Diary of an Ex-English Major

Diary of an Ex-English Major

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Diary of an Ex-English Major episodes

  • The Power of Teaching Literature with PhD Student Renee

    Deja interviews Renee, an ex-English major and current English Literature doctoral student. The two discuss discuss Renee's path into academia as a mature student, Toni Morrison, as well as the importance of keeping Black literature in the classroom. 


    Books Mentioned:

    • Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History by Laura E. Helton
    • Black Girlhood in the Nineteenth Century by Nazera Wright
    1 hr 11 min
  • The Book Review in the 21st Century

    In this episode, Deja discusses her entree into English graduate study, blurring the lines between literary criticism and book reviews, and the function of the book review in the 21st century.


    Citations

    • bell hooks, "The Oppositional Gaze" - https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/english/currentstudents/postgraduate/masters/modules/femlit/bell_hooks.pdf

    • "The End of the University and the Future of Criticism," Point Magazine's Substack. https://open.substack.com/pub/thepointmag/p/can-criticism-survive-inside-the?r=5hhw6c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

    Blog: https://cityofdeja.com

    Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor

    20 min
  • The New Age Reader Aesthetic (Bonus)

    Bonus Episode [From the Archives]. Note: This episode was recorded in January 2024. In this bonus episode, Deja discusses the new age reader aesthetic and social media bookish influencers in the contemporary moment.


    Citations

    • ​Barry Pierce, “In the shallow world of BookTok, being ‘a reader’ is more important than actually reading.” https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/booktok-tiktok-books-community



    • ​Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, “Reading is precious – which is why I’ve been giving away my books.” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/23/reading-is-precious-but-the-cult-of-book-ownership-can-be-smug-and-middle-class



    My reviews of The Atlas Complex and HOFAS have since been published on my blog:


    • ​House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas: A Lengthy, Cheesy, Whirlwind (Review). http://cityofdeja.com/2024/08/01/house-of-flame-and-shadow-book-review/


    • ​Book Review: The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake. http://cityofdeja.com/2024/03/21/book-review-the-atlas-complex-by-olivie-blake/




    Blog: https://cityofdeja.com

    18 min
  • Embracing the Unconventional with English Graduate Student Adrienne

    Deja interviews Adrienne, an ex-English and Writing double major and current English master's student at the University of British Columbia. The two discuss continuing English education in grad school, the value of studying literature, as well as the importance of being a life long learner.


    Blog: ⁠cityofdeja.com

    1 hr 9 min
  • Taylor Swift & Putting the Humanities into Practice

    In this season 2 premiere, Deja discusses putting the humanities into practice and conducts a close reading of Taylor Swift lyrics from songs "the lakes" and "All Too Well (10 Minute Version). "


    Citations

    • UT Austin Taylor Swift Course Article - https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/news/ut-english-course-takes-a-swift-turn
    • List of Colleges with Taylor Swift Classes - https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/these-colleges-have-taylor-swift-classes/
    • Why Taylor Swift Belongs on English Literature Degree Courses - https://theconversation.com/why-taylor-swift-belongs-on-english-literature-degree-courses-219660
    • Evolution of Snake: The Taylor Swift Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/70xT4aA9FayuPmrRAbMrSn
    • The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms (Book)

      • Blog: cityofdeja.com




      32 min
    • The Bookstagram Effect with Ex-English Major Jill
      Deja interviews Jill, an ex-English Literature major and bookstagrammer from the account @booknerd_reads. The two discuss Jill's longtime reader status, publishing internships, and the ins and outs of the bookstagram community.
      Jill's bookstagram: @booknerd_reads
      29 min
    • Storytelling is Powerful with Ex-Creative Writing Major Alyx

      Deja interviews ex-Creative Writing major Alyxandria Ang, a podcast host, online content creator, and mental health advocate. In this episode, the two discuss the power of storytelling, shifting career paths, the woes of bookish content creation, and more.


      A is for Anxious: A Podcast Diary - https://open.spotify.com/show/0YNCdjhhnEGhLeVASWrW5v

      Alyx's Instagram - @alyxandriaang

      Alyx's YouTube Channel - https://youtube.com/@alyxandriaang


      59 min
    • Following Your Curiosity with Ex-Journalism Major Ryley

      Deja interviews Ryley, an ex-Journalism major by way of an English department. The two discuss the the process of following your curiosity and creativity, the character building that’s yielded from studying the humanities, questionable BookTok recommendations, and more. 


      Spors Girls Club Tiktok: @sportsgirlsclub

      Podcast Instagram: ⁠@diaryofanexengmajor⁠

      Blog: ⁠https://cityofdeja.com



      43 min
    • Mid-Year Reading Check In & What is Mood Reading Anyway?

      Deja chats about her 2023 reading thus far, attempts to define the concept of "mood reading," and shares how it affects her reading habits.

      Mid-Year Reading Check In Blog Post

      Yellowface Book Review

      Alone With You in the Ether Book Review

      One for My Enemy Book Review

      The Atlas Paradox Book Review

      Any Way the Wind Blows Book Review


      Podcast Instagram: ⁠@diaryofanexengmajor⁠

      Blog: ⁠https://cityofdeja.com



      33 min
    • Literature is Art with Ex-English Major Candace

      Deja interviews ex-English major and bookstagrammer Candace from the account @cecepointofview. The two discuss the life skills one can yield from being well read, literature as an art form, the special value of young adult books, and more. 


      Candace's Bookstagram: @cecepointofview

      Podcast Instagram: ⁠@diaryofanexengmajor⁠

      Blog: ⁠https://cityofdeja.com

      46 min

    About Diary of an Ex-English Major

    From the publisher's feed

    Diary of an Ex-English Major is a podcast dedicated to demystifying literary study and the life beyond it. Hosted by Deja, a blogger and literature PhD student, the podcast explores the impact and the…