The Novel Tea

Shruti and Neha discuss Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy, a story of a young woman trying to reintroduce wolves into the wild in the Scottish Highlands, only to find a darker side of the town that has troubling echoes with her own past. We discuss the story through the themes of instinct, villainy, and monsters. We also share some context on real-world conservation efforts, and get into the subgenre of tragedy porn (or misery lit).Links:Interview with Charlotte McConaghyShelf Discovery & Books MentionedPopular Trauma Culture by Anne RothIt Ends with Us by Colleen HooverIsland of the Sea Wolves [Netflix]Miracle Creek by Angie KimThe Women by Kristin HannahA Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaStolen by Ann-Helén LaestadiusIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Alli Hoff Kosik joins us to discuss her new book Too Blessed to Stress, a novel following four Christian influencers as they navigate their online lives and deal with private struggles becoming public.We talk about communication and the internet as tools of power, how gossip can be wielded for good and for evil, and the ways social media has begun to appear in novels in a variety of ways. And, of course, we share tons of book recommendations as we talk all about how Too Blessed to Stress is in conversation with other books, media, and popular culture.This is a spoiler-free discussion (with very minimal discussion of plot and characters) so dive in - whether you read the book and loved it, or have never heard of it until now!Books and Media MentionedThe Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean WeirThe Secret Lives of Mormon WivesSex and the CityThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann BrasharesGossip GirlSuch a Bad Influence by Olivia MuenterThe Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemoreTehrangeles by Porochista KhakpourIf You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You by Leigh SteinThe Dream Hotel by Laila LalamiIn Her Defense by Philippa MalickaDracula by Bram StokerColton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff ZentnerThe Princess Diaries by Meg CabotAmelia's Notebook by Marissa MossThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansPaper Cut by Rachel TaffIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss Greenwood, a multigenerational family saga tied together with a repeating motif of trees and forests. We discuss themes of legacy, inheritance, nature, and addiction, and we also share our critiques of the book, from its character construction to its central message.Interview with Michael ChristieShelf Discovery:What We Can Know by Ian McEwanThe Overstory by Richard PowersPlayground by Richard PowersHomegoing by Yaa GyasiIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss Annihilation, the first book of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy. We discuss its world building, character development, and share our many theories about the central mystery and the book's ending. Shelf Discovery & Books Mentioned:His Dark Materials by Phillip PullmanWhat Moves the Dead by T. KingfisherPiranesi by Susanna ClarkeIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss What We Can Know, Ian McEwan's latest speculative novel about a lost poem, climate change, and the power of stories. We discuss this novel through the themes of memory and preservation, and talk about our differing opinions on some of the major twists in the novel.Shelf Discovery & Books Mentioned:Possession by A.S. ByattStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelTo the Lighthouse by Virginia WoolfUniversality by Natasha BrownIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss Jon Krakauer's famous account of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster, Into Thin Air. They discuss his chosen narration style, clarify what actually happened on that mountain, and talk about the role of a writer in controlling their story.Shelf DiscoveryThe Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le GuinThe Call of the Wild by Jack LondonIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year, new season! In this episode we introduce the theme for our upcoming season, The Natural World - then we get into the eight books we'll be discussing over the next few months.Vote for your choice of novel hereBooks Mentioned:Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon KrakauerWhat We Can Know by Ian McEwanAnnihilation by Jeff VandermeerGreenwood by Michael ChristieBarkskins by Annie ProulxWe Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezón CámaraOnce There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghyThe Seed Keeper by Diane WilsonProdigal Summer by Barbara KingsolverMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode of 2025, we talk about what our reading lives were like this year, and discuss our stand-out reads through superlatives. Listen in to hear the best page-turners, best characters, and most unexpected reads we encountered this year, to name a few!Books MentionedThe Margot Affair by Sanae LemoineDiary of a Void by Emi YogiThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayThe Wall by Marlen HaushoferThe Days of Abandonment by Elena FerranteThe City We Became by N.K. JemisinFriends of the Museum by Heather McGowanButter by Asako YuzukiThe Oppermans Lion FeuchtwangerRebecca by Daphne Du MaurierThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiUniversality by Natasha BrownMy Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteAudition by Katie KitamuraHeart the Lover by Lily KingWater Moon by Samantha Soto YambaoThe Old Man by the Sea by Domenico StarnoneEmma by Jane AustenFree Food for Millionaires by Min Jin LeeBunny by Mona AwadThe Remembered Soldier by Anjet DaanjeOrbital by Samantha HarveyHome Fire by Kamila ShamsieA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your TBR lists ready, because in this wrap up episode we talk all about the books we read in Season 6, and then welcome David and Melissa of Strong Sense of Place for a special guest segment! They tell us about their favorite travels, settings they've loved, and unique books that have transported them. We also get into our issues with short stories, and discuss ways to get into reading them.Books Discussed:Jane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëWakenhyrst by Michelle PaverThe Stranger in the Woods by Michael FinkelThe Works: Anatomy of a City by Kate AscherThe Last Warner Woman by Kei MillerElephant Complex: Travels in Sri Lanka by John GimletteStoner by John WilliamsThe Prague Sonata by Bradford MorrowThe Godmother by Hannelore CayreVintage 1954 by Antoine LaurainA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesTable for Two by Amor TowlesA Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George SaundersPassing by Nella LarsonThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael ChabonFrom The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. KonigsbergThe Cricket in Time Square by Garth WilliamsThe Original by Nell StevensBrat Farrar by Josephine TayThe Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia HighswmithThe Remembered Solider by Anjet DaanjeMy Family and other Rockstars by Tiffany MurphyIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Neha and Shruti discuss The Museum of Innocence, by Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk, through themes of narcissism and honor. We discuss the idea of legacy, cultural norms and the patriarchy, and the way that the book's framing affects the way we interpret the story. Plus, we talk through the book's intriguing ending and reach new insights about what the book is trying to do, and its effect on readers.Shelf Discovery:Giovanni's Room by James BaldwinMy Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth RussellLolita by Vladimir NabokovIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha travel to Mumbai in Rohinton Mistry's Booker shortlisted novel Such a Long Journey, through themes of forgiveness, miracles, and misfortunes. We discuss the novel's loveable and sometimes frustrating characters, the symbolism of animals, and the looming specter of death in daily life.Books Mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryA Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryFamily Matters by Rohinton MistryThe Inheritance of Loss by Kiran DesaiIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss the speculative novel The City We Became, a story about New York City's five avatars who must band together to defend the city from a looming enemy. We discuss our thoughts on the book's premise and structure, get into H.P Lovecraft's legacy of horror and racism, and more!Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:The Call of Cthulu by H.P. LovecraftMonsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire DedererLone Women by Victor LaValleLovecraft Country by Matt RuffIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss Zadie Smith's debut novel, White Teeth. We talk about themes of religion, inheritance, class, history, and the need for control; we explore what those 'white teeth' in the title might mean; and finally we get into our issues with the book, and discuss the genre of Hysterical Realism.Links:Human, All Too Inhuman by James WoodHow White Teeth transcends its many flawsShelf Discovery:On Beauty by Zadie SmithHome Fire by Kamila ShamsieThe Shadow Lines by Amitav GhoshIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Woolf's incredible novel Mrs. Dalloway turns 100 this year! Shruti and Neha talk about this book and its themes of perception, inadequacy, memory, illness, and death. They discuss the effect of the past on the characters, the book's imperialist and pro-colonialism project, and the disappearance of the narrator.Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:On Being Ill by Virginia WoolfCulture and Imperialism by Edward SaidThe Annotated Mrs. Dalloway edited by Merve EmreA Room of One's Own by Virginia WoolfTo The Lighthouse by Virginia WoolfThe Hours by Michael CunninghamIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss Brooklyn, a historical novel about a young woman who immigrates from Ireland to America in the 1950s, through the themes of family and duty. We discuss the character of Eilis Lacey and her passivity, Tóibín's spare writing style, and the various forces pulling at the characters in this book. We also draw comparisons to Henry James, and share a few thoughts on the movie adaption.Links:The Coldest Place on Earth [London Review of Books]Books Mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryThe Portrait of a Lady by Henry JamesWashington Square by Henry JamesHello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoAnother Country by James BaldwinGiovanni's Room by James BaldwinA Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty SmithIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss Bangkok Wakes to Rain, a novel of interconnected stories set in Krung Thep (Bangkok) over several decades. We discuss how the idea of time is explored through the story, and how each character encounters displacement in their own way. We then get into a conversation about aging, beauty trends, and the afterlife, before our final Filter the Chai and Shelf Discovery segments.Sea of Tranquility: wilderness and loneliness - Apple Podcasts | SpotifyShelf Discovery:The Overstory by Richard PowersHuman