This episode of Required Reading, we dive into the haunting masterpiece Beloved by Toni Morrison. This complex narrative is an incredible piece of American Fiction, African American literature, and magical realism; truly a remarkable novel. 

Host: Nic Hoffmann

Co-host: Mike Burns

Panel: Chase Thompson

This episode of Required Reading we talk about the western classic, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. This classic of the 1920s is an American novel highlighting the creation of a southwestern diocese, involving interesting characters, good discussions and a crisis of faith. Also, a book we almost couldn't record on we struggled so much with, until we had a great discussion on it. 

Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Michael Carroll.

Panel: Betsy Holcomb

Also, this book was selected by an auction winner. If you are interested in getting a book on the show, consider bidding on our auction, on February 25th. 

This week on Required Reading we talk about A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, so gird your valves and stay out of the French Quarter!

Thanks for indulging in our little Holiday Break! We are back with two episodes a month for the foreseeable future! Thanks for all you do to make us the success we are!

Host: Nic Hoffmann

Co-host: Mike Carroll

Panel: Betsy Holcomb

This week we read the Christmas Classic that you have been expecting since the beginning, we talk A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The traditional Christmas tale made famous by the likes of Michael Caine, Bill Murray, Patrick Stewart, Alistair Slim, and Mr. Magoo. We talk the ins and outs of poultry factory farming, hauntings, and Nic resists the urge to do a bad Michael Caine impression; though Kermit may escape. 

Please note: we did kind of a rolling start, but after a few minutes, I inserted the theme and the episode starts in earnest. 

Next time will be an unusual episode, but in January we return with A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy O'Toole and Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. 

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year from all of us at Required Reading, you are the reason we still do this! 

Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann

Co-Host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll. 

Guest: Mark Craddock 

This episode we talk The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien. We battle, we make friends, and talk orcs, rings, and talking trees. 

Robert von Hagen returns to help me in this complex world. Can we get to the bottom of the towers? Gollum? In honor of the 20th anniversary of the film, we revisit Middle Earth and get into Beowulf, the long version, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Next episode will be on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, so read along with us and watch your favorite version (mine has the Muppets). We will be taking off the rest of December, but in January we will return with two episodes a month! 

Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann

Co-Host: Mike Carroll

Guest: Robert von Hagen

In honor of Veterans Day and the end of World War I, this episode we get depressed and read All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque, the only book I know of titled after the final line of the novel.

The book is a classic of war literature set in World War I and narrated by a German soldier. Good enough to get banned and burned by Hitler, watch the new Netflix version or the classic 1930 version put out by Criterion. 

Next episode will be J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and it will be followed by A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 

PS Sorry, it is late, it's finals around here and completely nuts. 

Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann

Co-Host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll

This week we follow up Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley with a Modern retelling! In honor of the abysmal end to a franchise that was Jurassic World Dominion, we talk about the book that started it all Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton; the reason I know anything about Cray Supercomputers. 

We, of course talk about the book and compare it to the legendary Spielberg movie (starring Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill,  Samuel L. Jackson, and Wayne Knight).

Thanks for listening and subscribing! In order to keep you up to date, our November reads will be Hamlet by William Shakespeare and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.

Thanks,

Nic

This week on Required Reading we delve into Gothic Horror and read Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley (possibly revised by Percy Shelley). Not only does this fill our horror quota for October, but allows us to segue into a modern retelling as next week we discuss the highly topical Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. 

Please continue to share and review! Also, if you are interested, follow me on Good Reads and follow us on Twitter @required_pod. Also, reach out and tell us what to review! We will also be auctioning off seats on the podcast for next season to support our school, details to follow!

Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann

Co-hosts: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll

This week, we visit the stars above! We read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell this episode of Required Reading. In a remarkable piece of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Anthropology and Catholicism, the Sparrow is a story of triumphs and trials and it is all the more incredible for doing so. 

As we have done all season, I will be sharing the next book. In October we will be covering a classic horror tale and it's modern retelling. We start with a reading of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley followed by Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. 

Please continue to share and review! Also, if you are interested, follow me on Good Reads and follow us on Twitter @required_pod

This week we read the most recent piece of fiction yet! With the plot hinging on 9/11, we read Jonathan Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. We cover this non-traditional narrative and get to the bottom of a key in a vase. 

We thank you for following us! In an effort to keep you reading, next week we will cover The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, a sci-fi novel about Jesuits, space travel and music. 

Host: Nic Hoffmann

Co-Hosts: Mike Burns, Mike Carroll