We get to recommend some great books with female lead characters, relatable story lines and realistic development, plus compare them to their on-screen counterparts. We also discuss the success of female authors, and the rise of women-written books being adapted into successful movies and shows.  

In this episode, Allegra celebrates three women-led books: Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler, Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, and Big Little Lies  by Liane Moriaty, and gets into the strengths and drawbacks of their TV or movie adaptations. Misty shares her take on Orange is the New Black  by Piper Kerman, and compares it to the popular Netflix show. 

We also talk about both the rising success of female authors, and an industry that’s still trying to hold them down. We also get to revel in Reese Witherspoon’s support of women-written books through both her production company that focuses on adapting those into shows and movies (including Gone Girl, Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, Where the Crawdads Sing, and lots more), and through her book club.

We also do a quick call out to a show that was much better than the books: True Blood.

Profess-Hers is a podcast written and presented by Misty, a History professor, and Allegra, an English professor, both of whom are here for having a serious, fun conversation about looking at literature, history, current events, pop culture, and media through a feminist lens.

Written by Allegra Hanna and Misty Wilson-Mehrtens. Find the Profess-Hers Podcast on Twitter and Instagram @Professhers.