Novel Pairings
Welcome to Novel Pairings, a podcast dedicated to making the classics readable, relevant, and fun. As two nerdy bookworms, we appreciate the role of classic lit, but we but we won’t get too academic about it. We’ll talk about the books we love and the books we loath, and help stock your TBR pile with old and new reads for every literary taste.
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162. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Six: A Perfect Union
04/15/2025
162. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Six: A Perfect Union
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 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 and subscribed to . Find Chelsey and Sara on Substack, too! Chelsey: The Eclectic Reader @ Sara: Fiction Matters @ Books Mentioned by William Austen-Leigh Also Mentioned
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161. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Five: Badly Done, Emma
04/08/2025
161. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Five: Badly Done, Emma
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 historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re 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 you’ll 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 we’re opening a shop for our exclusive classes and recap series. Stay tuned.
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160. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Four: Jane Fairfax & Mrs. Elton
04/01/2025
160. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Four: Jane Fairfax & Mrs. Elton
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 signature blend of sharp social commentary and entertaining drama. As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re 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 you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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159. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Three: A Mysterious Pianoforte
03/25/2025
159. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Three: A Mysterious Pianoforte
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 series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re 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 you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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158. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Two: Matchmaking or Meddling
03/18/2025
158. Emma by Jane Austen Recap Two: Matchmaking or Meddling
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 still single — and why finding someone who meets her high standards might be harder than she thought. Emma’s missteps are about to catch up with her in the most entertaining way. As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re 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 you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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157. Emma by Jane Austen Recap One: Handsome, Clever, and Rich
03/11/2025
157. Emma by Jane Austen Recap One: Handsome, Clever, and Rich
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 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 for exclusive content! As a reminder, we’ve historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we’re sharing it on the public feed! We’re 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 you’ll get reminders and announcements.
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156. Introducing Emma by Jane Austen
03/04/2025
156. Introducing Emma by Jane Austen
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 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:
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155. Notable books of 2024: our bookish superlatives, reading life updates, and a little Jane Austen
01/14/2025
155. Notable books of 2024: our bookish superlatives, reading life updates, and a little Jane Austen
We’re back and kicking off 2025 with our annual Superlatives episode. Today, we’re excited to highlight stand-out books from 2024. We’ve got eight superlatives lined up that highlight our favorites, least favorites and everything in between. Plus, we’re looking back on our podcasting journey through 2024 and give you some behind-the-scenes insight to our reading lives. Stick around because we’ve got two big announcements to wrap things up! Special Announcement (Timestamp 58:20) Books Mentioned Also Mentioned
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154. Moody & Atmospheric Fall 2024 Book Releases with Backlist Pairings
09/17/2024
154. Moody & Atmospheric Fall 2024 Book Releases with Backlist Pairings
We’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 . 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 Also Mentioned
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153. Dishing our opinions on the hottest summer books of 2023
09/03/2024
153. Dishing our opinions on the hottest summer books of 2023
As the summer reading season comes to a close, we’re turning our eyes to fall. With Chelsey on maternity leave, we’ve 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 we’ve built together. The best way to stay connected this fall is through our community; we’re excited about the bonus episodes, discussion based classes and book club events we have planned! On today’s 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 and subscribe to our newsletter at . Books Mentioned Also Mentioned
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152. The Custom of the Country Book One Recap
06/11/2024
152. The Custom of the Country Book One Recap
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 Hugo’s Les Misérables on the horizon and we’d love for you to join us! We do know that it can be hard to sign up for a subscription community if you don’t know what you’re 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 Wharton’s The Custom of the Country and we think it would make for a great summer read if you haven’t 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: Also Mentioned:
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151. Introduction to The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
06/11/2024
151. Introduction to The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Today’s 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 Hugo’s Les Misérables on the horizon and we’d love for you to join us! We do know that it can be hard to sign up for a subscription community if you don’t know what you’re 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 Wharton’s The Custom of the Country and we think it would make for a great summer read if you haven’t 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 (Sofia Coppola & Sarah Blackwood) and (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: Also Mentioned:
