The most pretentious podcast I’ve listened to in a while. Sad cuz I wanted to like it but clear vibes received that if you’re not a woke liberal feminist (now probably anti Jewish), virtue signaling snowflake, you won’t be welcomed. Pretty much confirms my misgivings about the publishing industry as a whole, unfortunately .

I was looking for a podcast episode ona specific author and found this one.Not knowing much about the podcast beforehand, I was pleasantly surprised by the well thoughtout questions to the author, the length of the interview, the theme and the format of the show. Thank you to Carrie and Octavia for a with substance twist on the book review podcast.

Carrie and Octavia provide fresh insights on a wide range of topics affecting writers and the craft of writing. Highly recommend.

Just what I’ve been looking for. The hosts are knowledgeable and articulate. I love learning about books from them.

Through their love for literature and discourse, Octavia and Carrie have struck a perfect balance between navigating the nuanced, complicated experiences that define us as humans while still providing an easy listening experience. I want to say to dubious listeners: you don’t have to read any of the books mentioned to get a lot out of the pod. To be able to enjoy this podcast, it’s more important to have an appreciation for new ideas than it is for books, although of course, those who value the former typically appreciate the latter as well :) Octavia and Carrie never shy away from taboo or heavy topics, but their friendship and warmth keep the podcast light. I find it one of the most accessible podcasts.

This is constantly one of most interesting and intelligent podcasts - especially if you love to read. (which I do!). They are fantastic and very knowledgeable interviewers and I love their book recommendations. It really got me through these dark months. Many thanks Carrie and Olivia!

LitFric is the podcast equivalent of curling up on the sofa with a good book and a cup of tea. Carrie and Octavia have such an amazing chemistry, and I’m always delighted to see updates pop up in my feed. The show is enlightening and smart without being pretentious. I’ve discovered many authors from my years of listening who I otherwise might never have found. I’m even a patron, and happy to support the show.

This podcast has been exactly what I have been searching for! Octavia and Carrie ask just the right questions and let the authors lead the way— their analysis is always relevant and insightful. Finally, a book review podcast that’s not by and for boomers.

I look forward to every conversation between these two bookish people! Carrie and Octavia manage to strike the perfect balance between cerebral literary discussions and casual chats between friends.

Carrie and Octavia, hosts of the Literary Friction podcast, highlight all aspects of books, writing and more in this can’t miss podcast! The hosts and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!

Your two intimacy episodes are so smart and sexy! Thank you Carrie and Octavia for delivering such a high level of discourse - and wonderful insights - in this strange and disconcerting time.

I love listening to this podcast - Carrie and Octavia are so smart, and present such original, genuine takes on what they’re reading and why. I look forward to every new episode and learn a ton every time!!!

Smart analysis, playful banter, vulnerable realness — what a delight! Of the many podcasts about books out there, this is hands down my favorite. Carrie and Octavia, thank you for letting us listen in!

duality at its finest. intelligent conversation. to sit around a bonfire with these two and discuss literature is a dream.

I listen to far too many podcasts. This is my new favourite. Literary Friction is insightful, warm, and unique. Thank you, and keep up the wonderful work!

This podcast has quickly become my favorite podcast. I could listen to Carrie and octavia talk for hours and sometimes I have. It’s taken me quite a while to find a literary podcast that’s as entertaining, thought provoking and meandering-in only the best way- as this one. The hosts are both brilliant women with wonderful personalities

love the show! please add the books discussed and recommended in the show notes for easy reference. thank you and keep it up!

Carrie and Octavia speak eloquently and engagingly on all areas of literature. They both elucidate and question the themes of their shows whilst appearing open and non-judgemental. I have taken many recommendations from the podcast and feel my reading life is richer because of it. Thank you!

Very smart and thoughtful but pretentious in its proper ness. Did not make me want to read books.

Listening to Carrie and Octavia makes me so happy. I love the warmth and energy their years of friendship brings to the podcast—it feels so comfortable as a listener. Adding new books to my reading list after every listen doesn’t hurt! I love the new-ish mini-episodes because they means I don’t have to wait weeks to hear their intellectual and hilarious book banter. Big fan of all things Literary Friction!