Acts by Han KangSea of Tranquility by Emily St. John MandelThere Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a new season! Today we’re talking all about cities in literature – what cities represent, what ‘setting as character’ really means, and books we’ve read that really capture the magic of cities. We then share the seven books we’ll be reading this season, along with context and background, and the themes and elements we’ll be paying attention to as we read.Books Mentioned:Uglies by Scott WesterfeldThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsAnna Karenina by Leo TolstoyBangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya SudbanthadBrooklyn by Colm ToibinMrs. Dalloway by Virginia WoolfWhite Teeth by Zadie SmithThe City We Became by NK JemisonSuch a Long Journey by Rohinton MistryThe Museum of Innocence by Orhan PamukIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we zoom out and talk about all the books we covered over the past few months, discussing favorites and least favorites, as well as highlighting some themes that emerged, including strong settings and ‘the madwoman’ in literature. We then get into adaptation theory – some background on adaptations, and what we think makes a good adaptation (with a few tangents into the upcoming Harry Potter series and Greta Gerwig’s Narnia). Links:On the Art of Adaptation by Linda Hutcheon [Jstor]Context in Film Adaptations [Jstor]If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk all about All's Well, a novel that is in part a retelling, in part an homage to theater, and a completely wild ride of a book. We discuss the way perception plays into the story, and how repetition functions to serve the narrative - and of course, we explore All's Well That Ends Well and MacBeth, the two plays at the heart of this novel.Shelf Discovery:Bunny by Mona AwadWoo Woo by Ella BaxterHunchback by Saou IchikawaThe Rehearsal by Eleanor CattonMy Death by Lisa TuttleIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss Home Fire, a retelling of Antigone set in the present day that explores questions of family, loyalty, beliefs, and legacy. We share some background about Sophocles' Antigone to help ground the discussion, discuss the parts of the novel that we loved, and share some of our issues with its construction. And as always, we share book recommendations in our Shelf Discovery segment for readers who liked different aspects of Home Fire.Shelf Discovery:The Other Americans by Laila LalamiCirce by Madeline MillerSong of Achilles by Madeline MillerThe Penelopiad by Margaret AtwoodA Woman Is No Man by Etaf RumThe Dream Hotel by Laila LalamiEnter Ghost by Isabella HammadIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, we are so excited to be joined by Izzy of What the Austen? as we talk all things relating to Austen adaptations! We discuss what makes a good adaptation, and that special quality to Austen's prose and which movies and TV shows succeed at capturing her magic. And, of course, we talk about our favorite (and least favorite) screen adaptations!Follow Izzy on her Youtube Channel, Instagram, or by listening in to her other excellent podcast episodes!If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss the many adaptations of Jane Austen’s Emma: Emma (1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow), Emma (1996 with Kate Beckinsale), Emma (2020 with Anya Taylor Joy), Clueless (1995 with Alicia Silverstone). We talk all about what each version gets right, and what it gets wrong, and decide on a favorite Emma, a favorite Knightely, and favorite overall!We also reference a few other Emma adaptations, including Aisha (2010 with Sonam Kapoor), Emma Approved (Youtube Miniseries), and Emma of 83rd Street by Aubrey Bellezza and Emily Harding.If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss, laugh about, and delight Jane Austen's Emma. We talk about the novel’s themes of autonomy and companionship and how these are at odds; we also delve into what we think the book is saying about love, marriage, friendship, and class. We of course giggle and marvel over the book’s wonderful characters, and we also get a bit nerdy as we make comparisons to Shakespeare’s comedies.Links:Emma and New Comedy [JASNA]The Powers of the Instrument: Or, Jane, Frank, and the Pianoforte [JASNA]Books Mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryA Midsummer Night's Dream by William ShakespeareAs You Like It by William ShakespeareThe Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar WildeThe Luck of the Bodkins by PG WodehouseCleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco MellorsDial A for Aunties by Jesse Q SutantoIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti and Neha discuss Amor Towle's beloved tale of confinement, A Gentleman in Moscow, through the themes of balance and imagination. We provide some historical context for the events of the novel, share what we loved, and provide some critiques (including our thoughts on the ending). We also talk about the Paramount TV adaptation and compare its themes and mission to those of the book.Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:Piranesi by Susanna ClarkeThe Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniThe Nightingale by Kristin HannahA Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann ShafferIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Neha and Shruti discuss the two movie adaptations of Rebecca: the 1940 masterpiece directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and the 2020... something piece directed by Ben Wheatley. We pay attention to characterization, setting, music, and costume, and of course, discuss the MAJOR changes made to the ending in both these movies!If you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss the Gothic masterpiece Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier. We talk about the main characters and what they might represent, and the way the book plays with ideas of identity and relationships. We also discuss the themes of memory, innocence and maturity, gender roles and sexuality, the symbolism of flowers, and so much more!