The Snobby Sisters Book Club

In this episode of The Snobby Sister’s Book Club, Pesha and Rachel discuss reading books about grief specifically through a comparison of Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, and My Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. They discuss which book reads like a coming of age book and which one is more of an exploration into how the human brain responds to grief, which books made them cry more, and why exactly they read depressing books in response to depressing times. Other books mentioned in this episode:The Shadow King by Maaza MengisteLet’s Take the Long Way Home by Gail CaldwellAll the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick BringleyFrom the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

In this episode of The Snobby Sister’s Book Club, Pesha and Rachel are joined by a special guest, their friend, Eliana Megerman. Eliana is an emergency room physician, a fellow member of the local book club, and most importantly just published her first novel, Together On Our Own. The discussion starts off with Eliana’s memories of reading as a child, when she began writing, and what shes been reading recently. They then discuss Eliana’s new book without any spoilers covering what inspired the novel, how she created the world within the book, what the response has been, and how long it took to write. Books mentioned in this episode:Judy Blume’s Fudge SeriesThe Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisA Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty SmithThe Wedding People by Alison EspachButter by Asako YuzukiHow to Not Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie CruzFuture Boy by Michael J. FoxIsola by Allegra GoodmanEliana’s first published Flash Fiction, Liminal, which can be found on doesithavepockets.comPurchase a copy of Together On Our Own here on Amazon.  As always, reach out with feedback or just to say hi at [email protected].

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel are joined by a special guest, their mother! The three discuss Ruth Reichl and specifically her memoir Tender At the Bone. Ruth Reichl has been a family favorite since the late 1990s, and the discussion covers Ruth’s magical way of describing food, her incredible level of detail, and of course their favorite chapters and characters. They also talk about favorite foods and a challenge in their mother’s life that made reading this book again somewhat difficult. Other Ruth Reichl books mentioned in this episode:Comfort Me With ApplesFor You Mom, FinallyThe Paris NovelAs always, reach out with feedback or just to say hi at [email protected]

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel discuss the timeless classic, and one of their absolute favorite books, Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The two discuss their favorite scenes, favorite quotes, favorite characters, and the lessons they believe this book shares. They also discuss how or why this book became a classic, and wonder if everyone listening has already read it. As always, reach out with feedback or just to say hi at [email protected]

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel discuss Shappi Khorsandi’s novel, Nina Is Not Okay. The two sisters explore how a book that initially seems incredibly inappropriate, crude, and crass quickly becomes a meaningful exploration of personal development, redemption, friendship, and family. The conversation covers Nina, the relationships she has with various characters in the book, including herself, and how she develops beyond the “party girl” persona she starts the book with. While they do discuss certain plot points, they try to avoid spoiling the main incident that defines the book as well as the final resolution. As always, reach out with feedback or just to say hi at [email protected]

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel take a rare step back from a single title to talk about an author they keep returning to: Anne Patchett. They reflect on how her novels and essays, from Bel Canto and State of Wonder to The Dutch House, Commonwealth, Tom Lake, and These Precious Days, make them feel rather than linger in precise plot details, exploring themes of family, nostalgia, kindness, discomfort, and the quiet beauty of ordinary life. The conversation touches on Patchett’s blend of fiction and nonfiction, her willingness to write openly about complicated relationships, her love of bookstores and literary community, and why her work evokes a distinctly American, summertime warmth. Ultimately, they unpack what makes Patchett’s writing so enduring for them: not perfect characters or dramatic twists, but humanity, generosity, and the belief that books are meant to be shared.Books by Ann Patchett mentioned in this episode:Bel CantoState of WonderThe Dutch HouseCommonwealthTom LakeThese Precious DaysTruth and BeautyThis Is the Story of a Happy MarriageRunBooks by Barbara Kingsolver mentioned in this episode:The Poisonwood BibleFlight BehaviorThe LacunaDemon Copperhead 

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel revisit Circe by Madeline Miller to unpack why this novel stands apart from other Greek mythology retellings. They explore Circe’s story as a deeply human meditation on motherhood, loneliness, friendship, and the choice to live a mortal life, touching on themes of curiosity, independence, aging, and love. From Circe’s fierce devotion to her son, to her unexpected female friendship with Penelope, to her rejection of the transactional world of the gods, this conversation dives into what makes Circe so emotionally resonant, and why it’s a book they can’t stop thinking about.Also mentioned:Song of Achilles - Madeline MillerElektra - Jennifer SaintClytemnestra  - Costanza CasatiThe Bright Sword - Lev GrossmanReach out with feedback, book requests, or just to say hello at [email protected]

In this episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, (originally recorded in March, 2025) Pesha and Rachel dive deep into Shani Boianjiu’s haunting, surreal, and unforgettable novel The People of Forever Are Not Afraid.They explore why this book, about three young Israeli women coming of age in a small town, through army service, and into adulthood, feels at once dreamlike and disturbingly real. Along the way, they reflect on their own experience reading this book during an actual war, the strange mix of humor and horror in its scenes, and the questions it raises about soldiers, checkpoints, and growing up in an imperfect world.The sisters share their favorite (and strangest) scenes, dissect the aimlessness of the characters, talk about how it compares to other books they’ve loved, and confess why they’re desperate to track down the elusive author herself.Also mentioned in this episode:The Yellow Wind — David GrossmanTo the End of the Land — David GrossmanThe author’s recommended books as mentioned during the episode: The Secret History - Donna TartWho Moved My Cheese - Spencer Johnson, Kafka on the Shore - Haruki MurakamiThe Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey NiffeneggerThe History of Love - Nicole Krauss. Beaufort - Ron Leshem, Silence of the Lambs - Thomas HarrisThings I Don't Tell - Yael Gadi Taub.Missing Kissinger - Etgar KeretReach out with feedback, book requests, or to say hello at [email protected]

In the very first episode of The Snobby Sisters Book Club, Pesha and Rachel introduce themselves and their shared love of books, especially those about “impoverished women in third-world countries” and other delightfully depressing genres.They share childhood memories of banned books, the family bookshelf of “inappropriate” reads, a Little Women–themed birthday party, and how reading became both an escape and a family tradition.You’ll also hear their all-time favorite books (yes, Ruth Reichl makes the list), their guilty pleasures, the books they couldn’t finish, and the unique genres that have shaped their literary tastes including healthcare nonfiction and not always poor, but definitely witty women trapped in gilded cages.Books mentioned in this episode:Children’s / YA / School BooksHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (referred to as “the first Harry Potter book”)The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. LewisThe Giver – Lois LowryNumber the Stars – Lois LowryClassics & Older LiteratureLittle Women – Louisa May AlcottSiddhartha – Hermann HesseLiterary FictionI Capture the Castle – Dodie SmithStation Eleven – Emily St. John MandelWe Are Not Ourselves – Matthew ThomasLoving Frank – Nancy HoranThe Shadow King – Maaza MengisteThe Women – Kristin HannahDaisy Jones & The Six – Taylor Jenkins ReidMemoir / NonfictionTender at the Bone – Ruth ReichlBeing Mortal – Atul GawandeThe Hot Zone – Richard PrestonFrom Beirut to Jerusalem – Thomas L. FriedmanJewish / Israeli LiteratureA Tale of Love and Darkness – Amos OzDear Zealots - Amos Oz Challenging / Banned BooksThe Bluest Eye – Toni MorrisonThe Relief of Unbearable Urges - Nathan EnglanderA Blessing on the Moon - Joseph Skibell If you love book talk that’s funny, heartfelt, and just a little bit snobby, then grab a cup of tea and listen in.Have questions, feedback, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected].