Welcome back to Book Chat, a new monthly books podcast brought to you by novelist Bobby Palmer and journalist Pandora Sykes, which does what it says on the tin: we each bring one book, and we chat. Our one rule? The books have to be more than 2 years old. NB: this is a meaty book chat, not a book review show, so if you have not yet read the books, there will be spoilers.For our second episode, Pandora brings White Teeth by Zadie Smith (2000) and Bobby, Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (2016, trans. 2019). Both books were huge bestsellers and launched each woman as a "literary sensation". We discuss this tag as well as the books themselves: our favourite bits, how they've aged, and what we'd change.Other books/ articles mentioned:Vesper Flights by Helen MacdonaldDarling by India KnightOn Beauty, NW, Intimations, Swing Time and Grand Union by Zadie SmithLife Ceremony and Earthlings by Sayaka MurataThe Interestings by Meg WolitzerWhite Teeth seemed fresh and optimistic in 2000 - how does it read now? by Sam Jordison for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2020/jul/14/white-teeth-2000-how-does-it-read-now-zadie-smithGeneration Why? by Zadie Smith for The New York Review of Books https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2010/11/25/generation-why/In Defence of Fiction, by Zadie Smith for The New York Review of Books https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/10/24/zadie-smith-in-defense-of-fiction/Zadie Smith interview: On Shame, Rage and Writing, for the Louisiana channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LREBOwjrrwFor Japanese novelist Sayaka Murata, odd is the new normal, by Motoko Rich for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/books/japanese-novelist-sayaka-murata-convenience-store-woman.htmlThe future of sex lives in us all, by Sayaka Murata for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/02/opinion/future-sex-society.htmlA Home at the End of the World by Michael CunninghamDarling by India KnightVesper Flights by Helen MacdonaldThe Interestings by Meg WolitzerThe Corrections by Jonathan FranzenCollected Works by Lydia SandgrenOpen Water by Caleb Azumah NelsonWhite Noise by Don DeLilloMy Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa MoshfeghLuster by Raven LeilaniThe Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey EugenidesGirl, Interrupted by Susanna KaysenOn Beauty, NW, Intimations, Swing Time and Grand Union by Zadie SmithEarthlings and Life Ceremony by Sayaka MurataYou can get in touch bookchatpod@gmail.com.Sound by Joel Grove and production by Pandora Sykes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.