Books, Baby!

• Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa

  In this episode of Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev, and Alo dive into Saou Ichikawa’s haunting novel Hunchback. With its fragmented storytelling and stark lyricism, the book offers an unflinching look at the intersections of embodiment, shame, desire, and intimacy. The hosts unpack how Ichikawa captures the vulnerability of inhabiting a body that exists outside of societal ideals, while also carving out space for tenderness and connection.Their discussion highlights the way Hunchback brings disabled experiences and desires into focus, expanding what is often represented in contemporary literature in translation.Books mentioned in this episode:​When the cranes fly south - Lisa Ridzén​They came to slay: The Queer culture of D&D - Thom James Carter​The las one - Fatima Daas​The white book - Han Kang​Pink Slime - Fernanda Trías ​Audition - Katie Kitamura​The land in winter - Andrew Miller​Flashlight - Susan Choi​Universality - Natasha Brown​Intimacies - Katie Katamura​Tokyo Ueno Station - Miri YuButter - Asako YuzikiNot such thing as an easy job - Kikuko TsumaraJust by looking at him - Ryan O'ConnellConnect with us via email (⁠[email protected]⁠) and on Instagram!Books, Baby! – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts:Ian – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bev – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alo – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• Separate Rooms by Pier Vittorio Tondelli

  In this special in-person recording, hosts Alo, Bev, and Ian come together at the stunning Narrm Ngarrgu Library in Melbourne to discuss Separate Rooms by Pier Vittorio Tondelli. Originally published in 1989, this poignant queer novel has been reprinted after more than 30 years and is soon to be adapted into a film by Luca Guadagnino.The episode delves into the book's meditation on grief, memory, and the enduring traces of love. As the protagonist navigates the emotional aftermath of losing his partner, the hosts reflect on the novel’s emotional depth, its timeless relevance, and its significance within queer literary history.Books mentioned in this episode:​The Makioka Sister - Jun'ichiro Tanizaki ​Stag Dance - Torrey Peters​The Hours - Micahel Cunningham ​Medea me cantó un corrido - Dahlia de la Cerda​Reservoir Bitches - Dahlia de la Cerda​The Safe Keep - Yael van der Wouden ​Toward Eternity - Anton Hur​Call me by your name - André Aciman​Marlo - Jay Carmichael​The Emperor of Gladness - Ocean Voung​Consumed - Aja Barber Connect with us via email (⁠[email protected]⁠) and on Instagram!Books, Baby! – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts:Ian – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bev – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alo – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe⁠⁠⁠Special thanks: To Simone – ⁠⁠⁠@sims_solace- for hanging with us and taking pictures of the behind the scenes of this episode

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• Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp: Winner of the 2025 International Booker

  In the fourth episode of Season 5 of Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev & Alo are joined by returning guest host Simone (⁠⁠@sims_solace) discuss Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, the winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize. This marks the first time a short story collection has taken home the award, and we dive into what makes it so powerful. We explore Mushtaq’s unforgettable characters and how her spoken-style prose builds such disconcerting emotional heights.Books mentioned in this episode:​​Reservoir Bitches - Dahlia de la Cerda​​Under the Eye of the Big Bird - Hiromi Kawakami​​Perfection - Vicenzo Latronico​​Hunchback - Saou Ichikawa​On the Calculation of Volume 1 - Solvej Balle​We do not part - Han Kang​A Tail for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki​All the Violent Tiaras: Queering the Greek Myths - Jean Manzies​The Hours - Michael Cunningham​Before Night Falls - Reinaldo ArenasConnect with us via email (⁠[email protected]⁠) and on Instagram!Books, Baby! – ⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts:Ian – ⁠⁠⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠⁠⁠Bev – ⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠⁠⁠Alo – ⁠⁠⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe⁠⁠Guest Host:Simone – ⁠⁠⁠@sims_solace

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• The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

  The Books, Baby! is back after a short break. This month Ian, Bev and Alo are getting lost in the simmering tension of Yael van der Wouden’s debut, The Safekeep.Set in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961, this twisted tale of desire and obsession follows two women bound by secrets, suspicion, and the haunting legacy of WWII. Join us as we unravel the novel’s slow-burn intimacy, queer undercurrents, and one very unforgettable bathtub scene.CONTENT WARNING: This episode discuses spoilers from the book.Connect with us via email ([email protected]) and on Instagram!Books, Baby! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts: Ian - ⁠⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠⁠Bev - ⁠⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠⁠Alo - ⁠⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe

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• Murakami on the shore

  This month on Books, Baby!, Ian, Bev and Alo are diving into the world of Haruki Murakami, through his novel Kafka on the Shore. We unpack talking cats, Greek mythology influences, classical music, and other themes in Murakami’s storytelling. Along the way, we discuss some of Murakami’s other works, his signature themes, and the cultural impact of his writing.📚 Other Murakami books we mention:Norwegian WoodSouth of the border, west of the sunKilling commendatore The Wind-up bird chronicle📖 Other books that come up in the chat:The burrow by Melanie ChengReservoir Bitches by Dahlia de la CerdaCursed bunny by Bora ChungToward eternity by Anton HurThe Makioka Sisters by Jun’ichiro TanizakiKitchen by Banana Yoshimoto There’s not such thing as an easy job by Kikuko TsukubaTokio Ueno Station by Yu MiriTune in for a deep dive filled with magical realism, metaphysical detours, and just the right amount of existential dread. Don't forget to rate and review!CONTENT WARNING: This episode discuses spoilers from the book.Connect with us via email ([email protected]) and on Instagram!Books, Baby! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@booksbabypod⁠⁠⁠Hosts: Ian - ⁠⁠@bookish_ian⁠⁠Bev - ⁠⁠@booksgonewilde⁠⁠Alo - ⁠⁠@books.swallows.universe

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