The Brook Reading Podcast

This week on Brook Reading, I had the distinct pleasure to interview author Alicia Dill and discuss her new novel, Beyond Sacrifice. Alicia talks about the bonds amongst veterans, the importance of knowing facts from fiction, and the feeling of meeting a “unicorn in the wild”. Afterwards, I highlight and review her most recent venture, Beyond Sacrifice, SPOILER - FREE! Don’t forget to visit Alicia...

To celebrate Spooky Season, tonight’s episode of Brook Reading reviews the beautifully written, yet incredibly morose short story, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. Not only do I take a deep dive into one of my favorite short stories, but I plug one of my new favorite podcasts, the Party Time Excellent Podcast! Don’t forget, go check out - ESPECIALLY DURING SPOOK-TOBER - The Horror Aca...

This weekend is the THIRD episode in another series focusing on the Bard’s work, particularly “The Taming of the Shrew”! Aside from my summary and review of the play, you learn all about the British phenomenon, Talking Pages, and my lack of financial knowledge regarding the UK! Enjoy the show, and Happy Reading! Promo: Talking Codswallop, 2 Girls on a Bench @codswalloppod on Twitter @2girlsonabenc...

On this weekend’s episode of Brook Reading, we FINALLY cover the plot of the film, “10 Things I Hate About You”! My special guest hosts, Gemma and James of the Talking Codswallop Podcast, and I break down the movie, gush about the hair, the clothes, the drama, and get lost in our collective love and knowledge of “Not Another Teen Movie”! We also fell down a bit of a rabbit hole about “Mean Girls”...

This weekend’s episode is the first of a THREE part series on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”, but FIRST we will be discussing the modern adaptation, the 1999 feature film, “10 Things I Hate About You”! My pals, Gemma and James, from the Talking Codswallop podcast, join me in our review where we cover Heath Ledger’s hotness, the concept of Britain’s Talking Pages, and yes, a LITTLE...

This week’s episode of Brook Reading celebrates a personal favorite of mine - yup, you guessed it, Brookworms, ANOTHER STEPHEN KING EPISODE! I have reviewed for you one of his newer works, “Elevation”, as well as discussed some of his movie adaptations, all in time for his 74th birthday! Thank you for joining me on this episode, Happy reading, and please don’t forget to share (and possibly donate,...

Tonight’s episode of the Brook Reading Podcast highlights the lives of three maverick women who have paved the way for the modern woman, Edith Clarke, Emma Willard, and Marie Severin. I also implore you to help in any way you can to the victims of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and New Jersey. In the show notes this evening, I have included links for the Red Cross, Project Hope, as well as my cousin S...

Tonight is a very special episode of the Brook Reading Podcast! I cover a book by an author I’ve never read, along with a guest who I’ve never met AND who’s never been on the show! Dan from the Assorted Goods Podcast joins me to discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s classic novel, “Slaughterhouse Five”. We get into time jumping, Vonnegut’s tragic life, and the origins of reading and education in a myriad of way...

This weekend’s episode is a special one, as I have the opportunity to speak to one of my favorite authors AGAIN! Sophie Queen is back to talk about her newest release, “Book Two: Krino’s Blade” in the Riley Series. Our conversation was so much fun, running the gamut from the horror genre, to character development, to the positive aspects of online communities. We even laugh about our shared fascin...

Tonight’s episode of Brook Reading is a REBOOT! I’ve made it to 145 episodes, and this week, I take a look back at Episode 6 of the podcast, where I review Octavia Butler’s “Kindred”. I revamped the episode and made it special, just for you, to introduce this author to new listeners, as well as a thank-you to all of the people who have been listening since episode 1. I will be off next weekend, so...

Tonight’s episode is the culmination of my month-long journey into the history, biology, and experiences of women. My survey responses are modified from the book, “The Women Who Broke All the Rules” By Susan B. Evans, Ed. D., and Joan P. Avis, Ph. D., and I made lots of discoveries hearing about different women’s perspectives. Included in tonight’s episode is my review of two chapters of “Our Bodi...

Tonight, I continue our journey through the stories of amazing women, and this episode is no exception. I provide a brief review and highlights of “Construction Tales”, a blog and short story series, by Leslie M. Jasper. You can find Leslie’s blog at www.constructiontales.com , and her short story collection on Amazon. I also include more information on “Our Bodies, Ourselves”, tell you how you ca...

