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Terrible Book Club
Hosted by Terrible Book Club · EN
Have you ever picked up a book and thought, "Who's reading THIS!?" We probably are.
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TBC is an AI-free production. Audio by Oselka Sound | Photography by Lightwitch | Logo & Graphic Design by Greylord's Hoard.
30episodes
Episodes
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Elsie's Girlhood (Elsie Dinsmore #3) by Martha Finley - Episode 210
Jan 28, 202501:18:50Tap to summarizeParis tackles today's selection, which was suggested by listener Deborah, self-proclaimed Unrepentant Sinner! She wrote in to us last summer saying, "Would you consider an episode on a book popular in another era but one that is actually currently being sold to indoctrinate the home school religious zealots? Elsie Dinsmore was popular after the Civil War. I first read a copy that was my mother’s or grandmother’s. Elsie is this smarmy goody-goody who is despised by her daddy and the aunt, uncle, and cousins she lives with for being such a devout Christian...I have abhorred this book since I first read it but I so enjoy tearing it apart. The fact that people still buy it is so disturbing!” We had never heard of this series before so we were excited to add it to the schedule as it was a different terrible flavor for us - Victorian Christian child lit. Thanks so much, Deborah! We hope you enjoy the episode. Musings and derailments in this episode include: Gentle Giant - I Lost My Head (Live, 1976) In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism, grooming, parental abuse, racism, slavery, and Victorian-flavored Christianity. Mmm - lead!
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Maradonia and the Guardians of the Portal by Sofia Nova/Gloria Tesch - Episode 209
Jan 14, 202501:36:05Tap to summarizeHappy (?) new year, listeners. We discuss Chris's journey through the latest Maradonia book that reboots the series entirely, proving that we are all caught in this loop together within the worst timeline. Although not strictly necessary, we recommend listening to the other Maradonia episodes in the following order: Maradonia and the Seven Bridges (Book 1 of the Maradonia Saga/Series) by Gloria Tesch - Episode 11 (2015) Maradonia and the Escape from the Underworld (Book 2 of the Maradonia Saga/Series) by Gloria Tesch - Episode 62 (2019) Maradonia and the Gold of Ophir (Book 3 of the Maradonia Saga/Series) by Gloria Tesch *Patron's Choice* - Episode 63 (2019) The Secret of Moon Lake by Sofia Nova (Gloria Tesch) *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 86 (2020) Maradonia and the Law of Blood (Book 4 of the Maradonia Saga/Series) by Gloria Tesch *Patron's Choice* - Episode 87 (2020) Today’s episode just includes our usual barnyard language.
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Luna's Edge by Roxana Macias - Episode 208
Dec 30, 202401:52:02Tap to summarizeIt's the final episode of Season 9! Luna's Edge was self-published in June of 2024 by author Roxana Macias. Just like our last episode, this author contacted us and asked us to read their book. While we normally don't take authors up on these offers, the book was described as a bilingual sci-fi novel which sounded like a new and potentially fun concept for us. While we thought the bilingual aspect was squandered and this was more draft than final manuscript, this concept could work with a more narrow focus, deeper emotional nuance, and a second editor. Thanks to Roxana for giving us a free review copy of the book (and for welcoming a potential skewering)! If you've got young ones at home, perhaps check out her newest bilingual children's book, Butter & Cinnamon/ Mantequilla y Canela: A Christmas Story/ Un Cuento de Navidad Musings and derailments in this episode include: Terrifying university degrees, Lu Elizondo & disclosure, and The Emerald: So You Want to Be a Sorcerer in the Age of Mythic Powers… (The AI Episode). Happy New Year, folks! May 2025 be full of great books and good times. For us, 2025 will mean a decade of terrible books and a new format for the show as previewed in our 200th Episode Twitch Livestream Extravaganza. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of aliens, guns, action-movie level violence, eugenics, and miscarriage.
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The Good King by George WB Scott - Episode 207
Dec 17, 202401:37:00Tap to summarizeHail and well met, book friends! We're feeling pretty silly as we close in on the final episodes of Season 9. We travel back to 10th century Bohemia to learn the story behind the popular Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". Join us for a very biblically-styled tale that taught us some things but failed to get us invested in the characters. The author emailed us about his book and, usually when we get emails from authors or PR reps, it's not even worth consideration - but a medieval historical thriller? about a Christmas carol? In this century at this point in history? At this time of year? It only made sense to pop it onto the schedule for December. Thanks to George himself for furnishing us with a free review copy of the book (and being willing to be featured on TBC with all that may entail)! Musings and derailments include: Duke Abe Simpsovclav of Springfieldia, heavy metal months, Breastfeeding education, Paris’s Babadook terrors, and we struggle to poorly sing another song from the book (the titular carol)! In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of parental abuse, sexual assault, and murder.
