KBC - Kirti’s Book Club

About KBC - Kirti’s Book Club

KBC (Kirti’s Book Club) is where amazing books meet brilliant readers. Hosted by Kirti Mutatkar, each episode features intimate, genre-spanning conversations that explore why certain stories stay with us and cause a shift in our thought process. With the KBC Book Radar—our signature rating system for Brain Fizz Factor and Bookshelf Worthy—plus virtual book circles where listeners join in post-episode discussions, KBC builds a vibrant reading community. This is Season 1. Season 2 launches November 2025. Subscribe now and grab your spot in the next circle.

Publisher

Kirti Mutatkar

Category

arts · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jul 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Sanjana Giduthuri & Kirti Mutatkar discuss The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

   The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali Sanjana kicks off KBC Season 3 with a novel about two contrasting women—Ellie and Homa—navigating 1950s Iran during political upheaval. Two fundamentally different women shape each other's lives. Ellie, reserved and fear-driven, is drawn to Homa's confidence. Homa, fierce and politically active, finds in Ellie a source of empathy. The novel explores freedom's fragility, what constitutes a good life, and how ego shapes how we judge others' choices. How we perceive others' lives is filtered through our own lens. Ego is pervasive. Homa's rare lack of ego—doing things for principle—makes her remarkable. Stories humanize history more than academic accounts. Freedom must be actively fought for. Roundtable discussion questions: How does your network influence the way you perceive the world? How can you adopt courage and refusal to break in your daily life? How do you define a good life? Brain Fizz: 4.5/5.

2. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Anagha Bapat & Kirti discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

   Kirti Mutatkar and Anagha Bapat discuss Barbara Kingsolver's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a modern retelling of "David Copperfield" set in Appalachia. The Story: Demon Copperhead is born into poverty in rural Virginia to a drug-addicted mother. The novel follows his journey through multiple foster homes and into the opioid crisis. Despite his intelligence and artistic talent, Demon faces systemic failures at every turn—from exploitative tobacco farms to a football career cut short by injury and prescription drug addiction. Key Themes: Broken Foster Care - Older children trapped in an overwhelmed system with caseworkers too stretched to help Opioid Crisis - How prescription drugs, not moral failing, create addiction when doctors, coaches, and systems all push pills Timeless Poverty - Dickens' 200-year-old themes remain unchanged from Victorian England to modern Appalachia Art as Survival - Demon's superhero drawings give him power and escape when he has none Simple Dreams - His goal to see the ocean represents hope despite overwhelming trauma The Narrator's Voice: Kingsolver's choice to have Demon tell his own story—"this is how I remember it" as a young kid—creates intimate, conversational reading. He foreshadows, then pulls back, making readers feel he's talking directly to them. Connections: Parallels to JD Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy," "Dopesick" series, and "Empire of Pain" book exploring the opioid crisis and Appalachian struggles. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: 4.5/5 - Stays with you long after reading; Anagha has recommended it to multiple people Bookshelf Worthy: 4.3-4.5/5 - "I'll lend it, but I need it back" Notable: The audiobook's Southern accent divided readers. Both agreed the book probably shouldn't be a movie—Demon's intimate narration would lose its power on screen. A powerful read exposing systemic failures while celebrating human resilience and the simple dreams that sustain us. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Anagha Bapat Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

3. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Lynne Yadlin & Kirti discuss Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T J Klune

   Kirti Mutatkar and Lynne Yadlin discuss TJ Klune's "Somewhere Beyond the Sea," the sequel to "The House in the Cerulean Sea." The Story: Arthur Parnassus, a phoenix and former orphan, runs an island orphanage for magical youth who are marginalized by society. Despite government pressure to control these children, Arthur creates a safe haven where they can be themselves. Key Themes: Acceptance - Society demands conformity with "See something, say something" messaging, but the book celebrates being different Unconditional Love - Arthur and Linus parent by allowing children to be exactly who they are Community Hope - The nearby town transforms from hostile to protective, literally standing between the children and government officials Representation - Diverse relationships and identities are centered throughout KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: 4/5 - Simple prose with weighty themes Bookshelf Worthy: 4/5 - A keeper that resonates across ages A hopeful, humorous fantasy that reminds us communities can unite, love can triumph, and everyone deserves to belong exactly as they are. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Lynne Yadlin Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

4. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Smitha Rau & Kirti discuss Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag

   Kirti Mutatkar and Smitha Rau discuss Vivek Shanbhag's slim but powerful novella about a family transformed by sudden wealth. The Story: A modest Indian family lives within their means—the father is a salesman, they eat out weekly, and if the kids want something extra, dad suddenly won't have coffee. When money arrives, everything changes. This 70-130 page novella, originally written in Kannada, follows the family's moral unraveling through an unnamed narrator's eyes. The Title: "Ghachar Ghochar" is a made-up family word meaning tangled up—not clean or clear. The title captures everything: the story, relationships, and ambiguous ending all remain tangled. Key Themes: Money's Corrupting Power - "It's not we who control money, it's the money that controls us. When there's only a little, it behaves meekly. When it grows, it becomes brash and has its way with us." The sister changes most—gaining "clout," treating people poorly, leaving her decent husband, returning with goons to steal jewelry. "The suddenly rich start holding an umbrella in the moonlight." Narrator as Unreliable Participant - He tells the story as if he did everything right, but readers catch his complicity. He's uncomfortable—his wife judges him for not working—but he doesn't change. His honeymoon gifts fall flat when she realizes it's not his money. The Ant Metaphor - The mother wages war on kitchen ants, eliminating anything threatening family enjoyment. Later, the narrator squishes ants; his wife is horrified. This foreshadows how the family treats bigger "problems"—possibly a dog, possibly people. Nothing is explicit. No Clean Ending - The book is decidedly "ghochar"—tangled with no resolution. At the end, Vincent the waiter says: "Sir, you want to wash your hand? There's blood on it." Literal or figurative? Did something terrible happen? "Accidents happen, right?" The ambiguity haunts. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: 4-4.5 out of 5 - Deceptively simple but deeply layered Bookshelf Worthy: High - Smitha read it 3 times; short enough to reread, rich enough to deserve it Why Read: Only 70-130 pages—can finish in one session. Easy, relatable, readable. But don't mistake simplicity for shallowness. Rewards rereading and discussion. Rich themes about wealth, morality, family, and complicity. A masterclass in saying everything by saying nothing explicitly. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Smitha Rau Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

5. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Reva Nevrekar and Kirti discuss On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

   Kirti Mutatkar and Reva Nevrekar from Pune discuss Ocean Vuong's lyrical debut novel about immigration, identity, and intergenerational trauma. The Story: Written as a letter from a son to his illiterate mother, the novel follows Little Dog, a Vietnamese American immigrant in Hartford, Connecticut. Through non-linear storytelling, Vuong explores poverty, language barriers, his first love with Trevor, and his mother's PTSD-driven abuse. Key Themes: Poetry in Prose - Vuong's poet background infuses every page. The writing flows like a long poem, shifting between prose and verse. Sentences feel like complete poems—readers pause to absorb their beauty. Language Divides and Connects - Little Dog writes in English to a mother who can't read it. As he becomes more American, he drifts from his origins. Yet he imagines rebirth: maybe she'll return as a girl named Rose in a peaceful nation where she can finally read his words. Immigration Reality - Success means food on the table, not becoming a doctor. His mother works in a nail salon. The American Dream myth shatters against survival reality. Authentic Queer Experience - Trevor's story—poor white boy from tobacco fields also struggling with sexuality and abuse—runs parallel to Little Dog's. Vuong writes from lived experience, avoiding exploitative trauma that plagues much queer literature. PTSD and Complex Love - His mother hits him for mispronouncing English. It's abuse rooted in war trauma and desperate love—she wants him safe, assimilated, protected from her suffering. The relationship defies simple labels. Model Minority Erasure - The Tiger Woods example shows how Asian identities get downplayed. His Thai heritage is ignored—illustrating unique Asian American marginalization. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: 4.5/5 - Demands processing time; subtext about identity, war, and belonging lingers for days Bookshelf Worthy: 3.5-4/5 - Short, poetic, perfect for rereading. Open any page and find meaning Why Read: Under 250 pages but profound. Accessible entry to Asian American diaspora and queer literature. Non-linear structure mirrors how memory actually works. Can finish in a week even while working. A devastating, beautiful exploration of surviving, loving, and writing your story in a language your mother cannot read. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Reva Nevrekar (Instagram: @nibblingonnovels) Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

6. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Paige Macias & Kirti discuss Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo

   Kirti Mutatkar and Paige Macias discuss Ilyon Woo's meticulously researched account of Ellen and William Craft's daring eighteen forty-eight escape from slavery. The Story: Ellen, three quarters white, disguised herself as a white male slaveholder traveling with her "slave"—actually her husband William. Their audacious journey from Georgia took them to Boston, England, and eventually back to America after the Civil War. Key Themes: History Beyond Textbooks - Reveals pre-Civil War complexities, the abolitionist movement, and the Fugitive Slave Act's impact that standard education misses. Even "free" Northern states weren't safe for escaped slaves. Dehumanizing Economics - Slaves were balance sheet assets. A sixty-year-old: zero value. A five-year-old: worth a fortune. Women of childbearing age: valuable for future "property." Ellen's own half-sister was her mistress. Identity and The One Drop Rule - Ellen looked white but identified as Black, as a slave. Being called "the white slave" annoyed her—that wasn't her reality. Resilience - Despite freedom, they faced constant setbacks: house burned, business failed, family lost. But they always got back up, kept searching, kept building. Normalized Horror - How could Ellen's half-sister own her sister? She was trapped in an economic system with little power. This raises uncomfortable questions: what are we normalizing today that future generations will condemn? Historical Divisions - You have to go back to the Civil War to find America as divided as today. The comparison is sobering. The Author's Approach: Korean American researcher Ilyon Woo brings meticulous detail and transparency about sources. When documentation is sparse, she acknowledges it—this honesty strengthens the narrative. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: four out of five - Rich detail, compelling narrative; some sections drag Bookshelf Worthy: High - Stays with you, connects to current events Why Read: Four hundred pages. First section reads like a thriller; second provides historical context. There's also a documentary for those wanting the story without reading. Truth more compelling than fiction, with themes resonating deeply today. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Paige Macias Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

7. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Meenal Limaye & Kirti discuss Let My People Go Surfing, The Education of Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard

   Kirti Mutatkar and Meenal Limaye discuss Yvon Chouinard's business memoir about building Patagonia while staying true to environmental values. The Story: A reluctant businessman transforms his passion for rock climbing into Patagonia, one of the world's most respected outdoor brands. Starting in Ventura, California over fifty years ago, Chouinard built equipment for friends that evolved into a company balancing profit with environmental responsibility. Key Themes: Passion-Driven Business - "Let My People Go Surfing" empowered employees to test products by using them. Workers could leave to surf or climb—leading to better work and genuine feedback. Revolutionary in the sixties/seventies, decades ahead of modern work-life balance. Environmental Responsibility - When Chouinard realized his pitons damaged the rocks he loved, he stopped production and started over. His nature roots made him hypersensitive to environmental impact. One T-shirt's production massively costs the environment in water and resources. Anti-Consumerism Retailer - Patagonia pushes customers NOT to buy more. They encourage reuse, repair, conscious consumption. Chouinard's personal life reflects this simplicity—it's authentic, not marketing. "Evil is the Absence of Good" - If you have ability and opportunity to do good but don't act, that itself is evil. This philosophy drives every business decision. Quality Over Quantity - Build the best, keep it simple. Patagonia products aren't cheap but last, countering fast fashion's throwaway culture. Both readers felt guilt about frivolous shopping and one-click overabundance. Leave No Mark - Europeans believe nobody should know you were there; Americans want proof of conquest. Nature should remain unchanged for the next person—a powerful life metaphor. Corporate Lessons - Onsite daycare in the sixties, hiring for passion over credentials, aspirational storytelling, supply chain management, learning business fundamentals while staying true to values. Writing Style - Not polished but authentic. Written from the heart without fancy credentials. Some repetition reflects passion. Divided into sections—can be read in parts. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: four out of five - Rich business and environmental lessons (general readers: three out of five) Bookshelf Worthy: four out of five - Meenal bought it immediately after starting online A quick read proving you can build a successful company without compromising values. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Meenal Limaye Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau

8. 

   1 Jul 2025

   Dave Shep & Kirti discuss Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

   Host Kirti Mutatkar concludes Season 1 of KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with David Shepherd to discuss Jostein Gaarder's "Sophie's World" - a philosophical novel that serves as an accessible introduction to Western philosophy. About the Book Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder follows a teenage girl named Sophie who receives mysterious letters asking philosophical questions. As the story unfolds, Sophie discovers she's a character in a story being told by Hilde's father to teach his daughter about philosophy. The novel alternates between Sophie's narrative and comprehensive lessons covering major philosophers from ancient Greeks through modern times, exploring fundamental questions about existence, free will, and human consciousness. KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor: Both - Mental Fireworks (4/4) Bookshelf Worthy: David - Shelf Resident, worth rereading (4/4), Kirti - Shelf Resident (4.5/5) Season 1 of KBC concludes with this episode. Virtual roundtable discussions for all six books begin in July 2025.

9. 

   1 Jul 2025

   Dr. Pankaj Rao & Kirti discuss Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan

   Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Dr. Pankaj Rao to discuss Venki Ramakrishnan's Why We Die - a scientific exploration of aging, death, and the quest for immortality. About the Book Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan examines the biological mechanisms behind aging and death from a Nobel laureate's perspective. The book explains complex genetic concepts in accessible terms, covering DNA, cellular aging, environmental factors, and the current scientific understanding of mortality. Rather than philosophical speculation, Ramakrishnan focuses on evidence-based science while addressing the human desire for longevity and the reality of our biological limitations. KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor: Both - Mental Fireworks (4/4) Bookshelf Worthy: Dr. Pankaj Rao - Shelf Resident/Donate (3/4), Kirti - [not specified] Next Episode: "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder - concluding Season 1 of KBC

10. 

    1 Jul 2025

    Sarah Ahmad & Kirti discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

    Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Sarah Ahmad to discuss Matt Haig's The Midnight Library - a novel about alternate realities and the choices that shape our lives. About the Book The Midnight Library by Matt Haig follows Nora Seed, a woman in her thirties who finds herself in a magical library between life and death. Each book represents a different life she could have lived based on different choices. As Nora explores these alternate realities, she discovers the weight of regret and societal expectations while searching for a life worth living. The novel explores themes of mental health, purpose, and self-acceptance. KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor: Sarah - Gentle Bubbles (3/4), Kirti - [not specified] Bookshelf Worthy: Both - Keep on shelf, recommend to others struggling with regrets or life decisions Next Episode: "Why We Die" by Venki Ramakrishnan - continuing Season 1 of KBC

11. 

    1 Jul 2025

    Pranav Mutatkar & Kirti discuss Augustus by John Williams

    Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Pranav Mutatkar to discuss John Williams' "Augustus" - a Pulitzer Prize-winning historical fiction novel about Rome's first emperor told through letters and documents. About the Book Augustus by John Williams follows the life of Octavius (later Emperor Augustus) through an epistolary structure of letters, documents, and correspondence. The novel humanizes the legendary first Roman Emperor, showing his rise to power, personal relationships, and the burden of leadership. Rather than traditional narrative, readers discover Augustus through the perspectives of friends, family, and contemporaries. Key Discussion Points Leadership and performance - How Augustus had to "play" the role of emperor while remaining human underneath Destiny vs. free will - The tension between personal choice and being "crushed in the gears of history" Nobility and legacy - Building for future generations rather than personal gain, exemplified by Roman public works Humanization of greatness - Moving beyond the "Great Man theory" to see historical figures as complex, flawed humans KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor Both - Fireworks (4/4) Bookshelf Worthy Both - Shelf Resident (3/4) Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Augustus" for its masterful writing, authentic historical research, and accessibility to non-history readers. The book offers rich themes of leadership, destiny, and human nature that resonate with modern readers. Williams' ability to create distinct character voices through letters makes ancient Rome feel immediate and relatable. --- *Next Episode: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett - continuing Season 1 of KBC*

12. 

    1 Jul 2025

    Peggy Plair & Kirti discuss Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

    Host Kirti Mutatkar continues KBC (Kirti's Book Club) with Peggy Plair to discuss Ann Patchett's "Tom Lake" - a novel about family, memory, and the stories we tell about our lives, set during the COVID-19 pandemic. About the Book Tom Lake by Ann Patchett follows a mother telling her three adult daughters stories about her past while they work together on their family cherry farm in Michigan during COVID-19 lockdown. Through flashbacks, the daughters discover their mother's previous life as a young actress, her first love with a charismatic but unsuitable actor, and how she met their father. The novel explores how our children perceive us versus who we really are. KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor: Peggy - Gentle Bubbles (3/4), Kirti - [not specified] Bookshelf Worthy. Both - Purchased after library rental, plan to revisit and recommend to others Both hosts recommend "Tom Lake" as a relatable, feel-good read that resonates with anyone who has navigated unexpected life changes. Patchett's masterful character development creates distinct personalities for each daughter while exploring universal themes of family relationships, finding peace in ordinary life, and understanding that every person we encounter shapes who we become. Next Episode: "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig - continuing Season 1 of KBC

13. 

    1 Jul 2025

    Aniket Mutatkar & Kirti discuss Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of KBC (Kirti's Book Club)! Host Kirti Mutatkar launches the podcast with Aniket Mutatkar to discuss Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" - a science fiction novel about an unlikely hero's mission to save Earth from extinction. About the book Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir follows Ryland Grace, a science teacher who awakens alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. Through flashbacks, we learn he's humanity's last hope to solve a crisis threatening Earth's sun. The story becomes a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and problem-solving as Grace encounters Rocky, an alien facing the same threat to his home planet. Key Discussion Points Communication across species - How physics and math become universal language when Grace and Rocky must learn to communicate Heroism vs. survival- Unlike typical sci-fi heroes fighting to live, Grace's mission requires sacrificing himself for others Global cooperation - How humanity unites during crisis, with parallels to COVID response Science meets emotion - The friendship between Grace and Rocky drives the story beyond just problem-solving KBC Reading Radar Brain Fizz Factor: Kirti - Mental Fireworks (4/4), Aniket - Rolling Boil (3/4) Bookshelf Worthy: Aniket - Prized Possession (4/4), Kirti - Borrowed Time (2/4) Looking Ahead Upcoming movie adaptation starring Ryan Gosling Next KBC episode will feature "Augustus" by John Williams Future roundtable discussions with listeners. Reach out to Kirti Mutatkar at kirtimutatkar7@gmail.com Challenge for sci-fi fans to try historical fiction and vice versa Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Project Hail Mary" for its unique blend of hard science, emotional depth, and accessibility to non-sci-fi readers. Whether you're drawn to the scientific problem-solving or the touching friendship between species, this book offers something meaningful for diverse reading tastes. *Next Episode: "Augustus" by John Williams - A historical fiction exploration that promises to challenge genre boundaries once again.*

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

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