In this special bonus episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, joined by Andrene and Joel from the Rewind Rewatch Podcast, delves into Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. They explore themes of genetic engineering, human arrogance, and scientific discovery, discussing character developments such as Hammond's moral irresponsibility, Nedry's sabotage, and Malcolm's philosophical insights. The episode examines the narrative role of Lex and Tim, the depiction of female characters, and the contrast between the book and the movie. The hosts reflect on the story's relevance to contemporary issues like technological progress and environmental exploitation. They also highlight the 1993 film's enduring visual impact and influence on millennials, wrapping up with recommendations for Crichton's sequel, The Lost World.Listen to the Rewind Rewatch episode on the movie Jurassic Park on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!Timestamps of conversation topics:00:00 Life Finds a Way00:13 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast00:31 First Impressions of Jurassic Park03:02 Diving into the Plot10:07 Hammond's Delusions and Grandchildren14:23 Character Dynamics and Development25:58 The Arrogance of Humans39:59 Living Systems and Chaos Theory41:32 Automation and Nedry's Role43:08 Nedry's Betrayal and Consequences47:40 Hammond's Hubris and Park's Flaws50:33 Children in Jurassic Park53:39 Millennial Nostalgia and Connection57:35 Female Characters in Jurassic Park01:02:42 Modern Reflections and Genetic Power01:08:39 Impact of the Movie on Millennials01:14:33 Final Thoughts on Jurassic Park

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly, Margaret, and David delve into The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The discussion ranges from character connections, gender dynamics, and the significance of storytelling within stories, to the cultural impact and enduring nostalgia of the film. They also share their perspectives on the possibility of remaking the beloved movie and reflect on the broader genre themes present in both the book and film.Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!Timestamps of conversation topics:00:00 Quote from The Princess Bride00:52 Personal Histories with The Princess Bride02:19 Summary of The Princess Bride07:12 Opening Question on Storytelling15:28 The Love Story and Ripple Effects25:42 Buttercup Redemption28:55 Max and Valerie: A Model Couple32:53 Bill's Midlife Crisis and Reflections36:01 Wesley Didn’t Age Well37:20 The Miracle Pill and Screenwriting Influence39:19 Millennials and DVD Extras42:41 Exploring Genuine Connections45:25 Female Characters in The Princess Bride50:07 Adventure and Genre Themes54:25 Never Remake The Princess Bride57:25 Final Thoughts and Millennial Nostalgia

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly, an Elder Millennial, is joined by guest Jenni to discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. The episode delves into personal anecdotes about discovering the series, revisiting the story, and its impact on their generation. They explore the book's plot, character relationships, societal themes, and the broader Harry Potter universe. The conversation also touches on the challenges and emotional aspects of revisiting beloved childhood books, the portrayal of female characters, and the movie adaptation's strengths and weaknesses. Tune in next month for a discussion on William Goldman’s The Princess Bride!Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!00:00 The Goblet of Fire Chooses Harry00:45 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast01:02 Personal Harry Potter Journeys03:50 Discussing the Goblet of Fire05:12 Summary of the Goblet of Fire12:14 Wizarding World and Muggle Relations21:01 Rita Skeeter and Journalism24:59 Impact of Cedric's Death36:01 Revisiting Harry Potter38:35 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Initial Impressions38:59 Breaking Rules: A Millennial Perspective39:24 Generational Differences and Rule-Breaking47:22 The Importance of Genuine Connection52:25 Female Characters in Harry Potter58:32 The Hero's Journey and Millennial Reflections01:03:01 Movie Adaptation: Hits and Misses01:07:20 Final Thoughts and Next Book Discussion

