Neha and Shruti discuss Home Fire, a retelling of Antigone set in the present day that explores questions of family, loyalty, beliefs, and legacy. We share some background about Sophocles' Antigone to help ground the discussion, discuss the parts of the novel that we loved, and share some of our issues with its construction. And as always, we share book recommendations in our Shelf Discovery segment for readers who liked different aspects of Home Fire.

Shelf Discovery:

The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

Circe by Madeline Miller

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

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In this special bonus episode, we are so excited to be joined by Izzy of What the Austen? as we talk all things relating to Austen adaptations! We discuss what makes a good adaptation, and that special quality to Austen's prose and which movies and TV shows succeed at capturing her magic. And, of course, we talk about our favorite (and least favorite) screen adaptations!

Follow Izzy on her Youtube Channel, Instagram, or by listening in to her other excellent podcast episodes!

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In this episode we introduce our theme for the season: adaptations! We discuss some of the best and worst adaptations we've seen, what makes a good adaptation, and the new trends in book adaptations. And, of course, we share what we'll be reading (and watching!) over the next few months for Season 5.

Books and movies mentioned:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Wicked

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

10 Things I Hate About You

She's the Man

The Lion King

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Mufasa

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Emma by Jane Austen

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Antigone by Sophocles

All's Well by Mona Awad

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It's finally here - our year in books! In this bonus episode, we share the 10 best books we read this year, ranging from new releases, to classics, to non-fiction. We also share a few honorable mentions that we loved. And, towards the end of the episode, we spill the tea on a few 2024 releases, including some that we loved and others that didn't quite hit the mark.

Books Mentioned:

The Guest

The Night Swim

They Called Us Exceptional

Educated

The Little Stranger

Yellowface

The Left Hand of Darkness

My Death

The Bee Sting

James

Birnam Wood

Hello Beautiful

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another Country

Cuckold

A Little Life

Enter Ghost

Martyr!

The Illness Lesson

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

An Immense World

In the Dream House

The Secret History

The God of the Woods

The Women

There are Rivers in the Sky

Argylle

The Bright Sword

Funny Story

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Neha and Shruti discuss all 8 books we've covered over the last few months, and talk about themes that emerged - getting a little nerdy along the way. We also discuss the Booker prize, throw some shade at the Oscars, and share more book recommendations around the theme of borders.

This episode is spoiler free!

Books mentioned:

Culture and Imperialism by Edward Said

Termush by Sven Holm

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib

They Called Us Exceptional by Prachi Gupta

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

The Laughter by Sonora Jha

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Neha and Shruti discuss The Parisian by Isabella Hammad, a book that follows Midhat Kamal, a Palestinian man, between the First and Second World Wars. We talk about the 19th century European novel, prominent themes we noticed in the book, and our thoughts on the characters and their development. We also get into the historical context of the events unfolding in the book.

Links

IsraelPalestine For Critical Thinkers on Youtube

Empire Podcast [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify]

Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits by Laila Lalami

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Our Riches by Kaouther Adimi

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This week we are so excited to invite Sri Ramesh of Brown Girl Bookshelf to chat with us! Last week, Neha and Shruti got into some of their critiques of The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, and this week, Sri is here to tell us what she loved about. Will she change our minds?

We also talk more broadly about Sri Lankan literature, the Booker prize, book endings, and our reading idiosyncrasies.

Links

What Makes a Book a 'Classic'? [The Novel Tea Newsletter archive]

Books

A Passage North by Anuk Arudpragasam

Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam

Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshanathan

The Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran

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Neha and Shruti discuss The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, a book that starts with the death of a photographer and follows him in the afterlife as he attempts to find his murderer and his missing photographs. We talk about the nature of death and the afterlife, and share historical context about the Sri Lankan Civil War. We also explore why people might be afraid to critize books, particularly works by marginalized communities.

Books mentioned & Shelf Discovery

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

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Neha and Shruti discuss Another Country by James Baldwin, a book that follows a group of friends and lovers in New York City in the mid-20th century. We talk about the characters and their relationships, the inaction that fills the novel, and the importance of having 'difficult' conversations with the people you love. We also go on a brief Gossip Girl tangent as we attempt to better understand the characters in this book :)

Links:

Another Country by Claudia Roth Pierpont [The New Yorker]

Jazz by Toni Morrison: violence and ambition [The Novel Tea]

Books mentioned & Shelf Discovery:

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Jazz by Toni Morrison

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

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Neha and Shruti discuss Daughters of the Deer, by Danielle Daniel, a work of historical fiction that follows an indigenous woman and her daughter in a 17th century French colony that is now Quebec, Canada. We talk about the historical context of the book, discuss the characters and their journeys, and reflect on the importance of telling these stories.

