Episodes
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For our final episode of Novel Pairings, we opened up the mailbag to answer your thoughtful listener questions. From reflections on our favorite classics to behind-the-scenes stories, weâre sharing a lot today! And celebrating the journey weâve shared with all of you. Weâll also be offering some closing thoughts on what this podcast has meant to us, what weâve learned along the way, and what comes next for each of us.
This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus weâre opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. To learn more about our storefront and to get all new announcements, make sure you are following @novelpairingspod on Instagram and subscribed to novelpairings.substack.com.
Novel Pairings Bundles: novelpairings.gumroad.com
Find us individually and continue to read with each of us here:
Chelsey â IG: @chelseyreads | Substack: chelsey.substack.com
Sara â IG: @fictionmatters | Substack: fictionmatters.substack.com
Books Mentioned
Summer by Edith Wharton
A Midsummer Nightâs Dream by William Shakespeare
Quicksand by Nella Larsen
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine LâEngle
Passing by Nella Larsen
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
1984 by George Orwell
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
There is Confusion by Jesse Redmond Fossett
Also Mentioned
From the Front Porch/The Bookshelf Conquer a Classic with Annie and Hunter
Shelf by Shelf on Substack
The Novel Tea Podcast
250th Anniversary of Jane Austen
Smith and Taylor Classics
Persephone Books
McNally Editions
New York Review
Penguin Modern Classics
Center for Fiction
Wuthering Heights adaptation
Pride and Prejudice adaptations
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Get ready to load your summer totes with compelling reads, both new and old! Weâre sharing our anticipated summer releases on todayâs episode, carefully curated from a long list of captivating titles to shake up your TBR. As always, weâve included some perfectly paired backlist favorites to enjoy while you wait for the buzzy new books.
Today, we explore an exciting mix of poignant literary fiction, immersive historical narratives, richly layered contemporary stories, and even a touch of magical realism to spark your imagination. Youâll find everything from heartfelt memoirs threaded with nostalgia to sharp, insightful critiques of todayâs world, alongside enchanting tales perfect for reading all season long.
This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus weâre opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned. To learn when our shop opens up and to get all new announcements, make sure you are following @novelpairingspod on Instagram and subscribed to novelpairings.substack.com.
Find us individually and continue to read with each of us here:
Chelsey â IG: @chelseyreads | Substack: chelsey.substack.comSara â IG: @fictionmatters | Substack: fictionmatters.substack.com
Books Mentioned
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Heart, Be at Peace by Donal Ryan (5/20)
The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
Dubliners by James Joyce
Iâll Tell You When Iâm Home by Hala Alyan (6/3)
Disoriental by NĂ©gar Djavadi
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Challenger by Adam Higginbotham
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (6/3)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Skipshock by Caroline O'Donoghue (6/3)
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
The Möbius Book by Catherine Lacey (6/17)
Audition by Katie Kitamura
Liars by Sarah Mangusso
The Tiny Things are Heavier by Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo (6/24)
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott (6/24)
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (8/26)
Poppy War Trilogy by R.F. Kuang
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
The Inferno by Dante Alighieri
The Odyssey by Homer
The Austin Affair by Madeline Bell
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Heart the Lover by Lilly King
The Rachel Incident by Caroline OâDonoghue
The Unveiling by Quan Berry
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
Also Mentioned
Paperback Summer Reading Guide
Libro FM
The Irishification of Pop Culture (The Culture Study Podcast)
LuLaRich Documentary
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Episodes manquant?
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Weâre wrapping up our Emma readalong with final reflections on rereading, standout themes, and Austenâs legacy. We also chat about how weâre marking the momentous occasion of Jane Austenâs 250th anniversary and the ways this milestone is resonating with us as readers.
This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus weâre opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned. To learn when our shop opens up and to get all new announcements, make sure you are following @novelpairingspod on Instagram and subscribed to novelpairings.substack.com.
Find Chelsey and Sara on Substack, too!
