Sad Girls Who Read

This week, the Sad Girls are reading Tembi Locke’s memoir of love, Sicily, and finding home, “From Scratch.” As Erin and Alegra dig into this rare love story, they discuss love at first sight, dating in New York City, and the reasons why Alegra wants to quit dating apps and start seeing a psychic.

In this bonus episode, Alegra shares what it's been like working with a nutritionist, and she and Erin discuss what it's like healing from an eating disorder.

The Sad Girls have returned to cover parts 3-5 of Stephanie Foo's memoir, "What My Bones Know." In this episode, Erin and Alegra dive into intergenerational trauma, what it's like setting up a problematic partner (or parent) for success in their next relationship, and various ways of healing, including restorative yoga and acupuncture. We love meds!

In their first episode since their appearance on The Tamron Hall Show, the Sad Girls break down how that day went, as well as the rest of their week, including Alegra's experience with her nutritionist and Erin's big news. Then, they jump into the first half of Stephanie Foo's memoir about CPTSD and healing, "What My Bones Know," where they share their thoughts on talk therapy, this country's mental healthcare system, and sweater vests. Also, they touch on the idea of healing being a full-time job, and what it looks like choosing your mental health over a steady paycheck. They also discuss "Quiet On Set," the four-part Nickelodeon documentary that's got everyone talking and updates to Dom Gabriel's social media (naturally.)

Tamron Hall's second Jordan Manning novel is out TODAY, Sad Girls, and to celebrate, she is joining Alegra and Erin to break it all down. They discuss self care, her inspiration, and how writing a book can be free therapy. Also, they touch on how there is no "perfect time" to do something, so just do it, Sad Girls! Finally... GIVE TAMRON HER KATE WINSLET EMAIL.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Sad Girls are reading a novel… written by a man?! (It was an accident! Sorry, Sad Girls!) In this episode, they’re breaking down the novel by David Nicholls that inspired the Anne Hathaway/Jim Sturgess movie and the new Netflix show starring Leo Woodall. The book has them talking about the singular moments and people who have changed their lives, as well as what it’s like falling in love with your best friend.

After last week’s episode about Alegra and Erin’s journeys with therapy, the Sad Girls decided to open up even more - this time, about their experiences with eating disorders. While getting vulnerable about their histories, they touch on the discrepancies between body positive social media accounts and people in larger bodies and also the effects of eating disorders on mental health. The end the episode by answering listener-submitted questions.

The Sad Girls are taking a break from reading this week to talk about therapy. While it’s impossible to “go backwards” and unlearn what you’ve learned in your sessions, sometimes it feels like that, so Alegra and Erin update each other on where they are today in their therapy journeys. They also discuss living a sober-curious life and dive into the details of disassociating, CPTSD, and trauma. Also, Alegra shares a recent experience on TikTok, and how it has showed her growth.

This week, Erin and Alegra dive into “As the Wicked Watch” by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tamron Hall (The Tamron Hall Show, Today’s Take, Deadline: Crime). As the first book in Hall’s thrilling Jordan Manning mystery series, this powerful novel tackles a topic not discussed nearly enough. The Sad Girls discuss the captivating way Hall is able to infuse her life into her writing, separating yourself from traumatic work, and missing white woman syndrome. Also, after a trying week, the duo share how they handle anger and why it’s okay to embrace that emotion.

Sad Girls, you’ve been asking and it’s time for answers. In this special episode, Erin interviews Alegra about her book deal and how it came to be. She talks about her initial fears and how she overcame them, the similarities between dating and creating art, and what her next steps are. Also, the Sad Girls compare Valentine’s Days. 

After a brief pop culture roundup including the Grammys, Taylor Swift drama and preparing for the Super Bowl, the Sad Girls dig into “Milk Fed.” Alegra and Erin both share their connections to the novel that Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, and Time named one of the “Best Books of the Year.” In it, Melissa Broder breaks down the world of diet culture while weaving in a story of family, sexuality, and faith.

This week, Alegra and Erin are covering Sonali Deraniyagala's "Wave," the tragic true story of loss and grief. There may not be a "right way" to grieve, but there IS a right way to speak to someone who experienced loss, and the Sad Girls are absolutely breaking it down. They also touch on trying to rationalize bad things happening to you, and how to reframe it.

Alegra and Erin are back to cover the last three episodes of the six-part documentary that follows Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and Sad Girls… it doesn’t get any easier as you get further. The duo breaks down the unsettling conclusion and gets into why TikTok is torn on the issue. Also, they explain why they (and her lawyers) think she needs to slow down with the social media posts and discuss the similarities between this case and Scamanda.