This episode of Brook Reading is an introduction to a very special series, the milestones, experiences, and wonder of women. On tonight’s episode, I review the fabulous, funny, and factual book, “Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation” by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim. Don’t forget about our special deal provided by Designs by Paula J (10% OFF WHEN YOU MENTION BROOK READING!)! Lastly, I highlight t...

This episode of Brook Reading is an introduction to a very special series, the milestones, experiences, and wonder of women. On tonight’s episode, I cover many notable, trailblazing women and their forgotten places in history. I also fill you in on a wonderful documentary series, and share with you a special deal provided by Designs by Paula J (10% OFF WHEN YOU MENTION BROOK READING!)! Lastly, I h...

This week, I finish my series on the history of libraries in America. I review the concept of “Carnegie Libraries”, discover the role of women throughout the entire history of libraries, including the development of library sciences, and go on a walk down memory lane. I also provide my own brief and cursory review of “The Day Lincoln Was Shot”. Enjoy, and happy reading! Intro Music: Sean Faust Out...

On this week’s episode of Brook Reading, I tackle the history of libraries in the United States. I also read tons of lovely comments, regarding “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Stephen King (of course), Alien, and the fact that President Biden is more respectful to the elderly than He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. I also rant about Kevin Costner, and share with you another promo for Designs by Paula J. Happ...

This week’s episode is the third in the Brook Reading Series, Scenes from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Our final scene takes place after the Duke’s wedding ceremony. Our young lovers have also been wed, and a celebration is in order. The newly wedded couples take in a play, written and performed by a group of rude mechanicals, workmen of Athens. Upon completion of the program...

This week’s episode is the second in a three-part series featuring scenes from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Tonight, we perform Act Three, Scene Two, where we revisit our fair lovers as they spend the night in the forest. Their misprised antics are exacerbated by the gleeful, yet mischievous, interventions of our resident Puck, Robin Goodfellow. Enjoy the show! Tonight’s Cast...

This week begins a three-part series featuring scenes from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Journey with us to Athens, where magic, mystery, love, and hijinks await you. Our stellar cast brought this classic comedy to life through the wonder of voice acting, and our fantastic crew added the reality, and fantasy, through music and sound. Tonight, we will perform for you, our devot...

This week’s episode of Brook Reading is chock full of fun! I was turned onto a brand new musical that is quite appropo right now. I share with you an article I found regarding an historically exciting trip for President Biden, and I gear up for my next series, a FIRST in Brook Reading History! Stay tuned next week for the first episode of our radio play of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Sh...

On this week’s episode of Brook Reading, I introduce you to an author with such an amazing outlook on life, writing, success, and joy! I had the pleasure to read and review Janet-Lynn’s debut novel, Forever is Today, and she was kind enough to visit me at the Brook! We talked about her inspiration for this fantastic work, her work creating visibility for liver disease, the notion of a strong, fami...

This weekend is an amalgam of literature, friendship, philanthropy, and general merriment as I finally recover from tooth surgery and chat with you again! Also, the 5 minute rant returns! I discuss the idea of shame surrounding women’s bodies and genitalia, my happy surprise to see that this wave of embarrassment may be turning the tides in the media, my SECOND rant about missing solid foods, and...

This week, in honor of Mother’s Day, I am releasing an episode reviewing one of my favorite plays of all time - ever. Robert Harling’s play, Steel Magnolias, was turned into a feature film in 1989, which has had such a huge influence on me over the past 30+ years. I apologize in advance for my terrible Louisiana accent, but I had SO much fun recording this episode and reading this wonderful play a...

Episode 131 introduces us to a debut novel, “Compliance”, by the amazingly talented author and podcaster, Sam Hurley. Check out my interview with Sam and my review of “Compliance”. I wax about the idea that Sam’s novel may make me smarter, why I have a crush on Ryan (and maybe all New Zealanders), and why we should absolutely support indie authors! Don’t forget to check out the website this week t...

On this week’s installment of Brook Reading’s Month-Long Shakespeare Extravaganza, I am joined by Jay of Politics with Dummies, and one of my brothers in the No Phony Podcast Network, to discuss “Julius Caesar”. We touch upon the rebellious nature of iambic pentameter, the importance of good teachers AND Cliff notes, and our mutual feeling that Charleton Heston can suck it. Jay finds very signific...