The Book Common Room

In our twentieth episode, we return to L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables for a second conversation about the beloved novel that has stayed with us long after we first read it. This time, we share our favorite moments and quotes, revisit the characters and passages that have shaped our love for the book, and reflect on the impact Montgomery’s writing has had on us. From Anne’s irrepressible i...

In our nineteenth episode, we travel to the magical land of Avonlea to join Anne and her many adventures. Additionally, we introduce the creative mind behind Anne: Lucy Maud Montgomery. Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: https://linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Sources:  -  https://www.parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/pe/greengables/activ/maison-ho...

In our eighteenth episode, we turn to Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking , a memoir about love, loss, and the strange, disorienting landscape of grief. We explore the ways Didion writes through grief while holding onto love, memory, and the life she shared with her husband, John Gregory Dunne. Together, we consider what it means to make sense of loss when the person you’ve lost remains so...

In this episode, we introduce Joan Didion and her amazing memoir, "The Year of Magical Thinking."  Sources:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Didion https://www.joandidion.org/about-joan-didion If you'd like to read along, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/4cMgNSy Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: https://linktr....

In this episode, we further discuss the many reasons why we still love Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, 20 years later.  If you'd like to read along, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/3TOwm5t Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: https://linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom Introduction music features Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet N...

In this episode, we introduce the many reasons why we still love Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, 20 years later. Additionally, we take a glance into who Rick Riordan is and how he started his writing career.  If you'd like to read along, you can find them here: https://amzn.to/3TOwm5t References:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Riordan https://rickriordan.com/ https://www.goodreads.com/boo...

In this episode, we're back to discuss Part 2 of The Odyssey . We dive into our overall reactions to the epic, compare the Emily Wilson and Robert Fagles translations, and explore why The Odyssey continues to resonate thousands of years after it was first composed. If you haven't finished The Odyssey yet, consider this your spoiler warning! If you'd like to read along or compare tra...

In our thirteenth episode of season two, we dive into the divisive topics of which translation of the Odyssey is the best and who Homer was. For this month, Lauren and I will be reading both the Robert Fagles and Emily Wilson translations. You can find a copy of each of the translations here:  Wilson: https://amzn.to/3SGKdKz Fagles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140268863?tag=136746-thebookcommonroom...

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...