On today’s episode, I’ll be beginning my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. First published in its entirety in 1869, this historical epic is one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. If you’d like to hear about unexpected inheritances, Russian ragers involving bears, and toxic family dynamics, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be discussing two stories by Kate Chopin: “Desiree’s Baby” and “The Story of an Hour”. First published in 1893 and 1894, these stories are classics of feminist literature and the “local color” genre. If you’d like to learn which men to stay away from, how not to treat your wife, and the perils of not dying when you’re supposed to, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be discussing three Christmas classics: “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Snow Maiden” a traditional Russian tale, and “The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry. If you’d like to hear about love, children made out of snow, and poorly planned presents, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be concluding my discussion of My Antonia. If you want to learn about Jim and Lena’s brief courtship, the power of memory, and find out what happens to Antonia as an adult, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be beginning my discussion of My Antonia by Willa Cather. First published in 1918, this symbolic look at immigrant life on the frontier is a staple of turn-of-the-century American Literature. If you want to hear about symbolism, Russian wolves, and judgey townspeople, hit play.

On today’s literary history interlude, I’ll be discussing the swashbuckler genre. This genre of the 19th and 20th centuries shaped today’s entertainment and is the reason we have superheroes and Marvel movies. If you’d like to learn more, hit play.

On today’s poetry interlude, I’ll be discussing the tragic love story of poets Vera Brittan and Roland Leighton. A nurse in World War I, Brittan immortalized “The Lost Generation” with her autobiography and poetry; the loss of her fiancee Leighton to war would shape her writing and later anti-war work. If you’d like to learn more, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be discussing the author Zitkala-Sa. An inspiring Native author and activist, her stories capture loss of identity and forced assimilation. If you want to learn about her life, body of work, and legacy, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be concluding my discussion of Northanger Abbey. If you want to hear about unfaithful fiancees, potential murder, and happy endings, hit play.

On today’s episode, I’ll be beginning my discussion of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. First published in 1817, this parody of Gothic literature is a lesser known work from the Queen of Romance. If you want to learn about Regency era marriage settlements, avoiding annoying suitors, and how to be a heroine, hit play.