Book Club for Masochists: a Readers' Advisory Podcast
Books & Literature
About
A Readers' Advisory Podcast about becoming better library staff by reading every genre, whether we like them or not!Every month we read books from a new, randomly picked genre; then on the podcast we discuss our reading choices, experiences, opinions, appeal factors, and other related topics as friends and library workers.
Episodes
- Episode 231 - Sapphic Horror
It's episode 231 and time for us to talk about Sapphic Horror! We discuss which monster is the most sapphic, unrealistic reality TV shows, and how queer a book has to be to count as sapphic. You can download the podcast directly , find it…
- Episode 230 - Spring 2026 Media Update
It's episode 230 and time for us to talk about media we've been enjoying! We discuss music, video essays, movies, comics, books, crafts, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Apple Podcasts…
- Episode 229 - Media Criticism
It's episode 229 and time for us to talk about Media Criticism. We talk about what counts as media, the challenges of writing about emerging forms of media, how we interact with criticism, and more! You can download the podcast directly ,…
- Episode 228 - Computers / Computer Science
It's episode 228 and time for us to talk about Computers and Computer Science books! We discuss technology, digital humanities, coding, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Apple Podcasts…
- Episode 227 - Utterly Unfamiliar and Downright Detestable
It's episode 227 and time for an emergency backup episode! This episode is the audio version of "Utterly Unfamiliar and Downright Detestable" a presentation we gave for the 2022 Ontario Library Association's RA in a Day event. There's also…
- Episode 226 - Reading Resolutions
In Episode 226, hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, Matthew Murray, and Jam Edwards share their 2026 reading resolutions. They cover intentions like reading owned books, exploring fantasy, quitting unengaging reads, and suggesting books to eac…
- Episode 225 - Queer Romance
The podcast episode "Queer Romance" from Book Club for Masochists discusses the genre, including various subgenres like ice hockey, regency, spies, and demons. Hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, Matthew Murray, and Jam Edwards share their tho…
- Episode 224 - History
In episode 224, Book Club for Masochists discusses history books covering topics such as queer history, local history, spies, roads, and colonialism. Several books are mentioned, including those focused on Canadian history, trans history,…
- Episode 223 - 2025 Favourites
In episode 223 of Book Club for Masochists, hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, Matthew Murray, and Jam Edwards discuss their favourite reads from 2025. They cover various genres including fiction (vampires, monster romance, fantasy) and non-f…
- Episode 222 - Books from the 1980s
This episode of Book Club for Masochists focuses on science fiction and fantasy novels published in the 1980s. The hosts discuss specific books like Terry Pratchett's "Guards! Guards!" and Octavia Butler's "Dawn," and mention other related…
- Episode 221 - Epic & High Fantasy
This episode of Book Club for Masochists covers Epic & High Fantasy. Hosts discuss maps, magic, monsters, and ponder if Pokémon fits the genre. Several books from the genre are reviewed, including works by Ursula K. Le Guin and Robin Hobb.
- Episode 220 - How Far the Light Reaches
Book Club for Masochists discusses Sabrina Imbler's How Far the Light Reaches, exploring themes of sea creatures, personal connections to the ocean, and identity.
- Episode 219 - Vampire Fiction
In Episode 219, "Vampire Fiction," Book Club for Masochists explores the genre, discussing vampire lore, vegetarian vampires, and books such as "Of Monsters and Mainframes" and "Fledgling." Media like "What We Do in the Shadows" and "Buffy…
- Episode 218 - Book Club Books
This episode of Book Club for Masochists: a Readers' Advisory Podcast covers "Book Club Books" including discussions on religion, food memoirs, historical fiction, the prison industrial complex, and geographic-specific foods. Books mention…
- Episode 217 - Summer Media 2025
In episode 217, "Summer Media Update," hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, and Matthew Murray discuss various media including sumo wrestling, Kpop Demon Hunters, and books in blog form. They also mention specific titles and creators related to…
- Episode 216 - Rural Noir & Grit Lit
Episode 216 of Book Club for Masochists explores the Rural Noir/Grit Lit genre. The hosts discuss what constitutes "rural," the intensity of these stories, and whether fiction about the mascot Gritty qualifies as being about a "real person…
- Episode 215 - Battle of the Books 2025
Episode 215 of Book Club for Masochists features the annual Battle of the Books. Hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, and Matthew Murray pitch non-fiction books for listeners to vote on, with a chance to win a book. The episode also lists previ…
- Episode 214 - Non-Traditional Storytelling
Episode 214 of Book Club for Masochists focuses on Non-Traditional Storytelling. Hosts discuss epistolary novels, novels in verse, and punctuation, referencing works by Alejandro Zambra, Lucy Ellmann, and Mark Z. Danielewski, among others.
