Novel Pairings (Novel Pairings)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Novel Pairings
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| 08 Apr 2025 | 161. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Five: Badly Done, Emma | 01:08:42 | |
In this episode, we’re unpacking so many juicy moments—from Frank Churchill’s restless return to Highbury and the long-awaited ball at the Crown Inn to Harriet’s shocking misadventure and Mr. Knightley’s heroic turn on the dance floor. We’ll explore Emma’s ever-active imagination, Mrs. Elton’s relentless meddling, and some subtle but oh-so-important moments between Emma and Mr. Knightley. Plus, we’ll chat about strawberry-picking at Donwell Abbey, and all the little details that make this part of the novel so rich and entertaining. As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where you’ll get reminders and announcements at novelpairings.substack.com. This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus we’re opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned.
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| 09 Nov 2021 | 86. Palpable tension and shocking twists in Passing by Nella Larsen | 01:02:08 | |
When we first released our episode on Passing by Nella Larsen in June of 2020, we were already professing our excitement for the new movie starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Nega. This month, the film is finally releasing on Netflix. We can’t wait to watch and see how the palpable tension and twisty tone translate to the screen. This episode contains spoilers, but we give you ample warning so feel free to listen before or after watching. Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including a literary thriller and one of this summer’s buzziest books. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Show Notes:
Chelsey’s Pairings: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite [40:48] Black is the Body by Emily Bernard [47:05] The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert [53:17]
Sara’s Pairings: Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson [37:50] Born a Crime by Trevor Noah [43:14] The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett [50:00]
Pick of the Week: You Must Remember This podcast “Passing for White, Merle Oberon” 13th the Ava DuVerny documentary | |||
| 15 Nov 2022 | 106. Revisit West Egg with Novel Pairings: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | 01:15:09 | |
Readers, 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 Pairings: Sara’s Pairings:
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| 13 Dec 2022 | 108. Our favorite (and least favorite) books of 2022 | 01:11:39 | |
Today 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 category. For more superlatives, go to patreon.com/novelpairings. We will share a bonus episode on Friday FULL of more titles we loved this year.
Podcast episodes mentioned: Maryanne Wolf and Ezra Klein discuss “deep reading” Buzzy summer 2022 books we both read
Books mentioned: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott Book Lovers by Emily Henry Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Trust by Hernan Diaz Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk Search by Michelle Hunevan Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon Invisible Storm by Jason Kander A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O’Neill Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King The Long Answer by Anna Hogeland The Trees by Percival Everett Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout Recitatif by Toni Morrison Have I Told You This Already? By Lauren Graham Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk These Precious Days by Ann Pachett Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
Share your own superlatives! Here’s the list:
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| 16 Nov 2021 | 87. Perfectly paired gifts for every bookworm | 00:46:36 | |
Our penchant for pairings goes far beyond books and in today’s gift guide rerelease we’re offering a variety of suggestions for what to give the literary minded loved ones in your life. Each book and gift pairing is put together with a particular type of reader in mind to help you find the perfect holiday gift no matter who you’re shopping for this season. Our Gift Guide: https://novelpairings.com/2020/11/10/35-a-2020-gift-guide-for-every-literary-taste/ For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned: Luster by Raven Leilani (9/1) Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney Normal People by Sally Rooney Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (9/1) The Mothers by Brit Bennett Daddy by Emma Cline (9/1) The Girls by Emma Cline Florida by Lauren Groff Sabrina & Corina by Kali Farjado-Anstine Lot by Bryan Washington Recommended for You by Laura Silverman (9/1) Tweet Cute by Emma Lord By the Book by Amanda Sellet Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (9/1) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Pride by Ibi Zoboi His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie (9/1) Queenie by Candace Carty-Williams Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivers (9/1) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole (9/1) The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin Jack by Marilynne Robinson (9/15) Lila by Marilynne Robinson Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (9/15) Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (9/29) How to Stop Time by Matt Haig Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo (9/29) The Best Worst Man by Mia Sosa Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman (10/6) Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab (10/6) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh (10/13) Natural Acts: Gender, Race, and Rusticity in Country Music by Pamela Fox Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (10/20) Dare Me by Megan Abbott Jane in Love by Rachel Givney (10/27) The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn Austenland by Shannon Hale Cobble Hill by Cecily Von Ziegesar (10/20) Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger I Wanna Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom (11/17) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby | |||
| 26 Mar 2024 | 144. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh | 00:59:38 | |
If 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 today, we have a hunch that you would also love our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.
Books Mentioned: The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen The Secret History by Donna Tartt This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
Also Mentioned: Brideshead Revisited Mini Series
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| 05 Oct 2021 | 81. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe and creepy fictional houses to explore | 01:05:40 | |
Today, Sara and Chelsey discuss “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe. This delightfully creepy story ushers in (that pun was NOT intended, but let’s go with it) chilling fall breezes, spooky October vibes, and atmosphere galore. We walk through a close reading of this classic horror story and cover Poe’s signature writing style and the horror tropes he plays with here, leaving a legacy for modern authors and even filmmakers in the horror genre. As always in Short Story Club, we offer four contemporary pairings to add to your gothic reading pile this fall. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Skip to the pairings: [43:50] . . . Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links! “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe A collection of Poe’s short stories Chelsey:
Sara:
Both (Bonus):
Picks of the week: Chelsey - For students: The Poe Museum & Common Lit For teachers: Drunk History, Edgar Allan Poe feuds with Rufus Griswold Sara - The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez and The Fall by Bethan Griffin | |||
| 14 May 2024 | 147. The limits of satire & A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift | 00:55:10 | |
On today’s Modern Readers episode, we’re placing “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift in context with pieces of contemporary political satire. We'll explore how satire is being used today to comment on politics and social issues, and the power, or limits, of its influence. Throughout our discussion, we discuss the lasting legacy of Swift’s essay, the rise of satirical media, and how satire is used as a rhetorical tool. Listen to the end for contemporary satirical examples in TV, online media, and comedy. We’re also excited to announce our Summer Big Book Read Along: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. We’re looking forward to digging into this classic with you! This Big Book Read Along includes 5 recaps spread over June, July, and August, 3 book club meet ups to discuss along the way, an active Discord chat for support and motivation, classes and bonus content. The summer is a great time to join our scholarly community! Find more details on our summer plans in our free Substack newsletter or head to patreon.com/novelpairings to join our community.
Books Mentioned: A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Also Mentioned: A Modern Proposal on Project Gutenberg A Point of View: What’s the point of satire?
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| 13 Jul 2021 | 69. A short story to read in one sitting this summer: The Prairie Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld | 00:48:17 | |
Today in “Short Story Club,” Chelsey and Sara are discussing “The Prairie Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld. It’s a quick, absorbing read about summer camp, social media, and how stories shape our identities. We’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Note: Short Story Club episodes do contain spoilers. Read the story first, and then come back to hear our nerdy discussion. Join our Patreon community for an extended Short Story Club discussion on Discord. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. . . . . . . These links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Novel Pairings will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Short stories for summer from Bustle Chelsey
Sara
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| 27 Jul 2021 | 71. Superlatives for the best books of 2021 so far | 00:52:19 | |
Today, Sara and Chelsey share their favorite books of the year (so far) with a series of bookish superlatives to guide them. From most surprising to most disappointing, we discuss the books that have shaped our reading lives in the first half of 2021. We love this low pressure format for sharing "the best" books and would love to hear about YOUR favorites, using our superlatives list. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links! Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jandrowski (Amazon) Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian (Amazon) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (Amazon) The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (Amazon) Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters (Amazon) Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (Amazon) Writers & Lovers by Lily King (Amazon) Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine (Amazon) One Two Three by Laurie Frankel (Amazon) Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (Amazon) Wintering by Katherine May (Amazon) How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America by Kiese Laymon (Amazon) Ariadne by Jennifer Saint (Amazon) Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Amazon) Matrix by Lauren Groff (Amazon) You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union (Amazon) | |||
| 19 Jan 2021 | 45. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and charming books for devoted bibliophiles | 00:56:42 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing 84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff, the ultimate comfort read for bibliophiles. Chelsey can’t believe she hadn’t read it sooner, and Sara revels in her rereading experience. We cover everything from the epistolary form to Helene’s unique reading habits to the satisfaction of a bittersweet ending. Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, with a mix of charming memoir and plucky historical fiction.
Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [30:05]
Shop the pairings with our affiliate links below:
Chelsey’s Pairings: Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian’s Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence (Amazon) Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce (Amazon) Dinner with Edward: An Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent (Amazon)
Sara’s Pairings: Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Amazon) Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread by Michiko Kakutani (Amazon) My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland (Amazon)
Picks of the week: The Repair Shop (Netflix) The Crown (Netflix)
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| 14 Jul 2020 | 19. Short Story Club: All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury and descriptive dystopian novels | 00:43:57 | |
Today, in “Short Story Club,” Chelsey and Sara are chatting about “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Brudbury. This short story is about a group of young schoolchildren living on Venus, who have never seen the sun in their lifetime. It’s about sacrifice, the pain of nostalgia, bullying. It’s super short but packed with stunning detail and emotion. Our discussion includes:
Plus, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with this story, including an award-winning fantasy and a dystopian YA novel.
Past short story episodes: “Roman Fever” by Edith Wharton
Mentions: The October Country by Ray Bradbury
. . . Pairing spoilers ahead! . . . . . . . . . . . . Chelsey’s Pairings: The Martian by Andy Weir [30:12] & Artemis by Andy Weir [30:50] The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin [33:39] The Dry by Jane Harper [37:30]
Sara’s Pairings: Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah [31:42] Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman [35:22] Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson [38:58]
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| 25 Oct 2022 | 104. The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare and pairings for theatrical, political, or fantastical readers | 01:10:37 | |
Today, 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 we actually admire about the Macbeths’ marriage and just how much Game of Thrones owes to the Scottish Play. For today’s pairings we have a Macbeth retelling set in Appalachia, two tales of things gone wrong in the theater, plus a modern classic, an epic fantasy novel, and a quiet meditation on the power of prophecy. This episode is great for Shakespeare lovers as well as readers less familiar with his works.
Listen to Our Pairings: [51:35]
Chelsey: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Sara: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Coming Up November: The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo To support Novel Pairings:
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| 26 Apr 2022 | 95. Love and Freindship by Jane Austen and adding pure FUN to your TBR list | 00:51:09 | |
Today 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.
Books mentioned: Love and Freindship by Jane Austen Chelsey: The Princess Bride by William Goldman Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Mallory Ortburg When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare Miss Austen by Gill Hornby Sara: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbetson Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin | |||
| 15 Jan 2021 | 44.5 Anticipated book releases for winter 2021 and backlist books to read while you wait | 00:53:14 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are ready to topple your TBRs with highly anticipated winter releases and backlist books. Our goal is to hype up the buzzy new books and under-the-radar releases while offering pairings that are easier to get at the library (or more affordable in paperback). There are a TON of titles mentioned in today’s episode, so be sure to visit our show notes at novelpairings.com to find full lists of every book we talked about. Find show notes HERE. Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Books mentioned (affiliate links): January 5 The Push by Ashley Audrain (Amazon) Long Bright River by Liz Moore (Amazon) Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (Amazon) Members Only by Sameer Pandya (Amazon) Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant (Amazon) Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (Amazon) Outlawed by Anna North (Amazon) True Grit by Charles Portis (Amazon) Days Without End by Sebastian Barry (Amazon)
January 12
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O’Donnell (Amazon) Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (Amazon) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (Amazon) The Captive by Fiona King Foster (Amazon) Scribe by Alyson Hagy (Amazon)
January 19
The Divines by Ellie Eaton (Amazon) The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams (Amazon) The Girls by Emma Cline (Amazon)
January 26
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes (Amazon) The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (Amazon)
February 2
The Removed by Brandon Hobson (Amazon) Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson (Amazon) Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich (Amazon) My Year Abroad by Chang Rae-Lee (Amazon) The Idiot by Elif Batuman (Amazon)
February 9
A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett (Amazon) A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (Amazon) The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite (Amazon) My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh (Amazon)
February 16
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (Amazon) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Amazon) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (Amazon)
March 2
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Amazon) Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan (Amazon)
March 9
Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmerman (Amazon) The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter (Amazon)
There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset (Amazon) | |||
| 10 Aug 2021 | 73. Greek mythology-inspired novels to topple your To Be Read list | 00:57:36 | |
Influenced by a delightful book club discussion with Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas, Chelsey and Sara share a pile of mythology-inspired books in today’s TBR toppling episode. Myth retellings and adaptations might be a hot trend in publishing right now, but their popularity dates back centuries. In today’s discussion, Chelsey and Sara explore the resurgence of Greek mythology, what makes a great retelling, and which mythological novels they love or want to read. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links!
Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann (Amazon) Circe by Madeline Miller (Amazon) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Amazon) A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes (Amazon) The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (Amazon) The Women of Troy by Pat Barker (Amazon) Lovely War by Julie Berry (Amazon) xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths, edited by Kate Bernheimer (Amazon) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (Amazon) The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough (Amazon) Bull by David Elliot (Amazon) Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (Amazon) Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard (Amazon) Weight by Jeanette Winterson (Amazon) The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (Amazon) Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Amazon) Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera (Amazon) Lore by Alexandra Bracken (Amazon) Mythos by Stephen Fry (Amazon)
Also mentioned: Episode 18: The Odyssey by Homer and mythology retellings for adventurous readers | |||
| 18 May 2021 | 61. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, plus books about complicated families, romance, and boundaries | 01:03:49 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara discuss The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. This classic Cinderella story follows Valancy Stirling as she receives life-changing news that shakes up her whole world and leads her to happiness. Her coming-of-age story includes a few highly discussable plot points that we couldn’t help but spoil, so if you haven’t read the book, scroll down to get a timestamp to avoid spoilers. As always, we’re recommending contemporary pairings for our classic, including a whip-smart rom-com and a dreamy fantasy novel. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Spoilers start here: [29:15] And our Pairings start here: [35:52] . . . Books mentioned (affiliate links): . . . . Chelsey
Sara
Picks of the week: Want to buy an island in Canada? The History Chicks: Lucy Maud Montgomery episode | |||
| 16 May 2023 | 121. Sensational summer book releases paired with satisfying backlist reads | 01:04:53 | |
Get 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 (including one woven with lots of 90s nostalgia), a searing, fictional critique of contemporary publishing, and plenty of engrossing tales you’ll want to curl up with poolside. And if that’s not enough, we take a shot at solving the mystery surrounding the unnamed Flatiron title prior to it being settled by the New York Times (and Chelsey will add amateur sleuth to her list of alternate career options should occasion arise). We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price!
Books Mentioned Disorientation by Elian Hsieh Chou Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel All Sinners Bleed by S.A. Crosby Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson Wannabe: Reckoning with the Pop Culture that Saved Me by Aisha Harris Piccolo is Black by Jordan Calhoun A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi Half-Life of a Stolen Sister by Rachel Cantor Glass Town by Isabel Greenberg Charlotte Bronte: A Fiery Heart by Claire Harman The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell History’s Angel by Anjum Hassan The Lost Ranger by Peter Heller Congratulations, the Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomas
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| 28 May 2024 | 149. On Beauty by Zadie Smith | 01:15:19 | |
Today, we’re wrapping up our spring season with Zadie Smith’s On Beauty, a theme-driven novel that recreates the social world of an elite liberal arts college, exploring issues through nuanced satire on race, class, and beauty. We dig into the stories of the Belsey and Kipp families and Smith’s use of the academic setting to discuss identity and social satire. Our pairings for On Beauty include callbacks to previous classic episodes, essays by Zadie Smith, and surprising historical fiction. Our Slow Down Summer Read Along of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is starting soon! Just like our readalongs for The Odyssey and The Custom of the Country, you can expect exclusive Patreon content, including book clubs and classes, to guide you through this ginormous classic. We’d love for you to join us! Go to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up.
Books Mentioned: There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays by Zadie Smith Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue | |||
| 21 Mar 2023 | 115. Enticing spring book releases for your To Be Read list | 00:53:27 | |
While 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 backlist pairings for these anticipated buzzy titles, head over to our Patreon community to get that bonus content delivered to your podcast feed. To shop for all of the titles mentioned in today’s episode while supporting our show, head to our Bookshop.org affiliate storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/novelpairings Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. . . . . . Books mentioned:
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| 14 Nov 2023 | 135. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf | 01:03:01 | |
We’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. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings. Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting public scholarship!
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| 21 Dec 2021 | 90. Our love/hate relationship with Little Women by Louisa May Alcott | 01:01:01 | |
“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” So begins the book that launched a million little girls’ love affair with reading. While we here at Novel Pairings have pretty mixed feelings about Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, our discussion of this beloved childhood classic is one of our favorites. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some discussion of Little Women, so whether you love them or loathe them, we hope you enjoy today’s rerelease as we deep dive into the world of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books Mentioned: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Amazon) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (Amazon) Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Amy Boyd Rioux (Amazon) So We Read On: How the Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan (Amazon) March by Geraldine Brooks (Amazon) Also mentioned: Episode 40 with Annie B. Jones Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [36:14]
Shop the pairings with our affiliate links below:
Chelsey’s Pairings:
Sara’s Pairings:
Picks of the week: | |||
| 12 Dec 2023 | 137. Entering Edith Wharton's Gilded Age | 00:43:06 | |
Ever 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 period, and how they connect to today. Plus, we share details about the grandiose drama, architecture, and wealth that give this period its weighty name. This episode is just one example of the public scholarship we’re creating on Patreon, where we teach classes on author and historical context, literary movements, critical lenses and more. We are working hard to convert past classes into exclusive Patreon episodes so you can catch up and listen on-the-go! If you’d like to access more classes like the one you heard in today’s episode, to join our monthly book club, to get handouts, to listen to weekly bonus episodes, and to join our engaging Discord community, you can sign up for our Classics Club over at patreon.com/novelpairings for just $10 a month. We’d love to see you in book club, class, or on social media this winter! Follow us on Instgram. Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter.
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| 18 Aug 2020 | 24. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien and fantasy novels for readers who love strong characters and complex worlds | 01:13:02 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. We’re not shy about sharing our lack of experience with the fantasy genre. It’s not the go-to genre for either of us, but we love to branch out and try new literary things. This book delighted us in some surprising ways and helped us figure out what exactly we love—or could do without—in fantasy novels.
Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including a fast-paced fantasy set in NYC and a beautiful book for map-lovers.
We avoided major spoilers in this episode, so feel free to listen before or after reading in order to enhance your reading experience.
Books Mentioned: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey The Magicians by Lev Grossman . . . . . . . . . . Shop the pairings: https://bookshop.org/lists/novel-pairings-for-the-fellowship-of-the-ring-by-j-r-r-tolkien
Chelsey’s Pairings: The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin [40:57]
Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan [51:11] The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss [59:18]
Sara’s Pairings: The Lost Queen by Signe Pike [45:40] Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James [54:00] The Dictionary of Imaginary Places by Alberto Maguel, Gianni Guadalupi, and Graham Greenfield [1:01:48]
Picks of the Week: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas A Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin | |||
| 01 Jun 2021 | 63. Brand new summer books and backlist pairings to topple your TBR | 01:08:50 | |
We’re kicking off the summer reading season with a TBR toppler full of highly anticipated summer releases and backlist pairings! This episode is full of books we haven’t read and our best guesses at which books might be readalikes or thematic pairings. With buzzy books and under-the-radar releases from every genre, you’re sure to find at least one book (or maybe ten) for your summer To Be Read list. We can’t wait to hear which books you put on hold at the library or pick up from your local bookstore! For bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned (affiliate links):
June: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Amazon) - 5:35 The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (Amazon)
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (Amazon) - 8:25 When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole (Amazon)
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia - 11:26 (Amazon) The Diviners by Libba Bray (Amazon) The Girls of Murder City by Douglas Perry (Amazon)
Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford (Amazon) - 15:15 This is My America by Kim Johnson (Amazon) Walking on Cowrie Shells by Nana Nkweti (Amazon) - 19:00 Grown Ups by Marie Aubert - 21:45 The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood by Krys Malcolm Belc (Amazon) - 25:05 Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor (Amazon) - 27:40
July: Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy (Amazon) - 35:43 Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures by Emma Straub (Amazon) We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (Amazon) 39:38 All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Amazon)
The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam (Amazon) - 43:08
August: All’s Well by Mona Awad (Amazon) - 47:00
In The Country of Others by Leila Slimani (Amazon) - 54:50 The King of Infinite Space by Lyndsay Faye (Amazon) - 57:17 Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye (Amazon) The Guide by Peter Heller (Amazon) - 60:01 Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke (Amazon) | |||
| 27 Apr 2021 | 58. Grounded and inventive speculative fiction recommendations for your TBR | 00:47:20 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara explore speculative fiction and sci-fi in anotherTBR toppling episode. We’re not big sci-fi readers, but we have a bunch of grounded, page-turning books to recommend today. Even if you’re not an avid speculative fiction reader, we think you’ll find at least one book to interest you among these titles. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned:
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| 28 Feb 2023 | 113. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman | 01:12:27 | |
Chelsey 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 brought up some big questions for us as readers and new moms. Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. Pairings Timestamp: 1:07:05 . . . Books mentioned:
Also mentioned:
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| 17 Sep 2024 | 154. Moody & Atmospheric Fall 2024 Book Releases with Backlist Pairings | 00:56:56 | |
We’re excited to be back in your podcast feeds to pair highly anticipated fall book releases with beloved backlist favorites. Prepare to overload your TBR pile as we dive into an exciting fall publishing season filled with moody, atmospheric titles. In today’s episode, we’ll share our carefully curated lists of outstanding upcoming fiction from both renowned authors and indie presses, along with a selection of diverse fiction and nonfiction we think you’ll enjoy, all paired with a backlist book to explore while you await your library holds and pre-orders. Before diving into the books, we want to remind our community that Chelsey will be on maternity leave this fall. As a small (very small!) business, this requires significant planning and adjustments. To best manage our schedules while preserving the community we've created, we will take a short break from the main feed while focusing on providing fun, nerdy new content on Patreon at patreon.com/novelpairings. We aim to return to the main feed in December or January with a special episode featuring the best books of 2024, along with a thrilling spring season. In the meantime, we will continue to offer bonus episodes, discussion-based classes, and book club events through our Patreon community. You can join us at either the $5 or $10 level, depending on your desired level of participation. We are incredibly thankful for your support. Thank you for being with us!
