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Welcome to Season 6, Episode 1 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In the first episode of season 6, Spoons, Wheezy, and Gino join The Teacups to discuss ethereal classic mystery The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Heralded as one of the first detective novels (despite the absence of any licensed detective), this book ranges from spooky to intensely intriguing, heart-wrenching, and back again. Also up for debate, is Marian Halcombe a feminist icon or a cringe-worthy pick-me girl?

Don't forget to pour yourself a cup of tea, raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of The Woman in White!

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

Help Ash launch her bookstore!
https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/story-emporium-bookshop

Support the show with merch and more at storysirensstudio.com!

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 Story Sirens 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 a text

✨ Come behind the scenes of our Spring 2025 Story Sirens Writing Retreat—a weekend filled with creativity, connection, and storytelling magic!

In this short episode, we share some of our favorite moments from Story Sirens inaugural retreat and discuss some of the things we are looking forward to at our next one!

🌿 Whether you're drafting a novel, revising a memoir, or just craving time with fellow storytellers, the Story Sirens Studio writing retreats are designed to fill your creative cup with exactly what you need.

📣 Applications for our Fall 2025 retreat are OPEN!

Spots are limited and already going fast, so don’t wait—visit https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats to explore testimonials and pictures from previous retreats, learn about upcoming events, and apply!

💌 Questions? Drop them in the comments, reach out via our site, or email us at contact@storysirensstudio.com!

🖋️ Your story matters—and we want to help you tell it.

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 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.

Send us a text

In this special episode, Wheezy (aka Ash O'Rourke) is joined by guests Lacy Rising and Madison Hull to dive into the romantasy sensation that has taken the internet by storm – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros!

Surprisingly on-topic (no skip notes needed this time!), this trio doesn't have to search hard for juicy details in this spicy, action-packed fantasy. Tune in as we break down the plot, characters, and all the moments that have made this story capable of capturing so many imaginations.

Grab a cup of tea, raise your pinky, and join the club for this chaotic yet thorough review of Fourth Wing.

And don't forget to follow Lacy Rising on Instagram @author_lacyrising for more literary goodness!

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 18 of That Pretentious Book Club!

This week, Spoons, Wheezy, and Gino are venturing into a world of treacherous fae, forbidden love, and a Cinderella story like you've never seen before. In Ash by Malinda Lo, we’re diving deep into a fable reimagined—a tale of grief, magic, romance, and a powerful journey of self-discovery.

Tune in as we give this enchanting novel a thorough review, complete with the full spectrum of pinkies-up ratings, ranging from “must-read” to “meh, not so much.”

Skippers jump to 29:42

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

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 17 of That Pretentious Book Club!

In this episode Spoons, Wheezy, and Gino dive headfirst into the wildly popular academic folkloric fantasy, Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. Get ready for some serious fangirling over Wendell Bambleby—who somehow manages to be both a golden-haired prince AND a bad-boy dreamboat, and a main character who is nothing less than an inspiration to the hosts (and probably all women everywhere). From swooning to snarking, we can’t help but gush, laugh, and go off about this enchanting, hilarious, and occasionally curmudgeonly cast of characters. You won’t want to miss it!

Skippers jump to 21:10

Pour yourself a cup of tea (or hot chocolate), raise a pinky, and join the club for this discussion of Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries!

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the Spring 2025 Writing Retreat! https://storysirensstudio.com/retreats/spring2025

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.