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Brown Girls Read

Brown Girls Read

By Daman & Khyati

Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur love reading books, and now they're bringing their favorites to you. With each book, they bring their unique perspectives and experiences as women of color living in the USA. Subscribe NOW to stay tuned!





Music: Purple Planet Music [https://www.purple-planet.com/]
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Currently playing episode

Megha Majumdar (Author Interview)

Brown Girls ReadDec 21, 2020

00:00
23:05
Tell me how to be, by Neel Patel

Tell me how to be, by Neel Patel

WE'RE BACK!! And we got an incredible book discussion for you on "Tell me how to be" by Neel Patel.  

Tell me how to be is a story about Akash, an Indian American who lives in LA. He feels an immense shame and guilt about being gay. When his mother tells him she is selling the family home, Akash must return to Illinois to confront his demons and the painful memory of a sexual awakening that became a nightmare. Akash's mum, Renu, is also plagued by guilt. She had it all: doting husband, beautiful house, healthy sons. But as the one-year anniversary of her husband's death approaches Renu can't stop wondering if she chose the wrong life thirty-five years ago and should have stayed in London with her first love.  

In this episode, Daman and Khyati discuss these issues plaguing the Indian society - homophobia, male ego and the gender roles. Anyone who tries to trespass these is ostracized from their families and from their communities.   You can tell us your stories of how you questioned these gender roles and homophobia in your own way. Reach out to us on Instagram - @browngirlsreadpod.

Jun 28, 202241:43
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Amelia & Emily Nagoski

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Amelia & Emily Nagoski

We are back after a long break! Our first book of season 3 is Burnout: The secret to unlocking the stress cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski. This groundbreaking book explains why women experience burnout differently than men—and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life. We discuss the burnout that we experienced that forced us to go on a break, the signs that we encountered that made us identify that we were in a burnout and amazing insights from the book like "the mad woman in the attic", "human-giver syndrome", and body positivity that adds to our stress cycle and our experiences with each of these concepts.
Feb 27, 202248:54
Author Interview: Soniah Kamal (Unmarriageable)

Author Interview: Soniah Kamal (Unmarriageable)

In this episode, we are in conversation with Soniah Kamal, a Pakistani-American writer who is the author of two novels: An Isolated Incident and Unmarriageable. We talk about Jane Austen's classic, the South Asian culture, and the many parallels between the book and real-life, writing life, and much more!

Oct 18, 202128:13
Unmarriageable, by Soniah Kamal
Oct 04, 202132:02
Nadia Hashimi (Author Interview)
Sep 20, 202129:37
Sparks like Stars, by Nadia Hashimi
Sep 06, 202118:20
Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson

In this episode, Daman & Khyati discuss the complexities of caste in India and racism in America, and how they are the two sides of the same coin. This discussion brings up several important issues, including the gatekeeping by dominant castes, normalized yet unfair behaviors, and also how understanding this framework allows us to understand other caste systems, which are more popularly called the "-isms", including sexism, and ableism. They also discuss the 2016 election and the rise of hate crimes in America, the power struggle that was behind several events, and the connection between caste and race.

About the book: Beautifully written, original, and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today. In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.   Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including the divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day.

www.browngirlsread.com  - instagram.com/browngirlsreadpod - twitter.com/browngirlsread1 - linktr.ee/browngirlsread

Aug 16, 202140:10
Braving the Wilderness, by Brene Brown
Aug 16, 202120:17
The Courage to Be Disliked, by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
Jul 05, 202122:06
Carry On Warrior, by Glennon Doyle
Jun 21, 202116:00
Cheryl Strayed (Brown Girls Happy Hour)

Cheryl Strayed (Brown Girls Happy Hour)

Did you know that we also host virtual happy hours where we invite authors & talk about books and lives? We still can't believe that we had the honor of having Cheryl Strayed as our guest. Listen to our conversation, and follow @browngirlshappyhour on Instagram for more cocktails and conversations with your favorite authors!

If you like this episode, please leave a  5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter @browngirlsread1 for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel, Brown Girls Read for more content.

You can also support us at patreon.com/browngirlsread and get access to exclusive content!

Jun 07, 202124:53
Chitra Divakaruni (Author Interview)

Chitra Divakaruni (Author Interview)

In this episode, author Chitra Divakaruni & hosts Daman Tiwana & Khyati Thakur discuss The Palace of Illusions, which offers a woman’s take on the timeless tale  of Mahabharata. Narrated by Panchaali, wife of the five Pandava  brothers, the novel traces her life from fiery birth and lonely  childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through  her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage,  motherhood, and her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her  husbands’ most dangerous enemy. If you like this episode, please leave a  5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter @browngirlsread1 for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel, Brown Girls Read for more content.

You can also support us at patreon.com/browngirlsread and get access to exclusive content!

