In this episode of Facts and Fictions, Desiree & Morgan are discussing Crux by Gabriel Tallent. Tallest describes the book as:

“It’s about two down and out kids, one of them is good at school “American golden child,” one of them is a mouthy burnout lesbian who everyone hates because she won’t stop talking about periods. At night they escape their houses and they run out into the desert to go climb shitty sandbag boulders in an obscure parking lot together spotting each other and lighting the climbs with flashlights and joking and talking about life. So it’s about having this passion, and something you want to pursue as a young person but being a little too down and out to really pursue it safely.”

We discuss the intense family dynamics, the eternal battles Dan & Tamma face, and our thoughts on the book as a whole.

If you've read Crux we would love to know your thoughts!

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This week on Facts and Fictions we are diving into The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers. We discuss first impressions, the characters and all of their quirks, and the slippery slope of emotional infidelity that led to a decade long affair.

We explored the moral gray area of when did Cora and Elliot's friendship cross the line? Did Cora go out seeking an affair or did she stumble into it?

Please note: we record under the assumption that listeners have already read the book - there are spoilers in the episode, so save listening for later if The Ten Year affair is still on your TBR.

Want to reach out with questions, comments, or book suggestions for future episodes? Find us at factsandfictionspod@gmail.com

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In this Brief Encounters episode of Facts & Fictions, we’re diving into a few thought-provoking pieces on the state of reading today — from declining literacy rates to the rise of bibliotherapy and the growing role of AI in how we consume and create stories.

What does it mean to be a reader in 2026? Are attention spans really shrinking? Can books still change us? And where does artificial intelligence fit into all of it?

In this conversation, we reflect on the cultural moment around reading — what’s shifting, what concerns us, and what gives us hope.

Brief Encounters is our short-form series where we unpack essays, articles, and big ideas shaping the literary world.

If you care about reading culture, the future of books, and the evolving role of storytelling, this one’s for you.

✨ New episodes every other Sunday

📚 Book Discussions + Brief Encounters + Overdue for a Chat

Reading is better when you talk about it.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments — is reading in crisis, or just changing?

Mentioned articles:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/us/high-school-english-teachers-assigning-books.html

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/whats-happening-to-reading

https://psyche.co/ideas/reading-books-is-not-just-a-pleasure-it-helps-our-minds-to-heal

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