New Episode: Beloved by Toni Morrison
Plus we're gearing up for a very exciting summer reading season!
Hello, listeners!
Last Friday was the final day of my school semester, so I’m officially free to read and podcast all summer! It was strange and difficult not having a chance to say a real goodbye to my students, but I am excited to have some free time to look forward to and to get going on my extensive summer reading list. Plus I can’t wait to dive into the summer season Chelsey and I have planned for Novel Pairings. It’s going to be good!
Today on the podcast, we have an episode about Beloved by Toni Morrison. It’s one of my favorite books of all time, and today’s discussion looks a little bit different. We always say we aren’t here to convince anyone to read the classics, but this is a book we would actually love to encourage readers to pick up. Rather than going deep into plot points and characters, we share some of the resources, questions, and insights that helped us make the most of our experiences reading this masterpiece. We also refer listeners to some Morrison experts, share some of our favorite passages, and maybe even crown Beloved THE Great American Novel.
Here are some links to the resources we mention on the pod as well as a few other Morrison gems to help you fall more in love with this genius author:
Hear Traci Thomas discuss Beloved with DaMaris B. Hill on The Stacks Podcast
Listen to Toni Morrison’s interview about Beloved for the BBC’s World Book Club
Read Oprah’s eulogy for Toni Morrison
Learn about Morrison’s writing life and the prevalence of ghosts in African American Literature
Read a transcript of Morrison in conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates
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 This Summer:
Our last episode of May (out Tuesday May 26th) will be a seasonal wrap-up. Chelsey and I will share our favorite episodes of the podcast so far, chat about some of the contemporary books both of us read this spring, and share five of our favorite reads from March, April, and May. And then, it’s on to our summer season! We’ve loved seeing your reactions to our summer lineup, and we’re so excited to read these books. Our regular episodes will continue to drop on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and we’ll continue to release bonus content as we’re able.
Currently Reading:
Recently I’ve absolutely loved Emma Straub’s All Adults Here. It’s an easy-to-read complicated family story filled with rich characters who you can’t help but care about. I also just finished listening to The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, which should probably be required reading for all Americans. Afterwards I started The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet, but I adore Bahni Turpin’s narration on audio.
And after our discussion of Beloved, Chelsey and I are both dying to read The Toni Morrison Book Club. It’s a group memoir about four friends who use Morrison’s books as entry points to think and talk about race, family, sexuality, and contemporary social issues. It sounds SO good. I think it’s going to be my next *Libro.fm download because it’s also narrated by Bahni Turpin.
*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 @fictionmatters and my blog. Find Chelsey at @chelseyreads or @hereadsheread. 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!
-Sara