That Pretentious Book Club – Details, episodes & analysis

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Welcome to this Season 6 bonus episode of That Pretentious Book Club! 

What happens when only half of a book club reads LJ Andrews’s spicy romantasy hit The Ever King… and then have to explain the entire plot to the club members who know absolutely nothing about it?

Confusion. Unjustly hot characters. Questionable explanations. Wheezy’s golden retriever. General unhinged behavior.

Welcome to this bonus episode of That Pretentious Book Club, where we tried something completely new — and things went almost exactly as you'd expect.

In this episode:
✨ Two hosts read The Ever King by LJ Andrews
✨ Two hosts go in blind
✨ Everyone attempts to survive the retelling while maintaining the ability to look each other in the eyes

Whether you've read The Ever King cover to cover or have no clue what this romantasy phenomenon is about, this episode is equal parts detailed recap, hot takes, and disaster.

Let us know in the comments:
📚 Have you read The Ever King?
😂 Should we do more episodes like this?


That Pretentious Book Club is a Story Sirens Studio production, made in collaboration with The Story Emporium & Bookshop in Hutto, TX. 

Come see us in person to browse our shelves, yap about books, explore irresistible literary merch, and more: https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com

Looking to browse online while still supporting the shop? Visit us at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/thestoryemporiumandbookshop

More of an audiobook listener? Switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores like ours: https://libro.fm/thestoryemporiumandbookshop

Visit Story Sirens Studio online for more about our podcasts, hosts, writing retreats, and more: https://storysirensstudio.com/

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.

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Welcome to Season 6 Episode 8 of That Pretentious Book Club! 

In this episode, the hosts dive into The Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine—a beloved young adult fantasy filled with courage, sisterhood, and the kind of quiet bravery that lingers long after the final page.

We’re also breaking in our brand-new microphones (so yes, we sound a little different), while Wheezy shares more about her first pregnancy and current pregnancy than anyone wants to know and we all learn some interesting new fun facts about Dr. Spoons Palermo.

Expect sincere moments, ample chaos, and plenty of laughter-riddled discussion about what makes this story such a classic—from its gentle worldbuilding to its deeply human characters.

☕ Pour yourself a cup of tea
📚 Grab your copy
🗡️ Join the club for our discussion of The Princesses of Bamarre!

That Pretentious Book Club is a Story Sirens Studio production, made in collaboration with The Story Emporium & Bookshop in Hutto, TX. 

Come see us in person to browse our shelves, yap about books, explore irresistible literary merch, and more: https://www.thestoryemporiumandbookshop.com

Looking to browse online while still supporting the shop? Visit us at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/thestoryemporiumandbookshop

More of an audiobook listener? Switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores like ours: https://libro.fm/thestoryemporiumandbookshop

Visit Story Sirens Studio online for more about our podcasts, hosts, writing retreats, and more: https://storysirensstudio.com/

Support the show

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.

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 Fan Mail

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #2 Episode #5 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
In this episode Spoons and Wheezy are joined by two very special guests as they dive into the thrilling and possibly most-impossible-to-put-down classic, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. With a unicorn collection of four English lit majors with their own unique opinions on this novel, the insight shared in this episode is at times deeply fascinating and extremely ridiculous.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Jane Eyre.

Skippers jump to 13:41

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #2 Episode #4 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
In this first-ever remotely recorded episode, Spoons and Wheezy discuss the masterpiece that is The Picture of Dorian Gray by all-time favorite author Oscar Wilde. From the low-down on Ash's mermaid retreat to personal anecdotes of the hosts' exploits in Dublin (including being inexplicably attacked by Irish children), and unbridled adoration for Wilde's comic genius, it's safe to say the hosts find plenty to talk about both on and off-topic.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Skippers jump to 30:26

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #2 Episode #3 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
Spoons and Wheezy are joined by darling guest and fellow writer Karissa (AKA Katherine) Harlow in this super special and hypothetically-much-anticipated episode on A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.  The trio slides quickly from debate over the hottest Disney prince/villain and tales from introverted college life to in-depth discussions regarding their love (and hatred) for this spicy favorite of faerie romance and fantasy lovers.

Pour yourself a cup of anything but faerie wine, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR).

Skippers jump to 18:28

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #2 Episode #2 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
In this episode Spoons and Wheezy discuss popular enemies-to-lovers YA fantasy, Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin. In this truly chaotic episode, the hosts debate everything from the legitimacy of Ash's main-character-syndrome and the appeal of star-crossed lovers to what a trope looks like when it's done well.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Serpent and Dove.

Skippers jump to 24:32

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #2 Episode #1 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
In the first episode of Season 2, Spoons and Wheezy are thrilled to discuss the snootiest-of-literary-masterpieces - Emma by Jane Austen. From club updates and exciting plans for the new season to in-depth and philosophical discussions about whether Emma and Mr. Knightly are too siblingish for romance, this episode marks a triumphant return from the club's seasonal hiatus.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Emma.

Skippers jump to 18:40

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome club members and new listeners alike!

Spoons and Wheezy just want to remind everyone that That Pretentious Book Club is taking a one-week hiatus to celebrate the end of Season 1! Come back next week for the first episode of Season 2, Emma by Jane Austen, and until then enjoy catching up on any missed episodes, check out our Patreon, and reach out on social media to let us know which book you liked (or hated) the most from this season!

As always, lots of love to everyone in That Pretentious Book Club and remember to keep your teacups full, pinkies high, and book club pretentious until we get back!

Find all the books we cover on TPBC 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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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 Fan Mail

Welcome to Season #1 Episode #22 of That Pretentious Book Club!
 
In the last episode of That Pretentious Book Club's first season, Spoons and Wheezy discuss the lightly steampunk fantasy masterpiece that is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. From   romantic leads that are exactly equal in their irresistibility to insanely compelling characters, it's hard to not to fall in love with this book, especially one throuple in particular. If you're looking for a beautifully crafted fast-paced fantasy set in 1800s London, this is the book - and the episode - for you.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Clockwork Angel.

Skippers jump to 10:22

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.

Looking for exclusive TPBC content? Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/storysirensstudio

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.