The Power of Fiction, with Bruna Passos | Advanced English Conversations.

In this episode of Hear You Go (E67), I sit down with the exceptional Brazilian English teacher Bruna Passos for a conversation that started with a book and led us to so many interesting places.

We talk about the power of fiction—not just for enjoyment but for expanding our perspectives, building empathy, and even challenging the status quo. Bruna shares how literature has transported her to different times and places, expanding her understanding of language and our world.

We also dive into the question of reading in a second language—why do so many people lean toward "practical" texts instead of fiction? We chat about how to balance reading for pleasure with language learning. Along the way, we geek out over Jhumpa Lahiri, book clubs, and why reading reviews can be just as eye-opening as the books themselves.

If you love reading, teaching, or simply the magic of language, this conversation is for you.

We wrap up the convo with Bruna letting us in on what she’s reading now and sharing where you can find her online (pro tip: if you DM her, bring book recommendations!).

All book titles and links to Bruna’s work are in the show notes below.

🎧 Tune in for an unscripted, heartfelt discussion on learning, exploring, and the books that shape us.

 

Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. 

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Links to go further:

Bruna’s details:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunapassoselt/

Website: https://www.brunapassos.net/

Books and authors we discussed:

1. Pedro Bandeira: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Bandeira

2. The Joys of Motherhood, by Buchi Emecheta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joys_of_Motherhood

3. Jhumpa Lahiri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhumpa_Lahiri

Her books: 

• The Interpreter of Maladies (1999)

• The Namesake (2003)

• Unaccustomed Earth (2008)

• The Lowlands (2013)

• Dove mi trovo (2018)

• Roman Stories (2023)

4. Isabel Allende, author of countless novels worth reading: https://www.isabelallende.com/en

• House of Spirits (1995)

5. Forbidden Notebook, Alba de Céspedes

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