*This episode contains serious spoilers!Links:The Secret History by Donna Tartt: aesthetics and paranoia (Spotify | Apple Podcasts)The Secret History, Dark Academia, and Academic Elitism [The Novel Tea Newsletter]Books Mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryJane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëWide Sargasso Sea by Jean RhysGone Girl by Gillian FlynnThe Secret History by Donna TarttMy Cousin Rachel by Daphne du MaurierIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Neha and Shruti discuss Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys through the themes of liminality and bias. We talk about the book as its own work, then we compare it to Jane Eyre, its source text. We also discuss several screen adaptations of Jane Eyre, including the 1997 and 2011 films, and the 1983 and 2006 television adaptations.Shelf DiscoveryLucy by Jamaica KincaidThe Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins GilmanThe Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Shruti and Neha discuss one of the most beloved classics of all time: Jane Eyre. We discuss Jane's character through the themes of adventure and self-respect, the metaphor of the red room, and how Jane's desire for affection manifests through her many relationships. We also disagree on Rochester's character (and the book's ending), and analyze the many themes and motifs in this book, including religion, orientalism, fairytales, colonialism & empire, and more! Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:Pride and Prejudice by Jane AustenMansfield Park by Jane AustenWide Sargasso Sea by Jean RhysNorth and South by Elizabeth GaskellWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëThe Eyre Affair by Jasper FfordeIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss the short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe, its many interpretations – from institutional decay, to psychology and health, to imagined realities – and the real-life history the story is said to have been based on. We then talk about What Moves the Dead, a retelling of Poe’s short story, and whether or not it accomplished what it set out to do. Along the way, we also get into what makes a good adaptation and differences between gothic and horror genres. We also talk a bit about the recent Netflix adaptation The Fall of the House of Usher by Mike Flanagan.Shelf Discovery:The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins GilmanThe Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeThe Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story by Olga TokarczukIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we introduce our theme for the season: adaptations! We discuss some of the best and worst adaptations we've seen, what makes a good adaptation, and the new trends in book adaptations. And, of course, we share what we'll be reading (and watching!) over the next few months for Season 5.Books and movies mentioned:Little Women by Louisa May AlcottWickedEragon by Christopher PaoliniHarry Potter by J.K. Rowling10 Things I Hate About YouShe's the ManThe Lion KingHamlet by William ShakespeareMufasaWuthering Heights by Emily BronteThe Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen PoeWhat Moves the Dead by T. KingfisherJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteWide Sargasso Sea by Jean RhysRebecca by Daphne du MaurierA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesEmma by Jane AustenHome Fire by Kamila ShamsieAntigone by SophoclesAll's Well by Mona AwadIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's finally here - our year in books! In this bonus episode, we share the 10 best books we read this year, ranging from new releases, to classics, to non-fiction. We also share a few honorable mentions that we loved. And, towards the end of the episode, we spill the tea on a few 2024 releases, including some that we loved and others that didn't quite hit the mark.Books Mentioned:The GuestThe Night SwimThey Called Us ExceptionalEducatedThe Little StrangerYellowfaceThe Left Hand of DarknessMy DeathThe Bee StingJamesBirnam WoodHello BeautifulThe Hunchback of Notre DameAnother CountryCuckoldA Little LifeEnter GhostMartyr!The Illness LessonTomorrow and Tomorrow and TomorrowAn Immense WorldIn the Dream HouseThe Secret HistoryThe God of the WoodsThe WomenThere are Rivers in the SkyArgylleThe Bright SwordFunny Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss all 8 books we've covered over the last few months, and talk about themes that emerged - getting a little nerdy along the way. We also discuss the Booker prize, throw some shade at the Oscars, and share more book recommendations around the theme of borders. This episode is spoiler free!Books mentioned:Culture and Imperialism by Edward SaidTermush by Sven HolmHomegoing by Yaa GyasiWe Have Always Been Here by Samra HabibThey Called Us Exceptional by Prachi GuptaThe Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin HamidGiovanni's Room by James BaldwinDisgrace by J.M. CoetzeeThe Laughter by Sonora JhaIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss The Parisian by Isabella Hammad, a book that follows Midhat Kamal, a Palestinian man, between the First and Second World Wars. We talk about the 19th century European novel, prominent themes we noticed in the