Ms. O's Novel Reviews and Analysis

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of May - SPOILERS! Caste: The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, and Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir by Amy Tan Special thank you to AW for lending me Caste: The Origins of our Discontent and gifting me with Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir! 2022 Book count so far: 21 books, 7,253 pages

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of April - SPOILERS! Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline,  In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez Special thank you to CN for recommending The Marrow Thieves! 2022 Book count so far: 18 books, 5,900 pages

In this episode, I review the five books that I read for the month of March - SPOILERS! The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, Ace of Spaces by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, The Gardener and the Carpenter by Alison Gopnik, The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, The Maid by Anita Prose Special thank you to my 4th period student for recommending Ace of Spades! 2022 Book count so far: 15 books, 5,167 pages

In this episode, I review the five books that I read for the month of February - SPOILERS! The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson, The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A special thanks to AD for recommending The Thursday Murder Club and to cousin JP for recommending Mexican Gothic!! 2022 Book count so far: 10 books, 3,386 pages

In this episode, I review the five books that I read for the month of January - SPOILERS! The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Joyoun Kim, Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller, An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten, translated by Marlaine Delargy, and The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki Special thank you to AD for recommending Why Fish Don't Exist! 2022 Book count so far: 5 books, 1612 pages *Link mentioned: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of December - SPOILERS! Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig December Book count: 3 books and 1,017 pages 2021 Total Book count:  32 books, 9,999 pages **Links mentioned: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of November - SPOILERS! 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, Heating and Cooling by Beth Anne Fennelly, and Mary's Monster by Lita Judge Special thanks to MA for lending me 84 Charing Cross Road and Hearing and Cooling to read this month! November Book count: 3 books and 521 pages 2021 Total Book count:  29 books, 8982 pages

In this episode, I review the two books that I read for the month of October - SPOILERS! Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley and In Five Years by Rebecca Serle October Book Count: 2 books and 784 pages 2021 Total Book Count: 26 books, 8461 pages

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of September - SPOILERS! We are Not Free by Tracy Chee (384), The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (274), and Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (316) Special thank you to my school librarian CN for recommending We are Not Free and Darius the Great is Not Okay! September Book count: 3 books and 974 pages 2021 Total Book count: 24 books, 7677 pages *Links mentioned: Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project: https://densho.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://nami.org/Home

In this episode, I review the one book that I read for the month of August - SPOILERS! People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks Special thanks to SA for recommending the novel to me! August Book count: 1 books and 372 pages 2021 Total Book count: 21 books, 6703 pages *Links mentioned: 1990 Essay by Rudine Sims Bishop: https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf Rudine Sims Bishop explaining why Mirrors Windows and Sliding Glass Doors are important: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc Explanation of Haggadah by myjewishlearning.com: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-haggadah/

In this episode, I review the five books that I read for the month of July - SPOILERS! It's a long one, y'all. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, Crying in HMart by Michelle Zauner, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and Educated by Tara Westover Special thanks to AW for gifting me The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. July Book count: 5 books and 1938 pages 2021 Total Book count: 20 books, 6331 pages *Note: I edited one "f-bomb" in this episode (it will make sense in context) and it may sound a bit strange... Also, I will repeat myself here: I do not condone systemic racism in any shape.

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of June - SPOILERS! (Sorry for the sound on this one - I didn't get a chance to edit properly like I normally would!) Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala, There There by Tommy Orange, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez June Book count: 3 books and 960 pages 2021 Total Book count: 15 books, 4395 pages **Article by Martha Henriques on BBC mentioned in episode: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190326-what-is-epigenetics

In this episode, I review the two books that I read for the month of May - SPOILERS! Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie. May Book count: 2 books and 752 pages Special thank you to J.K. who recommended Klara and the Sun to me! 2021 Total Book count:  12 books, 3435 pages

In this episode, I review the two books that I read for the month of April - SPOILERS! Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro and Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia. April Book count: 2 books and 544 pages. 2021 Total Book count: 10 books, 2683 pages *Link mentioned: Gabriela Garcia NPR Interview

In this episode, I review the two books that I read for the month of March - SPOILERS! Kiyo’s Story by Kiyo Sato and Everything I Never Told You by Celest Ng March Book count: 2 books and 632 pages. 2021 Total Book count: 8 books, 2139 pages

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of February - SPOILERS! The Complete Short Stories Volume 2 1954-1988 by Roald Dahl, Five Little Indians by Michelle Good, and Fated for Felony by Victoria Laurie February Book count: 3 books and 1380 pages. 2021 Total Book count: 6 books, 1507 pages

In this episode, I review the three books that I read for the month of January - SPOILERS! I'll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli, and Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson Special thank you to D.O. who gifted me with The Night Portrait. Book count so far: 3 books, 1127 pages

The ending of the novel - In this final episode for this novel, I discuss the really big ideas presented in the ending of the novel. The whole thing is a spoiler, so if you want to read the ending on your own, make sure you do so before listening to this podcast. We discuss the tragic ending and what messages Huxley was giving through Mustapha Mond and John the Savage. I hope it gives you some insight into the tragic ending. Special Guests: Mr. A

Allusions to Shakespeare that develops John the Savage character. - This episode is a doozy, and it's long. But I promise you'll find insight in it. In this episode, several Shakespeare plays and their themes are introduced, then connected to the novel; specifically, John the savage's character development. I hope you enjoy this one with some friendly voices and you gain some insight into John the Savage's character. Special Guests: Ms. P, Ms. A, Mr. P, Ms. S, Ms. T, Mr. W, Ms. B, Ms. C, Ms. P

Compare and Contrast the two worlds as created by Huxley - This is another solo episode where I chat about the similarities and differences between the World State and the Savage Reservation. What are the pros and cons in living in each of these places? Which would you choose if you were given a choice to exist? I hope this episode cleared up a few things about the two places and have given you some things to think about as you continue your journey through this novel.

Chat about some motifs, symbols, and characters from the first half of the novel - This episode is a solo episode where I chat about what interests me from the first half of the novel with focus on character development and some motifs/symbols. I hope it gives you some things to think about as you go into the second half of the novel!

Discussion of behavioral psychology in the World State (through chapter 6) - This episode dives into the World State's engagement of behavioral psychology in order to control its citizens and how this setting is a warning for us. How does the World State enforce its laws? Why do the citizens follow blindly? What does the study of behavioral conditioning have to do with all of this? I hope it gives you some insight into behavioral psychology and gives you something to think about in regards to our own society. Special Guest: Mr. N

Discussion of bioethics in the World State as you begin the novel (Chapters 1~3) - This episode dives into understanding a bit about how Huxley's World State works, starting with how they make humans - babies. We talk a bit about baby making in the World State and how it happens truly - outside of the novel world; a little bit of reproductive science for your ears. I hope it gives you some insight as you dive into this weird weird world that Huxley imagines. And I hope you get a little giggle along the way. Special Guest: Ms. R

Some more background information before reading the novel - In this episode, we delve into some important historic figures that Aldous Huxley satirizes in his novel: Politicians, Philosophers, Ideologists, Scientists, Industrialist, and one religious figure. I hope it gives you some background context before you dive into the novel - Keep in mind - Huxley did not choose his character names for absolutely no reason. They all have meanings ... More on that on a later episode ... Repeat Special Guest: Mr. A.

Some historic background information before reading the novel - We delve into the history of science and technology, some politics and philosophies of his time that Aldous Huxley was satirizing in his novel. I hope it gives you some background context before you dive into the novel - and it gives you something to think about while reading the novel! Special Guest: Mr. A.