Bibliophilia and the Philosophers' Degrees

In this not-too-mini episode, Anastasia and Megan watch and discuss Joe Wright's 2012 film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. Your hosts start by discussing the detrimental dichotomy of Freud's Madonna-Whore Complex as reflected in the characters Anna and Kitty, then explore how religious-based laws erode personal agency—especially for the marginalized. The hosts close this epi...

In this episode of the podcast, your hosts are joined by indie author, Madeline Thorne, to talk about their steamy, dark romance Prohibited. The trio starts by discussing the idea of surrender as a form of liberation rather than defeat and find themselves delving into post-war community and relationship dynamics, inner turmoil, and the catharsis found in redemption arcs. Reminders: Visit Madeline&...

WARNING: We're sorry for the inconsistent volume levels! Anastasia's laptop won't recognize their mic input, so they had to use their bluetooth headphones. In this episode, your hosts are joined by special guest Sarah, co-host of the  HorrorSlashStories  podcast, for an in-depth discussion of Weyward by Emilia Hart. Together, they explore the novel’s themes of bodily and social autonom...

In this episode, your hosts get into the popular 2024 mystery novel, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. In a novel driven by the secrets characters keep from each other, Megan and Anastasia question the morality of deception and how much intentions and context matter. Megan introduces Thomas Hobbes' theory of Contractarianism as a tool to think through the morality of the actions of the Van Laars,...

Anastasia and Megan are kicking off season three of the podcast with Heir by Sabaa Tahir. Your hosts are discussing if the ends justify the means (seems like they don't, y'all) and the Machiavellian antics of the MC, Aiz, in her quest to save her people. They reflect on redemption, but wonder why vengeance feels so much more cathartic. Lastly, they're questioning if powerlessness corru...

In this episode, your host, Anastasia, discusses What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher with a special guest: Sara! This novella is a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and fleshes out (see what we did there?) its female characters. Anastasia and Sara consider the possibility that everything has consciousness, but not everything has a brain; the irony in choosing to relinq...

In this episode, your hosts discuss the novel  Hester  by Laurie Lico Albanese, a story about the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's character Hester Prynne in the book you had to read in high school,  The Scarlet Letter . Anastasia and Megan consider how ancestors can leave legacies that feel like burdens, the volatile existence of outsiders in a close-minded community, and loving someone f...

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan discuss Katherine Arden's underrated 2017 fantasy, The Bear and the Nightingale. Your hosts look at aspects of Russian folklore and the repercussions when Christianity comes to rural medieval Russia. They discuss characters acting from a place of curiosity vs. a place of fear, the interplay between free will and fate, alongside control and acceptance, and f...

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan dive into the family dynamics of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Your hosts get in their feelings when discussing both parental love and shortcomings, unpack parental and generational legacies (read: trauma), and compare Mick Riva's parenting skills to fairly low philosophical standards.  Digressions include a lot of life updates! 

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan discuss the much beloved Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman. They reflect on aging, being teenagers, and the infamous peach scene. They try to determine if Elio is lovesick or in a tortured state of limerence. Finally, they stan Elio's father for encouraging Elio to feel the full range of his feelings and subverting toxic masculinity. Digressions include...

In this episode, your hosts climb aboard  Howl's Moving Castle  by Diana Wynne Jones. They discuss Eldest Daughter Syndrome and how we should all try harder to carpe diem before we turn ninety. Anastasia reveals how Aristotle was a misogynist and his logic ultimately led to the various witch hunts of Europe and New England. Finally, your hosts ask, why do we make women the big bad in so many c...

In this first episode of season two and in the spirit of the month of love, your hosts read  Red, White and Royal Blue  by Casey McQuiston. Anastasia and Megan discuss the power of love to influence history and reveal our true selves. Then they dive into philosophical theories on love including Aristophanes' speech on soulmates from Plato's  Symposium  and Nietzsche's hot take that gre...

