On this week's mailbag, Joe and Brenna go deep on a line in listener Laura's email pushing back on the challenges of reading a translated text. After apologizing for the faux pas, we debate the accessibility of translated texts, how it informs cultural structures and what story that tells. Plus: a call to arms for foreign listeners particularly Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2021) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're headed to Berlin thanks to listener Alma's suggestion to check out famed German author Erich Kästner's (1929), as well as its 1964 Disney adaptation by Peter Tewksbury. This new-to-us middle grade book is a *massive* bestseller and survived eradication from the Nazis, so we feel pretty silly not having it on our radar. The shot on location film, however, is both too childish and too scary. Plus: why can no one pronounce Emil's name and what was Walt Disney's secret plans for Roger Mobley (Gustav)? Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2021) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we're responding to listener Kaetlyn's email about Roald Dahl's books being edited, why this isn't censorship, and how the culture war outrage is selective to certain groups. Plus: a bonus conversation about whether creatives should enter review spaces to challenge takes they disagree with (short answer: no!) Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We've been good for too long, so it's time for some raunch courtesy of Natalie Morales' 2021 girls gross out comedy (seriously heed that R rating!) Brenna and Joe definitely appreciate the heart and the messaging, but there's some iffy tonal shifts in this one, despite great lead performances and a pair of manic pixie love interests. Strap in because we're going on a road trip! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: > Mar 16: by Eric Gansworth (2020) > April 13: by Naomi Kanakia (2021) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's we're tackling listener Keith's question: why do you like YA? Bonus: the question spins us into a bit of a tangent as to why we also like doing the show! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Brenna and Joe are checking out another Eden Robinson text: her award-winning 2000 novel , along with Loretta Todd's 2020 adaptation. While we love the book - with its incisive mix of generational trauma, Haisla life and coming of age narrative - the film doesn't work for us - either as a standalone film or as an adaptation. The book includes great characters, a gripping narrative, and unflinching deaths, while the film has a handful of great performances (Adam Beach!), but is marred by a terrible script and distractingly bad CGI. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're circling back to listener Victoria's email about being chosen as a Reese's Book Club selection, Joe makes a faux pas, and Brenna laments her discounted forever tea. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) > April 13: We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's time for Book Club as Brenna and Joe (along with input from listener Tea, Books & Chocolate) discuss Laura Taylor Namey's delightful 2019 romantic drama, This comfort food book feels refreshing thanks to its focus on character as opposed to romance and its ties to place, though there is one strong criticism about its depiction of Africa. Still: we're swooning, we're hungry and we can't wait to read the sequel and watch the film adaptation when they come out! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say or a comment about Own Voices book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Mar 16: Apple: by Eric Gansworth (2020) > April 13: by Naomi Kanakia (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our second week of mailbag brings us questions about Own Voices from listener Tea, Books and Chocolate Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: > Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thanks to a suggestion from listener Toni, Brenna and Joe check out Craig Silvey's celebrated 2009 book , as well as Indigenous filmmaker Rachel Perkins's 2017 adaptation. We both really like the book, which is long and takes awhile to get into, but offers a complicated analysis of racism and class in a small Australian town. The film is still good, but too much has been cut out to do the book justice, particularly Toni Collette's Ruth, whose motivations no longer make sense. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: > Mar 16: by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
On the inaugural edition of the HKHS mailbag, we discuss a few titles for future coverage courtesy of listener Miriam. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say or a comment about Own Voices book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Mar 17: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Brenna and Joe *finally* check out S02 of Sterlin Harjo's and we're still head over heels for this series. We're not in sync, though: Joe wants the focus to stay on the central four, while Brenna has no problem on the expanded focus. Plus: overwhelming guest spots, why Cheese and Willie Jack are the best, and the pressure put on the show by the continued lack of other Indigenous TV options. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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 17: by Laura Taylor Namey (2019) > Mar 17: by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the end of the road for HBO Max's revamp, so expect plenty of sighs and complaints as Jenny, Ari and Joe say goodbye. First we tackle the satisfying lock-up of Kate and the nonsensical Met Gala plot before moving onto the Gossip Girl-free Roman vacation. Joe likes this version of the show, while Ari and Jenny are tempted by the Roger Menzies/app tease and the mysterious stranger that would have driven S03. Sadly it's the end of the show, but we've still got fan fiction! Reference: Andy Swift. " EP Answers Our Burning Series Finale Questions, Reveals What Would Have Happened in Season 3 https://tvline.com/lists/gossip-girl-series-finale-ending-explained-season-3-spoilers/" Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listener Max is taking Brenna far outside of her comfort zone as we discuss (2016)by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II, as well the 2019 animated film by Jake Castorena. We're talking properties with plenty of lore, different art styles and mostly similar plots, but the comic feels stuffed and overly adult compared to the film, which has a better handle on its comedy and youth appeal. We may not know how to pronounce Ra's al Ghul, but we know which text we prefer! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say about last week's episode or a comment about Own Voices Book Club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Feb 17: A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (2019) > Mar 17: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jenny, Ari and Joe are back to unpack the penultimate episode of HBO Max's and even though we know the show has been cancelled, we're still worried about the throuple! Plus: surprises aplenty at an event we don't fully understand, a pair of strategically framed sequences and we're suddenly interested in the Obie storyline?! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Banned Book Club comes to an end with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely's (2015), a book about racialized police violence from two different perspectives and featuring contributions from listeners Victoria, Miriam and Tea, Books and Chocolate. This (maybe Middle Grade?) book is one of the most challenged books in America, and still feels too timely and relevant. Brenna and Joe talk about Reynolds' writing, why we're attracted to Quinn's portion, and praise the lack of tidy resolution while pondering why there's no movie. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say or a comment about Own Voices Book Club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines: > Feb 17: A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (2019) > Mar 17: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020) * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jenny, Ari and Joe are delighted that FINALLY gives Luna her own episode (and shitty parent, natch). It's time for the Tribeca Film Festival and Audrey, Max and Julien are making big moves, but it's Aki and Julien who are paying the price. Plus: more shitty parents, Jenny's cruel streak, Andrew's appreciation that Julien isn't off the hook, and predictions of a European vacation. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab your Playboy because Brenna and Joe are headed into the big scary city with Chris Columbus' 1987 feature directorial debut, . Brenna calls this a romp and it's true: the children-in-peril comedy starring Elizabeth Shue and an annoying Anthony Rapp is delightful, though we still have plenty to contextualize in its suburban fears, its racialized fears and why doesn't Disney consider unhoused people a talking point? Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back listeners. This week Jenny, Joe and Ari are divided as Georgina Sparks' two episode run comes to an end, Kate executes an odd plan and the De Haans are back to their dastardly plans. Plus: More Wendy! Audrey vs Julien! And are we setting up Obie's storyline as the end of season arc? Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're celebrating the late great Indigenous filmmaker Jeff Barnaby with a look at 2013's . C/W: infanticide, suicide, drug abuse, threat of sexual assault, residential schools (basically everything). This is a rough text, but Barnaby's tale of Indigenous vengeance against colonial oppressors is also extremely cathartic. Plus: The Aila Test, a brief history of residential schools, how the film uses genre to disarm white audiences, and debate about whether the end of the film is "happy" References: > Ali Nahdee. “The Ali Nahdee Test https://the-aila-test.tumblr.com/about” > Taylor Sanchez Guzman. “Moving with the Dead” in http://cleojournal.com/2018/12/14/moving-wih-dead-rhymes-young-ghouls/. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Georgina Sparks is back, and Ari, Jenny and Joe couldn't be more excited! This wild energy is exactly what needs, particularly when we're still juggling snoozy storylines like Julien sleeping with a maybe married man (eyeroll), Zoya's sex tape blackmail and Obie's...who could care? Thankfully we're seeing glimmers of hope (a Zoya/Monet team up?). Plus there's clearly more Georgina to come! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back listeners. We've hit the snoozy halfway point of S02 of HBO Max's revamped ...but "Games, Trains, and Automobiles" is a bore. From Julien's affair with a clearly married man to Shan's out of character behavior to our fears that the throuple is breaking up, Ari, Jenny and Joe don't find a lot to love in this Spring Break episode. Plus: we don't care that Obie's mom is back, Jordan needs to get over Kate and WHERE IS GEORGINA?! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Little Brooke isn't quite as boring anymore, is she?! Welcome back listeners. It's Valentine's Days on and Ari, Jenny and Joe are ready to declare "One Flew Over the Cuck's Nest" the best episode of the series to date. Sure we're not enthused by Shan's betrayal or Julien's potential affair, but between the bottoming stuff in the throuple, Round 2 of Monet vs Camille DeHaan, Max reading Jenny for liking , Luna being vulnerable and yes, a Chris Pratt read, this episode is amazing. And just when it can't get better, Charli XCX shows up! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're closing out 2022 with one final foray into big budget spectacle with Andrew Adamson's 2005 epic adaptation of C.S. Lewis' 1950 British classic . Up for discussion: the uncomfortable racial aspects of the film, CGI vs practical effects, the wartime elements, religious propaganda, which Pevensie child we identify as, and why it's ok to hate Edmund and Turkish Delight. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back followers. This week on XOXO, Ari, Jenny and Joe are discussing the third episode of the rebooted Gossip Girl's second season "Great Reputations" which takes the action to the Guggenheim, focuses too much on boring Brooke and Obie, and gives Monet another great storyline. Plus: more skin, Joe's continued frustrations with Zoya, and Luna drags Jenny! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
In honour of the 25th anniversary of , we're giving you everything...or at least an episode on the iconic UK film! Along for the ride is Bobby Torrez, who - like Brenna - loves this film (Joe, meanwhile, is mostly just overwhelmed). Up for discussion: British humour, cameos and cut scenes, the $25 M budget and whether a film like this could even get made today. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote > Bobby: @BobbyTorrez Have 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: > Dec 30: All American Boys (2015) by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back followers. This week on , Ari, Jenny and Joe are discussing the second episode of the rebooted 's second season "Guess Who's Coming At Dinner?" which finds our crew attending a series of eventful dinner parties. While we're frustrated with Nick and annoyed at the repetition with Kate and Mike, we're living for the Monet vs Julien cover spread storyline and dying at the comedy and heart of -inspired storyline with Max's dads. But also: Brooke is sooooo boring. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're headed to Calgary in the 90s with Canadian lesbian twin sister singing sensations Tegan and Sara, reading their 2019 memoir and the 2022 Amazon Freevee adaptation, showrun by Clea DuVall. We're talking raves and acid, multiple perspectives of the same events, the twins' meteoric rise to stardom and the many girls they had crushes on. Plus: the show's challenging short episodes and split focus, great performances and our continued issues with the "all or nothing" approaches by streaming services. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: > Dec 30: All American Boys (2015) by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
Greetings listeners. School is back in session as HBO Max's returns for a second year and a new semester. How are Jenny, Ari and Joe feeling about the fresh start? Well, we're big fans of Monet as a multifaceted villain, Luna's glow-up, the status of our fave throuple, and the curious lack of Obie. Plus: thoughts on the Deb ball, the new Russian classics teacher and will Zoya ever become more interesting? We'll find out soon. XOXO Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Ari: @TheAriDrew > Jenny: @jennyleighx33 > Joe: @bstolemyremote * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's an Angie Thomas gush fest as Brenna and Joe cover the author's (2019) and first time feature director Sanaa Lathan's 2022 film adaptation. We are *huge* fans of the book, which is covertly about trauma and features a more challenging teen female protagonist. The film is still enjoyable, but it takes the more commercial approach of focusing on Bri's art/ascent to stardom. Plus: Method Man is great, why Aunt Pooh is such a great character, Jay as a great mom, and why we do not care for a freeze frame ending! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod: > Brenna: @brennacgray > Joe: @bstolemyremote Have 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: > Dec 30: (2015) by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.