Broads And Books

Think Iowa is all fields of corn and State Fair antics? Get your head in the game (and keep that corn away from Erin). This week we're highlighting Iowa authors and local big deals. Come for the great picks, stay for our time capsule ideas involving Herky the Hawk that take a deadly turn. We're nice in Iowa. But that doesn't stop us from trying to get Erin on Dateline. ____________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: Lila, Marilynne RobinsonErin: Some Other Town, Elizabeth CollisonOther Books:Amy: We the Interwoven: An Anthology of Bicultural Iowa, Volume 1, Sadagat Aliyeva, Melissa Palma, and Chuy Renteria, Edited by Andrea Wilson (Collection from the Iowa Writer's House Bicultural Fellowship)Erin: Midnight Assassin, Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf (Nonfiction)Pop Culture:Amy: Missing in the Metro (Podcast)Erin: Raygun: Overheard in the StorePlus! Other Iowa authors you should know and love: Kali Van BaaleJulie StoneFrancis SparksJames ErwinJennifer WilsonIowa Writers and Illustrators ________

One amazing listener (with the amazing name of Amy) suggested the theme of "sports." The Broads, as uncoordinated and afraid of competition as we are, went real loosey goosey on this theme. And this glorious episode was born. We've got picks that are about rivalries and head-to-head combat. Plus, we talk about our own sports misadventures and dreams, debate the merits of baking competitions, and imagine the possibilities of a magic bullet in Erin's head. It all makes sense in the end. ______________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: American War, Omar El AkkadErin: Beartown, Fredrick BackmanOther Books:Amy: Too Fat Too Slutty Too Loud, Anne-Helen Petersen (Nonfiction)Erin: The Noble Hustle, Colson Whitehead (Nonfiction)Pop Culture:Amy: GLOW (TV)Erin: Team Foxcatcher (Documentary) ___________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you

"Cocaine's a helluva drug," said Rick James. We, as klutzy control freaks who have never tried the hard stuff for obvious reasons, will assume he's right. We're featuring picks this week that have all sorts of drug hijinks. Along the way, we talk about our ideal drugs, how Erin's cartel will be run, and check in on Huey Lewis. Plus, listen close for the sound of Podcat on some serious uppers. ___________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Otessa MoshfeghErin: A Million Little Pieces, James FreyOther Books:Amy: My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, Ed Brubaker (Graphic Novel)Erin: Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town, Nick Reding (Nonfiction)Pop Culture:Amy: "Great Day" (SNL Digital Short by Lonely Island)Erin: Weeds (TV) __________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, a

This week, we're looking at books from smaller publishing companies that specialize in pushing boundaries and telling amazing stories. Along the way, we talk about how Amy equates turning an ankle with the apocalypse, the drawbacks of having hologram friends, and how we should all use the term "ragamuffin" more. Fun fact: starting a podcast with a friend is the best way to learn about all their weirdnesses. And love them even more. ______________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: The Empress and the Cake, Linda Stift (Translated by Jamie Bulloch)Erin: Little Bee, Chris CleaveOther Books:Amy: Northwood, Maryse Meijer (Novella, Poetry)Erin: If I'd Known You Were Coming, Kate Milliken (Short story collection)Pop Culture:Amy: Gay Future (Podcast)Erin: I, Tonya (Movie) __________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be feature

We've hit 25 episodes! And we're feeling as optimistic as a doe-eyed youth in their twenties. So we're looking back at some of our favorite tangents, Q&As, and off-the-rails moments from our first 25 episodes. Don't forget! If you review us in your favorite podcast player by Friday, August 30, you'll be entered in our first GIVEAWAY! You'll get to choose one of our recommended books, and we'll send it to you free, along with some other good stuff. Wonder where these stories originally appeared? We got you: 3:01 - From Episode 15: Mirror, Mirror6:13 - From Episode 24: Behind the Scenes9:48 - From Episode 11: Second Time's a Charm12:51 - From Episode 9: What the What?!16:43 - From Episode 14: But Does it Have Pictures? 19:25 - From Episode 16: Road Trip! 22:16 - From Episode 22: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark__________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're

It's time. So Erin and Amy recommend some picks that are all about adolescence and learning. But we couldn't miss the opportunity to talk about our love of school supplies, terrible run-ins with bulimic class salamanders and concussed hamsters, and how our adolescent dreams of adulthood have proven quite wrong. Plus, Erin comes in HOT with a few people and things in her burn book. Free Book It pizza for all! __________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: Push, SapphireErin: Mrs. Everything, Jennifer WeinerOther Books:Amy: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain (Non-fiction)Erin: Spoiled Brats, Simon Rich (Short story collection)Pop Culture:Amy: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)Erin: Trophy Kids (TV, Documentary) __________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future episode!  B

Peek behind the scenes with this week's picks, featuring traveling performers, fictional bands, true tour stories, feuding ladies, and much more. Also this week, we reveal our theme songs, Amy talks about her dream jobs on a David Bowie tour, we plan our pitches for new Ryan Murphy shows, and we completely lose any semblance of control over our guffaws. Prepare yourselves: you may pee a little. ___________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: Station Eleven, Emily St. John MandelErin: Daisy Jones and The Six, Taylor Jenkins ReidOther Books:Amy: Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl, Carrie Brownstein (Memoir)Erin: Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales (NonFiction, Oral History)Pop Culture:Amy: The Punk Singer (Documentary)Erin: Feud: Joan Crawford and Bette Davis (TV) ___________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your idea

Family is great... until it's not. This week, we're talking family gatherings that go terribly awry. Whether it's death predictions, organized dances, interstellar conflict, or family reunions, these picks are all about that most dramatic of drama: family drama . Also in this episode, we talk TV and movie families we want to watch, horrifying family traditions, and old-fashioned insults. Plus, we try to do to fruit cups what we did to Sno-Caps: ANNIHILATION.  __________Our picks this week: Novels:Amy: The Immortalists, Chloe BenjaminErin: The Middlesteins, Jami AttenbergOther Books:Amy: Saga, Brian Vaughn and Fiona Staples (Graphic Novel)Erin: Calypso, David Sedaris (NonFiction, Essays, Humor)Pop Culture:Amy: Tommy, by The Who (Album and Movie)Erin: The Goldbergs (TV) ___________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featu

This week, we're scaring ourselves silly. Whether it's the monstrous things we make, the terrors of our inner demons, or a bit of old-school fairy tale fright, our picks are all about the things that will haunt you. Also in this episode, we talk about movies that scarred us for life, why horror and terror fascinate us, and the joys of campy gore. Plus, we dive into a truly important topic: Can we eat humans and still be vegan? This week's theme was another listener-suggested idea! Thanks Maggie -- you got more than you bargained for, and may never want to talk to us again. ____________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy: Bunny, Mona Awad (and read Amy's interview with Mona about the book)Erin: My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan BraithwaiteOther Books:Amy: "Reeling for the Empire" in Vampires in the Lemon Grove, Karen Russell (Short Story)Erin: Through the Woods, Emily Carroll (Graphic Novel, Short Story Collection)Pop Culture:Amy: True Blood (TV)Erin: The Disappearance of E

Need a good cry? Step 1: Listen to this episode to hear our stories of crying fits in movie theaters, city buses, and at the hands of Podcat. Step 2: Read our picks from this episode! Also in this episode, we make plans for our Broads and Books museum, discuss Podcat's delusional overlord-ness, and threaten a David Bowie masterclass. You'll be in a tear cage of joy by the end. _______________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy: The Road, Cormac McCarthyErin: The Invention of Wings, Sue Monk KiddOther Books:Amy: Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls, T Kira Madden (Memoir)Erin: The Lost Girls, Robert Kolker (True Crime, Non-fiction)Pop Culture:Amy: "Heroes," David Bowie (Song) (Watch the 2002 live performance in Berlin)Erin: Blackfish (Documentary)_____________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a f