Books Mentioned The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia The Professor by Charlotte Bronte Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osmond The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Don’t Be a Stranger by Susan Minot The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow Curdle Creek by Yvonnne Battle-Felton The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews The Wedgford Trials by Courtney Milian The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Kong The Fortnite In September by RC Sheriff
Also Mentioned Anonymous Divorce/Sex Substack
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| 22 Aug 2023 | 128. Hot takes on the buzzy books of last summer | 00:38:44 | |
Today 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 don't love a book. This episode originally aired on our Patreon bonus feed. To hear all about the buzzy books we read THIS summer, sign up to join Classics Club at patreon.com/novelpairings. We would love to see you in our community this semester! Books Mentioned People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine Lessons in Chemistry by Bonne Garmus Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon | |||
| 27 Sep 2022 | 100. Persuasion by Jane Austen and romantic novels with plenty of pining | 01:09:53 | |
It’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 match. We discuss coming of age, family strains, and other exceedingly modern themes. Finally, of course we could not stop ourselves from diving into the theme of the season: adaptation, and why we think there is a resurgence of interest in this story right now. Pairings Chelsey: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass Sara: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin Possession: A Romance by A.S. Byatt Other Links Cynthia Erivo narration of Persuasion on Spotify Coming Up October: Macbeth by William Shakespeare November: The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo To support Novel Pairings:
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| 30 Oct 2020 | 33.5 Discussing the new Netflix adaptation of Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, starring Lily James and Armie Hammer | 00:43:06 | |
Readers, today we have a special treat, a bonus episode! We watched the new Rebecca adaptation on Netflix, and we have OPINIONS. We’re talking about how we feel about DuMaurier’s original, what we loved about the movie, what we hated, which spooky and suspenseful movies we’re excited to watch this Halloween weekend, and what we’re currently reading. Did you watch the new movie? What did you think?
P.S. We discuss the movie in depth, so spoilers abound!
Tell us on Instagram or Twitter.
Be the first to know about future bonus episodes. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Support our show AND independent bookstores. Use our Libro.fm affiliate link to get an audiobook subscription for yourself or as a gift.
Watch Hitchcock’s Academy Award winning adaptation here.
“Lily James Looks Like an American Girl Doll in Rebecca”
Lily James stars in The Pursuit of Love
Books mentioned:
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier The Winters by Lisa Gabriele Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell | |||
| 20 Jul 2021 | 70. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and glittering contemporary books full of social commentary | 01:13:46 | |
Chelsey and Sara discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton*, a glittering Gilded Age classic that feels particularly relevant today. We chat about our experiences rereading one of Wharton’s early novels, how we felt about the divisive character Lily Bart, and our recommendations for contemporary pairings—including one of our favorite essay collections and a coming of age novel set at a boarding school. *This episode does include spoilers, so listen carefully for spoiler warnings if you haven’t read The House of Mirth yet. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Listen to our pairings: [45:58]
Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting us by shopping our affiliate links! Chelsey
Sara
Also mentioned: The Gilded Age Girls Club series (Duchess by Design #1) by Maya Rodale The Gossip Girl of Her Time: On the Pleasures of Edith Wharton | |||
| 03 Mar 2020 | 0. Introducing Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun | 00:30:37 | |
Welcome to Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun. In this welcome episode, Chelsey and Sara introduce themselves and the podcast format, and share exactly what they mean by "pairings." | |||
| 15 Apr 2025 | 162. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Six: A Perfect Union | 01:22:29 | |
In this episode, we reach the culmination of Jane Austen's Emma, where secrets are revealed, relationships evolve, and characters face pivotal choices that will shape their futures. We discuss shifting affections, unexpected engagements, and the web of emotions that bind the residents of Highbury together. We will conclude our Emma series with a finale reflection episode in a few weeks to give you a chance to catch up on recaps. This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus we’re opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned. To learn when our shop opens up and to get all new announcements, make sure you are following @novelpairingspod on Instagram and subscribed to novelpairings.substack.com. Find Chelsey and Sara on Substack, too! Chelsey: The Eclectic Reader @ chelsey.substack.com Sara: Fiction Matters @ fictionmatters.substack.com
Books Mentioned Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters by William Austen-Leigh Also Mentioned Novel Pairings Odyssey Readalong Novel Pairings Les Miserables Readalong
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| 01 Apr 2025 | 160. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Four: Jane Fairfax & Mrs. Elton | 01:04:18 | |
In this episode, we’re savoring the drama and intrigue of Emma, Volume Two, Chapters 9 through 18. The aftermath of the Cole’s party has Emma rehashing every social triumph and misstep, from her jealousy over Jane Fairfax’s piano skills to her playful gossip with Frank Churchill about the mysterious pianoforte. Meanwhile, Mrs. Elton makes her grand entrance into Highbury society, leaving Emma unimpressed but the rest of the town charmed. Between witty banter, romantic musings, and subtle moments of humor (looking at you, Mr. Knightley), these chapters are packed with Austen’s signature blend of sharp social commentary and entertaining drama. As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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| 17 Nov 2020 | 36. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told by Alex Haley, with Traci Thomas of The Stacks | 01:13:27 | |
Today, Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast joins Chelsey and Sara to discuss The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm, X, as told by Alex Haley. We loved diving into this iconic nonfiction classic with our favorite nonfiction expert, and we’re so excited to share this conversation with you.
Follow The Stacks on Instagram Join The Stacks Book Club on Patreon Shop The Stacks merch Shop Traci’s book recs
Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our newsletter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription for yourself or purchase a gift. Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending a bunch of contemporary pairings to read along with this classic.
Shop the pairings: https://bookshop.org/lists/novel-pairings-for-the-autobiography-of-malcolm-x
Traci’s Pairings:
Sara’s Pairings:
Chelsey’s Pairings:
Also mentioned:
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| 20 Apr 2021 | 57. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and science fiction stories for literary fiction lovers | 00:53:23 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. We take some conversational bunny trails to explore our high school reading experiences, our relationships with science fiction, and our philosophical ponderings inspired by Billy Pilgrim’s story. As usual, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with Vonnegut’s most famous work, including anti-war satire and sci-fi short stories. For access to our recent class on literary theory and bonus episodes every Friday, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [28:45] These links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Novel Pairings will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! . . . . . . Chelsey
Sara
Also mentioned: The Writer's Crusade: Kurt Vonnegut and the Many Lives of Slaughterhouse-Five by Tom Roston The Ezra Klein Show: Why Sci-fi Legend Ted Chiang Fears Capitalism, Not A.I. | |||
| 29 Jun 2021 | 67. Sweeping family sagas for classic and contemporary reading tastes | 00:46:15 | |
Today, Sara and Chelsey share their favorite classic and contemporary sweeping family sagas. We recommend intergenerational stories that take place over decades or centuries—or across multiple continents. We also define and discuss this sub genre and speculate about why it’s become such a popular phrase in publishing. Do you have a favorite novel that fits on our list? For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links!
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (Amazon) The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (Amazon) Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich (Amazon) The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (Amazon) East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Amazon) Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (Amazon) Middlemarch by George Eliot (Amazon) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Amazon) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (Amazon) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (Amazon) Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (Amazon) Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley (Amazon) The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley (Amazon) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Amazon) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Amazon) A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza (Amazon) The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Amazon) | |||
| 23 Feb 2021 | 50. Quarterly Favorites: the stand-out books we read in Winter 2020-2021 | 00:41:06 | |
Today, Chelsey and Sara share some stand-out titles they read over the winter season, including amazing audiobooks, short story collections, and page-turning romance. These quarterly wrap-ups include reflections on our winter season, previews of what’s coming up, and a bunch of book recommendations. We can’t wait to hear what you think of our favorites from the quarter. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned:
Chelsey: Whiteout by Adriana Anders (Amazon) Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (Amazon) The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (Amazon) The Toni Morrison Book Club (Amazon) Wintering by Katherine May (Amazon) Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (Amazon)
Sara: My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland (Amazon) On Such a Full Sea by Chang-rae Lee (Amazon) Four Hundred Souls by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha Blain (Amazon) Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong (Amazon) Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Amazon)
Also mentioned: The Head on HBO Max Deesha Philyaw on The Stacks Podcast
Spring lineup: March 9th & 23rd: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen April 6th: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin April 20th: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut May 4th: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez May 18th: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery | |||
| 10 Mar 2020 | 2. The New Emma Movie and our favorite Austen adaptations | 00:36:30 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are chatting about the new Emma movie directed by Autumn de Wilde. In this sparkling new film adaptation, Emma is just as snarky and delightful as she is in the book. Our discussion includes us gushing over the vivid colors and costumes, some love for how the female characters are depicted, and a few serious problems with period piece adaptations in general. . . Today’s episode is brought to you by Libro.fm, the only audiobook company that allows you to purchase audiobooks directly from your favorite indie bookstore. You can get THREE audiobooks for $15 by clicking this link or by using code NOVELPAIRINGS at checkout. | |||
| 02 Feb 2021 | 47. There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset and ambitious family stories that span generations | 00:55:59 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset. We loved this Austen-like Harlem Renaissance novel, and we kept this episode spoiler free in the hopes that it’ll encourage you to pick it up! Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, with a mix of historical fiction and satire.
Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [33:15]
Shop the pairings with our affiliate links below:
Books mentioned: There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset (Amazon) Passing by Nella Larsen (Amazon) [30:39]
Chelsey’s Pairings
Pride by Ibi Zoboi (Amazon) [36:06] This Lovely City by Louise Hare (Amazon) [42:23] Becoming by Michelle Obama (Amazon) [49:18]
Sara’s Pairings
On Beauty by Zadie Smith (Amazon) [33:33] No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts (Amazon) [39:35] Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (Amazon) [45:52]
Picks of the week: Chelsey: How WWI Sparked and Artistic Movement that Transformed Black America [53:30] Sara: New Yorker article on Fauset (by Morgan Jerkins) [52:09] and Women of the Harlem Renaissance by Cheryl A. Wall [52:40] | |||
| 23 Nov 2021 | 88. A new-to-us and nuanced novel of manners: There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset | 00:56:45 | |
We love revisiting our favorite books for episodes of Novel Pairings, but there’s also something truly special about finding a new-to-us classic that becomes a forever favorite. There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset was a book neither of us had read or even knew much about before deciding to cover it on the podcast. What we found was a beautiful and nuanced novel of manners that both echoed many of our favorite works while offering something wholly original. We keep this episode spoiler-free to encourage more readers to give this novel a chance. We hope you’ll listen and then pick up this too long neglected Harlem Renaissance classic. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [33:15]
Shop the pairings with our affiliate links below:
Books mentioned: There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset (Amazon) Passing by Nella Larsen (Amazon) [30:39]
Chelsey’s Pairings
Pride by Ibi Zoboi (Amazon) [36:06] This Lovely City by Louise Hare (Amazon) [42:23] Becoming by Michelle Obama (Amazon) [49:18]
Sara’s Pairings
On Beauty by Zadie Smith (Amazon) [33:33] No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts (Amazon) [39:35] Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (Amazon) [45:52]
Picks of the week: Chelsey: How WWI Sparked and Artistic Movement that Transformed Black America [53:30] Sara: New Yorker article on Fauset (by Morgan Jerkins) [52:09] and Women of the Harlem Renaissance by Cheryl A. Wall [52:40] | |||
| 18 Mar 2025 | 158. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Two: Matchmaking or Meddling | 01:07:48 | |
In this recap, we’re diving into Emma by Jane Austen — covering Volume One, Chapters 10–18. Join us on Patreon for bonus content. Emma Woodhouse is back at it — charming, meddling, and trying to navigate Highbury’s tricky social scene. This time, she’s determined to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton… but, surprise, things don’t exactly go as planned. From awkward visits to the vicarage to a snowstorm-fueled carriage ride that takes an unexpected turn, Emma’s confidence in her matchmaking skills starts to crumble. We’ll also unpack the iconic moment when Emma explains why she’s still single — and why finding someone who meets her high standards might be harder than she thought. Emma’s missteps are about to catch up with her in the most entertaining way. As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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| 25 Jul 2023 | 126. Leaving a Legacy: The Odyssey in modern literature | 00:43:35 | |
It’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 as an inspiration of countless retellings and allusions. Finally, if you need some more #MythologyGirl energy in your reading life, we share additional titles for discovery. If you enjoyed today’s episode and would love to get even nerdier with us, we have a wealth of extra content for all our listeners. Our Patreon is the place to be for our listeners who want to feel like they're back in English class without the homework. Head on over to patreon.com/novelpairings and sign up for instant access to all our recorded classes, webinars, and bonus episodes. In addition to all our recorded content, we host monthly book discussions and for August we’ll be discussing Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer. We’d love to have you join the discussion.
Further Reading: Claire North (Ithaca and House of Odysseus) Madeline Miller (Song of Achilles and Circe) Stephen Fry (Mythos, Heroes, and Troy) Olympus, Texas by Stacy Swan Island of Forgetting by Jasmine Sealy Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes | |||
| 04 Oct 2022 | 101. Ask a Shakespeare Professor | 00:58:34 | |
Welcome 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 also helped develop and taught Augsburg’s first course in queer studies. He has an abundance of knowledge and advice to share with us as we read Macbeth together this month, so jump in and travel back to the college classroom with us today.
Books, authors, and resources mentioned: Paradise Lost by John Milton Samson Agonistes by John Milton The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Ben Jonson Beaumont & Fletcher John Dryden Alexander Pope Theater Mu Penumbra Theater Ovid Plutarch Holinshed’s Chronicles Chaucer The Guthrie Theater Classical Actor’s Ensemble 10,000 Things Tony Kushner Colson Whitehead James McBride Toni Morrison Louise Erdrich Margaret Atwood Robert Frost Mary Oliver Lucille Clifton Ross Gay Richard Blanco Elizabeth Alexander
Shakespeare Supplements:
Macbeth on Film: Coen's The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021, stream on Apple TV) Polanski’s The Tragedy of Macbeth (1970, stream on Amazon Prime) Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood (1957, stream on HBO Max or Amazon Prime)
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| 16 Apr 2024 | 145. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare with Traci Thomas | 01:10:03 | |
We're thrilled to welcome back Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, for a thought-provoking discussion on one of Shakespeare's darkest comedies, Measure for Measure. In this conversation, we'll dive deep into the play's timeless themes including punishment, gender, power, and politics. We discuss how these themes continue to resonate with modern audiences, revealing the parallels between the play and our contemporary world. We also talk about how Shakespeare masterfully uses this satire in this work, even when satire doesn't necessarily equate to laugh-out-loud humor. Listen to the end for Traci’s book recommendations, including Shakespeare pairings and a soon-to-be-released title. Connect with Traci: Instagram: @thestackspod
Join our community! Instagram: @novelpairingspod
Books Mentioned: Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Farah Karim-Cooper Blackface (Object Lessons) by Ayanna Thompson Color Television by Danzy Senna Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu Love’s Labor Lost by William Shakespeare All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare Othello by William Shakespeare Richard III by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Also Mentioned: The Stacks episode on Romeo and Juliet
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| 04 Jun 2024 | 150. Ten classic novels you should read this summer | 00:40:58 | |
We’re taking it back to the classroom in today’s episode! Chelsey and Sara reflect on their experience with high school summer reading as both students and teachers: the good, the great, and the hot takes. While we aren’t assigning any reading in this episode, we are sharing 10 classics that would make for great summer reads at any age! For an enhanced reading experience, pair a past Novel Pairings episode with each of these classics to listen as you go. Of course, our main summer reading recommendation is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, our BIG summer readalong hosted in Patreon with classes, bonus episodes, and special recaps to get the most out of this huge novel. Novel Pairings operates on an academic calendar to keep our work sustainable. But like most teachers, just because we have summer “off” doesn’t mean we aren’t hard at work behind the scenes! This summer, we will take off from sharing new episodes on the main feed in July and August to devote more time and energy to planning for the year ahead, restoring our creativity, and strengthening our bond with Patreon community members. If you are missing Novel Pairings in your podcast feed, we would love for you to join our community for extra nerdy summer fun.
Books Mentioned: The Once and Future King by T.H. White The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor The Summer Book by Tove Jansson The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Novel Pairings Episodes Episode 86: Palpable tension and shocking twists in Passing by Nella Larsen Episode 136: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Episode 117: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Episode 114: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor Episode 68: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and contemplative books for moody summer reading Episode 66: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Part Two Episode 64: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Part One Episode 20: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and romantic Black feminist heroines Episode 126: Leaving a Legacy: The Odyssey in modern literature Episode 142: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton Stay Connected with Novel Pairings
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| 12 May 2020 | 11. Summer Reading Preview including fast-paced classics, classic YA, and epic adventures for every staycation mood | 00:24:15 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are sharing the lineup for Novel Pairings’ summer season. We discuss what makes a great summer read, different readerly tastes in summer books, and then reveal the six classics we’ll be reading and discussing in June, July, and August. The books include a southern literature classic, a class work of young adult fiction, and several epic adventures. All of the books were chosen to suit a variety summer reading moods and to be perfect pairings for the contemporary books we love to read in the summer.
To shop all of the books in the summer lineup visit our Bookshop storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/novelpairings
SPOILERS AHEAD
Scroll down for time stamps and links to our six summer classics:
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith [6:21] Passing by Nella Larsen [8:06] The Odyssey by Homer [9:51] Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston [11:24] | |||
| 24 May 2022 | 96. Must-read books of the summer paired with beach-worthy backlist titles | 01:06:37 | |
It’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 Podcasts, share an episode with a friend, or shout us out on social media. Growing this show is only possible because of our lovely listeners. Thank you! A Special thank you to The Lost City for sponsoring this episode.
Books mentioned (thanks for supporting us by shopping our Bookshop affiliate links!): May 5/3 The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
5/3 When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
5/17 We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu
5/17 Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces by Elamin Abdelmahmoud
5/24 Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
5/31 Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith
June 6/7 Woman of Light by Kali Farjado-Anstine
6/7 Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang
6/14 Horse by Geraldine Brooks
6/28 American Royalty by Tracey Livesay
July 7/5 Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
7/5 Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty
7/12 The Crane Wife by C.J. Hauser
7/12 Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevinn
7/19 Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
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| 25 Aug 2020 | 25. Quarterly Favorites: The Best Books We Read in Summer 2020 | 01:03:20 | |
We love to take time to reflect here at Novel Pairings. Each season, we stop and consider our favorite episodes, our favorite reads, and what we’ve learned. Today we’re sharing some personal updates, gushing about our favorite reads of the summer, and giving listeners a peek at what’s to come in the fall. Shop our Quarterly Favorites on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/quarterly-favorites-spring-2020/ Use our referral code to get two audiobooks for the price of one through Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/redeem/novelpairings
Books we both read: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo [14:03] The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett [16:45] The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham [18:24] The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavincencio [21:27]
Chelsey: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert [29:17] The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin [36:15] We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry [40:52] The Duke Effect by Sophie Jordan [47:10] Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh [55:25]
Sara: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell [25:50] Heavy by Kiese Laymon [32:45] Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan [38:13] The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner [44:52] One to Watch by Kate Staymon-London [50:34] | |||
| 15 Jun 2021 | 65. Classic novels to read with your book club and tips for getting more out of book club discussions | 00:43:51 | |
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss: when it comes to the classics, what makes a great book club pick? They also share a handful of highly discussable classics, plus their top tips for better book club discussions. Tell us which classics your book club loved (or loathed) on Instagram. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned: Thank you for shopping our affiliate links and supporting the podcast! Passing by Nella Larsen (Amazon) // Episode 16 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Amazon) // Episode 26 The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (Amazon) // Episode 10 The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (Amazon) Myths and Retellings // Episode 18 Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann (Amazon) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Amazon) // Episode 33.5 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (Amazon) // Episode 20 The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (Amazon)
Also mentioned: | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | 114. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor | 00:54:36 | |
Chelsey 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, and we encourage you to listen whether or not you’ve read this book recently or at all! Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. Pairings Timestamp: 42:05 . . . . . Books mentioned:
Also mentioned:
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| 03 Aug 2021 | 72. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and contemporary novels with plenty of drama | 01:10:12 | |
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss a melodramatic classroom staple: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. We relive our classroom experiences, investigate why this play is still taught, and dig into the iconic characters made famous by Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh in the 1951 film adaptation. Plus, as always, we offer six contemporary pairings that capture similar themes. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Skip to the pairings: [43:50] . . . . Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links! Chelsey
Sara
Picks of the Week: | |||
| 04 Aug 2020 | 22. Like Water for Chocolate and mouth-watering fiction books about food, cooking, and romance | 00:58:59 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are kicking off Women in Translation Month by discussing Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. This romantic, sensuous novel was so much fun to discuss, and our pairings include some of our absolute favorite books! We can’t wait to hear what you think of these pairings.
Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including a novel in verse and another classic in translation.
We avoided spoilers in this episode, so feel free to listen before or after reading in order to enhance your reading experience. . . . . . . . . . . Shop the pairings: https://bookshop.org/lists/novel-pairings-for-like-water-for-chocolate
A Burning by Mehga Majumdar Beheld by Tarashea Nesbitt
Chelsey’s Pairings: American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera [39:00] The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan [45:10] With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo [52:13]
Sara’s Pairings: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez [34:12] Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev [42:13] The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende [48:26]
Picks of the Week: @thedefineddish “Pass the Dish” series Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat | |||
| 29 Dec 2020 | 42. Superlatives for underrated, surprising, and well-loved books we read in 2020 | 01:00:24 | |
Instead of the “best books of the year” or our “favorite reads from 2020,” we’re sharing 12 bookish superlatives to highlight some underrated gems, popular favorites, academic reads, and more. Whether you love dark and moody literary fiction or genre-bending contemporary stories, we hope you find a new title to add to your TBR list today. Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription for yourself or purchase a gift. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates on what we're currently listening to. View all of our recs and shop our links on the blog. Books mentioned (affiliate links): We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry (Amazon) Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn (Amazon) Beach Read by Emily Henry (Amazon) Enter the Aardvark by Jessica Anthony (Amazon) Unscripted by Nicole Kronzer (Amazon) You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat (Amazon) Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (Amazon) Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (Amazon) Little Weirds by Jenny Slate (Amazon) One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (Amazon) Beloved by Toni Morrison (Amazon) On Beauty by Zadie Smith (Amazon) The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (Amazon) The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans (Amazon) Lovely War by Julie Berry (Amazon) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Amazon) A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier (Amazon) The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda (Amazon) Writers & Lovers by Lily King (Amazon) Sisters by Daisy Johnson (Amazon) The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (Amazon) Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (Amazon) | |||
| 30 Jul 2021 | Storybound with Laurie Frankel | 00:31:52 | |
We have an extra special Friday bonus episode for you! We've expressed our love for Laurie Frankel and her new book One Two Three on the podcast. Today, we're sharing an episode from Storybound, in which Laurie reads an excerpt from her book. This is paired with an original piece of music to make an immersive soundscape of original music and sound effects. Storybound comes to you from The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Season 4 is the best yet, so subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening now.
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| 11 Jul 2023 | 125. How to find literary allusions | 00:54:18 | |
Do 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 illuminate your reading experience, and we’ll share book recommendations to build your TBR with classic and contemporary literature. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would love our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship, get a little more academic, and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings. Classic Books for Allusions: The Odyssey by Homer (NP episode 123) Paradise Lost by John Milton Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (NP episode 32) Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (NP episode 111) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (NP episodes 77 + 79) Rebecca by Daphne Du Mauier Beloved by Toni Morrison (NP episode 12) Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (NP episode 20) Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (NP episode 51 + 53) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (NP episode 26)
Other Books Mentioned: On Beauty by Zadie Smith Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Telephone by Percival Everett Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark Lone Women by Victor LaValle The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë | |||
| 09 Feb 2021 | 48. Fairytale retellings for readers of all ages | 00:45:44 | |
Today, Sara and Chelsey topple your TBR lists with fairytale retellings for every type of reader. They reminisce about the book that sparked their love of retellings and discuss why fairytales are still so appealing to adult readers.
You can find titles and links for every book mentioned in this episode at novelpairings.com. Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 and support independent bookstores. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Books mentioned: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (Amazon) The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine (Amazon) Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (Amazon) The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine (Amazon) Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (Amazon) Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Amazon) The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (Amazon) Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Amazon) Austenland by Shannon Hale (Amazon) Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer (Amazon) Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust (Amazon) Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust (Amazon) Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly (Amazon) A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (Amazon) Thorn by Intisar Khanani (Amazon) House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (Amazon) The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (Amazon) Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory McGuire (Amazon) The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (Amazon) Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi (Amazon) Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia (Amazon) The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg (Amazon) My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me by Kate Bernheimer (Amazon) An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Amazon) The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (Amazon) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Amazon) The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (Amazon)
Also mentioned: SSR Podcast Episode 12: Ella Enchanted Gail Carriger’s Heroine’s Journey Maureen Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey More heroine’s journey resources
Up next: The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter | |||
| 04 Mar 2025 | 156. Introducing Emma by Jane Austen | 00:37:45 | |
Welcome to our Spring Season! We're reading Emma by Jane Austen as a community, and we hope you will join us. Listen to today's introduction to hear why we love this novel, how we approach readalongs and recaps, and what to pay attention to as you follow along. To get maximum delight this season, join our Patreon community for classes and conversation, plus special Footnotes episodes. Here's the reading schedule:
And here are our recommended texts: | |||
| 21 May 2024 | 148. We can't wait to read these brand new summer 2024 books and backlist pairings | 01:00:40 | |
Get ready for your summer TBR to pile high as we share our most anticipated titles releasing this summer! Plus, each new release that we preview in today’s episode is perfectly paired with a backlist book or two, giving us plenty to read while waiting for pre-orders and library holds to come in. If you enjoy our recommendations on today’s episode, we have even more book suggestions to explore in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great place to discuss books with a smart group of readers, and now is the perfect time to join as we're about to start our Slow Down Summer Read Along of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. Visit patreon.com/novelpairings to learn more. You can also stay up-to-date with all things Novel Pairings by following us on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting our book-loving community! Books Mentioned: The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop Every Day Is For the Thief by Teju Cole The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan One Star Romance by Laura Hankin The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner The Latecomer by Jean Hanf Korelitz The Plot by Jean Hanf Korelitz You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill Colored Television by Danzy Senna A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abudrraqib The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Also Mentioned: Novel Pairings Summer 2023 Book Preview and Backlist Pairings
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| 09 Jun 2020 | 14. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and light summer reads with literary nostalgia | 00:51:48 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are chatting about I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, one of the first novels categorized as Young Adult fiction. We discuss the nostalgia associated with our favorite children’s books. Today’s discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic including a YA novel in verse and a Regency-era romance novel.
Shop the pairings: https://bookshop.org/shop/novelpairings Resources mentioned:
For more links: Subscribe to our Substack newsletter
Today’s episode is brought to you by Bookshelf Tees, a small female-owned business we love. We each own several comfy t-shirts from Bookshelf Tees and always look forward to Lauren’s new designs. You can get 20% off your next order by using code NOVELPAIRINGS at checkout. . . . Pairing spoilers ahead! . . . . . . . . . . . . Chelsey’s Pairings: I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest [28:05] Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare [35:56] City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert [43:22]
Sara’s Pairings: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo [25:03] Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell [32:10] By the Book by Amanda Sellet [39:36]
Chelsey’s Pick of the Week: Never Have I Ever on Netflix Sara’s Pick of the Week: Harry Potter vs. Huckleberry Finn | |||
| 20 Oct 2020 | 32. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and eerie books to read with the lights on | 01:08:47 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We admit to some bad English major habits in this episode, and we get super nerdy with a discussion on Gothic novels and the Romantic literary movement, modern horror, and the history behind Mary Shelley’s iconic monster. We also make some surprising modern connections across science, ethics, and social media. If you’re in the mood for eerie, spooky, and not-too-scary reads this month, get ready to take note of our pairings in this episode.
Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including graphic novels and absorbing nonfiction.
Shop our pairings: https://bookshop.org/lists/novel-pairings-for-frankenstein
Sign up for Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/redeem/novelpairings
What to read or skip in Frankenstein:
. . . . . . . . . . Shop the pairings:
Chelsey’s Pairings:
Sara’s Pairings:
Picks of the Week: Chelsey: Penny Dreadful on Showtime/Netflix Sara: Mary’s Monster by Lita Judge Illustrations: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626725003 | |||
| 02 May 2023 | 119. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg | 00:57:21 | |
Pack 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 reading Mrs. Frankweiler, the alluring nature of Konigsburg’s novel for generations of readers, and the need to have our own private “somethings.” Plus, we help you dive deeper into the world of art and art forgery with a novel in translation and prepare for beach reading with a summer-y story about two teenage misfits, first love, and their creative endeavors.
We’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature, and there’s still time to join us for the last month that we’re reading children’s classics! Sign up to join our community of nerdy readers where we host bonus mini-episodes, lectures, seminars, and book clubs. Head on over to patreon.org/novelpairings to join our Classics Club today. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price.
Pairings Timestamp: 39:22
Books Mentioned:
Portrait of an Unknown Lady by María Ganzia Now That I Found You by Kristina Forest The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley | |||
| 14 Jan 2025 | 155. Notable books of 2024: our bookish superlatives, reading life updates, and a little Jane Austen | 01:06:56 | |
We’re back and kicking off 2025 with our annual Superlatives episode. Today, we’re excited to highlight stand-out books from 2024. We’ve got eight superlatives lined up that highlight our favorites, least favorites and everything in between. Plus, we’re looking back on our podcasting journey through 2024 and give you some behind-the-scenes insight to our reading lives. Stick around because we’ve got two big announcements to wrap things up! Special Announcement (Timestamp 58:20) Link to Announcement video on Patreon Books Mentioned The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-Zi Yang Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio Private Rites by Julia Armfield Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr Say You’ll Be Mine by Nayina Kumar Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Also Mentioned Classics We Love & Loathe Episodes Fiction Matters Paperback Summer Reading Guide Liz Moore on New York Times Podcast
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| 12 Sep 2023 | 130. Backlist book pairings for an abundant Autumn reading season | 01:01:35 | |
Get 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 today’s episode is perfectly paired with a backlist book for your consideration, giving us the option to explore additional titles while we wait for our library holds and pre-orders to come in. If you love the work of public scholarship and the mission of Novel Pairings, we’d love for you to take a moment and share a review of the show over on Apple Podcasts. These reviews greatly help our shows visibility, and mean that other readers and lifelong learners have the opportunity to join our community. Novel Pairings also offers bonus content, classes, and a virtual book club through Patreon and we’d love to have you join. Tiers start at just $5 a month, and a 10% discount on annual subscriptions is available. Head over to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up today!
