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The Bookstore

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It's like a book club, but we actually read the book. Join hosts Becca and Corinne as they recreate their days working and hanging out at their local independent book store.

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#204
July 28 · 51 min
204 - The Salt Eaters
Today we talk about The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara. Next month we will be reading The Dry by Jane Harper. Content warning: suicide, violence Further reading: https://thegatheringcollective.substack.com/p/toni-cade-bambara-knew-what-she-was https://thefeministwire.com/2014/11/weight-in-being-well/ https://futuristicallyancient.com/2015/01/02/the-my-stery-manual-for-the-move-forward-based-on-the-salt-eaters/ Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
June 22 · 51 min
Tyra Banks, Modelland, and Smize Cream
Hello, we are checking in to be culturally relevant and bring you research we did about Tyra Banks, Modelland, and Smize Cream 5-6 years ago. The majority of this episode was recorded for our Patreon in September 2021. Modelland Song DJ Splitz DJ Splitz Logo
#203
June 9 · 50 min
203 - Pedro Páramo
Today we're talking about Juan Rulfo's novel Pedro Páramo. Originally published in 1955, we both read different English translations, which had an effect on how each of us understood the book. Content warning: brief mentions of murder, rape, and incest. Our next book discussion will be The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#202
May 8 · 56 min
202 - Toad
Years ago, I can't remember when, we read Katherine Dunn's Geek Love, by far her most famous work. We returned to Dunn to read Toad, which was published posthumously. Content Warnings: Self-harm and suicide, child loss, 1960s views of fat bodies Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#201
March 23 · 39 min
201 - The Wall
Today we are talking about The Wall by Austrian author Marlen Haushofer, published in the 1960s. In addition to the book, we also discuss how quickly we'd die in a similar situation due to our complete lack of survivalist skills. Content warning: animal death Our next book discussion will be Toad by Katherine Dunn. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#200
February 25 · 53 min
200 - House of Day, House of Night
I, Becca, have been going through a big life transition, and that is why this episode is so incredibly late. I will be okay though! It also kind of fits because Olga Tokarczuk's House of Day, House of Night, is all about transition and liminal spaces. Content warning: we mention breasts and vaginas (more like vaginal art). Minnesota mutual aid Immigration law funds Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#199
January 6 · 1 hr 6 min
199 - Year(s) in Review 2025
Due to this being a weird year (Corinne had a baby!) instead of our usual wrap-up of the year's books, we decided to take a look at our historical Year in Reviews and talk about the books we remember, and the ones we don't. We swear a bit and mention some adult topics briefly, so use caution when listening. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#198
Dec 10, 2025 · 34 min
198 - Cursed Bread
Content warning straight off the top for this one! Both for the actual content, in which Becca recommends a terrible tv show and for the book, which is described as being erotic, and then also a big warning for us being disorganized and confused. We are getting our groove back, please be patient. If you're still listening to us, we love you, and we are in love with you. Next episode will be our Year in Review. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
Oct 16, 2025 · 47 min
Horror Recommendations
We're back! We're a bit all over the place in this episode, but mostly it's me (Becca) recommending a few horror/scary books I've read. Most likely, we will be popping in once a month to update everyone until life settles down a little more. Thanks for listening! (Quick correction: I mention the movie The Devils by Ken Russell, and what I guessed what the outline of the plot. Since recording, I have watched the movie and I was wrong. Great movie though!) Books mentioned: Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft, Come Closer by Sara Gran, The Devils of Loudun by Aldous Huxley, and Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlmann. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2025, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#197
Jul 8, 2025 · 44 min
197 - Wild Geese
We are now officially on hiatus! Corinne is on maternity leave, although that's not why this episode is late, I just forgot about uploading it. Our second book for June is Wild Geese by Soula Emmanuel. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#196
Jun 10, 2025 · 51 min
196 - Patsy
Today we discuss Nicole Dennis-Benn's novel Patsy, which won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction. Content warning: brief mentions of miscarriage, sexual and physical assaults, abusive relationships Our next book discussion will be Wild Geese by Soula Emmanuel. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#195
May 27, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
195 - I Who Have Never Known Men
For the month of May, our prompt is to read a dystopia or post-apocalyptic work of fiction. Corinne's pick is I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. We have both read this book already and jumped at the chance to reread and discuss this book, that we describe as being "about what it is to be human." Content warning: captivity, death, disease, euthanasia, brief mentions of sexual awakening, torture, and suicide Our next book discussion will be Patsy by Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#194
May 13, 2025 · 44 min
194 - Brown Girl in the Ring
Our first book for May's prompt to read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel is Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson. Set in a Toronto that has been abandoned by the government and anyone with means, Ti-Jeanne has to learn how to survive and how to protect the ones she loves. Content warning: mentions of violence, suicide, drug addiction Our next book discussion will be I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#193
Apr 29, 2025 · 44 min
193 - Underground Barbie
Today's book discussion is on Underground Barbie by Maša Kolanović, translated from Croatian by Ena Selimović. We get slightly off-topic talking about the top news stories from the 90s and reminiscing about playing with Barbies. Content warning: war (mentions of bombing and snipers), swearing Our next book discussion will be Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson. Find it at your local library or bookstore and read along with us! If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#192
Apr 8, 2025 · 48 min
192 - Nonfiction
Becca's pick for April's prompt to read a book based on its cover or title is Nonfiction: A Novel by Julie Myerson, because the contradiction between the title and genre was too compelling to pass up. Content warning: drug addiction Our next book discussion will be Underground Barbie by Maša Kolanović. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#191
Mar 25, 2025 · 45 min
191 - Witches
The March prompt is to read a book published by an indie press, and Corinne's pick is Witches by Brenda Lozano, translated by Heather Cleary, and published by Catapult. Content warning: brief mentions of violence, including sexual violence Our next book discussion will be Nonfiction by Julie Myerson. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#190
Mar 11, 2025 · 53 min
190 - Earthlings
Becca's pick for March's prompt to read a book published by an indie press is Earthlings by Sayaka Murati, translated from the Japanese by Ginny Tapley Takemori, and published by Grove Atlantic. Content warnings: sexual assault, death, murder, violence, cannibalism Our next book discussion will be Witches by Brenda Lozano. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#189
Feb 25, 2025 · 40 min
189 - Visitation
February's prompt is to read a book with a non-human narrator or from a non-human perspective. Corinne's pick, that we'll be discussing today, is Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck, which is about a house/plot of land. Content warning: swearing, Nazism, repressive regimes, book has sexual and physical violence March prompt is to read a book published by an indie press, our first book is Becca's pick, Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori, and published by Grove Atlantic. Corinne's pick is Witches by Brenda Lozano, translated by Heather Cleary and published by Catapult. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2025, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
Feb 12, 2025 · 39 min
188 - The Story of a Goat
Romantic Goat sex on today's episode. We read The Story of a Goat by Perumal Murugan. Next time we will read Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck Content Warnings: Violence, sexual violence If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon
#187
Jan 28, 2025 · 56 min
187 - Pastoralia
Last episode for January is Pastoralia by George Saunders, this is a book of short stories that all have the trademark Saunders satirical edge. Content warning: swearing, brief mentions of death and a sick child Our next book discussion will be The Story of a Goat by Perumal Murugan. You can find it at your local bookstore or library and read along with us. If you want to read along with The Bookstore Challenge 2024, you can join us on The StoryGraph to see what others are reading for each month and get ideas for your TBR: The Bookstore Challenge 2025. Get two audiobook credits for the price of one at Libro.fm when you sign up using the code BOOKSTOREPOD. Website | Patreon

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