Host Kirti Mutatkar concludes Season 1 of KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with David Shepherd to discuss Jostein Gaarder's "Sophie's World" - a philosophical novel that serves as an accessible introduction to Western philosophy.

About the Book

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder follows a teenage girl named Sophie who receives mysterious letters asking philosophical questions. As the story unfolds, Sophie discovers she's a character in a story being told by Hilde's father to teach his daughter about philosophy. The novel alternates between Sophie's narrative and comprehensive lessons covering major philosophers from ancient Greeks through modern times, exploring fundamental questions about existence, free will, and human consciousness.

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor: Both - Mental Fireworks (4/4)

Bookshelf Worthy: David - Shelf Resident, worth rereading (4/4), Kirti - Shelf Resident (4.5/5)

Season 1 of KBC concludes with this episode. Virtual roundtable discussions for all six books begin in July 2025.

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Dr. Pankaj Rao to discuss Venki Ramakrishnan's Why We Die - a scientific exploration of aging, death, and the quest for immortality.

About the Book

Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan examines the biological mechanisms behind aging and death from a Nobel laureate's perspective. The book explains complex genetic concepts in accessible terms, covering DNA, cellular aging, environmental factors, and the current scientific understanding of mortality. Rather than philosophical speculation, Ramakrishnan focuses on evidence-based science while addressing the human desire for longevity and the reality of our biological limitations.

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor: Both - Mental Fireworks (4/4)

Bookshelf Worthy: Dr. Pankaj Rao - Shelf Resident/Donate (3/4), Kirti - [not specified]

Next Episode: "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder - concluding Season 1 of KBC

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Sarah Ahmad to discuss Matt Haig's  The Midnight Library - a novel about alternate realities and the choices that shape our lives.

About the Book

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig follows Nora Seed, a woman in her thirties who finds herself in a magical library between life and death. Each book represents a different life she could have lived based on different choices. As Nora explores these alternate realities, she discovers the weight of regret and societal expectations while searching for a life worth living. The novel explores themes of mental health, purpose, and self-acceptance.

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor: Sarah - Gentle Bubbles (3/4), Kirti - [not specified]

Bookshelf Worthy: Both - Keep on shelf, recommend to others struggling with regrets or life decisions

Next Episode: "Why We Die" by Venki Ramakrishnan - continuing Season 1 of KBC

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Pranav Mutatkar to discuss John Williams' "Augustus" - a Pulitzer Prize-winning historical fiction novel about Rome's first emperor told through letters and documents.

About the Book

Augustus by John Williams follows the life of Octavius (later Emperor Augustus) through an epistolary structure of letters, documents, and correspondence. The novel humanizes the legendary first Roman Emperor, showing his rise to power, personal relationships, and the burden of leadership. Rather than traditional narrative, readers discover Augustus through the perspectives of friends, family, and contemporaries.

Key Discussion Points

• Leadership and performance - How Augustus had to "play" the role of emperor while remaining human underneath
• Destiny vs. free will - The tension between personal choice and being "crushed in the gears of history"
• Nobility and legacy - Building for future generations rather than personal gain, exemplified by Roman public works
• Humanization of greatness - Moving beyond the "Great Man theory" to see historical figures as complex, flawed humans

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor  Both - Fireworks (4/4)

Bookshelf Worthy Both - Shelf Resident (3/4)

Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Augustus" for its masterful writing, authentic historical research, and accessibility to non-history readers. The book offers rich themes of leadership, destiny, and human nature that resonate with modern readers. Williams' ability to create distinct character voices through letters makes ancient Rome feel immediate and relatable.

*Next Episode: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett - continuing Season 1 of KBC*

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Peggy Plair to discuss Ann Patchett's "Tom Lake" - a novel about family, memory, and the stories we tell about our lives, set during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Book

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett follows a mother telling her three adult daughters stories about her past while they work together on their family cherry farm in Michigan during COVID-19 lockdown. Through flashbacks, the daughters discover their mother's previous life as a young actress, her first love with a charismatic but unsuitable actor, and how she met their father. The novel explores how our children perceive us versus who we really are.

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor: Peggy - Gentle Bubbles (3/4), Kirti - [not specified]

Bookshelf Worthy. Both - Purchased after library rental, plan to revisit and recommend to others

Both hosts recommend "Tom Lake" as a relatable, feel-good read that resonates with anyone who has navigated unexpected life changes. Patchett's masterful character development creates distinct personalities for each daughter while exploring universal themes of family relationships, finding peace in ordinary life, and understanding that every person we encounter shapes who we become.

Next Episode: "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig - continuing Season 1 of KBC

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Welcome to the inaugural episode of KBC (Kirti's Book Club)! Host Kirti Mutatkar launches the podcast with Aniket Mutatkar to discuss Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" - a science fiction novel about an unlikely hero's mission to save Earth from extinction.

About the book

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir follows Ryland Grace, a science teacher who awakens alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. Through flashbacks, we learn he's humanity's last hope to solve a crisis threatening Earth's sun. The story becomes a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and problem-solving as Grace encounters Rocky, an alien facing the same threat to his home planet.

Key Discussion Points

• Communication across species - How physics and math become universal language when Grace and Rocky must learn to communicate
• Heroism vs. survival- Unlike typical sci-fi heroes fighting to live, Grace's mission requires sacrificing himself for others
• Global cooperation - How humanity unites during crisis, with parallels to COVID response
• Science meets emotion - The friendship between Grace and Rocky drives the story beyond just problem-solving

KBC Reading Radar

Brain Fizz Factor: Kirti - Mental Fireworks (4/4), Aniket - Rolling Boil (3/4)

Bookshelf Worthy: Aniket - Prized Possession (4/4), Kirti - Borrowed Time (2/4)

Looking Ahead

• Upcoming movie adaptation starring Ryan Gosling
• Next KBC episode will feature "Augustus" by John Williams
• Future roundtable discussions with listeners. Reach out to Kirti Mutatkar at [email protected]
• Challenge for sci-fi fans to try historical fiction and vice versa

Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Project Hail Mary" for its unique blend of hard science, emotional depth, and accessibility to non-sci-fi readers. Whether you're drawn to the scientific problem-solving or the touching friendship between species, this book offers something meaningful for diverse reading tastes.

*Next Episode: "Augustus" by John Williams - A historical fiction exploration that promises to challenge genre boundaries once again.*

Please join the KBC community by sending me an email at [email protected]. Space for the virtual roundtables is limited to 12 participants and it's first come, first served. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Also, please let me know if you would like to join the KBC WhatsApp community for ongoing book discussions and updates.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable Schedule:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at 7pm: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 7pm: Augustus by John Williams
• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 at 7pm: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at 7pm: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Sunday, November 30th, 2025 at 7pm: Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan
• Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 7pm: Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder