Required Reading

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!

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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This week on the podcast it's an all-time classic of girlhood: Frances Hodgson Burnett's A LITTLE PRINCESS with podcaster Caroline Ely!

Sarah Crewe enters Miss Minchin's boarding school as a wealthy heiress, but when her father dies finds herself shoved into servitude, poverty, and hunger.

Check out Caroline's podcast Good Christin Fun (Erin was on it!)

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TV writer Jillian Tsai of Netflix's Haunted Hotel joins me to discuss the first entry into the mega-series WARRIORS from 2003!

Rusty is a cozy house cat who chooses to join Thunderclan, a group of feral cats who live in the woods behind his house and are having a land dispute with other clans. He becomes a warrior apprentice, Firepaw, and uncovers mysteries within the clan and within himself....

Check out Jillian's show Haunted Hotel on Netflix!

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Author Sierra Marilyn Riley (The Dark Cove Theatre Society) joins me to discuss one of MY all-time favorite books from childhood: THE WESTING GAME!

When wealthy paper magnate Samuel Westing dies he leaves a complicated will demanding 16 "heirs" - most of whom live at an apartment building across a field from his creepy mansion - partake in a game to inherit his fortune.

Check out Sierra's book, coming out October 7th and stream Mistletoe Murders!

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Mind-blowing writer Jenny Bicks (Welcome to Flatch, Sex and the City) joins me to discuss our second Roald Dahl book JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. Fun fact: same year as Phantom Tollbooth!

Little James finds himself inside a giant peach, surrounded by several very large and very friendly bugs!

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Bellbottoms, capris, cargos: its the summer of pants. Kelly Krauter joins me to discuss Ann Brashare's 2001 immortal classic THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS. And don't you dare roll your eyes.

Best friends Carmen, Tibby, Lena, and Bridget are about to spend a summer apart for the first time in their 15 years of life. Just before they go their separate ways they find a magical pair of jeans that fits them all, despite their varying body sizes. They vow to mail the jeans back and forth to each other over the course of the summer to keep the girls in each other's hearts...and also denim.

Kelly and I met making a short film which you should watch HERE because we WON THE FESTIVAL, OK?

Listen to Kelly's song LOBOTOMY!

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As of September 2 2025, ads on this show have earned $5.05 thanks to viewers like you! THANK YOU!

Kelsey Buckley returns to wrap up our summer camp series with a nonfiction book: THEATER GEEK.

Theater Geek by Mickey Rapkin chronicles one summer at renowned theater camp Stagedoor Manor.

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As of this writing (8.26.25) we have earned $3.56 from ad revenue! Thank you for listening!

Writer Joanna Truman joins me to discuss one of the most iconic characters in children's literature: Harriet M Welsch AKA Harriet the Spy!!

From Louise Fitzhugh in 1964, Harriet the Spy follows Manhattanite 11 year old kid spy Harriet M Welsh as she writes infinitely in her trusty notebook about her pesky classmates in order to survive the departure of her dear nanny, Ole Golly.

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Comedian Maggie Winters joins me to discuss THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster with illustrations from Jules Feiffer!

The Phantom Tollbooth follows bored schoolboy Milo as he enters a mystical and very unreasonable land in search of the princesses of Rhyme and Reason!

AND - episode 100 is approaching! Let me know what you'd like me to do! I have very few ideas!

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