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The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler - Episode 206
Dec 3, 202401:25:38Tap to summarizeChris found The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler out in the wild at a bookstore in NH when he was on a trip earlier this year. Considering apps themselves are often terrible, a book about an app seemed like a good candidate for the show. Musings and derailments include: Chris gets really upset about the recurring stereotype of shitty musician boyfriends/husbands and we wonder about several things in the text such as British chins, sending cookies in Ubers, the power of polka dots, and babies smelling like fresh bread. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of infidelity, closeting, and the horrors of capitalism in app form.
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Verity by Colleen Hoover - Episode 205
Nov 19, 202401:56:25Tap to summarizeThis week we're discussing our experience reading Verity by Colleen Hoover. We selected this for today’s episode because it has appeared fairly often in reddit posts regarding bad books. Plus, we like to try to touch on current, popular authors when we can amidst the sea of deep weird terrible books we cover throughout the year. Off-topic musings and derailments include: Paris Uses Maps About It™, the truth of our Dark Lord Mr. Peanut, and we struggle to solve this GRE murder problem. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism and disability prejudice, abortion, child abuse, child death, murder, parental neglect, and sex.
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Special Bonus: Rock Band Romance Novel Guessing Game *Special Guest The Mothman* - Episode XXXX
Nov 5, 202400:34:56Tap to summarizeWe've released this as an alternate episode if today's regular episode is a bit too much for you on this particular day. Please enjoy the audio from a Patron-only video special from 2021 where Paris and The Mothman (Antiques Freaks Ken) play a guessing game that Chris created. You can find the original video version here if you'd like to see us in all of our three-years-ago-physical-glory. We know you love the games we come up with sometimes here at TBC, so Chris has challenged Team MothParis to a game where they must choose which bands are real or from rock band romance novels and which musician names Chris made up. Musings and derailments include: We learn that Terriblo's 2nd in command is The Mothman, Paris realizes she's been lied to by the anti-cryptid media, we sail away on the Nick Crandle Ferry, and are reminded of the horrors of the English language.
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The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State and the Hijacking of America by Steven Seagal & Tom Morrissey *Patrons Choice* - Episode 204
Nov 5, 202402:20:28Tap to summarize*The US general election is TODAY! Get out there and vote in person if you haven’t yet voted early or by mail. Head to vote.org for all the information you need to help you cast your ballot.* We've released an alternate episode for you if today's regular episode is a bit too much to listen to on this particular day. Please enjoy the Patron-only video special from 2021 where Paris and The Mothman (Antiques Freaks Ken) play a romance novel guessing game that Chris created. You can find the audio-only version in our regular feed in your podcast app. Musings and derailments in this episode include: jihadi dentists, Mt. Rushmore vs. the Grand Canyon, 100% Grade A Real Shadow Wolves, Shadow Dick Wolf, Degrees of Bubbas, how many men could a lawman law if a lawman could law men? Referenced in this episode: Steven Seagal - Wikipedia Behind the Bastards did 3 whole episodes on Steven Seagal, one of which is also a review of this book, so if you really want to get pumped full of more 90s action hero history, you can check those out: Part One: Steven Seagal Is So Much Worse Than You'd Ever Imagine Part Two: Steven Seagal Is So Much Worse Than You'd Ever Imagine Steven Seagal Wrote a Book (We Read It) Joe Arpaio - Wikipedia Tom Morrissey ICE Shadow Wolves Did 800 terrorists come over the Mexican border into the US in 2024? The Dark History Of The Texas Rangers (36 minute listen) In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode discusses or mentions: right-wing talking points (e.g. open borders/immigration, drug cartel violence, etc.), law enforcement worship, some magical native vibes, and a guest appearance from the R-slur.
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What the Spell? (Life’s a Witch #1) by Brittany Geragotelis - Episode 203
Oct 22, 202401:34:54Tap to summarizeThis was recommended eons ago in the age of 2021 by Twitter user KirliaHookah who described this book as, “Hey what if we crossed Sabrina the Teenage Witch with Mean Girls poorly?" which turned out to be perfectly accurate. Musings and derailments in this episode include: Chris's DeathNote powers, George Michael Clooney, the Dance of Tables, the limits of school guidance counselors, Chris's criminal past, and we play a magic word guessing game. In addition to our barnyard langauge, today's episode includes discussion or mention of bullying.
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The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 202
Oct 8, 202402:14:31Tap to summarizeHappy Octoberween, dear listeners! In honor of the season, we bring you some spook-adjacent books for October's episodes. Today, our favorite guest Mary Parker is back with the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera musical - in book form! Although it was also turned into a musical, but remember this book is not the sequel to the original Phantom of the Opera book by Gaston Leroux...yeah. Musings and derailments in this episode include: the morning routine underneath the Opera Populaire, Paris transforms into Girl Boss Mammon, Mary becomes a Valley Girl Priest, and Chris plays God. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism, accidents leading to physical disfigurement, guns, murder, and suicide.
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