Novel Pairings
168 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★★★ - 524 ratingsWelcome to Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun. As two nerdy bookworms, we appreciate the role of classic lit, but we but we won’t get too academic about it. We’ll talk about the books we love and the books we loath, and help stock your TBR pile with old and new reads for every literary taste.
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Episodes
144. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
March 26, 2024 09:00 - 59 minutes - 109 MBIf aesthetics, British aristocracy and nostalgia sounds like an appealing combination, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is the book for you. In today's episode, we talk through the key themes, relationships, Waugh's stated purpose for writing Brideshead, and we ask: is Brideshead Revisited a satire or a novel with satirical elements? Plus, today’s pairings include a fantasy novel, historical fiction and a psychological thriller. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast tod...
143. Seasonal book pairings for new releases in spring 2024
March 05, 2024 10:14 - 50 minutes - 58.2 MBToday, Chelsey and Sara share their most anticipated spring book releases paired with backlist selections. After listening today, your TBR will be filled with delightful fiction, thrilling mysteries, historical romance and literary books from favorite writers, all releasing between late February and May. As always, our go-to pairings will keep your spring both entertaining and engaging. If you love our recommendations on the podcast, we have even more books to share over in our Novel...
142. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
February 27, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 91.6 MBIn today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Wharton in Winter with a conversation about The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. We focus on Undine and question whether she’s a signature unlikable heroine or an anti-hero. Our conversation also digs into the other dynamic characters, themes of motherhood, greed, marriage, business, and Edith’s incredible writing. Every plot point builds to a bigger narrative in this timely classic. At the end of the episode, we share our complementary pairings ,...
141. Bookish pairings for our favorite period dramas
February 13, 2024 10:10 - 1 hour - 72 MBReading The Custom of the Country this winter has felt like stepping into the most lush, dramatic, and marathon-worthy period piece–so today we’re sharing some of our favorite period dramas and pairing them with excellent books for cozy winter reading. We discuss the appeal of watching historical fiction versus reading it, the throughline from reading Dear America books to watching Downton Abbey as a comfort show, and the complex nature of colorblind casting. We hope you find a new, or old, ...
140. Five tips for reading television and movies with a critical lens
January 30, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBToday we’re sharing five tips for “reading” your favorite (or least favorite) TV shows and movies. These close reading tricks will help you get more critical while you watch television, which we hope prompts more engaging discussions with your friends and family. We’re using The Buccaneers (Apple TV) as our main example in this episode, but you don’t need to watch the show in order to listen. In fact, if you like episodes in which we get a little sassy, well, this one’s for you. We also shar...
139. The best, the backlist, and the buzziest books of 2023
January 09, 2024 10:06 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBIt's time for our annual Superlative Soirée! (Okay, so we've never called it that before, but it fits, right?!) Today Chelsey and Sara share their favorite and least favorite books of 2023, plus everything in between. YOU helped us come up with some creative categories to cover in this official wrap-up episode, and we can't wait to hear what you think of the titles we discuss. To get your very own superlative printable, subscribe to our newsletter at novelpairings.substack.com--and to j...
138. The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
December 19, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBWe’re wrapping up the 2023 season with a final Short Story Club, this time exploring a prime example of Postmodern fiction with Jorge Luis Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths.” Borges is often considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century and credited as an early writer of magical realism, lo real maravilloso. In today’s discussion, we take a close work at Borges’ popular story and share our interpretations on this text that begs us to stretch our concept of ti...
137. Entering Edith Wharton's Gilded Age
December 12, 2023 10:00 - 43 minutes - 49.3 MBEver wonder what it’s like to attend a class at Novel Pairings University? We have a special treat for our listeners as we prepare for #WhartonInWinter and our readalong of Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country. Today on the main feed, we’re releasing the audio from our Patreon Class Gilded Age Literature: Entering Edith Wharton's World for everyone to enjoy. In today’s class we talk about key literary figures of the Gilded Age, historical events and social movements that shaped this per...
136. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
November 28, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBToday, Chelsey and Sara explore TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf, investigating Woolf’s intention to put “real life” on the page, analyzing her prose and structure, discussing themes and characters, and contextualizing historical references. For a deeper reading and listening experience, check out our episode on A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN and our bonus episode on Patreon all about The Bloomsbury Group. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts about Woolf’s masterpiece. Order your Novel Pairings U...
135. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
November 14, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 72.1 MBWe’re kicking off our month of Virigina Woolf with an episode exploring Woolf’s dense and sprawling extended essay, “A Room of Own’s Own.” At just over one hundred pages, Woolf gives herself ample space on the page to explore and consider the issues that keep women from the forefront of the literature and what might be done to give them the creative freedom to write unencumbered. In today’s episode, we’re following along closely with the text while helping our fellow readers pull out key ...
134. Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat
October 24, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBIf a dark and twisty stream of consciousness narrative in translation sounds like an intriguing read, Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat is perfect for you. Penned by the forefather of the Modernist movement in Iranian literature, this surrealist story blends Western influences, Iranian folklore, and psychology. In today’s episode, we discuss key themes and questions raised by Hedayat’s text (so. many. questions). Today’s pairings include a contemporary Iranian work in translation, a Persian fairy t...
133. The modern reader's guide to historical fiction
October 17, 2023 09:00 - 54 minutes - 61.8 MBWhat is the difference between literary historical fiction and “woman with her back turned on the cover” historical fiction? In today’s episode of Modern Readers, we’re discussing the literary landscape and rise in popularity of the historical fiction genre. We explore the definition of historical fiction, significant time periods, craft vs. plot, and “literariness” to understand whether a historical book is literary or a really entertaining read—or both! Plus, we share Novel Pairings episod...
132. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
October 10, 2023 09:14 - 59 minutes - 68.6 MBShirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, first published in The New Yorker in 1948, feels relevant in every decade. Whether it’s discussed in the high school classroom or revisited in adulthood, this shocking story leaves a mark. We're back with another Short Story Club episode on Novel Pairings in which we take a closer look at Jackson’s haunting text, considering its wider themes, and touch on how one of the most widely known short stories by an American writer continues to live on as a quintessen...
131. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
September 26, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBLet’s discuss one of our most requested classics! Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is an eerie gothic novel with elements of mystery, fairy tale, and domestic suspense–and you’ve been asking for us to cover it on the show for years. In today’s episode, we speculate on why this classic remains so popular today, discuss the magic of reading a classic just for fun (and then returning to it with literary lenses), and analyze our unnamed narrator. This is the kind of book that you can’t discuss witho...
130. Backlist book pairings for an abundant Autumn reading season
September 12, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBGet ready for your TBR pile to actually topple over as we discuss a truly abundant season of publishing and books. The fall publishing calendar has a lot of hype-worthy titles, and in today’s episode you’ll hear our pared down lists (it was a struggle!) of excellent fall fiction due to hit shelves soon. This includes big books from BIG authors, intriguing titles from small indie presses, and a smattering of assorted fiction and non-fiction we think you’ll love. Plus, each title we preview in...
129. What is public scholarship?
September 05, 2023 09:00 - 54 minutes - 62.5 MBYou may have heard us mention the term “public scholarship” when talking about the mission of our podcast and our community of readers here at Novel Pairings. But what exactly is public scholarship, and how does it apply to us as lifelong learners? Today in our first Modern Readers episode, we’re sitting down to define public scholarship, share how our backgrounds in academia and the classroom help us on our mission of public scholarship, and discuss how we hope this framework will open ...
128. Hot takes on the buzzy books of last summer
August 22, 2023 09:00 - 38 minutes - 70.9 MBToday we're sharing our (sometimes controversial) opinions about some of the buzziest books of LAST summer. We love it when our reading overlaps off the podcast and gives us a chance to come together for some off-the-cuff book conversation. Of the slew of buzzy books that released in Summer 2022, there were a handful both of us somehow made time to read. We're deep diving into five of those books, sharing what worked for us, what didn't, and why we can love a reading experience even when we ...