- Episode 213 - Found Books
In episode 213, "Found Books," the podcast discusses books acquired through little free libraries and book exchanges. Hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, Matthew Murray, and Jam Edwards talk about book carts, obtaining free books, and giving b…
- Episode 212 - Language & Linguistics
Book Club for Masochists Episode 212 delves into the genre of linguistics and language. The hosts and guests discuss their academic backgrounds, the power of words, accents, and various books related to the topic.
- Episode 211 - Spring Media Update 2025
In episode 211, "Spring Media Update 2025," the hosts of Book Club for Masochists discuss recent media, touching on topics like early internet chatrooms, shuttlecocks, and haunted dolls. They share what they've been into, including books s…
- Episode 210 - Romantasy
This episode of Book Club for Masochists focuses on the Romantasy genre, featuring discussions on romance series, happily ever afters, and tropes. Guest Christine Larson, a romance fiction researcher, joins hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte,…
- Episode 209 - Design
Episode 209 of Book Club for Masochists focuses on the genre of Design. Hosts discuss graphic design, interior design, the boundary between design and art, and elements like fonts and kerning. The episode also touches on evidence synthesis…
- Episode 208 - 2025 Reading Resolutions
The hosts of Book Club for Masochists discuss their Reading Resolutions for 2025. Topics include personal reading goals, tracking reads, the use of spreadsheets and apps like Storygraph, and themes such as "Cultivation."
- Episode 207 - Monster Romance
In Episode 207 of Book Club for Masochists, hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, and Matthew Murray explore the Monster Romance genre. They discuss definitions of "monster," specific books like "Morning Glory Milking Farm" and "Sworn to the Orc…
- Episode 206 - Cultural Studies
In episode 206 of Book Club for Masochists, the hosts discuss the genre of Cultural Studies. Topics include bureaucracy, affluenza, dinosaurs, Dungeons & Dragons, Batman, and The Fast and the Furious.
- Episode 205 - Favourite Reads (and Media) of 2024
In episode 205 of Book Club for Masochists, hosts Anna Ferri, Meghan Whyte, Matthew Murray, and Jam Edwards share their favorite reads and media from 2024. They cover both fiction and non-fiction books discussed on the podcast, alongside c…
- Episode 204 - Cozy Fantasy
Episode 204 of Book Club for Masochists explores the Cozy Fantasy genre. Hosts and guests discuss what defines cozy fiction, the blend of romance and fantasy, and the necessity of fantasy elements in the genre. They reference various books…
- Episode 203 - Dark Academia
It's episode 203 and time for us to discuss the genre of Dark Academia! We discuss aesthetics as genres, cosplaying as academics, anti-intellectualism, the differences between Canadian and American university experiences, and more! You can…
- Episode 202 - A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
It's episode 202 and that means it's time for our One Book One Podcast Battle of the Books episode where we discuss A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get i…
- Episode 201 - Weird West
It's episode 201 and time for us to discuss the genre of Weird West! (Just in time for Halloween!). We talk about the potential temporal and geographic restrictions on western fiction, folklore, tall tales, and more! You can download the p…
- Episode 200 - Library Fiction
It's episode 200, which means it's (finally) time for us to discuss Library Fiction! We talk about the stereotypes and tropes of library fiction, unacknowledged work of library workers,and more. Plus: we talk way more about our actual jobs…
- Episode 199 - Summer Media Update
It's time for our Summer Media Update! We're talking about podcasts, videos, books, comics, games and more that we've recently enjoyed! We discuss Balatro, Carter Vail, Catwoman, and beading! You can download the podcast directly , find it…
- Episode 198 - Yaoi, Danmei, and BL
This episode we're discussing the romance(?) genre(s?) of Yaoi, Danmei, and BL. We talk about tropes, themes, shelving, not understanding fiction from other cultures, and more! Plus: We probably make a bunch of mistakes. You can download t…
- Episode 197 - Law & Legal Non-Fiction (for the layperson)