Whether it’s their minisodes (where Carrie & Octavia discuss what’s been of interest to them culturally and why) or their author specials (where they engage in brilliant conversations with writers like Zadie Smith, Ocean Vuong & Deborah Levy), listening to this podcast is such an edifying experience. So if you’re looking for discourse that’s well-read, contemporary, erudite-but-not-pretentious; discourse that’s funny and political (without being dogmatic or ideological); above all if you’re looking for discourse that centres literature (and all of literature, because they read widely and diversely), then get Literary Friction. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Carrie & Octavia for this absolute beauty. 💓

Love this podcast, genuinely look forward to it. Author interviews are great, of course, but Carrie and Octavia carry the show with their smart thoughts on reading, literature, and the theme of the week. It strikes me, listening to this show, how few literature-related podcasts feature intelligent conversations /about/ literature rather than interviews with authors. My only stubstantive complaint: too short! I often feel C. and O. could go on talking for much longer. (Perhaps they do and it's edited down? Please release a full version, too!) (One minor complaint: I often struggle to hear this podcasts in my earbuds as I'm walking around the city. It's not a phone problem; my other podcasts are fine. Mind bumping up the volume a bit before uploading the podcast into the feed?)

First time listening and no more. Good program but bad, bad audio. Sounds like Levy is constantly looking for something in her purse. So much noise. So much shifting.

Like the friendship of the two hosts. Also appreciate the “other cultural things we’re into” section. The July 2019 interview with Ocean Vuong made me want to move to Massachusetts to enroll in all his classes. So good!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any millennial reader who has time enough to read for pleasure must be in want of a guide. But with the deafening din arising from the literary blogospheres, where is guiding wisdom to be found? I’d submit ‘Literary Friction’ is where. The visual appeal of the ‘Spice Girls’ though Octavia Bright and Carrie Plitt may have, you’d be mistaken to assume that these two spout out little else than highbrow formulations of ‘girl power’: for they have the minds of Cantabrigian scholars, and give the impression that they rank among the few of their generation stoking the flame first lit by the ‘Bright Young Things’. Halfway in to the livelier LF podcasts, you may get the impression that they know how to get down with a book but also how to have a rollicking time. With such Renaissance women for hosts, LF shows never suffer for lack of erudition or wit (saucy literary in-jokes abound), but their shows go especially well when the month’s guest winds up catalyzing lively banter between the hosts, whose interpersonal chemistry can be as therapeutic as that of pleasure reading itself and, so, sets this podcast apart. So strong is their effect that, I would’ve sworn during one enchanted hour last June that my partner and I were overhearing literary-minded friends carry on in a trendy London teahouse even though we were lounging – poolside, matching wayfarers on, books perched on our chests – in the American West. Yes, that’s right: the show can even make for some fantastic date listening, provided that your date is bookish. I favor Carrie’s analytical intensity, while my partner is partial to Octavia’s flamboyant sparkle, but together we remain united in our devotion to the friendly transatlantic “friction” that arises among the hosts, their literary guests, and us listeners – a friction that, when it subsides at the end of each hour-long show, finds the sensibilities of everyone involved more finely attuned to the sensibilities of the wider reading world.

what a great show! if you love thoughtful recommendations and conversations, with humor and intelligence, on all things books: this is the show for you!!

Smart but accessible, great chemistry between the hosts, love the format, great balance of structure and room for discussion, between talking about established and new books. No shade to my mostly drinks wine book club but this is what I wish they were like.

Love the way these ladies choose themes for each episode and really go in depth into the books that fit within them. The discussion is always equally thought provoking and delightfully funny. I’ve added so many books to my must read list from this show. If you’re a book worm or just trying to expand your reading list, listen!

Listening to this makes one smarter and more filled with joy.

I always look forward to this pod! Two smart, funny, insightful women having a non-spoiler conversation with an author and then a bunch of recommendations to go along with the theme. If you like bookish pods, this has to be in your feed!

A refreshingly intellectual podcast featuring insightful interviews and discussions posed around literary themes. The on-air charisma of hosts Carrie and Octavia is a joy to listen to and I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon their contemplative, fascinating discussions.

The conversation is bright, fresh, and immediate. I enjoy how hosts Carrie and Octavia connect with the authors they interview to make the discussions both intellectual and personal.

This wonderful, smart and funny podcast has reignited my passion for books! Carrie and Octavia make excellent hosts, provoking fascinating interviews with relevant authors with intelligence, humor and wit. I get all my new book recommendations from this podcast and have yet to be disappointed.

they give time for an author to develop their ideas and even show a little creativity in conversation about their inspirations and motives.