This week, Alegra and Erin get out of their own way. They discuss how to set yourself up for the best possible outcome, best practices to start your day on the right foot, and why you shouldn't micromanage your past. They also compare the similarities between dating and auditioning, and they revisit their New Year's intentions.

The Sad Girls are putting down their books this week to watch the first three episodes of Lifetime’s “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.” They discuss details of Munchausen Syndrome, the horrors of manipulation, and their opinions of this very nuanced and terrifying story.

It’s Rotting Girl Winter, and the Sad Girls are back to cover part two of Kristin Hannah’s epic novel, “The Great Alone.” Besides discussing how the thrilling conclusion differed from their expectations, Alegra and Erin also discuss the similarities between one of the storylines and Gypsy Rose Blanchard, as well as Gen Z lingo and Jo Koy’s Golden Globes monologue. 

Happy New Year, Sad Girls! Today, Alegra and Erin are covering the perfect cozy winter read, "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah. Alegra educates about PTSD before the Sad Girls discuss why they're not made for Alaska living.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to rate it five stars on Apple or Spotify! A five star review is the easiest way for us to grow our show. Thanks, Sad Girls!

Christmas is over and the New Year has not yet arrived. That's right, Sad Girls; it's officially The Dark Week (in terms of both sunlight and emotions). Erin and Alegra discuss what this week can do to you, and why it's important to celebrate your wins... and the complications that arise when that doesn't feel like enough.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to rate it five stars on Apple or Spotify! A five star review is the easiest way for us to grow our show. Thanks, Sad Girls!

Alegra and Erin are back for Part II of Roxane Gay's "Hunger," where they discuss not being defined by the worst thing to happen to you and the stresses of body image in show business, among other things. Sad Girls, as we begin a new year, remember: if it's for you, it'll find you.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to rate it five stars on Apple or Spotify! A five star review is the easiest way for us to grow our show. Thanks, Sad Girls!

This week, Alegra and Erin settle in for the first half of their discussion on Roxane Gay's "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body," and Sad Girls, there is a lot to talk about. This intimate and honest book lead the duo to discuss body image, concern trolling (especially in regards to bigger bodies), and the scam that is the BMI chart. Also, Alegra shares big news!

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to rate it five stars on Apple or Spotify! A five star review is the easiest way for us to grow our show. Thanks, Sad Girls!

The Sad Girls have finally finished crying about part 2 of Rebecca Makkai's "The Great Pretenders." Well, not quite as they tear up over one of the most beautiful passages they've ever read. This phenomenally nuanced book made Alegra and Erin rethink things they thought they had a solid opinion about, and they walked away praising it as one of the top three greatest books of the year. Also, never forget: women are superheroes.

After an anxiety-inducing week, the Sad Girls feel even more emotions as they read Rebecca Makkai's critically acclaimed novel, "The Great Believers." This book about friendship and loss to HIV/AIDS in the 1980s is maddening and heart breaking, and the real life stats brought to the table this episode aren't any less frustrating. Also, Erin shares details about her possible Twin Flames era.

The Sad Girls talk aging, comparisons to others (don't do it), cancel culture, influencer case studies, and Alegra getting denied seating on Thanksgiving. It's chaos as always

Everyone’s talking about the Spotify Wrapped, but here’s our Book Wrapped for 2023! Sad Girls answer 10 questions about our favorite, least favorite, and most titillating books of the year.

This episode is for all of our Sad Girls that may or may not dread the Thanksgiving holidays. We'll talk coping with family, managing OCD and ED and more. We love you, Sad Girls!

Sad Girls discuss the second half of this iconic feminist murder mystery. Can we stop idolizing serial killers already? TLDR: Ted Bundy wasn't a brilliant, handsome prodigy. We stan Knoll and now want to read all of her books stat.

Sad Girls can't put down this feminist murder mystery! Jessica Knoll has done it again. Tune in for Part I of Sad Girls tackling Bright Young Women. WHO DID IT?! Unsure. But we are HOOKED.

Sad Girls are back for the second half of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me. We have thoughts and we now have beef with 3 specific men, Sad Girls. HOLD MY PURSE.

Sad Girls chat the first half of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me. This peek into Britney’s life gave us so many insights on why she is who she is today. Britney has to be the strongest woman alive. And IYKYK, but Justin, you’re on our shit list.

It's time for church, synagogue, sad girls antics and a dating deep dive.

