click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher SHOW NOTES Our Current Reads Carrie Himself, by Jess Kidd Inside of A Dog: What Dogs See, Smell & Know, by Alexandra Horowitz Domesticated: Evolution in a Man-Made World, by Richard Francis Christa Dive Smack, by Demetra Brodsky Between Them: Remembering My Parents, by Richard Ford Stay, by Sarina Bowen & … Continue reading Episode 22: Romance Tropes

In this episode of the Oral History Podcast, we ask why some books about teenagers are labeled “YA” but others are marketed as “literary fiction.” Tell us what you think on our Facebook page or via email (feedback AT theoralhistorypodcast DOT com). Click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher SHOW NOTES Our current reads Christa: Almost … Continue reading Episode #21: Young Adult, or Literary Fiction? Who Decides?

In this episode of The Oral History Podcast, we discuss school dances, now and then.  Do you have some terrible and/or delicious memories of school dances you’d like to share, or some books that deal with high school dances in a way you like? Tell us what you think on our Facebook page or via … Continue reading Episode 20: School Dances

In this episode of the Oral History Podcast, we discuss the concept of dating: what it was like when we were teenagers, what it is like for teenagers now, and how some books we recommend handle this variable romantical endeavor. Do you have some insight on dating then/now or any book recommendations that deal with … Continue reading Episode #19: Dating

In this episode of The Oral History Podcast, we discuss censorship issues surrounding content in young adult literature and how this affects librarians, editors, authors and teachers, as well as how people who support open fair access to all kinds of books can respond to book challenges and other kinds of content suppression. We’d love … Continue reading Episode 18: Sexual Content in YA Books

Episode 17: We discuss craft issues and questions involved in YA sex scenes, whether you’re reading them or writing them, and reference several titles in the process. Click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher. SHOW NOTES Our Current Reads Carrie: Women In Clothes, by Sheila Heti, Heidi Shulavits and Leanne Shapton Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way … Continue reading Episode 17: YA Sex Scenes

Episode 16:  We discuss the idea of “clean reads” as well as porn in fiction and in the lives of adolescents. Don’t panic: we’re not recommending porn films but just examining the role porn plays in adolescent and adult sexuality with respect to formal and informal methods of transmitting information about sexual health and identity.  … Continue reading Episode 16: Clean Reads & Porn

              Episode 15: In this show, we depart from our usual analysis of YA literature and instead discuss adult romance-novel tropes that persistently beguile and bedevil us. click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher SHOW NOTES Our Current Reads Carrie: Baader-Meinhof: The Inside Story of the Red Army Faction … Continue reading Episode 15: Romance Tropes

Episode 14:  This is a companion piece to our episode on Masculinity, where we discuss femininity and some of its trappings as we’ve experienced them throughout our lives: lingerie, fake nails, cheerleaders, fathers and daughters, make-up, the meanings behind gendered concepts, the gender binary and the ritual of “getting ready.” click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher … Continue reading Episode 14: Femininity

  Episode 13: We discuss Sex Without Romance (something that is very difficult to find in young adult fiction, as it turns out) and some of our adolescent adventures with respect to romance-free sex, as well as a few YA titles that touch on it. click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher SHOW NOTES Our Current … Continue reading Episode 13: Sex Without Romance

Episode 12:  We discuss traditional cultural lessons regarding masculinity and YA titles that address masculinity in fascinating ways. click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher SHOW NOTES Our Current Reads Christa The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Fates & Furies, by Lauren Groff Carrie: Raging Star, by Moira Young The Narcotic Farm, … Continue reading Episode #12: Worst Dude Ever

              Episode 11:  We discuss some of the books that helped shape our own sexual education and thinking over the years.   Click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher. Our Current Reads Christa The Theory of Everything by Gae Polisner Carrie The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne Rogue Spy … Continue reading Episode #11: Our Sexual Education

Episode 10:  We discuss illicit relationships where there is a power differential between the people involved, as well as legal and social restrictions. Click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher Our Current Reads Carrie Walk On Earth A Stranger by Rae Carson The Master by Kresley Cole Christa Traffick by Ellen Hopkins The Death and Life of … Continue reading Episode #10: Illicit Relationships

Episode 9:  We discuss body image, in our own lives, and in the context of sexual content in YA books. Click to subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher. Our Current Reads Christa Faithfully Feminist: Jewish, Christian & Muslim Feminists & Why We Stay by Gina Messina-Dysert, Jennifer Zobair & Amy Levin, editors The Infinite In-Between by Carolyn … Continue reading Episode #9: Body Image

Episode 8:  We discuss cheating, in our own lives, and as portrayed in YA fiction.   You can subscribe to this episode and previous episodes via iTunes or Stitcher. SHOW NOTES Our Current Reads Christa: The Dinner by Herman Koch; Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Kuehn Carrie: Infinite Sky by CJ Flood; H Is For Hawk … Continue reading Episode #8: Cheating

Episode #7:  We discuss writing about sex from a fiction craft perspective. Subscribe in iTunes here; listen via Stitcher here.  Current Reads Carrie: Lady Sings The Blues by Billie Holiday & William Dufty; Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life & Times of Muddy Waters by Robert Gordon Christa: Simon Vs. The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli; … Continue reading Episode #7: Writing Sex – A YA Fiction Craft Talk

Episode #6:  We discuss that most taboo sex act, the Greatest Love of All, masturbation. Subscribe in iTunes here; listen via Stitcher here.  Current Reads – Christa: just finished The F-It List by Julie Halpern; now reading My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Various YA Authors – Carrie: just finished The Alex Crow … Continue reading Episode #6: The Greatest Love Of All

Episode 5:  In this episode, we discuss kissing in all its fabulous and delightful iterations.  Subscribe in iTunes here; listen via Stitcher here.  Show Notes – Christa’s current reads: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen and Kissing Ted Callahan by Amy Spalding – Carrie’s current reads: The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson & Can’t Be Satisfied: The … Continue reading Episode #5: Kissing

Episode #4:  We discuss the whys and wherefores of oral sex, in life and in YA fiction. Subscribe in iTunes here. Show Notes Christa is currently reading The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith; just finished Bone Gap by Laura Ruby & The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds Carrie is currently reading Infandous … Continue reading Episode #4: The LadyHead Seal of Approval

Episode #3.  We discuss the movie and book of 50 Shades of Grey as well as the concept of girl fantasies. Subscribe in iTunes here; listen via Stitcher here.  Show Notes for Episode #3 -Christa mentioned reading The Story of O as a young person – Re: talking about sex with your kids – Carrie’s blog … Continue reading Episode #3: Girl Fantasies & 50 Shades of Grey

Episode #2:  We discuss what it’s like to have sex for the first time, in our lives and in YA fiction. Subscribe in iTunes here; Sticher here. Show Notes for Episode #2: – What we’re reading: Christa: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby /  Carrie: The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski – Christa mentioned our involvement in nonfiction … Continue reading Episode #2: First Times

Episode #1:  We discuss how girls talk to each other about their own sexual behavior, in our lives and in YA fiction. click here to subscribe in iTunes; here for Stitcher. Show Notes for Episode #1 – Christa mentioned a website called Scarleteen, which features comprehensive sexuality information for teenagers – Christa mentioned a film called … Continue reading Episode #1: Girl Talk