The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

"Beginner's Love," chapters 12-13. Molly and Jody immerse themselves in Norma Klein's YA novel about sexual awakening in 1983. Leda frees the nipple for Joel's fam, Angelica cries over her nun-addled past, and Berger thinks he's found his lady doctor. Jody and Molly talk about diaphragms, Girl Scouts, and a visit to Judy's (and Sally's!) childhood home in Miami Beach. Thank you to Blume Heads Lisa, Attia, and Anonymous for their great letters! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Beginner's Love," chapter 11. In this 1983 Norma Klein novel, Joel and Dad visit Yale and do weird things in the hotel room, Leda lives her best drag nun life, and Berger sets himself up for a lifetime of prank calls. Join Molly and Jody as they do dramatic readings, talk about antiquated psychiatric diagnoses, and solve a perplexing Joy of Sex mystery. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapter 10 (sorry, we yapped too much before getting to chapter 11). Join Jody and Molly as they analyze this juicy Norma Klein 1983 novel, in which Joel and Leda enjoy their boneymoon with a side of laundry. We listen to vintage ads and chat '80s Happy Meal toys, post-boning movies, and diaphragms. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapters 8-9. Well, folks, we finally made it to the big sleepover in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first-time S-E-X. Berger plans a future with his lady Doogie Howser, Mom and Dad shred their friend group, and Joel and Leda score a home run. Molly and Jody talk about diary snooping, high school prudes, and ghost art. Molly presents a fascinating Special Report on The Joy of Sex. Thank you to Blume Head Geniene for her Age Gap Yap, and to Kleinstein for our latest look into the mysterious life of Norma. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book...

"Beginner's Love," chapters 6-7. It's getting a tiny bit steamy in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first love, age gaps, and getting lost at Simon and Garfunkel. Jody and Molly scrutinize Joel and his antics, Dad and his defenses, and Danny's summer reading. There's dramatic readings, vintage ads, and another installment of our Para-Norma Investigations. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week! 

*** This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental illness. If you'd like to skip it, head to our main book discussion at the 15:00m mark.

"Beginner's Love," chapters 4-5. Molly and Jody amble through this 1983 Norma Klein teen romance AND kick off their "Para-Norma Investigation" thanks to an anonymous tipster. Meanwhile, Joel and Leda touch tongues, Berger dispenses bad advice from his cigarette bed, and Hopie gets exactly what she wants. The gals talk Inferiority Complexes, glasses makeouts, humans with dog names, and perform radio plays. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Beginner's Love," chapters 2-3. It's starting to get a li'l weird and uncomfy in this 1983 YA classic by Norma Klein (what else did we expect?!). Joel might be a robot, Leda makes an unprecedented move, and Hope is ELEVEN. Molly and Jody perform dramatic readings and learn all about Salome, that lusty wench. Thank you Lisa W. for her Special Report on gulls! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapter 1! Welcome to 1983, a world of minivans, Chicken McNuggets, Return of the Jedi, and Norma Klein of course! Molly and Jody highlight the pop culture, music, TV, movies, and noteworthy inventions of that epic year and plunge into the first chapter of this racy YA novel. Join us for dramatic readings, nostalgia, comedy, and a couple wise moments here and there. Thank you Blume Heads Lisa B. and Attia for their amazing letters! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

Sike, we are STILL talking about Fudge! Just a little chit-chat about the utterly adorable TV series, specifically the movie-length pilot, "Fudge-A-Mania." Learn all about the Porky's and Brady Bunch tie-ins, Judy's thoughts on the film, and why Molly has been son-pilled. And yes, we promise to start "Beginner's Love" by Norma Klein in two weeks. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

Molly and Jody say adios to Fudge and friends by reading some favorite one-star reviews, musings from Judy on sibling rivalry, and a truly enlightening Oil of Olay Special Report. There's also vintage commercials, hilarious listener letters, and Molly's recommendations for Fudge-a-Mania adjacent content! The gals wrap it all up with their recap of the Netflix "Forever" pilot (what acually happened in that movie theater?!) and a big reveal of OUR NEXT BOOK! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

Molly and Jody finish Judy Blume's Fudge-a-Mania with chapters 13-14! Peter loses his sh** at Big Apfel's Big Game. Fudge pilfers Mom's Oil of Olay. Sheila and Libby wear bedazzled jeans at the Nuptials of the Horny Elders. And Famous Transient Frank Fargo finds success while ignoring child labor laws. Join us for hilarious dramatic readings, literary analysis, and two amazing listener letters from Emily and Geniene. Molly presents an important and timely Special Report on the state of our libraries – please check out the links below and let us know what action YOU take! Let's do this. It's a Ju...

