In the first of our spin-off series, Em chats to Jess about a novel she has just finished reading; Lewis Percy by Anita Brookner. Does Em recommend this story of an acamedic torn between the dusty library and the alluring but confusing world of women?  

Find the Lit

Em Read: Lewis Percy

Em and Jess dive into the world of upper-middle class New York circa 1930s. Mary McCarthy's most infamous novel, The Group, features the lives of eight college graduates, whose experiences of relationships, sex, marriage, pregnancy and the workplace seem strikingly similar yet a world apart from the lives of women today.

Ep. 13: The Group

Once again, Em and Jess explore the pages of a tragic love story. Ethan Frome is Edith Wharton's best-known work and for such a short book it raises a lot of questions! How accurately does Wharton describe a poverty-stricken existence she never experienced herself? What are the pitfalls of marrying your cousin? and the most important question of all, is sledding ever a good idea!?

Ep. 12: Ethan Frome

Love, sex, intimacy, shame and oysters are just some of the topics we encounter as we delve into James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room. So pour yourself a large cognac (it's never too early in 1950s Paris) and prepare for one of the most heartbreaking love stories ever written. 

Ep. 11: Giovanni's Room

Join Em & Jess for a discussion about Martin Amis' Time's Arrow. At once harrowing, thought-provoking and hilarious – it's one not to be missed! 

Ep. 10: Time's Arrow

Our second long-distance episode has landed! This time we're riding the escalator in Nicholson Baker's The Mezzanine, where we discuss the intricacies of the office lunch break. Essential listening – and reading – for finding wonder in the quotidian world of shoelaces, straws and staplers.     

Ep. 9: The Mezzanine

We discuss one of the Guardian's top 100 novels, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. This is our first episode recorded long distance – sorry if you can tell! You'll need to turn the volume up! 

Ep. 8: Housekeeping

We're back with a new, sexier name and we’re celebrating in L.A.! Join us in the darkest of Disneylands for a chat about our latest read: L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy. There are spoilers galore so maybe save this one for later if you want to read the book yourself. Also, this episode comes with a million trigger warnings – it turns out Ellroy's City of Angels can be pretty hellish...  

Ep. 7: L.A. Confidential

There’s disharmony in Flat 26 again! This time we’re disagreeing about John Berger’s And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos. Listen on for scintillating chats about time, death and poetry, as well as an offensively sweeping characterisation of male writers. It might just be our breast episode yet…   

Ep 6: And Our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos

Em and Jess discuss Pond by Claire Louise Bennett...and finally disagree with each other about something. Will their friendship survive? 

Ep 5 Pond

Em and Jess try their very best to talk about Sartre (go easy on us!)

Ep 4 Nausea

Emily and Jess talk murder, freedom and existentialism in their discussions about their latest read - John Banville's The Book of Evidence. 

Ep 3 The Book of Evidence

Flat 26 is back! In the second episode Emily and Jess discuss Rebecca Solnit's Men Explain Things to Me. 

Ep 2 Men Explain Things to Me

Episode 1 of the Flat 26 podcast. In this episode Jess and Emily discuss Claire Vaye Watkins' short story collection, Battleborn. 

Ep 1 Battleborn

In this podcast, Em and Jess take it in turns to pick a book for both to read and talk about. The choices are random and the conversation far-ranging. No reading required (although watch out for spoilers!)

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Find the Lit

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