Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr

It's time for a Brenna pick as we tackle Jandy Nelson's 2010 story of sibling grief, as well as Josephine Decker's 2022 adaptation. It's a bit magical, a bit too busy and filled with extremely messy characters who are grieving.The film is visually exciting, but sometimes feels at odds with its emotional resonance (and features no chemistry between either love pair). Overall: Brenna teared up and Joe found it too long.Reference: "Josephine Decker Talks ‘The Sky Is Everywhere,’ Visualizing Emotions & More [Interview]" The Playlist.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:> July 21: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton> Aug 18: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wanna read/watch something gross? Well we have you covered! This month's Banned Book Club is tackling Charlotte Roche's notorious, controversial German bestseller Wetlands (2008) and David Wnendt's 2013 film adaptation.Using insights from Laura (who originally brought this to our attention), as well as Miriam, Juha, Victoria and Tea, Books & Chocolate, we tackle the gross out factor, ponder the "feminist" interpretation, and critique the ending.Plus: why is the film more palatable? How delightful is star Carla Juri? And, that age old question: are we just prudes?Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:> July 21: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton> Aug 18: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o

It's the end of the road for Disney+ & Hulu's Love, Victor, which is sad and disappointing. Sad because Brenna, Joe and special guest Terry Mesnard still love these characters, and disappointing because this final season...isn't very good.Whether it was always designed to end here, these last eight episodes seem to forget basic plot and character beats from earlier seasons, particularly issues of class.Plus: Doing Pilar dirty, our eternal love for Felix and male friendships and discussion about Victor's "Bravery" (aka Gay) award.Joe & Terry's written coverage:-Love, Victor S3 Part 1. Gayly Dreadful-Love, Victor S3 Part 2. QueerHorrorMoviesWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:-Brenna: @brennacgray-Joe: @bstolemyremote-Terry: @gaylydreadfulHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche-July 23: Cousins by Virgin

We're late to the party, but it's time to talk about the exceedingly cute Heartstopper, which has taken the world by storm!The family friendly queer Netflix juggernaut is adorkable in both comic and TV form, and while we take issue with the suggestion that this is an "ideal" for queer media depiction, the inclusion of a trans girl, male bisexuality and male eating disorders is important.Plus: Tao's less complicated TV interpretation, why Isaac is Joe's fave, and MVP stuntcasting from Stephen Fry and Olivia Colman. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:-Brenna: @brennacgray-Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the first time in the show's history, we travel to South America to discuss Netflix's Brazilian series Back To 15. The time travel series features likeable actors and a fun, Being Erica-esque premise about fixing the mistakes of the past, though it maintains too tight a focus on Anita at the expense of its more interesting supporting cast.We talk about the odd North American critiques of the show, debate about what is "messy interesting" and Joe has some issues with the trans storyline. Overall this is slight, but mostly fun!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:-Brenna: @brennacgray-Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ohhh we're nervous for this one! We know that RJ Palacio's 2012 book Wonder and Stephen Chbosky's 2017 film adaptation have a lot of devoted fans and while we're able to acknowledge the light it has shone on disability, we have some pretty major reservations about the storytelling (in the book) and the casting (in the film). From Palacio's inspiration for the story (and the creation of her Wonder mini-empire) to Auggie's perfection to the fear of acknowledging that this is disability to the inspiration porn of it all. Plus: why is Via the most interesting character? Why is class, race and queer sidelined? Why were disabled actors auditioned if the role went to an able-bodied actor? Problems, problems, problemsReferences:> Carly Findlay. “My concerns about Wonder the film (and how to talk to your kids about Wonder)”> Ariel Henley. “What “Wonder” Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders.” Teen Vogue> Ariel Henley. ‘Wonder Is a 'Feel-Good' Movie That Needed More Realism.’ The Atla

Write this in your diary: this month's Banned Book Club entry is Go Ask Alice, the 1970s "true story" and runaway bestseller that is completely and utterly ridiculous.We're not only making fun of Beatrice Sparks' lousy writing, but also how profiteering scheme. Listeners getting in on the fun and exasperation include Victoria, Miriam, Sophie, Gavin and Tea, Books & Chocolate who take note of the fatphobia, the ethical issues and the book's curious relationship to queerness.Plus: Sparks' other 'Anonymous' diaries, why this book is actually an important time capsule and overall mockery and disdain for the text. References:- Daniel Mallory Ortberg. "Lines From Go Ask Alice That, In Hindsight, Should Have Tipped Me Off That This Was Not A True Story" The Toast- Frankie Thomas. "A Queer Reading of Go Ask Alice." The Paris Review- Caitlin White. "Go Ask Alice Lives in Controversy." BustleWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:- Brenna: @brennacgray- Joe:

Brenna and Joe return to the liminal space between living and death for a discussion of Gayle Foreman's 2009 novel If I Stay and its 2014 film adaptation by RJ Cutler. Brenna grates against the prioritization of the romance, preferring Foreman's more complicated sequel, while Joe critiques the disappointing visual depiction of Mia's condition and Chloë Grace Moretz's bored performance. On the positive side, we think this is better than Before I Fall, and that the film features the best YA parents since Easy A. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:> May 19: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous> June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With summer around the corner, Brenna and Joe opt for a feel good, comfort food minisode on Lumberjanes, the wildly feminist adventure comic (we read Volumes 1-3 for this episode). We discuss why the long running comic was so successful, its effortless representation and why we're still a little iffy about that animated HBO Max adaptation.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:-Brenna: @brennacgray-Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:-May 19: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lace up those skates because we are hitting the rink with Shauna Cross' 2007 novel Derby Girl and Drew Barrymore's 2009 directorial debut, Whip It. In addition to focusing on female friendship, the texts are a celebration of roller derby, which is brought to life exceedingly well in the film!The book is a very fast read that's totally fine, but we're slightly frustrated by Bliss as a boring protagonist, especially in comparison to Elliot Page's inspired lead performance in the film.Plus: BINGO buses, sucky band boyfriends, daddy/daughter bonding and that stacked film cast (who look like they're having an absolute blast).Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:May 19: Go Ask Alice by AnonymousJune 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out

We're telling off the transphobes and celebrating radical queer joy with our latest Banned Books conversation on Alex Gino's wonderful Melissa (originally published as George). This *wholly* appropriate Middle Grade book about a young trans girl coming out amidst a production of Charlotte's Web is exactly what the world needs more of, so you better believe Brenna and Joe are on a tear about its status as the #1 banned and challenged book THREE YEARS RUNNING. Thanks to listeners Miriam, Victoria, Sophie and Tea, Books & Chocolate for their wonderful contributions to the discussion.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:May 19: Go Ask Alice by AnonymousJune 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Brenna and Joe are headed to Broadway to discuss Tim Federle's 2013 Middle Grade book and his 2022 Disney+ adaptation. We love the Adventures in Babysitting vibe of the book, which has real stakes as Nate navigates the dangers of NY through rose-coloured glasses. The film mistakenly gives best friend Libby (played well by Aria Brooks) and older brother Anthony (played horribly by Joshua Bassett) more to do...to the film's detriment.Plus: why this film is the perfect synthesis of Disney's current "Don't Say Gay" woes, and co-star Lisa Kudrow's terrible hair and gorgeous Queens apartment. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:April 19: George (or Melissa) by Alex GinoMay 19: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brenna and Joe are late to the (Oscar) party, but we're finally checking out Sian Heder's delightful film CODA (2021).Yes, we recorded this episode before CODA won several significant Oscars, but the conversation about why the feel good film featuring multiple underrepresented actors from the deaf community wound up resonating with audiences. We celebrate Troy Kotsur's performance, Brenna wants more of Daniel Durant's Leo and Joe just wants more of the family (despite appreciating Emilia Jones and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo having great chemistry, we've seen this story before).Plus: why populist isn't bad, comparisons to the French original and how Oscar splitting works.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:April 19: George (or Melissa) by Alex GinoMay 19: Go Ask Alice by Anonym

