The Lit Pickers

We are back with a very special episode where a reviewer is being reviewed! Supriya interviews her co-host and friend, Deepanjana Pal, about her newly-published novel, “Lightning in a Shot Glass”. Originally written to blow off steam during the pandemic, Deepanjana pulled this story out of her bottom drawer last year, serving up a romantic comedy that makes you laugh, cry, and get a little hot under the collar. From the challenges of writing credible Indian English dialogue to crafting fantastical, sexy men who still feel real, The Lit Pickers dish on the mechanics of writing a wildly enjoyable book.    If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out this link   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week Deepanjana and Supriya are in the studio trying to unpack solutions of how to find a good book to read. From childhood rituals to serendipitous discoveries, they explore the various ways in which readers can stumble upon their next literary adventure. They also talk about the discipline and patience required to cultivate a lifelong reading habit, as well as their unwavering belief in the universe's role in providing the right reads at the right time. From finding suggestions at gatherings in parks, to digital rabbit holes ranging from Twitter to podcasts, they talk about what it is that makes them pick one recommendation over the other. They also ponder the role of kind friends and neighbourhood bookstores in shaping one's perception of a book, and so much more! You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Geek out on this episode of The Lit Pickers as we dive into the world of Dune, exploring both the beloved book and the recent film adaptations. From dissecting the intricate universe created by Frank Herbert to sharing their thoughts on Denis Villeneuve's cinematic interpretation, we leave no sand dune unturned. Join the conversation as we discuss everything from character development to cultural conflicts Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to take you through the sands of Arrakis and unite literature nerds and film geeks alike! You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. Tune into the Nerditorium podcast or find them on Instagram @geekfruithq. They are: Dinkar Dwivedi Jishnu Guha Tejas Menon If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: http://bit.ly/thelitpickersbooks This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

In this episode of The Lit Pickers, Deepanjana and Supriya explore the nuanced world of words and governance. They dissect the political landscapes of South Asian fiction and reflect on the power of literature to address serious issues and challenge social norms. From fiction written by political leaders, to literature inspired by democracy, join them as they discuss fiction's role during times of uncertainty, the risk it runs against a flattening of identities, and the degrees of political overtones that it carries. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. We’re doing an AMA episode soon! If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: http://bit.ly/thelitpickersbooks This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Join us on a special episode of The Lit Pickers as Supriya interviews Daisy Rockwell, a translator who focuses exclusively on women's writing from South Asia. They delve into the gendered nature of Hindi, discuss the shared experiences of women during Partition, and look back at the time when the internet was more fun. Tune in as Daisy talks to Supriya about navigating the challenges of translation, exploring nuanced meanings and gender archetypes in Indian writing, and say some very bad words. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Get ready to paws everything you're doing. We’ve got an interview that's going to make you sit up and meow. Supriya chats with journalist and writer Srinath Rao, author of “Meow Meow: The Incredible Story of Baby Patankar,” an exploration of the world of meow meow, the party drug also known as mephedrone. Tune in as we scratch the surface of the intricate web of events that led to the rise and fall of Baby Patankar as Bombay’s foremost drug-dealing grandmother. From the unexpected arrest of a police officer to the allure of a substance more affordable than catnip, this episode gets its claws into her story in the foregrounds of Worli's skyline. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Get ready for a juicy, tell-all episode, and the tea is piping hot! Deepanjana and Supriya are dishing out all the bookish secrets they've kept locked away. From books that left them yawning to the novels they've pretended to read, no page will be left unturned. But it's not all shade! They're also sharing the books that have brought them sheer delight. And, of course, they're diving deep into the age-old dilemma of separating the art from the artist. So, grab your favorite reading nook and tune in as we dive headfirst into the confessions of devoted readers. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

We’re baaaack! Let’s go on a whimsical storytime adventure with The Lit Pickers as Deepanjana sits down to chat about kid lit, reading as grown-ups, and the power of the fantastical imagination with award-winning author and editor Bijal Vachharajani. From giggles and comfort reads, to the question of who should have a seat at the literary table, these two long-time friends and collaborators have a lot to discuss. Demi-gods, fairy tales, picture books — there’s all kinds of magic in this episode. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Retrieve your cuppa. We are spilling the tea on the good, the bad, and the ugly of “Beyond the Story,” a book that promises the behind-the-scenes story of the K-pop group and global phenomenon, BTS. We’re in conversation with Sharanya, our former podcast producer and a member of BTS Army. From the highs to the lows, we dissect what disappointed us about the book and uncover its saving graces. We share insights on BTS for the uninitiated, delve into the individual musical tastes of the boys, speculate on their comeback, and discuss the unique connection they've built with their fans. Join the debate: is the book a literary delight or is it merch? Pssst: We’re going on a little break, but we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, tune into Sharanya’s playlist, “BTS songs as stages of grief” here. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week on The Lit Pickers, we’re exploring a capital idea. Let us take you on a time-slipping tour of Delhi, home to scholars and poets, Sufis and crazy rich Indians. It’s a place where seven cities are constantly re-learning and re-membering how to create a space for both those in the centre and on the margins. It’s India’s political capital, and also the jewel of the Mughal Empire; it’s Lutyens’s creation, and the dream of its bureaucrats. Join us on this literary ramble of an episode, the podcast equivalent to a stroll through Lodi Gardens in autumn. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

In this special episode, we journey through history with Kalki’s legendary 'Ponniyin Selvan' novels. We uncover how the reputation of the books has evolved with generations of Tamil readers, what challenges the film adaptation posed, and how this series inspired travelers to embark on their own literary pilgrimages. Join us in our very first interview episode with Anand Krishnamoorthi, the maestro behind the magical soundscape of the film adaptations. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Gather 'round, listeners, for a Halloween treat that's more than just a bag of candy. On this spine-tingling literary journey, we delve into the world of spooky books. But 'spooky' isn't just about scares—it also involves the unexplained, the inexplicable, and the eerie. From tales that blur the lines between normal and paranormal to narratives that challenge deep-rooted societal norms, we'll explore how literature keeps us up at night. This All Souls Day, be ready to embrace the dark side of storytelling. So, grab your flashlight, and your favourite cosy blanket, because we're diving into a world where the spooky is more than meets the eye. Enter if you dare. You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in. For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in. Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You