The To Read List Podcast

THE CASUAL VACANCY by J.K. Rowling & DEATH WITH INTERRUPTIONS by Jose Saramago. We dig deep into lesser-known works by two of our favorite authors. Andrew covers DEATH WITH INTERRUPTIONS by Jose Saramago, while Bailey tackles THE CASUAL VACANCY, a novel by J.K. Rowling that has nothing to do with witchcraft or wizardry. We discuss miraculous puzzles, talking scythes, and how reading can be like ea...

We share the books we had to read for school that we ended up loving. It's the best kind of fun—mandatory! Plus, we discuss the Untitled Goose Game, signature scents, and the easiest way to tell if an English teacher is cool. 

ALIAS GRACE by Margaret Atwood & V FOR VENDETTA by Alan Moore. In this new episode, we cover our first graphic novel—V FOR VENDETTA by Alan Moore! After Toby tells us all about the iconic comic, Bailey digs into ALIAS GRACE by Margaret Atwood. It's a haunting historical fiction story about murder, sexism, and… quilting? Then Andrew shares some shocking things that Moore and Atwood have in common....

If you want to work at the mecca for all bibliophiles—Strand Books in New York City—you must pass a book quiz. In this minisode, HR rep Dillon administers the quiz to Bailey, Toby, and Andrew. Although only two cohosts perform well enough to get the job, all three turn into competitive monsters… which is a win for you, the listener. Take the Strand quiz for yourself here.

BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey & CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell. Bailey questions whether CLOUD ATLAS is gimmicky, genius, or gimmicky genius. Meanwhile, Andrew feels conflicted about Tina Fey's hilarious memoir, BOSSYPANTS. We talk about waterslides, Chex Mix bookmarks, and deep-fried books. Oh, and Dillon finally makes it through the first 150 pages in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston. In this bonus episode, Bailey reviews the book of the summer: RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston! We talk about hot British scones, character horoscopes, and the universal experience of tween girls growing up in the 90s.

THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant & THE EYE OF THE WORLD by Robert Jordan. Toby reviews a book he found on the side of the road—THE EYE OF THE WORLD by Robert Jordan—while Bailey reads THE RED TENT, a book she's had on her shelf for over two decades. We talk about feminist reimaginings and reluctant magicians. Plus, one of the hosts gets pummeled in a game about Israeli soccer stars.

In this minisode, Andrew and Dillon compete in Harry Potter trivia. Who's the muggle and who's the auror? The answer may not surprise you.

WILDER GIRLS by Rory Power & THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE by Haruki Murakami. In this very special episode, we interview Rory Power, author of the unsettling and evocative new novel WILDER GIRLS! Rory tells us about her inspirations, her writing process, and her to read list. Plus, Andrew finishes Haruki Murakami's THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE… seven years after he started it. Was it worth the wait? L...

In this bonus minisode, we take a break from reviewing/reading books to introduce ourselves. Which host is a Slytherin? Which one of us had a Greek myth-themed birthday party? Who plays softball in jean shorts? Let's find out!

WILLFUL CREATURES by Aimee Bender & WHITE TEETH by Zadie Smith. Sometimes books make you feel dumb. While Bailey struggles to love WHITE TEETH by Zadie Smith, Toby delights in WILLFUL CREATURES, a short story collection by Aimee Bender. There's talk of men in birdcages, writing in closets, and hunting serial killers. Plus, we check in with Dillon's cupboard under the stairs and share an extra cred...

FREEDOM by Jonathan Franzen. On this very special episode, Camille Knox and Charlie Sanders (of Weird City, Key & Peele, and the #SOLA Podcast) stop by to break down Jonathan Franzen's 2010 opus, FREEDOM! We chat about chick lit versus dude lit, what it means to be a St. Paulite, and, of course, Franzen's obsession with birds.

