Colored Pages Book Club
by Colored Pages Book Club
Join longtime friends Marci and Ako for their bi-weekly podcast where they discuss fiction, fantasy, and magical realism written by writers from colorful and diverse backgrounds! Come for the honest discussions, stay for the complete and utter tomfoolery. Also, no worries if you haven’t read the books, we’ve got you covered!
Episodes
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Audre Lorde’s ”Uses of the Erotic” a Comparative Literature Episode
Hello colorful cast of powdered sugar donuts, CPBC is back with the final episode of the summer short series. What?!? I know we're ending a little early this year and taking a bit of a hiatus, but never fear, this episode is a super sweet treat and it most certainly will not be the curtain call…
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Josh Trujillo’s ”Dodge City”
Hello, sporty folks! First of all, SO sorry for the delay with the episode! Marci's computer is old enough to pay taxes and it decided to stir up drama by NOT working! Thankfully everything is fixed now so we should be good to go
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Nalo Hopkinson’s ”Falling in Love with Hominids”
Hello Colorful Cast of Characters, welcome back to another week of CPBC, that's right ya'll after a quick hiatus, we are back with the first episode of our Summer Short Series! For those who may or may not know our Summer Shorts is where CPBC diverges from its typical novels and we read truly...
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Tanya Boteju’s ”Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens” Part 2
Hello, eyeshadow palettes! This week marks our last episode before this year's summer short series! Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens is exactly the light-hearted and heartwarming read we needed and we're so excited to get into the nitty gritty of part 2! So ease into your lawn chairs and grab an…
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Tanya Boteju’s ”Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens” Part 1
Hello, Hello, Hello In-betweens, Queens, and Kings, welcome back to CPBC, that bi-weekly podcast that keeps showing up late to class, but still has perfect attendance. Speaking of which, this week we start our last book before our summer session, and to close out the year we'll be reading Marci's...
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Imbolo Mbue’s ”How Beautiful We Were” Part 2
Hello, strawberry-banana smoothies! This week, we're back to finish up our discussion of How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue! This book touches on some beautiful themes and we're excited to get into it. However, there is a heavyyyyy trigger warning for the entire episode--touching on themes such...
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Imbolo Mbue’s ”How Beautiful We Were” Part 1
Hello Colorful Cast of Characters, Marci and Ako are back for another bi-weekly book chat and this week we're reading Imbolo Mbue's "How Beautiful We Were" an environmental novel set in a fictional west African inspired village in the modern global context. As a note, this episode is more serious...
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Jewelle Gomez’s ”Gilda Stories” Part 2 (feat. The SJW Comic Book Club)
Hello, sunflowers! This week, your favorite telescopes are back to finish their discussion on this 90's, vampiric, period piece...WITH FRIENDS! Yet again, they have been blessed by the presence of one Veronica, Monte, and Melissa--the illustrious hosts of the SJW Comic Book Club Podcast! CPBC and...
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Jewelle Gomez’s ”Gilda Stories” Part 1
Hello, Colorful Cookie Monsters! Welcome back to another episode of that Colored Pages Book Club Podcast! That's right y'all--for this season of love, we've gone a bit vampiric, as we read this 90's Black, Queer classic, The Gilda Stories. So join Marci and Ako as they discuss which power seems...
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Chantal V. Johnson’s ”Post-Traumatic” Part 2
Hello cuties! Your favorite cinnamon sticks are back to finish up their first book of 2023! This week, after a...considerable tonal shift lmao, we're going to be finishing the witty and poignant tale, Post-Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson! This episode comes with less trigger warnings than the...
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Chantal V. Johnson’s ”Post-Traumatic” Part 1
Hello kittens! Your favorite parallelograms are back for their first book entry of 2023! This week, we're getting into the compelling, humorous, and (almost uncomfortably) relatable tale, Post-Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson! As the title might suggest, this episode comes with a heavy trigger...
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Tangent Episode #3: ”Reflection”
Hello colorful cast of characters, cheers to the changing calendar. We’re glad you’re here for another year with the dynamic duo. This episode we’re not reading just reflecting, like that book club meeting that goes off topic and stays there. So join Marci and Ako for a round of thoughtful,...
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Joon Oluchi Lee’s ”Neotenica” Part 2
Hello Literary Listeners, we know it's so cold its frozen over here in the U.S., BUT Marci and Ako are here with a virtual cup of hot chocolate and a delightful episode. So, join your favorite dynamic duo as they discuss what sexuality means to them, caveat their way through discussing…
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Joon Oluchi Lee’s ”Neotenica” Part 1
Wow, so not sure how to even say this, but...WELCOME to the 100th episode of the Colored Pages Book Club!!!! It's truly wild that we've made it to this milestone and that you all have supported us so much along the way. To everyone who's ever given our podcast a chance, thank you! It means more...
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Jessica Hernandez’s ”Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science” Part 2
Hello, Colorful Cast of Characters! It's that dynamic duo bringing you your bi-weekly dose of fiction, fantasy, and magical realism! And what could be more magical than an honest understanding and reimagining of our relationship with each other, nature, and history? So join Ako and Marci as they...
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Jessica Hernandez’s ”Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science” Part 1
Hello, darlings! Your favorite gluten-free crumble cookies are back with another episode of the world's littiest book club. And we're back with a TWIST! Atypical to our usual format, we're reading a non-fiction book this time that also blends with the environmental sciences! And thank the…
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Rena Barron’s ”Reaper of Souls” Part 2
Hello, cast of colorful characters! Welcome back to another episode of CPBC. That’s right, ya’ll, Marci and Ako are back for the dynamic, hilarious, creative, and fantastical second half of Reaper of Souls by Rena Barron. So join the duo as we open time gates between worlds, search for a demon…
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Rena Barron’s ”Reaper of Souls” Part 1
Hi hi, beautiful people! Immaculate people! Wonderful people! First of all, if no one told you you were incredible today, then let us be the first to say it! You. Are. Incredible. Secondly, we are BACK. Like BACK BACK! A new season is upon us and now that our skin is fully moisturized and our…
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Announcement Episode
Hello, Colorful Cast of Characters! Marci and Ako are back from sabbatical-- just not this week! That's right, y'all, your favorite dynamic duo ...needs an extension, but never fear, the new season of CPBC is near. So, dig out your library cards and bookmarks and maybe catch up on a couple of…
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Bilal Baig’s ”Sort Of” (feat. Carefree Black Nerd)
Hello, afternoon delights with the sauce on the side! Your favorite tag team is back with the LAST episode of our Summer Short Series! And to round out the summer we brought a lil’ friend to the kickback! That's right y'all, Rhayne from Carefree Black Nerd Podcast joins Marci and Ako this episode...
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Fernanda Coppel’s ”King Liz”
Hey there, loves! Your favorite croissant rolls are back with another episode of the Summer Short Series, a series where we do whatever we want! It's been a minute since we've talked about a play so, this week, we'll be getting into the Basketball/Corporate-Commentary play "King Liz" by Fernanda...
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FIYAH Literary Magazine’s Issue #23: Food & Cuisine
Hello, colorful cast of characters! Ako and Marci are back again for another episode of our Summer Short Series! That’s right ya’ll, today is a re-run episode as we dive back into FIYAH Magazine, a speculative fiction magazine launched in 2017! And in this episode, we are reading Issue #23: Food...
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Carly Usdin’s ”Avant-Guards”
Hello, sports fans (or not lol)! We're back for another episode of the Summer Short Series! This week, we'll be dribbling, crossing up, and passing the mics over to the ICONIC queer, YA, sports graphic novel, "The Avant-Guards", which was created and written by Carly Usdin! Marci especially has...
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Sandra Cisneros’ ”My Name” & Julia Alvarez’s ”Names/Nombres”
Hello, honeys, bunches, and oats! Your favorite laminated index cards are BACK with our second episode of the summer short series! We're dialing back the clock and doing another comparative literature episode, this time breaking down two short nonfiction stories--My Name by Sandra Cisneros and...
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Geneva Bowers’ ”HoverGirls”
Hello, recurring cast of colorful characters! What’s that? The Western Hemisphere is tilted more towards the sun for approximately 3-ish months? Interesting. Well, y'all know what that means? It’s time for the SUMMER SHORT SERIES! That’s right, y'all, join Marci and Ako as they soak up the sun…
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Kai Cheng Thom’s ”Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars” Part 2
Hello, lightly-dusted vegan lemon squares! Marci and Ako are back for the LAST episode of the season before the summer short series! And today we are finishing the wonderful, profound, and witty Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom. Join...