Chelsey, The Eclectic Reader: chelsey.substack.com
Sara, Fiction Matters: fictionmatters.substack.com
Books Mentioned
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Les Misérables by Victor HugoPride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Superworm by Julia DonaldsonJane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney
Wild for Austen by Devoney Looser
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Juvenilia by Jane Austen
Of Love and Friendship by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Also Mentioned
Novel Pairings Readalongs
Emma Footnotes #4: Foils
250 Years of Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice Series on Netflix
Hamilton
Pride and Prejudice on the big screen
Emma
Slow Horses
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In this episode, we reach the culmination of Jane Austen's Emma, where secrets are revealed, relationships evolve, and characters face pivotal choices that will shape their futures. We discuss shifting affections, unexpected engagements, and the web of emotions that bind the residents of Highbury together. We will conclude our Emma series with a finale reflection episode in a few weeks to give you a chance to catch up on recaps.
This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus weâre opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned.
To learn when our shop opens up and to get all new announcements, make sure you are following @novelpairingspod on Instagram and subscribed to novelpairings.substack.com.
Find Chelsey and Sara on Substack, too!
Chelsey: The Eclectic Reader @ chelsey.substack.com
Sara: Fiction Matters @ fictionmatters.substack.com
Books Mentioned
Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters by William Austen-Leigh
Also Mentioned
Novel Pairings Odyssey Readalong
Novel Pairings Les Miserables Readalong
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In this episode, weâre unpacking so many juicy momentsâfrom Frank Churchillâs restless return to Highbury and the long-awaited ball at the Crown Inn to Harrietâs shocking misadventure and Mr. Knightleyâs heroic turn on the dance floor. Weâll explore Emmaâs ever-active imagination, Mrs. Eltonâs relentless meddling, and some subtle but oh-so-important moments between Emma and Mr. Knightley.
Plus, weâll chat about strawberry-picking at Donwell Abbey, and all the little details that make this part of the novel so rich and entertaining.
As a reminder, weâve historically shared these âbig book readalongâ recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, weâre sharing it on the public feed! Weâre so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where youâll get reminders and announcements at novelpairings.substack.com.
This is our final season with Novel Pairings, but we are saving all of our episodes right here for you to return to, plus weâre opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned.
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In this episode, weâre savoring the drama and intrigue of Emma, Volume Two, Chapters 9 through 18. The aftermath of the Coleâs party has Emma rehashing every social triumph and misstep, from her jealousy over Jane Fairfaxâs piano skills to her playful gossip with Frank Churchill about the mysterious pianoforte.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Elton makes her grand entrance into Highbury society, leaving Emma unimpressed but the rest of the town charmed. Between witty banter, romantic musings, and subtle moments of humor (looking at you, Mr. Knightley), these chapters are packed with Austenâs signature blend of sharp social commentary and entertaining drama.
As a reminder, weâve historically shared these âbig book readalongâ recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, weâre sharing it on the public feed! Weâre so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where youâll get reminders and announcements.
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In this recap, weâre discussing Volume Two, Chapters 1-8 of Emma by Jane Austen.
In this episode, we'll explore the arrival of some intriguing new characters to Highbury that shake up Emma's carefully curated social circle. We'll also explore Emma's complex relationships, including her aversion to a certain reserved newcomer and her budding friendship with a charming gentleman. Plus, we'll uncover how Emma's imagination runs wild with romantic theories that may or may not have any basis in reality.
As a reminder, weâve historically shared these âbig book readalongâ recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, weâre sharing it on the public feed! Weâre so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where youâll get reminders and announcements.
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In this recap, weâre diving into Emma by Jane Austen â covering Volume One, Chapters 10â18.
Join us on Patreon for bonus content.
Emma Woodhouse is back at it â charming, meddling, and trying to navigate Highburyâs tricky social scene. This time, sheâs determined to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton⊠but, surprise, things donât exactly go as planned. From awkward visits to the vicarage to a snowstorm-fueled carriage ride that takes an unexpected turn, Emmaâs confidence in her matchmaking skills starts to crumble.
