The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

"Smart Women," chapters 28-29. Michelle almost loses her toes but gains new undies, Grandma Goldy has a stroke, BB has a hospital meltdown, and poor Stinky Sarah is uprooted yet again. Your hosts Molly and Jody read this 1980 Judy Blume classic and chat about hickeys, frostbite, and Love is Blind. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," Chapters 26-27. Just in time for Spooky Season we have some scary moments with BB and Sarah in this 19831 novel by Judy Blume. Leave our clock radios alone, damnit! On the upside, there's a truly lovely anniversary party with double pullbacks, awkward dance-talks, and metallic green eyeliner. Molly and Jody discuss the book's intricacies, perform dramatic readings, and Molly presents a Special Report on macrobiotic diets. Thank you to Blume Head Rebecca for her follow-up letter and teaching us about S.M.A.R.T. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

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"Smart Women," Chapters 24-25.There’s a proposal, and then there’s a proposal of a proposal! Judy Blume's 1983 adult novel keeps us guessing as Jody and Molly gossip about the escapades and existential crises of heroines Margo and BB. Plus dramatic radio plays, braces and dating updates, and some wonderful listener letters from Blume Heads Rebecca and Kai. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 22-23. Pack your bags! Michelle flies to LA with big party plans and big jewelry, while poor li'l Sarah is shipped off to Florida to winter with the snowbirds. Molly and Jody are loving this rollercoaster of a Judy Blume novel from 1983, so join the gals for nostalgic commercials, mini-Special Reports, and dramatizations. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapter 21. We learn so much more about Margo! There's weird family dynamics, a mom with cancer, an ex-bestie on the verge, a failed road trip, and a relationship rough patch. Judy Blume's adult fiction at its finest. Jody and Molly do plenty of radio plays and chat about cuddle preferences, desperate pickle subscriptions, and the View of the World from 9th Avenue. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapter 20. Well, we yapped for so long we had to split this one in twain! Molly and Jody journey through this 1983 Judy Blume novel about divorced ladies getting VERY Dynasty in the Jazzercise locker room. Join us for dramatic readings, tales from Jody's visit to Los Alamos, and wonderful letters from Blume Heads Attia and Brandi. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week! 

PS – Molly has a shiny new Substack called Mollywood and you GOTTA go check it out! @mollysanchez25

"Smart Women," chapters 17-18. Please excuse Jody's poor audio – she's recording from the floor of a Savannah laundry room, y'all. This week, Andrew shacks up with Margo, Michelle and Stuart go head-to-head, BB melts down, and Sarah sniffs sheets. As always, Molly and Jody bring the laughs, pop culture rabbit holes, and dramatic readings as they make their way through Judy Blume's deliciously dramatic 1983 adult novel. Along the way, Jody explains the Cabbage Patch birds and (bunny)bees, while Molly shares what it's really like to be "brothered." It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 15-16. Andrew Broder is MOVING IN. (We are still processing.) Margo's on cloud nine but Michelle ain't having it. This 1983 Judy Blume adult novel delivers it all – drama, bad decisions, and glove shopping. Molly and Jody act out scenes and talk about moms with boyfriends. There's also a Special Report on the death of Steve McQueen. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 14-15. OMG it's the end of Part One! Jody and Molly discuss everyone's favorite 1983 Judy Blume adult novel about Colorado divorcees, wherein BB gets sassy, Margo lets loose, and Andrew reveals the truth about Bobby. Join your hosts for plenty of dramatic readings and Bluebeard chat. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 12-13. Join Jody and Molly on this rollercoaster of a 1983 Judy Blume adult novel! BB wallows and Michelle grumbles, but Sara and Andrew have a grand ol' time eating cheese and watching Bo Derek run on the beach. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 10-11. Margo and Andrew Broder somehow turn boxed raisins and a handshake into unbearable sexual tension, while poor BB realizes her chiffon dress is cursed. Along the way, your hosts Jody and Molly spiral into conversations about fantasy Dixie Cup dates, Apocalypse Now, and cheating on the Presidential Fitness Test. Expect dramatic readings, deep literary analysis, messy relationships, emotional chaos, and peak 1980s energy. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 8-9 (NOT 10!). In this 1983 Judy Blume adult novel, Sara gets caught sneaking to her dad's, and BB asks Margo to spy, much to Margo's indignation. Meanwhile, Clare plans a trip to Paris and a potential reconciliation with her ex. There's also a pig with teeth, a Jazzercise mic drop, and a gal named Puffin. Molly and Jody do their usual dramatic readings and reading between the lines, with lots of talk about friendship, mid-life crises, and colonoscopies. Thank you to Sue J. for the great letter! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 6-7. Jody and Molly pull themselves together (just barely) to bring you insights, analysis, and dramatic readings from Judy Blume's 1983 adult novel. We flash back to Andrew Broder's Boulder arrival, BB's wedding at Uncle Morris' estate, and learn about the mysterious Bobby (RIP). Things are getting JUICY and we're here for it. Molly presents a Special Report on the controversial fragrance Opium, and Blume Heads Alison and Attia write in with some A+ letters. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapters 4-5. We are loving Judy Blume's 1983 adult novel, in which BB takes to her bed, Margo makes Jewish Chicken Soup, and Michelle deftly inhales a deviled egg! Jody and Molly do dramatic readings, read listener letters, and present a Special Report on Beau Jo's Colorado Style Pizza. Thank you to Blume Heads Helen and Hecka Jecka for their correspondence! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