This episode we're discussing the genre of Law & Legal Non-Fiction (for the layperson)! We talk about how so much of our lives are affected by laws, the challenges of reading (and understanding) legal non-fiction, and whether a whale is a…
- Episode 196 - Battle of the Books 2024: One Book One Podcast
This episode we're giving our book pitches for our Battle of the Books 2023! Each of us has picked one title that we think we should all read and discuss and you get to vote for which one it is! Will we read Trust Kids!: Stories on Youth A…
- Episode 195 - Pop(ular) Culture Non-Fiction
This episode we're discussing the topic of non-fiction Pop Culture books! We talk about cult classics, the Disney channel, the futch scale, and being Eldritch Millennials. You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get…
- Episode 194 - Indie Publishers
This episode we're discussing the topic(?) of Indie Publishers! We talk about how to define an indie publisher, weirdo metro stories, song lyrics, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Appl…
- Episode 193 - Spring Media Update
It's time for our Spring Media Update episode! We talk about art installations, manga, board games, comics, and birds. So many birds. You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favo…
- Episode 192 - Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics
This episode we're discussing the format of Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics! We talk about what we even mean when we say "non-fiction," comics vs. graphic novels, art vs. writing, memoirs vs. other stuff, and more. Plus: It's been over…
- Episode 191 - Dark Fantasy
This episode we're discussing the fiction genre of Dark Fantasy! We talk about horror, grimdark, violence, amoral protagonists, epic fantasy vs small scale fantasy, the importance of tone, and more! You can download the podcast directly ,…
- Episode 190 - Reading Resolutions and Rants
This episode we're discussing our 2024 Reading Resolutions (and Rants)! We talk about how we've already failed our 2024 reading resolutions, audio books, short stories, reading long things, not being able to read long things, and more! You…
- Episode 189 - Romantic Comedies & Humorous Romance
This episode we're discussing the fiction genre of Romantic Comedies! We talk about the difference between "fun" and "funny," crossover romance genres, cataloguing romance fiction, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it…
- Episode 188 - Transportation and Transit Non-Fiction
All aboard! This episode we're discussing the non-fiction genre of Transportation and Transit! We talk trains, buses, bicycles, spaceships, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Apple Podca…
- Episode 187 - Favourite Reads of 2023
This episode we're discussing our Favourite Reads of 2023! We talk about our favourite fiction and non-fiction books we read this year! Plus: Our favourite comics, video games, documentaries, podcasts, and more! You can download the podcas…
- Episode 186 - Suspense Fiction
This episode we're discussing the fiction genre of Suspense! We talk about crime, mysteries, horror, and even suspense! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn , or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast…
- Bonus Episode: What About Crowdfunded Comics?
What About Crowdfunded Comics? By Matthew Murray 🦇 and Mara L. Thacker Published in Comic Books, Special Collections, and the Academic Library edited by Brian Flota and Kate Morris Read the full book chapter . Notes Caitlin McGurk and Jen…
- Episode 185 - Crafts & Crafting
This episode we're discussing the non-fiction genre of Crafts and Crafting! We talk about art vs craft, makerspaces vs crafting spaces, the challenges of trying new crafts, academic crafting, and more! You can download the podcast directly…
- Episode 184 - Horror
This episode we're discussing the fiction genre of Horror! We talk about fear, control, Goosebumps, bad dogs, horror-comedy, creepypasta, the apocalypse, lizard romance, and more! You can download the podcast directly , find it on Libsyn ,…
- Episode 183 - One Book One Podcast: Upright Women Wanted
This episode it's time for One Book One Podcast as we discuss the novel Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey. We talk about spoilers, horse operas, spoilers, relationships, spoilers, queer coming-of-age stories, and spoilers. Plus: Spoiler…