That Pretentious Book Club

Ash O'Rourke, Kendall Shaw, Myrissa Yokie
  • 4.7 (40)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

A Comedy Podcast By and For Book Lovers. If you love books, laughter, and witty ladies drinking tea (and whiskey), this is the podcast for you.

  1. APR 29 ·  BONUS

    Explaining The Ever King to People Who Haven’t Read It | Season 6 Bonus Chaos

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this Season 6 bonus episode of That Pretentious Book Club!  What happens when only half of a book club reads LJ Andrews’s spicy romantasy hit The Ever King… and then have to explain the entire plot to the club members who know absolutely nothing about it? Confusion. Unjustly hot characters. Questionable explanations. Wheezy’s golden retriever. General unhinged behavior. Welcome to this bonus episode of That Pretentious Book Club, where we tried something completely new — and things went almost exactly as you'd expect. In this episode: ✨ Two hosts read The Ever King by LJ Andrews ✨ Two hosts go in blind ✨ Everyone attempts to survive the retelling while maintaining the ability to look each other in the eyes Whether you've read The Ever King cover to cover or have no clue what this romantasy phenomenon is about, this episode is equal parts detailed recap, hot takes, and disaster. Let us know in the comments: 📚 Have you read The Ever King? 😂 Should we do more episodes like this? That Pretentious Book Club is a Story Sirens Studio production, made in collaboration with The Story Emporium & Bookshop in Hutto, TX.  Come see us in person to browse our shelves, yap about books, explore irresistible literary merch, and more: https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com Looking to browse online while still supporting the shop? Visit us at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/thestoryemporiumandbookshop More of an audiobook listener? Switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores like ours: https://libro.fm/thestoryemporiumandbookshop Visit Story Sirens Studio online for more about our podcasts, hosts, writing retreats, and more: https://storysirensstudio.com/ Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 36m

  2. APR 19

    The Two Princesses of Bamarre

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 8 of That Pretentious Book Club!  In this episode, the hosts dive into The Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine—a beloved young adult fantasy filled with courage, sisterhood, and the kind of quiet bravery that lingers long after the final page. We’re also breaking in our brand-new microphones (so yes, we sound a little different), while Wheezy shares more about her first pregnancy and current pregnancy than anyone wants to know and we all learn some interesting new fun facts about Dr. Spoons Palermo. Expect sincere moments, ample chaos, and plenty of laughter-riddled discussion about what makes this story such a classic—from its gentle worldbuilding to its deeply human characters. ☕ Pour yourself a cup of tea 📚 Grab your copy 🗡️ Join the club for our discussion of The Princesses of Bamarre! That Pretentious Book Club is a Story Sirens Studio production, made in collaboration with The Story Emporium & Bookshop in Hutto, TX.  Come see us in person to browse our shelves, yap about books, explore irresistible literary merch, and more: https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com Looking to browse online while still supporting the shop? Visit us at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/thestoryemporiumandbookshop More of an audiobook listener? Switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores like ours: https://libro.fm/thestoryemporiumandbookshop Visit Story Sirens Studio online for more about our podcasts, hosts, writing retreats, and more: https://storysirensstudio.com/ Support the show Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon. Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 22m

  3. MAR 15

    The Knight and the Moth

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 7 of That Pretentious Book Club!  In this episode, the hosts dive into The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig—a lush, atmospheric fantasy filled with prophecy, devotion, and an overachieving heroine. For once, the hosts find themselves surprisingly aligned on most of the book… except for the love interest—which, yet again, sparks some spirited disagreement.  Expect some swooning, side-eyeing, and lively debate as the group unpacks this story, the amazing worldbuilding, and characters that range from beloved to loathsome.  ☕ Pour yourself a cup of tea  📚 Grab your copy  🦋 Join the club for our discussion of The Knight and the Moth!  Note: Video episodes are mostly raw footage with minimal editing. For polished audio and time-edited episodes, find That Pretentious Book Club wherever you listen to podcasts.  That Pretentious Book Club is a Story Sirens Studio production, made in collaboration with The Story Emporium & Bookshop in Hutto, TX.  Come see us in person to browse our shelves, yap about books, explore irresistible literary merch, and more: https://www.thestoryemporiumandbooksh...  Looking to browse online while still supporting the shop? Visit us at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/thestoryemporiumandbookshop More of an audiobook listener? Switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores like ours: https://libro.fm/thestoryemporiumandbookshop Visit Story Sirens Studio online for more about our podcasts, hosts, writing retreats, and more: https://storysirensstudio.com/ Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 34m

  4. FEB 9

    Elixir

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 6 of That Pretentious Book Club! In this episode, the hosts are once again joined by special guest Lacy for an absolutely unhinged deep dive into the YA/NA fantasy Elixir by Hilary Duff (yes—that Hilary Duff). What starts as a seemingly straightforward read quickly spirals into wild theories, wildly different opinions, questionable love interest allegiances, and serious side-eye over who may have actually written this book. Expect hot takes, disbelief, laughter, and zero consensus—just the way we like it. Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Elixir! Reserve your spot at a Story Sirens Studio Writing Retreat now! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats Learn more or plan a visit to Wheezy's bookstore! https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com/ Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 53m

  5. JAN 29

    The Prince and the Pauper

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 5 of That Pretentious Book Club! In this episode the hosts return to discuss famous classic The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain—a tale of switched identities, social satire, and boys who definitely should not have been left unsupervised in historic England. Expect big opinions and some debate, as certain hosts were charmed while others were... skeptical. Join us for a wildly entertaining and occasionally ridiculous discussion of this well-known classic. Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain! Reserve your spot at a Story Sirens Studio Writing Retreat now! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats Learn more or plan a visit to Wheezy's bookstore! https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com/ Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 29m

  6. 08/26/2025

    Small Favors

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 4 of That Pretentious Book Club! In this episode the hosts dive without hesitation into Small Favors by Erin A. Craig! This charming gothic retelling of classic fairytale Rumplestiltskin seasoned liberally with elements of horror was a gripping read start to finish. One of the club's most unhinged episodes in a while, you can expect plenty of laughter, questionable tangents, Wheezy's most intense fictional infatuation yet, and discussions over whether the fae can, in fact, be trusted (spoiler: they cannot). Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Small Favors by Erin A. Craig! Join a team, crush your TBR, and support a new indie bookstore in the Bookshop Read-A-Thon! https://myevent.com/sebookshopreadathon Reserve your spot at the Story Sirens Studio Fall Writing Retreat now! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats Help Ash launch her bookstore! https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/story-emporium-bookshop Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 54m

  7. 08/08/2025

    With a Vengeance

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 6 Episode 3 of That Pretentious Book Club! In this twisty episode, the club dives into With a Vengeance by Riley Sager—a 1950s, fast-paced psychological thriller that had even the smartest of us second-guessing everything. Join the hosts as they unravel the backstories of a cast of incredibly dislikable suspects, all of whom played a part in the mysterious tragedy that destroyed our (incredibly badass) heroine's life. If you liked Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, this book is almost guaranteed to satisfy. Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of With a Vengeance by Riley Sager! Join a team, crush your TBR, and support Wheezy's new indie bookstore in the Bookshop Read-A-Thon! Reserve your spot at the Story Sirens Studio Fall Writing Retreat now! Help Ash launch her bookstore! https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/story-emporium-bookshop Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 30m

  8. 07/24/2025

    Amari and the Night Brothers

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That Pretentious Book Club, hosts Spoons, Wheezy, and Gino are joined by fellow teacup Grandmaster Myla for a magical deep dive into Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. This popular middle grade fantasy quickly has quickly become a contender for one of the best books in the genre—ever. We're talking Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief level praise here, which, if you know this podcast, is the highest honor we can bestow. Join us as we discuss what makes this story so special, the unique experience of being an adult reader enjoying middle grade books, and many a humorous opinion about the characters in this book. Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Amari and the Night Brothers! Reserve your spot at the Story Sirens Studio Fall Writing Retreat now! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats Help Ash launch her bookstore! https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/story-emporium-bookshop Support the show Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores! Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub. Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook! Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World  by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

    1h 40m
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Trailer

4.7
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

A Comedy Podcast By and For Book Lovers. If you love books, laughter, and witty ladies drinking tea (and whiskey), this is the podcast for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Ash O'Rourke, Kendall Shaw, Myrissa Yokie
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 That Pretentious Book Club
  • Show Website
    That Pretentious Book Club