In this special episode, your hosts are joined by special guest, author Hazel Marie, to discuss her new book, Like Salt and Ash. In this episode, they discuss capitalism and consumption through the lens of a vampire novel, the ethics of influencing others, and behind-the-scenes details of the writing and publishing process. !!Find Like Salt and Ash by Hazel Marie online via Barnes & Noble!! Di...

In this episode, your hosts welcome in the spooky season with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. They discuss the overlapping natural and supernatural worlds in Sleepy Hollow, the likability of the trio of characters, and the savage literary roasting of Ichabod Crane. Digression s include spooky 90s classics, Benedict Cumberbatch, Target as a Tarrytown, and underrated Disney hotties...

In this episode, your hosts critique, question, and fawn over the behemoth A Court of Silver Flames. They consider the efficacy of interventions and the ways we process trauma. Their discussion also includes the recurring themes of the void, "like calls to like," the glorification of war and power, and the pregnancy trope.  Digressions include Spongebob, emo behavior, intrusive TikTok au...

In this episode, your hosts dissect all the foreshadowing, future plotline set-ups, and lore sprinkled throughout A Court of Frost and Starlight, as well as their hopes for future books in the series. They wonder if this book was truly necessary and why Feyre is suddenly cringe at best, and absolutely awful at worst. Digressions include Supernatural and the wisdom of Ron Swanson. CW/TW : PTSD, abu...

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan get into the third installment of the ACOTAR series. Go ahead and take a drink each time a host says "ACOWAR." Your favorite duo dwells on if war can ever be justified, responsible storytelling for Lucien and Mor, as well as some brief Biblical, Russian, and European folklore cleverly incorporated by SJM.  Skip to 11:25 for the 30-second book recaps a...

In this episode, your hosts are joined by a special guest, friend of the pod, and fan of SJM! The trio discuss the idea of soulmates, found family, surviving trauma, and the dynamics between freedom, choice, and protection. Also... the smut!!  Skip to 13:24 for the 30 second book recaps and the sort of start to the episode. Digressions include: Florence Pugh, the sensuality of soup, and unsexiness...

In this not-too-mini episode, your hosts watch and discuss Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and why the work still resonates with audiences to this day. This is the first installment of a light-hearted mini-series where your hosts dive into the many adaptations of Austen's works.  Digressions include off-brand Orlando Bloom, Rosamund Pike's d...

In this new episode, your hosts cross the Wall into Prythian to dissect A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. While reading, the hosts felt curious about the concept of beauty, compassion, consent, and the sexiness of an antihero.   Digressions include SSRI side effects, the line between sexy and cringe, and Mr. Freeze. TW/CW: Violence and sexual assault. Email: bibliophiliaandphilosophia@...

Your hosts are back from hiatus with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. In this episode, they discuss Mexican stoicism, toxic masculinity, Nihilism, and peace vs. happiness. Digressions include the Dobler-Dahmer Theory, the ultimate dad joke, and poisoning one's enemies.  Content Warning : homophobia, transphobia, violence, murder Don't forget...

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan confront the uncomfortable in Octavia E. Butler's Fledgling. They discuss how Butler layers themes of choice, free will, and intent alongside commentary on race and individualism, all through the lens of a fast-paced, sci-fi vampire novel.  Digressions include unshakable winter illness, Alexander Skarsgård, and persistent existentialism.  Content Warning: a...

Hello fellow philosophers and readers! We would love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions we unpack in this episode. If you are comfortable with us reading your thoughts on air to discuss, our contact information along with a list of our questions will be listed below the episode description. Stay curious, friends <3 In this follow up episode, Anastasia and Megan make the descent...

In this episode, Anastasia and Megan are reunited with Alex Stern and Darlington in Leigh Bardugo's sequel to Ninth House, Hell Bent. Through these characters, the hosts examine the moral obligations of a parent, if love is an emotion one can control, and how it all impacts the path to self-actualization. Digressions include charcuterie boards, self-deprecating pop songs, and the Alex-Darlington s...

In this episode, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is up for discussion. Anastasia and Megan dwell on the ethics of power—who ultimately pays the cost to acquire it, and what do those with more, owe to those with less? Digressions include philosophical definitions, writing for the female gaze, and Oprah.