Weâll also unpack the iconic moment when Emma explains why sheâs still single â and why finding someone who meets her high standards might be harder than she thought. Emmaâs missteps are about to catch up with her in the most entertaining way.
As a reminder, weâve historically shared these âbig book readalongâ recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, weâre sharing it on the public feed! Weâre so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where youâll get reminders and announcements.
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In this recap episode, weâre discussing Volume One, Chapters 1-9 of Jane Austen's Emma. We take a deep dive into Emma Woodhouse's world, examining her relationships with key figures like Miss Taylor, Mr. Woodhouse, and the insightful Mr. Knightley. We explore how Emma's interactions with these characters set the stage for her matchmaking adventures.
As we continue through the chapters, we meet the wider community of Highbury, including the mysterious Frank Churchill and the charming Harriet Smith. Emma's matchmaking ambitions quickly take center stage, leading her to meddle in Harriet's love life and sparking a significant conflict with Mr. Knightley. We analyze Austen's use of narrative techniques, and discuss the importance of riddles and social expectations in the novel.
In a special bonus segment, we preview our upcoming Footnotes episode, where we compare and analyze the opening lines from all six of Austen's most famous novels. If you're interested in more literary analysis and Austen insights, be sure to check out the full episode and head to patreon.com/novelpairings for exclusive content!
As a reminder, weâve historically shared these âbig book readalongâ recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, weâre sharing it on the public feed! Weâre so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where youâll get reminders and announcements.
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Welcome to our Spring Season! We're reading Emma by Jane Austen as a community, and we hope you will join us. Listen to today's introduction to hear why we love this novel, how we approach readalongs and recaps, and what to pay attention to as you follow along.
To get maximum delight this season, join our Patreon community for classes and conversation, plus special Footnotes episodes.
Here's the reading schedule:
March 4: Introduction
March 11: Volume 1, 1-9 or Chapters 1-9
March 18: Volume 1, 10-18 or Chapters 10-18
March 25: Volume 2, 1-8 or Chapters 19-26
April 1: Volume 2, 9-18 or Chapters 27-36
April 8: Volume 3, 1-10 or Chapters 37-46
April 15: Volume 3, 11-19 or Chapters 47-End
And here are our recommended texts:
The Annotated Emma
Vintage Classics
Patterned Vintage Classics
Penguin Clothbound Classics
Rifle Paper Co. + Puffin in Bloom
Oxford Classics -
Weâre back and kicking off 2025 with our annual Superlatives episode. Today, weâre excited to highlight stand-out books from 2024. Weâve got eight superlatives lined up that highlight our favorites, least favorites and everything in between. Plus, weâre looking back on our podcasting journey through 2024 and give you some behind-the-scenes insight to our reading lives. Stick around because weâve got two big announcements to wrap things up!
Special Announcement (Timestamp 58:20)
Link to Announcement video on Patreon
Books Mentioned
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
James by Percival Everett
Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst
The Wedding by Dorthy West
Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-Zi Yang
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr
Emma by Jane Austen
Say Youâll Be Mine by Nayina Kumar
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Quarterlife by Devika Regge
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Sandwich by Katherine Newman
Blue Sisters by Coco Melores
Also Mentioned
Classics We Love & Loathe Episodes
Fiction Matters Paperback Summer Reading Guide
Liz Moore on New York Times Podcast
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Weâre excited to be back in your podcast feeds to pair highly anticipated fall book releases with beloved backlist favorites. Prepare to overload your TBR pile as we dive into an exciting fall publishing season filled with moody, atmospheric titles.
In todayâs episode, weâll share our carefully curated lists of outstanding upcoming fiction from both renowned authors and indie presses, along with a selection of diverse fiction and nonfiction we think youâll enjoy, all paired with a backlist book to explore while you await your library holds and pre-orders.