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL by Anthony Bourdain & STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel. In episode 14, we review STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel—a dazzling dystopian National Book Award finalist—and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, Anthony Bourdain's snappy account of life in the "culinary underbelly." The tell-all inspires us to share some of our own secrets: Andrew's rage at a catfish, Bailey's compuls...

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING by J.R.R. Tolkien & SADIE by Courtney Summers. It may be hard to believe, but fantasy-lover Toby has never read THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING… until now! He reviews the genre classic, while Bailey covers contemporary favorite SADIE by Courtney Summers. We talk about true crime podcasts, listening to music while reading, and Welsh Big Macs. Plus, Bailey makes a juicy confess...

EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid & ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy. We discuss ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy, considered by many to be the best novel of all time. It's also the longest book reviewed so far on the podcast! Plus, we dig deep into a modern classic, EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid, which is significantly shorter. There's talk of magical doors, annoying farmers, and heavy metal bands.  

THE RADIUM GIRLS by Kate Moore & EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED by Jonathan Safran Foer. In this very special episode, Andrew joins Bailey and Toby in the studio (apartment) to talk about two book club darlings, THE RADIUM GIRLS and EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED. We discuss the not-so-fun effects of radium, Ukrainian cocks of the walk, and punny desserts. Plus, musician Gillian Beth Durkee stops by to talk...

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS by Buzz Bissinger & WICKED by Gregory Maguire. We talk about the source material behind two of our favorite shows: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and WICKED! Both books are… different from what we expected. We also play a new kind of Fantasy Football, and Toby adds three romance novels to his To Read List.

BLINDNESS by Jose Saramago & DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? by Philip K. Dick. In episode nine, the hosts guess the plot of OUTLANDER, debate the feasibility of stealthily reading a book on the subway, and discover what other sci-fi author went to high school with Philip K. Dick. Oh, and they review DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? and the Nobel Prize-winning BLINDNESS.

GIOVANNI'S ROOM by James Baldwin & THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon. While reviewing GIOVANNI'S ROOM and THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, we discuss the books we loved as teens, our opinions on including foreign words in novels, and the best bald Jameses. Plus, we share the incredible titles we were gifted as an April Fool's Prank.

1984 by George Orwell. In this special guest episode, we discuss 1984 with Talia Bolnick of the Hatchery Press ! Talia tells us all about the best workspace for writers in Los Angeles. Plus, she shares inventive uses for plates and what makes her dog "hawt." As a bonus, there's talk of sexy sashes and epistemological triggering! It would be a thoughtcrime not to tune in.

BLONDE by Joyce Carol Oates & THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME by Victor Hugo. In episode six, we tackle two big books that had big impacts on us: BLONDE and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME. Bailey lists some surprising tidbits that Disney's HUNCHBACK got right, Toby explains why it's best to read Joyce Carol Oates at the end of the day, and Andrew clarifies why Victor Hugo wrote in the nude.

LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann & WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson. Bailey, Toby, and Andrew talk about interconnected stories, the characters we love but would never want to meet, and what we do with our dust jackets. Oh yeah, and we break down LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN and WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE!

WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg & JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL by Susanna Clarke. While breaking down Natalie Goldberg's WRITING DOWN THE BONES, we discuss the best writing advice books and how candles create magic. Then we review our first five star novel, JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL, and share which books grabbed us on the first page. 

CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller & HISTORY OF WOLVES by Emily Fridlund. After confessing the new books we've added to our shelves, we discuss CATCH-22, HISTORY OF WOLVES, and what makes a great coming of age novel. We also learn the extent of Andrew's wokeness, why Bailey never wins, and how Toby is the renegade of the podcast.

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith & A MOVEABLE FEAST by Ernest Hemingway. Bailey attempts a Hemingway impression, Andrew reminisces about the wonder of Animorphs, and Toby learns that "Heroes Just Happen." Plus, we discuss A MOVEABLE FEAST, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, and how fictional settings have influenced our real travels.