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The Novel Tea

The Novel Tea

By: Neha & Shruti
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Welcome to The Novel Tea, where your favorite English class meets your neighborhood book club. Join us as we go beyond the traditional classics, exploring books from diverse authors and backgrounds. Each episode, we'll talk about a book through different themes, analyzing characters, plot, and writing styles, to determine: does it stand the test of time?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shruti Koti, Neha Ambati Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • The Natural World in Books: Wrapping up Season 7

    The Natural World in Books: Wrapping up Season 7
    Jun 24 2026
    In this episode, Neha and Shruti tackle the natural world in books - we zoom out to consider the eight books we discussed this season, talking about our favorite and least favorite reads, themes that emerged, and questions it raises about what fiction is for, and the way we read. Plus, we share tons of books recommendations, and talk about the books next up on our TBRs.Books Mentioned:Into Thin Air by Jon KrakauerWhat We Can Know by Ian McEwanAnnihilation by Jeff VanderMeerGreenwood by Michael ChristieOnce There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghyThe Seed Keeper by Diane WilsonProdigal Summer by Barbara KingsolverMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleEuphoria by Lily KingThe Snow Child by Eowyn IveyTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules VerneThe Hobbit by JRR TolkeinRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererPlayground by Richard PowersThe Overstory by Richard PowersThe Drowned World by JD BallardAn Immense World By Ed YongNothing But the Rain by Naomi SalmanThe Mosquito Coast by Paul ThoureaxOur Wives Under the Sea by Julia ArmfieldOut of Africa by Isak DenisenIf you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    42 mins
  • Moby Dick by Herman Melville: otherness and obsession

    Moby Dick by Herman Melville: otherness and obsession
    Jun 10 2026

    In this episode Shruti and Neha discuss the great American classic, Moby Dick, by Herman Melville. We discuss the book's themes of otherness and obsession, but we also get in to so much more, including its racism and (maybe?) progressiveness, naturalism and Darwin, H.P. Lovecraft, and prophecies. Finally, we ponder its status as a classic; does this book deserve to stand the test of time?


    Links:

    Beige Moth [Blog]


    Shelf Discovery

    Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

    Ahab's Bride by Louise M. Gouge

    Call me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu Guo

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    Sky Daddy by Kate Folk


    If you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.


    We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

    This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver: fertility and harmony

    Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver: fertility and harmony
    May 21 2026

    Shruti and Neha discuss Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, a novel of three stories that unfold over the course of one Appalachian summer. We discuss themes of female desire, fertility, familial love, and harmony. We also make connections between characters and their symbolic representations, discover a new critical lens to read through, and question the veracity of 'moon cycles.'


    Shelf Discovery:

    The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

    Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

    The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

    The White Book by Han Kang


    If you would like to get additional recommendations, analyses, and behind-the-scenes content related to this and all of our episodes, subscribe to our free email newsletter on Substack.


    We love to hear from listeners about the books we discuss - you can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing us at thenovelteapod@gmail.com.

    This episode description contains links to Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. If you use these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
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