Before diving into the books, we want to remind our community that Chelsey will be on maternity leave this fall. As a small (very small!) business, this requires significant planning and adjustments. To best manage our schedules while preserving the community we've created, we will take a short break from the main feed while focusing on providing fun, nerdy new content on Patreon at patreon.com/novelpairings.
We aim to return to the main feed in December or January with a special episode featuring the best books of 2024, along with a thrilling spring season. In the meantime, we will continue to offer bonus episodes, discussion-based classes, and book club events through our Patreon community. You can join us at either the $5 or $10 level, depending on your desired level of participation.
We are incredibly thankful for your support. Thank you for being with us!
Books Mentioned
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Guide Me Home by Attica Locke
The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia
The Professor by Charlotte Bronte
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
Graveyard Shift by ML Rio
If We Were Villians by ML Rio
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osmond
The Wildes by Louis Bayard
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Jackie & Me by Louis Bayard
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Donât Be a Stranger by Susan Minot
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
All Fours by Miranda July
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann
The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Curdle Creek by Yvonnne Battle-Felton
Ours by Philip B. Williams
Lone Women by Victor Lavalle
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The Wedgford Trials by Courtney Milian
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes
Homefire by Kamila Shamsie
Rental House by Weike Wang
Chemistry by Weike Wang
Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang
Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Kong
The Fortnite In September by RC Sheriff
Also Mentioned
The English Teacher
A Discovery of Witches
Fiction Matters Substack
Joyce Carol Oates
Algonquin Books
Anonymous Divorce/Sex Substack
Cup of Jo Substack
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As the summer reading season comes to a close, weâre turning our eyes to fall. With Chelsey on maternity leave, weâve made some thoughtful adjustments to our plans and structure here at Novel Pairings. Our goal is to ensure that we stay connected and continue to foster the amazing community weâve built together. The best way to stay connected this fall is through our Patreon community; weâre excited about the bonus episodes, discussion based classes and book club events we have planned!
On todayâs episode, we revisit last summer's buzzy book reviews from our Patreon archives. Each summer, we sit down for a conversation where we share our thoughts on the latest buzzworthy books we've read. Today, we're re-airing last summer's discussion on popular titles, which features some unconventional opinions on well-known works.
Follow us on Instagram @novelpairingspod and subscribe to our newsletter at novelpairings.substack.com.
Books Mentioned
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Rachel Incident by Caroline Oâ Donaghue
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Saddiqi
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Congratulations, the Best is Over by R. Eric Thomas
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Loot by Tania James
Also Mentioned
Our Town on YouTube
Chelsey's Recipe for a Summer Romance Reading Guide
Sara's Reading in Public newsletter on long books and active attention
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In today's recap episode, we discuss Book One of The Custom of the Country (that's chapters 1-10 if your book is not divided into books). This episode includes detailed discussion of the plot and characters introduced in this first section of the novel, so spoilers abound. We discuss our initial impressions of the unforgettable character that is Undine Spragg, how well this book would translate to the screen, a close read of a mythology reference, and what we've learned about parenting from this portion of the novel because we desperately want to avoid raising Undines!
Some more background on this episode: twice a year, we choose a big bucket list classic to read together as a community. For every book we read, we dust off our English teacher skills to break down plot, themes, style, and more in recurring recap podcast episodes.
We have our Big Book Summer Read Along of Victor Hugoâs Les MisĂ©rables on the horizon and weâd love for you to join us! We do know that it can be hard to sign up for a subscription community if you donât know what youâre getting so we wanted to give you a taste for what we do in our Patreon Classics Club by putting two of our recent recap episodes here on the main feed. Over the winter months, we read Edith Whartonâs The Custom of the Country and we think it would make for a great summer read if you havenât read it yet.
If you love these two episodes, head over to our Patreon at patreon.com/novelpairings. Enrolling at the $10 Literature Scholar level will get you access to the rest of our Custom of the Country recap series, the corresponding classes, our entire Odyssey recap series from last summer, and all of our previous bonus episodes and class recordings. Plus, you'll get access to our current summer recap series of Les Misérables.
