Besties and the Books Podcast

• Is ELPHIE Worth Reading? Wicked Prequel Review and Summary | Deep Themes and Deep Thoughts

  Send us a textToday we FINISH our coverage of the Wicked book universe by Gregory Maguire with the newest installation, released an entire fourteen years after Out of Oz: Elphie: A Wicked Childhood, the prequel to the original book!Told from Elphaba Thropp’s perspective as she navigates her early childhood and adolescence before starting her education at Shiz University, we watch as she discovers her magic and the injustices in larger society outside of her small village. We get an inside look at her relationships with Nessarose and Shell, and even get to pick up some Easter eggs along the way. Do we think this prequel is a money grab coming off the Wicked movie’s success? Or a true and genuine expansion of this rich universe? Check out our kickoff  “Are Books Political" episode all about why books and reading are inherently political and why it’s not only important to acknowledge this, but to read our favorite books through this lens. We concluded during our subsequent deep dive of all four books in the original Wicked universe that Maguire intentionally uses the fantastical to expertly critique issues like authoritarianism, colonialism, and racism, just to name a few. But does Elphie have the same impact and themes? Or does it fall short? In this episode we dive into book 0.5: Elphie. We give our spoiler free reviews, then get into our faves and least faves, and then discuss whether or not this book stayed true to the overtly political overtones that the rest of Maguire’s Oz books have, or if it took us in a completely new direction. Fantasy stories can be so much more than surface level storytelling, and often are. We’re here to discover why! Listen on for our reviews of book four, our deep dive reactions with five sentence summary, and fun facts about the Wicked Universe! And don’t worry, we saw the new movie! So tune in next Friday for our FINAL episode in this bonus series when we discuss the musical, the movies, and rank everything! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)Check out these author interviews? ⬇️We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4____Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!Ashley is wearing: A Wicked tee from @Lambcomedy | *  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTHTAWQJaYDDh-R24gJ/Liz is wearing: “I Still Read Fairytales” Crew from @shadowboundspines | https://shadowboundspines.com/products/i-still-read-fairytales-just-for-the-villains-now-crewneck?_pos=3&_sid=92d943db8&_ss=r+ a Besties and the Books Exclusive Beanie (DM us to be added to drop list)Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!Support the showYouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable!https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358Liz Instagram | TikTok@TheRealLifeVeganWife AshleyInstagram | TikTok@AshleyEllix

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• Ep 88 “AM I THE A HOLE? I DONT WANT TO HOST THANKSGIVING!” 🦃 | 2nd Annual AITA Thanksgiving + Holiday Book Recs

  Send us a textIt’s that time again, where we ask and answer “Am I The A Hole” but this time its Thanksgiving Reddit Stories! In yet another installation of our fan fave series “Am I the A hole?!” holiday edition, we’re tackling Thanksgiving Day and all the completely unhinged problems that arise when friends and family get together to “give thanks.” And then as a bonus, we’re sharing our most favorite fall book recommendations and some hopefuls! If nothing else, we hope that listening to other peoples’ holiday family drama can help you relax and laugh amidst the chaos, and remind all of us that we’re not the only weird ones with crazy families. In short… you are not alone. 😂We’ve got a lot of folks with dinner TIME issues…should the turkey be served as more of a lunch situation, or is dinner better? Is it okay to start eating when someone is late? We’ve got a roommate who ate food from the fringe without permission, and of course people refusing to be the host and calling their family members straight up holiday idiots. It’s a well rounded bunch! And don’t worry, we’ve got Thanksgiving smash or passes with everything from yams to stuffing and a fave or fail food edition… Book Recommendations and Hopefuls Mentioned:The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette KennedyDarkly Madly Duet by Tricia WolfHouse of Roots and Ruin by Erin A CraigThe Witch Collector Series by Charissa WeaksThe Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa BroadbentNocadia by Keri LakeSlewfoot by BromA Dowry of Blood by S T Gibson Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)Check out these author interviews? ⬇️Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKbWe interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE____What we are wearing:Ashley is wearing A The Last Bookstore Hoodie from @TheLastBookStore | https://www.lastbookstorela.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq3HBJBrUE8WLmtkiHXhCzCCIo5jMkCKzl8Qi_FE42mQgKfQ9Or+ a Corn Hat from @Amazon | * https://amzn.to/4p1SgwQ Liz is wearing : A “Is Butter A Carb?” T-shirt from @candeecult+ a Pumpkin Hat from @Amazon | * https://amzn.to/48iagM8Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links Support the showYouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable!https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358Liz Instagram | TikTok@TheRealLifeVeganWife AshleyInstagram | TikTok@AshleyEllix

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• (we actually want) OUT OF OZ!! | Wicked Book 4 Review and Summary | Deep Themes and Deep Thoughts

