Kirsty and Naomi discuss two books about bears: Deaf at Spiral Park by Kieran Devaney and Bear by Marian Engel.

Also mentioned:

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

The Horse by Willy Vlautin

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two non-fiction books about music: This Woman’s Work, edited by Sinéad Gleeson and Kim Gordon and A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib.

Also mentioned:

Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley

Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik, translated by Martin Aitken

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two chunky historical novels: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Also discussed:

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

James by Percival Everett

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two short story collections: Dinosaurs on Other Planets by Danielle McLaughlin and Alligator & Other Stories by Dima Alzayat.

Also mentioned:

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

Lákíríboto by Ayodele Olofintuade

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two novellas in translation: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (translated by Margaret Sayers Peden) and Permafrost by Eva Baltasar (translated by Julia Sanches).

Also mentioned:

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Cinema Love by Jaiming Tang

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two books about infidelity: Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny and The Harpy by Megan Hunter.

Also mentioned:

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

The Coiled Serpent by Camilla Grudova

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two books about the AIDS crisis: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai and Close to the Knives by David Wojnarowicz.

Also mentioned:

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

North Woods by Daniel Mason

Kirsty and Naomi discuss two science fiction novels: The Employees by Olga Ravn (translated by Martin Aitken) and Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson.

Also mentioned:

Still Life with Bones by Alexa Hagerty

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver