The Novel Tea Podcast

Important note: In this episode we discuss themes of sex, sexuality, assault, and abuse. Please listen with caution. This month Alexandra and Emily discuss the romance genre. How do these stories navigate the dynamics of love and power? Starting with the middle ages and arriving at modern novels, we discuss how the concept of consent has been at the forefront of romance literature across time. It...

This month, Emily and Alexandra discuss their favorite Jane Austen novel, Persuasion. Written at the end of her lifetime, Persuasion follows Anne Elliot as she is heading toward the end of her marriageable age. She is still carrying the torch for Captain Wentworth from her youth, who she was persuaded not to marry. Anne Elliot, older and wiser, is now able to stand apart from her shallow and oppre...

Welcome to a special episode of The Novel Tea Podcast where Alexandra interviews Emily on one of her all time favorite topics: The Phantom of the Opera. Emily recently returned from a trip to The Paris Opera House and she shares all her insights, experiences, and obsession with this story. Please note there are spoilers for the book in this episode. Have a question, recommendation or request? Emai...

In this episode, we discuss the fascinating person and works of Agatha Christie, the best selling novelist ever. Books mentioned in this podcast: Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley Poirot Investigates Whose Body? By Dorthy L. Sayers Color Scheme by Ngaio Marsh At Bertram's Hotel Taken at the Flood Appointment with Murder Murder in Mesopotamia They Came to Baghdad Murder on the N...

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra discuss King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild. This book explores the terrible reign of violence and exploitation as a Belgian colony and the continued legacy today. It was an extremely influential book for both of us in uncovering the ways in which our education has been incomplete. It created a desire to more fully understand the dark history of colonialism...

Welcome to episode two of The Novel Tea podcast! Emily and Alexandra discuss a variety of books that suffer from the problem of having main characters without any flaws. Not only are these characters frequently insufferable, but it creates problems for the plots as well. Hear our analysis now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify! Please note there are spoilers for the book in this episo...

Welcome to the first episode of The Novel Tea podcast! Emily and Alexandra discuss their divergent opinions on the Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which was the book that ignited the realization that each approaches reading very differently! This episode covers the structure, major themes, it’s revolutionary spot in history, and even the ways it could be improved. Please note there are spoilers for the b...