Shelf Discovery:

East by Edith Pattou

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Hope Leslie; Or Early Times in Massachusetts by Catharine Maria Sedgwick

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Neha and Shruti discuss The Savage Detectives, the story of two poets and the people and world that surrounds them, as they journey across Mexico. We talk about some of the cultural context of this book, the challenges we faced while reading, and share some strong opinions.

Shelf Discovery

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

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In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss The Other Americans by Laila Lalami, a novel about an immigrant family that includes a romance, family drama, and a mystery. After a quick discussion of the It Ends With Us drama, we share a quick summary and dive into some themes we noticed in The Other Americans, including memory, regret, and protection. We talk about some of the key relationships and conflicts, major plot points, and Lalami's writing style.

Shelf Discovery

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

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In this episode we discuss the many adaptations of Jane Austen’s Emma: Emma (1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow), Emma (1996 with Kate Beckinsale), Emma (2020 with Anya Taylor Joy), Clueless (1995 with Alicia Silverstone). We talk all about what each version gets right, and what it gets wrong, and decide on a favorite Emma, a favorite Knightely, and favorite overall!

We also reference a few other Emma adaptations, including Aisha (2010 with Sonam Kapoor), Emma Approved (Youtube Miniseries), and Emma of 83rd Street by Aubrey Bellezza and Emily Harding.

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In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai, which follows four characters from different social and financial classes, whose stories are linked through familial relationships and employment. As the book continues, their lives become more intimately intertwined and political unrest starts to reach their homes.

We talk about the themes of class and entitlement, the historical landscape of India in the post-independence decades, and discuss how this book is descendant from British literary giants such as PG Wodehouse and Jane Austen.

Shelf Discovery:

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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Neha and Shruti discuss The Sympathizer, the 2016 Pulitzer winner for fiction, through the themes of loyalty and duality. This book is a thriller and a satire, following a mixed race narrator who moves to the United States after the fall of Saigon, and must navigate his identity and his role as a communist spy. We talk about the book's historical context, its commentary on race and pop culture, and more.

Links:

Interview with Viet Thanh Nguyen [NPR]

Shelf Discovery:

The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

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In this episode, Neha and Shruti introduce the theme for Season 4: Beyond Borders! We talk about the books we've selected to read in this theme, and share what we're excited about in the upcoming months.

Books Mentioned:

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nyugen

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño

Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel

Another Country by James Baldwin

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

The Parisian by Isabella Hammad

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We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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It's time for the best, the worst, and everything in-between: in the 2024 Novelties, Shruti and Neha give awards to their favorite reads of 2024 so far. Ranging from classics to new releases, we share our picks for most unexpected, best character, worth the hype, best page-turner, weirdest book, and more!

Books Mentioned:

Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Belleza and Emily Harding

My Death by Lisa Tuttle

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams

James by Percival Everett

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Membranes by Ta-Wei Chi wei

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Cuckold by Kiran Nagarkar

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In our last episode until the fall, we talk all about speculative fiction: our favorite fictional worlds, the best reading experiences we've had this season, and more. We also share the books that didn't make the cut for this season (even though we want to read them all), and get into the great realistic vs. genre fiction debate.

Books mentioned:

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

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Today, Neha and Shruti talk about Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, a dreamy, fantastical novel set in a beautiful House where there are birds, fish, tides, and statues. We talk about the narrator's unique perspective, the writing style, and our thoughts on the underlying meaning of the story. We also get into the book's many allusions and references, from C.S. Lewis, to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Shelf Discovery & Books Mentioned:

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Circe by Madeline Miller

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Shruti and Neha talk about Sea of Tranquility, the latest book from speculative fiction author Emily St. John Mandel. We dive into the differences between loneliness and solitude, past vs. present tense in fiction, time travel, the history of the simulation hypothesis, and much more!

Spoilers start at 15:53.

Shelf Discovery

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster

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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

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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

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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

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In this episode, we discuss, laugh about, and delight Jane Austen's Emma. We talk about the novel’s themes of autonomy and companionship and how these are at odds; we also delve into what we think the book is saying about love, marriage, friendship, and class. We of course giggle and marvel over the book’s wonderful characters, and we also get a bit nerdy as we make comparisons to Shakespeare’s comedies.

