#2765

Mentioned in 9 episodes

A tree grows in Brooklyn

Book • 1943

Set in the early 20th century in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' is a poignant and moving tale of Francie Nolan's coming-of-age.

The novel depicts the hardships of Francie's family, including her father's alcoholism and her mother's relentless efforts to keep the family afloat.

Despite the poverty and struggles, Francie's story is one of hope and resilience, symbolized by the tree that grows in the harsh conditions of their tenement neighborhood.

The book explores themes of family, education, and the American promise, offering a detailed and unsentimental portrait of urban life during that era.

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

Jennifer Weiner

Lindsay McMahon

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

, who loved it but couldn't remember details about it.

24. Why Do We Forget So Much of What We’ve Read?

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

when talking about rereading things for comfort.

30. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?

Mentioned by Ronnie and Nanako in the context of a class project.

254 - The Triangle

Mentioned by

Ethan Cross

in reference to his childhood in Brooklyn and the restorative power of nature.

743: SHIFT Your Mindset: Dr. Ethan Kross on Managing Emotions and Breaking Patterns

Mentioned by

Jennifer Weiner

as a formative book that showed her own reflection in a character.

Jennifer Weiner on Ozempic, ageing and growing some boundaries!

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

in relation to the impact of experiences versus specific details.

24. Why Do We Forget So Much of What We’ve Read?

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

as a book she loved but forgot the details, highlighting the emotional impact over plot recall.

Why Do We Forget So Much of What We’ve Read? (Ep. 24 Rebroadcast)

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

as a book she would reread for comfort.

30. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?

Mentioned by

Stephen Dubner

while discussing aspirational consumption and his habit of buying books he doesn't read.

22. Why Do We Buy Things We’ll Never Use?

Recommended by Tanya Miles as a coming-of-age story set in Brooklyn.

16 - The Catcher In The Rye (with Jess Perkins and Andy Matthews)

Mentioned by

Tina Fey

as the first book that transported her to another world.

Tina Fey: The Return of The Four Seasons

Mentioned by

Lindsay McMahon

as a book she picked up recently and is excited about.

IELTS Energy 1499: Vocabulary That is Gonna Boost Your IELTS Score

Mentioned by

Anne Bogel

in the context of a character reading it in a library.

Ep 478: A snippet from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide

Mentioned by Stephen Dubner when discussing aspirational objects and the tendency to buy things we never use.

Why Do We Buy Things We Never Use? (Rebroadcast From Ep.22)

Mentioned by

Angela Duckworth

as an example of a familiar comfort read.

445. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?

Mentioned by

Susan Straight

as a book that made her think about how places are immortalized in literature.

Susan Straight on the Power of Story

Mentioned by Robert Sietsema as a novel about a hard-up Irish family that lives in Williamsburg.

Evening Roundup: ICE Detentions Shake Church Community, Toddler Drowns in Bronx Daycare, Cuomo Calls For Beefed Up NYPD Security After Midtown Shooting, and Dining in Williamsburg

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