BONUS: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Today, we're revisiting a childhood favorite, "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner.  Diving into the historical context surrounding the tale's publication, we discuss the stark differences between the 1924 original and the 1942 revision, revealing how time can color a story's message.

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Explore the Boxcar Children Cookbook (someone please order this so we can know what's inside.)

Recent Reads:

• Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody
• Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

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Crack open the pages of controversy with us as we venture through the tangled web of banned and challenged books.  Today, we're drafting our team of banned books, each picking three books we love that are frequently banned or challenged.

Join us and discover how these books are more than just stories; they're crucial conversations on racism, marginalized communities, and the raw truths of adolescence that are at risk of being silenced.

Team Abigail: 

• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Team Emily: 

• A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines
• Native Son by Richard Wright
• Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Plus, books we've read lately:

• Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
• Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
• The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

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Join us as we sit down with debut-author Jason Kirk, whose novel "Hell is a World Without You" paints a visceral portrait of life growing up in the grip of Southern evangelical culture.

Whether or not your story follows a similar path to main-character Isaac's, we think you'll find something to relate to in this novel. Join us as we sit down for an interview with the author!

Prior to February 17, 2024, all proceeds from this book will be donated to the Trevor Project.

Hell is a World Without You:
Rarely has an Evangelical upbringing been depicted with the relentless honesty, wide-ranging empathy, and Superbad-meets-Siddhartha playfulness of HELL IS A WORLD WITHOUT YOU. During the time of Pizza Hut buffets, 9/11, and all-night Mario Kart parties, a grieving teenager faces a mortal crossroads: fire-and-brimstone certainty vs. forbidden love. And whether or not you've ever begged God to delay the Rapture (so you could have time to lose your virginity), that kid's story is about you.

Ever find yourself in a literary rut, wondering what book to pick up next? Fear not, we are here with a treasure trove of curated reads that promise to ignite your passion for books. 

We asked our listeners to share their recent favorite and least favorite reads, and created a list of personalized recommendations for them! 

Here's a list of our recommendations:

• Anything by Lucy Foley  (The Paris Apartment,  The Guest List, The Hunting Party)
• Unmissing by Minka Kent
• Force of Nature by Jane Harper 
• The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
• A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
• In the Waning Light by Loreth Ann White
• Tell Me Everything by Erika Krouse
• The House Across the Lake or The Only One Left by Riley Sager
• The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
• The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
• The Secrets we Kept by Lara Prescott
•  Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
• The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
  
  

It's a jam-packed Book Talk episode today, as we have A LOT to discuss.

First, we're talking Manacled, the Dramione story that rivals the original Harry Potter series. Emily may have gone on a deep dive into more Draco/Hermione pairings, and is also recommending Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love. To avoid Manacled spoilers, skip to 18:20.

Then we're talking recent problematic author Cate Corrain's review-bombing & subsequent lost book deal. And how not to write an apology note.

Finally, we're skimming over Gyspy Rose Blanchard's new "book", and looking forward to the day she actually releases her real memoir. Until then, this will suffice, we suppose.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @readirectpodcast! Catch you on the flippity flip. 

We're back from holiday break with a fresh episode where we recap our recent reads and look forward to 2024. 

Books Mentioned

• I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
• Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks
• Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
• Heartstopper (series) by Alice Oseman
• Joseph Smith and the Mormans by Noah Van Sciver
• Manacled (fanfiction) by senlinyu

Plus, a Sam Claflin Count of Monte Cristo mini-series in 2024? Count us in (wink).

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at @readirectpodcast. 

We're on a holiday break, but we're re-releasing one of our favorite bonus episodes, all about Judy Blume's cherished novel, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." 

Having both missed out on this gem in our tween years, we unpack the novel's continued relevance. This deep dive sheds light on the book's educational value in navigating the roaring tides of puberty, the quest for religious identity, and the tug-of-war of familial relationships. 

We feel this movie adaptation is a perfect movie to watch over the holidays with family of all ages. It's truly an all-time great adaptation. 

Enjoy this re-released episode, and we'll be back with more content in two weeks! Merry Christmas & happy holidays! 

Ready for a literary adventure? Buckle up as we, your hosts Abigail Hewins and Emily Rojas, invite you to remanence about 2023's year of books, featuring our dear friend and book-lover, Hannah (@dollhousebooks on IG!). 

A soon-to-be librarian and an active bookstagrammer, Hannah adds an enriching perspective to our animated discussion on our top reads, reading experiences, and the books we are eagerly awaiting. 

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We're back today for another Book Talk episode to discuss all things book-related we've been meaning to talk about!

Mostly, this is a deep dive into our initial reactions of Iron Flame, sequel to Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. We're talking about the book's plot, THAT SHOCKING ENDING, and our theories for future installments. Spoiler alert!!

Plus, we're discussing our thoughts on Spotify's new audiobook feature, and sharing books we've read recently.

Here's Emily's mac & cheese recipe from @mxrium on TikTok! 

Join us for a very exciting interview with NYT bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout! Jennifer is the author of the renowned 'Blood and Ash' series, and she's here today to discuss her newest release, A Fire in the Flesh, book #3 in the prequel 'Flesh and Fire' series.

We're discussing world-building, writing a prequel series while simultaneously writing the original series, BookTok and more! 

Tune in for this conversation!