Nicolle Okoren & Eden Wen

Burn This Book: A Banned Books Book Club

Arts EN ↓ 80 episodes

Enter the controversial pages of banned and challenged books, of censorship and culture wars. Join Nicolle Okoren and Eden Wen twice a month as they read, discuss and understand the books and authors that communities across the United States have historically tried—and are still currently trying—to keep out of the hands of children and teenagers. burnthisbook.substack.com

Author

Nicolle Okoren & Eden Wen

Episodes

Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe (2019) feat. Linea Kemsley 21.02.2024 1:08:39

Listen and subscribe to Burn This Book: A Banned Books Book Club . If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. This helps others find us, which will promote our mission to make banned books more accessible to all readers. Follow us on Instagram to see what we’re reading next. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton (1967) 07.02.2024 38:40

Nicolle and Eden discuss S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Never Enough, by Jennifer Breheny Wallace * S. E. Hinton and the Y.A. Debate by Jon Michaud This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.subs...

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews (2012) 24.01.2024 45:42

Nicolle and Eden discuss Jesse Andrews’s Me and Earl and the Dying Girl . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (1932) feat. Candice MacAllister 10.01.2024 1:15:54

Nicolle and Eden discuss Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World with Candice MacAllister (this podcast’s graphic designer!). Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Maus I & II, by Art Spiegelman (1980) feat. Amy Nielsen 27.12.2023 52:26

Nicolle and Eden discuss Art Spiegelman’s Maus I & II with Amy Nielsen. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! Find Amy here: * Manuscript Wish List * The Purcell Agency References Spiegelman Family Tree This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook...

Looking for Alaska, by John Green (2005) feat. Theodore Wilkins 13.12.2023 57:29

Nicolle and Eden discuss John Green’s Looking for Alaska with writer Theodore Wilkins . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * John Green and His Nerdfighters Are Upending the Summer Blockbuster Model | WSJ 2015 : “"[s]ome credit him with ushering in a new golden era for contemporary, realistic, literary teen fiction, follo...

Dungeons & Dragons feat. Adventure AI 29.11.2023 1:01:23

Nicolle and Eden discuss Dungeons & Dragons with Adventure AI’s Jason Conforto, Tyler Crump, and Alex the Language Lord. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References It's Time to Revisit the Satanic Panic Stuff You Should Know Podcast: How Dungeons and Dragons Works Into the Dragon's Lair This is a public episode. If you would like...

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding (1954) feat. Micah Clemence 15.11.2023 1:14:14

Nicolle and Eden discuss William Golding’s Lord of the Flies with Micah Clemence. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Lord of the Flies? ‘Rubbish’. Animal Farm? Too risky – Faber’s secrets revealed (The Guardian) * Lord of the Flies and The Coral Island (William Golding) * Things Fell Apart (podcast, Ron Jonson) This is...

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (1999) 01.11.2023 41:31

Nicolle and Eden discuss Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Goosebumps, by R.L. Stine (1992) feat. Sam Moynihan 18.10.2023 35:21

Nicolle and Eden discuss R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps with horror fan Sam Moynihan. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * MasterClass: R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences * “Immunization through Fear: Banning R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps” - PEN AMerica * Invasion of the Books - Washington Post * America's Satanic Panic Re...

Interview with Utah Educator of the Year Kristen Oda 04.10.2023 1:00:32

It’s Banned Books Week! Get involved and voice your support of books! In this episode, Nicolle and Eden talk to an Educator of the Year, Kristen Oda, and why she quit teaching. Additionally, we'll touch on “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Field of Dreams Book Banning Scene - YouTu...

Yoko, by Rosemary Wells (1998) feat. Banned Camp 02.10.2023 40:48

Crossover episode to kick-off 2023’s Banned Books Week! Nicolle and Eden discuss Rosemary Well’s Yoko with Banned Camp ’s Dan Schulz and Jennifer Davis . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast and @bannedcamp_podcast to see what we’re all reading. Read along with us! References * Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books and find out why they were banned in the first place....

A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein (1981) 20.09.2023 28:41

Nicolle and Eden discuss Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger (1951) feat. Brendan Seagle 06.09.2023 58:52

Nicolle and Eden discuss J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye with social worker Brendan Seagle. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * “Predatory Men With a Taste for Teenagers” Joyce Maynard on the Chilling Parallels Between Woody Allen and J.D. Salinger” - Vanity Fair * “Salinger and the Exploitation of Young Women” -...

Season 2 Summer Reading List! 12.07.2023 6:04

Summer reading assignment for our next season coming in September! Excuse all the clicks and pops—Nicolle is the sound engineer so I was just recording off Substack (if you’re reading this, Substack, fix your recording tech). Nicolle’s picks * The Catcher in the Rye * The Bluest Eye * The Perks of Being a Wallflower * Me and Earl and the Dying Girl * The Outsiders * A Light In the Attic * Lord of...

Anastasia Krupnik, by Lois Lowry (1979) 31.05.2023 26:27

Nicolle and Eden discuss Lois Lowry’s Anastasia Krupnik . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (1953) feat. Natalie Christensen 17.05.2023 45:55

Nicolle and Eden discuss Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 with Natalie Christensen. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Beyoncé’s “Formation” music video * Dr. Sarah Coyne, “Media Rules and Problematic Media Use” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episode...

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling (1997) 19.04.2023 44:14

Nicolle and Eden discuss J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , the first of her Harry Potter series (all of which have been challenged or banned) . Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Is J.K. Rowling transphobic? Let’s let her speak for herself, Vox * In Defense of J.K. Rowling, NYT Opinion Support for T...

Harry Potter, feat. kids! 05.04.2023 14:42

Nicolle and her nieces talk about Harry Potter. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson (2005) feat. Kandace Flanary 08.03.2023 43:58

Nicolle and Eden discuss Peter Parnell’s and Justin Richardson’s And Tango Makes Three with biology lecturer Kandace Flanary. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References * Albatrosses! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/same-sex-mothers-letting-albatrosses-be-albatrosses This is a public episode. If you would like t...

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck (1937) feat. Christy Thomas 22.02.2023 1:14:12

Nicolle and Eden discuss John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men with high school English teacher and author Christy Thomas, which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! About Christy: I earned my BA in English (Literature) from Boise State U...

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (1962) 11.01.2023 41:05

Nicolle and Eden discuss Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time , which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnt...

The Giver, by Lois Lowry (1993) feat. Micah Clemence 28.12.2022 1:16:19

Nicolle and Eden discuss Lois Lowry’s The Giver , which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! References: * “ Reading Lois Lowry’s ‘The Giver’ as an Adult ” in The Atlantic * 13th documentary * Animusic on YouTube * Prince Duck on Spoti...

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood (1985) feat. Stephanie Toman 07.12.2022 1:01:21

Nicolle and Eden discuss Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale , which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! Notes: * Margaret Atwood documentary “ Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power ” * “ Romania’s communist-e...

The Adventures of Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey (1997) 30.11.2022 34:24

Nicolle and Eden discuss Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants (we just read the first one), which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...