Books Mentioned:
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| 15 Sep 2020 | 27. Anticipated Fall 2020 Reads and backlist books to pair with them | 00:57:12 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are back to topple your TBRs with highly anticipated fall releases and backlist books. We know hardback books are pricey and library waitlists for the hottest new releases are long, so we’re going to be pairing the books we’re most excited to read this fall with older books that are easier to get your hands on. There are about 60 titles mentioned in today’s episode, so be sure to visit our show notes at novelpairings.com or our shop at Bookshop.org to find full lists of every book we talked about. Shop our Backlist Recs on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/anticipated-fall-reads-2020-backlist-pairings Use our referral code to get TWO audiobooks for the price of one through Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/redeem/novelpairings Books mentioned: Luster by Raven Leilani (9/1) Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney Normal People by Sally Rooney Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (9/1) The Mothers by Brit Bennett Daddy by Emma Cline (9/1) The Girls by Emma Cline Florida by Lauren Groff Sabrina & Corina by Kali Farjado-Anstine Lot by Bryan Washington Recommended for You by Laura Silverman (9/1) Tweet Cute by Emma Lord By the Book by Amanda Sellet Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (9/1) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Pride by Ibi Zoboi His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie (9/1) Queenie by Candace Carty-Williams Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivers (9/1) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole (9/1) The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin Jack by Marilynne Robinson (9/15) Lila by Marilynne Robinson Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (9/15) Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (9/29) How to Stop Time by Matt Haig Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo (9/29) The Best Worst Man by Mia Sosa Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman (10/6) Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab (10/6) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh (10/13) Natural Acts: Gender, Race, and Rusticity in Country Music by Pamela Fox Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (10/20) Dare Me by Megan Abbott Jane in Love by Rachel Givney (10/27) The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn Austenland by Shannon Hale Cobble Hill by Cecily Von Ziegesar (10/20) Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger I Wanna Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom (11/17) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
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| 08 Sep 2020 | 26. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and books about The American Dream | 01:14:05 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. We both read this in high school, had mixed feelings, came back to the text later, and still have mixed feelings! Plus some pretty strong opinions about Gatsby himself, Fitzgerald’s writing style, the prominence of this text in pop culture and in the classroom, and the narratives we repeat in American history class. We had a lot of fun recording this episode, and we can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts on Gatsby.
Our discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including a Jazz Age novella and plenty of literary fiction.
We do discuss some spoilers in this episode, but as with all of our episodes, we still think that readers can enhance their experience by listening before, during, or after the reading experience.
Books Mentioned: So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan Passing by Nella Larsen . . . . . . . . . . Shop the pairings: https://bookshop.org/lists/novel-pairings-for-the-great-gatsby
Chelsey’s Pairings:
Sara’s Pairings:
Picks of the Week: Chelsey: The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton Sara: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, Ep. 245 of What Should I Read Next | |||
| 01 Feb 2022 | 91. Bookish superlatives from an unprecedented reading year | 00:47:40 | |
After a few months off, we're back in your feeds today to discuss some of our favorite (and least favorite) books of 2021. We've organized this episode into bookish superlatives that let us share books you may not hear us talk about otherwise. We also offer a reflection on our reading year as a whole, including what it's been like to read with newborns around. It's great to be back at the mic talking all things books! For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Links: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark We’re All in This Together by Amy Jones Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman Detransition, Baby by Torrie Peters The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Seven Days in June by Tia Williams A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | 112. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle | 00:55:17 | |
Chelsey 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 certainly keep coming up throughout this semester as we explore the world of Classic Children’s Literature in your podcast feed and with our Patreon community. Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price.
Pairings Timestamp: 39:10
Books mentioned:
Also mentioned:
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| 06 Apr 2021 | 55. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin and modern pairings with evocative writing | 01:00:12 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. We both loved this evocative, ground-breaking classic and couldn’t wait to dig into its setting, themes, and stunning writing. As usual, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with Baldwin’s classic, including poignant YA novels, memoir, and essays. For access to our upcoming class on literary theory and a book club style discussion of Baldwin’s novel later this month, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Find trigger warnings for each book mentioned today on our blog: novelpairings.com Skip to the pairings with this timestamp: [31:00] . . . . . . Chelsey
Sara
Also mentioned: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (Amazon) If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (Amazon) Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin (Amazon)
Picks of the week: Chelsey: Paris Blues (1961) Sara: I Am Not Your Negro | |||
| 28 Apr 2020 | 9. Roman Fever by Edith Wharton and book recommendations for fans of Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls | 00:44:07 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are trying something a little different and discussing a short story. First, we’ll deep dive into the dishy, gossipy, and glitzy world of Edith Wharton’s Roman Fever (this conversation sounds more like a discussion of The Bachelor than a work of classic lit!) and then we’ll share some contemporary authors who remind us of Wharton and short story collections we’re eager to read. Today’s discussion includes:
Plus, as always, we’re recommending lots of contemporary books along the way, including short story collections we love and our favorite rich people problems books.
Read Roman Fever online for free: https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/pleasureofthetext/files/2016/10/Roman-Fever.pdf
Books discussed in today’s episode: Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty (29:03) The Garden Party and Other Stories Katherine Mansfield (30:08) Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:10) The Six Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:40) The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (32:22) All this Could be Yours by Jami Attenberg (32:24) Succession (32:30) How Long til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemison (33:20) Tales of Two Cities: The Best and Worst of Times in Today’s New York (35:13) Florida by Lauren Groff (37:03) Laugable Loves by Milan Kundera (38:22) You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld (39:22) Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires (40:06) Lot by Bryan Washington (40:49) Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (41:20) Cowboys are My Weakness by Pam Houston (41:43)
Shop all of the books we mentioned today through our Bookshop storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/novelpairings
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| 02 Mar 2021 | 50.5 Five tips for reading Pride and Prejudice (or any Austen novel) | 00:32:18 | |
We’re sharing our top five tips for reading Jane Austen’s novels with you, whether you’re a frequent re-reader or new to her work. Today’s episode is meant to help you get the most out of any Austen novel, but we hope you’ll read Pride and Prejudice with us this month! To celebrate one year of podcasting and the launch of our new Patreon community, we’re enjoying all things Austen for the whole month of March with discussion episodes and a bunch of bonus content (available for our Classics Club members on Patreon). To sign up, go to patreon.com/novelpairings and listen in to hear about our plans for the Classics Club this month. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info and connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription and support independent bookstores. March 9th Episode: Part One (we’ll discuss Chapter 1-34 or Volume I-Volume II, Chapter 11) March 23rd Episode: Part Two (we’ll discuss the rest of the book and share our pairings)
1. Listen to the audiobook Amazon: Rosamund Pike Libro.fm: Kate Redding, Emilia Fox, Elizabeth Klett and Karen Savage
2. Research some Regency customs (and more in our upcoming Patreon class!)
3. Investigate Jane Austen’s writing style
4. Use Sparknotes, LitCharts, or Schmoop
5. Watch a film adaptation Our favorite: 1995 BBC series on Hulu Most popular: 2005 film on Peacock or Amazon Prime Throwback: 1980 film on Amazon Prime
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| 28 Mar 2023 | 116. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman | 00:59:16 | |
Catherine, 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 about how we teach and model gender for children and the role of literature in that development. Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. Pairings Timestamp: 42:00 . . . . Books mentioned:
Also mentioned:
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| 21 Sep 2021 | 79. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Part Two | 01:14:11 | |
Today, Sara and Chelsey discuss chapters 27 through the end of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. We discuss Jane’s journeys from coming of age to literally hiking on the moors, the juxtaposition of Rochester and another romantic interest, the ending (of course), and whether or not we think this qualifies as a “feminist text.” Plus, we offer six pairings that touch on the tone, themes, and legacy of Brontë’s iconic novel. We think you’ll be shocked by one of Sara’s pairings and can’t wait to hear what you think! For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Skip to the pairings: [46:35] . . . Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting the show by shopping our affiliate links! Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Chelsey:
Sara:
Picks of the week: Chelsey - What a Difference a Duke Makes by Lenora Bell (Amazon) Sara - Glass Town: The Imaginary World of the Brontës by Isabel Greenberg (Amazon) | |||
| 14 Sep 2021 | 78. Raising Readers with biblio therapist Anne Bogel | 00:53:05 | |
When Chelsey and Sara found out we were both expecting new family members, literally just a few days apart, many conversations of course turned to all things pregnancy and baby. We wanted to consider how motherhood would impact our reading lives and today we're thrilled to have Anne Bogel on the podcast to talk about raising readers and reading in the hazy newborn days. Anne is an author, blogger, and host of the What Should I Read Next podcast. She's also one of our favorite literary therapists, who happens to be a mom of four. In this conversation, we talk about simple strategies to encourage a love of reading in kids as well as tips for maintaining a robust reading life as a new parent. And, of course, we couldn't let Anne leave without recommending a few books to us! She shares some of her favorites for readalouds alongside some adult fiction that touches on themes of parenthood. Preorder Anne's new book journal, My Reading Life (out September 21st), to access a batch of preorder goodies that are perfect for avid readers. And keep up with Anne's reading life by following her on Instagram at @annebogel and @whatshouldireadnext or by visiting her blog ModernMrsDarcy.com. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Books mentioned: Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis Press Here by Herve Tullet Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault and Bill Martin The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili Landslide by Susan Conley Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan | |||
| 08 Mar 2022 | 92. Middlemarch by George Eliot Part One | 00:53:38 | |
Today Sara and Chelsey check in and discuss Middlemarch by George Eliot. What does this 800-page Victorian novel have in common with Love is Blind on Netflix? Tune in to hear literary analysis, pop culture connections, and personal reflections on reading this giant tome. Plus, Sara and Chelsey reveal plans for a new episode format, coming soon.
Books mentioned: Picks of the week: Chelsey: Love is Blind (Netflix) Sara: My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead Also mentioned: “It Can Be Embarrassing to Love Dorothea” The Paris Review | |||
| 10 Jan 2023 | 109. Reading classic children's literature with Alice, Anne and Aslan | 00:34:20 | |
This 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 canon. We will discuss each of these selections on the main feed, but if you'd like to dive deeper into the themes, history, and connections between these texts, consider joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/novelpairings. A quick note: we don't share which books are our book club selections for each month, because we haven't chosen them yet! We'll put out a poll on Patreon. Novel Pairings Spring 2023: Classic Children's Literature February: Fantasy
March: Historical Fiction
April: Orphans and Scamps
May: Books in Translation
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| 11 Aug 2020 | 23. On Campus with Novel Pairings, a preview of our back to school fall season and books that feel like Autumn | 00:30:17 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are sharing the lineup for Novel Pairings’ fall season. We share our plans for an extra nerdy back-to-school-inspired season and which books we selected to feature. The books include a book seemingly everyone read in high school, a spooky listener’s choice, and a classic mystery novel. All of the books were chosen to fit with different fall reading moods and learning opportunities in mind.
To shop all of the books in the fall lineup, and more, visit our Bookshop storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/novelpairings
SPOILERS AHEAD
Scroll down for links to our six fall classics: . . . .
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich The Crucible by Arthur Miller Beowulf or Frankenstein (Listeners’ Choice) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
In the Woods by Tana French The Likeness by Tana French
Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
Coming up: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien | |||
| 15 Dec 2020 | 40. The joy of nostalgic reads and books that Jo March would love with Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf | 01:08:10 | |
Today, Chelsey and Sara talk about their favorite books from childhood, Little Women fashion, and family stories to read this winter with Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville and host of the bookish podcast From The Front Porch. There’s lots of nostalgia, laughter, and book talk in this episode, plus tips for helping your favorite local bookstores thrive during trying times. Note: this episode includes some spoilers for Little Women. A special treat: Right now, listeners of Novel Pairings can get 10% off their purchase of a shelf subscription with the code NOVELIDEA2020. This 10% off code applies to shelf subscriptions only, and it lasts through January 31, 2021. Support our podcast AND Annie’s beautiful bookstore by using our affiliate link to get a Librofm subscription and selection The Bookshelf as your bookstore. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get an audiobook subscription for yourself or purchase a gift. Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram, Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter. Find show notes on our blog. Follow Annie on Instagram, follow The Bookshelf on Instagram, and find From the Front Porch wherever you download your podcasts.
