Category Archives: Podcasts

Podcast audio files

by | June 21, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 174 – Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation!

Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #2: Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation!

We’re putting the “summer” in Flashback Summer by going to camp with our friends, the Baby-Sitters Club (and also our friend literary agent Amy Stern). We read Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #2: Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation and Baby-Sitters Club Friends Forever Super Special #1: Everything Changes, both by Ann M. Martin. We loved revisiting these books, but we’re not sure we’d send any children to visit Camp Mohawk. Listen to this episode while researching the summer camp accreditation process!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “How The Baby-Sitters Club Made Social Justice Fun for Tweens” by Ashley Fetters

“These 19 Institutions Are the Best Summer Camps in the Country” by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Coming up next: Claudia and Mean Janine by Ann M. Martin.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | June 7, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 173 – The Courtship Of Princess Leia

The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton

We’re kicking off Flashback Summer by going to a galaxy far, far away and a long time ago. We read the non-canonical Star Wars Legends novel The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton with Star Wars Enthusiast Zayne. If you’re a Star Wars fan of a certain vintage, you might be grimacing with recognition here. If you haven’t heard of this book, you might be thinking it would be nice to see Han and Leia’s courtship and marriage. Unfortunately: it isn’t. It isn’t nice at all. If you ask your 3PO unit nicely, perhaps they will play this episode over their speakers for you.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Star Wars Legends

“Who Gets To Be ‘Hapa’?” by Akemi Johnson

Coming up next: Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #2: Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation! by Ann M. Martin.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | May 24, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 172 – No Walls And The Recurring Dream

No Walls And The Recurring Dream by Ani DiFranco

 

We wanted to bring some girl power to Celebrity Memoir May, so returning guest Sophi joined us to read No Walls And The Recurring Dream by Ani DiFranco. If you”re thinking that that title is a little wordy and incoherent, you have a good idea of what the book is like. Listen to hear three long-time Ani DiFranco fans learn that you should never meet your heroes, or read their memoirs.

Content warning: This book contains descriptions of child neglect and sexual assault.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Ani DiFranco Is ‘Remarkably Unapologetic’ About Slave Plantation Retreat” by

Ani DiFranco Is Tired of Talking About Herself (So Here She Goes Again) by Rich Juzwiak

Women’s Festival Must Choose Between Indigo Girls and the Transgender Ban

New PSA Examines Experiences of Transgender Survivors with a Message that RAINN is Here for Everyone

‘The Rock’ buys a scoop of Portland ice cream — Dwayne Johnson takes a stake in Salt & Straw by Mike Rogoway

Coming up next: The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | May 10, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 171 – Greenlights

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Alright, alright, alright! Even though time is a flat circle, we’re celebrating Celebrity Memoir May and we’re starting the party with Matthew McConaughey’s book Greenlights. The most surprising part about this book was how much we sincerely enjoyed it. The second most surprising part about this book was all the wet dreams. Seriously, this book was wild and we hope that you will listen to it!

Content warning: This book contains descriptions of child abuse.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Matthew McConaughey Made His Debut on an Old Unsolved Mysteries Episode” by Adrianna Freedman

“Matthew McConaughey may be a viable candidate for Texas governor” by  Robert T. Garrett and Gromer Jeffers Jr.

The just keep livin foundation

Matthew McConaughey Peace Corps PSA

Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves at Carnaval (this is NOT the photo Renata describes in the podcast but I cannot find it online!!! use your imagination to get the rest)

Coming up next: No Walls and the Recurring Dream by Ani DiFranco.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | April 26, 2021 · 12:00 pm

Episode 170 – Didn’t See That Coming

Didn't See That Coming by Rachel Hollis

We learned so much from discussing Rachel Hollis’s book Girl, Wash Your Face with Margaret H. Willison (of Two Bossy Dames, Appointment Television, and NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour) that we simply had to reunite to discuss her latest book, Didn’t See That Coming. Brace yourself for the most shocking revelation: this book made us cry.

Our friends at Porter Square Books hosted us for this virtual live show! If you watched it on Crowdcast: thank you so much for joining us! This is just the audio from that event for those of you who prefer not to see our faces. (The video is still archived and you can watch it here if you’d like.)

