The Novel Tea

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.