Novel Pairings Novel Pairings

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 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
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
 
Also Mentioned:
A Modern Proposal on Project Gutenberg 
Little Women Musical
Jo Musical
A Point of View: What’s 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
 

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 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
 

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:
The Stacks Podcast 
Unstacked 
Instagram: @thestackspod 
 
Join our community!
Patreon
Substack
Instagram: @novelpairingspod
 
Books Mentioned:
Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Farah Karim-Cooper
Blackface (Object Lessons) by Ayanna Thompson
New People by Danzy Senna
Color Television by Danzy Senna
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
Erasure by Percival Everett
Severance by Ling Ma
Victim by Andrew Boryga
Love’s Labor Lost by William Shakespeare
All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare
Othello by William Shakespeare
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
 
Also Mentioned:
Ask a Shakespeare Professor 
Macbeth
The Stacks episode on Romeo and Juliet
 

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 patreon.com/novelpairings.
 
Books Mentioned:
The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
 
Also Mentioned:
Downton Abbey 
Brideshead Revisited Mini Series
The Crown
 

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 patreon.com/novelpairings.
Listeners can also stay in the loop with all things Novel Pairings by giving us a follow on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on Substack. Thank you for supporting public scholarship!
Books Mentioned:
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft 
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrush 
Victim by Andrew Boryga
Erasure by Pervical Everett
The Love Remedy by Elizabeth Everett 
Sirens of Sussex series by Mimi Matthews 
James by Percival Everett 
The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn by Mark Twain
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Clear by Carys Davies
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Colony by Audry McGee
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay by Octavia Butler
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Oracle of Delphi by William J. Broad 
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
Oye by Melissa Mogollon
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
A Gamble at Sunset by Vanessa Riley
Also Mentioned:
Beforeigners 
Bridgerton
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 
Episode 141: Bookish Pairings for our favorite period dramas
 

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 patreon.com/novelpairings.
 
Shows Mentioned:
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
Selling Sunset
Downton Abbey
 
Books Mentioned:
Italo Calvino
Vanity Fair by William Thackeray
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald 
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset
Emma by Jane Austen
Free Food For Millionares by Min Jun Lee 
These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore
Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz
One Woman Show by Christine Coulson
Wahala by Nikki May
Trust by Hernan Diaz