The Lit Pickers

Welcome to the reunion! After a wildly-delayed studio recording, Supriya and Deepanjana catch up to discuss their reading highlights from 2025. It was an unusually brilliant year for Indian fiction in English, diving into powerful examinations of deep familial ties and modern loneliness. The Lit Pickers exchange notes on Arundhati Roy’s dazzling “Mother Mary Comes to Me”, Jeet Thayil’s genre-blurring “The Elsewhereians”, Rahul Bhattacharya's masterful “Railsong” and its nuanced portrayal of working women navigating freedom, and much more.   Read Supriya’s brilliant review of “Mother Mary Comes to Me” here.    If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out this link   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

We are back with a very special episode where a reviewer is being reviewed! Supriya interviews her co-host and friend, Deepanjana Pal, about her newly-published novel, “Lightning in a Shot Glass”. Originally written to blow off steam during the pandemic, Deepanjana pulled this story out of her bottom drawer last year, serving up a romantic comedy that makes you laugh, cry, and get a little hot under the collar. From the challenges of writing credible Indian English dialogue to crafting fantastical, sexy men who still feel real, The Lit Pickers dish on the mechanics of writing a wildly enjoyable book.    If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out this link   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

It’s that time of the year again where we answer all your pressing questions and give our hot (and sometimes curmudgeonly) takes. Mae takes the reins as she poses an array of audience questions to Deepanjana and Supriya, about the world of books, sometimes food, other times film, and everything in between. From how to write a good book review to pet peeves about moral posturing, to books about critical theory and radical feminist discourse, The Lit Pickers are here to solve your predicaments. They also discuss book clubs, audiobooks, the joy of gifting books, and how sometimes there are cosmic forces at play to help you find a book. Sometimes stumped by questions, other times excited, and always collectively fangirling over authors, listen to Deepanjana and Supriya talk about what is their cup of tea and when they would rather have some filter coffee instead.   We're going on a brief summer holiday. Be back before you know it. If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LpXFqHm2AcvzDJLEHK5LQNqoVlNqNGTT_tA6paaQITs/edit?gid=1300752686#gid=1300752686   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week Deepanjana and Supriya are in the studio trying to unpack solutions of how to find a good book to read. From childhood rituals to serendipitous discoveries, they explore the various ways in which readers can stumble upon their next literary adventure. They also talk about the discipline and patience required to cultivate a lifelong reading habit, as well as their unwavering belief in the universe's role in providing the right reads at the right time. From finding suggestions at gatherings in parks, to digital rabbit holes ranging from Twitter to podcasts, they talk about what it is that makes them pick one recommendation over the other. They also ponder the role of kind friends and neighbourhood bookstores in shaping one's perception of a book, and so much more!   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week, Deepanjana and Supriya explore the world of adaptation and intellectual property. From discussing the portrayal of Japan in Western literature to analyzing the adaptation of "Shogun," they delve into the complexities of representation and storytelling. They also examine the creative approaches in film adaptations, highlighting the need for imagination and sensitivity, and the impact of cultural appropriation. They emphasise the value of fresh thinking and out-of-the-box ideas in creating something new and exciting, and how a character's race and background can be reimagined in a way that is both faithful to the original and relevant to modern audiences. Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of storytelling in literature and media - with some appreciation and a lot of woes.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You