Reclaiming the Book Club: Forget The Wine Forget the Wine

Madeline and Laura depart the world of literary fiction and read Julia Bartz's 2023 thriller The Writing Retreat.

Madeline and Laura discuss Megan Giddings' modern-dystopian novel, The Women Could Fly.  They unpack the blending of genres, analysis of identity and how the novel landed in the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade repeal.

Madeline and Laura discuss Jessica Knoll's 2015 debut novel, Luckiest Girl Alive. We talk about the strength of Knoll's writing and characterization of Ani FaNelli throughout multiple timelines and debate whether the recent film adaptation, starring Mila Kunis lived up to the novel.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and violence in schools.

Madeline and Laura review Curtis Sittenfeld's latest novel set behind the scenes at SNL, Romantic Comedy. They discuss Sittenfeld's handling of COVID, celebrity and whether it's a successful entry into the rom-com canon. 

Madeline and Laura dive into beauty editor Cat Marnell's memoir, How to Murder Your Life. They discuss Cat's unique voice, the collapse of the magazine publishing industry, and of course, addiction. 

Madeline and Laura take on Ottessa Moshfegh's latest polarizing novel Lapvona. They discuss whether the extremely, er, vivid descriptions added or distracted from the exploration of spirituality and what the goings on of the medieval village portrayed in Lapvona have to say about the pandemic and the rise of Trumpism.

Content Warning - we discuss the themes and events of Lapvona which are intense. CW for sexual assault, cannibalism, violence, miscarriage, abuse and more.