book, and our thoughts on the characters and their development. We also get into the historical context of the events unfolding in the book.LinksIsraelPalestine For Critical Thinkers on YoutubeEmpire Podcast [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify]Books Mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryWar and Peace by Leo TolstoySentimental Education by Gustave FlaubertThe Sympathizer by Viet Thanh NguyenHope and Other Dangerous Pursuits by Laila LalamiThe House of the Spirits by Isabel AllendeOur Riches by Kaouther AdimiIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are so excited to invite Sri Ramesh of Brown Girl Bookshelf to chat with us! Last week, Neha and Shruti got into some of their critiques of The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, and this week, Sri is here to tell us what she loved about. Will she change our minds?We also talk more broadly about Sri Lankan literature, the Booker prize, book endings, and our reading idiosyncrasies.LinksWhat Makes a Book a 'Classic'? [The Novel Tea Newsletter archive]BooksA Passage North by Anuk ArudpragasamStory of a Brief Marriage by Anuk ArudpragasamBrotherless Night by V. V. GaneshanathanThe Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev SahotaA Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaGoodbye Vitamin by Rachel KhongBird Milk & Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka MattooA Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryThe Message by Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe Luminaries by Eleanor CattonThe Inheritance of Loss by Kiran DesaiThe God of Small Things by Arundhati RoyHomeland Elegies by Ayad AkhtarChai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari ChandranIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, a book that starts with the death of a photographer and follows him in the afterlife as he attempts to find his murderer and his missing photographs. We talk about the nature of death and the afterlife, and share historical context about the Sri Lankan Civil War. We also explore why people might be afraid to critize books, particularly works by marginalized communities.Books mentioned & Shelf DiscoveryHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe Luminaries by Eleanor CattonThe Great Indian Novel by Shashi TharoorThe Sympathizer by Viet Thanh NguyenSlaughterhouse Five by Kurt VonnegutIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss Another Country by James Baldwin, a book that follows a group of friends and lovers in New York City in the mid-20th century. We talk about the characters and their relationships, the inaction that fills the novel, and the importance of having 'difficult' conversations with the people you love. We also go on a brief Gossip Girl tangent as we attempt to better understand the characters in this book :)Links:Another Country by Claudia Roth Pierpont [The New Yorker]Jazz by Toni Morrison: violence and ambition [The Novel Tea]Books mentioned & Shelf Discovery:A Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaThe Age of Innocence by Edith WhartonJazz by Toni MorrisonThe Sun Also Rises by Ernest HemingwayIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss Daughters of the Deer, by Danielle Daniel, a work of historical fiction that follows an indigenous woman and her daughter in a 17th century French colony that is now Quebec, Canada. We talk about the historical context of the book, discuss the characters and their journeys, and reflect on the importance of telling these stories.Shelf Discovery:East by Edith PattouFever 1793 by Laurie Halse AndersonHope Leslie; Or Early Times in Massachusetts by Catharine Maria SedgwickIf you would like to get additional behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss The Savage Detectives, the story of two poets and the people and world that surrounds them, as they journey across Mexico. We talk about some of the cultural context of this book, the challenges we faced while reading, and share some strong opinions.Shelf DiscoveryAmerican Gods by Neil GaimanIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss The Other Americans by Laila Lalami, a novel about an immigrant family that includes a romance, family drama, and a mystery. After a quick discussion of the It Ends With Us drama, we share a quick summary and dive into some themes we noticed in The Other Americans, including memory, regret, and protection. We talk about some of the key relationships and conflicts, major plot points, and Lalami's writing style.Shelf DiscoveryThe Night Watchman by Louise ErdrichThe Namesake by Jhumpa LahiriIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai, which follows four characters from different social and financial classes, whose stories are linked through familial relationships and employment. As the book continues, their lives become more intimately intertwined and political unrest starts to reach their homes.We talk about the themes of class and entitlement, the historical landscape of India in the post-independence decades, and discuss how this book is descendant from British literary giants such as PG Wodehouse and Jane Austen.Shelf Discovery:A Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryPachinko by Min Jin LeeHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss The Sympathizer, the 2016 Pulitzer winner for fiction, through the themes of loyalty and duality. This book is a thriller and a satire, following a mixed race narrator who moves to the United States after the fall of Saigon, and must navigate his identity and his role as a communist spy. We talk about the book's historical context, its commentary on race and pop culture, and more.Links:Interview with Viet