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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4.6

99 ratings

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FAQs about Required Reading:

How many episodes does Required Reading have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

Required Reading episodes:

February 19, 2026 Jane Eyre with Madeline North!
We're back! Erin got laid off and then went on vacation, but now we're back! We as in the royal we.
Madeline North also returns to discuss Charlotte Bronte's 1847 classic: JANE EYRE. And we also talk a lot about Wuthering Heights. It can't be helped!
Jane Eyre follows orphan Jane from ages 10-20 as she escapes a cruel home to go to an even crueler boarding school, then becomes a governess, falls in love, almost gets married, finds out her employer/fiance's been keeping a secret wife in the attic, gets the heck outta there, joins a family, finds out they're her real family, gets a lot of money, goes back to the employer and makes him a husband. And that's what you missed on Glee!
In this episode we discuss my video essay about the book (ooooooo) and this video essay about some common Charlotte Bronte misconceptions!
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Listen to her previous episodes on Eragon and The Princess Bride!
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1h 25min
January 08, 2026 Vampire Academy with Liz Wiest
Welcome to 2026 and welcome to the VAMPIRE ACADEMY where we are horny, confused, and Catholic. Writer Liz Wiest joins me to discuss Richelle Mead's 2007 novel.
The plot is complex but it's girls at an academy for vampires. You get the gist.
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59min
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

FAQs about Required Reading:

How many episodes does Required Reading have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

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