Lit Society: Books and Drama

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

A fiction writer and a historian walk into a bar and order a tall glass of racism. They then sit for days, simplifying the contents of their drink, removing all of the fluff, leaving only the truth. Finally, they serve the liquid in the form of a book to kids across the world. You and we are drinking that glass today, and by doing so, we'll find, easily digestible, the facts about the origins of racism and the meaning its history holds for us today. Before diving into Stamped, we'll discuss three reasons why it's so important to credit black creators (this one's for you, Jimmy Fallon). LET'S GET LIT! Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod; Twitter — www.twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Freedom is knowing who you are while unobstructedly stretching toward your potential or something like that. Look, we're not as deep as Toni Morrison, but after reading this, the author's third novel, we were inspired to wax poetic about existential topics like survival and identity. Can a man named Macon "Dead" ever succeed at living freely? Can a boy known as Milkman mature into a confident guy? Is anyone more than just who their mothers, fathers, enemies, and friends think they are? Are you dizzy yet? The book: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. LET'S GET LIT! Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod; Twitter — www.twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

Like Google Maps on a long road trip, one top chef is helping us find our way through the endless recipes scattered inside of that junk drawer in our kitchen to the dish we're craving. That's right, by understanding just four cardinal directions of cooking, we can make anything delicious. Before diving into this culinary course, we discuss what our favorite foods really say about who we are. Our gourmet guide: Samin Nasraat. The book: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking, and you're listening to LIT Society. LET'S GET LIT! Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod; Twitter — www.twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

As Beyoncé said, "This is for the 30-somethings that didn't turn out exactly how mom and dad wanted you to be." Convenience Store Woman is the deadpan tale of one woman's happy life in a simple occupation before conformity-obsessed friends, family members, and strangers pressure her into confusion and despair. Will she find her way back, or will she end up a sandcastle, washed away by the current of conventionality. Before diving into this dry humor, we discuss if anyone can indeed find happiness and fulfillment from their job. This is 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.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Who raised you? The assumption is that our families shape who we become, but do our friends have more of an influence than we realize? In his autobiographical tale of being born and raised under apartheid in South Africa, Trevor Noah praises the people in his life who gave him the vision and tools to make his own path.  He also paints for us the picture of his mother as a courageous visionary, ahead of her time. Before diving into this heartwarming story, we discuss family vs. environment, which has the most significant influence in our lives. This is 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 Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X

As always, before discussing this week's book, we discuss a theme inspired by the book. This week's theme is The Power of Traveling Abroad. Then, on to our story: Many have their opinions about him. But this is his story told in his own words, through a series of uninhibited conversations with one of the most influential authors of his time. This is the story of Malcolm Little, who became Malcolm X...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.

Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

The theme this week is The Strange Case of a Podcast About Adnan Syed. Then, on to our story: Because two girls from her school are mean to her, one nosey Nancy seeks to ruin their family and leave them destitute. But how will this cautious Karen outwit her playground bullies? By collaborating with her father, a man who seems desperate to get rid of her by putting her in harm's way every chance he gets. In the end, the secret to the demise of those whom she despises is within an old clock. Our headstrong heroine must rely on happenstance and privilege to complete her fiendish mission and remain the queen bee of her hive. The messy meddler: Nancy Drew. The book: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keen. 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.

Interview: Author Liz Moore Talks About the Real People Who Inspired Her Book, Long Bright River

AN EXTRA SPECIAL EPISODE: Acclaimed author Liz Moore joins us – US?! – to discuss her book, Long Bright River. This book has been on every list known to man, including Barry's. It involves two sisters left as casualties of the opioid crisis. One must find the other before they both end up alone or dead. How far would you go for family, and is it far enough? 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 Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The theme this week: The Benefits of Age-Gap Friendships. Sometimes having "old friends" means being friends with old people, and that's a great thing. Let's get into why elderly accomplices are good for our physical and mental health. Then, on to our book: In the twilight of their lives, a group of four unlikely friends discovers a shared passion for photos of grandchildren over liquid lunches and murder. Together, they form a club of amateur, capable sleuths who can talk their way into any room and out of any trouble. But when local police find a string of dead bodies around town, speculation turns to the group of golden gumshoes. Could one of the elderly analysts actually BE the murderer?⁠ The name of the group: The Thursday Murder Club. The book is by Richard Osman. LET'S GET LIT!... Golden Girls theme song remix by "Finally Aaron" (YouTube). . . 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 Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

The theme this week: reform schools and their history in America. We promise to keep it frank without depressing you, friend. Then, on to our book: The Nickel Boys tells the story of a promising young student, blessed with a sharp mind and an innocent heart, plucked from the brightest future and thrown into the dark demonic dungeons reserved for America's unwanted and forgotten children in the Jim Crow south. He must face an unending test of his will, character, and capacity to suffer until one decision cements his future and the future of the one person closest to him. With a storyline and dialogue inspired by true accounts, it is more real and vivid than reality. The young boy: Elwood Curtis. The book: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. 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.