In this episode we explore the work of Celeste Ng including how one was translated to the screen. Ng is an American author that with her first two books created some true cracked fan girls. Her work was cracking hearts and minds across borders. It was also incredibly timely over the past two years in fostering so many discussions about motherhood, race, and place. We recorded this back in February 2021, but I'm behind on releasing the remaining three episodes of season 1. It's been a challenging period so I hope y'all can extend a little grace as I catch up and keep going here. Please enjoy this offering of our conversation about the work of Celeste Ng and its translation to the screen. 

With gratitude. 

Works covered in this episode:

Little Fires Everywhere (the book) - 2017

Everything I never Told You - 2014

Little Fires Everywhere (the show) - 2020

The esteemed Octavia Butler (1947 - 2006) is the perfect author to get us Cracked! Butler is an American Sci-Fi (Speculative Fiction) author known for really pushing the limits of what is possible within science fiction. Her stories challenge us to think about the world we live in and the world we want to live in. A pioneer in Afro-futurism, and climate activist, her work including the Xenogenesis Series is incredibly salient in our current times and will likely remain so in our future. 

Books covered in this episode:

Kindred - 1979

Parable of the Sower - 1993

Parable of the Talents - 1998

This Valentine's Day we are gifting you love stories. Specifically the stories of Isabel Allende. Each story centers on self-love and the many ways in which love manifests. Romantic, platonic, familial and most importantly love of self. Allende is the author of The House of the Spirits (1982), Eva Luna (1987), The Infinite Plan (1991), and In the Midst of Winter (2017). Her work pays tribute to the magic contained in each of us in our ability to love, be hurt, and love again. It is also a testament to the healing power of love in supporting us through our most difficult times. I hope you all enjoy a moment to discover and share the works of Isabel Allende. 

Books covered in this episode:

Island Beneath the Sea (2010)

Maya's Notebook (2011)

Japanese Lover (2015)

Long Petal of the Sea (2019)

In this episode we explore a sample of work by James Baldwin a literary behemoth. His work is intellectually stimulating and some of the most brilliant, kind, sharp, and loving social criticism available. Baldwin is an author that should be part of every high school curriculum in the most urgent way. As immediately relevant globally today as it was in 1960's America. 

The books covered in this episode include:

Another Country (1962)

If Beale Street Could Talk (1974)

Notes of a Native Son (1955)

The Fire Next Time (1963)

The Devil Finds Work (1976)

In this first episode I sit down with a friend to discuss a mutual love for the work of Richard Wagamese (1955-2017) the author of Indian Horse (2012), One Native Life (2008), Dream Wheels (2007), and Embers (2016) among others. Come join us as we journey through a small selection of the magic that is Wagamese's work. Let's get Cracked!

Books covered in this episode:

Indian Horse (2012)

Medicine Walk (2014)

Starlight (2018)

One Native Life (2008)

One Story One Song (2011)

Embers (2016)

One Drum (2019)

Welcome to Cracked where we are cracking open minds, hearts, spirits and spines one author at a time. Let's get Cracked.