Episodes
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What a crushing reveal
Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's talk about relationships that validate and gaslight you all at once, stealing stories and how it was all fake!! From the video: Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram...
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Meeting your idols (and getting into situationships)
Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's talk situationships, meeting your idols, and finding representation in literature. From the video: Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram...
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That one very specific type of rose
Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's talk about tropes, Scooby Doo endings, and murder mystery genres as a whole. From the video: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram...
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Gimme that backstory
Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's talk about character motivations, setting the scene and Heather's switcheroo theory. From the video: How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram...
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Someone's been listening in
In this episode: Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Listen in as we unpack the many unethical moments in the 2nd half: The professor-student relationship, the eavesdropping and accepting favours that just don't feel right. From…
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Two types of people in the world
In this episode: Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! This one transports us back to undergrad life: The emotional turmoil, insecurities and uncertainties. From the video: Come and Get It by Kiley Reid So You've Been Publicly Shamed...
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You'd never say that to a friend
In this episode: Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's get into the 2nd half. Is this a catfish situation or not? What does it take to let love in Why are the systems so broken? From the video: Margo's Got Money...
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How to create an online persona
In this episode: Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's get into the first half. This is an impossible situation that Margo's in and we're here for the creative problem solving. Also Mark is the worst. THE WORST. Ok...
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Eavesdropping on strangers, failing at small talk
In this episode: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's talk about parts 2 and 3 of Intermezzo. Naomi meets Ivan, Peter meets Margaret, Sylvia meets Naomi. More social dynamics to unpack, let's chat. From the video: Intermezzo by...
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You're not ready for this in your 20s
In this episode: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Social dynamics are hard. In SO many ways. Let's get into it. From the video: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram...
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It's not a lie if you believe it
In this episode: House in the Pines by Ana Reyes (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's chat about House in the Pines. In this one, we talk about hypnosis, the power of belief and confirmation bias. From the video: House in the Pines by Ana Reyes How to…
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The past is in the present (tense)
In this episode: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's chat about House in the Pines: What happens when your past confronts you, how trauma catches up to you and where the time's going! From the video: House in the Pines by Ana...
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Is anyone really friends with their exes?
In this episode: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's chat about the 2nd half of Blue Sisters. From the video: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram @straightupbookclub Follow us…
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The biggest age gap in life is between these 2 decades
In this episode: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let's chat about the first 8 chapters of Blue Sisters. We talk sibling dynamics, relationships that start with power imbalances, and that stark divide between your 20s and 30s.…
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How do you reconcile the best and worst of someone?
In this episode: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (with spoilers). Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of domestic violence and abuse. Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Today we’re discussing It Ends With Us. This one made the media rounds, so let's talk about this...
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One decision shaped this entire family
In this episode: Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Today we’re discussing the 2ndhalf of Long Island Compromise. Let's talk about how one decision that Ruth and Phyllis made... shaped this entire family,...
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Psychics, tarot card readers and blocked third eyes
In this episode: Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Today we’re discussing the first half of Long Island Compromise. Let's talk about generational trauma, family dynamics, and the age old question: can money buy...
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It’s like hiking mount everest
In this episode: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let’s get into the 2nd half of First Lie Wins. Evie’s on the road, calling in favors, and Ryan’s coming along. Time to chat about how this all plays out. From the video: First...
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Life and death decisions, dark humor and love languages
In this episode: Death Valley by Melissa Broder (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let’s chat about the 2nd half of Death Valley: The rabbit theory, diarrhea in the desert, and the struggles of staying present. Let’s trust in the unknown, y’all. From the…
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Falling too hard, too fast
In this episode: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Today we’re discussing the first half of First Lie Wins. Literally who is Evie Porter?? We’re so intrigued. Let’s get into our weekends, romanticizing (or not) having your life...
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Deadbolts, vermin and full body screams
In this episode: Death Valley by Melissa Broder (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let’s chat about the first 30 chapters: Best Westerns, getting lost on hikes and anticipatory grief. From the video: Death Valley by Melissa Broder Haruki Marukami Zadie Smith...
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Your partner can’t be your everything
In this episode: Funny Story by Emily Henry (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! Let’s chat about the 2nd half of Funny Story: Miles' backstory, Daphne’s dad, and the “will they won’t they” of it all. From the video: Funny Story by Emily Henry Esther Perel Adult...
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Still mad about the vegan sushi
In this episode: Funny Story by Emily Henry (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! We’re so glad you’re reading Funny Story with us. In this episode, we get into the 1st half of this steamy one. Let’s talk how believable (or not) fiance swaps are, knowing who you...
