Honest Pages

Crush by Ada Calhoun

In this episode of Honest Pages, we dive into Crush by Ada Calhoun, a raw, nostalgic, and beautifully candid collection about longing, youth, and the bittersweet ache of memory. Through a series of poems and vignettes, Calhoun captures the messy intensity of first loves, missed chances, and the way certain people linger in our lives long after they’re gone. Set against the backdrop of city streets and inner worlds, this is a book about desire in all its fleeting, electric forms. Can we ever let go of the ghosts we choose to hold onto? Tune in as we explore this intimate, lyrical meditation on infatuation, vulnerability, and the stories we tell ourselves about the ones who got away.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

In this episode of Honest Pages, we dive into The Husbands by Holly Gramazio, a sharp, inventive novel that blends wit, wonder, and a touch of the surreal. When a woman discovers a closet in her home that can conjure up different versions of her husband—each one a little different from the last—she’s thrown into a whirlwind of choice, desire, and self-reflection. As the boundaries between love, fantasy, and reality begin to blur, she’s forced to confront not just what she wants in a partner, but who she is when no one’s watching. Can you ever find the perfect match—or are we all just rewriting the same story? Tune in as we unpack this clever, emotionally rich tale of relationships, identity, and the strange magic of second chances. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

In this episode of Honest Pages, we dive into Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis, a bold and deeply personal memoir that challenges assumptions about faith, identity, and freedom. Tracing her journey from a strict religious upbringing to a life defined by self-discovery and questioning, Younis unpacks the tensions between tradition and autonomy with unflinching honesty and insight. As she confronts the costs of leaving behind what once gave her certainty, she also explores the quiet power of reclaiming one's voice. Can you ever truly break free from the foundations that shaped you? Tune in as we explore this fearless, thought-provoking story about belief, belonging, and the courage to redefine both. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Isola by Allegra Goodman

In this episode of Honest Pages, we dive into Isola by Allegra Goodman, a tender, quietly powerful novel about art, ambition, and the fragile ties that connect us. Set between the vibrant world of a summer arts colony and the complexities of everyday life, the story follows a young artist torn between passion and reality, creation and connection. As she navigates first love, mentorship, and the delicate balance of devotion—to her craft and to the people around her—she begins to understand what it truly means to see, and be seen. Can art capture the truth of a life in motion? Tune in as we explore this luminous, deeply human story about growing up, letting go, and finding your voice. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

In this episode of Honest Pages, we dive into Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, a haunting and lyrical novel about survival, love, and the wild forces that shape us. Set against a rugged and untamed landscape, the story follows a woman searching for refuge from a past she can’t outrun. As she grapples with loss and the pull of a dangerous new love, she’s forced to confront the raw, untamed nature of both the world around her and the one within. Can she find peace in a place that demands everything from her? Tune in as we explore this gripping, atmospheric tale of resilience, passion, and the deep connection between humans and the wild. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.