Happy To Be Here

Today we check in with Nerdette book club regular Heather Havrilesky. She also writes the Ask Polly advice column for New York magazine, so she gives us another perspective on how everyone's doing out there. And of course, we hear from a bunch of you, too, which is quickly becoming the best part of this show.

If you’d like to chime in, just tell us how you’re adapting, along with your name and where you’re from. You can record yourself on your phone and email the file to [email protected].

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A lot of us are looking around and realizing the plans we had aren’t necessarily a reality anymore. Which can be scary and hard, but it’s also a great opportunity to adapt.

Today, Greta checks in with her friend Shannon Downey. She’s a crafter with a big online community, but most of the work she does involves meeting people in real life, something that can’t happen right now. Hear what she decided to do, and the voices of Nerdette listeners from all over the place, about what they’re grateful for and how they’re adapting to new normals.

If you’d like to chime in, just tell us how you’re adapting, along with your name and where you’re from. You can record yourself on your phone and email the file to [email protected].

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One thing for which Greta is grateful? Danielle Kurtzleben, who works on the NPR Politics Podcast team, and whose tweet about wearing a ball gown while working from home is exquisitely delightful.

We’ll hear what Danielle appreciates now more than ever, and we’ll also hear from some of you!

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Today, we ask how we can help ourselves while helping others.

We also hear from some of you in this episode, and we want to keep that up! Tell us your name, where you’re calling from, and what you’re grateful for. Just record yourself on your phone and then email the audio file to us at [email protected]. Keep ‘em coming!

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Now more than ever, we could all use a little pick-me-up.

Starting today, we’re making regular mini-sodes with ideas on how to work from home, what you should be reading, and some things to help lift your mood.

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We get help from longtime tech journalist Kara Swisher to dissect Anna Wiener's 'Uncanny Valley,' a fish-out-of-water memoir about a young woman who abandons New York’s publishing industry in favor of big tech and Silicon Valley.

Join us! We assure you, the Nerdette book club is just like a normal book club, except we don’t shame you if you didn’t do the reading.  

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Welcome to the Nerdette Book Club! Where we read a book a month and chat about it with a rotating group of panelists. It’s just like a normal book club except no one shames you when you don't do the reading.

This episode is all about Kiley Reid’s excellent debut novel, Such a Fun Age. It’s an incisive look at race and class in modern America, (and it also happens to be really funny.) Join Nerdette host Greta Johnsen, New York magazine advice columnist Heather Havrilesky and The Morning AMp and Making Beyoncé host Jill Hopkins.

And hey! Next month, we’re reading Anna Wiener’s Uncanny Valley, a memoir about working in the bro-heavy tech industry. Read the book and send us your thoughts by recording your voice with your smartphone, then email the audio file to [email protected]. And tune in for the conversation on Friday, Feb. 28!

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Nerdette has always been a podcast for book lovers, but for the first few months of 2020, we’re doubling down. Join host Greta Johnsen and a rotating cast of panelists as they discuss the year’s buzziest books.

Whether you can’t wait to dive in or just want to sound like you know what you’re talking about with your book nerd buddies, this is the podcast for you.

First up: Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid’s debut page-turner about race and class in America. Read it, and share your thoughts by recording yourself an emailing the file to [email protected]!

Then tune in Friday, Jan. 31 as Greta discusses it with The Cut’s Ask Polly columnist Heather Havrilesky, The Morning Amp’s Jill Hopkins, and YOU!

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Books! Books! Books! Greta read 72 books this year, and today she sits down and ranks her 10 favorites. (Plus, she speaks with the author of her favorite book of 2019, ‘Such A Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid.)

Here's her full list, and you can get more details on each title at this link: 

10. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

9. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

8. The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

7. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

6. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

5. Wolfpack by Abby Wambach

4. Little Weirds by Jenny Slate

3. She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

2. Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

1. Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

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Spoilers ahead!

WHAT. A. FINALE. In the latest His Dark Materials, Will hunkers down in lots of places, Mrs. Coulter becomes increasingly unhinged, and we finally learn what the prophecy about Lyra’s betrayal really means.

Join us as Greta Johnsen, Tricia Bobeda and Peter Sagal break down the final episode of the first season.

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