Episode 172 is a book club book! This month we're talking about Gen's pick, Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. The novel follows Lauren through her journal entries as she is forced from her home and navigates a hostile world ravaged by climate change and social inequality.
Show Notes
Gen has been putting off this book for a long time because it takes place largely in the mid-late 2020s and that felt a little too close to home.
Parable of the Sower is the first book in a planned series that Octavia Butler unfortunately didn't have the chance to finish, as she died of a stroke in 2006. The second book is Parable of the Talents, which was published in 1998. The planned third book was to be called Parable of the Trickster.
As you can probably guess, a lot of what happens in this book was distressingly familiar.
Did Suzanne Collins read Parable of the Sower? Inquiring minds would like to know. There are definitely some common themes with The Hunger Games series.
Our next book club selection is Jette's pick, Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy. It's about a tattooed, queer nun who solves mysteries! What more could you ask for? This is the first book of the Sister Holiday mysteries and we'll be talking about it in July.
Next episode is a(nother) spring hangout episode. We'll be talking about everything else we've been reading, which is always a fun time.
Keep an eye out for our annual Coach House episode. We'll be reading their forthcoming publication, Born by Heather Birrell.
Other Books Mentioned
Kindred by Octavia Butler
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins