PODCAST · arts
Novel Ideas
by The Novel Ideas Podcast
"Within every book, lies a novel idea."Passionate about books to the point of alienation, join me every week for a particular topic through what we/I consider "classic" novels. From sci-fi to romance, it's the most wonderful time for bad jokes, book recommendations and possible lessons to be learned overall.
Episodes
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It's About the Gray Area: Michael Grant's "HERO"
Much of our world is complex, none more so than the inheritance and expectation of heroism. Is a hero someone who sacrifices everything for the greater good, even if that means there humanity? Is perfection sought in fulfilling the ultimate goal of saving everyone, even if it means losing one's...
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It's About the Choice of Evil: Michael Grant's "VILLAIN"
If being a "monster" is about survival, then being a villain is about power. Villains force us to ask what it means to bend the world toward our own desires, no matter the cost. Voldemort pursued pure-blood supremacy. Dr. Drakken wanted to eliminate a high school cheerleader before conquering the...
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It's About Choosing To Become A Monster: Michael Grant's "MONSTER"
I find it hard to deny my own capacity to be monstrous. Push me far enough and I don't need claws to shred, fists to bruise, or powers to destroy. Life is worth enough to protect at all costs. My humanity? Well, there lies the question. Do monsters lack humanity? Humans are surprising, are we…
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It's About Light and Its Revelations: Michael Grant's "LIGHT"
Just as darkness can hide or permit the truth of our nature, light can obscure or highlight our greatest flaw. Behind the wishes for a return to society, it's hard to avoid the inevitability of judgment. Whether it be from the forces of darkness seeking the destruction of all in the FAYZ, or the...
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It's About Giving It Up To Fear: Michael Grant's "FEAR"
When life gives you lemons, imagine them squirting into your eyes, tripping on some steps and dying from the impact. Fear is a funny thing, isn't it? You live your life and the impossible confronts you, or at least what seems illogical. The FAYZ has been dangerous for a number of reasons, but the...
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It's About Giving Yourself a Chance: Ryan Beatty's "Sweet Fortune"
One could say the greatest challenge in life is to walk a road. Down and much further ahead, there is a horizon that supersedes our vision of life and our choices in love, in life, and in safety. We straddle a world of choices and just up above us, claimed and lost in our vision, a star. And as…
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It's About Exploring the Grace of Ryan Beatty's "Sweet Fortune"
It's been a minute since I've gotten emotional and even more so talking about how an album has allowed me to reflect on life and Ryan Beatty's album did that for me. Life is full of contradictions and you must still live, flawed, insecure, and hopeful. I'm reading the lyrics in this part 1 of 2,...
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It's About Bugs, Supernatural Death Coughs, and Murder: Michael Grant's "PLAGUE"
Plagues are notoriously difficult to manage. Could you imagine trying to exterminate a bunch of 5-foot tall gut-roaches? How about solving the case of a spreading cough that gives one the supernatural ability to break one's own neck and cough up your lungs? And has anyone figured out how to stop...
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It's About Deserving Another Chance: Adib Khorram's "Darius the Great Deserves Better"
A boyfriend who cooks, a dream internship, and a spot on the varsity soccer team alongside new friends—Darius finally has everything he thought he wanted. So why doesn't he feel as happy as he expected? In this bonus episode, our brother Darius discovers that getting what you want isn't always…
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It's About Darius' Need For Identity: Adib Khorram's "Darius The Great Is Not Okay"
Darius the Great is learning about life, personhood, and the importance of history to one's own journey. Unfortunately, a trip to Iran towards this self-actualization comes with a mentally-declining grandfather and a hard lesson about beginnings and endings. Get choked up with me as we watch a...
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It's About Purpose In A Lie: Michael Grant's “LIES"
If I had a choice, I'd prefer truth or a lie. At least then, I'd know how much of an idiot I was, or am, for making the same decision. Lies are much more finicky. Loose and untethered. Dangerous. Just ask Orsay, or Hank, or Mary, rest her soul. To believe a lie is truth is to uproot yourself, and...
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It's About Turning 30 and Learning About Curry Baker's "Obsession"
Happy 30th to me-and anyone else who is lucky to be born at this time. Summer is warm, alive, and provoking, touching all who rests underneath the sun at its peak until everything is laid bare. Perhaps that's why "Obsession" offers the perfect story through which to review what may be one of…
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It's About Starvation and Exhaustion: Michael Grant's "Hunger"
It's one thing to be gone; it's another to go hungry. Anything is possible if the ache and pang that touches your backside, or those around you, can be quelled for one everlasting moment. So if that means stealing, scapegoating, or sacrificing those around you for such a gift, line up the...
