Read the Room: A Culture Club

15: Deep Dive - An Age Old Problem Part 2: Power Dynamics & Troubling Thematics in Age Gap Media

Why does Hollywood continually cast a gorgeous 20-something next to a seasoned leading man 20 years her senior? In this second episode of a special 2-part deep dive hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen investigate the unsettling patterns and disquieting tropes that define the broad body of age gap media we examined earlier. If Part 1 was us taking this pervasive trend out of the societal closet, Part 2 is us actually taking it apart, dissecting all the ways romanticizing large age disparties has crept into our books and movies, like a monster right under the bed. Our conversation covers the prevalence of broken homes and vulnerable youths, the wide array of trusted adult figures poised to take advantage, and the secrecy and shame that can make these stories all at once scandelous and seductive. We chart the slippery slope of "this relationship doesn't feel quite right" all the way to "this relationship is a down right crime" and explore what repsonsibilty producers, directors, writers, and publishers have when pushing POVs of older abusers and users into popular works. Ultimately we find that throughout age gap media the boudaries are so blurry and the lines are so thin, that the only way to make our society's obsession any less scary is to shine a light directly on it. 
 
Sources:
Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov (2025, 70th Anniversary Edition Version by Vintage Books) 
Half His Age, Jennette McCurdy (2026)
"Call Her Daddy (Or Mommy): The 7 Kinkiest Age-Gap Romances On Streaming", Decider
"Age Gap Relationship Movies / Younger Women and Older Men", IMDb
"50 Age Gaps Between Actors Playing Couples That Are Honestly Really Weird", Buzzfeed
"“I Really Hope The Book Starts Conversations”: Jennette McCurdy Opens Up About Writing “Half His Age” And Exploring Female Rage", Buzzfeed

14: Mini - Art Imitates The Body: MET Gala 2026 Recap

Is the MET Gala just a prequel to the Hunger Games? In this culturally repsonsive mini episode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen attempt to admire and appraise the looks from the 2026 MET Gala without feeling the ~billion~ pound weight of capitalism. We briefly summarize the history of the event, the cost to attend, the evolution of the infamously exclusive guest list, and the important preservation work the Costume Institute uses the millions raised by the event for. We unpack this year's theme, "Costume Art", and dresscode, "Fashion is Art", by exploring the three different main interpretations designers seemed inspired by. We then dive into a slew of looks that fall into these catagories, from Beyonce and Kylie Jenner to Miles Chamley-Watson and Paloma Elsesser. We round out our recap by addressing the controversal inclusion of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez-Bezos as the lead sponsors of the event, which leads us to acknowledging the inextricable tie that has always existed between art and the elite. Though all three of us love to look at a beautiful gown as much as the next girl, we also encourage you to learn about the orgins of the exihibit the event was actually honoring, an exhibit which asks us to look at the human body in art and the overlooked body AS art. 
 
Sources:
"Met Gala 2026: 11 Art-Inspired Looks That Turned the Red Carpet into a Museum", Architectural Digest 
"Costume Institute Conservation", The MET
"The Costume Institute", The MET
"Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Met Gala", Vogue

13: Deep Dive - An Age Old Problem Part 1: The Vast Lineage of Age Gap Media

What can a 54 year old woman and a 27 year old man possibly have in common? In this first episode of a two-part deep dive, hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen take the startling, scary, and oftentimes perverse trope of age gap relationships out of the taboo closet that society likes to bury it in. From Lolita to Sense & Sensibility, or Mrs. Robinson to MILF Manor, we explore the history, or better yet lineage, of age gap literature and media that has seemingly seeped into every romance sub-genre. Our discussion goes as ancient as Roman Law and as modern as Half His Age (2026) by Jennette McCurdy. As we begin to unravel just how vast the age gap catalog of books, movies, and shows is, we find that age gap media is pervasive in the worst way- you don't always see it, but once you start looking for it, it's everywhere. With the texts on the table and Pandora's box opened wide, we set the scene for Part 2 of this topic, where we'll get into our analysis of the tropes, themes, and sociological implications of this never-ending trend. Ultimately, it's not enough to just take the scary topic out of the closet- if you want to unpack it with us you'll have to come back and listen to Part 2 next week. 
 
Sources:
Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov (2025, 70th Anniversary Edition Version by Vintage Books) 
Half His Age, Jennette McCurdy (2026)
"Call Her Daddy (Or Mommy): The 7 Kinkiest Age-Gap Romances On Streaming", Decider
"Age Gap Relationship Movies / Younger Women and Older Men", IMDb
"50 Age Gaps Between Actors Playing Couples That Are Honestly Really Weird", Buzzfeed
“I Really Hope The Book Starts Conversations”: Jennette McCurdy Opens Up About Writing “Half His Age” And Exploring Female Rage", Buzzfeed

12: READs - We're Not Flirting, We're Just Hot & Like to Talk

How do Lolita, sassy slogan tees, and ice box cakes connect? They've all been on hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen's minds. Listen to us explain why in this Weekly READ episode, where we break down what we've read, endured, ate, and did recently. Our chat includes wondering why there was so many SMEG appliances in You, Me, and Tuscany, the plight of breakouts caused by face shaving razers, and the hilarity of Hannah Beck's "Daddy God..." comedy skits. The topics this week are eclectic, but the life improvements are massive, like Larsen finally getting an aux cord back in her beloved car, Bertha, or Alexys buying the world's cutest Y2K digi-cam at the Brooklyn Flea Market. If you love listening to pretty girls gab, this one is for you. We'll make you laugh or your money back.