Books mentioned:
Our book list includes a mix of affiliate links and links to The Bookshelf inventory. If you want to own one of the books we talked about today, we hope you consider supporting The Bookshelf with your purchase.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Little Women by Louisa May Alcott An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza The Mothers by Brit Bennett Franny & Zoey by J.D. Salinger From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konig Bloomability by Sharon Creech Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Amy Boyd Rioux Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid Ex Libris by Michiko Kakutani HRH by Elizabeth Holmes Passing by Nella Larsen Emma by Jane Austen
Also mentioned: “The Baby-Sitters Club Taught Me Everything I Needed to Know About Literary Fiction”
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| 30 May 2023 | 122. The Wild Book by Juan Villoro | 00:42:58 | |
We’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 stacks up besides tried-and-true classics, and the supernatural elements that feel grounded in the magical realism traditions of incredible Lantix authors. We love reading and discussing books with our listeners, and we hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers for a summer of EPIC reading over on our Patreon at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. Pairings Timestamp: 25:50 . . . Books Mentioned: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
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| 07 Dec 2021 | 89. Behind the scenes of the shop around the corner with Annie B. Jones | 01:07:00 | |
Here at Novel Pairings, if there’s one thing we love almost as much as reading it’s supporting independent bookstores. Today, we’re re-airing an interview with one of our favorite indie bookstore insiders, Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. Annie shares a little about her own reading life and tastes, and offers some sweet and moving book pairings for one of her favorite classics: Little Women. Remember, you can support The Bookshelf or your favorite local indie bookstore and the Novel Pairings podcast by signing up or gifting a Libro.fm membership. Use our code NOVELPAIRINGS when you join, and help boost business at your favorite bookstore through another difficult holiday season. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned: Our book list includes a mix of affiliate links and links to The Bookshelf inventory. If you want to own one of the books we talked about today, we hope you consider supporting The Bookshelf with your purchase.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Little Women by Louisa May Alcott An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza The Mothers by Brit Bennett Franny & Zoey by J.D. Salinger From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konig Bloomability by Sharon Creech Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Amy Boyd Rioux Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid Ex Libris by Michiko Kakutani HRH by Elizabeth Holmes Passing by Nella Larsen Emma by Jane Austen Also mentioned: “The Baby-Sitters Club Taught Me Everything I Needed to Know About Literary Fiction” | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | 66. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Part Two | 01:14:59 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara discuss the second half of The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Chapters 7 through 14. In this episode, we cover new characters, prominent themes, and final thoughts on spending so much time with the Trueba family, plus our contemporary pairings! We’ve paired Allende’s masterpiece with novels of magical realism from all over the world, and we can’t wait to hear your recommendations for further reading.
For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Skip to this timestamp for our pairings: [41:55]
Books mentioned: Thank you for shopping our affiliate links!
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (Amazon) In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (Amazon) The Poetry of Pablo Neruda (Amazon)
Chelsey
Sara
Pick of the week: Chelsey: “Everyone called me crazy for getting divorced in my 70s” | |||
| 29 Sep 2020 | 29. Campus novels to read in the fall and why we love books about school | 00:54:36 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are toppling your TBRs with campus novels. We know this back to school season is weird for students, teachers, parents, and the rest of us as we navigate new seasons during a pandemic. So let’s go back to school safely with books that take place at school, that revolve around learning or academia, and that give us the new school supplies, crisp fall leaves, sharpened pencils feeling.
We have so many books on this list...all sorts of tones and types! Don’t worry about writing everything down; we have links to all of the books mentioned in our show notes. It’s very possible we won’t get through all of the books we want to on this episode, but we’ll have an even more complete list of campus novels on our new blog: novelpairings.com.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novelpairingspod/
Shop our Campus Novels list on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/campus-novels-83ca9b6c-710c-436f-a0cb-af159a5ac6b7
Use our referral code to get TWO audiobooks for the price of one through Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/redeem/novelpairings
Classics The Secret History by Donna Tartt Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner Possession by AS Byatt A Separate Peace by John Knowles Mysteries If We Were Villains by M.L Rio Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova The Likeness by Tana French Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Young Adult The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart (@allisonreadsdc) We Are Okay by Nina Lacour Bloomability by Sharon Creech (@anniebjones05, The Bookshelf) Dear Martin & Dear Justyce by Nic Stone Magic Campuses A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik The Magicians by Lev Grossman Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness Campus Romances Real Life by Brandon Taylor Normal People by Sally Rooney My Education by Susan Choi The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Miscellaneous On Beauty by Zadie Smith Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | 131. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier | 01:23:38 | |
Let’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 without spoilers, so we included fair warning and a timestamp if you wish to avoid them. To access our deep dive on unreliable narrators, go to patreon.com/novelpairings and join our community for just $5.
Spoiler alert timestamp: [37:27] Pairings timestamp: [53:19]
Books mentioned: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (out 10/3) The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong (out 12/5) Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente Doppelganger by Naomi Klein
Also mentioned:
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| 25 May 2021 | 62. Quarterly Favorites: page-turning reads and reflections on Spring 2021 | 00:54:31 | |
Every quarter, we stop to reflect on our reading lives and share a few of our favorite reads. Today, we’re looking back at books from our spring reading season, from palate-cleansing pageturners to nuanced nonfiction. We’d love to hear what you read this spring! Let us know at @novelpairingspod on Instagram. For bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned: The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan (Amazon) - 5:00 The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (Amazon) - 8:38 What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer (Amazon) - 14:30 Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (Amazon) - 15:09 The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton (Amazon) - 18:25 Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salasses (Amazon) - 22:10 Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (Amazon) - 27:10 Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann (Amazon) - 30:45 Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Amazon) - 34:00 Disfigured on Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc (Amazon) - 36:00 The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth (Amazon) - 39:55 The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (Amazon) - 44:50
Summer lineup - 49:22 | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | 117. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain | 00:56:17 | |
The 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 reader. As always, we also offer contemporary pairings including a National Book Award winner and a sweet and tender father-and-son story. Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price.
Pairings Timestamp: 39:14
Books mentioned:
Also mentioned:
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| 11 Mar 2025 | 157. Emma by Jane Austen Recap One: Handsome, Clever, and Rich | 01:12:34 | |
In this recap episode, we’re discussing Volume One, Chapters 1-9 of Jane Austen's Emma. We take a deep dive into Emma Woodhouse's world, examining her relationships with key figures like Miss Taylor, Mr. Woodhouse, and the insightful Mr. Knightley. We explore how Emma's interactions with these characters set the stage for her matchmaking adventures. As we continue through the chapters, we meet the wider community of Highbury, including the mysterious Frank Churchill and the charming Harriet Smith. Emma's matchmaking ambitions quickly take center stage, leading her to meddle in Harriet's love life and sparking a significant conflict with Mr. Knightley. We analyze Austen's use of narrative techniques, and discuss the importance of riddles and social expectations in the novel. In a special bonus segment, we preview our upcoming Footnotes episode, where we compare and analyze the opening lines from all six of Austen's most famous novels. If you're interested in more literary analysis and Austen insights, be sure to check out the full episode and head to patreon.com/novelpairings for exclusive content! As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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| 17 Mar 2020 | 3. The Awakening by Kate Chopin and books that feature feminine self-discovery | 00:58:29 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are chatting about The Awakening by Kate Chopin. This novella published in 1899 follows Edna Pontellier as she discovers her desires and her identity outside of wifehood and motherhood. Our discussion includes how this book illustrates the constraints placed on 19th century women, why we don’t seem to have any issues with the infidelity in the novel, and how Kate Chopin speaks to modern-day mom-shaming. We also dig into some of the problematic content in this book and offer suggestions on how to read it through a more modern lens. Plus, as always, we’re recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic include a young adult novel full of evocative nature imagery and a closed door second chance romance. Today’s episode is brought to you by Libro.fm, the only audiobook company that allows you to purchase audiobooks directly from your favorite indie bookstore. You can get THREE audiobooks for $15 by clicking this link or by using code NOVELPAIRINGS at checkout.
Books, Pairings, and Time StampsBooks Discussed: The Awakening Modern Library Torchbearers Edition (23:50), Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (30:36), Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (30:38) Chelsey’s Pairings: Educated by Tara Westover (39:45), Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper (44:08), We Are Okay by Nina Lacour (48:40) Sara’s Pairings: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (41:40), Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (46:02), Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (50:20) Picks of the Week: Love is Blind (52:35) and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (54:45) | |||
| 16 Mar 2021 | 52. Backlist pairings for our most anticipated Spring 2021 book releases | 01:00:58 | |
We’re back with another TBR toppling episode! Today, Chelsey and Sara pair brand new and upcoming spring book releases with backlist titles that share similar themes, plotlines, or settings. We haven’t read all of these new releases, so our pairings are based on speculation and best guesses. If you pick up any of the books we mention today, we’d love to hear about it! Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Check out our show notes to see every title in this episode on our blog. For more literary content, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned: These links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Novel Pairings will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Out in March 3/2/2021 Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (Amazon) Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopero (Amazon)
What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster (Amazon) The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet (Amazon) There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset (Amazon)
3/9/2021 Brood by Jackie Polzin (Amazon) My Antonia by Willa Cather (Amazon) Barn 8 by Deb Olin Unswerth (Amazon)
The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred by Chonda Prescod-Weinstein (Amazon) Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (Amazon) Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Amazon)
The Salt Fields by Stacy D. Flood (Amazon) The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (Amazon) Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward (Amazon)
3/16/2021 That Way Madness Lies by Dahlia Adler (Amazon) His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler (Amazon) Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust (Amazon) The Radical Element by Jessica Spotswood (Amazon) All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell (Amazon) Because You Love to Hate Me by Amerie (Amazon)
Lolita in the Afterlife by Jenny Minton Quigley (Amazon) Lolita by Vladimir Nabakov (Amazon) Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (Amazon) Excavation by Wendy C. Oriz (Amazon) My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (Amazon) Living with Shakespeare by Susannah Carson (Amazon)
3/23/2021 There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura (Amazon) Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (Amazon)
3/30/2021 Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge (Amazon) Everything Inside by Edwinge Danticat (Amazon)
Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce (Amazon) Let Us Dream by Alyssa Cole (Amazon)
Libro.fm Reads The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins Culture Warlords by Talia Lavin Here for It by R. Eric Thomas
Out in April 4/6/2021 Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi (Amazon) Snowpiercer by Jaques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette (Amazon) Stream Snowpiercer or Parasite
Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian (Amazon) Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu (Amazon)
4/8/2021 Hamlet by Gillian Flynn Anything in the Hogarth Shakespeare project
4/13/2021 Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin (Amazon) Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (Amazon) Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (Amazon) Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (Amazon)
4/27/2021 Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Salfe (Amazon) Ellen @reading_theend Life After Life by Kate Atkinison (Amazon) Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore (Amazon) The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab (Amazon)
Out in May 5/4/2021 The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel (Amazon) Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (Amazon)
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead (Amazon) Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead (Amazon) Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead (Amazon) Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (Amazon) Amelia Earhart by Doris Rich (Amazon)
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon (Amazon) Beloved by Toni Morrison (Amazon) Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark (Amazon)
5/25/2021 While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams (Amazon) The Coyotes of Carthage by Steven Wright (Amazon)
The Guncle by Steven Rawley (Amazon) Be Frank With Me by Julia Claybourn Johnson (Amazon) Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (Amazon)
Out in June 6/1/2021 The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (Amazon) Passing by Nella Larsen (Amazon) The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell (Amazon) | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | 94. Ask Us Anything with Chelsey, Sara, and a surprise guest | 01:14:38 | |
How did Sara and Chelsey meet? What goes into making a Novel Pairings episode? And how do they find time to read with busy, curious babies in their lives? Today’s episode holds all the answers to YOUR questions about classic literature, teaching English, baby bookworms, reading habits, and more. (Plus plenty of book recommendations. We can’t help it.) The show notes are full of links today, so be sure to scroll down in your app or visit novelpairings.com.
