In Episode 105, Sarah and Thrity (author of Honor) tackle some hard-hitting questions related to the themes in her emotional book: religion, women’s rights, and identity. Thrity discusses the complicated relationship an immigrant often has with their homeland and the complex duality of human nature.  This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Spoiler-free summary of Honor. The real-life story behind the inspiration for her book. How Thirty constructed the present-day India in the book. Character development and which character’s (Meena’s or Smita’s) story came first. The ways miscommunication and misunderstandings drive real-life and fictional tensions. How she conveyed the joy and beauty of India, juxtaposed against the horrific events of the story. How rural vs. urban landscapes each form different composite communities. From working title to finished product, what Thrity wants readers to know about the title and the layered meaning of the word honor. Thrity shares details about her next novel. Thrity’s Book Recommendations [32:48] Two OLD Books She Loves The Waves by Virginia Woolf | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:02] A Burning by Megha Majumdar | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:08] Two NEW Books She Loves The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:38] The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:48] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About The Candy House by Jennifer Egan (April 5, 2022) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:28] Last 5-Star Book Thrity Read The Overstory by Richard Powers | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:13] Other Books Mentioned The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar [1:16] Caste by Isabel Wilkerson [19:33] The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  [33:50] Bombay Time by Thrity Umrigar [37:35] The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen [43:07] A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan [43:56] Bewilderment by Richard Powers [45:27] About Thrity Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Thrity Umrigar is the bestselling author of eight novels, including The Space Between Us, which was a finalist for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award, as well as a memoir and three picture books. Her books have been translated into several languages and published in more than fifteen countries. She is the winner of a Lambda Literary Award and a Seth Rosenberg Award and is Distinguished Professor of English at Case Western Reserve University. A recipient of the Nieman Fellowship to Harvard, she has contributed to the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Huffington Post.