Novel Conversations

The Grapes of Wrath centers around a poor family of tenant farmers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, and bank foreclosures with hints of a hopeful future beyond the Dust Bowl. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your...

"For Whom The Bell Tolls" tells the story of a young American soldier and his tumultuous task of blowing up a bridge while fighting against the fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Through Emma, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women in Regency England, creating a lively comedy of manners highlighting the dangers of meddling in other people’s lives. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Emma.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad ch...

"Babbitt" follows a midwestern man and his strife with the vacuity of middle-class life and the social pressure toward conformity. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Babbitt.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Animal Farm" tells the tale of oppressed farm animals who revolt against their human dictators and grapple with the powers of corruption that ensue from their newfound freedom. It is often interpreted as a reflection of Soviet Russia. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Animal Farm.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schw...

"Lord of the Flies" focuses on a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Lord of the Flies.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Sun Also Rises" follows a group of American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

"Of Mice and Men," tells the story of two migrant farm hands during the Great Depression, one of whom struggles to overcome mental and physical difficulties. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "The House of Mirth," an aging, single woman realizes the corrupt nature of the upper classes of society. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "The House of Mirth." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "Darkness at Noon," a once-communist leader awaits sentencing from his own beloved "party" in prison. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Darkness at Noon." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elmer Gantry is a satire that follows Elmer Gantry, a poor Kansas man who is encouraged to become a preacher and pursue success. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Elmer Gantry." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Sinclair Lewis and his writings. Learn more about your ad choices....

A Confederacy of Dunces follows the life and misadventures of Ignatius Jacques Riley, whom Walker Percy described as a "slob extraordinary, a mad Oliver Hardy, a fat Don Quixote, a perverse Thomas Aquinas rolled into one." Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick Andrews and Scott Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. Learn more abo...

"A Farewell to Arms" follows the life and war experiences of Frederic Henry, an American Lieutenant serving in the Italian campaign during World War I, as well as his passionate love affair with nurse Catherine Barkley. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "A Farewell to Arms," by Ernest Hemingway. Then stay tuned for Endnotes with...

In "Pride and Prejudice," we follow the lives of the Bennet family in 19th century England, and with 5 unwed daughters, Mrs. Bennet has only one thing on her mind: marriage. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht and Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interes...

In "How Green Was My Valley," Huw Morgan reflects on his life growing up in a coal mining town in a valley in Wales. His memories range everywhere from coal union disputes to the romances of various siblings. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Joan and Patrick Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "How Green Was My Valley." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some...

"Sense and Sensibility" is the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their different experiences of life and loss. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht and Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about the life and motives o...

In "Cannery Row," a group of kind-hearted miscreants struggle in their attempts to throw a surprise party for their role model. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Cannery Row" Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Steinbeck and the inspiration for his writings. Learn more about your ad ch...

A summary and exploration of Aldous Huxley's 1932 dystopian novel about the role of human nature in a technological society. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Brave New World." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Huxley and the inspiration for his writings. Learn more about your a...

In "Anthem," a streetsweeper uses extreme measures after learning the true nature of his collectivist, dystopian society. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novella, "Anthem." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Rand and the inspiration for her writings. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

"Little Women" chronicles the transition of four sisters from children into women. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht and Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Little Women." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Alcott and her writings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this novella, a man finds a pearl in his attempt to provide for his sick son, but greed and corruption play a hand in the outcome of his success. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novella, "The Pearl." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Steinbeck and the inspiration for his writings. Learn...

In "The Great Gatsby," a veteran uses elaborate measures in his attempt to recapture the past and the love he once knew. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "The Great Gatsby." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Fitzgerald and the inspiration for his writings. Learn more about your ad ch...

In "The Old Man and the Sea," An older Cuban fisherman, Santiago, has an epic struggle with a giant marlin fish in the Gulf Stream. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "The Old Man and the Sea." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Hemingway and his writings. Learn more about your ad choic...

In "The Giver," a young boy named Jonas discovers that the seemingly perfect society in which he lives contains big and dark secrets when he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "The Giver." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about th...