This week on the pod, Brenna and Joe hit the vampire theme hard with a discussion of John Ajvide Lindqvist's 2004 novel 'Let The Right One In', as well as the 2008 Swedish adaptation by Tomas Alfredson AND the 2010 American remake, 'Let Me In' by Matt Reeves. C/W: bullying (all texts), pedophilia & sexual assault (book)Brenna is really put through the wringer this week as we tackle a very long book (filled with a million characters with their own subplots and a hyper-accelerated finale), plus two movies. And they're about vampires?! The truth is that the bullying and pedophilia/sexual abuse are the hardest aspects to process, not the supernatural "romance" between the two pre-teens. Plus: lots of thoughts on the importance of place, high praise for all four of the child actors, why Joe isn't mad at the US remake anymore and a specific question about pronouns/gender in Sweden (if we have listened from there, we have a call to action!)Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use th

It's time for another entry in our Banned Book Club series as we tackle a classic YA text: Paul Zindel's 1968 'The Pigman"It's time to discuss another book arbitrarily banned or challenged by aggrieved parents! This time it's Paul Zindel's ode to two teens who befriend a lonely widower and (maybe? likely?) wind up contributing to his untimely death.Chiming in on this episode are listeners Victoria, Brian and Tea, Books & Chocolate who help us unpack the book's confronting ending, the complicated family dynamics and why readers may struggle to get into the classic prose. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:April 19: George (or Melissa) by Alex GinoMay 19: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're diving into Blonde territory this week with another weak book/strong film discussion. First up is Brown's self-published novel, which...isn't great (Elle is unlikeable? She fails to see through Warner's BS til the end? None of the supporting characters matter?)Perhaps we're just blinded by the super fun film adaptation, which rectifies a lot of the storytelling missteps and also stars Witherspoon at her most winsome. Throw in a great cast (Blair! Coolidge! Garber!), a smart script that emphasizes female solidarity and believing in yourself (courtesy of Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, the writer[s] of former episodes 'Ella Enchanted' and 'Trinkets') and you've got yourself a winner that (mostly) holds up.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:March 24: The Pig

Brenna and Joe travel to Oklahoma to discuss the first season (eight episodes) of Sterlin Harjo  and Taika Waititi's Reservation Dogs. The show follows a quartet of teens with dreams of leaving their reservation behind and it's a great blend of comedy and drama, with some surprising pathos in the back half (C/W: suicide in episode seven). We praise the show for its representation in front of and behind the camera (though there is a glaring omission), as well as how it handles the (lack of) white characters. Plus: Zach McClarnon finally gets to cut loose, pickle dicks and why we may need to check out Rutherford Falls.Reference:Kyle T Mays. "Representation and Black & Hip Hop Culture in 'Reservation Dogs.'" Ethnomusicology ReviewWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:Ma

Put your brain on hold because we're getting dumb with one of the worst books we've ever covered on the show, as well as a surprisingly good film whose last act is very frustrating!Is Ryan's book poorly written, judge-y and lacking in both critique AND YA thrills? Yes!Is the film, whose stars Emma Roberts and Dave Franco have great chemistry and depicts social media (but NOT hacking or the deep web) in a realistic way, a ton of fun? Yes! Plus: Netflix connections, thrilling stunts and Sherlock?This is 50% a vent-y episode and 50% a soft plea to go watch the film. Enjoy!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:March 24: The Pigman by Paul ZindelApril 21: George by Alex Gino See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's time for another Banned Book Club! This month we're checking out the gentle coming of age story of Rose and Windy (with thanks to listeners Arthur and Victoria for contributing their thoughts). We're talking internalized misogyny, age gaps, the point when you realize your parents have feelings and you can hurt them, and monochromatic art.  Oh, also: why the heck was this gorgeous comic banned?!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:March 24: The Pigman by Paul ZindelApril 21: George by Alex Gino See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're jetting off to Europe (the UK and France specifically) for an episode that revisits Brenna's coming of age author Aidan Chambers, whose measured and considered prose frequently tackles queer coming of age tales. Here it's the story of the troubled romance between Hal and Barry, which avoids being just another queer tragedy thanks to its often unreliable narrator and Chambers' clever framing device.Ozon's film relocates the story to France in a faithful adaptation that focuses more on the romance between Alex (the Hal character) and David (the Barry character), but adds gorgeous sun-touched imagery and a beautifully vital club scene that anticipates the finale. There's a lot to like here, so don't be afraid of checking out this lesser known pairing!Want more Aiden Chambers? Check out Book Three, episode 34 "The Toll Bridge (Book Club #4)"Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer to say or a comment