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150. Ten classic novels you should read this summer
06/04/2024
150. Ten classic novels you should read this summer
We’re taking it back to the classroom in today’s 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 aren’t 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 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 “off” doesn’t mean we aren’t 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 . 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: Novel Pairings Episodes Stay Connected with Novel Pairings
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149. On Beauty by Zadie Smith
05/28/2024
149. On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Today, we’re wrapping up our spring season with Zadie Smith’s 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 Smith’s 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 and , you can expect exclusive Patreon content, including book clubs and classes, to guide you through this ginormous classic. We’d love for you to join us! Go to to sign up. Books Mentioned:
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148. We can't wait to read these brand new summer 2024 books and backlist pairings
05/21/2024
148. We can't wait to read these brand new summer 2024 books and backlist pairings
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 today’s 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 today’s 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 Misérables 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: Also Mentioned:
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147. The limits of satire & A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
05/14/2024
147. The limits of satire & A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
On today’s Modern Readers episode, we’re placing “A Modest Proposal” 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 Swift’s 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. We’re also excited to announce our Summer Big Book Read Along: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. We’re 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 ! Find more details on our summer plans in our or head to to join our community. Books Mentioned: Also Mentioned:
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146. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
04/30/2024
146. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
In today’s episode, we’re 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 play’s themes, discuss Wilde’s 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 . Books Mentioned: Also Mentioned:
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145. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare with Traci Thomas
04/16/2024
145. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare with Traci Thomas
We're thrilled to welcome back Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, for a thought-provoking discussion on one of Shakespeare's darkest comedies, Measure for Measure. In this conversation, we'll dive deep into the play's timeless themes including punishment, gender, power, and politics. We discuss how these themes continue to resonate with modern audiences, revealing the parallels between the play and our contemporary world. We also talk about how Shakespeare masterfully uses this satire in this work, even when satire doesn't necessarily equate to laugh-out-loud humor. Listen to the end for Traci’s book recommendations, including Shakespeare pairings and a soon-to-be-released title. Connect with Traci: Instagram: Join our community! Instagram: Books Mentioned: Also Mentioned:
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144. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
03/26/2024
144. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
If aesthetics, British aristocracy and nostalgia sounds like an appealing combination, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is the book for you. In today's episode, we talk through the key themes, relationships, Waugh's stated purpose for writing Brideshead, and we ask: is Brideshead Revisited a satire or a novel with satirical elements? Plus, today’s pairings include a fantasy novel, historical fiction and a psychological thriller. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would also love 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 . Books Mentioned: Also Mentioned:
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143. Seasonal book pairings for new releases in spring 2024
03/05/2024
143. Seasonal book pairings for new releases in spring 2024
Today, Chelsey and Sara share their most anticipated spring book releases paired with backlist selections. After listening today, your TBR will be filled with delightful fiction, thrilling mysteries, historical romance and literary books from favorite writers, all releasing between late February and May. As always, our go-to pairings will keep your spring both entertaining and engaging. If you love our recommendations on the podcast, we have even more books to share over 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, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit . Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on . Thank you for supporting public scholarship! Books Mentioned: by William J. Broad Also Mentioned:
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142. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
02/27/2024
142. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Wharton in Winter with a conversation about The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. We focus on Undine and question whether she’s a signature unlikable heroine or an anti-hero. Our conversation also digs into the other dynamic characters, themes of motherhood, greed, marriage, business, and Edith’s incredible writing. Every plot point builds to a bigger narrative in this timely classic. At the end of the episode, we share our complementary pairings , and we hope you add one to your TBR pile! If you loved our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over 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, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit . Shows Mentioned: Mad Men Breaking Bad Selling Sunset Downton Abbey Books Mentioned: Italo Calvino by William Thackeray by F.Scott Fitzgerald by Evelyn Waugh by Jessie Redmon Fauset by Jane Austen by Min Jun Lee by Jill Lepore by Stephanie Coontz by Christine Coulson by Nikki May by Hernan Diaz
