Let's talk about Fall Reading!

Keep reading for an update about big changes this fall at Novel Pairings.

We’re excited to share some big news about our upcoming fall plans! Even though summer is still in full swing, we’re already gearing up for a season of change and growth here at Novel Pairings.

First, we’re thrilled to announce that Chelsey is expecting her second baby this fall! With that exciting news comes a bit of a shift in our podcasting schedule. We’ve put our heads together and crafted a plan to stay engaged with our community while allowing Chelsey time for her maternity leave. Keeping this work sustainable while prioritizing our families is so very important to us, and your support allows us to do that.

Here’s what you can look forward to in the coming months:

• Fall Content: We’ll be taking a break from the main feed, but don’t worry! We’ll still sprinkle in a couple of episodes, like our annual buzzy fall books recommendations. Plus, our Patreon community will continue with extra nerdy content featuring three bonus episodes each month, available at the $5 Literature Lover level.

• Literature Scholars: For our dedicated Literature Scholars, we’ll continue our book clubs and classes, albeit in a slightly different format. Expect seminar-style discussions with Sara along with a return to books we’ve covered on the show but have not discussed in our Patreon community. Seminar topics will be announced month-by-month, but we’re sharing our fall book club books today so you can effectively plan your reading. Check out what Sara has in store for you:

  • September: In September we’ll revisit Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day. This is a book with a perfectly autumnal feeling—slow, reflective, contemplative—without fitting neatly into any fall genres. A story of an aging butler who thinks back on his past mistakes and regrets without fully understanding them himself, this Booker winning novel is a rich character study and a personal favorite of Sara’s.

  • October: While we have re-aired our Frankenstein episode in the past, we’ve never gotten a chance to discuss this classic work of Gothic horror with our Patreon community—and that’s a shame because this book is perfect for nerdy discussion. Mary Shelley’s story of a young scientist who discovers the secrets of imbuing life has influence books and culture for centuries and is an essential foundational text for any reader.

  • November: Let’s have a bit of levity, shall we? One of the sweetest books we’ve covered on the podcast is Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle. In this lovely novel, Smith transports us to a crumbling castle in the British countryside alongside a heroine and narrator who is clever, bookish, sassy, and a little naive. It’s a classic work of young adult fiction and an ideal escape for book lovers that is sure to serve as a welcome balm as 2024 begins to draw to a close.

• Winter Plans: While winter is a bit of a question mark, we’re aiming for some cozy read-alongs on Discord, complete with weekly discussion questions to keep the literary conversations flowing. We will keep you updated!

We’re committed to prioritizing our community and ensuring that you feel the love and support from us during this season. Your enthusiasm and support mean the world to us, allowing us to navigate these exciting changes while continuing to provide you with the content you love. Thank you so much!

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being such an integral part of our journey. We’re so grateful for this community, and we can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.

Until then, we declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading. How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!

Thank you for supporting the podcast and our work to make public scholarship fun and accessible. If you would like to stay connected to what’s happening at Novel Pairings, make sure to subscribe to this Substack and follow us on Instagram. Make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing to the show wherever you get your podcasts. And if you love the work we’re doing, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts!