Katie welcomes author and literature professor Karen Swallow Prior to discuss what it means to “read well,” why classic literature is worth the effort, and how great books shape our character.

On this episode, Katie is joined by author, speaker, and literature professor Karen Swallow Prior, whose book On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books explores how classic literature can shape our character, habits, and spiritual lives.

Karen shares how her own love of reading began in childhood, how one influential professor shaped her academic path, and why reading great literature today requires intentionality in a distracted world.

Together, Katie and Karen explore the difference between reading for information and reading for formation; how to read classics without being overwhelmed; and why reading in community can deepen the experience.

They also dive into a lively discussion of Jane Eyre vs. Wuthering Heights, including whether Wuthering Heights is a love story — and why it continues to fascinate readers despite (or because of) its chaos.

What it means to “read well”

•  Reading for information vs. formation 
•  Why most of what we read today isn’t meant to be read deeply 
•  How great books shape character, mind, and soul 

How to start reading the classics

•  Why you shouldn’t start with what you feel like you “should” read 
•  Why reading is not a race 

Why reading feels harder today

•  The challenge of attention in a distracted, modern world 
•  How it becomes easier — and more enjoyable — the more you do it 

Reading in community

•  Why books are better when discussed with others 
•  Book clubs, classrooms, podcasts, and shared reading experiences 
•  “Read it so we can talk about it” as a way of life 

Jane Eyre vs. Wuthering Heights

•  Romantic (capital-R) vs. realistic storytelling 
•  Is Wuthering Heights a love story?
•  Katie’s WH review: chaos, drama, and a glimpse of redemption 

Books mentioned

• On Reading Well — Karen Swallow Prior 
• Jane Eyre — Charlotte Brontë 
• Wuthering Heights — Emily Brontë 
• Frankenstein — Mary Shelley 
• A Tale of Two Cities — Charles Dickens 
• Gulliver’s Travels — Jonathan Swift 
• Small Things Like These — Claire Keegan 
• The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter — Carson McCullers 
• How to Read Literature Like a Professor — Thomas C. Foster 

•  Readers who want to get more out of classic literature 
•  Anyone who feels intimidated by “the classics” 
•  Book lovers interested in faith, character, and formation 
•  Book clubs looking for deeper discussion 

Website: https://karenswallowprior.com/
Substack: https://substack.com/@karenswallowprior

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Are you reading primari

Katie welcomes cozy gothic fantasy novelist Christina Baehr to discuss dragons, classic lit inspiration (from Jane Austen to "Jane Eyre" and more), and the surprising story of writing a novel on her phone while raising 9 children. 

Topics in this episode: Christian fantasy, Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, cozy gothic fiction, writing a novel on your phone, motherhood and creativity.

On this episode, Katie is joined by Australian novelist Christina Baehr, author of the cozy gothic fantasy series "The Secrets of Ormdale" and the new "Gilded Age of Dragons" series.

Christina shares the remarkable story of how she wrote her first novel on her phone during a difficult year filled with grief, illness, and family challenges — and how that story unexpectedly grew into a beloved fantasy series with readers around the world.

Literary influences behind the story

• How Jane Austen’s "Northanger Abbey" inspired the “cozy gothic” tone
• Classic literature and the sense of wonder in storytelling
• Why dragons, mystery, and Victorian England make the perfect setting

Meet Christina Baehr

• A novelist and homeschooling mother of 10
• Living with her family in Tasmania
• Writing her first novel in the margins of everyday life
• Building a global online community of readers

Writing a novel in the middle of motherhood

• Drafting a book on her phone while breastfeeding
• The discipline of writing in small pockets of time
• Trusting God with creative callings

Literary influences

• C. S. Lewis
• Jane Austen
• G. K. Chesterton
• Why classic literature still shapes modern storytelling

Faith, creativity, and small beginnings

• Seeing God multiply small acts of obedience
• Building a supportive community of readers
• The surprising moment her book reached 35,000 readers overnight

• Northanger Abbey — Jane Austen
• Wormwood Abbey — Christina Baehr
• A Menagerie of Dragons — Christina Baehr

• Readers who love classic literature
• Fans of Christian fantasy and imaginative storytelling
• Moms pursuing creativity in the middle of busy seasons
• Writers seeking to self-publish their books
• Book clubs looking for thoughtful discussion

Instagram: @christina_baehr
Website: christinabaehr.com

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How has a book — classic or modern — shaped the way you see faith, imagination, or the world around you?

The 'Reader's Digest Condensed' show notes:

Katie welcomes bestselling Christian novelist T.I. Lowe to discuss addiction, second chances, and slow, messy transformation in her new Christian novel, South of Somewhere (releasing March 10). 

Unabridged show notes:

On this episode, we talk about Christian fiction, addiction recovery, and walking through a “thorn” season with biblical hope. First, Katie shares a short review of "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky — a classic exploration of guilt, conscience, and the slow burn of spiritual awakening.

