Diary of an Ex-English Major is a podcast dedicated to demystifying literary study and the life beyond it. Hosted by Deja, a blogger and literature PhD student, the podcast explores the impact and the particulars of studying the written word through both solo episodes and interviews with former English majors.
The Power of Teaching Literature with PhD Student Renee
Deja interviews Renee, an ex-English major and current English Literature doctoral student. The two discuss discuss Renee's path into academia as a mature student, Toni Morrison, as well as the importance of keeping Black literature in the classroom.
Books Mentioned:
Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History by Laura E. Helton
Black Girlhood in the Nineteenth Century by Nazera Wright
12 Jun 2025
The Book Review in the 21st Century
Deja explores the intersection of literary criticism and book reviews, examining the evolving role of the book review in the 21st century.
1 May 2025
The New Age Reader Aesthetic (Bonus)
Bonus Episode [From the Archives]. Note: This episode was recorded in January 2024. In this bonus episode. Deja discusses the new age reader aesthetic and social media bookish influencers in the contemporary moment.
Citations
Barry Pierce, “In the shallow world of BookTok, being ‘a reader’ is more important than actually reading.” https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/booktok-tiktok-books-community
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, “Reading is precious – which is why I’ve been giving away my books.” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/23/reading-is-precious-but-the-cult-of-book-ownership-can-be-smug-and-middle-class
My reviews of The Atlas Complex and HOFAS have since been published on my blog:
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas: A Lengthy, Cheesy, Whirlwind (Review). http://cityofdeja.com/2024/08/01/house-of-flame-and-shadow-book-review/
Book Review: The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake. http://cityofdeja.com/2024/03/21/book-review-the-atlas-complex-by-olivie-blake/
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
28 May 2024
Embracing the Unconventional with English Graduate Student Adrienne
Deja interviews Adrienne, an ex-English and Writing double major and current English master's student at the University of British Columbia. The two discuss continuing English education in grad school, the value of studying literature, as well as the importance of being a life long learner.
Blog: cityofdeja.com (https://cityofdeja.com/)
26 Feb 2024
Taylor Swift & Putting the Humanities into Practice
In this season 2 premiere, Deja discusses putting the humanities into practice and conducts a close reading of Taylor Swift lyrics from songs "the lakes" and "All Too Well (10 Minute Version). "
Citations
UT Austin Taylor Swift Course Article - https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/news/ut-english-course-takes-a-swift-turn (https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/news/ut-english-course-takes-a-swift-turn)
List of Colleges with Taylor Swift Classes - https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/these-colleges-have-taylor-swift-classes/ (https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/these-colleges-have-taylor-swift-classes/)
Why Taylor Swift Belongs on English Literature Degree Courses - https://theconversation.com/why-taylor-swift-belongs-on-english-literature-degree-courses-219660 (https://theconversation.com/why-taylor-swift-belongs-on-english-literature-degree-courses-219660)
Evolution of Snake: The Taylor Swift Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/70xT4aA9FayuPmrRAbMrSn (https://open.spotify.com/show/70xT4aA9FayuPmrRAbMrSn)
The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms (Book)
Blog: cityofdeja.com (https://cityofdeja.com/)
22 Oct 2023
The Bookstagram Effect with Ex-English Major Jill
Deja interviews Jill, an ex-English Literature major and bookstagrammer from the account @booknerd_reads. The two discuss Jill's longtime reader status, publishing internships, and the ins and outs of the bookstagram community.
Jill's bookstagram: @booknerd_reads
24 Sept 2023
Storytelling is Powerful with Ex-Creative Writing Major Alyx
Deja interviews ex-Creative Writing major Alyxandria Ang, a podcast host, online content creator, and mental health advocate. In this episode, the two discuss the power of storytelling, shifting career paths, the woes of bookish content creation, and more.
