Novel Feelings

Our latest book club discussion is about Freshwater, a semi-autobiographical novel by Nigerian writer, Akwaeke Emezi. We talk about multiplicity and the character's experience with alters, and the role of trauma in its development. We aimed to view the story through the lens that the author intended while acknowledging our Western understanding and training - hopefully we succeeded! * Book club info, detailed show notes, and other links: linktree.com/novel_feelings [https://linktr.ee/novelfeelingspod] * Get a 10% discount through Amplify Bookstore with the code NOVELFEELINGS10: http://amplifybookstore.com/products/novel-feelings-book-club [https://amplifybookstore.com/] Additional content notes: Trauma (inc. sexual assault), gender identity, disordered eating, self-harm, suicide attempt, dissociation, Dissociative Identity Disorder Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

Recording her dialogues with her psychiatrist, and expanding on each session with her own reflective micro-essays, Baek begins to disentangle the feedback loops, knee-jerk reactions, and harmful behaviors that keep her locked in a cycle of self-abuse. Our July book club discussion is about I Want to Die, But I Want to Eat Ttteokbokki, an intimate therapy memoir by South Korean writer Baek Sehee. We talk about dysthymia, black and white thinking, beauty standards, the stigma of help seeking in East Asian cultures, and a questionable psychiatrist. * Book club info, detailed show notes, and other links: linktree.com/novel_feelings [https://linktr.ee/novelfeelingspod] * Get a 10% discount through Amplify Bookstore with the code NOVELFEELINGS10: http://amplifybookstore.com/products/novel-feelings-book-club [https://amplifybookstore.com/] Additional content notes: Major depression, suicidal ideation, invalidating mental health professionals, psychiatric medications, histrionic personality disorder Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she's come up with six directives to help her "Get a Life". Our May book club discussion is about Get a Life, Chloe Brown, a romance novel that features characters experiencing chronic pain and trauma. We talk about impacts and healing from abusive relationships; the mental toll of chronic pain and ableism; and accurate representations of being triggered. * Book club info, detailed show notes, and other links: linktree.com/novel_feelings [https://linktr.ee/novelfeelingspod] * Get a 10% discount through Amplify Bookstore with the code NOVELFEELINGS10: http://amplifybookstore.com/products/novel-feelings-book-club [https://amplifybookstore.com/] Additional content notes for this episode: This book is sexually explicit. We don't discuss details of sex scenes in the episode, but maybe listen to the podcast episode (or the audiobook) with headphones on! Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

A daring literary account of a young woman's experience of psychosis by Bengali-Australian writer Sanya Rushdi. This March, our book club [https://novelfeelings.com/2024/11/18/announcement-s4/] discussion features Hospital, which explores the experience of psychosis and subsequent hospitalisation, drawn from the author's real-life experience. We unpack the limitations of the medical model approach towards treatment of mental health issues, shared decision-making, and the importance of empowerment and identity in recovery. * Book club info, detailed show notes, and other links: linktree.com/novel_feelings [https://linktr.ee/novelfeelingspod] * Get a 10% discount through Amplify Bookstore with the code NOVELFEELINGS10: http://amplifybookstore.com/products/novel-feelings-book-club [https://amplifybookstore.com/] Additional content notes for this episode:  involuntary hospitalisation, stigma of psychosis, harmful psychiatric treatments, coerced medication prescribing Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

In this exhilarating novel, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. Join Priscilla and Elise for a book club discussion on Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow's complex characterisation and video game nostalgia, including an in-depth review of topics like depression, disability and chronic pain, grief, race and class. * Book club info, detailed show notes, and other links: linktree.com/novel_feelings [https://linktr.ee/novelfeelingspod] * Get a 10% discount through Amplify Bookstore with the code NOVELFEELINGS10: http://amplifybookstore.com/products/novel-feelings-book-club [https://amplifybookstore.com/] Content notes for this episode: Mention of characters witnessing a suicide death (minimal detail); mention of war in Gaza; discussion of gun violence, abuse of power in a relationship, and domestic violence. Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

