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Every book Jia Tolentino recommended on podcasts
Jia Tolentino appeared as a guest on The Ezra Klein Show to engage in a wide-ranging conversation touching on children, modern media, personal meaning, and psychedelics. During the final book recommendation segment of the episode, Tolentino shared a novel she thoroughly enjoyed, titled In Ascension by Martin MacInnes, noting that a friend had recommended it to her. She compared the book's grounded, beautiful, enigmatic, and slightly schematic science fiction style to the works of Ted Chiang and Jeff VanderMeer, expressing a deep affection for the narrative. Additionally, during the broader discussion about parenting and time, Tolentino mentioned reading Jenny Odell's book How to Do Nothing. She reflected on how reading Odell's work helped her think about finding alternative ways to experience time outside of the standard clock, specifically seeking spaces where one is not constantly being useful to the digital demands of modern life. Through these discussions, Tolentino demonstrated a strong affinity for thought-provoking speculative fiction and contemporary cultural critiques that advocate for mindful living and intentional departures from hyper-productive modern routines.
Books recommended by Jia Tolentino
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In Ascension
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes is a sprawling contemporary science fiction novel that follows a marine biologist investigating a deep ocean trench before embarking on a profound interstellar journey.
Recommended“I really like this book in Ascension that our friend Max Reed recommended to me it's sort of if anyone is in the sort of Ted Chang Jeff vandermeir kind of thing it's like that kind of grounded beautiful enigmatic slightly schematic sci-fi really loved it”
Where to get it
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How to Do Nothing
How to Do Nothing is a cultural critique and guide by Jenny Odell that examines the attention economy and argues for deliberate disengagement from digital noise.
Discussed“like I remember also like I had read how to do nothing like right right around and I was like yeah this might be a shortcut to the the kind of outside the clock time you know where you are just not being useful to anyone but the people in front of this thing that I was trying so hard”
Where to get it
Books Jia Tolentino wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| On Children, Meaning, Media and Psychedelics | The Ezra Klein Show | 2024-09-03 | 2 |