The Book Common Room

In our twelfth episode of the season, we take a deeper dive into the writings of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. Through poetry, journals, and reflections, we explore themes of stewardship, of nature, of community, and of one another. Join us as we discuss how the Wordsworths invite us to see the natural world with renewed attention and care, and how their writings continue to speak to questions o...

In our eleventh episode of the season, we enter into a new genre through the lens of William and Dorothy Wordsworth.  Enjoy the world of poetry with us as we learn about the brilliance of both William and his sister, Dorothy.  Links to the poems we will discuss in the next episode:  William Wordsworth, Resolution and Independence ("The Leech-Gatherer" 1807 version) - https://en.wikisourc...

Content warning: this episode includes discussion of rape, murder, and the dehumanization of marginalized groups within the novel. In our tenth episode of the season, we return to Pierce Brown’s Red Rising for a spoiler-filled deep dive. One of us loved it, one of us was a little less convinced, and we discuss everything from the Institute and the worldbuilding to the characters, pacing, and momen...

In our ninth episode of the season, we explore Pierce Brown as an author and the different works that influenced his epic series, Red Rising.  References:  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_Brown - https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/993.Pierce_Brown - https://www.piercebrown.com/aboutpierce If you would like to read the "Book of Lorn":  - https://www.patreon.com/shit_escalate...

In our eighth episode of the season, we explore Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights , sharing our reactions, interpretations, and some of our favorite passages from her powerful writing.  What are some of your favorite Wuthering Heights quotes? Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by...

Lauren and Kali break down Romanticism, who Emily Brontë was, and the impact both had on her novel Wuthering Heights.  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), perform...

In our sixth episode this season, we’re breaking down Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We’re sharing our thoughts, reactions, and favorite moments—and we want you to think back on your own reading experience right along with us. Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák...

In our fifth episode, we introduce Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Join us as we discuss a handful of Weir's other projects and our love for Project Hail Mary.  Resources:  Casey and Andy Comic: https://galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=2 https://galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=6 The Egg: https://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html YouTube Adaptations: youtube.com/watch?si=zzIqxsx...

In our fourth episode of the season, we explore short stories by Jorge Luis Borges: Shakespeare’s Memory , Death and the Compass , The Circular Ruins , and Everything and Nothing . Join us as we delve into existential crises, the metaphysical genre, theories of authorship and readership, the tension between meaning and meaninglessness, and the question of whether originality truly exists. Borges S...

In our third episode, we explore who Borges was and the influence he has had on literature.  February Borges Short Stories:  1. Shakespeare’s Memory: English translation (p. 1036): ⁠https://posthegemony.files.wordpress....⁠ Spanish: ⁠https://ciudadseva.com/texto/la-memor...⁠ 2. Death and the CompassEnglish translation: ⁠https://analepsis.org/wp-content/uplo...⁠ Spanish: ⁠https://lecturia.org/cuent...

In our second episode, we continue our discussion of Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea! Join us as we discuss our favorite moments and how they tie to Emmanuel Levinas' ethics of the 'Other'. February Borges Short Stories: 1. Shakespeare’s Memory:  English translation (p. 1036): https://posthegemony.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/borges_collected-fictions.pdf? Spanish: https...

In the first episode of our new season, we introduce Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea ! Kick off the new year with us as we explore a story celebrated for its charming, character-driven narrative and imaginative worldbuilding. Link is in our bio!  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction...

In our thirty-eighth episode, we reflect on our 2025 best reads and goals. Additionally, we discuss our new goals for 2026.  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), p...

In our thirty-seventh episode, we slip through the wardrobe one last time this year for a spoiler-filled journey through The Chronicles of Narnia . As we close out our final book of the year and step into the winter season, we take a closer look at C. S. Lewis—examining the craft behind his storytelling, the themes that shape Narnia, and the enduring impact of his imaginative world. Follow us on I...

In our thirty-sixth episode, take a deep dive into Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Join us as we spend the month with the March family, exploring the charm, heart, and timeless spirit of this beloved classic. Loisa May Alcott's Diary (p. 201): https://www.google.com/books/edition/Louisa_May_Alcott/wu4x7eZ2IccC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA11&printsec=frontcover Louisa May Alcott: Dreamer...

In our thirty-fifth episode, we’re introducing Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, our November book club pick. Join us as we spend the month with the March family, exploring the charm, heart, and timeless spirit of this beloved classic. Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by...

In our thirty-fourth episode, we take a deep dive into our thoughts on John William Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight (2005).  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "Americ...

In our thirty-third episode, we examine the persistence of the vampire in literature, focusing on John William Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight (2005). Despite their distance in time, both works present strikingly similar portrayals of the vampire. We discuss what continues to make this figure so enduring and culturally resonant. Referenced content:  Dr. Rebecca Marks&a...

In our thirty-second episode, we discuss what makes a good story and the impact it can have. Additionally, we take a few quizzes to test our book and movie knowledge.  Link to BuzzFeed quiz: https://www.buzzfeed.com/swapnaravichandran/guess-the-popular-books-these-quotes-are-from Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBo...

In our thirty-first episode, we take a deep dive into the many themes and lessons in the book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "Amer...

In our thirtieth episode, we introduce the children’s genre through the beloved book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. We explore what makes children's literature so powerful—for both kids and adults. Referenced information: BBC journal article Why adults should read children's books by author Katherine Rundell (2023): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/202307...

In our twenty-ninth episode, we continue to celebrate one full year of our podcast with our good friend Kylee! In this episode, we discuss the top eight books that make her a reader, and she answers the question: Why do we read?  Follow Kylee's socials:  - @kyjoraven (art account) - @kylee_r_lawyer (writing account)  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Po...

In our twenty-eighth episode, we celebrate one full year of our podcast. This month, we explore the question at the heart of it all: Why do we read? We share thoughtful comments from our listeners on what draws them to stories, what obstacles keep them from picking up a book, and how reading fits into their lives. We also reflect on what our podcast has become or what we hope for it to be—a space...

In our twenty-seventh episode, we delve into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring our favorite moments in The Lord of the Rings and the impact it has had on us as readers.  Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96...

In our twenty-sixth episode, we delve into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring the origins of The Lord of the Rings and how Tolkien’s imagination laid the foundation for modern fantasy storytelling. In this episode we reference the following:  J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter  The Prancing Pony Podcast: https://theprancingponypodcast.com/ Zach Rider The Lord of the Rings audi...