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Do you long for those schoolyard days where you had all the time in the world to finish a good book? This podcast revisits the books that gave us happiness as children and maybe even later as adults!
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Apr 30 2024
Monster: "They're strangers but they still find reasons to hurt each other."
Penn and Joy talk "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. A story unique in that it is a first time read for both ladies, it is a highly acclaimed and highly banned book in America. When Black teenager Steve is falsely accused of participating in a murder of a shopkeeper in his neighborhood, the reader follows his journey through the criminal justice system in New York City. Heartbreaking and poignant, get ready to tear up and rage against injustice.
Episodes
Apr 30 2024
Monster: "They're strangers but they still find reasons to hurt each other."
Penn and Joy talk "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. A story unique in that it is a first time read for both ladies, it is a highly acclaimed and highly banned book in America. When Black teenager Steve is falsely accused of participating in a murder of a shopkeeper in his neighborhood, the reader follows his journey through the criminal justice system in New York City. Heartbreaking and poignant, get ready to tear up and rage against injustice.
Mar 26 2024
The Joy Luck Club: "Then you must teach my daughter this same lesson. How to lose your innocence but not your hope. How to laugh forever."
Penn and Joy discuss the classic "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan. The complicated relationship between mother and daughter transcends any culture. From tales of the mothers in China, to their adaptation to America, and to the struggle of their Chinese-American daughters, it is a riveting read.
Feb 27 2024
Flowers for Algernon: "There are so many doors to open. I am impatient to begin."
Cry with Joy and Penn as they discuss Daniel Keyes classic work "Flowers for Algernon." Can you imagine science making you smarter, changing your life, and to lose it all? That is the heartbreak of this short story turned novel.
Jan 30 2024
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."
Happy 2024! What better way to kick off the year than with reading Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?" Grab your favorite piece of chocolate and listen in as Penn and Joy discuss their favorite parts, movie adaptation, and Wona-isms!
Dec 27 2023
A Christmas Story: "I had woven a tapestry of obscenity that as far as I know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan."
Want to extend that Christmas feeling? Recap "A Christmas Story," by Jean Shepherd with Penn and Joy as they delve into the book that inspired the classic movie. Grab a smooth cup of Ovaltine and listen in; just don't shoot your eye out!
Dec 20 2023
The Polar Express: "...the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."
Travel to the North Pole with Penn and Joy via "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. While the movie may be a holiday favorite, it truly all started with a beautifully illustrated children's book. Join us as we discuss!
Dec 13 2023
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: "And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore."
Joy and Penn revisit "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss. Was the book better than the movie? Where did the song come from? And WHO is the Grinch based on? All this and more in today's episode!
Dec 6 2023
A Christmas Carol: "God bless us every one!"
Joy and Penn get into the Christmas spirit by cracking open "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. With a classic crank like Ebenezer Scrooge hating Christmas, all it takes is a haunting and a couple ghosts to turn him around. Find out how in this episode!
Nov 28 2023
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing: "I thought how great it would be if we could trade in Fudge for a nice cocker spaniel."
Joy and Penn discuss Peter and Fudge, brothers with a lot of differences in Judy Blume's "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." Fudge has done a lot of naughty deeds, but fortunately Peter is there as a big brother to help clean things up!
Nov 21 2023
How to Eat Fried Worms: "You're a bastard."
Penn and Joy revisit the classic "How to Eat Fried Worms" by Thomas Rockwell. Is there any amount of money that would get you to eat worms or even 15 worms in 15 days? For Billy, its worth at least $50. Join us as we discuss how good (bad) of a deal that is.
Nov 14 2023
The Fantastic Mr. Fox: "I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice."
Joy and Penn discuss "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl. While we have never had to dig tunnels to get to our food, we can empathize with the poor Foxes and cheer when they figure out an answer. While the movie did well commercially, it was different from the book and was more of an adaptation.
Nov 7 2023
Crash: "Did you know your son's a Quaker?
Penn and Joy discuss "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli which Penn's 5th grade teacher read to her! The nature of bullying, masculinity, and laughter are perfectly blended book!
Oct 31 2023
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: "He was, in fact, an odd mixture of small shrewdness and simple credulity."
Penn and Joy discuss Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The timing could not be more perfect than to drop this episode on Halloween. A spooky, legendary, and mysterious story that's perfect to listen to on a cold dark fall night...listen in, if you dare!
Oct 24 2023
The Haunting of Hill House Pt 2: "To learn what we fear is to learn who we are."
Penn and Joy wrap up Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" by discussing the recent Netflix series retelling as well as exploring other stories that feature a haunted house. Ultimately the question arises, would you stay in a haunted house?
Oct 17 2023
The Haunting of Hill House Pt 1: "Am I walking toward something I should be running away from?"
Penn and Joy are at it again, covering Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House." Interestingly, the book is very different from the Netflix series but still creepy in a forboding sort of way. Give it a listen and tell us what you think!
Oct 10 2023
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Pt. 2
If part 1 didn't scare you, then part 2 definitely will! Penn and Joy finish up the 2nd half of the book and BOTH get creeped out by the too real, too possible story. Listen in to find out which story sent them both over the edge!
Oct 3 2023
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Pt. 1
Are you ready for things to get scary? Or at the very least, weird? Penn and Joy revisit a childhood scary classic: "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz. Would you make a soup out of a toe you found outside? If your family turned into alligators, would you follow or get left behind? Find these answers and more in today's episode.
Sep 26 2023
The Tell-Tale Heart: "I smiled,—for what had I to fear?"
What was that? It's the thump-thump that prompted this classic Edgar Allen Poe story! Joy and Penn discuss this classic and the many turns this story took.
Sep 19 2023
A Rose for Emily: "All the past is not a diminishing road but, instead, a huge meadow which no winter ever quite touches."
Penn and Joy get gothic creepy with this short story by William Faulkner. If you haven't read it yet, get ready for a jolt of the surreal.
Sep 12 2023
The Most Dangerous Game: "There is no greater bore than perfection."
Joy and Penn discuss the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. The story was written in 1924 but its themes echo even through modern story-telling with themes resonating through TV classics like "Law and Order: SVU," "Criminal Minds," and "Game of Thrones. If you've never read this story, you can find it free on the Internet!
