In a world divided, shocked by murdered black people and murdered elementary students, Paul implores us to see the message from the greatest unifier in all of literature: Atticus Finch.

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Hatchett, 1960. 

For Ramona, Janne, and especially Senia,

And for Gloria. She knows why. 

Paul talks Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize winner The Road, and how this grim, horrifying book still has a touch of love and hope. 

McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. New York, Vintage: 2006. 

Thos who like him, like him a lot!

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. London: Harper Collins, 2010. 

Paul discusses the history of the adoption of the Maple Leaf, its history and the replacement of the Red Ensign, and why he's flying the latter in his yard these days. 

Inspired by current events, Paul wonders if the writers who knew war really needed war to create. He asks the age-old question: "War--unh--good God, y'all--what is it good for?" Spoiler: the answer is "Absolutely nuthin'!"

Lennon, John and Yoko Ono. "Give Peace a Chance." Give Peace a Chance/Remember Love Single.  Apple: UK, 1969.

Starr, Edwin. "War." from War & Peace. Motown: USA, 1970. 

Paul cracks open just how horrifying the abuse of English is in that double plus good dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell.

Orwell, George. 1984.  Toronto: Signet Classics, 1977.

Rage Against the Machine. "Testify." The Battle of Los Angeles. USA: Epic, 1999. 

What do you get when you give a bunch of tweens an island to themsleves? Chaos and mayhem! And parallels to our own times.

Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber, 1988. 

Paul talks about some of his favourite recent live-action superhero shows, including the Netflix Defenders, the Disney+ shows, and HBO Max's Titans. 

Paul picks apart the abuse of the elements in this 1977 Governor General Award Winner. 

Findley, Timothy. The Wars. Toronto: Penguin, 1977.