Gays Reading | A Book Podcast for Everyone

In the season finale of Gays Reading, host Jason Blitman sits down with Ann Patchett to discuss the annotated edition of her acclaimed novel Bel Canto. They explore the power of memory, the key to learning and appreciating opera, and much more. Ann shares stories about meeting Jim Parsons at Our Town on Broadway, attending the only baseball game of her life, and what she would say to her younger self who wrote Bel Canto. Tune in for Ann’s holiday book recommendations and Jason’s most memorable reads of the year. Ann Patchett is the author of novels, most recently the #1 New York Times bestselling Tom Lake, works of nonfiction, and children's books. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the PEN/Faulkner, the Women's Prize for Fiction in the UK, and the Book Sense Book of the Year. Her novel The Dutch House was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. President Biden awarded her the National Humanities Medal in recognition of her contributions to American culture. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is the owner of Parnassus Books. list of booksHEREBel Canto Spotify PlaylistBOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this bonus episode of What's the TEA? host Jason Blitman talks to Hannah Silva about the exploration of queer single parenting and AI in her book, My Child, The Algorithm as well as Tom Pyun about his debut novel, Something Close to Nothing. What's the TEA? gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. Hannah Silva is a writer and performer working in sound poetry, radio and experimental non-fiction. An Artificially Intelligent Guide to Love (BBC Radio 4) starred Fiona Shaw and was the starting point for My Child, the Algorithm. Silva has authored seven other plays for BBC Radio 3 and 4, winning the Tinniswood Award and numerous placements in the BBC Audio Drama Awards. Her debut poetry collection Forms of Protest was Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes. Talk in a bit, a record of sound poetry and music was in the Wire’s Top 25 albums of 2018. She lives in London with her child. Tom Pyun earned his MFA at Antioch University Los Angeles and has been awarded fellowships by the Vermont Studio Center, VONA, and Tin House. His creative fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The Rumpus, Reed Magazine, Joyland, and Blue Mesa Review. His essay, “Mothers Always Know,” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net 2015. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this new series What’s the TEA? host Jason Blitman gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. This episode features Daniel Aleman talking to Jason about his new book, I Might Be in Trouble. Daniel Aleman is the award-winning author of Indivisible and Brighter Than the Sun. Born and raised in Mexico City, he now lives in Toronto, where he is on a never-ending search for the best tacos in the city. I Might Be in Trouble is his adult debut. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Weike Wang (Rental House) about her dream vacation, the commonality of in-laws, and their mutual love of House Hunters. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader, Joseph Lezza, who talks about what he's reading and shares insights about how he navigates grief during the holiday season. The Trouble with Friends Weike Wang is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in literary magazines, including Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, and Ploughshares, which also named Chemistry the winner of its John C. Zacharis Award. A “5 Under 35” honoree of the National Book Foundation, Weike currently lives in New York City. Joseph Lezza is a writer in New York, NY. Holding an MFA in creative writing from The University of Texas at El Paso, he is a 2021 finalist for the Prize Americana in Prose. His work has been featured in, among others, Occulum, Variant Literature, The Hopper, Stoneboat Literary Journal, West Trade Review, and Santa Fe Writers Project. His debut memoir in essays, I’m Never Fine: Scenes and Spasms on Loss, is out February 2023 from Vine Leaves Press. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman is joined by Susan Rieger (Like Mother, Like Mother) to record together at the Penguin Random House offices. They explore the idea of "Elephant Memories," a podcast within the book, as they share personal stories of early memories and family. Like Mother, Like Mother is an Aardvark Book Club selection (use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping!) as well as Barnes and Nobles' November and December 2024 Book Club. Susan Rieger is a graduate of Columbia Law School. She has worked as a residential college dean at Yale and as an associate provost at Columbia. She has taught law to undergraduates at both schools and written frequently about the law for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of The Heirs and The Divorce Papers. She lives in New York City with her husband. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to Christopher Bollen (Havoc) about everything from purging personal belongings to the layered concept of havoc and chaos, the fascinating world of hotels, and Chris' love-hate relationship with musicals. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Simon Doonan (TV's Making It, The Camp 100) about what he's reading, as well as the difference between Camp and campy. Christopher Bollen is the author of the critically acclaimed novels The Lost Americans, A Beautiful Crime, The Destroyers, Orient, and Lightning People. He is a frequent contributor to a number of publications, including Vanity Fair, the New York Times, and Interview. He lives in New York City. Simon Doonan is the author of many books, including the recently published Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock and Loving Lou Reed, How To Be Yourself, DRAG: The Complete Story and Keith Haring. A long-standing member of the fashion community, Simon was awarded the prestigious CFDA award for his work as Creative Director for Barneys New York. He is currently a judge on the Emmy-nominated NBC series ‘Making It’. Simon lives in New York City with his partner, the ceramicist and designer Jonathan Adler, and their rescue-mutt Foxylady. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to Brit Barron (Do You Still Talk to Grandma?) about themes of family, cancel culture, and finding empathy despite differences. Jason is then joined by author and advice columnist, Guest Gay Reader R. Eric Thomas who brings his signature wit and charm, offering insightful advice for handling tricky family dynamics during the holidays. Brit Barron is a renowned speaker, teacher, and storyteller and the author of Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For. Barron’s ideas and accomplishments have garnered the attention of numerous prominent national publications, making her a highly sought-after speaker on the topics of sexuality, spirituality, race, and personal development. Brit Barron and her wife, Sami, live in Los Angeles with their dog Charles Barkley and numerous houseplants that they do their best to keep alive. R. Eric Thomas is the bestselling author of Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America, a Lambda Literary Award finalist; and the YA novel Kings of B’more, a Stonewall Honor book. Both books were also featured as Read with Jenna book club picks on Today. He is also a television writer (Apple TV+’s Dickinson, FX’s Better Things), a Lambda Literary Award–winning playwright, and the long-running host of the Moth in Philadelphia. For four years, Thomas was a senior staff writer at Elle online, where he wrote the popular “Eric Reads the News” column. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this special episode, host Jason Blitman dives into the world of Wicked. Joined by legendary author Gregory Maguire, Guest Gay Reader is comedian and host of That’s a Gay Ass Podcast, Eric Williams, and Gays Reading’s first Guest Gay Icon, Broadway powerhouse Eden Espinosa, they discuss the impact and legacy of this iconic story. From insider stories and unforgettable riffs to deep conversations about identity, friendship, and self-acceptance, this episode is a celebration of all things Wicked. Perfect for fans of the musical, lovers of literature, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider finding their place in the world. Gregory Maguire has written quite a few books for adults, including Wicked, which inspired the Broadway play and the two-part movie. He’s also written several dozen books for children, the more recent titles being What-the-Dickens, Egg & Spoon, and Cress Watercress, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book. Eric Williams is an actor, comedian, and podcast host based in Los Angeles. His podcast “That’s A Gay Ass Podcast” was recently named “One of the Best Podcasts To Listen To” by Glamour Magazine. Guests include Dan Savage (‘Savage Love’), Bowen Yang (‘SNL’), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (‘Modern Family’), Jinkx Monsoon (‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’), Joel Kim Booster (‘Fire Island’), and more. Listen here. Eric also hosts the popular “That’s A Gay Ass Live Show,” a variety competition show that has been featured in the Netflix Is A Joke Fest, New York Comedy Festival, and multiple sold out engagements in New York and LA. You can read more about the podcast and live show in Variety (brag). Eden Espinosa is most recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Other credits: originating the title character in Brooklyn the Musical, Flora in Flora the Red Menace, and Maureen in the closing company of Rent on Broadway. She also originated Sadie Thompson in Rain at the Old Globe Theater and portrayed Eva Peron in Evita at TPAC and Studio Tenn. Recently, she originated Tamara De Lempicka in Lempicka, earning her a Tony Award nomination. @edenespinosa BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this new series What’s the TEA? host Jason Blitman gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. This episode features Sarah Leavitt talking to Jason about her new book, Something, Not Nothing. Sarah Leavitt is the author of the graphic memoir Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer's, My Mother, and Me (Freehand Books, 2010), which is currently in production as a feature-length animation, and the award-winning historical fiction comic Agnes, Murderess (Freehand Books, 2019). She is an assistant professor in the School of Creative Writing at UBC in Vancouver, BC, where she has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate comics classes since 2012. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Oliver Radclyffe (Frighten the Horses) about his journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of being true to oneself, Henry Higgins, and his dating life. Jason is joined by Guest Gay Reader Roxane Gay, who discusses her role in bringing Oliver's memoir to life through her imprint, Roxane Gay Books, what she's currently reading, the pros of cable, and woes of peeling garlic. Oliver Radclyffe is part of the new wave of transgender writers unafraid to address the complex nuances of transition, examining the places where gender identity, sexual orientation, feminist allegiance, social class, and family history overlap. His work has appeared in The New York Times and Electric Literature, and he recently published Adult Human Male, a monograph with Unbound Edition Press on the trans experience under the cisgender gaze. He currently lives on the Connecticut coast, where he is raising his four children. Roxane Gay’s writing appears in Best American Mystery Stories 2014, Best American Short Stories 2012, Best Sex Writing 2012, A Public Space, McSweeney’s, Tin House, Oxford American, American Short Fiction, Virginia Quarterly Review, and many others. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. She is the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, the New York Times bestselling Bad Feminist, the nationally bestselling Difficult Women and the New York Times bestselling Hunger. She is also the author of World of Wakanda for Marvel. She has several books forthcoming and is also at work on television and film projects. She also has a newsletter, The Audacity and once had a podcast, The Roxane Gay Agenda. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Lester Fabian Brathwaite (Rage: On Being Black, Queer, Brilliant, and Completely Over It) about musicals and masculinity, drag queens, their introductions to Rosalind Russell, and seeing humanity in villains. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Brian Derrick to talk about what he's reading as well as a timely discussion on the importance of political engagement and how to harness your rage constructively. Lester Fabian Brathwaite is a staff writer at Entertainment Weekly and, for some sadistic reason known only to him and his therapist, has been a professional writer for almost fifteen years. He has contributed to The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and The Advocate, among other publications, and has also served as senior editor for Out magazine. Rage is his first book. Brian Derrick is a political strategist, activist, and the Founder and CEO of Oath, a tech platform that has raised millions for candidates nationwide. Known for his concise breakdowns of news and politics, Derrick has built a large online following. Under his leadership, Oath expanded from a small advising firm to a national force in politics, with clients in Hollywood and Big Tech. Previously, Derrick worked as a consultant and staffer for candidates from City Council to Presidential campaigns, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. His finance and communications expertise has driven campaigns to victory across the U.S. Learn more about Brian and Oath HERE. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman chats with accidental poet Lyndsay Rush (A Bit Much) about the unique flavors of snacks, traumatic school memories, and the importance of embracing one's "bit much" personality. This episode’s Guest Gay Reader is Cody Rigsby (Peloton and Dancing with the Stars), who shares with Jason what he’s currently reading—and what he might ask if he submitted a question to his popular advice segment, XOXO, Cody. Lyndsay Rush is a comedy writer, cofounder of the branding agency Obedient, and the poet behind the popular Instagram account @maryoliversdrunkcousin. Her debut book of poems, A Bit Much was an instant USA Today Bestseller and her writing has been featured in Reductress, McSweeney’s, New York magazine, and The New York Times. Lyndsay spent most of her adult life freezing in Chicago, but currently swelters in Nashville with her husband and young son. Adored fitness instructor Cody Rigsby is the cycling director at Peloton. Rigsby is known for his witty humor, engaging storytelling, and pop-culture hot takes as well as his insight into relationships and his advocacy for self-love. He was the second runner-up on the thirtieth season of Dancing with the Stars, and he cohosted the GLAAD Media Awards. Rigsby has been the face of numerous brands, including Adidas, Capital One, Chobani, Therabody, Chipotle, and Gatorade, and he has been profiled in the Los Angeles Times, People, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Vogue, GQ, Forbes, Vox, Us Weekly, and Time, and on Good Morning America. Rigsby lives in Brooklyn, New York. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this new series What’s the TEA? host Jason Blitman gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. This episode features chef and restaurateur Jeremy Salamon talking to Jason about his cookbook, Second Generation. Jeremy Salamon is the James Beard–nominated chef and owner of the beloved Agi’s Counter in Brooklyn, a 2022 pick for Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants list and a 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand award recipient. He began his career working under celebrated chefs in restaurants such as Locanda Verde, Prune, Buvette, and Via Carota, before becoming the executive chef of Manhattan restaurants the Eddy and Wallflower. He’s been recognized by publications such as the New York Times, Food & Wine, Forbes, The New Yorker, Eater, Travel + Leisure, the Infatuation, and more. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his partner, Michael, and their cat, Sage. This is his first cookbook. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman is joined by trans icon and Supergirl star Nicole Maines talking about her new book It Gets Better… Except When It Gets Worse, Disney movies, and the transformative power of storytelling. Guest Gay Reader Sammy Rae shares her unique reading interests and shares more about the exciting release of her band Sammy Rae and the Friends’ first full-length album. Nicole Maines is an award-winning actress, writer, and transgender rights activist. She was the anonymous plaintiff in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court case Doe v. Regional School Unit 26, in which she argued her school district could not deny her access to the female bathroom for being transgender and won, the first such ruling by a state court. That case and her family’s story was the focus of Amy Ellis Nutt’s bestseller Becoming Nicole. As an actress, Maines played Nia Nal/Dreamer on the CW’s hit series Supergirl and Lisa in Showtime’s Yellowjackets. For as much as Sammy Rae & The Friends may be a band, this collective of dreamers and artists considers themselves a family first. That all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie ignites their unforgettable and can’t-miss live shows, which serve as a catharsis for both the musicians and their fervent audience. Fronted by singer/songwriter Sammy Rae and honed through years of touring, the group is capable of flourishing in any spotlight thanks to its signature blend of palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to Eliot Schrefer (The Brightness Between Us) about the challenges and joys of writing, the nuances of sci-fi, and how personal experiences shape storytelling. Later, guest gay reader Arielle Egozi (BEing Bad) joins to chat about self-acceptance, societal expectations, and her latest read. Eliot Schrefer is the New York Times bestselling author of many books for kids and teens, including The Darkness Outside Us and its sequel, The Brightness Between Us, as well as Charming Young Man, Endangered, and Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality. His books have twice been named finalists for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature and have garnered a Printz Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and the Green Earth Book Award. He is on the faculty of the creative writing MFA programs at Hamline University and Fairleigh Dickinson University and lives with his husband in New York City. Visit him online at eliotschrefer.com. Arielle Egozi (she/they) is a writer and creative director. Their work is centered on the destigmatization (and celebration) of all bodies, brains, and identities and has been featured globally across major publications like the Washington Post, Business Insider, and Vice. She shares a bed with her two perrhijos and partner. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this new series What’s the TEA? host Jason Blitman gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. This episode features Chad Beguelin talking to Jason about his debut gay romcom, Showmance. Chad Beguelin is a six-time Tony Award nominee. His Broadway works include The Prom, Disney’s Aladdin, Elf and The Wedding Singer. Chad also co-wrote the screenplay for The Prom, currently available on Netflix. Chad is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. He currently lives in Bridgehampton with his husband Tom and their dog, Tucker. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to Rivers Solomon about their latest book, Model Home, discussing its unique spin on the haunted house genre and the layers of personal and family dynamics within. Guest Gay Reader Margaret Cho shares anecdotes from her eclectic career and childhood experiences growing up in a gay bookstore, all while reflecting on her love for reading. Rivers Solomon writes about life in the margins, where they are much at home. In addition to appearing on the Stonewall Honor List and winning a Firecracker Award, Solomon's debut novel, An Unkindness of Ghosts, was a finalist for Lambda, Hurston/Wright, Otherwise (formerly Tiptree), and Locus Awards. Solomon's second book, The Deep, based on the Hugo-nominated song by the Daveed Diggs–fronted hip-hop group clipping, was the winner of the 2020 Lambda Award and was short-listed for the Nebula, Locus, Hugo, Ignyte, Brooklyn Library Literary, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy Awards. Their work appears in Black Warrior Review, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Guernica, Best American Short Stories, Tor.com, Best American Horror and Dark Fantasy, and elsewhere. A refugee of the transatlantic slave trade, Solomon was born on Turtle Island but currently resides on an isle in an archipelago off the western coast of the Eurasian continent. Margaret Cho Comedian. Actor. Musician. Advocate. Entrepreneur. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee. Margaret Cho’s strong voice has been lighting the path for other women, other members of underrepresented groups, other performers, to follow. Her recent television appearances – guest star on Season 2 of The Flight Attendant (HBO Max), guest star on Season 2 of Hacks (HBO Max) and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration and Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live – have expanded an already wide-ranging career, and her role as the ‘mother hen’ in the well-reviewed movie Fire Island solidifies why we all love Margaret in the first place. As a comedian Margaret has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time, one of Vogue magazine’s Top 9 Female Comedians of all time, while CNN chose her as one of the 50 People Who Changed American Comedy. Thankfully, Margaret has more stories to tell, and her production company, Animal Family Productions, has multiple scripted shows in development for 2022 and beyond. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman is joined by one of the most banned authors in the country, George M. Johnson, to talk about their new book, Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known. They discuss the significance of LGBTQIA+ history, challenges faced by past queer icons of the Harlem Renaissance, and the connection between George's previous work, All Boys Aren't Blue, and Flamboyants. Guest Gay Reader Rasheed Newson joins Jason to talk about his reading list, the interconnectedness of queer history, and insights from his own book, My Government Means to Kill Me. George M. Johnson (they/them) is an Emmy nominated, award-winning, and bestselling Black nonbinary author and activist. They have written on race, gender, sex, and culture for Essence, the Advocate, BuzzFeed News, Teen Vogue, and more than forty other national publications. George has appeared on BuzzFeed’s AM2DM as well as on MSNBC. They are also a proud HBCU alum twice over and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Their debut memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, was a New York Times bestseller and garnered many accolades. It was the second-most banned book of 2022 in the United States, according to the American Library Association. For their work fighting book bans and challenges, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) honored George with its Free Speech Defender Award, and TIME Magazine named them one of the “100 Next Most Influential People in the World.” While writing their memoir, George used he/him pronouns. Originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, they now live in Los Angeles, California. Rasheed Newson is a writer and producer of Bel-Air, The Chi, and Narcos. He currently resides in Pasadena, California with his husband and two children. My Government Means to Kill Me is his debut novel. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

In this new series What’s the TEA? host Jason Blitman gets the inside scoop on new books–authors are tasked with describing their books with 3 words using the letters T, E, and A. This episode features Abdi Nazemian talking to Jason about his new book Desert Echoes. Abdi Nazemian is the author of Like a Love Story, a Stonewall Honor Book, Only This Beautiful Moment, The Chandler Legacies, and The Authentics. His novel The Walk-In Closet won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Debut Fiction. His screenwriting credits include the films The Artist’s Wife, The Quiet, and Menendez: Blood Brothers and the television series Ordinary Joe and The Village. He has been an executive producer and associate producer on numerous films, including Call Me by Your Name, Little Woods, and The House of Tomorrow. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, their two children, and their dog, Disco. Find him online at abdinazemian.com. BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com

Host Jason Blitman talks to Rumaan Alam (Entitlement) about the intricate themes of his novel, focusing on class, money, and societal values. They also delve into the significance of the book's title and how it reflects broader societal issues. Featured in this episode is Guest Gay Reader, Lea DeLaria, who discusses her work in theater, her desire to play iconic Shakespearean clowns, and her passion for classic literature. Learn more about Lea DeLaria's BRUNCH IS GAY at 54 Below here. Rumaan Alam is the author of the New York Timesbestselling novel Leave the World Behind, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and adapted into a major motion picture, as well as two other novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn. Lea DeLaria was the first openly gay comic on television in America, and is an accomplished Jazz performer who has performed in concert venues all over the world. She is best known as ‘Big Boo’ from Orange is the New Black (3 SAG Awards). Lea can currently be seen in the indie feature film Potato Dreams of America, and in the Indigo Girls jukebox feature film, Glitter & Doom. Lea recently starred in the Off-Broadway Revival of Tennessee Williams' play, The Night of the Iguana, directed by Emily Mann. TV credits include Girls5Eva, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, East New York,The Blacklist, Physical, Reprisal, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Shameless, and Broad City. Film credits include Cars 3, Support The Girls, and First Wives Club. Broadway credits, POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (Bernadette), The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie/Dr. Scott) and On The Town (Hildy), Obie and Theatre World Awards. @realleadelaria www.leadelaria.com BOOK CLUB! Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply. http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading BOOKS! Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW! @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com