The Novel Tea

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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. 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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti and Neha discuss The Humans by Matt Haig, a novel that is dressed up as science fiction, but is really about learning to love life. We talk about reading the right book at the right time, science fiction's relationship to colonialism, and bigger questions about the way we live today. We also wonder if there is a such thing as self-help fiction.Shelf Discovery:An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed YongThe Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith EgerSpeak by Laurie Halse AndersonThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskySpoilers start at 22:20Content warning: suicide, mental healthIf 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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this fun bonus episode, Shruti and Neha dive into everything mythology-related, including: what are myths? Why are Greek mythology retellings so popular, and is that problematic? Does mythology still exist today?We talk about all this and more, referencing The Hero's Journey, Joseph Campbell, and world mythologies.*Spoilers for American Gods between 20:50-21:10Books Mentioned:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK RowlingAmerican Gods by Neil GaimanThe Secret History by Donna TarttThe Penelopiad by Margaret AtwoodCirce by Madeline MillerClytemnestra by Costanza CasatiKaikeyi by Vaishnavi PatelIf 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 thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Note: this episode was recorded and published before the information on Gaiman's exploitation and abuse of women was made public. We do not support the author financially or otherwise - but we do believe in the importance of discussing art and literature, so are choosing to leave this episode available to all.In this episode Neha and Shruti tackle one of the living titans of speculative fiction: Neil Gaiman. We discuss American Gods through the themes of deception and survival, tracking the characters through the story as we ponder stories of immigration, faith, and disillusionment. We also talk about the importance of reading challenging novels and taking our time with certain books.Spoilers for the ending start at 21:50.Content warning: the book contains references to historical violence against Black people, which we discuss 22:30-24:00.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.Shelf DiscoveryThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoHis Dark Materials by Philip PullmanWe love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you.*When talking about carousels, Neha mistakenly mentions The Book Thief - she actually was referring to The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shruti and Neha discuss one of Margaret Atwood's lesser known works, The Penelopiad - a retelling of The Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, and the twelve hanged maids. Even if you haven't read the book, we think there's a lot you'll enjoy in this episode!We consider the themes of justice and persuasion as we talk about modern feminism (and the #MeToo movement), how myths evolve, and trends in mythology retellings. We also talk about Atwood's character portrayals and narrative choices, and how they impacted our reading experience. If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.Books Mentioned in Shelf Discovery:The Greek Myths by Robert GravesThe Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodCirce by Madeline MillerClytemnestra by Costanza CasatiWe love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha and Shruti discuss The Secret History, a book that has gained a cult following in the last few decades - and as we discuss the book, we start to see why. We talk about the characters, the atmospheric setting, and how Tartt brilliantly creates and sustains tension. We also provide some background for the book's classical allusions, and share all our theories about the book's shocking climax. And as always, we provide recommendations in our Shelf Discovery segment for books to read next if you loved The Secret History, based on the aspect of the novel that you loved most.What is the significance of the line 'Beauty is terror'? Which character functions as a cult leader? What is dark academia? You'll find all this and more in this episode. True spoilers start at 19:20If you would like to hear more in-depth literary analysis, curated book recommendations, and cultural commentary, you can also subscribe to our free newsletter.Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:Wuthering Heights by Emily BrontëPassing by Nella LarsenThe Starless Sea by Erin MorgensternThe Idiot by Elif BatumanEither/Or by Elif BatumanBabel by R.F. KuangMy Cousin Rachel by Daphne du MaurierEuphoria by Lily KingThe Shining by Stephen KingNinth House by Leigh BardugoLinks:Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College*We mistakenly stated that Icarus is a god; Icarus in Greek mythology is the son of a craftsman.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com. This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission (which helps support our work) at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, Shruti and Neha invite some special guests to talk about books: Chelsey and Sara of Novel Pairings! We talk all about reading carefully and deeply, public scholarship, and tools to help sharpen your analytic lens. Along the way, we talk about some of our childhood favorites, trends in literature, high school English classes, and more!Listen to Novel Pairings, follow them on Instagram, and visit their Patreon for extra classes.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, you can also subscribe to our free newsletter.Selected Books and Other Works Mentioned:Witch Please PodcastDolls of Our Lives PodcastCulture Study by Anne Helen Peterson: Newsletter and PodcastCraft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew SalessesA Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George SaundersWilder PodcastThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayThe Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBridePassing by Nella LarsenThe Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniSo Late in the Day by Claire KeeganThe Guide by R.K. NarayanSelected Poems by Rabindranath TagoreWe love hearing from our listeners! You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back, and we're so excited to delve into the worlds of speculative fiction with you all! In this episode, we share the theme we'll be reading through for the next few months: Other Worlds.We talk about the books we'll be reading for the next few months, including important background about these works and their authors, and why we picked them. If you love fantasy, science fiction, supernatural, and dystopian fiction, then this season is for you! And if these aren't your preferred genres, but you're looking to expand your reading horizons this year, then we think you'll like this season too.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free email newsletter.Books mentioned:The Secret History by Donna TarttPenelopiad by Margaret AtwoodAmerican Gods by Neil GaimanThe Humans by Matt HaigThe Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le GuinFledgling by Octavia ButlerShadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZafonSea of Tranquility by Emily St. John MandelPiranesi by Susanna ClarkeWe love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, Shruti and Neha share the most popular books they've in 2023, including Bookstagram favorites, award-winners, and Tik Tok darlings from the past few years. We summarize the books and give our honest opinions on whether or not these books were worth the hype - and for the books we didn't like, we give some recommendations for books that we thought were better.Listen in to find out if these books are worth reading - and if you loved a book that we hated (or vice versa), tell us why we're wrong! You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter.Books and Articles Mentioned:Normal People by Sally RooneyConversations with Friends by Sally RooneyThe Idiot by Elif BatumanShadow and Bone by Leigh BardugoNinth House by Leigh BardugoA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J MaasGirls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa BashardoustThe Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. SchwabBook Lovers by Emily HenryI've Got Your Number by Sophie KinsellaWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensVictory City by Salman RushdieDaisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidBabel: An Arcane History by R.F. KuangYellowface by R.F. KuangMilk and Honey by Rupi KaurDead Stars by Ada LimónTrust by Hernan DiazNYT Review of Trust by Hernan Diaz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.