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

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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.

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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 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.

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.