"Fudge-a-Mania," chapters 11-12. Jody and Molly bring you the PENULTIMATE episode of this hilarious 1990 Judy Blume sequel to "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "Superfudge". Jimmy and Sheila form an alliance, Fudge ODs on blueberries, and Peter joins the ISAF Club. There's also a harrowing sailing excursion with the most amazing food, and an unlikely artistic collab between Frank Fargo and Tootsie. Thank you to Blume Heads Tori and Sue for their great letters. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Fudge-a-Mania," chapters 9-10. Jimmy Fargo arrives! Fudge gets eaten by the rollaway bed! Peter falls in luv at the library! Judes packs the action and comedy gold into these two chapters of her 1990 follow-up to "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "Superfudge." Jody and Molly discuss weird dads, bad moms, and our Most Judy Blume Moments of the Week. And Molly presents a fascinating Special Report on "Tell Me a Mitzi" author Lore Segal. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Fudge-a-Mania," chapters 7-8. This 1990 Judy Blume classic HOLDS UP. Peter fantasizes about meeting Big Apfel and toxic toilet gas. Fudge plants a stupid rock garden. Libby sports her iconic snoopy tee. And we meet Mitzi! Molly and Jody do some dramatic readings and dive deeper into the themes of Maine Coon Cats, names that sound like desserts, and Jeff Probst's child gauntlet. And what a treat to receive notes from Blume Heads Dawn and Gracie, as well as a beautiful ode to Maine from Blume Head Alison. We also have a CELEBRITY LETTER to share. It's a Judy Blume book...

"Fudge-a-Mania," chapters 4-6. Jody and Molly obsess over the 1990 fan-fave by Judy Blume. Uncle Feather (not a scuba diver) goes missing! Sheila scores a sweet childcare gig, and Peter is Peter-ing. Jody and Molly do some dramatic readings and chat about dreaming birds, Gary Paulsen, and street urchin photo-ops. Molly presents a fantastic Special Report on the history of babysitting, and Jody spills a secret she's never revealed before. Huge thank you to Blume Heads Susan and Alison for their wonderful letters! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Fudge-a-Mania", chapters 1-3. New book, new year, and new co-host as the Cocoon welcomes Molly Sanchez into the fold! Join Jody and Molly on a trip back to 1990, where Wilson Phillips is pumpin', My Pretty Ballerina is dancin', and Moscow is Big Mac-in'. They chat about the epic Chunnel breakthrough, Ryan White, the ADA Capitol Crawl, and a Big Bird near-miss space tragedy. The gals also talk about the Netflix Forever trailer and toilet reading. Meanwhile, over in Fudge-land, the Hatchers head to Maine! But Sheila is there, oh no! And they're sharing a house! It's a Judy Blume book...

Wow, Blume Heads, it's been a year! Oopsie! We've missed you so much and are back to launch Blume Saloon 2.0, kicking it off with a little catch-up and BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Jody and Alison yap about the recent Utah book bans and updates on the Netflix Forever miniseries. They read three lovely listener letters (thank you Dani, Kirsten, and Lauren!), and take a very legit Buzzfeed quiz on 2025 resolutions. Happy new year and stay tuned for our next book, FUDGE-A-MANIA!

