Tilly navigates grief over her grandmother’s death, family lies, and unreciprocated love on her sixteenth birthday. “Never, Not Ever” explores teenage identity and emotional growth through challenges and family dynamics.
Author Archives: novelfeelings
Tara Calaby on spiritualism, representation, and grief l Author interview
Tara Calaby joins us on today’s episode to discuss her latest novel, The Spirit Circle: a speculative historical fiction on the intersection of spiritualism and grief. The novel features women who are haunted by grief and come together as a church under the charismatic leadership of a medium. Tara discusses writing cult-ish dynamics in theContinue reading “Tara Calaby on spiritualism, representation, and grief l Author interview”
Bonus Episode: Growing Out of Y.A. Fiction
This week, we get on the mic to discuss an unexpected identity crisis: we seem to be growing out of Young Adult (YA) fiction. We try to define what exactly YA is (a tough job!) and what we still love about books in this category, as well as grapple with why we no longer gravitateContinue reading “Bonus Episode: Growing Out of Y.A. Fiction”
Never, Not Ever: A quintessential teenage romance with a psychological layer
Tilly navigates grief over her grandmother’s death, family lies, and unreciprocated love on her sixteenth birthday. “Never, Not Ever” explores teenage identity and emotional growth through challenges and family dynamics.
January book club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (S4E1)
In this exhilarating novel, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. Join Priscilla and Elise for a book club discussion on Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow‘s complex characterisation and videoContinue reading “January book club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (S4E1)”
Tell Me Lies leans on tired tropes around psychology
Psychologist Margot Scott has a picture-perfect life: a nice house in the suburbs, a husband, two children and a successful career. On a warm spring morning Margot approaches one of her clients on a busy train platform. He is looking down at his phone, with his duffel bag in hand as the train approaches. That’sContinue reading “Tell Me Lies leans on tired tropes around psychology”
Two Sisters, Two Takes on the ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’ Trope
I am a fan of both Liane Moriarty and Nicola Moriarty; they both write the sort of books that I tend to devour, and I love both of their writings. I had never compared their work (as a woman with a sister, I know the particular pain of such comparison), until I finished reading Nicola’sContinue reading “Two Sisters, Two Takes on the ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’ Trope”
We’re diversifying your bookshelf in our 2025 book club
You are invited to join Novel Feelings’ 2025 Book Club (a.k.a. season 4 of our podcast) in collaboration with Amplify Bookstore. Every two months, we will be reading a new book, covering mental health conditions, neurodiversity, and other psychological themes. We will explore tropes, recovery arcs, and character growth, with an intersectional lens. Six booksContinue reading “We’re diversifying your bookshelf in our 2025 book club”
Review: ‘No One Will Know’ presents no shortage of twists and turns
Eve Sylvester is young and broke and needs a job fast. After years of foster homes, backpacking and a sailing trip across the Pacific Ocean, she has lost contact with friends and family. She is alone, desperate—and pregnant. Then she meets Julia and Christopher Hygate, a charming and glamorous couple, who seem to have theContinue reading “Review: ‘No One Will Know’ presents no shortage of twists and turns”
Celebrating 50 episodes (+ would you like to join our Facebook community?)
This week, we’re celebrating our 50th podcast episode! Join us for a retrospective into the inception of Novel Feelings, as we celebrate what we’ve achieved in four years, highlight some of our favourite memories, and revisit some of our best (and worst) books we’ve covered on the podcast. Plus, you’re invited to join our newContinue reading “Celebrating 50 episodes (+ would you like to join our Facebook community?)”