Judging Book Covers
129 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratingsJudging Book Covers Podcast is a monthly book club podcast hosted by Megg Griffin, Stephanie Cortez, and Ollie Brady! Each month we read a new book, discuss media we've absorbed, and discuss the importance of literature in the world!
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Episodes
Universal Harvester with Phil Gonzales
March 11, 2018 14:13 - 1 hour - 77.5 MBStephanie and Meghan are joined by Phil Gonzales of Deep in Bear County, It's Del Toro Time, and Klickitcast to discuss Universal Harvester by John Darnielle! We have a hard time categorizing this book, as it appears on the surface to be a horror book, yet diving into it ..... we still can't quite figure out how to classify it. And yet, none of us could put the book down! We discuss small town life, feelings of dread and incompleteness, how our views of horror books shouldn't be shoeho...
A Wrinkle in Time with Ileana Garcia
February 25, 2018 16:55 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBAs probably every book podcast is doing, we read A Wrinkle in Time before the movie comes out! This is a book Meghan read as a kid, but Stephanie and our guest had not read before. We discuss how it feels to read a kids/middle school grade book as an adult, some of our other childhood favorite books (Stephanie and Meghan read a lot of YA horror books?) Ileana discusses if this book is the basis for Scientology — we are hoping to get an academic paper out of it, Meghan tries to make IT in ...
The Power by Naomi Alderman
February 11, 2018 15:23 - 1 hour - 88.6 MBSeason 2 of Judging Book Covers kicks off with a host only episode! We read a book that takes on the question: "If Women ruled the world, would it be better?" The Power by Naomi Alderman takes this question and laughs in its face. We discuss the four storylines of the book, the subtle shifts of power from men to women, and the relationship with the religious and political world. As with most books discussed on this podcast, there are lots of spoilers here! Book Drink: Shots of Tequila ...
Local with Ryan Lynch and Tracy Tanoff
January 28, 2018 17:39 - 2 hours - 115 MBRyan and Tracy join Meghan again to discuss the podcast's first graphic novel — Local, written by Brian Wood, illustrated by Ryan Kelly! This is a bit of a long episode as the series consists of twelve issues, and we had to discuss how important each issue is in turn. This is a good slice of life comic, especially for someone who maybe isn't as into superhero comics (like me!) We discuss how maybe we differed from the book's journey and where we felt we lined up similarly, as this book ta...
Restless with Tracy Tanoff and Ryan Lynch
January 14, 2018 16:55 - 1 hour - 92.1 MBIt's a new year, and it's time for a new round of guests! This week I am joined by Tracy Tanoff and Ryan Lynch of Divisive Issues, Oops I talked Politics, and We'll Get it Right Next Year! Tracy had us read Restless by William Boyd, a World War II spy novel! We discuss media manipulation (aka fake news) in World War II, if men can really write from a true woman's perspective, how you should never ever date while you are a spy, and how maybe you shouldn't try to solve the mystery that does...
Vicious by V.E. Schwab with Emily Bennett and Ollie Brady
December 24, 2017 17:11 - 1 hour - 100 MBHappy Holidays! For a holiday special, I brought back two of my favorite guests to talk about one of my favorite books! Emily Bennett and Ollie Brady of Best Acquaintances Podcast join me to discuss Vicious by V. E. Schwab! Jason Statham, Ollie's amazing friend and frequent guest star of BA also makes a guest appearance as well! Meghan offends Ollie with her feelings on Battlestar Galactica, and she publically apologizes. Muffin makes her podcast debut! Join us in two weeks for a 2018 ...
Mr. Darcy's Diary with Vicki Crosson and Ryan Alexander
December 10, 2017 13:26 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBMeghan is joined again by Vicki Crosson and Ryan Alexander to discuss Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange, a Pride and Prejudice retelling from the main love interest's point of view. We learn that books are hard as they are filled with words, discuss our own journalling/diarying habits, and start comparing Darcy and Grey. We also consider writing our own crossover fiction — Georgina and Mia anyone? And Ryan actually considers reading Pride and Prejudice! Book Drink: An Afternoon Brit...
Episode 18: Grey with Ryan Alexander and Vicki Crosson
November 26, 2017 04:54 - 2 hours - 111 MBThis week I am joined by Ryan Alexander and Vicki Crosson to discuss book 4 of the 50 Shades of Grey series: Grey by E.L. James. Spoiler: None of us have read the original three books or had seen the movies prior to reading this book — most of our knowledge came from reviews and podcast discussions of the book series. And I'm sorry to anyone who has come in contact with me the past week as I read this book. Ryan has a "hot take" of an opinion on this book, we briefly discuss how awful the ...
Episode 17: Maybe In Another Life with Heather Webb and Alicia Harder
November 12, 2017 16:34 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBMeghan is joined again by Alicia and Heather to talk about Taylor Jenkins Reid's Maybe In Another Life! This book is a parallel storyline novel, where two different options are shown based on a decision the protagonist makes...... ....so of course we analyze both decisions as much as we wanted! And discussed how much we didn't like the audiobook for this one, despite really loving the story. There is talk of how much it resonates with us, the importance of friendship on top of relationship...
