Avsnitt
-
In this episode, Neha and Shruti dive into the historical underbelly of Barcelona where they find twisted tales, hidden secrets, family drama, and heartbreak. We read The Shadow of the Wind through themes of obsession and memory, talk about Gothic fiction and mystery stories, and finally get to our problems with the book's ending.
Shelf Discovery:
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
If you would like to get more in-depth analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Shruti and Neha discuss Fledgling, Octavia Butler's last novel before her untimely death, through the themes of home and innocence. We talk about vampire lore (including Twilight and The Vampire Diaries), the ethics of genetic manipulation, and race through the lens of childhood.
Links:
Code Switch: Taylor Swift and the unbearable whiteness of girlhood
Shelf Discovery:
The Vegetarian by Han King
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
If you would like to get more in-depth analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Saknas det avsnitt?
-
In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss one of the most acclaimed science fiction novels of all time: Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. We give you all the context you need to understand this complex and nuanced novel, and even some information you may not have thought you needed, including: the evolutionary biology of menstruation, gender constructs & stereotypes, conflicts of love and trust, and much more.
Spoilers start at 33:19
Links:
How and Why did Women Evolve Periods? by Suzanne Sadedin, PhD in evolutionary biology
Shelf Discovery and Books Mentioned:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Dune by Frank Herbert
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Shruti and Neha discuss The Humans by Matt Haig, a novel that is dressed up as science fiction, but is really about learning to love life. We talk about reading the right book at the right time, science fiction's relationship to colonialism, and bigger questions about the way we live today. We also wonder if there is a such thing as self-help fiction.
Shelf Discovery:
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Spoilers start at 22:20
Content warning: suicide, mental health
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this fun bonus episode, Shruti and Neha dive into everything mythology-related, including: what are myths? Why are Greek mythology retellings so popular, and is that problematic? Does mythology still exist today?
We talk about all this and more, referencing The Hero's Journey, Joseph Campbell, and world mythologies.
*Spoilers for American Gods between 20:50-21:10
Books Mentioned:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Circe by Madeline Miller
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode Neha and Shruti tackle one of the living titans of speculative fiction: Neil Gaiman. We discuss American Gods through the themes of deception and survival, tracking the characters through the story as we ponder stories of immigration, faith, and disillusionment. We also talk about the importance of reading challenging novels and taking our time with certain books.
Spoilers for the ending start at 21:50.
Content warning: the book contains references to historical violence against Black people, which we discuss 22:30-24:00.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
Shelf Discovery
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
*When talking about carousels, Neha mistakenly mentions The Book Thief - she actually was referring to The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss one of Margaret Atwood's lesser known works, The Penelopiad - a retelling of The Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, and the twelve hanged maids. Even if you haven't read the book, we think there's a lot you'll enjoy in this episode!
We consider the themes of justice and persuasion as we talk about modern feminism (and the #MeToo movement), how myths evolve, and trends in mythology retellings. We also talk about Atwood's character portrayals and narrative choices, and how they impacted our reading experience.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
Books Mentioned in Shelf Discovery:
The Greek Myths by Robert Graves
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Circe by Madeline Miller
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Neha and Shruti discuss The Secret History, a book that has gained a cult following in the last few decades - and as we discuss the book, we start to see why. We talk about the characters, the atmospheric setting, and how Tartt brilliantly creates and sustains tension. We also provide some background for the book's classical allusions, and share all our theories about the book's shocking climax. And as always, we provide recommendations in our Shelf Discovery segment for books to read next if you loved The Secret History, based on the aspect of the novel that you loved most.
What is the significance of the line 'Beauty is terror'? Which character functions as a cult leader? What is dark academia? You'll find all this and more in this episode. True spoilers start at 19:20
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, you can also subscribe to our free newsletter.
Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Passing by Nella Larsen
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Either/Or by Elif Batuman
Babel by R.F. Kuang
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Euphoria by Lily King
The Shining by Stephen King
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Links:
Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College
*We mistakenly stated that Icarus is a god; Icarus in Greek mythology is the son of a craftsman.
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this bonus episode, Shruti and Neha invite some special guests to talk about books: Chelsey and Sara of Novel Pairings! We talk all about reading carefully and deeply, public scholarship, and tools to help sharpen your analytic lens. Along the way, we talk about some of our childhood favorites, trends in literature, high school English classes, and more!
Listen to Novel Pairings, follow them on Instagram, and visit their Patreon for extra classes.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, you can also subscribe to our free newsletter.
Selected Books and Other Works Mentioned:
Witch Please Podcast
Dolls of Our Lives Podcast
Culture Study by Anne Helen Peterson: Newsletter and Podcast
Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses
A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
Wilder Podcast
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Passing by Nella Larsen
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
The Guide by R.K. Narayan
Selected Poems by Rabindranath Tagore
We love hearing from our listeners! You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
We're back, and we're so excited to delve into the worlds of speculative fiction with you all! In this episode, we share the theme we'll be reading through for the next few months: Other Worlds.
We talk about the books we'll be reading for the next few months, including important background about these works and their authors, and why we picked them. If you love fantasy, science fiction, supernatural, and dystopian fiction, then this season is for you! And if these aren't your preferred genres, but you're looking to expand your reading horizons this year, then we think you'll like this season too.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free email newsletter.
Books mentioned:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Humans by Matt Haig
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this bonus episode, Shruti and Neha share the most popular books they've in 2023, including Bookstagram favorites, award-winners, and Tik Tok darlings from the past few years. We summarize the books and give our honest opinions on whether or not these books were worth the hype - and for the books we didn't like, we give some recommendations for books that we thought were better.
Listen in to find out if these books are worth reading - and if you loved a book that we hated (or vice versa), tell us why we're wrong! You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.
Books and Articles Mentioned:
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
Dead Stars by Ada Limón
Trust by Hernan Diaz
NYT Review of Trust by Hernan Diaz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this (mostly) spoiler-free* episode, Neha and Shruti reflect on the experience of reading books from around the world. We zoom out and talk on a broad level about narrative voice, villainy, disability representation and its portrayal in literature, and post-colonial writing. We also do a deep dive into trauma narratives - why are they so popular nowadays? What stories are being promoted, and how does this limit the stories being told by authors of color?
We had so much to say on these topics, that we just couldn't get to all of it in the episode! We decided to continue the discussion in our upcoming email newsletter - subscribe for free to join the conversation. You can also connect with us on Instagram, or email us at [email protected].
*We mention some minor plot points for The Murmur of Bees, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, and Pachinko (10:26-12:05), but we don't think these spoil the story in a significant way. Still, if you prefer to read books without any prior knowledge, make sure to check out these books before you listen to this episode!
Links:
The Case Against the Trauma Plot by Parul Sehgal in the New Yorker
Books mentioned:
Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag
Tess of D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
Letters to a Writer of Color edited by Deepa Anappara and Taymour Soomro
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode Neha and Shruti talk about the Booker prize winning novel The Luminaries, by Eleanor Catton. We discuss the characters, the structure of the book, what we want out of long books, and why we should maybe be wary of literary prizes. Whether you loved this book or hated it, there's something for everyone in this discussion!
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Shelf Discovery:
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Shruti - The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Neha - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Warning: NSFW because this book was very, very weird. Shruti and Neha talk about fate and destiny, Freud, and the spiritual realm, and also throw some shade on the book’s flat and uninspired female characters.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Links:
Mieko Kawakami interviews Murakami about his female characters
Shelf Discovery:
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Neha - Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Shruti - The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster; The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
*Content warning: this episode contains references to incest and rape as they appear in the book.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
We had so much to say about Pachinko that we had to record a part 2! Joining us on this episode are special guests Marvin and Reera from Books & Boba. We talk to them about their podcast and mission, and get to hear more about Asian diaspora stories and their impact.