This week, we're tackling another listener-suggested theme: crime. From Pablo Escobar's Columbia to the IRA's Belfast, from a white Bronco to the Silk Road, our picks are all about criminals doing their thing, and how it impacts the little guy. Also in this episode, Erin talks Geo Metro crime, Amy reveals her criminal syndicate motto, and we tell the story of the cop who got bit.  Thanks to Andrea for this excellent theme suggestion!___________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy: The Fruit of the Drunken Tree, Ingrid Rojas ContrerasErin: Our Kind of Cruelty, Araminta HallOther Books:Amy: Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland , Patrick Radden Keefe (True Crime, Non-fiction)Erin: American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road, Nick Bilton (True Crime, Non-fiction)Pop Culture:Amy: Believed (Podcast)Erin: The People vs. O.J. Simpson (TV)___________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And h

This week, we're talking women in charge. Women leading. Women DOING THE DAMN THING. Our books and pop culture picks celebrate what happens when women take over. Also in this episode, Erin reveals her plans for a massive company takeover (with Amy leading the corporate espionage), how emotional intelligence gets a bad rap, why work-life balance is a stupid myth, and the power of mistakes and failure. And of course, our latest criminal ideas that will incriminate us someday. _____________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy: Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler Erin: The Mothers, Brit BennettOther Books:Amy: All the Single Ladies, Rebecca Traister (Non-fiction)Erin: Mistakes I Made at Work, Jessica Bacal (Essays)Pop Culture:Amy: Pose (TV)Erin: Younger (TV)_____________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future epis

This week, our picks will have you laughing and crying. Maybe even peeing. Like church giggles, these books and pop culture glories celebrate the inappropriate, the mistimed, and the DGAF reactions. Also in this episode, Amy and Erin celebrate their own talent for inappropriate reactions, toss around ideas for a theme song, and reveal their plans for becoming besties with the authors we've chosen. Light stalking is cool, right? ____________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy AND Erin: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail HoneymanOther Books:Amy: Yes Please, Amy PoehlerErin: I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined), Chuck KlostermanPop Culture:Amy: Dead to Me (TV)Erin: The Good Place (TV)____________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future episode!  Broads and Books is a book podcas

This week, our picks are from formidable multi-talents. Whether they're lawyers, psychiatrists, economists, musicians, or actors in their day jobs, these over-achievers decided to add "author" or "director" to their accolades. The results are glorious. And also make us feel inadequate. Also in this episode, Amy and Erin reveal their side talents (and failings), wonder how they can get a pair of big scissors for ribbon-cutting (and Christmas gift unwrapping), and praise our listeners to all who will hear. One of our amazing listeners, Adam, is responsible for this wonderful episode. He wanted to hear about one-hit wonders. We took it further: these are the people we're confident are NOT one-hit wonders! _____________Our picks this week: Fiction Books:Amy: Gather the Daughters, Jennie MelamedErin:  Miracle Creek, Angie KimOther Books:Amy: Girl in a Band, Kim Gordon (Memoir)Erin: Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt (Non-fiction)Pop Culture:Amy AND Erin: Booksmart, directed by Olivia Wild

As our "Road Trip!" episode says, it's summer, and it's time for all the hilarity and horror of those drives toward doom (or Disney). The Broads are here for you, with our top rules for surviving a road trip. Plus! We've got a playlist of all the songs we mention, perfect for your next drive. Broads and Books is the weekly podcast with one unique theme, four handpicked book recommendations, and two broads. Amy and Erin are two lifelong readers and writers who bond over their (maybe) unhealthy passion for books, and offer you some unexpected recommendations for every reading taste. Find links to each book recommendation at our website at www.broadsandbooks.com. You'll also find ways to get in touch and follow along every week.Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a review while you're there! Broads and Books is the funny and feminist book podcast you need in your life! Each episode, Amy and Erin choose a

It's summer time, which means it's road trip time. And road trips mean sibling fights, meltdowns over sweaty knees, and driving towards doom (or Disney). This week, we've got picks with vacations, travel, and murder houses, perfect for reading on your own trips. Plus, updates on Podcat's nefarious plans, and a proposal for Keith Morrison. Because, why not. BONUS! Check out the all-new extra episode dropping today! We give you our top rules for road trips, PLUS a Spotify playlist! ____________This week's picks include: Fiction:Amy: The Stand, Stephen KingErin:  How to Start a Fire, Lisa LutzOther Books:Amy: M Train, Patti Smith (Patti performing "Gloria") (Memoir)Erin: The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson (True Crime)Pop Culture:Amy: Thelma and Louise (Movie) Erin: An Idiot Abroad (TV)__________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas

We see your unachievable body standards. And this week we've got picks that deliver a big FU to all of it. Plus, we talk about the magic mirrors we wish we had, our adolescent beauty disasters, and advice for all the young women who think all this stuff matters. ____________Fiction:Amy: Dietland, Sarai WalkerErin:  13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl, Mona AwadOther Books:Amy: The Fuck It Diet, Caroline DoonerErin: Smashed: Stories of a Drunken Girlhood, Koren ZailckasPop Culture:Amy: Shrill (TV) Erin: Embrace (Documentary)__________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future episode!  Broads and Books is a book podcast, a funny podcast, and a feminist podcast. And you'll find we're one of the best podcasts. Each week Amy and Erin choose a unique theme. Then we choose two fiction books, two other genre books (

Graphic novels. Illustrated memoirs. Instagram wonders. This week, we're all about picks that have pictures. You'll also hear about the B. Dalton guy that haunts Erin's dreams, the terror of geese gangs, the horror of student artists with one name, and how we are erasing SnoCaps from existence. Plus: two of our picks are listener-recommended!__________Fiction:Amy: Bitch Planet, Kelly Sue DeConnickErin:  Good Talk, Mira JacobOther Books:Amy: The Best We Could Do, Thi BuiErin: Hyberbole and a Half, Allie BroshPop Culture:Amy: Dirty Computer, Janelle Monae (Music/Movie)Erin: Keith Leans on Things / Please Hate These Things (Instagram)_________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future episode!  Broads and Books is a book podcast, a funny podcast, and a feminist podcast. And you'll find we're one of

The Broads were issued a challenge this week from one special listener: find classic books that don't suck. Challenge. Accepted. So this week we're giving you picks that are classic in every way, but are also damn good. Along the way we talk about the Broads' classic falls, revisit the great "do you the break the binding" debate, and dissect Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cream pies. For reals. __________________This week's picks include: Fiction:Amy: Jane Eyre, Charlotte BronteErin:  Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale HurstonOther Books:Amy: "Still I Rise," Maya Angelou (Poetry) (and watch her performance of the poem)Erin: "Death of a Salesman," Arthur Miller (Play)Pop Culture:Amy: Splendor in the Grass (Movie)Erin: The Royal Tenenbaums (Movie)________________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and

We're broads, and we like books. Sometimes better than the movie. And sometimes, we like the movie better. We're crazy that way. So this week we're looking at books better than the movie, and for our pop culture picks, movies/shows better than the books. Along the way, we dissect the worst of movie annoyances, our favorite Batmans, and a bunch of other delightful nonsense. ------Fiction:Amy: The Color Purple, Alice WalkerErin:  This is Where I Leave You, Jonathan TropperOther Books:Amy: Watchmen, Alan Moore (Graphic Novel)Erin: Jarhead, Anthony Swofford (Memoir)Pop Culture:Amy: Game of Thrones (TV)Erin: Molly's Game (Movie)___________Like what you hear? Subscribe to Broads and Books wherever you get your podcasts. And hey -- be a pal. Give us a rating and review while you're there! Plus: Send us your ideas and challenges, and you could be featured on a future episode!  Broads and Books is a book podcast, a funny podcast, and a feminist podcast. And you'll find we're one of t