Episode 16: The Haunting of Hill House with Alicia Harder and Heather Webb
October 31, 2017 02:15 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBHappy Halloween!! Meghan is joined by two new guests, and at Alicia's suggestion, they read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson! It's a perfect Halloween book, and somehow ghosts got into our system! We also discuss other horror books we love and slasher movies and shows we enjoy. Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: [email protected] Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twitter | That Gay Sh*t Podcast Fac...
Episode 15: Horror Books
October 15, 2017 22:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBDue to some crazy traveling and scheduling conflicts, I brought back two past guests to talk horror books really quick, rather than start a new round of guests! James DeBruicker of Over the Tabletop and Ileana Garcia both were wonderful enough to take a little bit of time out of their day to talk about what they love about horror books, an appropriate topic for October. Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: [email protected] Fin...
Episode 14: Ender's Game with Carson Long and Millena Silva
October 02, 2017 12:33 - 1 hour - 101 MBThis week we have Carson Long and Millena Silva back to discuss their second YA book: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card! Meghan rants about nicknames being stupid, Millena proves that Hunger Games is just an updated female version of Ender's Game, and Carson braces himself in case Millena says she hates the book. We also try to convince Millena she needs to see IT (and never sleep again), and Meghan gets whiny about Ender's name and personality. All three of us begin our pitch on the Tim is o...
Minisode: Banned Books!
October 01, 2017 01:26 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBI am on the road, but I took a few minutes to discuss banned books. I'm joined by Ollie for a quick discussion on banned books in the US and Ireland! As per the norm, we get slightly off topic, but it was definitely interesting to hear the difference between how both countries view and the history of banned and challenged books. Note: at one point I say books can't be banned, which isn't 100% true — schools classrooms and libraries can ban books, but that's about it. Enjoy! Find us on ...
Minisode: Banned Books!
October 01, 2017 01:26 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBI am on the road, but I took a few minutes to discuss banned books. I'm joined by Ollie for a quick discussion on banned books in the US and Ireland! As per the norm, we get slightly off topic, but it was definitely interesting to hear the difference between how both countries view and the history of banned and challenged books. Note: at one point I say books can't be banned, which isn't 100% true — schools classrooms and libraries can ban books, but that's about it. Enjoy! Find us on ...
Episode 13: Once and For All with Millena Silva and Carson Long
September 17, 2017 14:45 - 1 hour - 93.5 MBThis week we have new guests: Millena Silva and Carson Long of Kennesaw State University's podcast: Book Club Soda! We discussed our first of two YA books: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen! Meghan and Carson have some serious feelings about this book, but both agree that they will give Sarah Dessen books another try. Millena and Carson take a moment to talk Taylor Swift lyrics, all three kind of roll their eyes at the main character's first love, discuss YA tropes and major series, and expla...
Episode 12: Annihilation with Liz Babish and Dawn Gildenmeister
September 04, 2017 02:53 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBThis week we discuss book one of the Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer. This book is a bit of a dystopian, postmodern nutter of a book, and none of us quite understand what the hell is going on in this world on a greater level. Book of the week: The Brightness, created by Liz! Check out the blog for the recipe. Books Discussed This Week: Annihilation by James VenderMeer True Blood Series by Charlaine Harris Bird Box by Josh Malerman Birdman by Mo Hayder Dati...
Episode 12: Annihilation with Liz Babish and Dawn Gildenmeister
September 04, 2017 02:53 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBThis week we discuss book one of the Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer. This book is a bit of a dystopian, postmodern nutter of a book, and none of us quite understand what the hell is going on in this world on a greater level. Book of the week: The Brightness, created by Liz! Check out the blog for the recipe. Books Discussed This Week: Annihilation by James VenderMeer True Blood Series by Charlaine Harris Bird Box by Josh Malerman Birdman by Mo Hayder Dati...
Episode 11: Stiff with Dawn Gildenmeister and Liz Babish
August 20, 2017 15:23 - 1 hour - 124 MBMeghan is joined this week by two new guests: Liz Babish, and Dawn Gildenmeister of Beckett to the Future Podcast! They discuss the first non-fiction book of the podcast: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach! Dawn discusses her past jobs and how cadavers have come into play, and Liz brings up some interesting topics in eco-burials and organ donation! Books Discussed in this episode: Stiff by Mary Roach The Strange Bird by Jeff VanderMeer Children of the New World ...
Episode 10: Enter, Night with Gena Radcliffe and Erin Ayers
August 06, 2017 13:04 - 1 hour - 154 MBMeghan is joined again by Gena and Erin to discuss Michael Rowe's Enter, Night, a vampire novel that pays homage to the 70s terrifying vampire stories! The three of them discuss how people are always worse than vampires, the difference between vampires and wendigos, and how creepy small towns are! Book drink: Blood Berry Martini Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: [email protected] Find our host and guest(s): Meghan's Twi...
