Send us a text

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 23 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In this episode (the last episode of Season 5!), hosts Spoons, Wheezy, and Gino dive into the girl-power-inspired world of Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This Cinderella retelling flips the classic tale on its head, exploring the harsh realities and pressures of royal life for our beloved protagonist, Ella. As Ella navigates the treacherous waters of palace protocol and a less-than-charming prince, the club unpacks the book's take on freedom, independence, and true love. Expect passionate debates, side-splitting tangents, and the always-unpredictable antics of the hosts.

Don't forget to pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this engaging discussion of Just Ella!

Reserve your spot at the Story Sirens Studio Fall Writing Retreat now! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats

Support the show

Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores!

Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub.

Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook!


Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

Send us a text

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 21 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In this episode, Spoons and Wheezy deep-dive into listener recommendation North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. This Victorian romance is rife with more than just yearning (although make no mistake—the yearning is copious), and also features fascinating social commentary and confirmation that humans have always been humans. Featuring the first truly in-depth author bio the club has covered in a while, this slightly-longer-than-usual episode is bound to have you in fits, with the hosts doing their best to remind you why this podcast is shelved under "comedy" on your listening app of choice.

Skippers jump to 37:39

Now pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of North and South!

P.S. Wheezy may or may not have lost her editing notes for this episode—so if you catch a few extra “um”s, awkward pauses, or rogue throat clearings, just pretend it’s part of the authentic Victorian atmosphere.

Support the show

Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores!

Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub.

Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook!


Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.

Send us a text

Welcome to Season 5, Episode 20 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In this episode Wheezy and Gino slip into the shadowy world of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides—an unsettling psychological thriller and the second book by this author the club has covered this season! Fueled by a hilariously fitting cocktail, chaos quickly takes the reins as our hosts try to piece together the tangled threads of a story where silence speaks louder than words—and nothing is ever quite what it seems. Expect unexpected feline interference from Flora the Void Cat, scattered memories of mind-bending plot twists, and the creeping suspicion that someone—or something—isn’t telling the whole truth.

Skippers jump to 40:21

Now pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of The Silent Patient!

Support the show

Find this episode's book and more by shopping at https://bookshop.org/shop/storysirensstudio to support the club AND local bookstores!

Visit us at storysirensstudio.com or find us on social media @thatpretentiousbookclub.

Check out sister podcast The Scripturient Society for writers and join our writing group on Facebook!


Find Space Aliens, Southerners, and Saving the World by Ash Leigh O'Rourke on Amazon.