Teaching My Cat To Read: The “very serious” Book Review Podcast

Teaching my Cat to Read

"Teaching My Cat to Read" is a hilarious book podcast that adds a unique comedic twist to literary discussions - join us as we explore a wide range of books through humorous conversations. Discover answers to questions like, "Who would emerge victorious in a fight between Lady Catherine and Mrs. Bennett?" or "Who funded the grant money for Victor Frankenstein's experiments?" And don't forget, we never fail to ask the important question: "What rating would our cat give this book?" Tune in every other week for brand new episodes that guarantee laughter and literary discussion.

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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight : If You Want To Get A-Head, Get An Axe
Aug 13 2023
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight : If You Want To Get A-Head, Get An Axe
It’s time for us to review another medieval poem! In this episode, we discuss “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th-century chivalric romance in Middle English, with an unknown author. The title of the poem was given centuries later after it was first written. It is one of the best-known Arthurian stories, with its plot combining two types of folk motifs: the beheading game, and the exchange of winnings. The poem draws on Welsh, Irish, and English stories, as well as the French chivalric tradition. Also, it is an important example of a chivalric romance, which typically involves a hero who goes on a quest which tests his prowess.In the episode we discuss the following translations by different translators:J R R Tolkien Simon ArmitageWe had some technical issues with this episode and had to use our backup recording, apologies for the increase in background noises, cross talk ect. Content WarningsnaSupport the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9
Mini Ep - Temeraire
Jul 16 2023
Mini Ep - Temeraire
In this mini episode, the team asks the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of Temeraire (His Majesty’s Dragon) by Naomi Novik. "Temeraire" combines history and fantasy, transporting readers to an alternate Napoleonic era where dragons exist. Join Captain Will Laurence as he unexpectedly becomes the partner of a dragon hatchling named Temeraire. Novik weaves a captivating tale of adventure, danger, and the bond that forms between Captain Laurence and Temeraire.In this episode, we'll touch on the thrilling premise, the well-developed characters, and Novik's seamless blending of history and fantasy. Prepare to be immersed in a world where dragons soar across the skies, leaving you breathless with each turn of the page.If you love historical fiction, fantastical elements, and dragons, then this book and this episode is a must-listen.(Note: For a comprehensive review of "Temeraire," check out our series 1 episodes 14 and 15, where we discuss the book in full.)Support the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9
The Raven Tower: Put That Rock Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me
Jul 2 2023
The Raven Tower: Put That Rock Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me
In this episode, we review Ann Leckie's captivating fantasy novel, "The Raven Tower." Published in 2019, it immerses readers in a world where gods and humans coexist. Leckie's masterful prose, rich mythology, and well-crafted characters make this a must-read. Discover why it earned critical acclaim and awards. Happy reading!“A usurper has claimed the throne. Invaders amass at the borders. And they have made their alliances with enemy gods...For centuries the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by a god known as the Raven. But in their hour of need, the Raven speaks nothing to its people. It is into this unrest that the warrior Eolo - aide to the true heir to the throne - arrives. In seeking to help his master reclaim his city, Eolo discovers that the Raven's Tower holds a secret. Its foundations conceal a dark history that has been waiting to reveal itself... and to set in motion a chain of events that could destroy Iraden forever.” - Book BlurbContent WarningsDeath, suicideSupport the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9
Hamlet: Everything a Goddamn Ordeal in Area Family
Jun 18 2023
Hamlet: Everything a Goddamn Ordeal in Area Family
In this episode, we chat about the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare.“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”, often shortened to “Hamlet” is one of Shakespeare’s most quoted plays. It was written between 1599-1601, and is his longest play. The play is set in Denmark, where Prince Hamlet’s uncle has taken over the throne by killing Hamlet’s father, and marrying Hamlet’s mother. This play features on many shortlists for literature for GCSE + A-level, but how will we find it (as first time readers of this play)? Listen to find out! In this episode we discuss several different stagings of the play, including the 1996 version with Kenneth Branagh, the 2009 version with David Tennant, the 2018 version with Andrew Scott, and the 2016 RSC staging with Paapa Essiedu, which are all available online, although we’re not sure we can recommend all of them **cough** Branagh **cough**. Content WarningsDeath, SuicideSupport the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9
Howl’s Moving Castle: The world’s magic-est camper van
Apr 9 2023
Howl’s Moving Castle: The world’s magic-est camper van
In this episode we discuss the novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Listen to the episode to find out what we thought, and more importantly what our cat thought of the book!Book blurb: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fortune. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.If you enjoyed the episode remember to like/review!Notes: The Discworld Audio books Lottie mentions are by Penguin not Puffin Content WarningsNASupport the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9
Cosmere: Time to Get Out My Conspiracy Diagrams
Jun 12 2022
Cosmere: Time to Get Out My Conspiracy Diagrams
This week, friends of the podcast, Liv and AJ, join Lotti to discuss all things Cosmere! In this episode we discuss the following books and series: The Final Empire, Stormlight Archive (all four books), Warbreaker, Mistborn era 2, Secret History, Sixth of Dusk, Elantris, Mistborn Era 1… This is not a spoiler free episode. Please check timestamps below.Things we chat about in this episode about include: Which is our favourite magic system in the series, what is our favourite magical world, why we love Sanderson’s writing, and most importantly, which world we think our darling cat would love to live in.As always with Sanderson’s Books, Journey Before Destination matters quite a lot. P.S. had a few audio issues at the start - apologies! See timestamps below for specific spoilers which we feel we'd not want to know about before reading the books.  10:49 Hoid using magic systems which shouldn't be there (Stormlight)  12:10  Oathbringer (C88), a warbreaker worldhopper, and easter eggs/crossovers 13:32 Way of Kings Interlude (Who the people at Purelake were) 17:15 MAJOR SPOILER Rhythm of War. Shallan's backstory, Voidbringers 19:00 MAJOR SPOILER Rhythm of War - Who gets a shard 20:22 MAJOR SPOILER - Stormlight Archive/Oathbringer 30:50 Favourite worldhopping moments from across the cosmere 32:14 Secret History, and who the leaders of the Ghostbloods is in Stormlight ArchiveContent WarningsNASupport the showRecommend us a Book!If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).Social MediaWebsite: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachmycat2read?s=09Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQListener FeedbackSend us feedback via the feedback form (2023) https://forms.gle/TBZUBH4SK8dez8RP9