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, host Carly and guest Margaret, both elder millennials, discuss the book Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. The discussion includes a detailed summary of the plot, touching on Mrs. Frisbee’s journey to save her sick son, her encounters with wise mice and intelligent rats, and the mysterious background of the rats of NIMH. They delve into themes such as ecosystems and civilizations, the impact of scientific experimentation, and the lack of significant character development. The conversation also compares the book with its darker, magic-filled movie adaptation. The episode concludes with reflections on how millennial childhood media, including dark movies, might have influenced their resilience. Tune in next time for our episode on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.00:00 Mysterious Marching Figures01:37 Introduction to the Book Club Podcast02:55 Summary of Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH07:48 Discussion on Ecosystems and Civilization13:24 The Role of Education and Longevity23:00 The Farmer and the Natural Cycles32:37 Morality and Justice in Mrs. Frisbee's World33:34 Natural Disasters and Human Vulnerability35:50 The Scary Imagery of Childhood Movies36:41 Millennial Nostalgia and Dark Childhood Films38:05 The Horror Elements in Mrs. Frisbee's Story38:44 Magical Elements in the Movie Adaptation43:07 Exploring Themes of Connection and Isolation45:31 Female Characters and Their Roles49:01 Hero's Journey and New Genre Themes51:11 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsSubscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

In this episode of the Book Club Podcast, Carly Jackson and guest Christy Lynn Horpedahl discuss Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. They explore the themes of good versus evil, the importance of intelligence versus love, and the significance of Meg's faults. The conversation also touches on the unique loneliness and resilience of the protagonist, and the generational contrasts between boomers and millennials in the context of the novel. Listeners are encouraged to consider how classic stories shape their perceptions and to join the reading journey with the next book discussion on Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH.Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!00:00 A Horrifying Smile00:30 Welcome to the Book Club Podcast00:41 Christy's History with 'A Wrinkle in Time'01:49 Meg Murray: A Unique Protagonist02:11 The Vivid Memory of the Murray House02:43 Complete Summary of 'A Wrinkle in Time'08:00 Meg's Faults and Their Significance11:30 The Burden of Responsibility13:55 The Happy Medium and Social Media17:34 The Fight Against Conformity25:51 Meg's Loneliness and Connection with Calvin31:12 The Importance of Feeling Smart33:17 The Danger of Intellectual Pride35:19 The Power of Love37:49 Faith and Science: Unlikely Allies38:59 The Foolish and the Weak43:25 Connection and Loneliness46:00 Meg: The Unlikely Heroine55:39 Movie Adaptation: Hits and Misses01:01:43 Final Thoughts and Nostalgia

Guests My and Jenni join Carly to talk about what it means to make choices for yourself and if experiencing pain and suffering is a good trade-off for being able to make choices for yourself. They also talk about the expectations put on Millennials in school to save the rainforests and the whales and to fix the hole in the Ozone. Jonas makes a choice that will change his whole society, have Millennials succeeded in changing our whole society?Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Threads!

For our first book discussion on Millennial Nostalgia, guest host Christy joins Carly to talk about One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy. One in a Millennial is a memoir capturing the experiences of one person growing up through the ‘90s and ending with a successful podcasting career.They compare their own experiences growing up on ‘90s TV and connecting to communities online and set up the questions for the rest of the season about connection, female characters, and how millennials were raised for a world that did not exist.Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.com/

In our long delayed recap episode for our Solarpunk season, Caroline and Carly reflect on what they have learned about how to organize society.Our Solar punk books were: Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach Book Club A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Book Club The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk Book Club Suncatcher by Alia Gee Book Club The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin Book Club Emergency Skin by N.K. Jemisin Book Club Seveneves by Neal Stephenson Book Club Earth Abides by George R. Stewart Book Club Walkaway by Cory Doctorow Book ClubConcepts and genre themes discussed: creative use of technology as a net benefit to mankind, progressive worldview, a relationship to the meaning of life, a relationship to the Earth.They also discuss what kind of luxuries or status is required to give up in order to make a better society and their willingness to make those changes. What are you willing to give up?These books brought up questions of the balance between freedom and coercion to find the most human flourishing, when does major societal change happen, how to resolve disputes peacefully, what does it mean to have faith?Carly and Caroline also talk about which books they would read again and which books they would not read again.

