The Brook Reading Podcast

Episode 104 at the Brook is quite a doozy! Tonight, I question the reasons why many novels, from Steinbeck to Salinger, from Brave New World to Tango, have been challenged, removed, restricted, and banned. I provide you with resources and ways to get involved in the cause, and I share my most passionate 5-minute rant to date. It may be very loud, and it may be filled with a rampant, repetitive usa...

Episode 103 - I can’t believe it! - covers Volume 1 of the BUST Anthology, “Great Dames”, and interviews with the women featured. I should also remind you that, while I always mark my episodes explicit, this one is also marked emotional - bring your own tissues. I pay my version of homage to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and celebrate her life in the wake of her passing. Rest in Peace,...

Episode 102 is a smorgasbord of an episode, with topics flying around all over the place! Tonight, I share with you TWO summaries of books I’ve recently read, “Bossypants” by Tina Fey and “The Institute” by Stephen King, as well as my rant on technology, my craving for hot wing sauce, and another exaltation of the goddess of print media, BUST magazine. Also, I ask lots of questions such as, “Is Ba...

This weekend, on episode 101, features my very special guest, Caitlin Myer! She is the author of Wiving, an incredible memoir that I highly recommend. We had such a wonderful discussion and covered so much. To make your search easier, I have included the links you will need to learn more about Caitlin, as well as to purchase your own copy of Wiving. Thank you again, Caitlin, for taking the time to...

It’s Episode 100!!! Welcome to the Brook Reading Podcast’s episode and review of George Orwell’s classic fable, Animal Farm. My sincerest thanks go out to all of my listeners, family, and friends for your continued support. I could not have reached this milestone without you! Links for the show, including a list of promos featuring my fellow content creators, can be found on www.brookreadingpodcas...

Tonight, I review “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I also rant about my favorite show being cancelled, share details of my recent health journey, and remind us all to just “be f*#@-ing nice”. Also, check out my friends at TheTEEcherMoms on Instagram and Etsy, and The Horror Academic on YouTube! (Links are on the website, www.brookreadingpodcast.com ) Don’t forget to join me next...

Episode 98 is a classic episode of Brook Reading, where I cover the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. I also tell you about some movie adaptations, a little about Jackson herself, and fall down the deepest rabbit hole of IMDB! SPOILERS for “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” on Netflix: 14m, 20s to 18m, 15s. If you’d like to check out Vic’s content on YouTube, including her new ventur...

Episode 97 is a housekeeping episode because we have LOTS to talk about! I rage against companies who dropped the ball during the Black Lives Matter movement, and also suggest methods of action that we can take just through the products we buy. I also tell you ALL about a new shop owner on Etsy who is churning out some fabulous items, and reveal the FIRST member of the Brook Reading Podcast team!...

Please enjoy Episode 96 - a collection of my previous 5 minute rants! Intro Theme Song Provided By: Sean Faust Outro Theme Song Provided By: Victoria Timpanaro When you are in the market for concert, sports or events tickets, why don’t you use Seat Giant? You can receive a discount if you enter the promo code: BROOKWORMS specially designed for fans of the Brook Reading Podcast! Go to www.seatgiant...

Episode 95 is Part 2 - the conclusion - of my interview with the author, podcaster, and freelancer Kelly “Nerdzilla” Mendenhall and an in-depth review of her memoir, “Skin in the Game: The Stories My Tattoos Tell”. In addition, Kelly’s website and social media information are included in a new post on my blog, www.brookreadingpodcast.com It was such an honor to have Kelly at the Brook, and I hope...

Episode 94 is Part 1 of my interview with the author, podcaster, and freelancer Kelly “Nerdzilla” Mendenhall and an in-depth review of her memoir, “Skin in the Game: The Stories My Tattoos Tell”. In addition, Kelly’s website and social media information are included in a new post on my blog, www.brookreadingpodcast.com It was such an honor to have Kelly at the Brook, and I hope you enjoy our conve...

