Alina Simone is the guest. Her debut novel, Note to Self, is now available from Faber & Faber. Sam Lipsyte says “People as multi-talented and skilled as Alina Simone, who sings beautifully, writes essays, and now foists upon us a truly funny and poignant novel, need to be stopped. And maybe they will be, but in the meantime, there is no harm in falling into the soulful voice of Simone's narrator, Anna, as she struggles with the end of numb, cubicled youth and the awkward beginnings of new life.” And Kirkus calls it “A remarkably assured debut . . . Wicked, witty.” Monologue topics: Fourth of July, the weird story of how my bad back was finally healed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.