What happens to a post scarcity society when the fear of death is removed? In our final discussion for our Solar Punk season, Caroline and Carly ponder how curing death can help create a better society. They talk about some of the tradeoffs of living a completely free life with no possessions versus a wealthy life where your possessions can be taken away.Get your copy of the book using our affiliate link here:Walkaway by Cory DoctorowSubscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://www.bookclubpod.com/

Special guest Margaret joins us to talk about rebuilding civilization after collapse and what we lose when civilization ends. We ask if people are capable of radical change. In this book, our main character, Ish, builds a family that grows into a new community in the years after a pandemic wipes out most of humanity.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:Earth Abides by George R. StewartWalkaway by Cory DoctorowComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://www.bookclubpod.com/

Special guest Christy joins us to talk about Neal Stephenson’s Seveneves, about the human response when the moon is destroyed in an unpredictable cataclysm. The main characters must build habitats in space to preserve the human race until Earth is restored. We discuss the traits of humanity that we want to preserve for future survival and the love of Earth strong enough to guide 5,000 years of human history.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:Seveneves by Neal StephensonEarth Abides by George R. StewartComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.substack.com/

We are wrapping up our season on Solar Punk with three heavy hitting books.The final three books of the season are Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, Earth Abides by George R. Stewart and Walkaway by Cory Doctorow..Seveneves begins with the destruction of the moon, wiping out all life on Earth. Survivors build a civilization in space for 5,000 years, until the Earth is habitable again.In Earth Abides, a pandemic wipes out most of humanity and the main character travels the country, observing how animal and plant life adapt to an ecosystem without humans. Over the course of his life he sees what remains from the old civilization, and what does not.Walkaway is about informal groups who “walk away” from corrupt American society by building and surviving in areas of land destroyed by climate change.These books create worlds in which humanity must deal with a worldwide crisis and build a better society for the future.Read Seveneves for our next book discussion. You can get your copy of all the books using our affiliate links here:Seveneves | Earth Abides | WalkawaySubscribe now in your favorite podcast player so you don’t miss a single episode of Season 2 on Solar Punk.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | RSSThanks for listening!

This short story inspired a wide-ranging conversation about how Carly and Caroline respond to climate change in their personal lives. They talk about how they can build a better society right now but they choose not to because they are unwilling to make certain trade-offs.Solar punk stories explore the potential for human society to respond to climate catastrophe to build a better society. In this story we have a picture of potential for a terrible society.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:“Emergency Skin”Seveneves by Neal StephensonComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.substack.com/

What happens in utopia 200 years later? Caroline and Carly discuss how utopian ideals survive entropy and scarcity and what it takes for a person to be able to objectively evaluate another society.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:The Dispossessed“Emergency Skin”Complete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.substack.com/

This plot-filled story made Carly and Caroline ask questions about personhood. Personhood is defined by law in this book, which is not necessarily a bad thing. We also talk about what you have to leave behind to create something new.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:Suncatcher, Seven Days in the Sky: https://amzn.to/44bjgiFThe Dispossessed: https://amzn.to/3D3QWTGComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.substack.com/

This book makes us ask the hard questions like, what must be given up to achieve the dream of a better future? To heal 5,000 years of violence and destruction, what if it takes 5,000 more years to bend the arc of history? What is the true cost of nonviolence? Carly and Caroline delve into these questions and develop a fuller picture of the solar punk genre.Get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:The Fifth Sacred Thing: https://amzn.to/43SGxpjSuncather, Seven Days in the Sky: https://amzn.to/44bjgiFComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8Subscribe to our email newsletter on Substack: https://bookclubpod.substack.com/

This novella seamlessly weaves philosophical questions about humanity’s place in the greater ecosystem within a delightful story about a monk and a robot. Caroline and Carly talk about shame as a prosocial instinct and whether or not the effect of shame changes when a society is healthy or unhealthy.You can get your copy of the books using our affiliate links here:A Psalm for the Wild-BuiltThe Fifth Sacred ThingComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons.