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It's About Many Identities of Queerness and Projection: Zak Salih's "Let's Get Back to the Party"
For the next couple of weeks, it's everything gay, queer, and complicated. This episode features conversations about projection, childhood, and accepting the tides of change amidst mid-life crises as a 30-something. Enjoy this bonus episode. BYYEEE!!!!
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It's About Surviving In A New Era: Michael Grant's "Gone"
Between everyone 15+ disappearing, not knowing where your family has gone, and trying to fight off a malicious influence corrupting the world around you for it's own benefit, it makes looking for a new job feel like a walk in the park. Sam, Quinn, and Astrid have a lot ahead of them as their…
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"It's About Being A Voice for Change": Michael Scott's "The Enchantress"
We've followed Josh and Sophie to the literal end of the Earth, or maybe the beginning depending on where you stand. Nicholas and Perenelle are one their final day of life trying to ensure that San Francisco is safe from the beasties on Alcatraz, and Virginia Dare stands at the forefront of...
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It's About The Benefits of Betrayal: Michael Scott's "The Warlock"
To become waerloga, a warlock, is to betray your word, name, and value as they once were for who you are now. Machiavelli and Billy the Kid can't see the destruction and chaos put upon humanity, Josh can no longer stand the sight of his sister, and many will sacrifice anything to save those they...
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It's About Making a Sacrifice of Coatlicue: Michael Scott's "The Necromancer"
What is one to do when the world feels against you? Trusting someone who's tried time and again to kill you and your companions for the last week, or so that's Josh's lot in life. Nicholas has proven himself to be untrustworthy, but feels backed into a corner with no choice but to follow in...
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It's About The Feminine Mystique: Michael Scott's "The Sorceress"
Standing in the shoes of Perenelle Flamel is difficult, least of all because she resides in the place of a High Priestess; enigmatic and self-possessed with great intuition matched by a repository of knowledge and skill that makes her dangerous to many who know of her reputation. Meeting with The...
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It's About A Trip To Frahhnsss: Michael Scott's "The Magician"
Magicians serve as a bridge to the divine; firm conduits of learned knowledge that proves insightful and dangerous, mentors and guides to the uninducted, and Josh has yet to be Awakened. He's gullible and angry enough at Nick to fit right into John's hands as he works on helping his masters…
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It's About The Purpose of a Name: Michael Scott's "The Alchemyst"
To be an alchemist is to understand what is fundamental about life: everything is subject to change. To initiate the twins into their destiny, it is functional that the truths of life are recognized. That danger is present where we least imagine it, and power protects as much as we determine it...
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It's About "The Devil Wears Prada 2"
In today's bonus episode, I'm speaking on a spoiler-free review for the movie and its conversation about names and titles, my love for "Killing Eve" and the "Toy Story 5" trailer, and re-uploads for the "Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" episodes so far. I hope you enjoy tears, laughter…
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It's About Being At The End of My Rope: D.J. MacHale's "The Soldiers of Halla"
It's so hard to say goodbye when twenty things piss you off about the ending of a series. Me and Bobby's "Uncle" have beef much bigger than the literal protagonist and antagonist. It's wild. If y'all listen close enough, I'll sound like a volcano erupting as Bobby and the other Travelers give it...
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It's About Cosmic Fascism: D.J. MacHale's "Raven Rise"
It's bad enough we have to contend with politics in the real world; I can't even escape it in a fictional world, too? Saint Dane's out of the whole kit and caboodle this time. I was gonna say fascism has makeover, but there's always a suit, poor sociological skills, and a lackey to take the fall...
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It's About Putting Yourself First: D.J. MacHale's "The Pilgrims of Rayne"
To say I've been an advocate for Bobby shirking the vague rules of Travelerdom for what seems a pointless endeavor protecting Halla speaks to the farcical nature of saving that which already seems lost. Ibara faces a threat of decimation unseen and Bobby is given the impossible: let the fate of...
