Hello, listeners!
We’re three (I think?) weeks into social distancing, and I’m still finding my footing. Sara and I both started online teaching, which has been a bigger adjustment than either of us expected. For me, it’s involving many reminders to give myself a lot of grace and let go of perfectionist tendencies. In the midst of changing routines, a few consistent habits are helping me stay grounded: brewing a personal pot of tea every morning, a standing video date with friends every Friday night, and reading a romance novel before bed.
Dreaming up new podcast content with Sara also helps me stay optimistic and gives me something to look forward to each week. We’ve been planning a bunch of fun bonus episodes, and we hope that you enjoy today’s discussion.
In today’s bonus episode, we’re digging up some well-loved English major lingo and dusting it off. We’re talking about critical theory and how it enhances our reading lives, starting with the feminist or gender lens. We provide examples and suggestions for how to incorporate critical theory into your everyday reading life because you don’t have to be a teacher, English major, or scholar in order to get the most out of this tool! You can find today’s episode wherever you listen to your podcasts. For more feminist reading and analysis, check out:
Beyond Little Women: A Reading List for Bookish Girls
56 Books by Women and Nonbinary Writers of Color to Read in 2020
The Hidden Bigotry of Crosswords
Some of these links are Bookshop affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you make a purchase using these links (plus, you support independent bookstores).
Currently Reading:
Most of my reading is still via audiobook* lately. I’m currently listening to The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary and really enjoying it. Other than that, I’m in the middle of a bunch of paperbacks, veering dangerously close to a full reading slump. I need something absorbing to pull me out of it, so I’m picking up The Widow of Rose Hall by Diana Biller next. Sara and I might do a buddy read for this one, so we’ll keep you updated via Instagram.
*Listeners, we’re excited to be partnering with Libro.fm to offer you three audiobooks for the price of one. Just click this link to get three audiobooks for $15 all while supporting the pod and independent bookstores!
Where to find us:
Download episodes of Novel Pairings wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Find me at @chelseyreads or @hereadsheread. Find Sara at @fictionmatters and my blog. We love hearing what you’re reading so feel free to tag us!
We declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!
Have a lovely week, everyone!
-Chelsey