Even Weird Literature Matters – Feminist Book Club

Books matter, even weird ones. This episode starts off with some of Sally’s favorite “WTF” books, so get your TBR ready. Ashley and Jody then share their thoughts on Susan J. Morris’s genre-bending novel Strange Beasts . Finally, Knox discusses the importance of books and why book bans are terrible for everyone, and goes on to recommend some excellent diverse children’s books!

WTF did I just read that? ! (0:22)

Sally loves weird little books that make her think, “What did I just read?” Maybe they make us question reality, maybe it’s a train wreck you can’t look away from, maybe it’s so disturbing , it can take days or even weeks to recover. If you’re interested in that sort of thing, or just want to check out some of the 2024 releases featuring great screenwriters and unhinged women, then this section is for you.

Susan J. Morris discusses Strange Beasts (6:58)

If you like mystery, romance, and/or fantasy, listen up! This book contains all of these and more. Ashley and Jody discuss Susan J. Morris’s Strange Beasts, allusions to other classic monster stories, its 20th-century French setting, the slow-burn Sapphire love story, and more.

Book bans protect no one (20:51)

Knox spoke about how she felt when she saw books banned, both as an educator and as someone who didn’t have access to the books that represented her until adulthood. She talked about the importance of books and how they help you understand yourself in many ways, as well as some of her favorite diverse books in the classroom.

Mentioned in this episode:

Our total book count section

The Great Host by Chelsea G. Summers (published exclusively on Independent Bookstore Day, so it may be hard to find, but many independent bookstores still have copies!

Coin of Yasmin Zaher

The Eyes Are the Best Part By Monika Kim

Prayer of Nur Abi-Nakul

Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris

Luis Ortega Survival Club, design by Sonora Reyes

Eliza and Her Monster by Francesca Zappia

“Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry

“I’m Enough” by Grace Byers

“With Love” by Trish Cooke

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Pam Munoz Ryan, “Being Naomi Lyon”

Hungry Hearts: 13 Stories of Food and Love, edited by Elsie Chapman and Caroline Tung Richmond

Arabian Quilt by Aya Khalil

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil

The Book of Pronouns by Cassandra Jules Corrigan

How to Deal with Book Bans and Challenges (via BookRiot)

NCAC Book Review Action Pack

Support the host of this issue:

Follow Sally: Instagram // The StoryGraph

Follow Ashley: Instagram // twitter // website

Follow Jodi: Instagram // TikTok

Follow Nox: Instagram // twitter // Tik Tok

Get a weekly digest of our blog and podcast content delivered straight to your inbox every Friday here.

Check out our online community here!

This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people.

Original music from @agate rose

Learn more about Feminist Book Club website, Sign up for our emailsbuy our Bookshop.org Recommendedand follow us Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, interest.