Books Mentioned:
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Eloise at The Plaza by Kay Thompson
Also Mentioned:
Gossip Girl
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Todayâs episode is a special one! Twice a year, we choose a big bucket list classic to read together as a community. For every big book we read, Chelsey and Sara dust off their English teacher skills to break down plot, themes, style, and more in recurring recap podcast episodes.
We have our Big Book Summer Read Along of Victor Hugoâs Les MisĂ©rables on the horizon and weâd love for you to join us! We do know that it can be hard to sign up for a subscription community if you donât know what youâre getting so we wanted to give you a taste for what we do in our Patreon Classics Club by putting two of our recent recap episodes here on the main feed. Over the winter months, we read Edith Whartonâs The Custom of the Country and we think it would make for a great summer read if you havenât read it yet.
If you love these two episodes, head over to our Patreon at patreon.com/novelpairings. Enrolling at the $10 Literature Scholar level will get you access to the rest of our Custom of the Country recap series, the corresponding classes, our entire Odyssey recap series from last summer, and all of our previous bonus episodes and class recordings. Plus, you'll get access to our current summer recap series of Les Misérables.
In today's first recap episode, we discuss the introduction materials from the Penguin Classics (Sofia Coppola & Sarah Blackwood) and Scribner (Brandon Taylor) versions of the text. You do not need to read the intros in order to listen to this episode. Future recaps will include plot spoilers, of course, but this introduction episode is completely spoiler-free! We discuss initial impressions of the introductions, lenses and questions for guided reading, literary relevance and contemporary comparisons, and three big things to look for as you read.
Books Mentioned:
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
Also Mentioned:
The Buccaneers
Bridgerton
The Gilded Age
Downton Abbey
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Weâre taking it back to the classroom in todayâs episode! Chelsey and Sara reflect on their experience with high school summer reading as both students and teachers: the good, the great, and the hot takes. While we arenât assigning any reading in this episode, we are sharing 10 classics that would make for great summer reads at any age! For an enhanced reading experience, pair a past Novel Pairings episode with each of these classics to listen as you go.
Of course, our main summer reading recommendation is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, our BIG summer readalong hosted in Patreon with classes, bonus episodes, and special recaps to get the most out of this huge novel.
Novel Pairings operates on an academic calendar to keep our work sustainable. But like most teachers, just because we have summer âoffâ doesnât mean we arenât hard at work behind the scenes! This summer, we will take off from sharing new episodes on the main feed in July and August to devote more time and energy to planning for the year ahead, restoring our creativity, and strengthening our bond with Patreon community members.
If you are missing Novel Pairings in your podcast feed, we would love for you to join our community for extra nerdy summer fun.
Books Mentioned:
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Joyluck Club by Amy Tan
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Passing by Nella Larsen
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
James by Percival Everett
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Novel Pairings Episodes
Episode 86: Palpable tension and shocking twists in Passing by Nella Larsen
Episode 136: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Episode 117: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Episode 114: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Episode 68: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and contemplative books for moody summer reading
Episode 66: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Part Two
Episode 64: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Part One
Episode 61: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, plus books about complicated families, romance, and boundaries
Episode 20: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and romantic Black feminist heroines
Episode 126: Leaving a Legacy: The Odyssey in modern literature
Episode 142: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Stay Connected with Novel Pairings
Novel Pairings Substack
Novel Pairings Instagram
Novel Pairings Patreon
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Today, weâre wrapping up our spring season with Zadie Smithâs On Beauty, a theme-driven novel that recreates the social world of an elite liberal arts college, exploring issues through nuanced satire on race, class, and beauty. We dig into the stories of the Belsey and Kipp families and Smithâs use of the academic setting to discuss identity and social satire. Our pairings for On Beauty include callbacks to previous classic episodes, essays by Zadie Smith, and surprising historical fiction.
