In this episode of the Alphabet Soup Book Club, we discuss Kiran Millwood Hargrave's historical fiction The Mercies. Join us as we talk about the horrors of the witch trials, the complexities of gender dynamics, and how lesbians are the hope that will carry us through the darkness. And enjoy our now agreed upon description of what happens to Maren and Ursula after the story ends.

Spoilers start at 25.30

Music by ⁠Muzaproduction⁠ from ⁠Pixabay

Join us in the final month of 2025 for a discussion of the first book in the Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir, Gideon the Ninth! We get into genre, setting, and just what exactly constitutes a "lesbian book".

Spoilers start at 15:20.

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzaproduction⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

This month we discuss the seminal lesbian classic Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg. Join us for an in depth discussion of our journey with the main character, Jess, through this book's themes of solidarity, intersectionality, and navigating gender non-conformity, all whilst combating systemic oppression.

Content warnings for this episode: discussions of police brutality, rape, misgendering, medical malpractice, homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, and racism.

Spoilers throughout, but especially after 20:05.

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzaproduction⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

Join us as we jump into discussion about H. E. Edgmon's fantasy novel set in a world where the fae and witches are both real. We'll explore characters, plots, and the ethics of eating dragon meat in this deep dive into the world of Asalin!

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzaproduction⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

This month we're chatting about Emma Donoghue's historical novel The Pull of the Stars. Warnings for medical content in this episode - the book really gets into the nitty gritty of working in a maternity ward during a pandemic, all and so do we.

Spoilers start at 27.42.

Music by ⁠⁠⁠Muzaproduction⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

Season 2 continues with a queer classic - The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Join us as we rave about Walker's incredible writing and how she explores the themes of gender, queerness, relationships, race, and much more.

Spoilers start at 29:00.

Content warnings: racism, physical abuse, colonisation, rape.

Music by ⁠⁠Muzaproduction from ⁠⁠Pixabay

Would you believe it? We’re back again, with episode two! This time we discuss Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows and discuss the history of queer YA publishing, the difficulties of handling a large cast of characters, and, we think an ABC book club first, a heterosexual romance! Listen in to find out more!

In the first episode of season 2, we discuss Selby Wynn Schwartz's After Sappho, talking about community, representations of sapphic identity, and intersectionality.

Music by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Muzaproduction⁠⁠⁠⁠ from⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Pixabay