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It's About Games, Games, Games!: D.J. MacHale's "The Quillan Games"
Welcome to Quillan, a land of grey landscapes, tall buildings, and average citizens wagering their lives against bets in the hopes of improving their station. Kinda sounds like betting for the PowerBall, doesn't? Saint Dane's looking to prove himself, Mark and Courtney are trying to find a way...
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It's About The Privileges of Water: D.J. MacHale's "The Rivers of Zadaa"
Water is a privilege for our world and many fictional lands and nations lucky to not have to deal with its general absence. So when Loor's home, XhaXhu, has found its riverbeds, reservoirs, and fountains bone dry, tensions naturally rise to such a crisis in the desert lands of Zadaa. And with the...
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It's About a New World and Bigger Problems: D.J. MacHale's "Black Water"
Eelong, here we come! Veelox was a loss. Saint Dane stayed around to give the final deathblow to the soul sucking entrapment perfect fantasies offer; now Eelong is caught between differing ideas of evolution, particularly the one who a species is decimated from chemical warfare or legal...
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It's About Reality Versus Truth: D.J. MacHale's "The Reality Bug"
Fight against the truth and see a reality reflected back that fails to account for a world in dire need of change and rehabiliation. Aja and Bobby are seeking to defend Veelox form the machinations of Saint Dane, but what is doing the right thing? Bobby has questions about courage, sacrifice,...
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It's About What We Can't Change: D.J. MacHale's "The Never War"
It's 1937 in New York City on First Earth and Saint Dane's back for another round of causing chaos and havoc while Bobby learns how to navigate his Traveler duties after the unfortunate death of Uncle Press. The Hindenburg is pulling up and the thought of allowing history to play out seems to...
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It's About Life, Death, the Universe, and Everything In-Between: Tracy K. Smith's "Life On Mars"
To say my appreciation for this poetry collection limitless, I'll let the episode say everything I want or need to. Enjoy this critical review of the book and don't forget to tune in to our next episode this Wednesday and Happy Life Filled With Black History! BYYEEE!!!!
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It's About Life Where You Stand: Tracy K. Smith's "Life On Mars"
Enjoy a reading of the poetry collection as Part 1 of our last episode for Black History Month.
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It's About Manufactured Drama: D.J. MacHale's "The Lost City of Faar"
Turns out I was so annoyed with Uncle Press and his secrecy in the second book, I didn't even give the song that best fits the book. Cloral is a land of water and unforeseen consequence as Bobby attempts to follow in the footsteps of his uncle with few tips on how to best be the Traveler that the...
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It's About Conversations on Race: Mashama Bailey and John O. Moriano's "Black, White, and the Grey"
By building a new restaurant in Savannah with Mashama Bailey, Johno Moriano embarks on a journey of introspection that challenges his notions on Blackness, racism, and the historical intersection his and Mashama'a restaurant lays on. The Grey is the incumbent space in which to experience food and...
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It's About Holding The Right People Accountable: D.J. MacHale's "The Merchant of Death"
Bobby Pendragon discovers he's a "traveler" and embarks on a journey upholding the balance of Halla as Saint Dane, our primary antagonist, seeks to upend that balance. But amongst the conversation of imperialism, colonialism, and enslavement lies a truth about complicity in systems that maintain...
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It's About Keeping A Record of History: Kamala Harris' "107 Days"
"107 Days" is a short time relative to our perspective of work and commitment. There's a range of seconds and minutes detailing doubts and dedications without much to account for the endings of things. There is future behind any timeframe where desires propel us forward amidst the strife and…
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It's About Choosing The Relationship of Your Dreams: Rachel Reid's "The Long Game"
Shane and Ilya are in the throes of their relationship and it's disgusting! Love-dovey kisses, heart-wrenching proclamations, declarations of passions? Check, check, check! Ignore my jealousy; it isn't all guns and roses. Relationships take work and we must decide how we are going to move into…
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It's About Getting That Recap on "Heated Rivalry" before "The Long Game"
Enjoy a light-hearted recap where I revisit Season 1 and remind you of the most important details before tomorrow's episode! BYYEEE!!!!
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It's About The History of a Life: Bob the Drag Queen's "Harriet Tubman: Live In Concert"
Who knew Bob the Drag Queen writing in the voice of Harriet Tubman was everything I needed? Bringing a historical figure to life is a great undertaking, greater with a legacy that has redefined the lengths one has taken to ensure freedom is weighted for all its worth. We live in our expression…
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It's About Doing What You Believe Is Right: Rachel Reid's "Role Model"
Troy is having issues confronting the recent loss of his ex-boyfriend, ex-teammates, and ex-best friend in the span of a week. Throw in a trade to what is considered one of the worst teams in the Hockey League, there isn't much in the world that could distract him from what feels to be the worst...