"Smart Women," chapters 2-3. Jody and Molly are THRILLED to be reading this 1983 novel, one of Judy Blume's finest! Michelle cries in bed, B.B. gets a shocking letter from her ex, and we assume Margo is still waltzing around in her robe. Your hosts revisit Yearbook Club (theme: Passive-Aggressive), and read some excellent Blume Head letters (thank you so much, Susan and Dani)! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Smart Women," chapter 1. Grab yourself a Courvoisier, settle into the Jacuzzi, and join us in Judy-land for this racy adult novel set in 1983! Margo meets her new (nude) neighbor right before her kids come back from their East Coast summer. Jody and Molly set the scene for "The Year Pop Went Crazy" with Special Reports on Gloria Steinem, Vanessa Williams, Jenny Craig, and a headless body. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

Molly and Jody finally close out Norma Klein's Beginner's Love! To celebrate, they read one-star reviews, some vintage ABCs of Abstinence, a lovely ode to Norma by her daughter Jennifer Fleissner, and sage sex advice from Queen Judes. The gals talk about Windows on the World, Tucker Max, revolving restaurants, Beginner's Love-related media, and reveal the NEXT BOOK. Thank you to our listener correspondent for the great fighting-while-dining voice note! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love" by Norma Klein, chapters 20-21 – THE FINALE! It's true, Jody and Molly have finally finished this 1983 YA novel about teens, love, and sex. Leda and Joel meet new besties at the abortion clinic and Berger becomes a full-on Wife Guy. And sweet Dani is never to be seen again. Join us for dramatic readings, wonky plot analysis, and plenty of Girls chat. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapters 18-19. Happy New Year, Blume Heads! We are SO close to finishing this Norma Klein epic, in which Joel goes full Don Draper in California and Lassie Bligen makes her triumphant return. Join Molly and Jody in the Cocoon for vintage commercials, dramatic popcorn reads, and an overly complicated theory about the unluckiest teens in human history. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapter 17. Norma Klein's 1983 YA novel is going off the rails and we're here for it. Berger and Ingrid "play doctor" and he reveals his secret with a truly bananas twist. Meanwhile Joel has the worst birthday imaginable thanks to an ill-advised card from Leda. Seriously, what were you thinking, Lee?! Molly and Jody talk about Courtly Love, laundry tips, and frenemies. Thank you to Blume Head Angela for a great letter! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapter 16. Folks, we tried to make this one a Thanksgiving shorty with one chapter, but in true Molly and Jody fashion, we somehow filled an hour! Joel and Leda go cowgirl and have another post-coital misunderstanding. And we STILL don't know if Leda is pregnant. Molly presents a David Niven Special Report, and Jody reveals the latest *crystals* discovery from Kleinstein. Last but not least, thank you to Blume Heads Jill and Dawn for their truly outrageous Yearbook Club entries. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"Beginner's Love," chapters 14-15. Hope you don't mind this one being a real yap-fest, y'all! Jody and Molly read through this 1983 Norma Klein YA novel and discuss egg babies, Jody's ancient stash, and Molly's online beefs – with a couple vintage teen pregnancy PSAs thrown in. In the book, Berger finally meets his lady doctor and cusses out the PE teacher, while Joel learns that Leda is... LATE. Tune in for the usual dramatic readings, listener letters, and lively discussion. And don't miss our new segment, "Yearbook Club!" It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!

"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!