In continuing our discussion on Pachinko, we talk about themes of wealth and opportunity, generational trauma, and relate these to some of our own family’s struggles. We talk more about Min Jin Lee’s process in writing this book, and we also share our unfiltered opinions on the Apple TV adaptation.
Books mentioned:
Straw Dogs of the Universe by Ye Chun
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Sorcerer of the Crown by Zen Cho
The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Join us for part 1 of our discussion on Min Jin Lee's best-selling novel Pachinko, a sweeping family saga that chronicles several generations of a Korean family living in Japan. In this episode, Neha and Shruti explore themes of pride and virtue, and dissect the complex web of characters that surround Sunja, the book's protagonist. What do these characters have to sacrifice to survive in their world? How do their aspirations shape their identities and influence their relationships?
We talk about the book's cultural significance, narrative depth, and emotional impact, and at the end, as in all our episodes, we rate the book, and ask whether this book will be considered a classic in the years to come.
Shelf Discovery:
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Neha - The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Shruti - Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
*Note: Neha had a small issue with her audio recording, so if it sounds a bit fuzzy, that's why - we are working on fixing the issue so all future episodes have crisp and clear sound!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this comprehensive, full-exposure, no-holds-barred* bonus episode, Neha and Shruti dive deep into the Mahabharat, starting out with its history, versions and adaptations, and of course, an in-depth discussion of the story and some key plot points with reference to The Palace of Illusions and The Great Indian Novels (our two selections for India). We discuss the concept of free will, feminism throughout history, Dalit stories and contributions, and expressions of gender identity in mythologic stories.
*We say this in jest, because Neha and Shruti are not in any way experts on Hindu scripture, South Asian history, or literature. However, we did do a lot of research, and we are passionate to share our love for this story with you all!
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Books and Adaptations Mentioned:
Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari
Mahabharata: a Modern Retelling by Carole Satyamurti
The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by RK Narayan
Mahabharat (1980-1988) a television series originally on Doordarshan
Mahabharat (2013) a television series originally on Star Plus, now streaming on Hulu
The Bhagavad Gita
Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince by Anuja Chandramouli
Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen by Kavita Kane
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love by Bhanumathi Narasimhan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this expansive debut novel by Shashi Tharoor, the characters and stories of the Mahabharat are transposed onto the Indian independence movement. Shruti and Neha start off with a detailed breakdown of who's who, the setting, and historical references. We then dive into the story, its allusions, the satire, and Tharoor's writing style. And of course, this episode wouldn't be complete unless we spilled the tea - and the tea is piping hot! We talk all about the controversy surrounding Shashi Tharoor, including the IPL scandal, and the death of his wife.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Shelf Discovery:
The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor
Neha - The Humans by Matt Haig
Shruti - none
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Combining myth, history, fantasy, and philosophy, The Palace of Illusions tells the story of Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, in a retelling of the Indian epic the Mahabharat. Neha and Shruti discuss the themes of appearances, feminism, and assertiveness in the various characters, while digging in to the plot.
We also get to chat with our first podcast guest! Mishika is a co-founder of Brown Girl Bookshelf, a platform that celebrates South Asian writers and literature. She tells us about Divakaruni's latest novel, Independence, and we just had so much fun talking with her about books, reading, and life!
Shelf Discovery and Other Books Mentioned
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Parted Earth by Anjali Enjeti
The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In Half of a Yellow Sun, award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie chronicles the years leading up to the Nigerian Biafran war in the 1960s through the eyes of three main characters. Neha and Shruti explore the interactions between households and families in a time of immense political upheaval. We discuss the impact of the book, and more broadly, how these stories are told and how we interact with these texts.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected].
Shelf Discovery:
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Shruti - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Neha - Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo, and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
*Content warning: physical violence, sexual assault
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Visa fler