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141. Bookish pairings for our favorite period dramas
02/13/2024
141. Bookish pairings for our favorite period dramas
Reading The Custom of the Country this winter has felt like stepping into the most lush, dramatic, and marathon-worthy period piece–so today we’re sharing some of our favorite period dramas and pairing them with excellent books for cozy winter reading. We discuss the appeal of watching historical fiction versus reading it, the throughline from reading Dear America books to watching Downton Abbey as a comfort show, and the complex nature of colorblind casting. We hope you find a new, or old, TV series or novel to enjoy after listening to today’s episode. PS: if you hear some odd background noises in this episode, just imagine little toddler feet stomping above Chelsey's head! For more pairings, classes, and nerdy conversation join our Patreon community! Go to patreon.com/novelpairings to sign up today. Don’t miss our FREE weekly newsletter at novelpairings.substack.com. Shows Mentioned: Downton Abbey Poldark Miss Scarlet and the Duke Gentleman Jack The Gilded Age Bridgerton Queen Charlotte The Crown Outlander The Empress The Great The Good Lord Bird The Underground Railroad Reign Books Mentioned: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin Longbourn by Jo Baker Poldark series by Winston Graham Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn Knockout by Sarah Maclean Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas Sarah Waters The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan The Davenports by Krystal Marquis Fiona Davis Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin Jane Austen The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan The Countess by Sophie Jordan Victoria by Daisy Godwin Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan Shakespeare’s history plays Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett The Lost Queen by Signe Pike Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton James McBride John Brown by W.E.B. DuBois The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Beloved by Toni Morrison Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward The Water Dancer by Ta Nehisi Coates Royal Diaries series My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, et al Alison Weir Philippa Gregory Margaret George
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140. Five tips for reading television and movies with a critical lens
01/30/2024
140. Five tips for reading television and movies with a critical lens
Today we’re sharing five tips for “reading” your favorite (or least favorite) TV shows and movies. These close reading tricks will help you get more critical while you watch television, which we hope prompts more engaging discussions with your friends and family. We’re using The Buccaneers (Apple TV) as our main example in this episode, but you don’t need to watch the show in order to listen. In fact, if you like episodes in which we get a little sassy, well, this one’s for you. We also share questions to make you a more critical viewer, what we’re reading with a literary lens, and book recommendations to pair with The Buccaneers show. We’ve included a bunch of resources in our free weekly newsletter, so be sure to visit novelpairings.substack.com to supplement today’s listening. For more public scholarship and continued literary learning, sign up for our community at patreon.com/novelpairings. We would love to see you in our classes and book club meetings! Books mentioned: by Edith Wharton by Jenny Lee by Kevin Kwan by Farah Karim-Cooper series by Joanna Shupe Also mentioned:
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139. The best, the backlist, and the buzziest books of 2023
01/09/2024
139. The best, the backlist, and the buzziest books of 2023
It's time for our annual Superlative Soirée! (Okay, so we've never called it that before, but it fits, right?!) Today Chelsey and Sara share their favorite and least favorite books of 2023, plus everything in between. YOU helped us come up with some creative categories to cover in this official wrap-up episode, and we can't wait to hear what you think of the titles we discuss. To get your very own superlative printable, subscribe to our newsletter at --and to join us for Wharton in Winter, go to to sign up. We're so excited for the year ahead! Find us on Instagram @novelpairingspod. Shop for your 2024 TBR through our Bookshop.org storefront: Books Mentioned: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Gone Girl & Rebecca Wellness & To the Lighthouse Congratulations, the Best is Over! By R. Eric Thomas Wellness by Nathan Hill Disoriental by Negar Djavadi Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park The Employees by Olga Ravn One Woman Show by Christine Coulson The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton The Pleasing Hour by Lily King Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sheriff Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat The Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo The Sense of Wonder by Matthew Salesses Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal Doomsday Book by Connie Willis Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Saddiqi Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride Loot by Tania James North Woods by Daniel Mason
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138. The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
12/19/2023
138. The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
We’re wrapping up the 2023 season with a final Short Story Club, this time exploring a prime example of Postmodern fiction with Jorge Luis Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths.” Borges is often considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century and credited as an early writer of magical realism, lo real maravilloso. In today’s discussion, we take a close work at Borges’ popular story and share our interpretations on this text that begs us to stretch our concept of time and causality and consider the infinite possibilities and choices that shape history and destiny. We also share background on Jorge Luis Borges’ life as well as discuss the Argentinian writer’s contribution to the literary canon. And as always, we can’t help but talk about what texts we’ve read that use tropes and elements developed in Borges Ficciones. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over 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, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit . Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on . Thank you for supporting public scholarship!
