The Novel Tea: Recent Episodes
Shruti Koti, Neha Ambati
Welcome to The Novel Tea, where your favorite English class meets your neighborhood book club. Join us as we go beyond the traditional classics, exploring books from diverse authors and backgrounds. Each episode, we'll talk about a book through different themes, analyzing characters, plot, and writing styles, to determine: does it stand the test of time?
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Today, Neha and Shruti talk about Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, a dreamy, fantastical novel set in a beautiful House where there are birds, fish, tides, and statues. We talk about the narrator's unique perspective, the writing style, and our thoughts on the underlying meaning of the story. We also get into the book's many allusions and references, from C.S. Lewis, to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.
Shelf Discovery & Books Mentioned:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Circe by Madeline Miller
If you would like to get more in-depth analysis, 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.
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Shruti and Neha talk about Sea of Tranquility, the latest book from speculative fiction author Emily St. John Mandel. We dive into the differences between loneliness and solitude, past vs. present tense in fiction, time travel, the history of the simulation hypothesis, and much more!
Spoilers start at 15:53.
Shelf Discovery
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
If you would like to get more in-depth analysis, 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 dive into the historical underbelly of Barcelona where they find twisted tales, hidden secrets, family drama, and heartbreak. We read The Shadow of the Wind through themes of obsession and memory, talk about Gothic fiction and mystery stories, and finally get to our problems with the book's ending.
Shelf Discovery:
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
If 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.
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 girlhood
Shelf Discovery:
The Vegetarian by Han King
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
If 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 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 33:19
Links:
How and Why did Women Evolve Periods? by Suzanne Sadedin, PhD in evolutionary biology
Shelf Discovery and Books Mentioned:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Dune by Frank Herbert
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
If 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 Yong
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Spoilers start at 22:20
Content warning: suicide, mental health
If 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 20:50-21:10
Books Mentioned:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Circe by Madeline Miller
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
If 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 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 Discovery
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
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.
*When talking about carousels, Neha mistakenly mentions The Book Thief - she actually was referring to The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
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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 Graves
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Circe by Madeline Miller
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
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.
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 19:20
If 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 Brontë
Passing by Nella Larsen
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Either/Or by Elif Batuman
Babel by R.F. Kuang
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Euphoria by Lily King
The Shining by Stephen King
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Links:
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 Podcast
Dolls of Our Lives Podcast
Culture Study by Anne Helen Peterson: Newsletter and Podcast
Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses
A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
Wilder Podcast
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Passing by Nella Larsen
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
The Guide by R.K. Narayan
Selected Poems by Rabindranath Tagore
We love hearing from our listeners! You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
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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 Tartt
Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Humans by Matt Haig
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
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.
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 Rooney
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
Dead Stars by Ada Limón
Trust by Hernan Diaz
NYT Review of Trust by Hernan Diaz
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In this (mostly) spoiler-free* episode, Neha and Shruti reflect on the experience of reading books from around the world. We zoom out and talk on a broad level about narrative voice, villainy, disability representation and its portrayal in literature, and post-colonial writing. We also do a deep dive into trauma narratives - why are they so popular nowadays? What stories are being promoted, and how does this limit the stories being told by authors of color?
We had so much to say on these topics, that we just couldn't get to all of it in the episode! We decided to continue the discussion in our upcoming email newsletter - subscribe for free to join the conversation. You can also connect with us on Instagram, or email us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
*We mention some minor plot points for The Murmur of Bees, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, and Pachinko (10:26-12:05), but we don't think these spoil the story in a significant way. Still, if you prefer to read books without any prior knowledge, make sure to check out these books before you listen to this episode!
Links:
The Case Against the Trauma Plot by Parul Sehgal in the New Yorker
Books mentioned:
Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag
Tess of D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
Letters to a Writer of Color edited by Deepa Anappara and Taymour Soomro
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
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In this episode Neha and Shruti talk about the Booker prize winning novel The Luminaries, by Eleanor Catton. We discuss the characters, the structure of the book, what we want out of long books, and why we should maybe be wary of literary prizes. Whether you loved this book or hated it, there's something for everyone in this discussion!
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Shelf Discovery:
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Shruti - The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Neha - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough
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Warning: NSFW because this book was very, very weird. Shruti and Neha talk about fate and destiny, Freud, and the spiritual realm, and also throw some shade on the book’s flat and uninspired female characters.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Links:
Mieko Kawakami interviews Murakami about his female characters
Shelf Discovery:
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Neha - Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Shruti - The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster; The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
*Content warning: this episode contains references to incest and rape as they appear in the book.
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We had so much to say about Pachinko that we had to record a part 2! Joining us on this episode are special guests Marvin and Reera from Books & Boba. We talk to them about their podcast and mission, and get to hear more about Asian diaspora stories and their impact.
In continuing our discussion on Pachinko, we talk about themes of wealth and opportunity, generational trauma, and relate these to some of our own family’s struggles. We talk more about Min Jin Lee’s process in writing this book, and we also share our unfiltered opinions on the Apple TV adaptation.
Books mentioned:
Straw Dogs of the Universe by Ye Chun
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Sorcerer of the Crown by Zen Cho
The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
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Join us for part 1 of our discussion on Min Jin Lee's best-selling novel Pachinko, a sweeping family saga that chronicles several generations of a Korean family living in Japan. In this episode, Neha and Shruti explore themes of pride and virtue, and dissect the complex web of characters that surround Sunja, the book's protagonist. What do these characters have to sacrifice to survive in their world? How do their aspirations shape their identities and influence their relationships?
We talk about the book's cultural significance, narrative depth, and emotional impact, and at the end, as in all our episodes, we rate the book, and ask whether this book will be considered a classic in the years to come.
Shelf Discovery:
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Neha - The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Shruti - Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
*Note: Neha had a small issue with her audio recording, so if it sounds a bit fuzzy, that's why - we are working on fixing the issue so all future episodes have crisp and clear sound!
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In this comprehensive, full-exposure, no-holds-barred* bonus episode, Neha and Shruti dive deep into the Mahabharat, starting out with its history, versions and adaptations, and of course, an in-depth discussion of the story and some key plot points with reference to The Palace of Illusions and The Great Indian Novels (our two selections for India). We discuss the concept of free will, feminism throughout history, Dalit stories and contributions, and expressions of gender identity in mythologic stories.
*We say this in jest, because Neha and Shruti are not in any way experts on Hindu scripture, South Asian history, or literature. However, we did do a lot of research, and we are passionate to share our love for this story with you all!
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Books and Adaptations Mentioned:
Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari
Mahabharata: a Modern Retelling by Carole Satyamurti
The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by RK Narayan
Mahabharat (1980-1988) a television series originally on Doordarshan
Mahabharat (2013) a television series originally on Star Plus, now streaming on Hulu
The Bhagavad Gita
Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince by Anuja Chandramouli
Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen by Kavita Kane
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love by Bhanumathi Narasimhan
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In this expansive debut novel by Shashi Tharoor, the characters and stories of the Mahabharat are transposed onto the Indian independence movement. Shruti and Neha start off with a detailed breakdown of who's who, the setting, and historical references. We then dive into the story, its allusions, the satire, and Tharoor's writing style. And of course, this episode wouldn't be complete unless we spilled the tea - and the tea is piping hot! We talk all about the controversy surrounding Shashi Tharoor, including the IPL scandal, and the death of his wife.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Shelf Discovery:
The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor
Neha - The Humans by Matt Haig
Shruti - none
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Combining myth, history, fantasy, and philosophy, The Palace of Illusions tells the story of Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, in a retelling of the Indian epic the Mahabharat. Neha and Shruti discuss the themes of appearances, feminism, and assertiveness in the various characters, while digging in to the plot.
We also get to chat with our first podcast guest! Mishika is a co-founder of Brown Girl Bookshelf, a platform that celebrates South Asian writers and literature. She tells us about Divakaruni's latest novel, Independence, and we just had so much fun talking with her about books, reading, and life!
Shelf Discovery and Other Books Mentioned
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Parted Earth by Anjali Enjeti
The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
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In Half of a Yellow Sun, award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie chronicles the years leading up to the Nigerian Biafran war in the 1960s through the eyes of three main characters. Neha and Shruti explore the interactions between households and families in a time of immense political upheaval. We discuss the impact of the book, and more broadly, how these stories are told and how we interact with these texts.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Shelf Discovery:
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Shruti - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Neha - Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo, and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
*Content warning: physical violence, sexual assault
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Stolen, by Ann-Helén Laestadius, is a mystery, thriller, coming-of-age story that completely captured our hearts. Shruti and Neha discuss some of the contextual elements of the book, discuss the theme of silence, and of course, break down the shocking ending! They also talk about themes of belonging, alienation, youth, the patriarchy, and mental health.
If you would like to hear more in-depth literary and cultural analysis, curated book recommendations, and critical commentary, subscribe to our free newsletter. You can also connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.
Links:
Interview with Ann-Helén Laestadius on Bookanista
Shelf discovery:
Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius
Neha - East by Edith Pattou
Shruti - Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
*Content warning: animal cruelty, suicide
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Neha and Shruti head to Colombia, delving into the world of Pablo Escobar and drug cartels as they discuss the second book of the season, Fruit of the Drunken Tree. We talk about the historical context in which this story is set while unpacking how the characters are affected by their sacrifices and the spaces they occupy. They also get into a discussion about the origins of the term ‘magical realism,’ and the questionable colonialist mindset that fuels the term’s use in today’s age.
Shelf Discovery:
Shruti - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett; and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Neha - Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo
The Murmur of Bees is a lyrical novel set during the Mexican revolution about a special young boy and the family who adopts him. Neha and Shruti discuss themes of faith and wonder, good versus evil, and magic realism. They share what they loved about the book, while also touching on the importance of authorial intent, asking the question: is history still being written by the winners?
Shelf Discovery:
Neha - The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles; and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Shruti - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Finally, Shruti and Neha are answering all your burning questions! Listen in to find out more about us including the books we loved, books we hated, how we started this podcast, and (perhaps most importantly), the ultimate Harry Potter book ranking.
Books Mentioned:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Holes by Louis Sachar
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Normal People by Sally Rooney
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
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Shruti and Neha are traveling around the world! Through books, that is. In this episode we share our reading list, some important background for each of the books we’ve picked, and what we’re excited about for Season 2.
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In our last episode before our summer hiatus, Neha and Shruti zoom out to look at the big picture. We discuss some broader themes that crop up in all of the books, including the city vs. the country, movement, safety, and hope. We also talk about the theme of season one, The American Dream - where it came from, how it has evolved, and how it may represent something new for the 21st century.
Books mentioned:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
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Jazz, a lyrical and complex story about passion and fear in urban life, is one of Toni Morrison's most unique books. Neha and Shruti talk about violence and ambition as central themes, Morrison's writing style, and muse on the best environments in which to read certain books.
Links:
Eight Works to Take in After or Alongside Toni Morrison's 'Jazz': New York Times article
Characteristics of Negro Expression: 1934 essay by Zora Neale Hurston, African-American novelist and anthropologist
Shelf Discovery:
Shruti - Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee
Neha - none
Shruti and Neha read and cry about Crying in H Mart, a memoir by Michelle Zauner, best known as singer and songwriter for Japanese Breakfast. We talk about the mother-daughter relationship, family dynamics in an Asian household, and the importance of food as an expression of love.
Links:
Crying in H Mart: essay by Michelle Zauner first published in the New Yorker
Choosing Forgiveness: essay by Michelle Zauner published in Harpers Bazaar
Shelf discovery:
Shruti - The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy; and Paula by Isabel Allende
Neha - Know My Name by Chanel Miller
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After reading The Last White Man, Neha and Shruti had mixed feelings. In this episode, we discuss the captivating idea behind the book, its questionable execution, and different ways that authors can play with a novel's form.
Shelf Discovery:
Shruti - The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Neha - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
We loved Passing so much that we had to do another episode. Shruti and Neha take a deep dive into the complicated relationship between Irene and Clare, discuss its parallels to Mean Girls, and ruminate some more on the book’s mysterious ending. We also discuss the 2021 Netflix movie adaptation.
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Neha and Shruti introduce their first book pair! Passing by Nella Larsen, and The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, published nearly 100 years apart, perfectly complement one another as they both revolve around themes of race, discrimination, identity, and belonging. We discuss similarities and differences between the characters and their choices, compare our reading experiences, and gush over the beautiful writing.
Shelf Discovery
Neha - Quicksand by Nella Larsen; and A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
Shruti - A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
In The Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich introduces us to a rich cast of characters in weaving a story based on her grandfather's fight against Native American dispossession. We work our way through some confusing moments of magical realism, and discuss the importance of passing on these kinds of stories to new generations of readers.
Shelf Discovery:
Neha - One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Shruti - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
For our first book, Neha and Shruti discuss The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri - one of the first books we ever read that resonated with us as first generation immigrants, and third culture kids. We explore how our feelings have changed re-reading the book all these years later, and reflect on how relevant immigrant stories are to every generation.
Links:
The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes
Shelf Discovery:
Shruti - Passing by Nella Larsen; and Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry
Neha - A Thousand Splendid Sons by Khaled Hosseini
Welcome to The Novel Tea! We are so excited to launch this podcast. In this short trailer, we introduce ourselves and give a brief overview of how our episodes will be structured. You'll also hear some teasers for the episodes to come. Stay tuned for book discussions coming soon, and follow us on Instagram @thenoveltea.pod to find out what our first book will be!
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