Links:

Emma and New Comedy [JASNA]

The Powers of the Instrument: Or, Jane, Frank, and the Pianoforte [JASNA]

Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

The Luck of the Bodkins by PG Wodehouse

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto

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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

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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

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*Note: this episode was recorded and published before the information on Gaiman's exploitation and abuse of women was made public. We do not support the author financially or otherwise - but we do believe in the importance of discussing art and literature, so are choosing to leave this episode available to all.

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.

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Shelf Discovery

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

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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

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

*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

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Shelf Discovery:

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

Shruti - The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Neha - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough

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Shruti and Neha discuss Amor Towle's beloved tale of confinement, A Gentleman in Moscow, through the themes of balance and imagination. We provide some historical context for the events of the novel, share what we loved, and provide some critiques (including our thoughts on the ending). We also talk about the Paramount TV adaptation and compare its themes and mission to those of the book.

Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, 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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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 at no additional cost to you.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

*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!

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Shelf Discovery:

The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

Neha - The Humans by Matt Haig

Shruti - none

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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

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Stolen, by Ann-Helén Laestadius, is a mystery, thriller, coming-of-age story that completely captured our hearts. Shruti and Neha discuss some of the contextual elements of the book, discuss the theme of silence, and of course, break down the shocking ending! They also talk about themes of belonging, alienation, youth, the patriarchy, and mental health.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Links:

Interview with Ann-Helén Laestadius on Bookanista

Shelf discovery:

Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius

Neha - East by Edith Pattou

Shruti - Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

*Content warning: animal cruelty, suicide

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Neha and Shruti head to Colombia, delving into the world of Pablo Escobar and drug cartels as they discuss the second book of the season, Fruit of the Drunken Tree. We talk about the historical context in which this story is set while unpacking how the characters are affected by their sacrifices and the spaces they occupy. They also get into a discussion about the origins of the term ‘magical realism,’ and the questionable colonialist mindset that fuels the term’s use in today’s age.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Links:

Essay: What We Talk About When We Talk About Magical Realism

Shelf Discovery:

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Shruti - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett; and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Neha - Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo

*Content warning: sexual assault. Skip through 33:15-36:00 to skip this section

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The Murmur of Bees is a lyrical novel set during the Mexican revolution about a special young boy and the family who adopts him. Neha and Shruti discuss themes of faith and wonder, good versus evil, and magic realism. They share what they loved about the book, while also touching on the importance of authorial intent, asking the question: is history still being written by the winners?

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Shelf Discovery:

The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia

Neha - The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles; and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Shruti - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke; and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

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In this episode Neha and Shruti discuss the two movie adaptations of Rebecca: the 1940 masterpiece directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and the 2020... something piece directed by Ben Wheatley. We pay attention to characterization, setting, music, and costume, and of course, discuss the MAJOR changes made to the ending in both these movies!

If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, 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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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 at no additional cost to you.

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Finally, Shruti and Neha are answering all your burning questions! Listen in to find out more about us including the books we loved, books we hated, how we started this podcast, and (perhaps most importantly), the ultimate Harry Potter book ranking.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Books Mentioned:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Holes by Louis Sachar

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Normal People by Sally Rooney

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

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Shruti and Neha are traveling around the world! Through books, that is. In this episode we share our reading list, some important background for each of the books we’ve picked, and what we’re excited about for Season 2.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

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In our last episode before our summer hiatus, Neha and Shruti zoom out to look at the big picture. We discuss some broader themes that crop up in all of the books, including the city vs. the country, movement, safety, and hope. We also talk about the theme of season one, The American Dream - where it came from, how it has evolved, and how it may represent something new for the 21st century.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Books mentioned:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

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Jazz, a lyrical and complex story about passion and fear in urban life, is one of Toni Morrison's most unique books. Neha and Shruti talk about violence and ambition as central themes, explore how Morrison draws on traditions of Black art and expression, and come away with more questions than answers.

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

Links:

Eight Works to Take in After or Alongside Toni Morrison's 'Jazz': New York Times article

Characteristics of Negro Expression: 1934 essay by Zora Neale Hurston, African-American novelist and anthropologist

Shelf Discovery:

Jazz by Toni Morrison

Shruti - Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee

Neha - none

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