The Genius of Judy with Rachelle Bergstein

Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, author and editor. Her latest book is The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood For All of Us (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781668010907). On today’s show, Annmarie and Rachelle discuss taboo topics from childhood – periods! bras! masturbation! – and how Judy Blume books demystified all of them.

Episode Sponsors:
McNally Jackson (mcnallyjackson.com) – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at mcnallyjackson.com
Women & Children First (womenandchildrenfirst.com) – A bookstore that understands the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we’ve celebrated and amplified under-represented voices. We offer a welcoming space for learning, dialogue, and reflection, and strive toward a feminist, equitable workplace. Come visit our Chicago location or shop online at womenandchildrenfirst.com.

Judy Blume Titles Mentioned in this Episode:
Deenie (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781481410366)
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (womenandchildrenfirst.com/book/9781665921312)
Forever… (womenandchildrenfirst.com/book/9781665959179)
Then Again, Maybe I Won’t (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781481413657)
Blubber (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781481410137)
Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9780142408797)
It's Not the End of the World (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781481411165)

Other Titles Mentioned:
The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood For All of Us (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781668010907), by Rachelle Bergstein
Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma (womenandchildrenfirst.com/book/9780525564188), by Claire Dederer
Biography of X (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781250321688), by Catherine Lacey
The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath (mcnallyjackson.com/book/9780316259583), by Leslie Jamison

Here’s some 90s music to leave you with: Under the Bridge (youtu.be/lwlogyj7nFE?si=hgJeaftCAwqbzD6N), by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Follow Rachelle Bergstein:
Twitter: @RaBergstein (x.com/RaBergstein)
Instagram: @rachellewb (instagram.com/rachellewb)
rachellebergstein.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.