127. 1920s classics to challenge and delight your To Be Read list
August 08, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 49.2 MBToday, we’re sharing six classic titles from the 1920s that make excellent additions to your late summer or early fall reading stack, whether you’re reading them for the first time or returning with fresh eyes. The 1920s is a time period we both love to read and explore. In this mini TBR-toppler episode, you’ll have your picks from dense and delightfully nerdy tomes, a slim spiritual journey in translation, a children’s series that sparked one thousand fantasies about running away from home,...
126. Leaving a Legacy: The Odyssey in modern literature
July 25, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 49.9 MBIt’s the last stretch of our Slow Down Summer with The Odyssey, and for this week’s discussion, we’re sharing final thoughts on The Odyssey’s staying power and impact on modern literature. We dive into talking about what we noticed in our full read-though of Emily Wilson’s translation. We also share themes to consider when reading, thoughts on reading a text symbolically, and guesses for why the story of a complicated man like Odysseus has staying power—in scholarship, public discussion, and...
125. How to find literary allusions
July 11, 2023 09:18 - 54 minutes - 62.1 MBDo you love the feeling of happening upon a subtle reference to a great literary work in the midst of your current read? Or do you feel like you’re on the outside when books allude to works you haven’t read? In today’s episode, we’re getting extra nerdy and breaking down all things literary allusions. For our discussion, we share what a literary allusion is and what kinds of allusions are referenced most widely. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to access these oft-referenced stories to illumina...
124. Diving into The Odyssey with Emily Wilson
June 27, 2023 08:51 - 57 minutes - 66.1 MBThis summer on Patreon, our Classics Club has been voyaging across the Aegean Sea with Odysseus, reading Emily Wilson’s brilliant translation of Homer’s epic poem. To deepen our experience with this ancient text, we’re offering ongoing opportunities for public scholarship and reading in community. Today we’re sharing one of these Patreon exclusive episodes with all of you and inviting you to come set sail with us this summer because it’s not too late! Join at the Literature Scholar level t...
123. The Odyssey: Return to the Aegean
June 06, 2023 08:39 - 1 hour - 117 MBToday we are re-airing one of our very first episodes of Novel Pairings: Episode 18 on Homer’s Odyssey, in which Sara reveals her nerdy middle school obsession, Chelsey has strong opinions on defining “the classics,” and we have a LOT of fun discussing the complicated character of Odysseus. You don’t need to have any knowledge of mythology or The Odyssey in order to enjoy this episode. This episode is mostly spoiler-free, except for a brief discussion of the ending. We’ll warn you in advance...
122. The Wild Book by Juan Villoro
May 30, 2023 08:53 - 42 minutes - 49.2 MBWe’re closing out our spring semester of children’s classics with one final book about a book—and another richly imagined story in translation, The Wild Book by Juan Villoro. This modern story reached great acclaim in Mexico, with an English translation finally reaching America in 2017. We found this work a compelling companion to our first children’s work in translation, Inkheart, and we share our thoughts on the book’s proposed relationship between books and reading, how this modern work...
121. Sensational summer book releases paired with satisfying backlist reads
May 16, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBGet ready to load your summer totes (ahem…your summer Novel Pairings totes, more to come on that) with lots of good reads; we’re talking about our most anticipated summer reads on today’s episode! We’ve carefully culled our long lists of interesting books coming out this summer to provide some high-interest titles that are sure to topple your TBR while also providing backlist books that will pair perfectly and are available right now. Today we talk about forthcoming humorous memoirs (inc...
120. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
May 09, 2023 09:00 - 56 minutes - 64.5 MBAs voracious readers we love to dive into stories about books and reading, whether it’s paying homage to the source of procuring books (think publishing, bookshops, and libraries) or the physical books themselves. In today’s episode, we’re taking you on a dark, mysterious, and twisty adventure in translation with Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart. A plot-packed novel for the not-so-faint-of-heart, we discuss what Funke’s international bestseller has to say about the power stories hold for children, ...
119. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
May 02, 2023 08:47 - 57 minutes - 65.6 MBPack your bags and get ready for an adventure. This week, we’re discussing E. L. Konigsburg’s Newbery award-winning novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a 1960s romp about a pair of siblings who find refuge and mystery at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. From the Mixed-Up Files is a story simple in prose, yet imbued with rich descriptions and detail to leave a lasting impression. In today’s episode, we talk about our own mixed-up, nostalgic memories of readi...
118. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
April 25, 2023 09:02 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBAnne-with-an-e Shirley, a hallmark figure in children’s literature, provides a formative childhood reading experience for many readers. An imaginative and loquacious orphan who finds home and community with the Cuthbert siblings at Green Gables of Avonlea, Anne is a feisty, feminine, and dramatically charming protagonist. In today’s episode, we talk about how this sweet and endearing novel worked for us compared to other “warm hug” classics that missed the mark, the aspects of Anne’s charact...
117. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
April 18, 2023 09:02 - 56 minutes - 64.4 MBThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a staple in high school classrooms and a foundational piece of American literature. This children’s classic is a boisterous and satirical novel addressing a vast array of social and political issues couched in an episodic coming-of-age tale. In today’s episode, we address some of the teaching baggage that comes along with this book, consider Huck’s moral development, and wrestle with the complexities of encountering this book as a modern re...
116. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
March 28, 2023 10:39 - 59 minutes - 67.8 MBCatherine, Called Birdy has been a surprise hit with our listeners and book club community, and today Chelsey and Sara share their experience with Karen Cushman’s award-winning work of middle grade historical fiction. We share what we remember about the book from childhood, why we connected with it more now, and why a book about a girl trying to avoid marriage in the 13th-century feels so relevant today. We also go down a couple of rabbit holes of our own this episode, including a discussion...
115. Enticing spring book releases for your To Be Read list
March 21, 2023 09:45 - 53 minutes - 61.2 MBWhile we’re spending most of this season discussing classic children’s literature, today Chelsey and Sara break from form to share our most anticipated spring book releases. Spring is a busy time in the publishing cycle and we will topple your TBR with feel-good fiction, literary books from favorite writers, and a surprising number of intriguing nonfiction titles, all releasing between late February and early May. Today is all about those new releases, but if you want to hear us offer backli...
114. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
March 14, 2023 10:30 - 54 minutes - 62.5 MBChelsey and Sara discuss Mildred D. Taylor’s Newberry Award winning novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. We gush about the writing, share our favorite characters, and unpack a few memorable scenes. We also spend some time considering why this book feels like it could be classified as an adult novel and the value it would add to a middle or high school curriculum. And, of course, we each offer a couple of books to pair with this middle grade classic. This conversation is largely spoiler-free,...
113. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
February 28, 2023 10:50 - 1 hour - 82.9 MBChelsey and Sara discuss The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman as individual children’s classics and explore the way they are in conversation with each other. We chat about each novel’s philosophical framework, storytelling style, and depiction of childhood, which leads into a larger conversation about the role of Kid Lit in ethical and moral development. We thoroughly enjoyed returning to both of these fantastical stories, but each brou...
112. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
February 14, 2023 10:45 - 55 minutes - 63.3 MBChelsey and Sara chat about another children’s classic: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, reflecting on the difference between reading it as a kid versus our current adult perspectives. We discuss this novel’s unique characters and content, as well as the distinctive nature of the author herself. Allusions abound in this novel, from the biblical to the literary. As part of our exploration of children’s literature, we explore some themes and tropes of children’s literature that will cer...
111. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
February 07, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 72.3 MBChelsey and Sara discuss Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. This short, weird, and word play-filled story explores the “slipperiness” of language, the joys and fears of growing up, and the traditions of Victorian schooling. In addition to the historical and literary context for this classic, we also enjoyed talking about what it feels like to be a child in a world of rules. Today’s pairings include magical middle grade novels and a cozy light academia fantasy, and we hope ...
110. Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes and stories of community, music, and home
January 24, 2023 10:29 - 53 minutes - 61.7 MBChelsey and Sara discuss Langston Hughes’s 1930 novel: Not Without Laughter, the story of a young boy coming of age in small-town Kansas with his matriarchal family. His mother Annjee works as a maid and cook for a wealthy white family, his grandmother Hager takes in laundry work, and his Aunt Harriet has big dreams of performing. His wandering father, Jimboy makes appearances as does his upper class Aunt Tempy. As a collective, these characters reveal varied philosophies and histories of t...
109. Reading classic children's literature with Alice, Anne and Aslan
January 10, 2023 10:07 - 34 minutes - 62.9 MBThis spring semester, we are trying something a little different. We hope you all are up for venturing into uncharted territory together as we spend a few months reading Classic Children's Literature! From fantasy to historical fiction to adventure, we will explore the influences of children's stories on contemporary literature. Using our signature literary lens, we intend to reflect on some of our favorite books as young readers while scrutinizing how well they hold up to the modern kid lit...
108. Our favorite (and least favorite) books of 2022
December 13, 2022 10:14 - 1 hour - 82 MBToday we enter the towering stack of “Best Book” lists, but we like to think our annual episode stands out from the crowd. Instead of narrowing down a list of favorites every year, we share superlatives to include a wider variety of genres, themes, and reading experiences in our year end wrap up episode. Check our stories at @novelpairingspod on Instagram for templates to share your 2022 superlatives, and please do not forget to tag us! We would love to see which books you select in each cat...
107. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo and adapting the classics for modern readers
November 29, 2022 09:30 - 39 minutes - 44.7 MBJoin us as we discuss the sumptuous, sexy, and speculative adaptation of The Great Gatsby: The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo. We adored Vo’s language, voice, and inventive storytelling and will give you a heads up for brief spoilers [20:35-25:00]. In addition to classic themes with a contemporary twist, we also discuss what we’ve learned over the course of this adaptation-themed semester in Novel Pairings University. We are not offering pairings for this episode, but we highly recom...
106. Revisit West Egg with Novel Pairings: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
November 15, 2022 10:10 - 1 hour - 138 MBReaders, today we are taking it way back to September 2020 (a lifetime ago!) when we discussed The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This month’s book club is The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (a Gatsby retelling) so we’re taking this opportunity to refresh our memories about the plot, characters, and themes of Fitzgerald’s iconic work. We hope you enjoy this blast from the past, and we’re so excited to discuss Vo’s novel with you next week! Books mentioned: Chelsey’s Pa...
105. A stack of sparkling novels set in the Roaring 20s
November 08, 2022 10:56 - 40 minutes - 46.4 MBIn anticipation of this month's book club read, we're sharing a whole stack of novels set in the 1920s. We are giving you a little bit of everything in this list: historical fiction, romance, mystery, backlist books, and new releases to help you step back in time and witness the opulence and turbulence of the Roaring 20s. We hope you find the perfect glittering, scandalous, or suspenseful novel to escape into. Pairings Chelsey: The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo Shrines of Gaie...
104. The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare and pairings for theatrical, political, or fantastical readers
October 25, 2022 09:31 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBToday, Chelsey and Sara discuss Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. It’s been awhile since we discussed a Shakespeare play and we’re thrilled to be back with the Bard for spooky season to chat about witches, ghosts, murder, and betrayal. Take a listen to hear us discuss why Macbeth feels different from other tragedies, the way staging decisions can impact the meaning of this play, and how much of this story is inspired by the real King James I’s fears and paranoias. We also touch on what w...
103. Shakespearean titles to topple your To Be Read stack
October 18, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 55 MBToday, we are toppling your TBR with Shakespeare-inspired stories, retellings, and adaptations. We have ten books for you today, but there are so many more we could have discussed. Join our community over on Patreon for three additional recommendations from each of us! Pairings Chelsey: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston That Way Madness Lies, edited by Dahlia Adler Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel All’s Well by Mona Awad ...
