brought along a discussion of racism, how every character acts like they're in middle school (and yet makes a self-realized comment about their juvenile ways), and w...
Chapter 9: Temperance
December 25, 2017 05:00 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBMerry Christmas to those who celebrate! Meghan and James end their year discussing Chapter 9, as well as more Lani Sarem drama llamas. This is one of the shortest chapters in the book, but so much insanity to talk about. Join us on January 8th as we discuss Chapter 10 - The Hanged Man. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 8: The Star
December 21, 2017 02:39 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBSorry for the late release this week — this episode had a lot of editing needs and holidays are a busy time! Chapter 8 was a very long chapter for very little to happen. Essentially, the main character goes to a concert. There's a lot of discussion of The Plain White Ts, James won't let Meghan speak, and when Meghan does, it is to rant about how much every female character in this book is mistreated when they aren't Zade. Join us next week for Chapter 9! Follow us on Twitter | Facebo...
Chapter 7: Strength
December 11, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBThis week is bonkers city with this chapter — a surprise guest appearance that caused much yelling, a strange pop-up character, and we find out all about Jackson's ska band! Articles Discussed in this episode: Vulture's Interview with the Author and 100 Monkeys Break Up Join us next week for Chapter 8! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 6: The Moon
December 04, 2017 04:48 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBThis week's episode is much longer because we broke our rule and started talking about the controversy as our beloved author stirred it up again, and we just...couldn't....stay quiet. Kind of like our author. There are some light spoilers for The Hate U Give from minute 18:00-19:34 (nothing major, just "this is what this book is about.") If you only want to hear us discuss the chapter and not the drama llamas going on, jump to 30:50 in. This episode also includes James singing "Why Does...
Chapter 5: The Emperor
November 27, 2017 12:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBJames and Meghan hit a shorter chapter this week, which is good considering all the Thanksgiving-ing we did this past week. This is the where we were finally convinced nobody every actually looked at this book before publishing it (or at least not this chapter), discuss again the differences between Young, New, and General Adult literature, and we finally just officially decide all the characters in this book are either 15 years old or aliens. Join us next week for Chapter 6: The Moon! ...
Chapter 5: The Emperor
November 27, 2017 12:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBJames and Meghan hit a shorter chapter this week, which is good considering all the Thanksgiving-ing we did this past week. This is the where we were finally convinced nobody every actually looked at this book before publishing it (or at least not this chapter), discuss again the differences between Young, New, and General Adult literature, and we finally just officially decide all the characters in this book are either 15 years old or aliens. Join us next week for Chapter 6: The Moon! ...
Chapter 4: The Empress
November 20, 2017 16:09 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBMeghan and James have hit their longest chapter so far, which James sums up brilliantly about 4 minutes in. They share a moment over their favorite candy — and then run off to start their own ska band. Zade apparently now has premonition powers, Meghan discusses Buffy's musical too much, and we now have two proper killer characters. There's also a deep rant about Arabian Nights, and a deep appreciation for Esther from the Bible. Join us next week for Chapter 5! Follow us on Twitter ...
Chapter 3: The Hierophant
November 06, 2017 12:40 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBMeghan and James dive into chapter 3 of A Handbook for Mortals, and spend a long time talking about if Mac is a serial killer or stalker or love interest, we are introduced to two more characters, and ....that's about all that happens in this chapter. Yet somehow we have enough content to talk for nearly an hour about this chapter?? Join us again next week where we will be discussing Chapter 4 of the book. Don't forget to rate and review us wherever you find podcasts! Follow us on Twitt...
Chapter 2: The Hermit
October 30, 2017 02:20 - 41 minutes - 75.2 MBMeghan and James are back to discuss Chapter 2: The Hermit. They briefly try to understand the order of the cards in the chapter titles, James revises his thoughts on who is in the love triangle, and Meghan reveals the bigger spoiler of all: this is secretly a BDSM book! Join us again next week where we will be discussing Chapter 3 of the book. Don't forget to rate and review us wherever you find podcasts! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 1: The Magician
October 23, 2017 14:58 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBMeghan and James continue their chapter by chapter review of Lani Sarem's A Handbook for Mortals! James finds out if his predictions of the main character becoming a wrestling star come true, they discuss James Bond, Harrison Ford, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch! Join us again next week where we will be discussing chapter 2 of the book. Don't forget to rate and review us wherever you find podcasts! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 1: The Magician
October 23, 2017 14:58 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBMeghan and James continue their chapter by chapter review of Lani Sarem's A Handbook for Mortals! James finds out if his predictions of the main character becoming a wrestling star come true, they discuss James Bond, Harrison Ford, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch! Join us again next week where we will be discussing chapter 2 of the book. Don't forget to rate and review us wherever you find podcasts! Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Thank you to BenSound for our theme music!
Chapter 0: The Fool and the Foreword
October 15, 2017 23:05 - 1 hour - 58 MBAfter Meghan Griffin read one of the most controversial books of 2017 and wrote a review, her friend James DeBruicker decided he wanted to do a chapter by chapter read of this book in podcast format! We do not intend on bashing on the author, but rather trying to grasp the phenomenon around this book. This episode we discuss why Meghan doesn't think this book is YA, the cover, the foreword, and Chapter 0: The Fool. Join us every week as we take on a new chapter of this book! Follow ...
Chapter 0: The Fool and the Foreword
October 15, 2017 23:05 - 1 hour - 58 MBAfter Meghan Griffin read one of the most controversial books of 2017 and wrote a review, her friend James DeBruicker decided he wanted to do a chapter by chapter read of this book in podcast format! We do not intend on bashing on the author, but rather trying to grasp the phenomenon around this book. This episode we discuss why Meghan doesn't think this book is YA, the cover, the foreword, and Chapter 0: The Fool. Join us every week as we take on a new chapter of this book! Follow ...