Caitlin and Darla discuss the second half (p. 152 to the end) of https://bookshop.org/books/the-locust-and-the-bird-my-mother-s-story/9780307472311?aid=80985andlistref=podcast-book-club (The Locust and the Bird) by Hanan al-Shaykh. In the book, Hanan re-creates the dramatic life and times of her mother, Kamila. Married at a young age against her will, Kamila soon fell head-over-heels in love with another man—and was thus forced to choose between her children and her lover. As the narrative unfolds through the years—from the bazaars, cinemas and apartments of 1930s Beirut to its war-torn streets decades later—we follow this passionate woman as she survives the tragedies and celebrates the triumphs of a life lived to the very fullest. We discuss Kamila's pursuit of romantic love above all other types of love, the art of memoir writing, how the characters become more complex in the second half of the book, and how we do and do not see ourselves in Kamila (and what we admire about her!). We wonder about Hanan's process in creating this story and talk about the barriers to preserving family history. We hear from more readers of this book at the end - thank you https://www.instagram.com/nadasamihwrites/ (Nada) and https://www.instagram.com/elize.withaz/ (Elize) for sharing your thoughts with us! Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at https://donttalktomepod.com/ (donttalktomepod.com).

This is part two of our magical mixture of book and musical love! Caitlin and musical artist https://ollellamusic.com (Ollella) talk about Ollella's music and the second half of https://bookshop.org/books/crying-in-h-mart-a-memoir/9780525657743?aid=80985andlistref=podcast-book-club (Crying in H Mart) by Michelle Zauner (aka https://www.instagram.com/jbrekkie/ (Japanese Breakfast)). Ollella is the musical creation of Ellie Barber, where she blends live-looping, the cello, folk sounds, and her original lyrics into beautiful songs. She was recently chosen (by Michelle Zauner no less!) as a top pick in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkmZcHsI6jw (NPR's Tiny Desk Concert contest). We talk about Ellie's Saturn Return, the album she's creating, and hear the creation story of a song near and dear to Ellie's heart. We also talk about the process of pruning and simplifying in writing and music, how to recycle ideas and past creations, the value of having multiple passions, and we ask the question, do you have to fully know someone to love them? You'll get to hear clips of Ollella's music, audio messages from other artists who have played with Ollella, and audio messages from fellow readers of Crying in H Mart. https://www.instagram.com/ollellamusic/ (Follow Ollella on Instagram here)! Songs played, all by https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YNR12AqEXI45S6sgRrZrI?si=Q9kPd8uuTF-GOR941VdYYA (Ollella): Fire Burning Methuselah Cold Cold Water Lava Artist Audios from: https://www.instagram.com/helmernoelofficial/ (Helmer Hernandez ) https://www.instagram.com/carlyanncalbero/ (Carly Ann Calbero) https://www.instagram.com/dougindrickphotography/ (Doug Indrick) H Mart Audios from: https://www.instagram.com/kaipoo.jpn/ (Kai Burkhardt) https://www.instagram.com/sweet_baby_angel_records/ (Jess Bennett) You can expect to hear more of these episodes that blend interviews with creators we love (musicians, authors, comedians, visual artists..) and book club discussions with those same creators. Learn more and find out how to be included on the show at https://donttalktomepod.com (donttalktomepod.com)

Caitlin and Darla discuss the first half (to p. 151) of https://bookshop.org/a/80985/9780307472311 (The Locust and the Bird) by https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/244/hanan-al-shaykh/ (Hanan al-Shaykh). In the book, Hanan re-creates the dramatic life and times of her mother, Kamila. Married at a young age against her will, Kamila soon fell head-over-heels in love with another man—and was thus forced to choose between her children and her lover. As the narrative unfolds through the years—from the bazaars, cinemas and apartments of 1930s Beirut to its war-torn streets decades later—we follow this passionate woman as she survives the tragedies and celebrates the triumphs of a life lived to the very fullest. Caitlin doesn't typically read memoir or non-fiction, whereas Darla is an avid reader of these genres, and also in the midst of writing a memoir herself. So Darla challenges Caitlin on some of her critiques of the book and helps her see the art of memoir in a new way. They discuss the challenges of writing a book for someone else, let alone for your mother who left you as a young child; about the lens we all see the world through; and Kamila's wonderful sense of humor. We hear from more readers of this book at the end - thank you https://www.instagram.com/slowreadingola/ (Ola) and https://www.instagram.com/bites__of__books/ (Paulina) for sharing your thoughts with us! Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at https://donttalktomepod.com/ (donttalktomepod.com).