  Send us a textToday we FINISH our coverage of the original Wicked Years 4-book series by Gregory Maguire with the finale: Out of Oz, told from the perspective of Elphaba’s granddaughter Rain as she navigates the world as a stowaway during a politically tumultuous turnover of power. Was the grand finale everything we hoped it would be after the blood, sweat, and tears we put in analyzing this extremely political fantasy journey? Stick around to find out! Check out our kickoff  “Are Books Political" episode all about why books and reading are inherently political and why it’s not only important to acknowledge this, but to read our favorite books through this lens. We concluded during our subsequent deep dive of Wicked (book one), Son of a Witch (book 2), and A Lion Among Men (book 3) that Maguire intentionally uses the fantastical to expertly critique issues like authoritarianism, colonialism, and racism, just to name a few.In this episode we dive into book four: Out of Oz, in which we see a conclusion for almost all the characters, and an ending that neither of us expected. Are we happy with the ending after all has been said and done? Who’s left ruling Oz? Is Rain following in the footsteps of her grandmother?We give our spoiler free reviews, then get into our faves and least faves, and then take you to political / philosophical town for one more big discussion about the central themes, and how Gregory Maguire uses fiction as a tool to analyze the real world. Fantasy stories can be so much more than surface level storytelling, and often are. We’re here to discover why! Listen on for our reviews of book four, our deep dive reactions with five sentence summary, and fun facts about the Wicked Universe! And don’t worry, we didn’t forget! After these books end, there’s only one book left to cover: the prequel Elphie which came out fourteen years after Out of Oz. Tune back in next Friday if you’re wondering if this new addition to the Wicked universe is worth the read! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)Check out these author interviews? ⬇️We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk!  https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKMShop bookish apparel worn in this episode!Ashley is wearing: A Wicked tee from Lamb Comedy | *  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTHcMV23XxMXm-nPfQx/Liz is wearing: A Wicked The Musical Tees from Broadway | https://wickedthemusicalstore.com/collections/apparelAny link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!Support the showYouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable!https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358Liz Instagram | TikTok@TheRealLifeVeganWife AshleyInstagram | TikTok@AshleyEllix

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• Ep 87 We Read the Most UNHINGED Thanksgiving Smut on Kindle Unlimited 😳🦃 | CRINGEY HOLIDAY BOOKS!

  Send us a textToday we’re bringing you our reviews and unhinged deeeep dives on two of the most “cringy” sounding Thanksgiving themed romance novellas we could find on Kindle Unlimited. As we continue this time honored tradition of bringing you the holiday smut, we want you to know that even if we don’t love it (but hey, we might though…) we’re happy if you do. Because there truly is something for everyone, even if that something is three turkey basters with the capability to impregnate you with their… juices. 🤷‍♀️😂Today we’ll be covering Basted by Abby Hunter and Home for the Gobble Days by Latrexa Nova. We have spoiler free star and spice ratings, what we loved, what gave us the ick, fun quotes, the SMOT™ ratio, and good old fashioned quotes, where quotes are due.The innuendos are strong, the Thanksgiving references aplenty, and the ghost pilgrim orgies might just surprise you with their subtle important message…so listen on if that, a fave and fail, and a smash or pass turkey day edition sounds like a nice break from the holiday madness. Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)Check out these author interviews? ⬇️Need more Halloween reads in your life? Find out if “Halloweentown for adults” with Gilmore Girls vibes might be for you with our Haven Ever After Hazel Mack Interview! https://youtu.be/-kDxchCTysw?si=KpEbcsCHAniU-JTSPenn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKbWe interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE____Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:Ashley is wearing A Pumpkin Book Fall Thanksgiving Sweater from @BookBabeDesigns | https://bookbabedesigns.comLiz is wearing a Serpent and the Wings of Night Hoodie from @ Willow and Co (out of business :( ) Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!Support the showYouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable!https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358Liz Instagram | TikTok@TheRealLifeVeganWife AshleyInstagram | TikTok@AshleyEllix

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• A (COWARDLY?) Lion Among Men | Wicked Book 3 Review and Summary | Deep Themes and Deep Thoughts

  Send us a textToday we continue our coverage of the Wicked 5-book universe by Gregory Maguire with book three: A Lion Among Men, the only book in the series primarily told through the point of view and perspective of an Animal. The “Wicked Years” move forward with spinoff stories covering all the major players in the political upheaval of Oz, and we’re diving into the “real” story of “the cowardly lion.”Check out our kickoff  “Are Books Political" episode all about why books and reading are inherently political and why it’s not only important to acknowledge this, but to read our favorite books through this lens. We concluded during our subsequent deep dive of Wicked (book one) and Son of a Witch (book 2) that Maguire intentionally uses the fantastical to expertly critique issues like authoritarianism, colonialism, and racism, just to name a few.In this episode we dive into book three: A Lion Among Men, released thirteen years after Wicked, which follows the life of Sir Brrr, disenfranchised Animal, Oz Sycophant, Dorothy companion, and ultimately a friend to the rebel cause as he grapples with what it means to contain all of these different identities in the politically broken landscape of Oz. Who were our favorite and least favorite characters and plot points? Was this book what we expected?  Do we think these books can be separated from politics just because they’re fantasy?  What philosophical questions are posed? And what literary devices does Maguire use to critique things like the use of propaganda by governments to sway public opinion and the subsequent construction of “history?”Fantasy stories can be so much more than surface level storytelling, and often are. We’re here to discover why! Listen on for our reviews of book three, our deep dive reactions with five sentence summary, and fun facts about the book that started the Wicked phenomena! Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)Shop our Merch line | https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out these author interviews? ⬇️Check the official Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk!  https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM____Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!Ashley is wearing: “HER SISTER WAS A PRINCESS” Wizard of Oz Meme T-shirt from Trendy Street Couture | *  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTH3MFMVbH1q2-YiF15/ Liz is wearing: Sanderson’s Sister tee shirt from Etsy | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/3b0rw/And a Besties and the Books Exclusive Beanie (DM us to be added to drop list)Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!Support the showYouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast Besties and the Book Club on Fable!https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358Liz Instagram | TikTok@TheRealLifeVeganWife AshleyInstagram | TikTok@AshleyEllix

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