74: Is Reading Political? Heather Parry on Carrion Crow, Economics, AI and the Books That Explain the World

Welcome to the first episode of the Reading Is Political mini-series on the In My Good Books podcast, where we explore the idea that the books we read, and the stories we tell, are deeply connected to politics, power and the way we understand the world.In this episode, I’m joined by author Heather Parry, whose novel Carrion Crow blends gothic fiction with sharp social commentary. Together we discuss why reading is inherently political, how literature reflects our beliefs and values, and why fiction can be one of the most powerful ways to explore complex issues like race, class, economics and colonialism.Our conversation moves from literature to activism, discussing the intersection of race and class, the importance of critically engaging with news and information, and the many different ways people take action within their communities.This episode sets the tone for the Reading Is Political series, which looks at how books, both fiction and non-fiction, can help us understand the world more clearly and empathise with experiences beyond our own.Keep up to date with Heather here: https://heatherparry.co.uk/Buy Carrion Crow here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/carrion-crow-heather-parry/7694632?ean=9781804995488&next=tBooks recommended in this episode:Empire of AI by Karen Hao: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/empire-of-ai-inside-the-race-for-total-domination-karen-hao/7764628?ean=9780241678923&next=tStolen by Grace Blakely: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stolen-how-to-save-the-world-from-financialisation-grace-blakeley/619436?ean=9781912248377&next=tNatives by Akala: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/natives-race-and-class-in-the-ruins-of-empire-the-sunday-times-bestseller-akala/4164275?ean=9781473661233&next=tHow Does Change Happen by Sam Goncalves: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-does-change-happen-scenes-from-the-frontlines-of-activism-sam-goncalves/7780146?ean=9781916637122&next=tThe People In The Trees by Hanya Yanagihara : https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-people-in-the-trees-the-stunning-first-novel-from-the-author-of-a-little-life-hanya-yanagihara/7526375?ean=9781035038527&next=t