BSG #117: Egg Mentioned / Swallows by Natsuo Kirino

BSG #117: Egg Mentioned / Swallows by Natsuo Kirino

From Book Squad Goals by #BookSquadGoals

March 17, 2026 · 1h 27m

About this episode

The Book Squad discusses 'Swallows' by Natsuo Kirino, exploring its themes and cultural context.

We’ve got a dozen reasons you should listen to this episode, and all of them are eggs. Join the Book Squad for a discussion about Swallows by Natsuo Kirino. We talk about what the title means, whether this book is a thriller (it’s not), the Japanese cultural context we’re probably missing as Americans, feminism and capitalism, and of course, motherhood and pregnancy. Then we get into some juicy listener feedback that we try not to take too personally, but hey, that’s our poblem to deal with. A special Othersode is coming up with guest Catriona Ward, author of Nowhere Burning . We’ll chat about Stand By Me with her on March 31. Then we’re reading George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett for our next Bookpisode on April 13. Don’t forget to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Pretty please! TOC :30 – Welcome and egg talk 8:50 – Book intro 12:45 – Book title 17:00 – Is this a thriller? Lol 21:00 – Cultural differences 35:15 – Feminism and capitalism 44:50 – Motherhood 1:03:00 –The ending 1:12:20 – Ratings 1:18:00 – What’s your poblem??? 1:21:28 – What’s up next?

People in this episode

Guest: Catriona Ward

Topics covered

  • books
  • thriller
  • cultural context
  • feminism
  • motherhood

Keywords

  • Swallows
  • Natsuo Kirino
  • Japanese cultural context
  • feminism
  • capitalism
  • motherhood
  • listener feedback
  • Stand By Me
  • George Falls Through Time

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Swallows, Othersode, Nowhere Burning, Stand By Me, George Falls Through Time

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