You asked, and we listened, Sad Girls. We TRIED OUR BEST. But our hot sizzling take is... we are not ACOTAR fans. Tune in to find out why.

Sad Girls get to talk with their Sad Girl ICON, Melissa Broder, and they are *screaming internally* (and externally…sorry Melissa). We discuss Melissa’s new book, Death Valley, as well as hot girl depression, NY or LA? and more.

During OCD Awareness Week, sad girls bring a special episode to y’all allllllllll about OCD. We answer listener questions about OCD from an educational perspective while talking about our own lived experiences because we are OCD icons ourselves.

Sad Girls talk Melissa Broder's “Death Valley” this week. And it is Death Valley in our apartments aka 80 degrees with no working AC. The Sad girlies are both big Melissa stans so we we are *so* excited to cover another one of her books. This one had us GOOD. Come laugh, cry and chat about our mental unwellness with us, bbs!

This week, Sad Girls are back with the second half of Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel Black Cake. This book ~destroyed us~ in the best way. Charmaine broke and repaired our hearts thrice in the second half of this novel and we can’t wait to talk to you about it.

This week, Sad Girls cover Charmaine Wilkerson’s stunning debut novel. It had us hooked and all up in our feels. Tune in while we discuss the first half of this gorg book while also weaving in our mental unwellness, per usual. We missed you, Sad Girls!

Welcome back, sad girls!! We took a mini hiatus to travel the world aka drink a half beer in Germany and get sick on her family vacay. This episode features our unhinged selves, life updates, and general mental unwellness. Love y’all!

Sad girls are honored to cover a memoir that surely has, and will continue to, transform lives: Pageboy. Bravo, Elliot Page. This book is a gift to the world. To bear witness to him coming home to himself is a giant exhale, though the journey to exist as himself, as all humans should, is devastatingly painful. This is a must-read for any and all.

What would you do if a string showed up on your doorstep that told you how long you have left to live? Would you open it? Continue dating someone with a short string? Sad girls answer these big questions that stem from one of the most unique plots we have covered thus far.

This week, Alegra and Erin go off the rails and discuss Alegra’s nightmare vaca in the Hamptons. Get ready for church (or temple etc etc) Sad Girlies, cuz we goin to pray!

This week, Sad Girls talk to Claire Bidwell Smith (Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief, After This) about her powerful memoir, The Rules of Inheritance. They cover grieving the deceased (and alive!),  and Claire sheds light on how she came to putting her story out into the world.

The Sad Girls switched it up this week! Are you a sad mom? Have sad kids? We GOT YOU! This week we cover two ~wildly important~ children’s books about body neutrality and managing unwanted thoughts: B Is for Bellies by Rennie Dyball and Your Mind Makes Thoughts Like Your Butt Makes Farts by Todd Strauss-Schulson.

This week on Sad Girls Who Read, we discuss Paris: The Memoir. In addition to being the OG influencer and business woman, Paris has much more to share about her life that surprised both of us. We left this book in major awe and with the utmost respect for our Sad Girl, Paris.

On this episode of Sad Girls Who Read, we talk Rules of Inheritance, a memoir by therapist and grief specialist Claire Bidwell Smith. After losing both of her parents before the age of 25, Claire takes us on a vulnerable, brave journey through devastating loss and the grief left in its wake. For the sad girls who have lost someone, or something, this one’s for you.

This week on Sad Girls Who Read, Alegra and Erin cover Hello Beautiful by Ann Nopolitano. As a homage to Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic, Little Women, Hello Beautiful covers three generations of women as they navigate love, loss, and really *keep it in the family*. If you didn’t experience love from your caregivers as a child, or have complex family dynamics, this book will speak to you. Aka do you have mommy and daddy issues? Us sad girls do!

This week on Sad Girls Who Read, we dive into Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. A NYT bestseller and flawlessly written by this duo of women, the Sad Girls give this book 5 stars.

Genevieve Wheeler joins us sad girls to talk all things Adelaide, her debut novel that is easily 5 ️stars! It’s hard to believe this is her first novel, but it is! Writers, sad girls who have fallen for unavailable men, hopeless romantics: this one’s for you.

Sad Girls cover Genevieve Wheeler’s debut novel, Adelaide. This is a 5 star Sad Girl anthem. One of our favs so far!

Sad Girls talk “More than a Body” by Lindsay and Lexie Kite. If you struggle with self-objectification and body image, this is your new bible.

Bisexual icon and Brooklyn-based writer Haley Jakobson joins us sad girls to talk her debut novel OLD ENOUGH! TW: sexual assault