Read the Room: A Culture Club

25: Deep Dive - Fan Fiction & The Digital Third Space

Are Romeo and Juliet the original OTP? Can a SHIP be strong enough to win a Pulitzer? In this deep dive, hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen investigate the vast, digital, and community-drive world of Fan Fiction. Our exploration unveils that the most powerful question a reader can ask is: what if?  What if Jay Gatsby fell in love with Nick Carraway? What if East of Eden was a space epic instead? The "what ifs" that empower Fan Fiction writers and readers are large enough to create new worlds, endless spirals of internet discussion, connections across continents and languages, and award-winning novels, a la Demon Copperhead. Our research includes a look at the important websites the host, house, and protect a wealth of fan-made work, including of course the infamous Archive of Our Own (AO3), as well as the crowd-sourced editing, feedback, and instruction that actually makes Fan Fiction forums a fairly safe place for blossoming young writers. Listen and then look around Roomies! You may just find you've been interacting with more Fan Fiction than you thought- after all, as author Naomi Novik says, "all art, if it’s any good, is in dialogue with other art".
 
Sources:"History of Fan Fiction", Book Riot"From Star Trek to Fifty Shades: How Fanfiction Went Mainstream", The Guardian"Young Women and Fan Fiction: Motives, Reading Practices, and Reader Types" HSE University Moscow"A Look At How Fan Fiction is Changing Publishing and Reading", NPR"Fanfiction Today: An Analysis of Publishing Trends on Archive of Our Own", SLIS Connecting"Innovating To Help Writers Understand and Grow Their Audience", Wattpad

24: READs - Cowboys, Cravings & Comment Sections

What does Donna Tartt have to do with chicken salad? Welcome back for another Weekly READ, where hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen divulge what they've read, endured, ate, and done recently. From cravings and food kicks, to Pulitzer Prize nominated fiction, we've been consuming a diverse array of tasty treats recently. We mention some fresh TV fixations, like Beef and The Pitt, and recall our grand Independent Book Store Day adventure, complete with a book crawl, of course. Dramatic digressions include Alexys getting herself in hot water in an influencer's comment section and Kaylin's cameo at her hometown's rodeo. Better saddle up Roomies, this one is quite the ride!

23: Deep Dive - Bodice Rippers & Historical Romance Novels

Why on earth are there so many hot Scots in historical romance novels? Is there no place and time more arousing than 18th century Scotland? In this deep dive, randomly selected from our fishbowl of eclectic research topics, hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen explore the equal parts erotic and enchanting world of Bodice Rippers. We define this oft trivialized genre and chart its storied past, from the Harlequin paperbacks of the 40's, to the Sexual Revolution aligned boom of bawdy books in the 70's. We look (longingly and with a steely gaze) at the modern powerhouses that have carried the Bodice Ripper into the 21st century, as well as at the evolution we can see across these works. Some things have changed, like the prevalance of dubious or sometimes altogether lacking consent as a genre staple, while some things have stayed the same, such as the classic "clinch" cover- after all who doesn't love a heroine being swept away. Through these steamy studies we find that historical romance novels, with their raw portrayals of sex, marriage, and class, are inherently feminist and shockingly recession proof. Take a listen and let us gently unlace your thoughts on this genre.
 
Sources:"From Harlequin to ‘Heated Rivalry’: How Romance Novels are Propelling Today’s Publishing Industry", Temple University"The Original Bodice-Ripper and the Emergence of the Romance Novel", C.H. Armstrong Books"Is It Time to Retire the Romance Term 'Bodice Ripper'?", Book Riot"Bodice Rippers – 10 Spicy Historicals to Warm You Up This Winter", Romance By The Book"Harlequin’s Trailblazing History", Harlequin Ever After"Marketing, Technology, and the Changing Form of the Romance Novel", Duke University When a Scot Ties The Knot, Tessa Dare (2015)

22: Mini - Ins & Outs For Summer 2026

Who wants to spend more time outside with us this summer? In this mini episode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen each explain their ins and outs for summer 2026. Though we all created our own lists, there are some big patterns in our responses, like wanting to spend more time in the sunshine, whether that's by taking a hot girl walk around the city, putting our hands into some garden soil, or just going full-on forest-gremlin mode. We also all agree that multiple screens, disconnection from the outside world, and ignorance-is-blissing our way through facism is OUT. From embracing new and old hobbies (even if you suck at them at first), to going on dates and braving the apps, we know that this summer will be about embracing the process and being present. Digressions include cooking with more intention and our thoughts on where pilates princesses fall on the in and out spectrum. Listen along and decide your own ins and outs as we go. One thing is for sure Roomies, trends come and go, but putting yourself out there is timeless. 

21: Deep Dive - Why Are We So Obsessed With True Crime Media?

Can we please stop making Ted Bundy documentaries (or Dahmer, or Manson, etc.)? In this deep dive episode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen break down the roles we all have to play in the popularity and pervasiveness of true crime media, from overzealous detective-wannabes to well-meaning victim-empathizers. We explore the definition of the true crime genre, which seems to bleed into everything from mystery and detective novels, to crime procedurals, and even reality television (anyone else remember Cops?). We investigate the history of the genre, including the importance of podcasts in spreading the true crime gospel. We even examine the clues about why women in particular grativate towards these stories. Though true crime tales can help us process collective trauma, and maybe even protect ourselves from predators, we do find traces of ethical concerns all over the scene of the crime. We make sure to mention the genres ties to capatilism and the coginitve dissonance that comes from that relationship, the potential harm to victims and their families as a result of exploitation, the over representation of white women as victims of value, and the risk of copaganda in sensationalized storytelling. The case is far from cold Roomies, so listen to help us solve how the true crime trend achieved such a meteoric launch into the pop culture stratosphere, and what it says about society that we've all sat back and watched. 
 
