Viral Article Book Club: How Women Invented Book Clubs (with Jess McHugh)

Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast

Chelsea Devantez

Society & Culture, Arts, Books

4.6 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 18 July 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In a Viral Article first, Chelsea dives into an article with the writer! Journalist and podcaster Jess McHugh (Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah) joins Chelsea to talk about her empowering Washington Post piece, “How Women Invented Book Clubs, Revolutionizing Reading and Their Own Lives.” They explore the radical history of women’s reading groups and salons that led to the modern-day book club. Plus: they also unpack celebrity book clubs from Oprah to Dua Lipa to “Love Island” literary lover Jeremiah, and why women still make up the backbone of the industry’s audience. Join the cookie community: Become a member of the Patreon Maritime LIVE Virtual Watch Party Girl on Girl Zoom Book Club on July 27TH at 11AM PST / 2PM EST Follow Chelsea: Instagram @chelseadevantez Show Notes: How women invented book clubs, revolutionizing reading and their own lives (Washington Post) A Million Little Pieces x Life Writing with Traci Thomas Where to find our guest Jess McHugh: Instagram Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah Podcast Order Americanon Website *** Glamorous Trash is all about going high and low at the same time— Glam and Trash. We recap and book club celebrity memoirs, deconstruct pop culture, and sometimes, we cry! If you've ever referenced Mariah Carey in therapy... then this is the podcast for you. Thank you to our sponsors: Thrive Causemetics - Get 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/glamorous Everyplate - Get a special offer of only $1.99 a meal at everyplate.com/podcast and use code GLAMOROUS199 Libro.fm - Click here to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 with your first month of membership using code TRASH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Oh, that's my prime delivery.
0:01.6	What, already?
0:02.7	Only one thing can match the buzz of Prime's fast delivery.
0:06.2	And that's the buzz of Prime's entertainment.
0:09.0	What are we watching?
0:09.7	Heads of state, that new action comedy with Idris Elber as the Prime Minister,
0:13.3	John Sina as the president, and Prianka Chopra Jonas,
0:15.9	as their only hope.
0:17.0	It looks like a blast.
0:18.3	From fast delivery to explosive entertainment, it's on Prime.
0:22.5	For only $899 a month, join now. Content includes limited ads, subscription or to renews.
0:27.5	For more information, go to amazon.com.uk.U.K.S. Prime.
0:34.1	Welcome to Glamourous Trash.
0:37.8	This is a podcast at Book Club's viral articles, celebrity memoirs, and trashy discourse
0:42.3	to elevate your life.
0:43.5	I'm your host, Chelsea DeMontes.
0:45.1	I am a TV writer, comedian, filmmaker, author, and sometimes I'm in stuff too.
0:49.6	And today, we are doing a viral article book club episode about a Washington Post article titled
0:56.5	How Women Invented Book Clubs, Revolutionizing Reading and Their Own Lives by Jess McHugh.
1:04.2	This article came out in March 2021, but I have a very special reason for choosing it today.
1:16.0	This article discusses how deeply transformative book clubs are in a really well-researched way,
1:18.7	tying in history, themes and things we discuss all the time on this podcast.
	...

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