2017 was a trash fire at times, but the Squad found joy amongst the garbage in books, music, movies, comedy and podcasts. We each count down our top three pop culture things from 2017 and tell you why they were seriously awesome in their own special ways. (If you were looking for recommendations, you've now got 12 things. You're welcome.) In the second half of the show, Susan interviews Louisville-based author James Markert, whose newest novel, "All Things Bright and Strange," will be out on January 30. Plus, we tell you what's happening on the #BookSquadBlog (a lot!) and introduce our next fullpisode book: "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

00:30–WELCOME TO 2018, DUDES
02:17–Emily-When Dimple Met Rishi
06:40–Kelli-Lorde’s Melodrama
09:44–Mary-The Bold Type
13.33–Susan-American Vandal
17:36–Emily-Coco
22:00-Kelli-Kedi
26:37–Mary-Phoebe Bridgers’s Stranger in the Alps
31:42–Susan—Dirty John
34:57–Emily—The Big Sick
41:09–Kelli—Heavyweight
45:11–Mary-Night in the Woods
48:23–Susan-Thank God for Jokes
50:55–Interview Intro
51:54–Interview with author James Markert!
1:22:10–what’s up next/what’s on the blog?