Spread Your Wingspan

Episode 29: Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall — A Nonfiction Deep Dive into the History of Women's Words

Sara and Jennie step away from romantasy for a nonfiction episode on Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall — a history of the English language traced through words used to describe women's bodies, sexuality, motherhood, work, and aging. They dig into the book's best moments (British towns historically named after a certain four-letter word, the etymology of "seamstress," the loss of language like "singlewoman"), get into an interesting disagreement about the book's treatment of gender-neutral language, and go on a tangent about the neuroscience of how language shapes perception. 

Correction: In the episode, the hosts mention that Jenni Nuttall was a Cambridge University professor. She was actually a scholar at the University of Oxford, where she taught and researched medieval literature. Our apologies for misspeaking!

Spoilers: None — this is a nonfiction discussion, not a plot-driven book.

Content Warnings: Discussion of the historical influence of religion (particularly Christianity) on the oppression of women, brief mention of pregnancy loss, discussion of gender-neutral language debates (including a brief, non-judgmental discussion of "TERF" discourse), strong language/profanity throughout, and frank discussion of anatomy, menstruation, and childbirth.

Chapters

00:23 - Welcome back & introducing this season's nonfiction pick

Mentioned in This Episode

What book do Sara and Jennie discuss in Episode 29 of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast?

Is Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall a romance or fantasy book?

Do Sara and Jennie recommend Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall to their listeners?

Got a question or a book/author you want us to check out?

Season 3 Teaser: What's Coming Up — ACOTAR Reread, Author Interview & More

Sara and Jennie are back after a long break to give listeners a preview of Season 3. The headline: a full reread and recap of the ACOTAR series ahead of the publication of books six and seven, with some Crescent City and possibly Throne of Glass woven in. They also tease upcoming episodes on nonfiction, a hockey romance episode, an author interview with Jennifer MIchelle Herrera about her novel Siren Says, and Jennie’s plan to  pre-read Sierra Simone's Devil to scout it for content warnings before Sara dives in. 

Spoilers: None — this is a preview episode with no book discussion.

Content Warnings: None specific to this episode; brief mention that an upcoming book (Devil by Sierra Simone) carries its own strong content warning from the author.

Chapters

Mentioned in This Episode

What is Spread Your Wingspan covering in Season 3?

Will there be spoilers in the ACOTAR reread series?

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Got a question or a book/author you want us to check out?

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Summary

In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie dive deep into the latest installment of the Blood and Ash series, 'The Primal of Blood and Bone.' They discuss character arcs, plot developments, and the themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of relationships. The conversation also touches on the reactions from fans, the writing style of the author, and predictions as the series wraps up. With a mix of humor and insightful analysis, the hosts explore the intricacies of the story and its characters, making for an engaging discussion for fans of the series.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

Summary

In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie chat with Canadian author J.M. Frey about her latest book, 'Nine Tenths.' They explore the inspiration behind the story, the themes of grief and colonialism, and the representation of mental health in characters. J.M. shares her writing journey, the significance of her characters, and the importance of research in crafting her narrative. The conversation delves into the meta-narrative techniques used in the book, the exploration of love and fear in relationships, and the social commentary on ethical wealth. J.M. also discusses her writing process and rituals, concluding with her hopes for readers to take away courage and kindness from her work.

You can find J.M. Frey at her website: jmfrey.net

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to J.M. Frye and Nine Tenths

Summary

In this episode, Jennie and Sara discuss the book 'Nine Tenths' by J.M. Frey. They explore the themes of wealth inequality, the complexities of relationships, and the representation of anxiety and bisexuality within the narrative. The conversation also touches on the world-building aspects of the story, including its historical context and cultural commentary. The hosts share their personal reflections on the characters and the dynamics of their relationships, ultimately providing a rating for the book and expressing excitement for the upcoming author interview.

Content Warnings

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Excitement for the Interview

Summary

In this episode, the hosts discuss the fourth and final book in the Flesh and Fire series, 'Born of Blood and Ash.' They explore its complex themes, including trauma, leadership, and the balance between fate and free will. The conversation delves into character development, romantic dynamics, and the implications of parenthood in a chaotic world. The hosts also express their excitement for future installments in this literary universe and reflect on the impact of page length on storytelling.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview

Summary

In this conversation, Jennie and Sarah delve into the third book of the Flesh and Fire series, discussing its themes, character arcs, and the complexities of morality and monstrosity. They discuss the development of the protagonist Sera, and the intricate dynamics of villainy and heroism. The episode also touches on the portrayal of romantic relationships and the pacing of the narrative. Overall, the conversation highlights the depth of the characters and the writing style, while setting the stage for the last installment in the series.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Context Setting

Summary

In this conversation, Jennie and Sara discuss 'A Light in the Flame', the second book in the Blood and Ash prequel series Flesh and Fire. They explore themes such as enemies to lovers, atonement, and the complexity of morality. The discussion highlights character development, the nature of good and evil, and the interplay of fate and free will. They also touch on the significance of the Draken and the terrifying villain Kolis, while reflecting on the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts delve into the second book of the Flesh and Fire series, a prequel to the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. They discuss the complexity of the plot, and the themes of fate versus free will, consent, and found family. The hosts also explore the emotional depth of the characters, particularly in relation to mental health, and the representation of relationships in the narrative. They provide insights into the writing style, pacing, and the spicy elements of the romance, ultimately sharing their ratings and impressions of the book.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Character Debate

Summary

The conversation delves into the complexities of engaging with art created by problematic figures, focusing on the themes of monstrosity, morality, and audience engagement. The hosts discuss the book 'Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma' by Claire Dederer, exploring their personal reactions to the text and the broader implications of consuming art in a capitalist society. They examine case studies of J.K. Rowling and others, highlighting the nuances of morality in relation to their work and public personas. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community support for artists and the need for ongoing dialogue about these issues.

00:00 - Introduction and Context of the Conversation