Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr

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

Grab a tissue because we're in for another emotional episode (guess who cries twice? It's not Brenna) as we tackle a grounded, non-sensational depiction of the aftermath of a school shooting. Featuring astounding performances by Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler with strong supporting roles for Modern Family's Julie Bowen and The Divergent Series' Shailene Woodley, The Fallout is powerful consideration of the lingering traumatic effects of gun violence. Be warned: it's rough*.*In a good way. A good soul-crushing way.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:Feb 24: This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian TamakiMarch 24: The Pigman by Paul Zindel See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's been a while since we've talked about "the procedure", so prepare yourself for an education as Brenna reviews the state of reproductive health in Canada and the US (caveat: we use the term "women's" reproductive health, but should have acknowledged that non-binary and trans people also get abortions). It's in-depth, and disappointing (we might get a touch upset!) but it's in service of our discussion of Caplan and Hendriks' delightful book that does a lot of heavy lifting in a funny, quick-to-read package.Plus: comparing the book's crappy men to their film counterparts, Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira's great film chemistry and just how many times will Joe say the A word?If you want more "Big A" talk, check out episodes 1.01 "Perks of Being a Wallflower"  and 2.32 "Never Rarely Sometimes Always (And More Sex!)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 clu

What more can be said about Holden Caulfield, the teenage protagonist of Salinger's iconic 50s novel? Buoyed by contributions from Sophie, Gavin, Miriam and Tea, Books & Chocolate, Brenna  and Joe weave through the trauma, the misogyny, the homophobia, the class and the privilege of one of literature's most famous - and frustrating - teenage male protagonists.With discussions on: a childhood lost, boarding schools, repetition, sexual assault and rape, 1950s crisis of masculinity and "The Man in the Flannel Suit." Plus: an exciting (and slightly daunting) challenged book recommendation courtesy of German listener Laura: Charlotte Roche's Wetlands  (2008).References:S. N. Behrman. "The Vision of the Innocent: J. D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.” The New YorkerWanna 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 respon

It's time to revisit the Divergent series and oh boy are we tired of the false conflict between Tris and Tobias! It's time to revisit the Divergent series and oh boy are we tired of the false conflict-Oh sorry, we fell into the same habit as Veronica Roth and just started repeating ourselves. Look folks, we bet you never thought you'd get an episode where Brenna apologizes to Suzanne Collins, but the lack of world building, the shallow attempt at dealing with Tris' PTSD and martyr complex and the overwhelming need for an editor in Insurgent has Brenna re-appraising her disdain for The Hunger Games.Thankfully the film has Shailene Woodley and her 31 year old love interest Theo James, plus a bevy of A-list actors (none of whom have anything to do) to make it bearable.  Plus: the struggle with 2nd entries in YA dystopias, frustration with the Christina subplot, and Woodley's chemistry with all of the boys who want to kill her, but not her boyfriend. Yeah, this isn't terrible; it's just so...meh.Wanna connect wit

Dance your cares away! Brenna is living for the revival of Fraggle Rock, another Jim Henson series that she worshipped as a child. Joe doesn't have the same connection, so it's up to Brenna to clue us in on how the new show compares. Expect talk of the visual splendour of the show, the great new incarnation of Doc, as well as which episodes stand out and why even non-fans should give the show a chance.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:Jan 27: Catcher in the Rye by JD SalingerFeb 24: This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

School is back in session at Bayside and Brenna and Joe are very happy to be back with this lovable crew of misfits! Since we've previously covered the show, we jump right into how the show has matured in its second season, how it handles its own COVID year and which storylines are working best for us, including the season-long Spirit Award rivalry with Valley and the Lexi/Jamie relationship.Plus: using the adults wisely and more sparingly (Joe is especially appreciative of Elizabeth Berkley's Showgirls riff), wanting more for Devante, uncertainty about how Aisha's bisexuality is revealed, and why Principal Toddman needs a win. 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:Jan 27: Catcher in the Rye by JD SalingerFeb 24: This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki See acast.co

Who's ready for massive cliffhangers? Not Brenna or Joe!  After gushing over the swoon-worthy romance of Menon's debut meet-cute coding novel, the majority of the episode tackles the adaptation issues of the TV show, which misses the mark in more than a few ways.Don't get us wrong: we love  Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf as Dimple and Rishi, but the series is so concerned with packing in supporting characters and issues (Disability! Class! Coming out! Mature widowers who don't know Urban Dictionary!) the whole series is just too stuffed to be satisfying. Also: Brenna really needs to know that that kitten is ok.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:Jan 27: Catcher in the Rye by JD SalingerFeb 24: This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian TamakiSee you on the page and on the sc

Ready for an impassioned and rant-filled episode? After a year of books about POC, LGBT+ and anti-police books being banned and challenged, Brenna and Joe are ready to take a stand.  We discuss why freedom to read is so important, our own childhood reading experiences (Judy Blume!) and what we think is driving the new wave of intolerance.Plus: read along with us! Here's the Banned Book Club  schedule, including deadlines to email or Tweet us your responses:Jan 27: Catcher in the Rye by JD SalingerFeb 24: This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian TamakiWanna 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 book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com. See you on the page and on the screen! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's the end of the year, so we are once again reading a Levithan & Cohn collaboration. Unlike Dash & Lily... last year, though, we're not quite as satisfied this time around. Is it the manic pace of this "all in one night" romantic adventure or just the fact that the book doesn't offer enough beyond its obvious romance?Sadly the film only fares a little better! While Ari Graynor's Caroline is a runaway delight and Kat Dennings can do no wrong, Michael Cera has baggage, the queer representation is not GLAAD award-worthy and the repeated, egregious use of the "R" word is a major distraction (oh these 2000-2010 YA films). Neither book nor film are a slam dunk, but overall this is a step-up from recent full-length episodes. Hopefully we'll have better luck in 2022!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 book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com. See you on the page and on

Big thanks to listeners Tea, Books & Chocolate and Victoria for contributing responses as we read Lee Maracle's famed novel about the coming of age of Stacey, a  teen struggling to find her place in both her village and the white town across the bridge. We discuss whether this is literary fiction or young adult literature (answer: yes), Maracle's elliptical approach to time, real life parallels (both historical and contemporary) and, finally, Maracle's legacy as a mentor  of female Indigenous writers.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 book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com. See you on the page and on the screen! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who's ready for tragic teen romance? We're back on a sick lit kick with A Walk To Remember, the tale of "bad" boy Landon and literal good girl / angel Jamie, whose pure love changes him forever. This is...not a text for us. While we find the book highly readable, Landon is definitely a garbage character (even if that's the point!) while Jamie is too perfect in all the wrong Manic Pixie Dreamperson ways. And then there's the ending, which is both ableist, icky and just plain dumb. We know we're probably in the minority, but this faith-based love affair just didn't stick the landing (also: it just ends!). On the plus side, at least we got to watch Mandy Moore sing  - even if it was a whole darn song for no good reason.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 book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com. See you on the page and on the screen! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-