Some links are affiliate links. Every time you make a purchase through one of these links, it helps us keep the podcast running. Thank you!
Books Mentioned: Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Episode: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward Episode: The Crucible by Arthur Miller We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry The Martian by Andy Weir The Time Traveler’s Wife by Aubrey Niffenegger Episode: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Episode: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann Circe by Madeline Miller Episode: Passing by Nella Larsen Episode: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Episode: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Episode: Beloved by Toni Morrison The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Houghton Let’s Look at Animals by Marion Deuchars LMNO Peas by Keith Baker A Unicorn Named Sparkle by Amy Young The Noisy Book by Soledad Bravi Episode: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Episode: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery Episode: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare Love and Freindship by Jane Austen
Also Mentioned: The Novel Pairings Ultimate Spreadsheet Sandra Boynton: Frog Trouble Album Raising Readers with Anne Bogel
Don’t forget to:
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| 13 Apr 2021 | 56. Speech Sounds by Octavia Butler, a short story club discussion | 00:48:54 | |
Today in “Short Story Club,” Chelsey and Sara are discussing “Speech Sounds” by Octavia Butler. This post-pandemic story about the importance of language and communication feels incredibly prescient and relevant, like all of Butler’s work. “Speech Sounds” is a highly discussable, quick read. We’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Join our Patreon community for an extended Short Story Club discussion on Discord. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. . . . . . . These links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, Novel Pairings will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Chelsey’s Pairings: Speak by Laurie Hals Anderson (Amazon) Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements (Amazon) Sara’s Pairings: Vox by Christina Dalcher (Amazon) Picks of the week: Chelsey: Why Octavia Butler’s novels feel so relevant today Sara: Blindness by José Saramago | |||
| 14 Apr 2020 | 7. Celebrating National Poetry Month with reading tips and poem recommendations | 00:53:04 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara are celebrating National Poetry Month. We chat about our strong feelings towards poetry in high school, how our view has changed as teachers, and the ways in which we incorporate poetry into our daily reading lives. Our discussion includes:
Shop this episode in our affiliate shop at Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores. Today’s episode is brought to you by Libro.fm, the only audiobook company that allows you to purchase audiobooks directly from your favorite indie bookstore. You can get THREE audiobooks for $15 by clicking this link or by using code NOVELPAIRINGS at checkout. --Scroll down for titles and timestamps--
Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins Eating Poetry by Mark Strand If I Should Have a Daughter by Sarah Kay (13:38) 3 Ways to Speak English by Jamila Lyiscott (13:55) A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver (17:40) Japan by Billy Collins (24:35) Emily Dickinson (28:47) Funeral Blues by WH Auden (31:22) Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay (31:44) No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay (31:49) The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy (32:56) Felicity by Mary Oliver (34:33) Audre Lorde (35:33) Shakespeare’s Sonnets (36:33) Sir Patrick Stewart Reading a Sonnet a Day Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda (38:37) Langston Hughes (38:45) I Hear American Singing by Walt Whitman (40:54) With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (42:42) The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson (43:32) Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (44:36) Kwame Alexander (45:39)
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| 27 Feb 2024 | 142. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton | 01:20:01 | |
In 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 , and we hope you add one to your TBR pile!
If you loved our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.
Shows Mentioned: Mad Men Breaking Bad Selling Sunset Downton Abbey
Books Mentioned: Italo Calvino Vanity Fair by William Thackeray The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset Emma by Jane Austen Free Food For Millionares by Min Jun Lee These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz One Woman Show by Christine Coulson Wahala by Nikki May Trust by Hernan Diaz | |||
| 06 Jul 2021 | 68. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and contemplative books for moody summer reading | 01:00:47 | |
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss The Summer Book by Tove Jansson*, a contemplative and vivid book in translation about a young girl, her grandmother, and the little island they inhabit. We discuss our favorite vignettes, the endearing characters, and our recommendations for contemporary pairings—including memoir, literary fiction, and poetry. *This episode is spoiler-free. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores.
Listen to our pairings: [31:50]
Books mentioned: Thank you for supporting us by shopping our affiliate links! Moomin books by Tove Jansson (Amazon) The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (Amazon) . . . Chelsey: Castle of Water by Dane Hucklebridge (Amazon) A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver (Amazon) Memories of Low Tide by Chantal Thomas (Amazon)
Sara: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson (Amazon) // SSR Episode 87 Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson (Amazon) Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (Amazon)
Pick of the week: Chelsey: We Can Do Hard Things podcast: What the hell is FUN and why do we need it? Sara: Tove Jansson’s Moomins and her private universe. | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | 110. Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes and stories of community, music, and home | 00:53:56 | |
Chelsey 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 the Black diasporic experience. We expected to enjoy Hughes’ use of language and imagery, but we did not anticipate the rich tapestry of history and themes explored in this short classic. We hope you take something away from this spoiler-free episode before, during, or after listening, whether you choose to pick up the book or one of our contemporary pairings. These pairings include complex families in fiction, sweeping historical accounts, and blues-y musings on the power of music. Are you ready for deeper reading in 2023? This spring we’re exploring the world of Classic Children’s Literature in your podcast feed and with our Patreon community. Together, we’re learning to be better, more critical and thorough readers of classic and contemporary literature. We love discussing books and reading with all of you and hope you’ll join our group of nerdy readers at patreon.com/novelpairings. Annual subscriptions are now available at a discounted price. Pairings Timestamp: 29:50 . . . Books Mentioned: A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby Perish by Latoya Watkins Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Links & Things Mentioned: "Done Made Us Leave Our Home": Langston Hughes's Not without Laughter--Unifying Image and Three Dimensions - R. Baxter Miller (JSTOR) | |||
| 26 Jan 2021 | 46. Love letters to books: nonfiction books about the reading life | 00:42:19 | |
Readers, today’s episode is inspired by Helene Hanff’s love of books, nonfiction, and observation. We’re sharing a bunch of nonfiction books about books, reading, and readers. Some of these are longtime favorites and others are on our endless TBR lists. This episode is extra nerdy, a little nostalgic, and supremely bookish. We hope you find a title to add to your TBR today. Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates on what we're currently listening to. Nonfiction loveletters to books 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (Amazon) Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence (Amazon) Ex Libris by Michiko Kakutani (Amazon) A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders (Amazon) I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel (Amazon) The Possessed by Elif Batuman (Amazon) Well Read Black Girl edited by Glory Edim (Amazon) The Dark Fantastic by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Amazon) Bezi @beingabookwyrm The Library Book by Susan Orlean (Amazon) Susan Orlean on Twitter Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (Amazon) Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman (Amazon) Bibliophile by Jane Mount (Amazon) Diverse Spines by Jamise Harper and Jane Mount (forthcoming) The Toni Morrison Book Club by Juda Bennett, Winnifred Brown-Glaude, Cassandra Jackson, Piper Kendrix Williams (Amazon) Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Anne Boyd Rioux (Amazon) My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland (Amazon) Books Promiscuously Read: Reading as a Way of Life by Heather Cass White (Amazon)
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| 24 Oct 2023 | 134. Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat | 01:14:01 | |
If 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 tale retelling, and a polarizing love-it-or-hate-it novel that is perfect for group discussions. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would also love our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings. Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting public scholarship!
Books Mentioned: Girl Serpent Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust Earthlings by Sayaka Murata My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Disoriental by Negar Djavadi The Queue by Basma Abdel Aziz Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | 132. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson | 00:59:56 | |
Shirley 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 quintessential classic. Read today's short story club selection HERE. Special thanks to our executive producers: Emma, Dilma, Cathy, Amy, and Jodie for making Short Story Club possible! If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would also love our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings. Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting public scholarship! | |||
| 11 May 2021 | 60. Backlist coming of age novels for book clubs and beach reads | 00:50:17 | |
Today Chelsey and Sara share a few of their favorite coming of age novels featuring characters past adolescence. If you’re looking for your next book club pick, this TBR toppler is full of highly discussable women’s fiction and literary fiction to choose from. We can’t wait to hear what you pick up after listening! For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro.fm. Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS and support independent bookstores. Books mentioned (affiliate links): . . . . . . The Mothers by Brit Bennett (Amazon) Writers & Lovers by Lily King (Amazon) A Room Called Earth by Madeleine Ryan (Amazon) The Switch by Beth O’Leary (Amazon) All My Mother’s Lovers by Ilana Massad (Amazon) Queenie by Candace Carty-Williams (Amazon) You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat (Amazon) Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (Amazon) All Adults Here by Emma Straub (Amazon) Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (Amazon) You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac (Amazon) City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (Amazon) American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (Amazon) | |||
| 05 Sep 2023 | 129. What is public scholarship? | 00:54:37 | |
You 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 up conversations and allow our fellow readers to think of themselves as public scholars, too. You’ll also hear about our recent reads that surprisingly fit the theme of today’s discussion, and we’ll share some additional titles and resources readers can check out to keep learning about this topic.
Episode Timestamps Recent Reads - 2:42 What is Public Scholarship? - 11:15 Further Reading for Public Literature Scholars - 38:39
Books Mentioned Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction (and the whole very short introduction series) How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Forester Proust and the Squid by Maryanne Wolf Reader Come Home by Maryanne Wolf Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
Substack Recommendations Sweater Weather (Brandon Taylor) Culture Study (Anne Helen Peterson) So Many Thoughts (Elizabeth Holmes)
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