This episode was recorded November 4 2024 Comedian and writer Niles Abston joins me to discuss Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, often referred to as America's first (and greatest?) novel. Young Huckleberry Finn escapes his abusive father and embarks on an adventure down the Mississippi. Beside him is the escaped enslaved person Jim.…

It’s the ninety-sixth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, critic…

With Required Reading, we’re launching something new! As we hinted at the end of last term, we’re exploring a broader American Studies approach, tentatively called Zeit Guys. After covering a book last week (and with another on the way), we’ll be diving into Green Day’s Dookie album in the same style—personal stories, analysis, and enjoyment. We’re…

This week Amanda and Victoria discuss Henry James' novella, The Turn of the Screw. After Daddy's Little Harbinger shows up (Mothman) our audio started to have some problems, the episode crashing twice. The rest of his death story is posted on UnfortunatelyRequiredReading.com for the curious. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/…

Actor and writer Olive Lorraine joins me to discuss a perfect misanthropist’s heaven: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë from 1847. Summary: Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange on the bleak Yorkshire moors, is forced to seek shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. There he discovers the history of the tempestuous…

This might be the most I've ever laughed in an episode? Slay. Adriene Vento joins me to discuss several entries into the Mercy Watson series written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. We cover Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (book 2) and Mercy Watson Fights Crime (book 3), a series about a pig who loves toast and the people who love…

Rishi Mahesh joins me to discuss Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture from 2008. Carnegie Mellon computer science professor Randy Pausch delivered a "last lecture" of life lessons for his young children in the months preceding his death due to pancreatic cancer. I'm really eager to hear thoughts on this episode! Follow Rishi Follow Erin Support the podc…

This week on Required Reading, we talk Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and hidden in here is an easter egg that will unlock Hoffmann's Gold. WE ARE BACK, BABY!!!! Host: Nic Panel: Mike and Mike. From the Random House book cover: "In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OA…

John Paul Sarni of Stampede Ventures and the Page and Screen podcast joins me to discuss Michael Crichton's 1990 staple: Jurassic Park! Listen to Page and Screen! Support the podcast! Follow Erin!

It’s the ninety-fifth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, critic…

This week Amanda and Victoria discuss the Daniel Quinn book of Socratic dialogue with a gorilla, Ishmael. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

Sometimes mosquitos get in the pancakes and you have to eat them anyway. Writer Emily Schmidt walks me through one of the most popular and traumatizing series of the late 90s/early 00s: Dear America and in particular its Oregon Trail diary Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie from 1997 by Kristiana Gregory. Summary: After the death of her 2 sisters…

I wouldn't have predicted that I would ever say the phrase "acquiescence mushrooms," but here we are. Bailey Benningfield joins me to discuss Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. And yes we discuss the movie, don't you know my passion for Anne Hathaway? Synopsis: At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift - …

It’s the ninety-fourth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criti…

What's this? A bonus episode? This week Jess Woodworth returns to discuss a seasonal staple that I had never seen before: THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS from 1993. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of "Halloween Town", who stumbles upon "Christmas Town" and schemes to take over the holiday. It was directed by Henry Selick and w…

It's a picture book - with lore. Delaney Circe joins me to discuss Chris Van Allsburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick from 1984. In an encounter between a children's book editor named Peter Wenders and an author and illustrator named Harris Burdick – who says he has 14 stories that he has written – Burdick brings one picture from each story with …

This week Amanda and Victoria discuss Robert Graves' epic I, Claudius, and immediately questioning Graves' concepts of history. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

Shelby Copple joins me to discuss a book about lovin books: INKHEART by Cornelia Funke. The story follows bookish twelve-year-old Meggie, who learns that her bookbinder father Mortimer or 'Mo' has a special gift: he can bring fictional characters to life. Read Shelby's newsletter! Support the podcast! Follow Erin!…

Get your freak on theater kids, we're doing Shakespeare. Kylie Brakeman joins me to discuss William Shakespeare's immortal classic: Macbeth. Listen to Kylie's podcast Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists! Support the show! Follow Erin!

Kevin T Porter joins me to discuss the second book in Louis Sachar's Wayside series: Wayside School is Falling Down! Our original Wayside episode with Jenny Cavallero! Listen to Kevin's podcast Good Christian Fun! Support the podcast! I'll send you MAIL!! Follow Erin!

It’s the ninety-third episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, critic…

Natalie Ortega (Wicked!!!) joins me to discuss Scott Westerfeld's 2005 library staple: UGLIES. Also, a movie of this 19 year old book is coming to Netflix in a few weeks. That's called serendipity, baby. Uglies is a 2005 science fiction novel by Scott Westerfeld. It is set in a future post scarcity dystopian world in which everyone is considered an…

Hello! We are starting to dust off the cobwebs of summer break. As we do, we return to one of Mike Carroll's short stories. Please enjoy! We will be back with the new format soon, so keep following us here! Thanks, Nicעל ידי Required Reading, Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Michael Carroll and Mike Burns.