Happiest New Year Harriet-Heads! We bring closure to our epic "Harriet The Spy" journey by watching the totally adorable Nickelodeon movie starring Michelle Trachtenberg, reading film and book reviews, getting Judy Blume's perspective on the novel, and a new listener letter (thank you, Jennifer!). Get ready to weigh in soon on our NEXT JUDY BOOK – peep social meeds for details. See you in 2024!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 16. It's a SURPRISE FINALE! Jody and Alison finish Louise Fitzhugh's 1964 kid lit novel and cannot believe it's over. Harriet writes some truly awful editorials for the Sixth Grade Page, witnesses the implosion of the Spy Catcher Club, and makes good with a vague public apology. Join the gals for dramatic readings and commentary, and join us next week for a super special Odds and Ends! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapters 14-15 (it's a twofer!). Harriet sees a shrink, takes a forced sabbatical, and gets a major dissing from besties Janie and Sport. On a brighter note, she receives a much-needed letter from beloved Ole Golly and returns to class with a vengeance – much to Marion Hawthorne's dismay. Join Alison and Jody as they near the end of this 1964 instant classic, written by Louise Fitzhugh. And giant thank you to Blume Head Bex for her authority on ASBOs! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 13. Harriet has entered Gremlin Sociopath mode and we are here for it. Jody and Alison discuss this wild and weird 1964 kid lit classic by Louise Fitzhugh, and can't get over our heroine's descent into sadistic nihilism. To keep things light, Jody presents a Special Report on cancer fighting pigeons. And of course there's lots of dramatic reading and the usual Cocoon shenanigans. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 12. Alison and Jody read, discuss, and dissect Louise Fitzhugh's 1964 kid lit nonvel about a child creeper and her vengeful classmates. The big news this week is the retaliation parade. Harriet's starting to get worried. There's dramatic readings, retro commercials, and TWO A+ Blume Head letters from Sawyer and Anne! lt's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 11. Harriet has been SHUNNED. There's ink spilling, clubhouse construction, and a grapefruit-sized spitball. Thank you, Louise Fitzhugh, for ramping up the dramz this week! Join Alison and Jody for a romp through 1964 Manhattan, dramatic readings, pet sounds, and a listener letter (shout out Blume Head Sue!). It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 10. The bully gets bullied! We've seen this before (hi, Blubber!), and it ain't pretty. Join Jody and Alison as they make their way through Louise Fitzhugh's 1964 novel about a sixth grade Mata Hari wannabe. Harriet's notebook gets stolen along with her tomato sandwich and dignity. Even Sport and Janie have turned against her! Tune in for dramatic readings and kid lit comedy. It's a Judy Blume book club (sometimes). Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapters 8-9. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have a 6-foot baby and the Dei Santis have some DRAAAMA. Also – Harriet gets caught! In the dumb waiter! But not before she has her iconic moment rolling around in an onion trance. Thank you, Louise Fitzhugh, for this INSANE book about a little rascal in 1964 Manhattan. Join Jody and Alison for bad Italian accents, a new drinking game, and a spliendid listener letter (thank you Blume Head Dani! It's a Judy Blume book club (sometimes). Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 7. Ole Golly, we miss you! Harriet has been deemed a fat lady and an onion and she ain't happy about it. Miss Berry loses her mind amid a vaguely sexual monologue re: vegetables. Join Jody and Alison as they bury themselves in Harriet's weird world, with dramatic readings and 1964 commercials. Thank you Blume Head Amanda for the wonderful letter! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 6. Ole Golly LEAVES! What?! We have not recovered. But please accompany us in reading this Louise Fitzhugh best-seller to find out how it all unfolds. There's a Berkeley Bike Basket adventure date, more egg creams, and an epic mother meltdown. We talk about the mystery Paul Newman flick, milk radiation, and the infamous Sunshine Project. Content warning: there is mention of child cadavers so please skip the Special Report if you need to. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 5. Alison and Jody journey back to Louise Fitzhugh's depiction of 1964 Manhattan, a world of little twerps and wise nannies. Ole Golly goes on a perfectly lovely Mary Poppins-ish date and – of course – Harriet stalks her. Mom talks about her vomitorious meet-cute with Dad. Harriet gets existential about loneliness. There's a weird tickle. Jody presents TWO Special Reports on yogurt and Elizabeth Arden, while Alison drops some Mata Hari knowledge. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 4. Alison and Jody read and discuss this childhood favorite, written by icon Louise Fitzhugh in 1964. We learn the cat-man is also a yogurt-man. The Robertsons show off their furniture. Janie blows up the house to avoid dance class. Harriet daydreams of her future office hours. Let's gather in the Cocoon to chat about insomnia, Barbie, and... does Jody like this book?! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us (almost) every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 3. Harriet breaks and enters. Sport balances the books. Dad goes on a fink rampage. Ole Golly has... a BOYFRIEND?! So much is going down in this cherished and contentious novel by Louise Fitzhugh. Alison and Jody follow Harriet through Manhattan, from inside the famous dumbwaiter to the luncheonette for an egg cream. Speaking of egg creams – do you know WHY they're called egg creams? We'll tell you! Join us for fun facts, radio plays, and1964 commercials. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Harriet the Spy," chapter 2. Jody and Alison barrel ahead with this beloved and controversial Louise Fitzhugh novel! Harriet starts 6th grade (just like Margaret!) and there's no holds barred when it comes to talking sh*t about her classmates and teachers. The only acceptable ones are Sport who needs to give his face a good rinse and Janie who may or may not be a human doomsday machine. Don't even get us started on the Boy with Purple Socks. Hop into this 1964 time machine and join us for dramatic readings, jokes, and judgements. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join...

