Today, Sara and Chelsey reflect on their summer reading season with short reviews of their favorite reads, and they look ahead to their upcoming fall season. Do you enjoy hearing about our recent reads? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get weekly reading updates and podcast news or joining our Patreon community, where we share bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and a whole bunch of book talk at patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Get two audiobooks for the ...
Aug 24, 2021•51 min
Today, Sara and Chelsey gush about a new favorite novel-in-short-stories: The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor. We focus on Naylor's memorable prose and mastery of structure, avoiding spoilers so you can listen before reading. Plus, as always, we offer six contemporary pairings that capture similar themes, featuring short story collections and well-crafted memoirs. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Influenced by a delightful book club discussion with Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas , Chelsey and Sara share a pile of mythology-inspired books in today's TBR toppling episode. Myth retellings and adaptations might be a hot trend in publishing right now, but their popularity dates back centuries. In today's discussion, Chelsey and Sara explore the resurgence of Greek mythology, what makes a great retelling, and which mythological novels they love or want to read. For more bonus episodes,...
Aug 10, 2021•58 min•Ep. 73
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss a melodramatic classroom staple: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. We relive our classroom experiences, investigate why this play is still taught, and dig into the iconic characters made famous by Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh in the 1951 film adaptation. Plus, as always, we offer six contemporary pairings that capture similar themes. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com ....
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 72
We have an extra special Friday bonus episode for you! We've expressed our love for Laurie Frankel and her new book One Two Three on the podcast. Today, we're sharing an episode from Storybound, in which Laurie reads an excerpt from her book. This is paired with an original piece of music to make an immersive soundscape of original music and sound effects. Storybound comes to you from The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Season 4 is the best yet, so subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or wherever y...
Jul 30, 2021•32 min
Today, Sara and Chelsey share their favorite books of the year (so far) with a series of bookish superlatives to guide them. From most surprising to most disappointing, we discuss the books that have shaped our reading lives in the first half of 2021. We love this low pressure format for sharing "the best" books and would love to hear about YOUR favorites, using our superlatives list. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.c...
Jul 27, 2021•52 min•Ep. 71
Chelsey and Sara discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton*, a glittering Gilded Age classic that feels particularly relevant today. We chat about our experiences rereading one of Wharton's early novels, how we felt about the divisive character Lily Bart, and our recommendations for contemporary pairings—including one of our favorite essay collections and a coming of age novel set at a boarding school. *This episode does include spoilers, so listen carefully for spoiler warnings if you haven't...
Jul 20, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Today in "Short Story Club," Chelsey and Sara are discussing "The Prairie Wife" by Curtis Sittenfeld . It's a quick, absorbing read about summer camp, social media, and how stories shape our identities. We'd love to hear your thoughts on it! Note: Short Story Club episodes do contain spoilers. Read the story first, and then come back to hear our nerdy discussion. Join our Patreon community for an extended Short Story Club discussion on Discord. Get two audiobooks for the price of one from Libro....
Jul 13, 2021•48 min•Ep. 69
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss The Summer Book by Tove Jansson*, a contemplative and vivid book in translation about a young girl, her grandmother, and the little island they inhabit. We discuss our favorite vignettes, the endearing characters, and our recommendations for contemporary pairings—including memoir, literary fiction, and poetry. *This episode is spoiler-free. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect ...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Today, Sara and Chelsey share their favorite classic and contemporary sweeping family sagas. We recommend intergenerational stories that take place over decades or centuries—or across multiple continents. We also define and discuss this sub genre and speculate about why it's become such a popular phrase in publishing. Do you have a favorite novel that fits on our list? For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect wit...
Jun 29, 2021•46 min•Ep. 67
Today Chelsey and Sara discuss the second half of The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Chapters 7 through 14. In this episode, we cover new characters, prominent themes, and final thoughts on spending so much time with the Trueba family, plus our contemporary pairings! We've paired Allende's masterpiece with novels of magical realism from all over the world, and we can't wait to hear your recommendations for further reading. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, joi...
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 66
Today, Chelsey and Sara discuss: when it comes to the classics, what makes a great book club pick? They also share a handful of highly discussable classics, plus their top tips for better book club discussions. Tell us which classics your book club loved (or loathed) on Instagram . For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behi...
Jun 15, 2021•44 min•Ep. 65
Today Chelsey and Sara discuss the first half of The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Chapters 1 through 6. There's so much to discuss in this jam-packed, sweeping family novel. In this episode, we cover initial impressions and approaches to the book, Allende's style, and key characters. We'll share contemporary pairings in Part Two on June 22nd! For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagra...
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 64
We're kicking off the summer reading season with a TBR toppler full of highly anticipated summer releases and backlist pairings! This episode is full of books we haven't read and our best guesses at which books might be readalikes or thematic pairings. With buzzy books and under-the-radar releases from every genre, you're sure to find at least one book (or maybe ten) for your summer To Be Read list. We can't wait to hear which books you put on hold at the library or pick up from your local books...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 9 min
Every quarter, we stop to reflect on our reading lives and share a few of our favorite reads. Today, we're looking back at books from our spring reading season, from palate-cleansing pageturners to nuanced nonfiction. We'd love to hear what you read this spring! Let us know at @novelpairingspod on Instagram . For bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly newsletter ...
May 25, 2021•55 min
Today Chelsey and Sara discuss The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. This classic Cinderella story follows Valancy Stirling as she receives life-changing news that shakes up her whole world and leads her to happiness. Her coming-of-age story includes a few highly discussable plot points that we couldn't help but spoil, so if you haven't read the book, scroll down to get a timestamp to avoid spoilers. As always, we're recommending contemporary pairings for our classic, including a whip-smart rom-co...
May 18, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 61
Today Chelsey and Sara share a few of their favorite coming of age novels featuring characters past adolescence. If you're looking for your next book club pick, this TBR toppler is full of highly discussable women's fiction and literary fiction to choose from. We can't wait to hear what you pick up after listening! For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly ...
May 11, 2021•50 min
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. We kept this conversation spoiler-free, so choose your own adventure: listen before, during, or after reading this historical fiction classic. As always, we're recommending six contemporary books to pair with our main classic, including an under-the-radar memoir in translation and an upcoming family story about sisters and secrets. For access to our next nerdy class and bonus episodes every Friday, join our Cl...
May 04, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Today Chelsey and Sara explore speculative fiction and sci-fi in anotherTBR toppling episode. We're not big sci-fi readers, but we have a bunch of grounded, page-turning books to recommend today. Even if you're not an avid speculative fiction reader, we think you'll find at least one book to interest you among these titles. For more bonus episodes, nerdy classes, and extra book talk, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to ou...
Apr 27, 2021•47 min
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut . We take some conversational bunny trails to explore our high school reading experiences, our relationships with science fiction, and our philosophical ponderings inspired by Billy Pilgrim's story. As usual, we're recommending six contemporary books to pair with Vonnegut's most famous work, including anti-war satire and sci-fi short stories. For access to our recent class on literary theory and bonus episodes every Frida...
Apr 20, 2021•53 min•Ep. 57
Today in "Short Story Club," Chelsey and Sara are discussing "Speech Sounds" by Octavia Butler. This post-pandemic story about the importance of language and communication feels incredibly prescient and relevant, like all of Butler's work. "Speech Sounds" is a highly discussable, quick read. We'd love to hear your thoughts on it! Join our Patreon community for an extended Short Story Club discussion on Discord. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get u...
Apr 13, 2021•49 min
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. We both loved this evocative, ground-breaking classic and couldn't wait to dig into its setting, themes, and stunning writing. As usual, we're recommending six contemporary books to pair with Baldwin's classic, including poignant YA novels, memoir, and essays. For access to our upcoming class on literary theory and a book club style discussion of Baldwin's novel later this month, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpair...
Apr 06, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 55
We couldn't close our immersive Pride and Prejudice experience without sharing a bunch of book recommendations for readers who want to stay with Elizabeth and Darcy awhile longer. Today, Chelsey and Sara share their favorite and least favorite Pride and Prejudice pastiche, sequels, adaptations, and retellings. For more Austen nerdiness, including a class on Jane Austen and a bonus episode on Regency customs, join our Classics Club: patreon.com/novelpairings.com . Connect with us on Instagram or ...
Mar 30, 2021•50 min•Ep. 54
In today's episode, Chelsey and Sara discuss Part Two of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and share their contemporary pairings for romantic and insightful books that feature similar themes. We talk about the sweeping drama, swoony moments, and satisfying ending of the second half of Lizzie and Darcy's love story, with plenty of nerdy asides. This episode covers Chapters 35-61 or Volume II, Chapter 12 - Volume III. For more Austen nerdiness, including a class on Jane Austen and a bonus episode...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 16 min
We're back with another TBR toppling episode! Today, Chelsey and Sara pair brand new and upcoming spring book releases with backlist titles that share similar themes, plotlines, or settings. We haven't read all of these new releases, so our pairings are based on speculation and best guesses. If you pick up any of the books we mention today, we'd love to hear about it! Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Check out...
Mar 16, 2021•1 hr 1 min
In today's episode, Chelsey and Sara discuss Part One of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, including fond memories of reading the book and in-depth character analysis. (Plus plenty of gushing about Darcy and Elizabeth and MORE). We'd love for you to read along with us this month! Part One covers Chapters 1-34 or Volume I-Volume II, Chapter 11. You can listen to this episode before reading to guide you through Part One or after reading to feel like you're in book club! For more Austen nerdiness...
Mar 09, 2021•1 hr 19 min
We're sharing our top five tips for reading Jane Austen's novels with you, whether you're a frequent re-reader or new to her work. Today's episode is meant to help you get the most out of any Austen novel, but we hope you'll read Pride and Prejudice with us this month! To celebrate one year of podcasting and the launch of our new Patreon community , we're enjoying all things Austen for the whole month of March with discussion episodes and a bunch of bonus content (available for our Classics Club...
Mar 02, 2021•32 min
Today, Chelsey and Sara share some stand-out titles they read over the winter season, including amazing audiobooks, short story collections, and page-turning romance. These quarterly wrap-ups include reflections on our winter season, previews of what's coming up, and a bunch of book recommendations. We can't wait to hear what you think of our favorites from the quarter. Connect with us on Instagram or Twitter . Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get updates and behind-the-scenes info. Use our...
Feb 23, 2021•41 min•Ep. 50
Today Chelsey and Sara are discussing The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter. This collection of twisted, Gothic fairytales is perfect for fans of Rebecca , Jane Eyre , or Edgar Allan Poe. We're keeping this episode spoiler-free, though we do discuss specific aspects of several stories. We loved connecting this collection across literary movements, explaining the heroine's journey, and (as always) recommending six contemporary books to pair with our classic, including short story and poetry collect...
Feb 16, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Today, Sara and Chelsey topple your TBR lists with fairytale retellings for every type of reader. They reminisce about the book that sparked their love of retellings and discuss why fairytales are still so appealing to adult readers. You can find titles and links for every book mentioned in this episode at novelpairings.com . Follow Novel Pairings on Instagram or Twitter . Use our Libro.fm affiliate code NOVELPAIRINGS to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 and support independent bookstores. Sub...
Feb 09, 2021•46 min
