Ep. 15: Social Media (Like a Sister + Chef's Kiss)

Summary: Grab your phones and log onto Instagram, Holly and Devin dive into social media themes today! They investigate how social media can be a hindrance and a help for protagonists in modern novels. Holly and Devin both agree that leaning on miscommunication from social media can feel lazy and frustrating, but when used well, social media accents can build intrigue and serve the plot well. Holly generally hates modern books and will avoid any book that prints text bubbles, but Devin’s romances are rife with texts, emails, and DMs. 

Also, we have officially launched the Hearts & Daggers Online Shop on Bookshop.org! That means you can purchase books you hear us talk about on the show - or any other books you’re looking to read - via our dedicated store link and your purchase will directly support our show. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (4:51): Holly discussed Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett, which follows Lena as she tries to piece together what really happened to her reality TV star and influencer sister, Desiree, after she was found dead in a playground in the Bronx, NYC. Her key takeaways were: 

• Social media is an integral part of the novel; Garrett not only explores celebrity and the way social media allows us only small glimpses into someone’s life, but also how misinterpretation can impact those closest to us. 
• Lena and Desiree are half-sisters who could not have had more different upbringings; Lena has a graduate degree from Columbia and lives a quiet life, while Desiree was more privileged, reckless, and enjoyed time in the public eye. 
• The book oscillates between Lena’s first-person voice as she figures out her sister’s death and glimpses at Desiree’s recent social media posts, counting forward to the night she died. 

• The Heart (21:26): Devin discussed Chef’s Kiss by T.J. Alexander, a book that follows Simone Larkspur as she is shoved into the limelight with her outgoing coworker Ray Lyton to record videos that are designed to revitalize the old-school cookbook publisher The Discerning Chef. Her key takeaways were:

• While social media isn’t the focal point of the book, it acts as a catalyst for the initial plot and to augment tension and call out the dynamic between Simone and Ray through youtube comments, video feedback etc. 
• Alexander examines public vs. private life through the lens of Ray coming out as nonbinary, wanting to be open, and being silenced and mistreated by the leadership at The Discerning Chef. 
• While the book is told from Simone’s point of view, the true star and driving force behind the plot is Ray; their experience and perseverance in fighting toward the life they deserve and imagined is admirable and informative. Please note there are trigger warnings for transphobia, misgendering, and homophobia in the novel. 

• Hot On the Shelf (43:02):

• Holly: The Change by Kirsten Miller
• Devin: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (47:04):

• Holly: Everything Everywhere All At Once starring Michelle Yeoh
• Devin: Twilight Films on Amazon Prime 

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