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Kai Cheng Thom’s ”Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars” Part 1
Hello, Literary Listeners, and welcome back to another episode of that bi-weekly book club masquerading as a podcast. That’s right, the dynamic duo is back to discuss the wondrously beautiful and hilarious Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars by Kai Cheng Thom! So join Marci, Ako, and the…
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Tracey Lindberg’s ”Birdie” Part 2
Hello, dear honey bunches! Your favorite vegan apricots are back to finish up the lovely and ethereal Birdie by Tracey Lindberg! So sit back and enjoy some spicy ass chips of your choice as we discuss Birdie's healing, the process of change, the follies of fatphobia, and Lola's NOT cookies!...
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Tracey Lindberg’s ”Birdie” Part 1
Hello, Colorful Cast of Literary Listeners! That’s right ya’ll, Marci and Ako are back with our regularly-scheduled programming! And today we are staying on script and reading Ako’s pick, Birdie by Tracey Lindberg. So join Marci and Ako as they meander through this 21st Néhiyaw (Cree) novel of...
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Tangent Episode #2: ”Video Games”
UH-HAIIIIIIIIIII!! Okay, we get it. We lied to y'all. We promised y'all some Birdie by Tracey Lindberg, but like a little birdie, our desire to do that flew right tf away and what landed in its place was....this? But seriously, we just needed a little break after the emotional toll of Just Above…
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James Baldwin’s ”Just Above My Head” Part 2
Hello, hello, reoccurring cast of colorful characters! Welcome back to another episode of the CPBC podcast! That's right, the dynamic duo is back to discuss the final novel by the poetic, black, queer novelist, James Baldwin. So join Marci and Ako as they discuss what to do with bitterness,...
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James Baldwin’s ”Just Above My Head” Part 1
Hello, fellow butterflies and honeybees! One of the legends has come to visit us on this week's episode as we'll be discussing Just Above My Head by the ICONIC, James Baldwin! So sit back and enjoy some vegan strawberries as we discuss intimacy's importance, affectionate Black masculinity…
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P. Djèlí Clark’s ”A Master of the Djinn” Part 2
Hello, cast of colorful characters! Your dynamic duo is back for another hilarity-filled episode! This week, we are finishing off the steampunk, historical fiction, detective novel, A Master of the Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark! That's right folks! Join Marci and Ako as they traverse through an...
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P. Djèlí Clark’s ”A Master of Djinn” Part 1
Hello, gumdrops! We are back from our graphic novel vacation with Hazel and friends and, chiiiile, do we have a book for you all?! This week, we're diving into the A M A Z I N G queer, North African-inspired fantasy called "A Master of Djinn" by P. Djèlí Clark! Enjoy some gluten-free strawberries...
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Tee Franklin’s ”Bingo Love” (feat. The SJW Comic Book Club)
Hello, colorful cast of characters! Your favorite duo is back and this week is a delightful fusion of two book clubs masquerading as podcasts -- that's right, we have on the hilarious, insightful, and wonderful, SJW Comic Book Club Podcast! And this week, we will be reading Bingo Love by Tee...
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Padma Venkatraman’s ”A Time to Dance” Part 2
Hello dancersss! This week, we're back to finish our conversation on the BEAUTIFUL, LOVELY, ICONIC ASS TALE, A Time to Dance! No, but seriously, this book is so so soooo moving, please read it immediately. Anywho, do some gentle stretching and get cozy as we talk about Chandra's charisma, Veda's...
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Padma Venkatraman’s ”A Time to Dance” Part 1
Hello, colorful cast of characters! Welcome back to the Colored Pages Book Club, that reoccurring auditory sitcom masquerading as a book club! This week, we are discussing Marci's pick, A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman. Join Marci and Ako as they discuss ableism, transcendental movement,...