Show notes: https://browngirlsread.wordpress.com

May 24, 202126:58
The Palace of Illusions, by Chitra Divakaruni

The Palace of Illusions, by Chitra Divakaruni

In this episode, hosts Daman Tiwana & Khyati Thakur discuss The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni, which offers a woman’s take on the timeless tale of Mahabharata. Narrated by Panchaali, wife of the five Pandava brothers, the novel traces her life from fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood, and her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands’ most dangerous enemy. If you like this episode, please leave a 5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter @browngirlsread1 for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel, Brown Girls Read for more content.

You can also support us at patreon.com/browngirlsread and get access to exclusive content!

Show notes: https://browngirlsread.wordpress.com

May 10, 202131:38
Unfinished, by Priyanka Chopra
Apr 26, 202129:16
Rishi Reddi (Author Interview)
Apr 12, 202121:60
Karma & other stories, by Rishi Reddi
Mar 29, 202124:15
Eve Rodsky (Author Interview)
Mar 15, 202135:59
Fair Play, by Eve Rodsky
Mar 01, 202123:06
Saumya Dave (Author Interview)
Feb 15, 202124:44
Well Behaved Indian Women, by Saumya Dave
Feb 01, 202117:40
Chelsea Fagan (Author Interview)
Jan 18, 202120:36
The Financial Diet, by Chelsea Fagan & Lauren Ver Hage
Jan 04, 202123:15
Megha Majumdar (Author Interview)
Dec 21, 202023:05
A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
Dec 07, 202022:20
Arlan Hamilton (Author Interview)
Nov 23, 202025:29
It's About Damn Time, by Arlan Hamilton
Nov 09, 202033:38
Shobha Rao (Author Interview)
Oct 26, 202041:39
Girls Burn Brighter, by Shobha Rao

Girls Burn Brighter, by Shobha Rao

In this episode, our hosts Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur share their stories, their culture and their experiences, and their friendship, with the  book Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. If you like this episode, please leave a 5-star review and a  comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter @browngirlsread1 for updates on  future episodes, and on our YouTube channel Brown Girls Read for more  content. Show notes: https://browngirlsread.wordpress.com

Oct 12, 202030:51
Big Friendship, by Aminatou Sow & Ann Friedman
Sep 28, 202021:20
Learned Optimism, by Martin Seligman (ft. Wisdom from a Humble Jellyfish, by Rani Shah)
Sep 14, 202022:54
Serena Kaur (Author Interview)
Aug 31, 202023:16
All The Words Unspoken, by Serena Kaur
Aug 17, 202028:35
I Feel Bad About My Neck, by Nora Ephron
Aug 03, 202024:25
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Jul 20, 202020:04
Alka Joshi (Author Interview)

Alka Joshi (Author Interview)

In this episode, our hosts Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur discuss The Henna Artist with the creator of The Henna Artist: Alka Joshi. Together, they share their stories, their culture and their experiences.
If you like this episode, please leave a 5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter @browngirlsread1 for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel Brown Girls Read for more content.
Jul 08, 202037:23
The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi
Jul 01, 202021:36
Untamed, by Glennon Doyle

Untamed, by Glennon Doyle

In this episode, our hosts Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur share their stories, their culture and their experiences with Glennon Doyle's bestselling memoir— Untamed.
If you like this episode, please leave a 5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod and Twitter #browngirlsread1 for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel Brown Girls Read for more content.
Jun 10, 202021:46
Difficult Women, by Roxane Gay

Difficult Women, by Roxane Gay

In this episode, our hosts Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur share their stories, their culture and their experiences with a collection of short storied by Roxane Gay— Difficult Women.

If you like this episode, please leave a 5-star review and a comment. Follow us on Instagram @browngirlsreadpod for updates on future episodes, and on our YouTube channel Brown Girls Read for more content.
May 27, 202036:19
Ikigai, by Hector Garcia
May 10, 202034:47
The Power, by Naomi Alderman
Apr 20, 202031:16
What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self, by Ellyn Spragins
Mar 23, 202031:47
Wild, by Cheryl Strayed

Wild, by Cheryl Strayed

In this episode, Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur discuss Cheryl Strayed's memoir: Wild. Tune in to listen our Brown Girls talk about their experiences and their favorite parts from the book.
Mar 01, 202028:49
A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini (Part 2)

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini (Part 2)

In this episode, Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur continue their discussion of Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Feb 16, 202030:06
A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini (Part 1)

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini (Part 1)

In this episode, Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur discuss Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Feb 09, 202038:24
Becoming, by Michelle Obama
Jan 01, 202032:57
Trailer — Brown Girls Read

Trailer — Brown Girls Read

Join Daman Tiwana and Khyati Thakur as they bring their favorite books to you. Brown Girls Read premiers January 1st, 2020!
Dec 28, 201900:29