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Gays Reading | A Book Podcast for Everyone
Host Jason Blitman is joined by authors, Guest Gay Readers, and other special guests in weekly conversations. Gays Reading celebrates LGBTQIA+ and ally authors and storytellers featuring spoiler-free conversations for everyone. If you're not a gay reader, we hope you're a happy one.
Episodes
112 episodes
SPILL THE TEA on Penguin Classics with Elda Rotor
For the inaugural episode of the new series Spill the Tea, host Jason Blitman is joined by Elda Rotor, VP and Publisher of Penguin Classics. They delve into what defines a 'classic,' explore Penguin's expansive and divers...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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48:47
Sameer Pandya (Our Beautiful Boys) feat. Emma Donoghue, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Sameer Pandya (Our Beautiful Boys) about his affinity for textiles and half-sleeve shirts, the surprising phase Sameer went through in school, and the best time in a party to play Butt Darts. J...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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1:10:26
Kristen Arnett (Stop Me If You've Heard This One) feat. Torrey Peters, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks with Kristen Arnett (Stop Me If You've Heard This One) about grief, art, optimism, and their shared Florida experience. Jason is then joine...
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Season 4
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Episode 16
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1:16:26
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Jinwoo Chong (I Leave It Up To You) feat. Dylan Mulvaney, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Jinwoo Chong (I Leave It Up To You) about the inspiration behind his new novel, what it means to start over, and the most accurate way to eat sushi. Jason is then joined by actress, comedian, c...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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1:08:33
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Clare Leslie Hall (Broken Country)
Host Jason Blitman talks to Clare Leslie Hall (Broken Country) about the inspiration behind her book and how she straddled multiple genres. They talk about themes of nostalgia, the challenges of writing, and the emotional...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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42:10
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Charlotte McConaghy (Wild Dark Shore) feat. Bruce Vilanch, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Charlotte McConaghy (Wild Dark Shore) about Charlotte's journey from writing fantasy epics to exploring real-world themes, environmentalism and human connection in her recent works, and the cha...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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1:08:56
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Sara Sligar (Vantage Point) on Deepfakes, Live at Palm Springs Readers' Festival
In this bonus episode of Gays Reading, host Jason Blitman is in conversation with author Sara Sligar (Vantage Point) recorded live at the Palm Springs Readers' Festival. Together they explore the unsettling world of deepf...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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45:20
Karissa Chen (Homeseeking) feat. Paul Lisicky, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Karissa Chen (Homeseeking) about musicals--particularly The Last Five Years' influence on her writing, dreams as well as idealism, the coincidence of reconnection, and the concept of s...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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1:09:14
Nancy Johnson (People of Means) feat. McKenna Michels, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Nancy Johnson (People of Means) about race, class, and civil rights, offering a multi-layered perspective on life issues both timeless and timely. They touch on intriguing parent-child relation...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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1:02:53
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Valentine's Day with Jessica Soffer (This is a Love Story)
In this special Valentine's Day episode, host Jason Blitman talks to February's Read with Jenna author, Jessica Soffer (This is a Love Story). From New York City's Central Park to the evocative smell of street food, Jason...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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39:45
Jennifer Finney Boylan (Cleavage) feat. Julian Winters, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Jennifer Finney Boylan (Cleavage) about gender identity, homemade pizza, music, and much more. Jennifer even plays an impromptu song on the piano! Then Jason is joined by Julian Winters ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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1:01:54
Ira Madison III (Pure Innocent Fun) feat. Todd Almond, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to Ira Madison III (Pure Innocent Fun) about everything from reading Entertainment Weekly in the cafe at Barnes & Noble to elements of nostalgia like their mutual love of the pink Power Ranger...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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1:06:33
Daniel Black (Isaac's Song) feat. R.K. Russell, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to author Daniel Black (Isaac's Song) about father-son relationships, masculinity, vulnerability, and Black's Rate My Professor reviews. Jason then welcomes this week's Guest Gay Reader, former NFL player R.K....
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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1:04:14
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Lotte Jeffs (This Love) Live at Warwick's
Host Jason Blitman talks to Lotte Jeffs about their new book This Love exploring themes of queer identities, chosen families, and the nuances of relationships. This episode was recorded live at Warwick's in San Diego.
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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42:45
Nnedi Okorafor (Death of the Author) feat. Holly Stars, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to acclaimed author Nnedi Okorafor (Death of the Author) about her inspiration for the book, the personal tragedy that shaped its narrative, and her thoughts on the intersection of human artistry ...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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1:08:50
The Power of Books in a Time of Crisis feat. Logan Lockner
In this special bonus episode of Gays Reading, host Jason Blitman talks with Logan Lockner about an article from New York Magazine, in which Lockner talks about the books he chose to save during his evacuation from the LA...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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29:33
Kate Fagan (The Three Lives of Cate Kay) feat. Kathryn Budig, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman talks to author Kate Fagan (The Three Lives of Cate Kay) about the intricacies of her novel, touching on themes of identity, ambition, the complexity of human relationships, and the many lives we live. ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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1:09:43
Most-Anticipated 2025 Books with Book Riot Podcast feat. Brad Summerville, Guest Gay Reader
Host Jason Blitman kicks off Gays Reading season four with special guests from the Book Riot Podcast, Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky. They join forces to discuss their most anticipated books of 2025, cov...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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1:09:13
Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) and Jason's 2024 Most Memorable Books
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 ap...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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1:06:38
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BONUS: What's the TEA? feat. Hannah Silva and Tom Pyun
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 nove...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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31:01
What's the TEA? feat. Daniel Aleman (I Might Be in Trouble)
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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16:13
Weike Wang (Rental House) feat. Joseph Lezza, Guest Gay Reader
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, Jos...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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55:03
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BONUS: Susan Rieger (Like Mother, Like Mother), Elephant Memories
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 storie...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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30:43
Christopher Bollen (Havoc) feat. Simon Doonan, Guest Gay Reader
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 m...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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1:09:55
Brit Barron (Do You Still Talk to Grandma?) feat. R. Eric Thomas, Guest Gay Reader
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 Reade...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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1:01:27