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137. Entering Edith Wharton's Gilded Age
12/12/2023
137. Entering Edith Wharton's Gilded Age
Ever wonder what it’s like to attend a class at Novel Pairings University? We have a special treat for our listeners as we prepare for #WhartonInWinter and our readalong of Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country. Today on the main feed, we’re releasing the audio from our Patreon Class Gilded Age Literature: Entering Edith Wharton's World for everyone to enjoy. In today’s class we talk about key literary figures of the Gilded Age, historical events and social movements that shaped this period, and how they connect to today. Plus, we share details about the grandiose drama, architecture, and wealth that give this period its weighty name. This episode is just one example of the public scholarship we’re creating on Patreon, where we teach classes on author and historical context, literary movements, critical lenses and more. We are working hard to convert past classes into exclusive Patreon episodes so you can catch up and listen on-the-go! If you’d like to access more classes like the one you heard in today’s episode, to join our monthly book club, to get handouts, to listen to weekly bonus episodes, and to join our engaging Discord community, you can sign up for our Classics Club over at for just $10 a month. We’d love to see you in book club, class, or on social media this winter! Follow us on . Subscribe to our FREE .
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136. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
11/28/2023
136. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Today, Chelsey and Sara explore TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf, investigating Woolf’s intention to put “real life” on the page, analyzing her prose and structure, discussing themes and characters, and contextualizing historical references. For a deeper reading and listening experience, check out our and our bonus episode on Patreon all about . We can’t wait to hear your thoughts about Woolf’s masterpiece. ! Our shop closes on 11/30. Follow us on , subscribe to our , and join our . Books mentioned: by Virginia Woolf (Norton Critical Edition) by Kate Briggs by Nathan Hill by Michael Cunningham by Kate Baer by Samantha Harvey by Marjorie Garber by Natasha Brown Also mentioned:
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135. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
11/14/2023
135. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
We’re kicking off our month of Virigina Woolf with an episode exploring Woolf’s dense and sprawling extended essay, “A Room of Own’s Own.” At just over one hundred pages, Woolf gives herself ample space on the page to explore and consider the issues that keep women from the forefront of the literature and what might be done to give them the creative freedom to write unencumbered. In today’s episode, we’re following along closely with the text while helping our fellow readers pull out key takeaways from Woolf’s work. We share our own experiences reading and teaching this seminal piece of feminist critique, Woolf's use of figurative and practical language to provide compelling arguements, and limitations of the essay, including who was included in Woolf’s critique and who was left out. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over 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, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit . Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on . Thank you for supporting public scholarship! Books Mentioned: by Julie Phillips by Audre Lorde by Regan Penaluna by Jasmina Barrara by Claire Carlilse
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134. Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat
10/24/2023
134. Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat
If a dark and twisty stream of consciousness narrative in translation sounds like an intriguing read, Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat is perfect for you. Penned by the forefather of the Modernist movement in Iranian literature, this surrealist story blends Western influences, Iranian folklore, and psychology. In today’s episode, we discuss key themes and questions raised by Hedayat’s text (so. many. questions). Today’s pairings include a contemporary Iranian work in translation, a Persian fairy tale retelling, and a polarizing love-it-or-hate-it novel that is perfect for group discussions. If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have a hunch that you would also love our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit . Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on . Thank you for supporting public scholarship! Books Mentioned: by Melissa Bashardoust by Sayaka Murata by Ottessa Moshfegh by Negar Djavadi by Basma Abdel Aziz by Marjane Satrapi
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133. The modern reader's guide to historical fiction
10/17/2023
133. The modern reader's guide to historical fiction
What is the difference between literary historical fiction and “woman with her back turned on the cover” historical fiction? In today’s episode of Modern Readers, we’re discussing the literary landscape and rise in popularity of the historical fiction genre. We explore the definition of historical fiction, significant time periods, craft vs. plot, and “literariness” to understand whether a historical book is literary or a really entertaining read—or both! Plus, we share Novel Pairings episodes and book recommendations to pair with our nuanced conversation. If you enjoyed today’s episode and want more conversations similar to this nerdy genre deep dive, you should check out our Patreon community where for just $5 a month, you can access weekly bonus episodes just like this one. At our $10 Literature Scholar level, patrons have access to classes and our virtual book club, where we’ll be discussing The Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat this month. To join, visit . For more updates from Novel Pairings, make sure to follow us over on our or subscribe to our free weekly newsletter. Timestamps Recent Reads - 2:13 What is Historical Fiction? - 10:23 What makes a text Literary Historical Fiction? - 23:19 Novel Pairings Historical Fiction Episodes The Remains of the Day (Episode 6) Beloved by Toni Morrison (Episode 9) Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (Episode 98) Books Mentioned by Rachel Ingalls by Laura Sims by Kevin Wilson by Zadie Smith by Hillary Mantel Phillipa Gregory (try ) by Chinua Achebe by Yaa Gyasi by Kate Atkinson by Ian McEwan by Maggie O’Farrell
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