Required Reading

By Erin Bowles

Required Reading revisits the most impactful books from our childhood with a new guest every week.

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4.5

88 ratings

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FAQs about Required Reading:

How many episodes does Required Reading have?

The podcast currently has 102 episodes available.

Required Reading episodes:

December 17, 2025 MEASURE FOR MEASURE WITH CARLY O'BRIEN!
Folks, it's episode 100. Professor Carly O'Brien returns for her fourth episode (first time a guest has made it to four episodes, a historic one indeed) to cover a play that fundamentally shaped who I am as an artist and as a lil freak.
Measure for Measure is known as one of Shakespeare's three problem plays. It follows a Duke, a nun, and, well,.,, just listen.
This is the last episode of 2025! See you next year!
Cover art is James McMullen's poster for Lincoln Center.
Check out Carly's previous episodes about A Christmas Carol and Johnny Tremain and Where the Red Fern Grows!
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1h 32min
December 10, 2025 Frozen in Time with Justina Engel
Favorite person alert: Justina Engel returns to discuss Ali Sparkes' 2009 sci-fi novel FROZEN IN TIME.
During summer vacation siblings Ben and Rachel dig up a bomb shelter in their backyard. Inside the bomb shelter are their great aunt and uncle, cryogenically frozen (and there's a puppy there too). Family mysteries, government conspiracies, and international intrigue come to light - and fingernails fall off!
Check out Justina's previous episode! It's the American Girl Doll episode!
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1h
December 03, 2025 Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging with Britt Migs
An ode to the magic and miseries of girlhood - but mostly the magic. Comedian and Emmy-winning producer Britt Migs joins me to discuss Louise Rennison's 1999 British classic: Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging.
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1h
November 26, 2025 Flowers in the Attic with Lauren Badillo Milici
Yes, it's the incest book. This week Lauren Badillo Milici joins me to discuss VC Andrew's salacious and iconic first novel Flowers in the Attic.
Four siblings are trapped in an attic by their mother and grandmother in an attempt to hide their existence from their grandfather.
Check out Lauren's book and her work at GamesRadar!
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1h 8min
November 19, 2025 Artemis Fowl with Kevin T Porter
Miracle of miracles! Kevin T Porter of Good Christian Fun returns to discuss one of the best-selling book series of all time: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.
Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old criminal mastermind, on a quest to save his family's reputation and gold. But a little fairy named Holly Short just might get in his way.
Check out Kevin's previous appearance on the show where we discussed the Wayside School sequel!
Subscribe to Kevin's podcast Good Christian Fun, also hosted by previous guest Caroline Ely!
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49min
November 13, 2025 MISERY with Enor Bishop!
Comedian Enor Bishop joins me to discuss Stephen King's immortal classic from 1987: Misery.
Author Paul Sheldon's life is saved after he is pulled from the wreckage of his car by his number one fan: Annie Wilkes. Trouble is, she won't let him leave.
Get tickets to Enor's show on November 15th 2025!
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51min
November 05, 2025 Goosebumps: Say Cheese and DIE!
Another week, another Goosebump! Book 4 in the series is Say Cheese and Die, where a mysterious camera causes misfortune to whoever appears in a pic!
Goosebumps episode one! Two! Three! With Chelsea Pope! With Keara Sullivan!
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21min
October 29, 2025 Halloween Movies!
It's a mini episode and a solo episode so you know it's gonna be absolutely whack-a-doodle. I talk about my favorite Halloween movies!
Here's my letterboxd list!
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26min
October 22, 2025 Frankenstein with Paul Feig
AAAAAH!
Legendary director Paul Feig joins me to discuss Mary Shelley's immortal Frankenstein from 1818.
Check out Paul's newest film The Housemaid only in theaters December 19th!
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41min
October 08, 2025 The Clique with Georgia Shenk
Original guest and girlhood expert Georgia Shenk returns to discuss a book I was not allowed to read and the touchstone for "mean girl"-hood of the 00s.....other than the one you're thinking of. It's THE CLIQUE by Lisi Harrison!
When new girl Claire moves into mean girl Massie's guest house, worlds collide. Claire eats sugar and does not fit in with the Pretty Committee (Massie's group of friends) - will she choose popularity or being true to herself?
Check out Georgia's previous episodes on the podcast about The Summer I Turned Pretty and Airhead!
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Listen to author Lisi Harrison's podcast for all things The Clique!
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45min

FAQs about Required Reading:

How many episodes does Required Reading have?

The podcast currently has 102 episodes available.

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