The Summer Reading Podcast

We're still here! Having a busy summer of... reading! At the top of this episode, Marty has stayed out late, and Jack has been honing his Robin Hood skills. AND we are continuing with our series week, discussing Thunderhead by Neil Shusterman. Discussions of "the chosen one," robots with hearts, and lackluster villains await. Listen and enjoy! If you like what you hear, please let us...

Jack and Marty read YA! Shocking, right? Really good YA, too! Both are set to perform on their birthdays (whaaat?!), there's the usual banter, and of course a great discussion of this multi-award winning novel in verse. Listen and enjoy Marty and Jack's take on The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Want to get in touch? Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com - love to hear from you! :)

Comb out your moustache, put up your feet, and fire up those little grey cells - that's right, we're getting into it with M. Hercule Poirot! Jack and Marty are a little sleepy/loopy (sloopy?), but they dig into one of the most classic of mysteries. They wander through conversations of Dr. Who, Shakespeare, the Relay for Life, and of course, the book. Have a spot of tea if you like, and lis...

You think *you've* had an awkward interaction as a wedding guest? Coleridge is about to blow you out of the water with this one. Marty read a fun illustrated edition (great for a podcast, right?) and Jack is maybe not so into the flowery language of this piece, but as usual a fun time is had by all. Have a listen and be nice to the birds - Jack and Marty talk Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Sam...

Jack is tipping back some drinks, Marty emerged from the basement to chill with her dog, and the friends are talkin' goblins. This record comes on the heels of our last episode, so be prepared for shenanigans as Marty and Jack discuss and rate Goblin Market by Christina Rosetti. Like what you hear? Let us know! Send us a note at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

It's a new year! First record of 2024! Marty and Jack talk friendship, introspection, and what the world *could* be like if humanity conquered mortality. That's right, we're talking Scythe , the first of the Arc of Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman. Series week - back in action! Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Oscar Wilde goes goth - but does he pull it off? Jack and Marty discuss Basil, their mutual hate of Harry, and of course, Marty brings Marilyn Monroe into the conversation. Because why not? Put your feet up, grab a cup of tea (or something stronger, you hedonists), and listen as Jack and Marty discuss and rate The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Like what you hear? Let us know! Send us an e...

These friends have been talking for about 2 1/2 hours, so things are maybe a little loopy. Spooky season continues, but really with this one it's more like foodie season. Jack rags on Thomas Paine, Marty brings up Johnny Depp, and really everything is business as usual. Dive on into The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodc...

Spooky season reads are coming a little late - just in time for Christmas! Jack and Marty talk semantics, Victorian literature, travel writing and, oh yeah, vampires. Drink it all in, friends, cuz we're talking Dracula by Bram Stoker! Like what you hear? Let us know! Send us an email at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We *love* hearing from you! :)

Marty got COVID, Jack got a job, and it feels like a LONG time since they talked about a book. Life, man. At least neither of them live in a ~~haunted house~~! Good transition, right? Listen as Jack and Marty dive into the horror classic, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Like what you hear? Let us know! Send us an email at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!

I volunteer as tribute! That's right, we are back in the districts and Capitol, long before Katniss is born. Is Snow an anti-hero, or just anti? Should Collins write romance or just stick with suspense? Who expected Tigris to reappear on the scene? And the question to end all questions - where is Greasy Sae?!?! Jack and Marty are finishing up the Hunger Games series with the prequel, A Ballad...

Just a couple of Massachusetts theatre nerds talking about a play covering the Salem Witch Hunt, NBD. Jack chooses the role he'd like to play, Marty reveals her obsession with Marilyn Monroe, and both are aghast at thinking how the staging of this one works. Listen and enjoy the Summer Reading take on Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingp...

Our theatre series continues! Jack and Marty have been talking for 2.5 hours at the top of the episode, so buckle up, friends! They talk John Stamos, F.B. Eyes Digital Archives (check it out, SERIOUSLY), body temperature, and then dive into a discussion of the American classic, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. (There's also an exciting break where Marty needs to run and attend to her...

Our theatre series continues! Jack dreams of playing the stage manager. Marty can recall almost nothing about the performance she saw of this one. Both are absolutely gutted by the final scene. Join us on our journey to Grover's Corner's, New Hampshire, as we dive into the classic American play, Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@...

We are kicking off our theatre series with a classic among classics, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Listen to these theatre kids banter about who they want to play, discuss Oscar Wilde's merits, and generally have a grand time (Pass the cucumber sandwiches, Algy). Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Jack assumes a pseudonym (hopefully just for this episode). Marty is dropping inside jokes (sorry listeners). Both are glad to be recording again but maybe not so into this book? Join us as we discuss Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Like what you hear? Let us know! Please send an email to summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Jack is back on the stage! Marty is tired & on a theatre break. It's been a minute since the last record, so tangents abound, but the book is a beautiful, thoughtful, and heartrending tribute to las Mariposas. Please enjoy our discussion on In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from...

A first for Marty, and a revisit for Jack. Culture, community, food, family, and American immigration and assimilation are all on the table in this novel. Please join us for our discussion of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Travel back in time to your elementary school's classroom library with us. Do all the poems rhyme or is Marty just *super* tired? Who knew Jack had to write a report on Ronald Reagan in 2nd grade? Join us as we dive into Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. And maybe we'll read your favorite poem aloud! Like what you hear? Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com. We'd love t...

Possibly our most intimidating read thus far, Jack and Marty dive into The Bluest Eye by the incomparable Toni Morrison. Don't worry, they still find ways to keep it light (seriously, Jack references The Spongebob musical at one point). Not much more to say about this one - just listen and absorb the wonder and trauma of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Let us know what you're thinking! Em...

Dive back into the universe of Panem with Jack and Marty. This week we're taking a poll on what Jack should name his treadmill, recounting Marty's vacation in great detail, and revisiting the second book in this famously addictive YA series. Discussions of pacing, love triangles, movie adaptations, and (spoilers!) the ending. Join us as we discuss Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins during se...

Finally, a book about a dog that is not steeped in animal violence/injury/death (we're lookin' at you, Wilson Rawls). Friendship, grief, trauma, community, and a magical dog abound in this beloved children's title, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Sit back, unwrap a Litmus Lozenge, and join us on the journey. Like what you hear? Let us know! Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gma...

Marty struggles with characters' names, and Jack has feelings about the Cryptozoology museum. Both are enamored with Willa Cather. Place, sensuality, family, and immigrant experiences. Join Jack and Marty as they dive into the American classic, My Antonia by Willa Cather. Like what you hear? Email us at summerreadingpodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Jack is just *so over* WWII books. Marty sometimes needs to re-start books to get the rhythm & momentum on her side - doesn't everyone? (Answer: No) Death as narrator is inarguably badass (at least to us here at the ol' SRP) and this book earns some rabbits ! Listen as Jack and Marty dive into The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Like what you hear? Send us a note! We'd love to hear fro...

Happy Friday, old sports! Here with a new episode featuring a truly American tale (and not the kind with adorable singing mice), The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Join Jack and Marty as they discuss capitalism, Zelda, film adaptations, and just how many copies of this book they had in their childhood homes. And bonus - Harriet chimes in for good measure! Enjoying the podcast? Let us know! E...