You probably know Jenny who writes the super blog Reading the End (previously Jenny’s Books) – from my most recent series of My Life in Books, if nowhere else. That gal is hilarious, as well as loving wonderful authors like Shirley Jackson and Helen Oyeyemi (and, whilst I remember, I must bug her to read Barbara Comyns if she hasn’t – she would definitely love her as the third piece in that triumvirate of Gothic brilliance).
Well, somehow I had not got around to listening to the Reading the End podcast that she does with her friend Jenny. Yes, two Jennys – Gin Jenny and Whiskey Jenny. The episodes are all here, or on iTunes. I have made up for lost time by listening to 8 episodes this week. That’s 6 hours of quality Jenny/Jenny time. And let me tell you, it’s a flipping brilliant podcast.
Right from the off, the ladies are so funny – and erudite and whatnot too, of course. They review books, they talk bookish topics (books as objects; genre classifications; Harry Potter. Always Harry Potter), they play book games (GAME! GAME! GAME!) I am about a year behind with episodes, so who knows what they’re up to now, but I’m enjoying every moment. I’ve giggled uncontrollably in the street and alarmed strangers. Just a ‘Sure’ from one of the Jennys is now enough to make me laugh.
Here’s the weird thing: I’ve listened to them so much, and know Gin Jenny through blogging already, that I now essentially think I’m their best friend. I’m just going to wander into the recording one day, shrieking GAME and telling anecdotes about polar explorers, and they are going to be mystified and/or mace me. For now, I’m just manically tweeting about things they chatted about in 2013.
And here’s the horrendous confession: I can’t tell their voices apart. I have tried so hard. And I can’t do it. So I now think of them both as a single, amorphous Jenny, with contradictory opinions (I particularly warmed to whichever Jenny it was who can’t form mental pictures of places or characters in books – something we all had a fun discussion about when I admitted the same thing). Sorry ladies. It doesn’t make me love you any the less.
So, basically, if you haven’t listened to it – dig out episode 1, download, and have a listen. I’m pretty sure you – like me – will then want to do nothing else for the next few weeks.
The podcast can also be accessed through the Podcast Republic app, which is how I listen on my Kindle. They are fabulous :-)
Good tip, John, thank you!
Hi, you succeeded in getting me to listen to (parts of) a number of the podcasts. However although interesting and entertaining I don’t think their style is going to capture me for all of the ~ 40 hours that appear to be available. I think “Claret Puss” would enjoy going to the pub with Gin Jenny and Whisky Jenny where they would sound a lot more natural.
As usual, think you for the new experience.
Horses for courses! I’m glad you found the experience valuable :)
Do you listen to other podcasts, out of interest? I imagine the science community has many?
No I don’t but probably that is due to my attending so many presentations, meetings etc. by video conferencing tools as part of my normal research job. Even I can have a surfeit of science!
It’s really one of the best podcasts ever! I love listening to them (makes such an improvement to the working week).
I think Whiskey Jenny’s voice is slightly higher (I don’t think I can tell them apart eaither).
Alice! You make me feel so much better about not being able to tell them apart!
And it’s so fun. They just seem like the most fun people. I think I may be creeping them out with my fan-ness now.
Ahahahaha, you’re not! And don’t worry about not telling us apart — that was one of the reasons I made the joke about the demographically similar Jennys in the first place. We are very similar in many ways. Except I am more coldly cynical, and Whiskey Jenny is more into action movies.
How interesting – I wonder if I’ll be able to tell them apart, given (half of) my profession. Will try to find this, I’m not really a podcast person but I know I need to get into them a bit more.
Let me know if you can! I’m getting better at it now…
They really are a lot of fun to listen to on the podcast. I can’t tell them apart either, at least by their voices. I know Gin Jenny’s tastes enough that sometimes I can tell them apart based on her opinion, or references to books read. Now of course you’ve got me replaying the latest episode and analyzing the rhythm and tone of their speech . . . and I may be on the verge of discovering what is different. Whiskey Jenny’s voice is a little more dramatic maybe? Has more changes to speed and/or pitch?
Thank you for the recommendation! I’m making my way through the back catalogue now. The games are great and, even when they’re not playing one, I’m able to enjoy the ‘Whiskey Jenny or Gen Jenny? Whiskey Jenny or Gin Jenny?’ game for myself.