Grace Bahler joins me to discuss the first book in Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You from 2006! The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school teaches advanced martial arts in PE, chemistry always consists of learning about th…

Jess Woodworth joins me to discuss Newbery Medal winner The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (one of only 6 authors to win 2 Newberys!) The main plot follows the adventures of a mouse named Despereaux Tilling, as he sets out on his quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the rats. (Wikipedia) Support the podcast! Follow Jess! Follow Eri…

Happy Birthday Month to Amanda! This month, we discuss Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird (and Victoria actually does the shortest short story long.) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

It’s the ninety-second episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criti…

Chelsea Pope joins me to discuss Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey! Trigger warnings for discussions of mental health, institutionalization, suicide, and more. The book is narrated by Chief Bromden, a gigantic half-Native American patient at a psychiatric hospital, who presents himself as deaf, mute, and docile. Bromden's tal…

It's another dealer's choice episode! Returning guests Hua Chen and Ashley Westover join me to discuss a book I hated in high school (I was wrong! I know!) Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE! Book summary: While the arrival of wealthy gentlemen sends her marriage-minded mother into a frenzy, willful and opinionated Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with…

I didn't mean to have the American Revolution episode come out on July 3rd, but! I'll take any serendipity I can get. Another Dealer's Choice episode - professor Carly O'Brien returns to discuss Esther Forbes' 1943 Newberry winning novel Johnny Tremain. Book summary: Johnny, a young apprentice silversmith, is caught up with Otis, Hancock, and John …

This month Amanda and Victoria discuss City of Night by John Rechy for Pride Month and discuss the old ways and the new of Queer community and acceptance. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

Don't look now, it's the Gruffalo! Book summary: Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry Gruffalo! (Storygraph) Support the podcast! Follow Hayley Follow me!

I'm launching a series called DEALER'S CHOICE where I pick the book!! So I picked my middle school backpack staple, my entry into adulthood, the book that made me say "teenhood? i'm here!" it's Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn! The novel is told from the alternating perspectives of Nick, the only straight member …

ITS EPISODE 30! Don't bring back jelly sandals unless you're cosplaying the Big Lebowski!

It’s the ninety-first episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, critic…

Original guest Georgia Shenk joins me to discuss Meg Cabot's AIRHEAD - a book about modeling, full body transplants, and a chinchilla named Anna Nicole Smith.

This week we dive into the Culinary Underbelly with Anthony Bourdain as we talk about his masterpiece Kitchen Confidential. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann Co-host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll From the Ecco back cover: "An updated and revised edition of Anthony Bourdain's mega-bestselling Kitchen Confidential, with new material from the original edition Alm…

Baron Von Cheeseplate joins Amanda and Victoria to discuss Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, and the impact of this work on pop culture. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

Flop Soup's Justin Crosby joins me to discuss Lemony Snicket's first Unfortunate Event: The Bad Beginning! Why is Erin's audio so bad? We don't know but hopefully she'll figure it out. Or else!

It’s the ninetieth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizi…

Sarah Dessen has LANDED. Cassandra Kyriazis of Flop Soup joins me to discuss Sarah Dessen's novel LOCK AND KEY, 2008s jewelry, and the power of having 2-3 friends. Flop Soup: https://www.flopsoup.com/ Substack: https://goodlinksbycassandra.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CassandraKy

This week on Required Reading, we all called our brothers and fathers. We read A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, one of the greatest American parables ever written. Make your brothers, fathers, husbands, etc read it, also while you are at it, whoever you are, READ IT. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll. Book summary from …

MERMAIDS, ARE YOU READY? Zannah Schorer joins me for episode 26 to discuss Liz Kessler's tale of a girl probing the mysteries of her absent father, the weird lighthouse operator, and why her legs are becoming a tail!

It’s the eighty-ninth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, critic…

ITS EPISODE 25!!! And one of the best books in American literature in my opinion. Corryn Diemer joins us to read Louis Sachar's 1998 classic - its both twinkling fairytale and sweaty gritty story about the juvenile penal system. And of course, the movie. Follow Corryn! Support the show! Follow Erin!

This week Amanda and Victoria discuss Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie, Manifest Destiny, the Minnesota Massacre, the lie of Westward expansion and why neither host can spell prairie. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unfortunately-required/support

Grab your gear, we're looking for dragons. Ashley Westover joins me to discuss Dugald Steer's interactive DRAGONOLOGY and his OLOGIES series! Support the podcast! Follow Ashley's podcast QueerPG! Follow Erin!

Its a Required Reading first - childhood friend Hua Chen joins Erin to discuss a book they read together in Mr Swift's 10th grade English class: THE GRAPES OF WRATH, a book which both love, but could not remember. Spoiler: it's really good!

This week writer and artist Emily Caulfield joins me to discuss Sydney Taylor's ALL OF A KIND FAMILY! I can't believe we recorded the whole episode and I forgot to ask what a Whatnot is!

It’s the eighty-eighth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criti…