A is for Anxious: A Podcast Diary - https://open.spotify.com/show/0YNCdjhhnEGhLeVASWrW5v (https://open.spotify.com/show/0YNCdjhhnEGhLeVASWrW5v)
Alyx's Instagram - @alyxandriaang
Alyx's YouTube Channel - https://youtube.com/@alyxandriaang
30 Aug 2023
Following Your Curiosity with Ex-Journalism Major Ryley
Deja interviews Ryley, an ex-Journalism major by way of an English department. The two discuss the the process of following your curiosity and creativity, the character building that’s yielded from studying the humanities, questionable BookTok recommendations, and more.
Spors Girls Club Tiktok: @sportsgirlsclub
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
6 Aug 2023
Mid-Year Reading Check In & What is Mood Reading Anyway?
Deja chats about her 2023 reading thus far, attempts to define the concept of "mood reading," and shares how it affects her reading habits.
Mid-Year Reading Check In Blog Post (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/07/02/2023-mid-year-reading-check-in/)
Yellowface Book Review (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/06/29/yellowface-by-r-f-kuang-does-it-work-review/)
Alone With You in the Ether Book Review (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/04/10/book-review-alone-with-you-in-the-ether-by-olivie-blake/)
One for My Enemy Book Review (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/05/29/book-review-one-for-my-enemy-by-olivie-blake/)
The Atlas Paradox Book Review (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/03/04/book-review-the-atlas-paradox-by-olivie-blake/)
Any Way the Wind Blows Book Review (https://cityofdeja.com/2023/01/05/book-review-any-way-the-wind-blows-by-rainbow-rowell/)
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor (https://www.instagram.com/diaryofanexengmajor/?hl=en)
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com (https://cityofdeja.com/)
17 Jul 2023
Literature is Art with Ex-English Major Candace
Deja interviews ex-English major and bookstagrammer Candace from the account @cecepointofview. The two discuss the life skills one can yield from being well read, literature as an art form, the special value of young adult books, and more.
Candace's Bookstagram: @cecepointofview
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
2 Jul 2023
The Creative Writing Process with Ex-English Major Lydia
Deja interviews ex-English major (and creative writing minor) Lydia from the book blog P.S. I Still Read You. The two discuss the creative writing process, lost princess stories, and being a publishing hopeful.
Lydia's Bookstagram: @ps_i_still_read_you
Lydia's blog: psIstillreadyou.wordpress.com (http://psIstillreadyou.wordpress.com)
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
20 Jun 2023
Book “Hype” & The Expectations We Bring to What We Read
Deja discusses the concept of hype and popularity as it relates to books, its effect on reading enjoyment and expectations, and how she parses through the "hype bubble" to choose what books to read next.
Should You Read The Raven Boys? Blog Post: https://cityofdeja.com/2021/05/31/should-you-read-the-raven-boys-review/
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
4 Jun 2023
Rhetoric is in Everything with Ex-English Major Simone
Deja interviews ex-English major and Booktuber Simone from the channel @chasingpages. The two discuss the pervasiveness of English rhetoric, diverging reading tastes, and passion writing projects.
Simone's Booktube: https://www.youtube.com/@chasingpages/featured
Simone's Bookstagram: @chasingpagez
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com
21 May 2023
My Reading Origins & The English Major Epiphany
In the this pilot episode, Deja discusses her journey to becoming a book lover, joining the Bookstagram community of Instagram, and how she came to be an English major.
Podcast Instagram: @diaryofanexengmajor (https://www.instagram.com/diaryofanexengmajor/?hl=en)
Blog: https://cityofdeja.com (https://cityofdeja.com)
13 May 2023
Trailer
Who am I and how did Diary of an Ex-English Major come to be? Tune into this introductory trailer to find out all the good stuff.
"The End of the English Major" New Yorker article: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/06/the-end-of-the-english-major (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/06/the-end-of-the-english-major)
My website: https://cityofdeja.com/ (https://cityofdeja.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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