Book Club for Masochists: a Readers’ Advisory Podcast

Hosted ByAnna Ferri

A Readers’ Advisory Podcast about becoming better library staff by reading books we hate!

Every month we read books from a new, randomly picked genre; then on the podcast we discuss our reading choices, experiences, opinions, appeal factors, and other related topics as friends and library workers.


All Episodes

Episode 152 – Beach Reads

This episode we’re talking about Beach Reads! We discuss what counts as a beach read, what doesn’t count as a beach read, whether any of us has even been to a beach recently (yes!), and more. Plus: We play “two truths and a lie” with books!…

Episode 151 – Classics

This episode we’re talking about Classics! We talk about what makes a book a classic, whether a classic has to be good or not, fiction vs non-fiction classics, and how classics change over time. Plus: Pro strats and speedrunning techniques for…

Episode 149 – Astronomy & Space

This episode we’re talking about Astronomy and Space Non-Fiction! We talk about astronauts, planets, moons, rocks, and more! Plus: We despair about all the math in these books! You can download the podcast , find it on , or get it through , , , or…

Episode 148 – Spring 2022 Media Update

This episode we’re talking about recent media we enjoyed! We discuss TikTok food, video games about boxes, French language books, Pokemon, and more! You can download the podcast , find it on , or get it through , , , or your favourite podcast…

Episode 147 – Contemporary Fantasy

This episode we’re talking about Contemporary Fantasy! We discuss drunk mermaids, elderly ghosts, assholes magicians, and hot gargoyles! You can download the podcast , find it on , or get it through , , , or your favourite podcast delivery system….

Episode 146 – Books and Food

This episode we’re talking about Books and Food! (Or Comestibles while Consuming Content!) We discuss finding podcasts in the woods, reading in cafes, cheezos, why you should carry small rocks around with you, dropping food on books, which…

Episode 145 – Anthropology Non-Fiction

This episode we’re talking about Anthropology Non-Fiction! We discuss culture, society, linguistics, and more! Plus: Teeth, teeth, teeth! You can download the podcast , find it on , or get it through , , , or your favourite podcast delivery system….

Episode 144 – What is a Book?

This episode we’re discussing “What is a Book?” Is it our most self-indulgent episode yet? We don’t know, but we do know that the conversation gets pretty existential at times and we talk about what “reading” means, whether something…

Episode 143 – Amish Romance

You voted for it, so this episode we’re talking about Amish Romance! (Just in time for Valentine’s Day!) We discuss romance, sex, chasteness, cultural appropriation, bonnet rippers, and terrible pies! You can download the podcast , find it on , or…

Subscribe to Our Newsletter