Episode 9: The Anubis Gates with Erin Ayers and Gena Radcliffe
July 23, 2017 11:47 - 1 hour - 112 MBIt's a hot summer, and movies are playing blockbusters to fill the air conditioned seats. The guest this week recommended the perfect book blockbuster for when you don't quite feel like walking out of your apartment into the heat! Meghan is joined by Erin Ayers and Gena Radcliffe to discuss Tim Power's The Anubis Gates, an 1980s "steampunk" time traveling novel that has literally everything. Egyptian gods, clones, time travel, evil clowns, werewolf serial killer?! Love?! Don't believe me?...
Episode 8: The Essential Bordertown with Ileana Garcia and Stephanie Cortez
July 09, 2017 04:01 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBMeghan is joined again by Ileana and Stephanie to discuss the YA anthology The Essential Bordertown, edited by Terri Windling and Delia Sherman. We discuss how the YA genre ends to reach back to its 90s roots and bring the grittiness back, especially when discussing elves and faeries! Book Drink: Elder-Berry Tea Cocktail and Earl Grey Tea Cocktail Books/Movies/Shows discussed in this episode: The Essential Bordertown Beauty and the Beast A Court of Thorn and Roses Logan X-Men/Daz...
Episode 7: The Other Boleyn Girl with Stephanie Cortez and Ileana Garcia
June 25, 2017 05:23 - 1 hour - 121 MBMeghan is joined by two new guests this week, Stephanie Cortez and Ileana Garcia. We read The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory and discussed our thoughts on 1500s clothing, movie adaptations, and whether or not British actors can pull off American accents. Ileana introduces a new aspect of the podcast going forward, what cocktail goes with this book? Check out the website to review the official cocktails of past books! Books/Movies/Shows discussed in this podcast: Blackpool...
Episode 6: Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World with Ollie Brady and Emily Bennett
June 11, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 98.5 MBIn which Meghan is joined again by Emily Bennett and Ollie Brady of Best Acquaintances, and they discussed Haruki Murakami’s Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, a beautiful and weird book from the 1980s. Meghan apparently doesn’t know what “magical realism” is and keeps trying to apply it to all books, Ollie rants that he doesn’t want unicorns mixing in his science, and Emily explains how badass you can be even at 17 and when you’re considered “pink and chubby.” We all discuss w...
Episode 5: Waylander II with Emily Bennett and Ollie Brady
May 28, 2017 04:01 - 1 hour - 110 MBThis week I am joined by Ollie Brady and Emily Bennett of Best Acquaintances! We discuss David Gemmell's Waylander II and giggle through the entire episode while Ollie tries to explain why this book was important to 11-year-old Ollie, Emily reads the most ridiculous physical comedy scene in a fantasy book, and we all discuss female characters in fantasy novels. Books Discussed: Waylander II by David Gemmell I Don't Know Where You Know Me From by Judy Greer Northanger Abbey by Jane Aus...
Minisode and a Giveaway??
May 23, 2017 01:12 - 16 minutes - 23.3 MBIt's an off week for us readers, and yet there's an episode?! Today I've got my first of many giveaways, Feel Good Bar and Grill coloring book by Amy Davis Roth! Take a listen at this chill episode as I drink and chat at the featured bar on Saturn's moon, Enceladus! Check out Amy's stores and good luck! Also, enjoy listening to how I sound super tired....sorry! Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Email: [email protected] Surly Amy...
Episode 4: Boneshaker with Marilag Angway and James DeBruicker
May 14, 2017 13:00 - 1 hour - 94.3 MBMari and James join me again for episode 4 of the podcast, where we discuss Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. Lots of talk of zombies and steampunk in this episode, as well as Mari and I making James feel old for making a Simpsons reference. Books referenced in this episode: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest Buffalo Soldier by Maurice Broaddus Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab Jerusalem by Alan Moore Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor Fa...
Episode 3: Silk by Caitlin Kiernan with James DeBruicker and Marilag Angway
April 30, 2017 12:48 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBWord of the Day: Weird For episode 3 I welcome two new guests, James DeBruicker and Marilag Angway! We discuss Silk by Caitlin Kiernan, which is a darker book than the previous two books on the show. The book brings about memories of 90s goth, a discussion of intent vs. impact, and how a book can be excellent, but light on plot. Books Referenced in this episode: Silk by Caitlin Kiernan All Fall Down by Ally Carter Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Party at the World's End by James ...
Episode 2: Infected by Scott Sigler with Tim Lowe and Joe Schulman
April 16, 2017 12:48 - 43 minutes - 60.2 MBWord of the day: Gooey For Episode 2 we discussed Tim's recommendation, Infected by Scott Sigler. I apologize in advance as I fidgeted around the entire episode with the necklace from Surly-Ramics Etsy Store and didn't realize it was picking up in the recording. On top of the novel we discuss our vague survival plans for surviving the apocalypse, I Am Legend both book and movie, the author's approach to modern day "publishing", whether or not the guys would take Perry's way if infected,...
Episode 1 - Master and Commander with Tim Lowe and Joe Schulman
April 02, 2017 04:00 - 36 minutes - 49.5 MBToday is the premier of the podcast! I am joined by Tim Lowe and Joe Schulman as we discuss Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian. Joe tells us why this is one of his favorite books, I explain why I briefly thought this book was going to be a murder mystery, and Tim and I briefly debate whether or not Saga is the best story out there period.