Ep 461: Backlist books that make your brain fizz

Jan 14, 2025

Nell Cavallo, a passionate reader from Sydney, shares her love for backlist books and the seasonal reading dilemmas she faces. She discusses how winter in the southern hemisphere ignites a quest for summer releases, highlighting the struggle of choosing the right titles amidst the vast sea of options. The conversation dives into the nostalgic pleasure of summer reading, emotional depth in literature, and the distinct literary culture of Sydney. Nell's insights on navigating literary choices create an engaging exploration of reading habits and preferences.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 5min

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Navigating Time Zones and Literary Choices

04:43 • 11min

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Nostalgic Summer Reads and Future Goals

16:11 • 3min

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Exploring Passionate Narratives

19:28 • 15min

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Cozy Comforts: Embracing Winter with Style and Self-Worth

34:26 • 4min

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Exploring Emotional Depths in Literature

38:17 • 12min

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Exploring Sydney Through Literature

Set in the 1980s, 'Call Me By Your Name' is a poignant and intimate story of first love. The novel follows Elio Perlman, a precocious and educated 17-year-old, as he develops a powerful and complex relationship with Oliver, his father's visiting student. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of first love, even as the characters move on with their lives. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions, profound quotes, and the realistic portrayal of youthful emotions and philosophical introspections.

You Be Mother

Meg Mason

Meg Mason's "You Be Mother" is a poignant novel exploring the complexities of motherhood and female friendship. The story follows Abby, a young woman who unexpectedly becomes a mother and finds solace in an unlikely friendship with an older woman. Mason's insightful prose and character development create a captivating narrative. The novel delves into the challenges of raising a child, the complexities of family relationships, and the transformative power of human connection. The characters' experiences resonate with readers, making it a deeply moving story. The exploration of motherhood, friendship, and the search for belonging is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The novel's exploration of human connection and the search for meaning in life is both profound and uplifting.

Dirt music

Tim Winton

Tim Winton's "Dirt Music" is a sweeping novel set against the backdrop of the rugged Australian landscape. It tells the story of a passionate and complex relationship between a woman and a fisherman, exploring themes of love, loss, and the power of nature. Winton's vivid descriptions of the Australian coastline and the characters' emotional journeys create a compelling narrative. The novel delves into the complexities of human connection and the transformative power of love. The characters' struggles and triumphs resonate with readers, making it a powerful and unforgettable story. The novel's exploration of the human spirit in the face of adversity is both moving and inspiring.

Sarah Winman's "Tin Man" is a poignant novel exploring themes of love, loss, and enduring friendship. The story follows two men, Elias and Michael, whose lives intertwine over decades. Winman's evocative prose and insightful character development create a captivating narrative. The novel delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring the joys and sorrows of life. The characters' experiences resonate with readers, making it a deeply moving story. The exploration of love, grief, and the enduring power of friendship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The novel's exploration of human connection and the search for meaning in life is both profound and uplifting.

Acts of Desperation

Megan Nolan

Megan Nolan's "Acts of Desperation" is a novel that explores the complexities of a toxic relationship with unflinching honesty. The story follows the narrator's descent into a consuming and ultimately destructive romance. Nolan's writing is characterized by its raw emotionality and unflinching portrayal of difficult themes. The novel delves into the psychological aspects of unhealthy relationships, exploring the fine line between desire and misery. The narrator's experiences resonate with readers who have experienced similar dynamics. The novel's exploration of self-destruction and the search for meaning in the face of heartbreak is both poignant and unsettling.

The bay of noon

Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard's "The Bay of Noon" is a captivating novel set in post-war Italy, exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the stunning Italian landscape, creating a rich and atmospheric setting. Hazzard's elegant prose and insightful character development draw readers into the lives of her characters. The novel delves into the emotional depths of its characters, exploring their hopes, dreams, and disappointments. The exploration of love and loss in the context of a changing world is both poignant and thought-provoking. The novel's exploration of human nature and the search for meaning in a complex world is both moving and insightful.

American Wife

Curtis Sittenfeld

The novel tells the story of Alice Blackwell, a quiet and bookish woman from Wisconsin who marries Charlie Blackwell, a wealthy and charismatic member of a prominent Republican family. As Charlie becomes President, Alice is thrust into a life of power and influence, navigating the contradictions between her private beliefs and her public persona. The book delves into themes of class, wealth, and the complexities of marital relationships, drawing inspiration from real-life events but with significant fictional elements.

Many of the readers we talk to tune into the seasons to inspire their next read, and today's guest has a twist on the usual seasonal reading dilemma: Nell Cavallo is joining Anne today from midsummer in Sydney, Australia.

When Nell sent in her guest submission for the show, she told us that as a southern hemisphere reader, winter meant reading the shiny and new titles that are summer releases here in the U.S. For Nell, her summer reading was all about backlist titles.

Nell loves reading backlist, but she agonizes over choosing what older books to read next, because there are just so many good backlist books to read. She wants to make careful choices, she wants them to be the right ones, and it can leave her feeling stuck. Today we'll talk about that and Anne recommends titles that provide her with that brain-fizzy feeling she loves, especially books that are emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.

Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your suggestions for Nell by leaving a comment on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/461.

It's a new reading year and that makes it a great time to start a new journal: keeping track of what you're reading has a big impact on your reading satisfaction. Anne's reading journal, My Reading Life, is the perfect companion for your year of reading. Get yours at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop or at your local bookstore.

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