Novel Feelings

What does it mean when a monster shows up at your window? For our final review episode of Season 2, we discuss A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness with special guest, author Mat Larkin. We talk about the stages of grief, middle grade tropes, surprisingly therapeutic monsters, and all the feels!

 Find Mat Larkin via https://matlarkin.com/ 

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Detailed show notes available on our website.

In this special episode, we chat to Kay Kerr, author of Please Don't Hug Me and the newly released Social Queue. Topics include: autism representation, Kay's writing processes for both of her books, and self-care. We also discuss Please Don't Hug Me in spoilery details in the second half of the episode (we'll let you know when this starts!).

Find Kay Kerr and her books through kaykerr.com

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

What can you do when you feel disconnected from your family, and your culture? Darius is a 'fractional Persian', and speaks better Klingon than Farsi. And his first trip to Iran is about to change his life. In this episode, we chat about Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram. We discuss what causes and maintains depression, cultural understandings of mental illness, and reflect on the role of medication.

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

Would you run for prom king/queen? There is nothing Liz Lightly would like less, but she's willing to do whatever it takes to win a scholarship, even if it means facing her fear of the spotlight. With special guests, Hallie and Allie from the Read It, Next podcast, we chat about anxiety representation, cute romance, and the importance of seeing Black protagonists experiencing joy. We also chat about/get educated about prom culture.

 Listen to Read It, Next via Apple Podcasts, or check out their Instagram @readitnextpodcast

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

How much do you really know about your parents? In Kelly Loy Gilbert's Picture Us in the Light, Danny Cheng grapples with the mysteries of his family's past, a tragedy in his friendship group, as well as the possibilities in his future. Along with our guest, Wendy Chen, we discuss the portrayal of grief following a suicide, intergenerational trauma, and the costs of defining yourself by your achievements.

Wendy's blog: writteninwondersite.wordpress.com | Lit CelebrAsian litcelebrasian.wordpress.com

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

Portia Hobbs, 'perpetual hot mess', meets Tavish McKenzie, gruff Scottish swordsman. Sparks fly, and self-discoveries abound. We discuss the book's portrayal of ADHD and how this experience can impact on a person's self-beliefs. We also chat about positive female friendships, difficult family dynamics, and (of course) the central romance.

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

How can you stay safe when there's a serial killer on the loose? Can you be best friends with someone you met online? Cry Blue Murder tells the story of two teenagers who exchange emails after shocking murders devastate a community. We don't have all the answers, but we can talk about the anxiety and grief that might be present after a crime in schools and the wider community. We also talk briefly about trauma, and nitpick some details about the mental health issues and diagnoses presented.

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

What would life look like if you only focused on the things that bring you pleasure? Noni Blake is about to find out. This episode, we are joined by Shelby from the Chub Rub Book Club podcast to discuss body image, anxiety, and the joys of prioritising yourself. We love the sex positivity and portrayal of self-care in this book, but acknowledge the privilege required to uproot your life to focus on your own wellbeing.

Find Chub Rub Book Club via www.chubrubbookclub.com or on Instagram @chubrubbookclub

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

CW: suicide. Welcome to Season 2 of Novel Feelings! We're kicking things off with Thirteen Reasons Why, in all its controversy. We talk about the book's portrayal of suicide and why it makes us uncomfortable. Discussion topics also include bullying, sexism, and the lack of mental health support in the story. As an exciting bonus, we chat to researcher Dr Fincina Hopgood about the controversies and cultural impact of the Netflix adaptation (Interview starts at 58:25).

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Goodreads.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

This final episode of Novel Tropes (for now) focuses on a trope we're passionate about - passionately against, that is. Yep - it's bad therapy. From the mind reading therapist to therapist-client affairs, from the funny to the damaging, we discuss why these tropes are problematic. Warning: rants ahead!

Website: novelfeelings.com | Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads: @novel_feelings