A journey through modern history using the lens of category romance novels. In other words, we look at how much it kind of sucked to be a woman while trashing on Harlequin romances from 1953.
Episode 13 - You Little Fool For Not Ignoring My Obvious Red Flags
Jennifer and Amber discuss the covers and descriptions of the last of their 50s books. It's the end of an era. Literally. We just can't read anymore 50s books right now because they make us want to die. Stay tuned for our Bridgerton coverage between seasons and season 2, the 1960s, will begin in the fall.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
31 May 2022
Episode 12 - Well, the Attempted Murder Didn't Work so I Guess it's Love
Amber reads Wise to Forget by Elizabeth Hoy, just like they all are. Jennifer reads Wife by Arrangement by Mary Burchell. Listen as they ask themselves...well, mostly why they are doing this to themselves. Join them as they realize that they are going to have to compress the rest of the 50s for...reasons, as they discover that love means the murder attempt didn't work, and as they realize just how horribly depressing it must have been to be a woman in a mid-century world.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
10 Apr 2022
Episode 11 - Splendedly Endowed
We don't know what happened to the audio on this episode. If we weren't completely incapable of understanding technology, we would have fixed it. But we are, so we aren't. We're just begging you to find our incompetence either charming, or at least tolerable.
Amber reads 1947's Close to my Heart and Jennifer reads 1948's Strange Recompense. In a first in the history of Categorically Insane, both Amber and Jennifer really liked their books. That doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about. Like when a woman says a man in 'splendidly endowed' in the 1940s, is it a moment of fabulous raunch, or is it still a mystery? If someone falls in love with no warning should we fear a head injury? And if a mid-century man can't actively feel an experience happening, how could they ever know if it's real?
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
1 Mar 2022
Episode 10- Kids are Interchangeable Like Magic the Gathering Cards
Jennifer reads 1942's The Sea is So Wide and Amber reads 1947's To Win a Paradise. There's no getting around it folks, these are bad. Like, really bad. But that doesn't mean we can't still have fun asking questions like, does love really mean never having to say you're sorry...for genocide? Is it normal to trade kids around like Pokémon cards? Is weird fetishization better than open racism or just different? The sea is so wide and the past is so fraught with really bad books.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
14 Feb 2022
Episode 9 - Surprise...it's genitalia!
Join Jennifer, Amber, and special guest Mike (resident military expert) as they explore the valentine's day not remotely classic movie Valentine from 2001. Join them for the exploration of handmade artisanal Victorian valentines, disturbing art exhibits, and valentines surprises (surprise, it's genitalia!) The deep questions really come out in this episode. Where is the premier source for weird Victorian cupid masks? Where does David B get his chocolatier skills? Can you sue a movie for punitive damages because now you're scarred forever by how bad it was? No one can put a price on your pain. But you can put a price on this awful movie. It's 3.99. And that's too much.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
1 Feb 2022
Episode 8 - Hot Dadsplaining
Amber reads 1942's Village Hospital and Jennifer reads 1957's Winter's Bride. Join us while we explore such concepts as how weird is 'real weird', at what age gap does a man become so much older than a woman that mansplaining becomes dadsplaining, and exactly how insane is the plan to read every HQN category romance until the year 2000. This episode is best explained by, "We are just supposed to read all these. Even these ones. Shrug."
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
7 Jan 2022
Episode 7 -- A Tragic German Sex Accident
Jennifer, Amber, and special guest Jessica watch the New Years Eve(ish) holiday special, 1992's The Cutting Edge. This movie is 100% a literal sports romance novel, and we are here for it. Join us for all the sexy, sexy barbs, all the weirdly ladderless construction work, and all the sweat. Like so much sweat. Seriously, this dude is always wet.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
19 Dec 2021
Episode 6- Human Centipede of Therapy
Jennifer, Amber and special guest Lucy, watch Christmas movie "Christmas Perfection." Join us for all the characters who don't ask rational questions, all the emotions that people conspicuously don't have, and all the alcohol poisoning that you're going to get from our newest drinking game.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
22 Nov 2021
Episode 5-An Oddly Specific Kink
Amber reads 1940's Doctor in Bondage and Jennifer reads 1945's Special Nurse. This is pretty much the shortest episode in existence because these are arguably the most boring books that were ever written. Join us in our evaluation of how little description of characters is possible, why are scientists hot, and what's the deal with the oddly specific kink for people who love and also hate (?) doctors.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
31 Oct 2021
Episode 4 - Junk in That Front Trunk
Jennifer and Amber honor the holiday season by watching 1980's Friday the 13th and looking for the same kinds of heavy tropes we find in category romances. Join us for all the people who don't bother to fight back, all of the sweet bedtime routines for your weaponry, and all the improbable murders that require we suspend more disbelief than a Presents. Please forgive the audio on this episode listeners. Recording is a learning curve! We are doing everything we can to get better.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
27 Sept 2021
Episode 3 - All Aboard the Dick Trayne
Amber reads 1939's You Took My Heart by Elizabeth Hoy and Jennifer reads 1942's Come Back My Dream also by Elizabeth Hoy. Join us for the ridiculous misunderstandings, the filly fondling, and all of the Elizabeth Hoy. All of it. All the Elizabeth Hoy.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
6 Sept 2021
Episode 2 - A Horny Cruise Book
Amber reads 1937's Nurse Tenant by Elizabeth Hoy. Jennifer reads 1939's Nurse Companion by Jean S. MacLeod.
Join them for all the unhorny horny cruise book action, all the women who think nothing could ever go wrong with their life plans, and all the nurses. Just so many nurses.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
10 Aug 2021
Welcome to Categorically Insane
What happens when two fans of the romance genre put their heads and hubris together?
A very, very ambitious project.
Amber & Jennifer met in 2009 on an internet forum for writer interested in the Romance genre. As life-long lovers of romantic fiction, they developed a fast friendship despite their living on opposite sides of the country. With more than 10 years of friendship under their belts, they have embarked on a journey to read and review every single romance novel published by the much beloved industry titan: Harlequin Romance. This podcast will openly and honestly review each novel, with the purpose of examining how the genre has evolved over the last 8 decades. Enjoy the inaugural episodes to learn about your hosts as they learn about recording and editing a podcast.
All views expressed here are those of the hosts and do not represent the words, thoughts, opinions, and the like of any entity with which they have ever, are now, or ever will be affiliated.
The contents of this podcast are covered under fair use and constitute a review and discussion.
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