Content warning: This book contains discussion of suicide.

Note: This episode was recorded before Rachel’s whole “comparing herself to Harriet Tubman” thing.

Readers advisory: Here (via Porter Square Books).

Footnotes: Episode 144 – Girl, Wash Your Face

Coming up next: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | April 12, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 169 – Divine Evil

Divine Evil by Nora Roberts

It’s been a scary year, so we returned to the loving embrace of Our Lady Nora Roberts. Even though her 1992 novel Divine Evil is about a Satanic cult, we still felt safe in the small town of Emmitsboro, especially with our returning guest, Christine. Listen to this podcast on the long drive back to your charming hometown from the Big City.

Content warning: This book contains sexual assault, murder, and potential suicide.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: You’re Wrong About: The Satanic Panic

You’re Wrong About Book Club: Michelle Remembers

American Hysteria: The Satanic Panic

Coming up next: Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | March 29, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 168 – The Duke And I (Bridgerton #1)

The Duke & I (Bridgerton #1) by Julia Quinn

 

We teamed up with Anna and Alene of the Bellwether Friends again! We reconvened the Worst Best Friends to discuss the important topic of Bridgerton. Not the Netflix series, but one of the books that inspired it–The Duke and I by Julia Quinn. Unfortunately, the book is neither as horny nor as diverse as the series, but we persevered. Listen to this episode to drown out the sound of your seven siblings squabbling!

Announcement: Worst Bestsellers is doing a live virtual show hosted by Porter Square Books with special guest Margaret H. Willison! It will be Wednesday, March 31st at 8PM ET. And it’s free! Sign up here.

Content warning: This book contains child abuse and dubious sexual consent.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “Bridgerton‘s Controversial Sex Scene Needs a Trigger Warning” by McKenzie Jean-Philippe

“Bridgerton Has a Lot to Learn About Consent, and So Does Everyone Else” by Princess Weekes

“Phoebe Dynevor Responded to All the People Talking About Her Neck on Bridgerton” by Elizabeth Logan

“How Bridgerton Officially Became Netflix’s Biggest Hit Ever” by Joanna Robinson

Coming up next: Divine Evil by Nora Roberts.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | March 22, 2021 · 12:00 pm

Virtual Live Show Announcement

Didn't See That Coming by Rachel Hollis

Announcement: On Wednesday, March 31st at 8PM Eastern, we’ll be doing a virtual live show presented by Porter Square Books! Our very special guest Margaret H. Willison will join us to discuss Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis (aka Girl, Wash Your Divorce). The event is free and will be recorded and archived if you can’t make it on the 31st.

Register here!

 

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by | March 15, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 167 – The Vanishings (Left Behind Kids #1)

The Vanishings (Left Behind: The Kids #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye.

 

Remember the Left Behind series? Did you know it also had a middle grade spinoff series about what would happen to the ungodly children who were left behind when their parents were Raptured? Well: it did, and we read book #1, The Vanishings by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye, along with our sisters in our cult club, Ashley and Grace. Listen now if you want to be saved!

Announcement: Worst Bestsellers is doing a live virtual show hosted by Porter Square Books with special guest Margaret H. Willison! It will be Wednesday, March 31st at 8PM ET. And it’s free! Sign up here.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Parcast Cults podcast

American Hysteria podcast

Oh No Ross and Carrie podcast

“The Trials of the Tribulation” by Michael Joseph Gross

“Let’s Punk the Rapture” by Mat Honan

Coming up next: The Duke & I (Bridgerton) by Julia Quinn.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | March 1, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 166 – The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

 

You’re not dreaming–we did read a bestseller that’s widely considered to be “good,” The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. We teamed up with Amanda and Geoffrey from the podcast Dirt Cheap to investigate: is it actually a good book? Who is the murderer? Where can a guy find some good pornographic material in this town? Listen to this episode on your next stakeout!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Dirt Cheap 

Wolverine: The Long Night podcast

Coming up next: The Vanishings (Left Behind: The Kids #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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