Part book club, part English class, Zero to Well-Read is a podcast about everything you need to know about the books you wish you’d read.

Each week, hosts Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky take on a new title, from classics you should have read in high school to major prize winners and cult favorites to modern hits.

We believe being well-read is about more than just the classics, so we've dissected The Great Gatsby and One Hundred Years of Solitude, sure, but we've also explored The Secret History and Hamnet. Our syllabus has included Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, Judy Blume, Salman Rushdie, James Baldwin, and, of course, some Shakespeare. And did you know the hit film One Battle After Another was based on a book? We did, and we made an episode about it, too (that's Vineland by Thomas Pynchon).

In each episode, we'll give you everything you need to know about a must-read book, including:

What it's about: The basics of the plot and characters.

Vibe-check: What it feels like to read this book and whether it’s for you.

The Discourse: Diving into the commentary and controversies surrounding the book.

Hot takes: Our honest, unfiltered opinions.

Cocktail Party Crib Sheet: Three key takeaways to make you sound well-read at your next dinner party.

Follow the show to receive a new episode every Tuesday.

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