This episode is a magical mixture of book and musical love! Caitlin and musical artist https://ollellamusic.com/about (Ollella) talk about Ollella's music and the first half of https://bookshop.org/books/crying-in-h-mart-a-memoir/9780525657743?aid=80985andlistref=podcast-book-club (Crying in H Mart) by Michelle Zauner. https://www.instagram.com/ollellamusic/ (Ollella) is the musical creation of Ellie Barber. Her music blends live-looping, the cello, folk sounds, and her original lyrics, and her song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkmZcHsI6jw (Lava) was recently chosen (by https://www.instagram.com/jbrekkie/ (Michelle Zauner) no less!) as a top pick in NPR's Tiny Desk Concert contest. We talk about how Ellie got started in music and what her song writing process looks like; and then we get into the first half (to the end of Chapter 9) of Crying in H Mart. We talk about Michelle's mom's advice to always keep 10% of yourself, longing for simpler times, and how our differences can either be a point of pride or shame. You'll get to hear clips of Ollella's music and audio messages from artists who have played with Ollella. https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YNR12AqEXI45S6sgRrZrI?si=Y7D8q1zyRmCMve094BVTgg (Songs played): All Those Birds by Ollella Lava by Ollella Walking on Fire by Ollella Losing Ground by Pearl and Wood (a folk project featuring Ellie, Natalie Spears, and Mark Zoller) Artist Audios from: https://www.instagram.com/halleygregmusic/ (Halley Greg ) https://www.instagram.com/loveonlyone18/ (Melanie Granger ) You can expect to hear more of these episodes that are part interviews with creators we love (musicians, authors, comedians..) and part book club discussions with those same creators, always with books chosen by the creator! Learn more and find out how to be included on the show at donttalktomepod.com

Marie and Caitlin discuss the second half (Part 2) of Sally Rooney's debut novel https://bookshop.org/books/conversations-with-friends/9780451499066?aid=80985andlistref=podcast-book-club (Conversations with Friends). In keeping with Sally Rooney's thought that she doesn't really believe in the idea of the individual and everything is relational, we talk about the book in terms of all the character dynamics: Frances and Nick, Frances and Bobbi, Melissa and Nick, the four of them as a whole, and more. We share how we see ourselves in the characters, our reactions to https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sally-rooney-conversations-with-friends/id946565492?i=1000395467897 (Sally Rooney's interview with the Irish Times) and https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W1KPabWPs3YwQ3ed1hj49?si=0e38acab90fa4221 (Pop Fiction Women's recap of the book), and naturally Caitlin sneaks in yet another Taylor Swift connection. Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at https://donttalktomepod.com/ (donttalktomepod.com).

Darla and Caitlin discuss the second half, Parts 2 and 3, of https://www.instagram.com/djdaisyjohnson/ (Daisy Johnson)'s novel https://bookshop.org/books/sisters-9780593188958/9780593188965 (Sisters): a haunting story about two sisters caught in a powerful emotional web and wrestling to understand where one ends and the other begins. We get to the bottom of our theory about July and September from Part 1, talk more about the house and their mom Sheila, and we have a listener audio at the end - thank you https://www.instagram.com/thebookmenagerie/ (Stefanie) for sharing your thoughts with us! Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at https://donttalktomepod.com/ (donttalktomepod.com).

We are talking all about the first half (Part 1) of Sally Rooney's debut novel https://bookshop.org/a/80985/9780451499066 (Conversations with Friends). In keeping with Sally Rooney's thought that she doesn't really believe in the idea of the individual and everything is relational, we talk about the book in terms of all the character dynamics: Frances and Nick, Frances and Bobbi, Melissa and Nick, the four of them as a whole, and more. We share how we see ourselves in the characters, our predictions for the second half, and naturally I sneak in a Taylor Swift connection towards the end. Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at donttalktomepod.com.

Carinn and Kate are the hosts of the Pop Fiction Women podcast, a show that dives deep into the complicated women of books, movies, and TV shows, along with the female creators who bring them to life. I love their show and they were my inspiration to start a podcast, and today I get to share with you our conversation about their lives beyond the podcast, their creative endeavors, our shared love of Taylor Swift and Sally Rooney, and I even get a lil astrological analysis by these two astrology pros! Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at donttalktomepod.com.

Our book club conversation on Part 1 of Daisy Johnson's novel Sisters: a haunting story about two sisters caught in a powerful emotional web and wrestling to understand where one ends and the other begins. Darla introduces an intriguing theory that totally changes the way Caitlin sees the story and the relationship between the sisters July and September. We can't wait to hear what you think of this idea! Music by Lesfm via Pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at donttalktomepod.com.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey: We read and discuss part 2 (p.129-end) of this novel about cloning, murder, and marriage. Music by lesfm via pixabay. Learn more and find out how you can be on the show at donttalktomepod.com.