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Unbound
Unbound is a bookish podcast focused on highlighting the culture and craft of books. Join me, Mbiye Kasonga for genre-spanning, in-depth, and thoughtful conversations that will inspire listeners to read more books.
Latest episode
Memorializing Black Girlhood with Kendra James
01:15:21|After a summer hiatus, we’re back! For our first episode back, I had the chance to speak to Kendra James, author and podcast producer at Crooked Media. We discuss Kendra's memoir 'Admissions,' which recounts her experiences as a Black girl at Taft School. Our conversation delves into our shared experiences of Black girlhood, the complexities of writing a memoir, and of course, all of the books that shaped Kendra’s reading experiences as a kid. 00:00 Welcome Back to Unbound00:32 Introducing Kendra James01:36 Diving into Kendra's Memoir03:31 Kendra's Childhood Reading Influences05:16 Exploring Historical Fiction and Girlhood15:29 Harry Potter and Fan Fiction Beginnings25:47 Boarding School Expectations vs. Reality30:56 Navigating Identity and Social Dynamics at Taft41:04 Reflecting on Early Career Challenges41:40 Navigating DEI Work in Independent Schools43:12 Self-Reflection and Program Issues44:33 Subtle Racism and Personal Experiences49:26 Writing a Memoir: Process and Boundaries52:57 The Journey to Publication01:03:39 Bookish Lightning Round01:14:11 Final Thoughts and Future PlansFor a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James Follow Kendra James on instagram: @kendrajames_Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_KProduced by Moyo Media.
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Taking Romance and Commercial Fiction Seriously with Iman Hariri-Kia
01:02:26|For this episode of Unbound, I’m talking to writer, editor, and author of A Hundred Other Girls, Iman Hariri-Kia! Tune in as we discuss:The complexities of girlhood being reflected in Young Adult fictionThe publishing industry’s relationship with the Romance genre Book Tok as a tool for communityThe disparity of sex education in AmericaThe methodology behind writing a sex scene Her sophomore novel, coming soon, The Most Famous Girl in The World I am left with the thoughts of how our own familial love can be reflected in fiction writing and being a character in New York’s story rather than New York a character in mine. For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack Follow Iman Hariri-Kia on instagram: @imanharirikiaFollow Iman Hariri-Kia on TikTok:@imanharirikiaVisit Iman Hariri-Kia website: https://www.imanharirikia.com/aboutCheck out Iman’s Substack: Cherry PickedFollow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_KProduced by Moyo Media.Deep Reading and Deep Writing with Tembe Denton-Hurst
59:39|For the first episode of Unbound I knew that I had to start off by talking to beauty and culture writer and author of Homebodies, Tembe Denton-Hurst! Tune in as we discuss:The intimacy of reading Being both a deep reader and a deep writerRepresentation in children’s fictionThe key elements of space and place within HomebodiesThe promise that New York City holds Leaving me to ruminate on books as affirmation and answering the question of do we truly have to like the protagonist in the books we cherish.For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack Follow Tembe Denton-Hurst: @tembaeCheck out Tembe’s Bookish Substack: Extracurricular SubstackFollow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_KProduced by Moyo Media.