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It's About Not Letting Your 40s Get In The Way: Rachel Reid's "Common Goal"
Apparently, your 30s are the new 20s and when you hit 40, you're basically dead. I hope my knees make it out of this transition okay, maybe even better than Eric Bennet, a 41-year old soon-to-be retiree, and Kyle Swift, a 25- year old grad student, who end up falling in love with each other. If...
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It's About Not Needing Permission To Change Your Life: Rachel Reid's "Tough Guy"
With this third installment of the "Game Changer" series, the Toronto Guardians' defenseman, Ryan Price, carries the weight of conflict externally on the ice, and internally in his heart, as he questions whether hockey's truly meant for him. Pair that with a recent anxiety diagnosis, an…
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It's About Getting What You Want In Love: Rachel Reid's "Heated Rivalry"
Who knew love could be so healing in a world that seeks to define and restrict its access to those it considers delinquent? Being gay, or queer, shouldn't be sentencing for isolation and abstinence; a culling of the mind and body for what is possible for us all, if that is what we desire. Shane…
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It's About Being Gay Still Being Revolutionary: Rachel Reid's "Game Changer"
In what I lovingly describe as Challengers if Art and Patrick actually ended up in a relationship, both surprisingly come psychosexual drama, complicated feelings about championship prizes, and an impact that leaves me considering the nature of humanity and its fixation on romance. Love and…
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It's About Romance At The End of the Year: Nathan Burgoine's "Faux Ho Ho"
Who knew I needed the love story between two great men to instill a greater love for life and the many ways it can surprise and teach and remind us that romance for life brings love and enjoyment to us. Hopefully you'll like the story of Silas and Dino, love the name, as much as I do! Happy New...
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It's A Christmas Special: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"
Happy Holidays, everyone! Enjoy this episode on Christmas, capitalism, and the timelessness of a great holiday soundtrack. Tune in this Wednesday for Faux Ho Ho by Nathan Burgoine. I can't believe I didn't read a holiday romance with the classic "Let's lie to my family about who I'm bringing home...
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It's Surprisingly About Childhood Innocence Again!: E.T.A. Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"
On this Christmas Eve, a little boy and girl are visited by their creepy Godfather with a gift like no other. Turns out Christmas stories made in the 1800s had to include some creep factor lest it not be published. And a fantastical twist or two, vain princesses, and a Nutcracker with some…
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It's About The Difference Between Book and Movie: 1994's "Little Women"
Whoever said a movie had to be the exact copy of the book has never seen this movie. Where parts agree wholeheartedly with the ethos of the novel, independent changes creates a new story where our protagonist figure seems to be more defined by the influences of men rather than venturing into a...
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It's About Womanhood for Girls: Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"
While I may not be happy that young girls are referred to as "little women", there is something unavoidable about it all. That girls live as future women, and the learning comes daily in life, blurring the line between the present time and a future obligation. Sobering and delightfully written,...
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It's About Me Adopting Kevin McAllister: "Home Alone"
I never thought I'd be willing to abduct a kid to save them from their horrible family, yet hear I stand after watching "Home Alone" again. Neglectful parents egging on an eight-year old, snotty siblings, AND robbers trying to burglarize your home in the guise of a cop? Sounds like the holidays…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"Within every book, lies a novel idea."Passionate about books to the point of alienation, join me every week for a particular topic through what we/I consider "classic" novels. From sci-fi to romance, it's the most wonderful time for bad jokes, book recommendations and possible lessons to be learned overall.
HOSTED BY
The Novel Ideas Podcast
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How many episodes does Novel Ideas have?
Novel Ideas currently has 164 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Novel Ideas about?
"Within every book, lies a novel idea."Passionate about books to the point of alienation, join me every week for a particular topic through what we/I consider "classic" novels. From sci-fi to romance, it's the most wonderful time for bad jokes, book recommendations and possible lessons to be...
How often does Novel Ideas release new episodes?
Novel Ideas publishes regularly with 164 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Novel Ideas on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Novel Ideas?
Novel Ideas is created and hosted by The Novel Ideas Podcast.
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