I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
plus ALL the crumbling estates, more Downton Abbey vibes, and Henry Cavill
Hello, listeners!
We just dropped our first episode of the summer season today and we cannot wait to read and talk through this lineup. Today’s episode is all about I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, one of the first novels categorized as Young Adult fiction. We discuss the nostalgia associated with our favorite children’s books, formative experiences with books from our childhoods, which couples we ship and which handsome actor captured our hearts in the movie version (which you can watch for free here), and who should read this book? Downton Abbey fans, we’re looking at you…
As we launch a new season, we also want to communicate our commitment to highlighting books by BIPOC authors as an essential part of our mission. This means featuring classic literature by non-white authors as well as continuing to emphasize contemporary pairings by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color writers. We both feel strongly about pushing back against the white supremacy of the literary canon in our classrooms and here, and we invite you all to hold us accountable to this.
Here are some links related to I Capture the Castle, plus a few articles that have us thinking this week:
Why I Capture the Castle has gained a secret cult of book lovers
The privilege of nostalgia in children’s literature
Nic Stone on reading stories about Black people living
What is an anti-racist reading list for?
24 new and forthcoming books that celebrate Black lives
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).
Coming Up:
Next week, we’re chatting all things YA and Kid Lit with Alli of the SSR Podcast. This was such a fun conversation to record, and we can’t wait for you to listen in. In the meantime, head over to SSR, click subscribe, and download some episodes. Check out Episode 34, in which Alli and I gush over Tuck Everlasting. And Episode 87, in which Sara and Alli discuss Jacob Have I Loved through a feminist lens.
Currently Reading:
After finishing Passing, which I LOVED, I’m picking up The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I have Stamped from the Beginning in my earbuds, thanks to Spotify, and I have a delightful telenovela-inspired romance on my e-reader, You Had me at Hola by Alexis Daria. A highly-anticipated book by Talia Hibbert just appeared in my Libro.fm* app, too. I’d be lying if I said that my usual reading rhythms were back to normal, but having a variety of books to choose from is definitely helping me enjoy my reading life this summer.
*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!
And click here to find a list of Black-owned bookstores to support when you sign up.
Where to find us:
Download episodes of Novel Pairings wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Find Sara at @fictionmatters and my blog. Find me at @chelseyreads or @hereadsheread. We love hearing what you’re reading, so feel free to tag us in your #bookstagram posts!
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!
-C