This week’s episode features the audio content from Brook Reading’s segment on Livestream For The Cure! My pals over at the Epic Film Guys podcast and their podcast partners raised almost $17,000 for cancer research and immunotherapy this year, and I had the honor and pleasure of joining them for a weekend of - honestly - chicanery, fun, and fundraising. If you missed the livestream, you can hear...

Episode 92 is the FINAL episode of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, I will cover episodes 8 & 9 of Mrs. America on Hulu, MANY articles on the ERA movement, and...

Episode 91 is the FIFTH and penultimate episode of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, I will cover episodes 6 & 7 of Mrs. America on Hulu, a documentary on Shirle...

Episode 90 is the FOURTH episode of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, I will cover the biography of Gloria Steinem, episodes 4 & 5 of Mrs. America on Hulu, and c...

Episode 89 is the third episode of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, I will cover the biography of Shirley Chisholm, episode 3 of Mrs. America on Hulu, and chapt...

Episode 88 is the second episode of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, I will cover the biography of Betty Friedan, episode 2 of Mrs. America on Hulu, and the fir...

Episode 87 is the first of a many-headed beast that, hopefully, everyone enjoys and learns from. I explore multiple pieces of media stemming from the tumultuous period of American History, the 1960s and 70s. I introduce to you the series entitled, “Important Women Who Did Important Stuff”! Tonight, along with my best friend and special guest host, Alison, we take a look at the Hulu Original Series...

Episode 86 is the final part of a 4-part series featuring, well, me! Tonight, I share my favorite article on Sir Patrick Stewart’s method for relaxing during the Coronavirus crisis, as well as the history of Knighthood! Sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy this very British episode! Stay safe, and I’ll talk to you soon! Shoutouts: The No Phony Podcast Network’s Featured Podcast of the Month - the...

Episode 85 is the third in a 4-part series featuring, well, me!  Tonight, I share with you Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s readmittance into society after a prison sentence.  I also found some fun tidbits on the popular vacation spot, the REAL Jersey Shore! Stay safe, and I’ll talk to you soon!   Promos:  Livestream For The Cure:  www.livestreamforthecure.com , on Twitter @livestream4cure, or @e...

Episode 84 is the second in a four-part series featuring, well, me!  I also finally address the pandemic elephant in the room and my complicated feelings on quarantine, as well as the tenuous nature of life and death.  On the positive side, I share with you aspects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that allow me to escape the real world and put a smile on my face.     Promos:  Livestream For The Cu...

Episode 83 is the first in a four-part series featuring, well, me!  You’ll have to listen to find out what I’ve been up to this past week.  Also, stick around at the end for some blooper fun - a sneak peek, if you will, into the life of a podcaster!  Can’t wait to see you at the Brook!   Promos:  Livestream For The Cure, What Does It Matter? Podcast, Pitney and Amelia’s Bitchen’ Boutique, and a sh...

Episode 82 finds us in the middle of a catastrophe, a pandemic, a worldwide phenomenon....but we are still here by the Brook.  Tonight, I rejoin the world, virtually speaking, rant like I haven’t ranted in a loooong time, introduce a new segment, and welcome a special guest!  It was lots of fun, and I hope you have just as much fun listening as I had recording. Stay safe, and have fun!     Shoutou...

Brook Reading is back with Episode 81, a love note to one of my favorite authors, Judy Blume!  Just in time for Women’s History Month, I will be reviewing “Just As Long As We’re Together” and the MasterClass Series, where you can learn creative skills with Ms. Blume herself!  Also, I classically rant about a very frightening censorship topic that I had come across, and give shoutouts and love to t...

Episode 80 reviews a way in which everyone can get organized.  In the spirit of the new year, resolutions, and taking back control of our lives, I present to you the history and creation of the BULLET JOURNAL!  I have been bullet journaling now for over two years and I don’t know how I stayed organized before that.     In this episode, I will discuss everything you need to know to start a bullet j...