Sep 29

Sep 29 Episode #171: Cynicism and Toxic Positivity!

Welcome back! Grace and Alvina discuss cynicism and toxic positivity, which direction they lean, and how to avoid both.

How have you been?

Grace has been busy working on her new project with Alvina recently announced in Publisher’s Weekly, her book called Chinese Menu about the all the myths, folktales and legends behind your favorite Chinese American food! Alison Morris was in town hosting the couple behind Bus Load of Books Tour! ( Robbi and Matthew refurbished a school bus and hit the road with their kids to travel around the country promoting literacy in schools!) Alvina went to see Top Gun Maverick in the theater, walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, and watched the US Open Finals at home!

Toxic Positivity

The Book Friends find the toxic positivity definition from an article in Psychology Today:

Toxic positivity is the act of avoiding, suppressing, or rejecting negative emotions or experiences.

Grace and Alvina talk about the difference between toxic positivity and being optimistic. Sometimes people say positive words encouraging things in tough times because they really don’t know what else to say. It is sometimes better to admit that you don’t really have the right words for the situation.

What is the opposite of toxic positivity? Cynicism! The book friends discuss what it means to be cynical. Social media is a both a place of toxic positivity and cynicism. Find out where Grace and Alvina fall into these categories.

Fortune Cookie Segment: Favorite Fall Things!

Crio Bru is brewing this fall in Grace’s world! Fall is her favorite season for the love of cooler temps, school schedule, running, and seeing kids back in school reading her books! Alvina’s favorite season is Spring but Fall is a close second as she loves changing over her wardrobe to warmer clothes, loves the holidays, and the Fall season makes her feel the most nostalgic.

Gratefuls!

Grace is grateful for all the friendships in her life and the ones that Hazel has. Alvina is grateful for Grace’s mooncakes!

If you’re a patron, don’t forget to check out this week’s Random Questions feed! “What mythical creature would improve the world most if it existed?” with Grace and Fabio Napoleoni! Click here to listen! If you’re not a patron already, join today!

Don’t forget! You can now order Grace’s limited edition autographed 12" x 18" double-sided poster featuring artwork by Grace Lin commemorating the Newbery Award Centennial for The Horn Book Magazine. You can purchase them at the Eric Carle Museum and help support Everylibrary.org! Order HERE!

Thank you for tuning in! Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)

You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Twitter and Instagram and @gracelinauthor on TikTok and @authorgracelin on Facebook

Order the 2022 WTMMTM CALENDAR: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/category/books/autographed-books/grace-lin