Shubhi And Friends Start A BookClub

Episode 68: We read "Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name"

In this episode we read the book By Any other Name. In this episode, we’ll unpack the novel’s emotional depth, its dual timelines, and the way Picoult once writing on identity, truth, and the stories we tell—both about ourselves and the people we love. Whether you’re a longtime Picoult fan or discovering her work for the first time, this discussion will give you a richer understanding of the themes, characters, and craft behind the book. If you’ve read the novel, we’d love to hear your take. If you haven’t, consider this your spoiler-friendly guide to whether it might be the right fit for you. So get comfortable, grab your headphones, and let’s step into a world where history, art, and personal revelation collide in unexpected ways.

Episode 67: Essay No. 18, 19, 20 and the last one 21 from "This is the story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett"

In this episode, we read the final four essays from the book This is the story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. We have had an incredible time reading this book and her essays from various points of time in Ann's life. The essays so well written, succinct and emotive that we have laughed and cried with Ann.

Episode 66: Essay No. 16, 17, and 18 from "This is the story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett"

In this episode we continue to read about Ann Patchett's book This is the story of a Happy Marriage. Essay 16 'THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2006' is about Ann Patchett's belief that the short stories are relevant, interesting and here to stay. Patchett believes the short stories are here to stay and we agree. Essay 18 is also related to Essay 16 - The bookshop strikes back. Ann Patchett suddenly found one day that her town, Nashville, Tennessee, no less, had no bookshops (other than a used bookshop and stores like Target). Apparently the last one to go – an independent that had been bought out by a chain – had been profitable “but not profitable enough”. Patchett’s discovery, albeit on a smaller scale, replicates the situation at many cities. She laughs that on the day the bookshop opened in November 2011, the New York Times ran a story with a picture of her on page A1, something that her agent and publisher would never expect to achieve on the basis of her role as a literary novelist. We hope she’s right – but we need more brave (or blithe) booksellers and more readers who want the personal touch, because, after all, we are in this together. Essay no. 19 is Love sustained is about her love and her relationship with her grandmother. This is very touching essay and strikes home for us. We all love her writing in this essay and emotions it brings out in us while she is simply stating her feelings.

Episode 65: We read "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb"

In this episode, we read the book Maybe you should talk to someone. This remarkable book offers us a rare dual perspective on therapy - Gottlieb writes both as a seasoned therapist treating her own patients and as someone who finds herself in desperate need of therapy after a personal crisis turns her world upside down. Gottlieb weaves together multiple narratives. throughout the book and we follow her work with four distinct patients, each grappling with their own struggles, while simultaneously experiencing her own vulnerability as she sits across from her therapist, Wendell. The result is an honest, often humorous, and deeply human exploration of what it means to seek help and healing. As we discuss this book today, we’ll explore themes of denial, growth, relationships, and the courage it takes to examine our own lives honestly. Whether you’ve been in therapy yourself or are simply curious about the human condition, Gottlieb’s narrative offers profound insights into how we connect with others and, ultimately, with ourselves.

Episode 64: Essay No. 13, 14, and 15 from "This is the story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett"

In this episode, we continue to read the book "This is a story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett which is collection of her essays. We read and discuss three essays in this episode - Essay 13 - The Love Between the Two Women Is Not Normal, Essay 14 - The Right to Read and Essay 12 - Do Not Disturb. In ‘The Love Between the Two Women Is Not Normal,’ Patchett challenges social judgment and prejudice by reflecting on how love—authentic, human, and transformative—often gets labeled and misunderstood. It’s a piece about the courage to stand by what’s true even when society resists. Then, in ‘The Right to Read,’ she explores the freedom of access to books, the importance of intellectual independence, and why reading is more than just personal enjoyment—it’s a right that shapes democracy and critical thought. Finally, in ‘Do Not Disturb,’ Patchett gives us a quieter but deeply relatable meditation on solitude, boundaries, and the small yet vital ways we protect our personal space in a noisy, demanding world. Together, these essays weave a conversation about love, freedom, and the need to guard both our relationships and our inner lives. So, stay with us as we unpack Ann Patchett’s insights—reflecting not just on her words, but on what they mean for us today.