Episode description

These riveting works of nonfiction by two incredible women have powerful narratives on family, race, and the way we get to tell our stories.

Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe compiles art and short vignettes into a beautiful work that explores the Black experience through a wide variety of themes. Sharpe joined us to talk about how these notes came to be, the wealth of literary influences on the project and more.

Ava Chin’s Mott Street follows one Chinese American family through generations of struggle and resiliency as they work to build their lives. Chin joined us to talk about uncovering her family’s past, researching an intergenerational story and more.

Listen in as both talk separately with Poured Over’s host, Miwa Messer.  And we end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. 

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).

Featured Books (Episode):

Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe
Mott Street by Ava Chin

In the Wake by Christina Sharpe
Counternarratives by John Keene
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham
Obasan by Joy Kogawa
Auschwitz and After by Charlotte Delbo
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Wayward Lives by Saidiya Hartman
Lose Your Mother by Saidiya Hartman

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):
Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham
Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang