The Novel Tea Podcast

In this episode, Alexandra dumps all her unpleasant observations about the popular novel of the ‘90’s AT HOME IN MITFORD. This novel often captured the hearts of its readers for representing a sort of fantasy, small town, southern community, but that fantasy comes at the cost of truly contending with the issues present in our American communities. The fantasy is upheld by carefully ignoring or even idealizing the circumstances of the underclasses. It also fails to reckon with the contradictions between American culture and Christian teaching, particularly around the ideas of materialism, hospitality, and caring for those in your community.Sources:Karon, Jan. (1996). _At Home in Mitford. Penguin Books.Nickel, Eleanor Hersey. “‘But This Is the South’: Ambivalent Regionalism in Jan Karon’s Mitford Novels.” Studies in Popular Culture, vol. 32, no. 2, 2010, pp. 17–33. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23416153. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.Satterwhite, Emily. “‘The Longing for Home,’ Appalachian Fiction, and Ron Rash.” Appalachian Journal, vol. 42, no. 1/2, 2014, pp. 24–35. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43489157 . Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.FIND US ONLINE:Pre-Orders for Book 2, West of the Sun (coming available Feb 27-28), and current orders for Book 1, East of the Moon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHG4Y34K?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkinnovelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lee.alexander.author/Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Let's take a look at our year in reading and how our real life intersects with this hobby. Best, Worst, Disappointments, and Honorable Mentions! Also, what do our plans look like for next year?Order East of the Moon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHFDK9Y7?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooksFIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra take a look at several books that use androids and AI as important characters and plot devices. In a world where now AI is all too real, how do we treat these types of characters? What does it say about the worldview of the novel and what does it say about us?Order East of the Moon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHFDK9Y7?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooksFIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this video, Emily and Alexandra discuss the message of The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and connect the inter-war setting in England with Hannah Arendt's famous work The Origins of Totalitarianism. (A discussion of Wolf Hall, Utopia, A Man for All Seasons, and the French Revolution may also be involved.)Pre-Orders for East of the Moon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHFDK9Y7?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooksFIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this video, Emily and Alexandra analyze the trend of cozy books in a variety of genres. We pull from previous eras of books, what they did well, what these genres should keep an eye out, and share our experiences reading cozy books in a variety of genres.Pre-Order East of the Moon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHFDK9Y7?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooksFIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Today on the podcast, a classic, but a good one: Why reading is always political and how those politics affect women readers.FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra analyze the way in which our interpretations and analysis also play a role in developing propaganda. We borrow from our background of growing up in conservative church communities, and conservative christian homeschooling communities. In summary, we want to encourage adult readers to empower themselves as full adults with the ability to read and analyze with nuance, insight, and without it being a condemnation of yourself.FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoseReadStudiosALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra share about a couple of books they’ve read recently and both re-examine their relationship with DNFing – Emily does it more, and Alexandra does it less. Both end up reading a Western, and discuss the relationship between art and propaganda. Finally we reflect on our mood reading as we alternate between reading books with heavy and light content.FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971ALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and I continue the conversation around ACOTAR with our perspective on tropes, plagiarism, retellings, fan-fiction, and the like. We have seen some discourse online really confusing the problems of tropes and plagiarism. Along with that we wanted to tackle how to do a retelling well, whether its a reinterpretation of a Greek myth or a fairy tale. Finally, we wrap it up with a discussion around the ethics of fan fiction. We’d love to know your opinion on any of these topics!FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudiosWebtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971ALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Warning: In this episode, we discuss issues like sexual assault. Please listen with caution. In this episode, Emily and Alexandra analyze A Court of Thorns and Roses in order to discuss the issues around consent portrayed in these “romantic” relationships as they are portrayed in the work. We invite readers to see the way the book acts as propaganda for a particular type of controlling and abusive romantic relationship for women. FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-tea-podcast/id1675942343 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios Webtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971 ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Welcome back for Season Three! In this episode, we discuss the state of publish: traditional, rapid, self and even AI publishing. We discuss the value of art, the material market around books, the secondary market of goods inspired by the worlds we love, and Alexandra completely looses it on the topic of AI. We hope you enjoy our rant! Caught in a Bad Romance... with Readers: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4l61Q7O8TCJ6STwb9ZizwN?si=aW0r0uIjRUy8YYLwEwwBjg FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios Webtoons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/its-a-working-dogs-life-/list?title_no=967971 ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

It’s the end of the year! We wrap up the year with a few favorites, a few rants about our worst reads of the year, and a review of our goals. FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

This month, we take on the mystery genre. It's had some major changes in the past few years, new breakout hits and talent on the scene. How has the genre changed? What has changed in the realm of publishing? And, what are a couple of titles we've been enjoying lately? FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra explore their divergent opinions on the classic, and original horror story: Frankenstein! Emily shares her perspective on the writing, its success as a horror novel, and her perspective on Mary Shelley, the woman. Alexandra discusses the novel's structure and how it ties in with Greek Mythology and Christian Cosmology. FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

We’ve been a little too positive lately, making lots of book recommendations and telling you about books we love…. so today, we are talking about books we love to hate! Content Warning: We discuss topics that are not suitable for all ages, such as violence and abuse. Please listen with care. FIND ME ONLINE novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96

This week we dive into controversial behavior from the romance-reader community -- both new and old! Normally, we think about what authors owe readers, and what readers owe the book, but today we talk about what readers owe authors... and also random strangers on the internet. Get it together! FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

We are back with another Rapid Fire episode. This, time we have a bunch of recommendations for you, separated by genre. FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

In this episode, Emily and Alexandra answer some bookish questions. We’d love to know your thoughts as well so answer in the comments! FIND US ONLINE:novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudiosTiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRADiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Emily and Alexandra have recently read a fantasy book – that’s popular! – and that they love! gasp In this episode, they dig into these two novels, what they like about them, and why they struggle with other works in the genre. FIND US ONLINE: novelteapodcastinfo@gmail.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96 EMILY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosereadstudios Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rosereadstudios ALEXANDRA Discord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjaunt Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jaunt

Welcome to our second special interest video. This time Emily interviews Alexandra about one of her pet topics: the under appreciation of the arts and humanities. Yes, this is a whole hour of Alexandra absolutely losing it over this topic. FIND ME ONLINEnovelteapodcastinfo@gmail.comDiscord: https://t.co/nITrAz1ov5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alovelyjaunt/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_alovelyjauntStorygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/a_lovely_jauntGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kOWZlOGRiYy9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CS7MOxj2mQ1B3mhHB4OY2?si=8ce19c01223f4b96