“Harriet the Spy,” chapter 1. NEW BOOK, NEW BOOK! Jody and Alison start in on Louise Fitzhugh’s seminal kid-lit novel about a 11-year-old Manhattan scamp in 1964. They unpack the movies, TV, music, and newsworthy events of the year – including the New York World’s Fair, the Boston Strangler, Beatlemania, and Pop Tarts. We meet Harriet M. Welsch, Sport, Ole Golly, and let’s not ever EVER forget Mrs. Golly. Come for the literature, stay for the dramatic readings, commentary, and vintage commercials. It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

It's the long-awaited "Here's To You, Rachel Robinson" Odds and Ends! Come along with Jody and Alison as they lead you through an epic Rachel extravaganza. They read fabulous listener letters (thank you so much Molly and Brooke!), present two Special Reports on Natural Helpers and Birth Order Theory, perform Palfrey's Pond fanfic, and share some choice one-star reviews. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

“Here’s To You, Rachel Robinson,” chapters 23-24. It’s the finale y’all! The last of Macbeth! The last Jeremy Dragon Roll Call! It’s so haaard to say goodbyyye to Palfrey’s Pond. Rachel reveals to the gang that she and Jeremy made out and she’s joining Challenge. Alison and Steph slip up with some shady politician plans. Charles continues to talk with a mouthful of cold food. Join Alison and Jody for early-’90s vintage ads, dramatic readings, and a Sea Band Special Report. And in two weeks we’ll do our big Rachel Wrap-Up! It’s a Judy Blume book cl...

“Here’s To You, Rachel Robinson,” chapters 21-22. OMG, can you EVEN handle the excitement?! Rachel and Paul go on their date(?!) and Cousin Tarren throws a major curveball. Jeremy Dragon and his Monopoly car pay a surprise visit and (spoiler!) there’s some epic Frenching by the Raccoon Tree. Join Alison and Jody as they journey back to 1993 for some Palfrey’s Pond shenanigans, dramatic readings, and a fascinating Special Report on Ellis Island name changes. Godfather II, how dare you? It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 19-20. It's the big Ellis Island trip, baby! Rachel tries her Sea-Bands, fights with a 10-year-old, and plans a DATE(?!) with Paul Madeiros. Dad and Charles reconnect. Mom is nowhere to be found. Join Alison and Jody for an extremely thorough run-down of the incredible Are You There God, It's Me Margaret film, dramatic readings, advice on how to tune up your 'tude, and a wonderful letter from Blume Head Laura. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 17-18. Jody and Alison invite you into the Cocoon to talk about this 1993 Judy Blume follow-up to "Just as Long as We're Together"! A Robinson-Rybczynski family dinner turns sour, Dad gets mad, Charles turns into a gargoyle and quotes Tolstoy, and Rachel finds her feelings in therapy. There's dramatic readings and listener letters about sex hotlines and mom purse smells (thank you Dawn and Chalon), so come on in! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

Alison and Jody take a break from Rachel Robinson to hang with the directors/producers of Judy Blume Forever, Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok! Listen in for an intimate Blume Head chat about the absolutely phenomenal documentary and a li'l recap of the film, out now on Amazon Prime! Thank you Davina and Leah for spending time in the Cocoon with us, what a TREAT!

"Here's To You, Rachel Robinson," chapters 15-16. Alison and Jody's read-along of this nostalgic Judy Blume novel brings you back to 1993 and the world of Palfrey's Pond. Rachel wins her debate and gets a Jeremy Dragon lapdance, Mom takes to her bed after losing the Big Case, Dana Carpenter asserts herself, and Paul is a creep. Join the gang for dramatic readings, commentary, a Seinfeld impression, Special Reports on Accutane and the StairMaster, and TWO Blume Head letters (thank you Brie and Geniene)! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

“Here’s To You, Rachel Robinson,” chapters 13-14. Drama and excitement descend upon Palfrey’s Pond! Charles embarks upon a name change journey and hosts a Metallica party. Rowena and The StairMaster go line dancing. But most thrilling of all, JEREMY DRAGON AND MACBETH PLAY MONOPOLY! In Rachel’s room! Join Jody and Alison as they travel back to 1993 and get into all the gory details of this wonderful Judy Blume YA novel. There’s throwback commercials, dramatic readings and letters from Blume Heads Helen and Allie. It’s a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!