Episode #270: Cynicism Vs. Skepticism

Grace and Alvina are recording together in Brooklyn! They discuss the difference between cynicism and skepticism, and which one is "a poison pill" and why it's important to stat hopeful. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they discuss a recent article in Publisher Weekly related to Banned Book Week, about the impact of book bans on authors. And, of course, they end with what they're grateful for.

How have you been?

Grace re-caps their fun night at the Carle Honors! Leslie Connor had a writing retreat in Maine that Grace also attended last week. Alex is picking up Grace at the train station back in Northampton and they’re going camping with Hazel’s Girl Scout troop! Alvina had a cold and had to miss the Carle Honors. Stephen’s biological kids came to visit.

A Poison Pill

The topic today was based on two podcast episodes from one of Grace’s favorite podcasts, The Happiness Lab. One episode is called “How to Find Hope in a Cynical World” and “Survival of the Fittest…or the The Kindest?”. Grace and Alvina talk about both episodes. “Are you a cynic or a skeptic?” The book friends talk Social Darwinism and big corporations.

Fortune Cookie Segment: Publishing News

The book friends talk about a book banning article in Publisher’s Weekly.

Gratefuls

Grace says, “I’m grateful for living a full and busy life”. Alvina is grateful her very big and non-traditional family. Stephen’s biological sons are here and they’re calling her “Aunt Alvina.”

THANK YOU!

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 and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky

You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on TikTok.

Please keep tagging and messaging us on social media using the hashtag #bookfriendsforever! OR email us at bookfriendsforever@gmail.com! Please let us know if you have any topic ideas!