Sources:Savage Appetites: Four True Stories of Women, Crime, and Obsession, Rachel Monroe (2019)"True Crime Obsession: Analyzing the Effects of True Crime Mediafrom the Past to the Present", Indiana State University "The Bloody History of the True Crime Genre", JSTOR Daily"The True Crime Consumer Report by Edison Research & Audiochuck", Edison Research"Why Are We So Obsessed With True Crime?", University of Derby Magazine"The Bermondsey Horror", Ohio State University"Where Are The Victims? The Ethics of True Crime", The Ethics Center

20: READs - Digital Decluttering & Dungeon Crawling

What's worse Roomies, breaking your nail while playing golf or breaking the glass dish that holds your uneaten lunch? Welcome back for another weekly READ, where hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen let you in on what they've recently read, endured, ate, and done. From Dungeon Crawler Carl to Savage Appetites: Four True Stories of Women, Crime, and Obsession, our reading material proves to be, once again, ecletic. Larsen recounts highlights from her trip to Boston to support her sister's marathon run, while Alexys recounts her attempt at throwing a disco-themed murder mystery party. Our conversation diverts into a meditation on show watching- are you like Larsen and need to "close the tab" on shows you start, like Alexys and abandon shows right before the final episode, or like Kaylin and are just in need of a full on digital decluttering? In order to get all the deets and decide for yourself, you'll need to take a listen!

19: Deep Dive - May Book Club Edition: Animal Farm

How would Orwell feel about fart jokes? Welcome Roomies, to the first Book Club Edition episode, where hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen dive deep into this month's pick: Animal Farm. Whether you read with us, or are just joining in now, come along as we explore this dystopian classic, from its history, to the very real and scary similarities we see in the American government today. Our break down covers the major themes and plot points of the novel, along with a guide to the various symbolic and metaphorical barnyard figures in the text. Additionally, we recap our experiences watching the 2026 movie adaptation, which features big names like Seth Rogan and Woody Harrelson as voice actors. The jury is still out on whether or not an Orwellian masterwork can be translated for Cocomelon adled minds, but one thing we do know for sure is that no matter what seeds are planted, we all have to reap what we sow eventually.  
To stay up to date on future Book Club picks be sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok!
Sources:Animal Farm, George Orwell (1945)

18: Mini - Florence + the Machine Concert Recap

Ladies, does she drive you crazy? In this mini episode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen pay tribute to the queen mother of indie rock, Florence Welch, by recapping their recent experience attending the "Everybody Scream" tour in San Francisco. Our conversation includes our personal affinties for Florence's music, anticipations for the tour, an overview of the set list, the lighting and visual design, and what we wish she would've played. We explore the "ritual" of attending a Florence + the Machine show, the collective concert going experience, and the witchy power of being present. Whether it's a heavenly harp solo or coven choir of dancers, the old religion (womanhood) was humming in our veins. If you're not yet a Florence-fan we urge you to take a listen to her music, along with this episode. She'll let you know the dog days are over, and maybe more importantly, that peace is coming.

17: Deep Dive - Through the Eyes of Women: Media on The Troubles

Why has media based on The Troubles surged in popularlity within the last decade and what can we learn from this ever-emerging body of work? In this more gravitas deep dive hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen investigate recent literature, movies, and TV shows set around The Troubles. We break down a historical overview of the violent, 30-year ethno-nationalist conflict in the North of Ireland, which lasted from the late 1960s to 1998, before summarizing examples of fictional works that have attempted to give a glimpse into the grim realities of the time. Highlighted pieces include novels Milkman by Anna Burns, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, and Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, as well as the show Derry Girls. Through these we investigate a recently emerged pattern- an increased number of explorations into The Troubles that focus on the perspectives, experiences, and voices of young women. From challenging domestic moments, to acts of revolution, we ultimately find that no look into history is wholly complete without the oppurtunity to see through the eyes of women. 
 
Sources:
Milkman, Anna Burns (2018)
Trespasses, Louise Kennedy (2022)
Say Nothing, Patrick Radden Keefe (2018)
"Whatever You Say Say Nothing", Seamus Heaney 
"Book Review: Trespasses by Louise Kennedy", Magpie
"What Americans can learn from Northern Ireland's history of political violence", PBS News
"Women in Rebellion: How Paramilitary Women Experienced the Troubles of Northern Ireland", Global Irish Studies

16: READs - Cyberdecks, Catholicism & Chicago

What do dirty sodas and Sword of Destiny from The Witcher series have to do with each other? Larsen's been consuming both. And how on earth does the musical Chicago relate to Jack Black's recent revisit of Anacoda? Alexys wishes she was high for both. Welcome back for another one of our Weekly READs, where hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen recount, with appropriate levels of celebration and commiseration, what they've been reading, enduring, eating, and doing recently. This episode is an ecletic collection, from the timelessness of vodka pasta (isn't she everyone's old reliable comfort dish?) to the process for building your very own cutesy cyberdeck (thanks Tiktok girlies). Moments of digression include the apparent appeal of Catholic maximalism to the lost youth- aka Gen Z- and medieval unicorn tapestries hanging in the MET. This episode is a mixed bag and a tasty treat all at once. We won't claim to save your soul, but we might make you hungry, because if one thing is for sure it's that we ate.