Lit Society: Books and Drama

ReLIT: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

We’re on vacation until the start of season four, Thursday, February 2nd! Until then, we’re ecstatic to share the shows still rent-free in our heads. Here’s a favorite from our archives.
 
What do you know about arranged marriages? If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Married at First Sight, Love is Blind, or a million other reality shows, you may know more than you think. This week, we’re discussing arranged hitching and clearing up a few misconceptions about the practice. 
Then, it’s on to our book: The search for happiness and peace is a difficult one, especially in a society that dismisses your thoughts and preys on your innocence. The distress of our Ghanaian protagonist is relatable to many women around the world. Will our heroine find love and acceptance in the manner she deserves and desires? What will she tolerate? What is she willing to risk for the sake of her sanity?
The woman: Afi Tekple
The book: His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
LET’S GET LIT!
 
 Our Independent Bookstore of the Month: Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery
1714 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
https://www.semicolonchi.com/
Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 
 

Our Favorite Books from Season Three

They were the best of books; They were the worst of books! This is our end-of-year roundup, and we can't wait to share which works we loved (AND HATED WITH A PASSION)! Does our list match yours? Let us know!
A few episodes we mention include:
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: https://www.litsocietypod.com/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead: https://www.litsocietypod.com/harlem-shuffle-by-colson-whitehead/
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie: https://www.litsocietypod.com/his-only-wife-by-peace-adzo-medie-and-arranged-marriages/
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow: https://www.litsocietypod.com/the-other-bennet-sister-by-janice-hadlow-part-1/
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris: https://www.litsocietypod.com/the-other-black-girl-by-zakiya-dalila-harris/
Let's GET LIT!
 
 Find Alexis and Kari online: 
Alexis: https://www.instagram.com/alexisistraveling/
Kari: https://www.youtube.com/@chicagoings?sub_confirmation=1 
The Show: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

Season Finale: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Does therapy work? What do we need to do to get the most from treatment? Alexis breaks down specific tips to help us unpack our baggage while speaking with a specialist. Then, on to our book.
 
In this memoir, she gets frank about her struggles under the hands of an abusive stage mom in an industry that could care less if she lived or died. Others chose her path starting at the age of eight. Ever since, she has been pretending for her family, herself, and the world.
 
The actress: Jennette McCurdy
The Book: I'm Glad My Mom Died
 
And you're listening to LIT Society.
Let's GET LIT!
 
 Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

Cyrano de Bergerac, a Play by Edmond Rostand

Has a warped self-perception ever caused you to label yourself as weak, stupid, or ugly? This week's theme dives into how the actions and words of others affect how we see ourselves and what we can do to improve our self-perception. Then, on to our book.
One man's finest weapon is his tongue. It is a sharp sword crafted from wit and valor. However, his embarrassing face makes him feel doomed to live in solitude, always one degree away from the woman he loves.
The man: Cyrano
The Play: Cyrano de Bergerac de Edmond Rostand
And you're listening to LIT Society.
Let's GET LIT!
_____
Theme of the week source, including graphics: https://www.lifehack.org/882456/self-perception 
 
Performance of abbreviated version by LA Theater Works: https://latw.org/title/cyrano-de-bergerac
 
 Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

What is a toxic relationship, and have you ever been in one? What about a toxic friendship? Alexis starts our show by breaking down what makes a relationship unhealthy and what to do if you realize you're in a poisonous partnership. Then, on to our book, er play...
Her lips talk of wealth, grace, and power, but her eyes beg for forgiveness and grace. Blanche DuBois walks into her sister Stella's life after years of absence, unannounced, needing a place to live. Stella's husband, however, is angered by the woman's pride and pretentiousness. In the end, desire leads them all to damage.
The Play: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
You're listening to LIT Society.
 
LET's GET LIT!
 
 Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

Good Girl, Bad Blood: The Sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Do podcasts really solve crimes? If you followed the story of Adnan Syed, a case made famous by Serial, a podcast produced by the creators of This American Life, you know all charges against Syed were recently dropped. This exoneration arrived over 20 years too late for the victim's family, Syed's family and friends, and Syed himself. After listening to the first season of Serial for the 32nd time, we were left wondering – did any good come from opening this can of worms, or did the podcast only cause more pain than necessary to those affected by the murder? Let's talk about it. Then, on to our book.
 
Solving a real-life murder mystery nearly cost Pippa her sanity, her family, and her life. She vows to leave crime cases in the hands of the police, but when a close friend goes missing, she must decide if she's ready to risk it all … again.
 
The Book: Good Girl Bad Blood by Holly Jackson.
 
You're listening to LIT Society. 
 
LET's GET LIT!
_____
Listen to our episode on A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: https://www.litsocietypod.com/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-by-holly-jackson/
 
Kari here! Looking for info on Adnan Syed? For a quick rundown, I recommend this episode of Crime Junkie: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/infamous-what-serial-didnt-tell-you/.
Then, listen to season 1 of Undisclosed: https://undisclosed-podcast.com/. 
 
Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow (Part 2)

Listen to our episode on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen here: https://www.litsocietypod.com/pride-and-prejudice/.
 
In this passionate conclusion, we discover if the ugliest of the Bennett sisters will finally find her place in the world or if repeated disappointments will find her lost and alone for eternity. Or will she learn to make room for love by first loving herself?
 
The Book: The other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
 
You're listening to LIT Society. 
 
LET's GET LIT!
 
Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow (Part 1)

Listen to our episode on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen here: https://www.litsocietypod.com/pride-and-prejudice/.
The ugliest of the Bennett sisters, long forgotten by time, will have her story told. Just like her sisters, matters of pride and prejudice threaten to ruin her life, but will she prevail with the man she loves, or will circumstances forcer her into a painful spinsterhood under the thumb of a cruel, empty-headed mother?
Before diving into this week's book, we'll discuss women historians of the past and present. Super inspiring stuff.
The Book: The other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
You're listening to LIT Society. 
LET'S GET LIT!
 
Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

WILD CARD: Fences, a Play by August WIlson

Is the past ever in the past? Troy Maxson has been chewed up and spit out by life in a world where being black meant a man must face crushing assaults on his spirit and body. But the world is changing and leaving Troy behind. Will he adapt or become imprisoned by the fences built around him?
Before diving into this week's story, we discuss a theme inspired by the play: The Negro League. How much do you know about the Negro Leagues? Who were its star players, and from where in the world did they originate? Alexis breaks it down in this video podcast episode.
 LET'S GET LIT!!!
 
 Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.
 

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

What drives a man to murder another due to the hideousness of one physical attribute? Is it madness or pure evil? Can it be both? Will the guilt caused by the deed lead the murderer to confession or only sink him deeper into insanity?
 
This week, we're diving into Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart, but first, we discuss the real-life murders which inspired the legendary short story. Stick around! This one's shorty but a goodie.
 LET'S GET LIT!!!
 Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.