Our Slow Down Summer Read Along of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is starting soon! Just like our readalongs for The Odyssey and The Custom of the Country, you can expect exclusive Patreon content, including book clubs and classes, to guide you through this ginormous classic. Weâd love for you to join us! Go to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up.
Books Mentioned:
Howardâs End by E.M. Forster
There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset
Passing by Nella Larsen
Members Only by Sameer Pandya
Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays by Zadie Smith
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Love Marriage by Monica Ali
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver
The Rachel Incident by Caroline OâDonoghue
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
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Get ready for your summer TBR to pile high as we share our most anticipated titles releasing this summer! Plus, each new release that we preview in todayâs episode is perfectly paired with a backlist book or two, giving us plenty to read while waiting for pre-orders and library holds to come in.
If you enjoy our recommendations on todayâs episode, we have even more book suggestions to explore in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great place to discuss books with a smart group of readers, and now is the perfect time to join as we're about to start our Slow Down Summer Read Along of Les MisĂ©rables by Victor Hugo. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. Visit patreon.com/novelpairings to learn more.
You can also stay up-to-date with all things Novel Pairings by following us on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting our book-loving community!
Books Mentioned:
Fire Exit by Morgan Talty
LaRose by Louise Erdrich
The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma
At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop
Every Day Is For the Thief by Teju Cole
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Unseen World by Liz Moore
In the Woods by Tana French
Caledonian Road by Andrew OâHagan
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
One Star Romance by Laura Hankin
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Bear by Julia Phillips
The Hunterâs Wife by Anthony Doerr
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
The Latecomer by Jean Hanf Korelitz
The Plot by Jean Hanf Korelitz
The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Liars by Sarah Manguso
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abudrraqib
Minaâs Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Hamnet by Maggie OâFarrell
Also Mentioned:
Novel Pairings Summer 2023 Book Preview and Backlist Pairings
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On todayâs Modern Readers episode, weâre placing âA Modest Proposalâ by Jonathan Swift in context with pieces of contemporary political satire. We'll explore how satire is being used today to comment on politics and social issues, and the power, or limits, of its influence. Throughout our discussion, we discuss the lasting legacy of Swiftâs essay, the rise of satirical media, and how satire is used as a rhetorical tool. Listen to the end for contemporary satirical examples in TV, online media, and comedy.
Weâre also excited to announce our Summer Big Book Read Along: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Weâre looking forward to digging into this classic with you! This Big Book Read Along includes 5 recaps spread over June, July, and August, 3 book club meet ups to discuss along the way, an active Discord chat for support and motivation, classes and bonus content. The summer is a great time to join our scholarly community!
Find more details on our summer plans in our free Substack newsletter or head to patreon.com/novelpairings to join our community.
Books Mentioned:
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The Odyssey by Homer
Gulliverâs Travels by Jonathan Swift
Also Mentioned:
A Modern Proposal on Project Gutenberg
Little Women Musical
Jo Musical
A Point of View: Whatâs the point of satire?
The Onion
Saturday Night Live
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report
White Lotus
Abbott Elementary
Veep
The West Wing
John Oliver
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In todayâs episode, weâre discussing The Importance of Being Earnest by the ever-delightful Oscar Wilde. A classic example of British theater, this play is known for its biting social satire and brilliant comedic dialogue. Throughout our conversation, we dive into the playâs themes, discuss Wildeâs mastery of wordplay, and his ability to write characters that satirize Victorian society in the cleverest ways. As always, we share our complementary pairings, and we hope this episode adds a few books to your TBR pile!
If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would also love participating in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.
Books Mentioned:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard
Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
Nevada by Imogen Binnie
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
The Best of Me by David Sedaris
I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett
Dr. No by Percival Everett
What a Difference a Duke Makes by Lenora Bell
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Also Mentioned:
Bonus: 127. An Introduction to The Importance of Being Earnest
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
R. Eric Thomas
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