154. Moody & Atmospheric Fall 2024 Book Releases with Backlist Pairings
Release Date: 09/17/2024
165. Celebrate Novel Pairings with Chelsey and Sara with a Farewell Q&A
Novel Pairings
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, we’re sharing a lot today! And celebrating the journey we’ve shared with all of you. We’ll also be offering some closing thoughts on what this podcast has meant to us, what we’ve 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 we’re opening a shop for our exclusive...
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164. Brand New Books with Backlist Pairings: Summer 2025 Edition
Novel Pairings
Get ready to load your summer totes with compelling reads, both new and old! We’re sharing our anticipated summer releases on today’s episode, carefully curated from a long list of captivating titles to shake up your TBR. As always, we’ve 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. You’ll find everything from heartfelt memoirs...
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163. Reflections on Emma and 250 years of Jane Austen
Novel Pairings
We’re wrapping up our Emma readalong with final reflections on rereading, standout themes, and Austen’s legacy. We also chat about how we’re marking the momentous occasion of Jane Austen’s 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 we’re 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 on Instagram...
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162. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Six: A Perfect Union
Novel Pairings
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 we’re opening a shop for our...
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161. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Five: Badly Done, Emma
Novel Pairings
In this episode, we’re unpacking so many juicy moments—from Frank Churchill’s restless return to Highbury and the long-awaited ball at the Crown Inn to Harriet’s shocking misadventure and Mr. Knightley’s heroic turn on the dance floor. We’ll explore Emma’s ever-active imagination, Mrs. Elton’s relentless meddling, and some subtle but oh-so-important moments between Emma and Mr. Knightley. Plus, we’ll 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, we’ve...
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160. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Four: Jane Fairfax & Mrs. Elton
Novel Pairings
In this episode, we’re savoring the drama and intrigue of Emma, Volume Two, Chapters 9 through 18. The aftermath of the Cole’s party has Emma rehashing every social triumph and misstep, from her jealousy over Jane Fairfax’s 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 Austen’s...
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159. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Three: A Mysterious Pianoforte
Novel Pairings
In this recap, we’re 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, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap...
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158. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Two: Matchmaking or Meddling
Novel Pairings
In this recap, we’re diving into Emma by Jane Austen — covering Volume One, Chapters 10–18. Join us for bonus content. Emma Woodhouse is back at it — charming, meddling, and trying to navigate Highbury’s tricky social scene. This time, she’s determined to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton… but, surprise, things don’t exactly go as planned. From awkward visits to the vicarage to a snowstorm-fueled carriage ride that takes an unexpected turn, Emma’s confidence in her matchmaking skills starts to crumble. We’ll also unpack the iconic moment when Emma explains why she’s...
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157. Emma by Jane Austen Recap One: Handsome, Clever, and Rich
Novel Pairings
In this recap episode, we’re 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...
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156. Introducing Emma by Jane Austen
Novel Pairings
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 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...
info_outlineWe’re 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 today’s episode, we’ll 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 you’ll 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
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz
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
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osmond
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Don’t Be a Stranger by Susan Minot
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann
The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Curdle Creek by Yvonnne Battle-Felton
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews
The Wedgford Trials by Courtney Milian
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes
Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Kong
The Fortnite In September by RC Sheriff
Also Mentioned
Anonymous Divorce/Sex Substack