The Novel Tea

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.