Lit Society: Books and Drama

The Wedding by Dorothy West

Before Tom Joyner was cruising with your parents, Black Americans enjoyed resorts and vacations for us by us. What is the history of Black getaways? That's our theme this week. It's a lot of fun. Then, on to our book.
 
There's death in the air, even though this summer on the island of Martha's Vineyard, a wealthy, upper-class Black American beauty is planning her wedding to a white jazz musician of little means. Her eagerness to pursue a new life with one outside of her class and race forces everyone in her family to face their fears and insecurities and drives one man to desperation as he vows to take the soon-to-be bride for himself. Within 24 hours, secrets are unloaded, hearts are broken. Will former sins bring new woe's to the families both elevated and captivated by their past. By the end of summer, will they stand before an alter or a casket?
 
The bride-to-be? Shelby Cole
 
The book: The Wedding by Dorothy West
 
LET'S GET LIT!
 
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One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race by Yaba Blay

Who's black?Who's white?And who cares?
One researcher challenges us to re-examine our self-identity.She explores how historical definitions of race continue to shape contemporary racial identities and lived experiences.Through a series of interviews and profiles, we realize race isn't black and white.
The researcher? Dr. Yaba Blay
The book: One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race
 
LET'S GET LIT!
 
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Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

The power of genius is considered the key to success in life and business. That genius, it is thought, cannot be earned; it is divinely gifted. Inexplicable.
However, one writer follows exceptional cases and arrives at one conclusion: The power of genius is nothing compared to The Power of Community.
The latter made the Beatles THE BEATLES. When you have the ability, this writer concludes, what gets you to the top is not genius. It's work. What's more, the exact amount of work necessary to reach outlier status is quantifiable: 10,000 hours = or 3 hrs per day / 20hrs per week for ten years.
The writer: Malcolm Gladwell
The book: Outliers
LET'S GET LIT!
 
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The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

As travelers who fluctuate between Airbnb homes and hotels, we are no strangers to short-term rental living. But do you know what happens when Airbnb stays go wrong? Who's in charge of the cover-up, the investigations, and the big cash settlements? We've got the answers in our theme of the week discussion.
Then, it's on to our book: An infamous and influential family in a wealthy New England town finds their only daughter dead under suspicious circumstances. Naturally, attention turns to her best friend, Avery Greer, an unconnected wannabe with a suspiciously tragic past. Will the truth exonerate Avery or unearth secrets long hidden by the most twisted and powerful members of her circle.
The book? The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
Let's get LIT!
 
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Joe Gould's Secret by Joseph Mitchell

Are "BOHEMIANS" people from the Bahamas? Spoiler - no. No, they're not. But who exactly are the Bohemians and how did the moniker pass on to artists, writers, and the Kravitz family? We're getting to the bottom of the term BOHO, and (surprise!) its origins are pseudo-intellectual, semi-racist.
After our theme of the week discussion, we'll get into the nonfiction story of a writer, his subject, and the singular truth that both of them are hiding from the world. It is as much about an eccentric bohemian flophouse frequenter, as it is about a writer for the New York Magazine who's battling with doubt and depression. In the end, one will expose the other and, by doing so, perhaps free them both.
The writer? Joseph Mitchell. 
The book? Joe Gould's Secret.
 
Let's get LIT!
 
Find Alexis and Kari online: 
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ReLIT: Animal Farm by George Orwell

This week we're taking it back, way back. Before we were on YouTube, when we were still recording in Kari's dining room and taking pizza breaks midway through each episode, we cut one of our favorite shows – Animal Farm by George Orwell, and Compliance and Power of Authority. This book prompted a discussion about conformity that listeners still reference to this day. 
While we're on break this week, we’re thrilled to revisit this episode with you during our extended weekend. We’ve even added a convo to the beginning that we know you'll love.
Enjoy, and we look forward to seeing you again on June 8th with a new episode: Joe Gould's Secret by Joseph Mitchell and Are Bohemians People from the Bahamas. See you next week!
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.

Curtain by Agatha Christie

We'll cut to the chase. This week, we're teaching you how to convince someone they've committed a crime. Read that sentence again. That's right. We'll show you how to fake your family and friends into thinking they've done terrible things worthy of prison time. Do with this information what you will. Whatever.
Then, on to our book: Confined to a wheelchair, battling arthritis, one world-famous detective has reached the end of his season- but his core, his mind, is still sharp as ever and is leading him to a confrontation with a murderer. What are the murderer's motivations? Will the detective stop him before he overcomes the next victim? When will fall the final curtain?!
The detective is Hercule Poirot.The book: Curtain by Agatha Christie
LET'S GET LIT!
 
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Deacon King Kong by James McBride (Spoiler-Free)

This week, we're trying something new. We know many of you run out of time to read along with us each week. To not spoil the book before you've had a chance to finish reading it, we're experimenting with SPOILER-FREE episodes. This is our first try at the new format, and we couldn't have chosen a more conversation-inducing book – Deacon King Kong by James McBride.
Before we discuss the book, we'll try to cure you of the stresses of going back into the office after enjoying over a year of working from home. We'll share a few helpful tips for everyone who must now start wearing pants again and aren't sure what to do.
Then, on to our book: In broad daylight, seemingly for no reason, an old widower shoots a young drug-dealing orphan in the head. What happens next involves nearly everyone in one dying Brooklyn neighborhood.
LET'S GET LIT!
Find Alexis and Kari online:
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Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod
and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Part 2)

This week, we return to the story of a dowdy damsel and her lackluster beau, who are forced apart into a cold world of misery. Sound depressing? That's the Brontë sisters for you. Quite remarkably, however, this book has a happy ending (kinda)!
 
The book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 
 
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.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Part 1)

This week's theme is Do Ugly People Have Better Relationships, a subject on which there's no shortage of scientific studies. Harvard's most remarkable minds are on the case to figure out why Bennifer will never work while Danny DeVito has been in a committed relationship for 40 years. Then, on to our story: Two ugly folks find Love in the countryside of northern England. Our dowdy damsel, however, soon finds her lackluster Love is a liar! Will the hideousness he's hiding destroy their lives and her reputation, or will our mush-faced maiden find the inner courage to walk away with her dignity intact.
 
The hot mess heroine? Jane Eyre.
The book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
 
LET'S GET LIT!
 
Harvard Study: Do Beautiful People Have Better Relationships? 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/head-games/201704/do-beautiful-people-have-better-relationships.
 
Essay: The Case for Dating Someone Less Attractive Than You
https://www.thrillist.com/sex-dating/nation/the-beauty-of-dating-ugly-people.
 
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.