🍂New Episode! The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Hi, listeners!
Today we have an episode about a witchy classroom staple: The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Both Chelsey and I have (limited) experience teaching The Crucible, but Chelsey was actually in her high school’s production of this play and her memories and insights were so fun to discuss. In today’s episode we talk about the bad rep Abigail Williams gets, why the Salem Witch trials continue to fascinate us, and, of course, share some recommendations for pairings, which include a few witchy books and some great historical fiction. Plus I let my inner nerd really shine by revealing my utter fascination with Puritan societies. This episode is equal parts silly and academic, and it’s sure to get you in the spirit for spooky season!
Some great links for additional reading…
Arthur Miller shares why he wrote The Crucible
31 Spellbinding and Wicked Books About Witches
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Coming up:
Next week is our Fall Short Story Club, and we’re reading “Horror Story” by Carmen Maria Machado. Don’t worry, this story is eerie, but both Chelsey and I could tolerate its spook level and we’re both averse to true horror fiction. We had so much fun discussing this story and diving into the purpose and potential pleasure of horror. It’s a great episode to listen to whether or not you read “Horror Story” along with us, but the story is a quick read filled with Machado’s stunning imagery, so I highly recommend giving it a read.
And then on Tuesday, October 20th, we’re dropping our episode on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s always fun to discuss a classic that pretty much every reader is familiar with, even if they’ve never read it! Our discussion of this classic sci-fi/horror novel definitely falls into that category.
Currently Reading:
I’ve been reading some great books recently. Most notably, I read a few of the National Book Award longlisted books, including Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam, A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet, and If I Had Two Wings by Randall Kenan. For some lighter—but still seriously good—reading, I’ve been listening to Micaiah Johnson’s A Space Between Worlds on Libro.fm*. I’m not typically a sci-fi reader, but I’m loving this inventive novel that uses parallel universes to comment on issues of race, class, and borders.
Listeners, we’re excited to be partnering with Libro.fm to offer you two audiobooks for the price of one. Just click this link to get two 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. Check out our blog for bonus pairings, reading tips, and book recommendations. Find me at @fictionmatters and my newsletter. Find Chelsey 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!
-Sara