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. 

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! 

Guess who's back (back again)?! Joy and Penn, discussing the famed short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. While everyone has dreamed of winning those Mega Millions, this is one lottery you definitely don't want to win. Join us to find out why. 

Penn and Rusty travel to a Washington mental hospital and discuss a famous antihero Randall McMurphy and his psychopathic nemesis Nurse Ratchet.  They discuss story and themes but also compare to their own experiences on the psych unit. Take a listen to hear more! 53

Joy and Penn wrap up book 4 of the Twilight series "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer. They discuss possible  celebrity vampires, the band Incubus, and of course the plot and inspirations of the book. Join us as we discuss! 

Penn and Joy are back at it again; this time discussing "Eclipse" by Stephenie Meyer.  Did you know Penn went to a book signing and met Stephenie? They discuss the plot but also the Quileute tribe, a real Native American nation, whose legends are not exactly correct in the novel. Join us to help parse it all out! 

Join Penn and Joy as they discuss their least favorite in the series: "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer.  What makes us dislike it so--the lack of Edward, the severe depression, or the fact that it was all so unnecessary? Listen in to see if you agree or even if you disagree.  After all, it's not like we can call the Volturi on you. 

Meet Joy, our newest cohost, who joins Penn to discuss "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. While the pair were huge fans on their first read of the book 10 years ago, a second read has opened their eyes to some red flags. Take a listen to find out what they are! 

Penn and new cohost Dr. Nikki to discuss the classic "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte. Is it romance when the dasterdly Heathcliff plagues Catherine and her loved ones with revenge? Well, maybe our telling of it is a little biased...listen to see if we got it wrong. 

Katya and Penn, immigrants who also sought the American Dream, discuss the great American novel, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They talk about the plot, they talk about the real life influences and they talk about which movie version was the best. Travel back with us to the Roaring Twenties!