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Ocean Vuong’s ”On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” Part 2 (feat. Left Shelf)
Howdy, y'all...idk lol. Anyway, your favorite Internet play cousins are back for another episode, this time with friends! This week, we finish our conversation on the ethereal, lyrical, and truly ~gorgeous~ novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. And helping us in our discussion…
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Ocean Vuong‘s ”On Earth We‘re Briefly Gorgeous” Part 1
Hello, colorful cast of characters! Welcome back to another episode of this syncopated sound wave masquerading as a podcast. That's right, join the usual crew of Marci and Ako as they discuss part one of the poetic, beautiful, and perhaps... gorgeous queer Vietnamese-American novel "On Earth…
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Witi Ihimaera‘s ”Whale Rider” Part 2
What it do? What it do?? Hi friends--whale lovers and allies alike--we're back for another episode of this magical show. This week, we're going to be finishing the beautiful, ancestral, and honestly kind of wild Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera! So, sit back and enjoy some vegan crab cakes as we...
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Witi Ihimaera‘s ”Whale Rider” Part 1
Hello, Colorful Cast of Characters! Welcome back to another episode of CPBC, that's right, the dynamic duo is at it again and this time we are reading....The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera! I know, that's a surprise, we switched it up on ya'll, but you know what they say, surprises are the spice of...
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Yangsze Choo‘s ”Ghost Bride” Part 2
Come one, come all! We've got a Part 2 for you, doll ;) Yes, so this week, we're wrapping up our conversation on the paranormal, riveting, and honestly hilarious, Ghost Bride!! Gather your hopefully not expired Halloween candy as your favorite honey bunches, Ako and Marci, discuss annoying puppet...
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Yangsze Choo‘s ”Ghost Bride” Part 1
Hello, colorful cast of characters! Welcome back to CPBC--that bi-weekly book club masquerading as a podcast. This month, we’re reading something spooky, a ghost story full of corruption, love, and mystery. So join Ako and Marci as they follow Li Lan on her journey to avoid a terrible marriage…
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N.K. Jemisin‘s ”Stone Sky” Part 2
Wow, so we're here. Finally, after almost 3 years, we conclude the Broken Earth trilogy! We laughed, we cried--not really, but it was a cute ending or whatever, so let's discuss! Sit back and enjoy as your fave hosts, Ako and Marci, discuss who they are in the story, Hoa's questionable takes…
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N.K. Jemisin‘s ”Stone Sky” Part 1
'Sup literary listeners! It's been a minute, glad you're here! We know the summer may be over, but never fear for CPBC is back with our regularly scheduled programming. And today, we're kicking off the third season with the last "season" of N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth Trilogy, The Stone Sky.…
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George M. Johnson‘s ”All Boys Aren‘t Blue”
Hello, oatmeal cream pies! Ugh, wow, truly can't believe that the Summer Short Series is over. That, in itself, feels absurd and like a thing that should not be true, but alas. Luckily, however, we are closing the Summer Short Series with a B A N G! Persepolis did something to us because we'll be...
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Olive Senior‘s ”Pain Tree”
Hello, Colorful Cast of Characters! Welcome back to another episode of CPBC! This week is the penultimate episode of the Summer Short Series--that's right ya'll, the summer is coming to a close :( And, on that note, this is a bit more of a somber/lowkey episode, but hey, rainy days are also part…
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Audre Lorde's "A Woman Speaks" & Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?"
Hey frenssss! The Summer Short Series rages on as we dive into some poetry this week with a special ~comparative literature~ themed episode. We explicate Audre Lorde's poem, "A Woman Speaks", and Sojourner Truth's iconic speech, "Ain't I a Woman?", and compare the energies, magic, and themes...
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Brianna Lei‘s ”Butterfly Soup” (feat. Books and Boba)
Hey literary listeners! CPBC is back again with another episode of the Summer Short Series! And this time we're discussing a VIDEO GAME!!! That’s right y'all--apparently, you pushed "random" on Super Smash Brothers and the algorithm spit out an episode that you didn’t expect, but might soon…
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Hope Nicholson's "Love Beyond Body, Space, & Time: An Indigenous LGBT Sci-Fi Anthology"
Hello stardust pals! This week, we continue our Summer Short Series with an anthology, edited by Hope Nicholson, that explores indigenous science fiction, urban fantasy, and LGBTQIA+/Two-Spirit characters! To add some chaos, Ako and Marci both read 3 stories--2 of which they both mutually read…
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About this show
Join longtime friends Marci and Ako for their bi-weekly podcast where they discuss fiction, fantasy, and magical realism written by writers from colorful and diverse backgrounds! Come for the honest discussions, stay for the complete and utter tomfoolery. Also, no worries if you haven’t read the books, we’ve got you covered!
Hosted by
Colored Pages Book Club