How do you pick up the pieces after life has served you enough trauma for a lifetime? Charlotte, aged 17, is trying to recover in a world that owes her nothing, but has taken so much. In our season 3 finale, we dive into Girl in Pieces' representations of self-harm, hospitalisation, and unhealthy relationships, and ask the big question: does this book risk doing more harm than good? Spoiler review starts at 31:34. Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph [https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3bd1085e-7b70-4327-b1d5-74616296ec18]. Detailed show notes available on our website. Note: We will going on hiatus in the first half of 2024, but hope to launch Season 4 later in the year!

Is it possible to hibernate your problems away? Our main character - privileged, vain, and traumatised - chooses to sleep for a year to take a break from her life. In our spiciest review yet, we discuss self-medication, unlikable characters, and one of the worst mental heath professionals we've ever encountered in fiction. Spoiler review starts at 41:36 Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph [https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3bd1085e-7b70-4327-b1d5-74616296ec18]. Detailed show notes available on our website.

There are plenty of dates in this story, but Queenie is not about romance. Queenie Jenkins navigates life after a long-term relationship break-up. The premise sounds like a rom-com, but the story visits some dark places along the way. In this episode, we discuss themes such as trauma, racism, anxiety, relationship red flags, and consent. Listen to find out why we think Queenie is well worth a read. Spoiler review starts at 35:14. Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph [https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3bd1085e-7b70-4327-b1d5-74616296ec18]. Detailed show notes available on our website.

Last episode was prompted by Elise's recommendation. This time, it's Priscilla's. Tiger Daughter tells the story of Wen and Henry, and what happens when tragedy strikes their community. We cover themes of domestic abuse, misogyny, and the ripple effect of suicide - all framed by the Chinese immigrant experience in Australia. The first part of this episode is spoiler-free. Also, we interview author Rebecca Lim! Stay tuned for Rebecca's insights on her writing process and the themes of Tiger Daughter.  Spoiler review starts at 24:37 | Interview starts at 42:19 Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph [https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3bd1085e-7b70-4327-b1d5-74616296ec18]. Detailed show notes available on our website.

We're baaaaack! To kick off Season 3, we're covering the very hyped memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. We discuss Jennette's experience of childhood abuse and eating disorders, complicated grief, and our thoughts on her recovery process.  FYI, our episodes are now two-parters: we start with general discussions of the books without spoilers, then we dive into the details. Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph [https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/3bd1085e-7b70-4327-b1d5-74616296ec18].  Detailed show notes available on our website.

Well, 2021 has certainly been a year. We're still on hiatus, but popping up to say 'hey, we read some cool books this year!' In this special bonus episode, we each present our Top 3 books of the year (plus some honourable mentions). This episode is spoiler-free and the books aren't specific to mental health! Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Detailed show notes available on our website.

Welcome to the last episode of Season 2. We had such a wonderful time putting this season together. In this episode, we reflect on the process of recording the season, and talk about our favourite moments. After this episode, we will be going on a hiatus, and we're not planning on returning for a Season 3 at this stage. We're not going away completely though! We will still have opinions on books and mental health reps, so we are planning to continue posting our reviews on our blog. We will also keep our social media active. So keep us in your feeds and hopefully we can come back for Season 3 one day. Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Detailed show notes available on our website.

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/  Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/read-it-next/id1532734772], or check out their Instagram @readitnextpodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/read-it-next/id1532734772] Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://writteninwondersite.wordpress.com/] | Lit CelebrAsian litcelebrasian.wordpress.com [https://litcelebrasian.wordpress.com/] Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [http://www.chubrubbookclub.com/] or on Instagram @chubrubbookclub [https://www.instagram.com/chubrubbookclub/?hl=en] Find Novel Feelings via: * Our website [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. 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 [https://novelfeelings.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novel_feelings/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/novel_feelings] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/novel_feelings]. Detailed show notes available on our website.