Circe is Madeline Miller's retelling of the story of Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios and the Ocean nymph, Perse. Circe discovers the power of witchcraft and is banished alone to the island of Aeaea, where she will cultivate her power. She features in Greek mythology for her power to turn men into swine, and for her relationship with Odysseus, who finds himself on her island with his men, but in Miller's retelling the woman behind the mythical story unfolds. 

Join Joce and Kris as they discuss this warrior woman: how her story is relatable to the modern day including themes of knowing your truest true self and motherhood. They will discuss Miller's strength in retelling Greek mythology and some of their favourite monsters and gods in this episode! 

“They burned down the market on the day Vivek Oji died" is how it begins. A family in mourning searches for answers that were there all along. Akwaeke Emezi’s stunning novel, The Death of Vivek Oji, brings to surface themes related to identity and acceptance.  In this episode, Kris and Joce talk about finding someone who sees you for who you are, letting go of societal expectations, reincarnation, and one big “AHA” moment that left Joce reeling!

When Death-Cast calls, it is unavoidable. The recipient of the call is going to die today. Adam Silvera’s novel follows Mateo and Rufus as they live out their End Day, experiencing everything they can in New York City, and saying goodbye to their friends and each other. 

Join Joce and Kris as they discuss their thoughts on the Death-Cast system, book ratings, how they buy books and how they would spend their End Day. 

The Push by Ashley Audrain is a psychological drama that interweaves intergenerational trauma with the challenges of motherhood. Blythe Connor comes to terms with her own family trauma as she struggles to form a bond with her new baby. Convinced that there is something wrong with her daughter, Blythe raises these concerns to the people in her circle, but the louder she becomes, the more her sanity is questioned.

Kris & Joce discuss how this novel taps into our greatest fears as mothers, the hardship and isolation that new moms often experience, and whether that motherly bond is nature or nurture.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is the multi generational story that begins in Ghana during the eighteenth century, and  follows the descendants of Effia and her half sister Esi. Gyasi ties two hundred years of experiences of Black people into this narrative that is moving, haunting and eye opening. 
Join Joce and Kris as they discuss Homegoing; they speak of the unique writing style and how the storytelling affects the experience of the book. The stories and Joce and Kris' discussion also weaves with threads of slavery, intergenerational trauma,  and the value of where you come from and how to cope with the identity loss from not having those answers. 

Our voice may be our most powerful weapon, but it takes a ton of risk and courage to stand up to a world that rewards silence.  In this episode, Kris & Joce talk about The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a powerfully raw and real coming of age story about a sixteen year old girl who witnesses the death of her friend at the hands of a police officer.  Listen in as we talk about issues related to race, the Black Lives Matter, and how we are both working towards being better allies for anti-racism.

Kristin Hannah's historical fiction about The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl; main character Elsa Martinelli struggles through trial after trial, and with her two children in two moves from Texas to California. Join Joce & Kris as we discuss one of Joce's favourite authors - listen, as she challenges Hannah's status quo. We discuss motherhood, what makes a good book stand apart from the rest, and the warrior spirit. 

Spoiler Alert: In discussing some of Hannah's most used tropes, we reveal a little more content of the book than we meant to! 

Give us all the books and everything Paris. The Paris Library is the story of two women whose lives intersect, the lessons they learn along the way, and the books that heal them. The Paris Library is set in Nazi-occupied Paris and Montanna in 1983. Join Kris & Joce as we talk about the magical feeling of books, libraries and friendships.