11: Deep Dive - The Phenomenon of Overhyped Books

What's with all the hype? In this deep dive hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen dissect the modern hype machine that powers the phenomonen of overrated books. We break down the social media frenzy and recency bias that propel big reader expectations and can lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment. Critical discourse includes our definition of overhyped- this is not a conversation about bad books, so much as it is a conversation about books who are built up too big, becoming cultural behemonths at the front of every book store. Digressions include a look at both the Readers' and Critics' Choice New York Times "Best Books of the 21st Century" Lists, as well as an exploration of what books we think are actually underhyped. Ultimately, we plead with the hype machine- let a book be just good, not everything has to be sold as the best book of the century.
 
Sources:
"Best Books of the 21st Century: Reader's Response", New York Times
"Review: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Feels So Yesterday", The Spinoff
"The Thing About Popular and Overhyped Books", The Daily Star

10: Mini - Celebrating Independent Bookstore Day

Did you know the last Saturday of every April marks Independent Bookstore Day? In this mini-sode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen celebrate the upcoming occasion by breaking down the history of the holiday, as well as why it matters and why our local independent book sellers deserve more love. Our conversation includes the ongoing battle with Big Book that sellers and publishers are facing, the amazing work of public libraries, and the necessity of keeping mid-size players, like Barnes & Noble, alive. We urge you to celebrate with us this weekend by utilizing whatever purchasing power you have and shopping local or by simply spreading the word and shouting out your favorite local seller. 

09: Deep Dive - From the Fishbowl: Media Tracking Apps

Whats with the data-fication of our habits and hobbies? For this deep dive hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen pulled a random research topic written on a piece of paper out of a fishbowl of possibilties (re: a little glass bowl). The fishbowl decided it was time to explore the trend of tracking apps, focusing especially on apps we use to track our media consumption- such as Goodreads, Storygraph, and Letterboxd- but including mentions of more general applications as well, such as Strava and Streaks. We break down what particular aspects of tracking draws people in, the boom of applications brought on by the digital age, and the extended oppurtunties for community provided tracking or review platforms, as amplified by social media. Digressions include review culture and the drive to gamify and commdify everyday aspects of our lives. Ultimately, we know that whatever tools or tricks gets us reading, watching, thinking, and discussing deeply are probably worth a download. To particpate in the craze you'll need to keep up your streak and listen now- then rate us 5 stars!
 
Sources:
"Tracking Your Life", University of Washington
"The Science Behind Habit Tracking", Psychology Today

08: READs - Dating Apps, Dad's Sandwiches, and Dinner Parties

What do Taylor Frankie Paul, springtime allergies, dating apps, and a California heat wave all have in common? They've all been harbingers of spring that hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen have endured lately. Welcome back to another Weekly READ, where we break down what we've read, endured, ate, and did recently. Our answers are ripe for interpretation and run the gamut from farmer's market scones to Women's March Madness basketball games. Special highlights include our reads and want-to-reads this week: Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd, Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy, Fawning by Ingrid Clayton, The Girl in The Tower by Katherin Arden, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy and Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski. Listen to find out our thoughts on this wide array of topics.
Please reach out to us at readtheroomacultureclub@gmail.com for feedback and topics suggestions. Follow us on instagram and tiktok at readtheroom_cultureclub for the most up to date podcast information

07: Deep Dive - Is The Movie Ever Better Than The Book?

In a world of endless remakes and retellings, can a movie adaptation ever truly be better than the book? And why are we so obessed with the comparison between the two? In this episode, hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen break down examples of movie and TV show adaptations that give their source material a run for their money and dive deep into all the nuance that surrounds conversation about what types of media are "better" to consume than others. We touch on works such as Stardust, Killers of the Flower Moon, Heated Rivalry, Project Hail Mary, Emma, and more. Our analysis examines the elitism behind priortizing always reading the book first, the accessibilty films can provide to general audiences, and the boom in book sales that screen adaptations spur. Our chat circles around the desire for originality, against the broader pull of familarity and beloved tropes. Ultimately, whether you're reading or watching, you're still in the room. 
 
Previous Episodes Mentioned: 
05: Deep Dive - Are Space Movies Ever Just About Space?
03: Series - Feminist Rage & Frankenstein 
01: Deep Dive - Wuthering Heights & Gothic Romanticization 
 
Sources:
Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann (2017)
Stardust, Neil Gaimann (2007)
"From Heated Rivalry to Wuthering Heights, Book-to-Screen Adaptations Cause a Boom in Book Sales", CBC Books
"Do Movie Adaptations Impact Book Sales?", Ooligan Press
"Books vs. Movies: The Age-Old Debate", Indianna University Bloomington Media Beat
"On Falling Out of Love with Neil Gaiman", Medium

06: Mini - Our (Late) 2025 Favorites

What were *our* greatest hits of 2025? It may be a new year but that doesn't mean you can't revisit some of the books, movies, and music that were previously popular. In this mini episode hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen break down the media they consumed in the last year that made an impression- from intergenerational epics to smutty alien trysts. Our list includes both works that were new in 2025 and works that were simply new to us, and our conversation expands into the activities that brought us joy beyond the page and screen. We prove its never too late to discover your next hyperfixation or find out what you're really craving in your year- from river rafting to comforting creators. Read, watch, or listen to any of our recommendations from this episode and you'll be right on time!
Please reach out to us at readtheroomacultureclub@gmail.com for feedback and topics suggestions. Follow us on instagram and tiktok at readtheroom_cultureclub for the most up to date podcast information.