Thanh Nguyen [NPR]Shelf Discovery:The Great Indian Novel by Shashi TharoorThe Poisonwood Bible by Barbara KingsolverIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti introduce the theme for Season 4: Beyond Borders! We talk about the books we've selected to read in this theme, and share what we're excited about in the upcoming months.Books Mentioned:The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh NyugenThe Inheritance of Loss by Kiran DesaiThe Other Americans by Laila LalamiThe Savage Detectives by Roberto BolañoDaughters of the Deer by Danielle DanielAnother Country by James BaldwinThe Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan KarunatilakaThe Parisian by Isabella HammadIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for the best, the worst, and everything in-between: in the 2024 Novelties, Shruti and Neha give awards to their favorite reads of 2024 so far. Ranging from classics to new releases, we share our picks for most unexpected, best character, worth the hype, best page-turner, weirdest book, and more! Books Mentioned:Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Belleza and Emily HardingMy Death by Lisa TuttleMy Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth RussellPiranesi by Susanna ClarkeThe Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor HugoThe Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeSea of Tranquility by Emily St. John MandelThe Illness Lesson by Clare BeamsJames by Percival EverettBirnam Wood by Eleanor CattonThe Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBrideThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Little Stranger by Sarah WatersThe Membranes by Ta-Wei Chi weiTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinDial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. SutantoThe Villa by Rachel HawkinsThe Secret History by Donna TarttCuckold by Kiran NagarkarIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our last episode until the fall, we talk all about speculative fiction: our favorite fictional worlds, the best reading experiences we've had this season, and more. We also share the books that didn't make the cut for this season (even though we want to read them all), and get into the great realistic vs. genre fiction debate.Books mentioned:Dark Matter by Blake CrouchMexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaSnow Crash by Neal StephensonTill We Have Faces by C.S. LewisNeverwhere by Neil GaimanStardust by Neil GaimanJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna ClarkePride and Prejudice by Jane AustenThe Eyre Affair by Jasper FfordeIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Neha and Shruti talk about Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, a dreamy, fantastical novel set in a beautiful House where there are birds, fish, tides, and statues. We talk about the narrator's unique perspective, the writing style, and our thoughts on the underlying meaning of the story. We also get into the book's many allusions and references, from C.S. Lewis, to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.Shelf Discovery & Books Mentioned:Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna ClarkeThe Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryThe Starless Sea by Erin MorgensternCirce by Madeline MillerIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti and Neha talk about Sea of Tranquility, the latest book from speculative fiction author Emily St. John Mandel. We dive into the differences between loneliness and solitude, past vs. present tense in fiction, time travel, the history of the simulation hypothesis, and much more!Spoilers start at 15:53.Shelf DiscoveryThe Glass Hotel by Emily St. John MandelThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey NiffeneggerThe New York Trilogy by Paul AusterIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti dive into the historical underbelly of Barcelona where they find twisted tales, hidden secrets, family drama, and heartbreak. We read The Shadow of the Wind through themes of obsession and memory, talk about Gothic fiction and mystery stories, and finally get to our problems with the book's ending.Shelf Discovery:Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia MarquezThe Starless Sea by Erin MorgensternThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti and Neha discuss Fledgling, Octavia Butler's last novel before her untimely death, through the themes of home and innocence. We talk about vampire lore (including Twilight and The Vampire Diaries), the ethics of genetic manipulation, and race through the lens of childhood.Links:Code Switch: Taylor Swift and the unbearable whiteness of girlhoodShelf Discovery:The Vegetarian by Han KingThe Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonIf you would like to get more in-depth analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Neha and Shruti discuss one of the most acclaimed science fiction novels of all time: Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. We give you all the context you need to understand this complex and nuanced novel, and even some information you may not have thought you needed, including: the evolutionary biology of menstruation, gender constructs & stereotypes, conflicts of love and trust, and much more.Spoilers start at 33:19Links:How and Why did Women Evolve Periods? by Suzanne Sadedin, PhD in evolutionary biologyShelf Discovery and Books Mentioned:A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le GuinDune by Frank HerbertFrankenstein by Mary ShelleyHis Dark Materials by Phillip PullmanIf you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at [email protected] episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.