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There’s no map for what we’re living
In this episode: Good Material by Dolly Alderton (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! We’re so glad you’re reading Good Material with us. In this episode, we get into the 2nd half of this hilarious, sad, sweet book. We talk about Jen’s side of things, TikTok’s...
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Breakups are so much harder in your 30s
In this episode: Good Material by Dolly Alderton (with spoilers). Welcome to Straight Up Book Club with Heather and Nat! We’re so glad you’re reading Good Material with us. In this episode, we get into the first half of this hilarious, sad, sweet book, up to page 157. We talk about Andy…
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S2 E9 - Who Harold’s been talking to and fighting back tears on the subway
In this episode: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara acts 6 and 7 (with spoilers). Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of sexual assault, child abuse, self harm and suicide. Welcome to straight up book club! We’re so glad you’re reading A Little Life with us. In this episode, we get into...
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S2 E8 - A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - Part 3
Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of sexual assault, child abuse, self harm and suicide. Welcome to Straight Up Book Club! We’re so glad you’re reading A Little Life with us. In this episode, we get into Act 5 where we get to see Jude and Willem’s relationship start and… end? Let’s…
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S2 E7 - A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - Part 2
Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of sexual assault, child abuse, self harm and suicide. Welcome to straight up book club! We’re so glad you’re reading A Little Life with us. In this episode, we get into Acts 3 and 4 where we get to know more about Jude’s past, JB’s struggles and talk...
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S2 E6 - A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - Part 1
Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of sexual assault, child abuse, self harm and suicide. Welcome to book club! This time we get into Acts 1 and 2 of this heartbreaking book. We'll discover the friendships between 4 men, their inner lives and backgrounds, the tragedies that make and...
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S2 E5 - The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Part 5
Let's get into the final act of The Fury, where all is revealed. Next time, we're reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Acts 1 and 2. Some other books and authors we mentioned in this episode: - Big Swiss by Jen Beagin - Ashley Tate by Twenty-Seven Minutes - The Silent Patient by Alex...
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S2 E4 - The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Part 4
This episode, we talk about Act 4 of Alex Michaelides' The Fury. Let's talk about all the things that have been left out so far.
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S2 E3 - The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Part 3
This episode, we talk about Act 3 of Alex Michaelides' The Fury. Get caught up and then get into Elliot's backstory with us.
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S2 E2 - The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Part 2
This time we're talking about The Fury's second act. Make sure to get caught up on both acts and watch episode 1 so we're all on the same page! Who do y'all think it is? And why why why'd they do it?
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S2 E1 - The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Part 1
Welcome to book club! Let's dig into Act 1 of The Fury by Alex Michaelides.
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14 - The Push
Talking Ashley Audrain’s The Push over Dillon's Three Oaks Rye and Spy Mata Hari Brandy.
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13 - The Bluest Eye
Read: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Sip: Hellbender Whiskey and Middle West Spirits Straight Wheat Whiskey
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12 - The Vanishing Half
We talk about identity, past and present lives, family ties. Book: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. Whiskies: Tomatin and Sazerac Rye
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11 - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Nat and Heather talk about Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous over Writer's Tears Copper Pot Irish Whisky and Bullet Bourbon.
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10 - Goodbye Vitamin
We talk about Rachel Khong's Goodbye Vitamin over Glenlivet and Teacher's Highland Cream
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09 - Little Fires Everywhere
We're back to Celeste Ng in this episode with her second book, Little Fires Everywhere. Paired with Barnburner whisky and Laphroaig scotch.
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08 - Split Tooth
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq. ***Trigger warning: this episode contains graphic subject matter regarding child molestation and rape.*** This read’s pairings include Mer’r’iym (a red wine “marriage” blend) from Indigenous-owned Nk’mip cellars and Gooderham & Worts Four Grain whisky.
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07 - Such A Fun Age
We talk through Kiley Reid’s Such A Fun Age over Maker’s Mark bourbon and Rams and Parrots whiskey.
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06 - Everything I Never Told You
Let’s unpack Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You over Gibson’s Finest Rye Whisky and Tom’s Foolery Bonded Bourbon.
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05 - The Billionaire Murders
We talk about Kevin Donovan’s The Billionaire Murders over Laphroig Four Oak and Basil Haydens Kentucky Bourbon.
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04 - The Unbearable Lightness of Being
We unpack Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being over Caol Ila and John Barr Blended Scotch.
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03 - American Predator
We're reading American Predator by Maureen Callahan and pairing it with Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
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02 - Grand Union
We're reading Grand Union by Zadie Smith and pairing it with Bushmills Black Bush.
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01 - House of Leaves
We're reading House of Leaves by Danielewski and pairing it with Writer's Tears. Next week: Grand Union by Zadie Smith with Bushmills Black