102. Perplexed by Persuasion on Netflix
October 11, 2022 09:34 - 31 minutes - 57.4 MBToday, Chelsey and Sara are discussing the new Netflix film adaptation of Persuasion starring Dakota Johnson, Cormo Jarvis, and Henry Golding. We lament the anachronistic language, mull over the casting, and consider the obvious influences of Fleabag, Bridgerton, and Schitt’s Creek, all while attempting to figure out just what this movie had to say about Jane Austen’s most romantic novel. Additionally, we talk about the Austen adaptations we wish we had and which supporting cast members save...
101. Ask a Shakespeare Professor
October 04, 2022 17:47 - 58 minutes - 67 MBWelcome to Shakespeare 101! It’s a perfectly fitting episode number for today as we invite a Shakespeare professor to answer YOUR questions about the Bard’s staying power, how to read his works, and how to interpret Lady Macbeth. We always say we won’t get TOO academic here, but we’re getting pretty academic thanks to Chelsey’s former Shakespeare professor. Professor Doug Green taught at Augsburg University, including Shakespeare and Renaissance literature, writing, drama, and film. He als...
100. Persuasion by Jane Austen and romantic novels with plenty of pining
September 27, 2022 09:08 - 1 hour - 128 MBIt’s our 100th episode, readers! Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming along with us on this nerdy creative endeavor. We are immensely grateful for those of you who listen to the podcast, share it with friends, and support us on Patreon. Today, we are talking about Persuasion by Jane Austen, often described as Austen’s most autumnal work. Persuasion is a deeply romantic novel about longing, loss, and found family. We discuss Anne as an Austen heroine, and Wentworth as her perfect mat...
99. Literary adaptations we can't wait to read this fall
September 13, 2022 09:11 - 56 minutes - 104 MBWelcome to fall, readers! Today, Sara & Chelsey dive into all things adaptations: why we enjoy them, when they fall short, and how adaptations fit into literary and pop culture conversations. We discuss how literature thrives on adaptations, and Sara shares some salty opinions. Subscribe to our newsletter for more resources on adaptations and the topics we covered in this episode. Books Mentioned Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald) Pride ...
98. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and stories as big as Texas
August 30, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 165 MBToday, Sara and Chelsey discuss Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. This novel surprised us in the best ways, and we loved reading along with you all summer. Tune in to hear us talk about the fantastic characters and McMurtry’s narrative style in this sweeping tome, drawing surprising similarities with Jane Austen. This novel touches on themes of love, family, masculinity, and so much more. If you’re looking for a fantastic book club selection with more to discuss than could possibly fit in an ...
97. Romance in Marseille by Claude McKay and postcolonial novels to expand your world
May 31, 2022 13:33 - 56 minutes - 104 MBToday, Sara and Chelsey discuss Romance in Marseille by Claude McKay. We discuss the classic nature of this novel along with some of its modern elements, as well as our own personal impressions and individual reading experiences of the book. This Harlem Renaissance novel explores themes that pushed the boundaries of its time: disability, the physical body, race, migration, post-colonialism, Marxism, economics. If you’re looking for a short classic novel that covers many modern ideas, conside...
96. Must-read books of the summer paired with beach-worthy backlist titles
May 24, 2022 10:28 - 1 hour - 76.2 MBIt’s that time of year, readers! Pull out your favorite book tote and get thee to pre-ordering (or library requesting) because we’ve got an episode full of our most anticipated reads for summer 2022. Since we can’t help ourselves, we’ve paired each buzzy new title with a backlist pick. We’re also talking about summer reading hopes (not goals), our favorite summertime genres, and what’s happening in Classics Club this season. If you’re enjoying our content, please write a review on Apple P...
95. Love and Freindship by Jane Austen and adding pure FUN to your TBR list
April 26, 2022 10:00 - 51 minutes - 93.7 MBToday Sara and Chelsey discuss Jane Austen’s silly, ridiculous, and absolutely delightful work of juvenilia: Love and Freindship. From fainting spells to the history of parody, this episode is full of nerdy information and fun Austen context. If you’re looking to lighten up your reading life with irreverent novels and humorous romance, today’s pairings are for you, regardless of whether you’ve picked up Love and Freindship. Join our Patreon community at patreon.com/novelpairings. Follow...