Our first solarpunk book is an environmental utopia with detailed explanations for how things work and why they were organized that way. The main character is a journalist traveling to Ecotopia for the first time in 20 years to report back on how they’re doing. Hosts Caroline and Carly talk about how shifting priorities on a societal level may change interpersonal relationships, how intelligence is valued in a non-hierarchical society and the role of violence in society.You can get your copy of all the books using our affiliate links here:Ecotopia | A Psalm for the Wild-BuiltComplete our feedback form and suggest books to read for future seasons: https://forms.gle/d1czC4kmE9gmzCes8

Happy Hogswatch! In this holiday bonus episode, Carly and Caroline discuss The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. They discuss the importance of belief in human society, unwritten rules, and what it means to have a narrative sense. They also talk about the meaning of Christmas and Santa Claus.Let us know which books we should read for future episodes by completing our Feedback Form here https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6

For the final episode of Season 1, Caroline and Carly discuss what it means to be haunted. They share which of the books this season affected them the most, how the styles of different eras were reflected in the different framing devices used in the books, and how a few film and TV adaptations changed the stories.Subscribe now and so that you don’t miss our bonus episode on Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, coming in a few weeks. Also let us know which books we should read for future episodes by completing our Feedback Form here https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6

Time to hear from our listeners! Caroline and Carly read comments sent in by listeners of Season 1 of our Book Club on Haunted House books.Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts about the books we’ve read. We’re still collecting feedback and suggestions for books to read for future episodes!You can complete our Feedback Form here https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6

Carly and Caroline wrap their heads around this book that pushes the boundaries of novel-writing and allows for many different interpretations. They describe the creative and disorienting formatting around two very different narratives that compose this book and search for connections between the two.Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Get your copy of House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski here: https://amzn.to/3hbQJpR. This is the final book discussion for season one. On our next episode, we will respond to comments and feedback. Be sure to send your comments to [email protected] by November 14 to be included in the feedback episode.

This episode is about our short story choice for the season, "The Yellow Wallpaper". Caroline and Carly ask if a house can be haunted if it’s haunted for only one person. They discuss the horror of knowing that something is wrong with your life and knowing that there’s nothing you can do about it. They discuss whether the main character’s lack of agency or domestic expectations trap her into madness.Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Support our podcast by using our affiliate links!Get your copy of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman here: https://amzn.to/3UclMQw.For next week’s episode, read The House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3hbQJpR

Caroline and Carly are talking about cosmic horror featuring an army of strange creatures from another dimension, space and time traveling. We talk about grief and its relation to the passage of time. We ask whether the Recluse in this story, as well as the characters in the other books we read, are more susceptible to being haunted? We consider the house on the borderland as a representation for a society transitioning away from aristocracy, religion, and tradition and into a modern era of more personal homes and scientific inquiry.Listen to on Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ztxVPgZdmQFjOoY4U25nt?si=a98de583882a4a14Listen to The Planets, full suite, by Gustav Holst: https://youtu.be/Isic2Z2e2xsLet us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Support our podcast by using our affiliate links!Get your copy of The House on The Borderland by William Hope Hodgson here: https://amzn.to/3VTRGmFFor next week’s episode, read The Yellow Wallpaper by, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3UclMQw.

Our first Indy book is The House on Abigail Lane by Kealan Patrick Burke, and Caroline says it reminds her of the collaborative horror she has read online. We talk about the haunted house as a vehicle for imagination and a reflection of American history. This story turns our haunted house tropes upside down because the haunting phenomena are very much in the public sphere.Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Support our podcast by using our affiliate links!Get your copy of The House on Abigail Lane by Kealan Patrick Burke, get your copy here:  https://amzn.to/3CBOEdS.For next week’s episode, read The House on The Borderland by William Hope Hodgson, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3VTRGmF.

This week, Carly and Caroline talk about Stephen King’s masterpiece, The Shining, and the horror of limited choices. We talk about our different reactions to the book as teenagers and then as adults, whether or not Jack has the shining and the intentions of The Overlook Hotel.Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Support our podcast by using our affiliate links!Get your copy of The Shining by Stephen King, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3fJmnu4.Be ready for next week’s episode, read The House on Abigail Lane by Kealan Patrick Burke, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3CBOEdS.

Caroline and Carly discuss class and how women have had their social status dependent on the children they cared for. They explore whether the governess narrator hallucinated the ghosts or if the house was really haunted.Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6Support our podcast by using our affiliate links!Get your copy of The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3C3cO0yBe ready for next week’s episode, read The Shining by Stephen King, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3fJmnu4