Then Katie is joined by T. I. Lowe, author of the Christy Award–winning "Indigo Isle" and the new novel "South of Somewhere." If you’ve ever struggled with shame, walked with someone battling addiction, or wondered whether God still works in the “thorn” seasons of life — this episode will encourage your heart. His grace is enough!

In this episode:

Classic book review: Crime and Punishment

• Why this 19th-century Russian novel still grips modern readers
• The psychological toll of guilt and conscience
• The glimpse of redemption at the end (no spoilers)
• What this story reveals about morality and the human heart

Meet T.I. Lowe

• 21+ novels in Christian fiction
• Winner of the 2024 Christy Award for "Indigo Isle"
• Writing from coastal South Carolina
• Why she uses her initials (and discovering rapper T.I.!)

Writing from real-life grief

• The personal loss that shaped "South of Somewhere"
• Seeking understanding instead of judgment
• Writing from the addict’s point of view

Faith and slow transformation

• The importance of Christian community
• The church as a hospital
• 2 Corinthians 12 and the "thorn"

Romance, hope, and second chances

• A sweet next-door neighbor romance
• Redemption without unrealistic perfection
• The connection to South Carolina's state motto

Books mentioned:

• Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoevsky
• South of Somewhere – T.I. Lowe
• Indigo Isle – T.I. Lowe

Scripture mentioned:

• Moses' hesitation and speech struggle: Exodus 4:10-17
• Paul's thorn: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Who this episode is for:

• Believers walking with someone battling addiction
• Readers who love Christian fiction
• Anyone in a “thorn” season
• Book clubs looking for meaningful discussion

Connect with T.I. Lowe:

• Instagram: @tilowe
• Facebook: T.I. Lowe
• Website: tilowe.com

Enjoying 'Oh My Word with Katie'? 

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A question to reflect on:

What “thorn” season has God used to deepen your faith?

Authors Lynette Eason & Dani Pettrey discuss their new novella collection, “Whiteout,” involving an avalanche, stalkers, and romance (not with the stalkers). Plus, how they've gotten book titles from grandkids and AI, and Katie's step-by-step guide for how to tell if Tolkien is your jam. 

Buy "Whiteout" now: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9780764245978_whiteout

Connect with Lynette: https://lynetteeason.com/

Connect with Dani: https://danipettrey.com/

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Katie chats with Toni Shiloh, author of “Hearts On the Fly,” a hockey-themed romance complete with a blind date (in more ways than one), family drama, and redemption. Plus, Katie and Toni talk Jane Austen, K-dramas, and how an author can learn life lessons right along with her characters.

Order "Hearts On the Fly": https://tonishiloh.com/hearts-on-the-fly/

Connect with Toni at https://tonishiloh.com/, on Facebook @AuthorToniShiloh, or Instagram @tonishiloh. 

Author Sarah Sundin shares about her latest WWII novel, "Mists Over the Channel Islands" - plus, how her grandfather and great-uncle used storytelling to cope after the war, and how she went from full-time mom to full-time author. 

• Order Sarah Sundin’s “Mists Over the Channel Islands”: https://www.sarahsundin.com/books/mists-over-the-channel-islands/ 
• Connect with Sarah on Facebook @SarahSundinAuthor
• Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sarahsundinauthor 

Other books mentioned on this episode: 

• The Hunted Children by Donald Lowrie

Author Heather Kaufman shares how her upcoming biblical fiction book, "On Living Stone: Salome's Story," challenged her (and gave her all the feels) as a mom - plus, the story behind her "Women of the Way" series, and the book that impacted her the most as a young reader.

-Preorder Heather Kaufman’s “On Living Stone: Salome’s Story” at https://www.hmkstories.com/onlivingstone 

-Follow Heather on Facebook and Instagram @hmkstories 

-Follow “Oh My Word with Katie” on Facebook and Instagram @ohmywordpod

-Other books mentioned on this episode:

• Mara, Daughter of the Nile, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
• Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul, by Hannah Anderson
• The Gateway Trilogy, by Crystal D. Grant
• Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You, by James Macarthur
• The Training of the Twelve: How Jesus Christ Found and Taught the 12 Apostles, by A.B. Bruce

Want to transform your Bible-reading journey this year? Listen as Dr. Ben Gladd, co-editor of the Connecting Scripture New Testament, discusses how the Bible is one big story, how many *thousands* of times the New Testament references the old - and how reading the Bible can make us better readers in general.

Order the Connecting Scripture New Testament: https://us.amazon.com/Connecting-Single-Column-Cross-Reference-Color-Coded-Introductions/dp/B0DT8KQK6C 

It's the Season 4 finale, and what better way to end than with the UNCUT version of the most downloaded episode of the season! Getting a full ride to the University of Oxford was amazing - then she discovered Jesus. Listen as author and literature professor Dr. Carolyn Weber shares her journey from agnostic to Christian and what she learned along the way.

Starting New Year’s Day 2026, “Oh My Word with Katie” will focus on interviewing Christian writers, providing amazing book recommendations, and marveling at all the ways God shows up in words and stories. I plan to cover Christian romance, study Bibles, and everything in between. Take a listen and get excited!

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