This week’s episode is all about how books make us want to read more. Listen in as Scott and Katie discuss those series that have made them into readers and the ways in which authors get us hooked into stories. Katie and Scott relive some of their favorite memories with books series and talk about ways in which current students are reading and thinking about duologies, trilogies, and beyond!

They’re back! Listen to the newest episode for 2025 as Scott and Katie discuss their New Year’s resolutions for reading. Having taken a brief hiatus (because we all know life happens), Scott and Katie recognize they need a reset on their reading. This week’s episode dives into reading resolutions for the new year that you may want to adopt to enhance your own reading life.

This week’s episode, Scott and Katie are straying away from the young adult and middle grade read to discuss an adult book. Yes, you read that correctly: an adult book. They’ll be discussing The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, a book released in March that has been gaining traction in parent and school communities because of its research-based theories on the current mental health crisis among adolescents. Join Scott and Katie this week as they dive into their thoughts about the book and discuss their own experiences as educators whose school is phone-free for the first time.

The American Library Association celebrates Banned Book Week at the end of September, but Scott and Katie think it should be celebrated all season long. Join Scott and Katie in this very special Novel Short as they discuss banned books and the impact it has on our schools and communities. This week’s episode also features a sound clip by award winner writer Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Out of Darkness, a book featured in Season 2. Listen in as Ashley Hope Pérez shares her wisdom about banned books and being a banned author!

This week’s episode features a book that Scott and Katie read and loved over the summer: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. Join Scott and Katie as they discuss some of the most important themes of family and friendship explored in this amazing graphic novel. They also discuss the historical lessons of racism threaded within the story. It's a great quick, but informative read that they recommend to everyone, but especially middle school students!

This week’s Novel Short is brought to you by the age-old debate: which is better - the book or the movie? Listen in as Scott and Katie grapple with this question themselves revealing new insights about which they personally believe is better. It’s a great conversation starter, and this episode will definitely get you thinking!

To begin a new season, Scott and Katie decided to talk about a topic of particular interest to them: children’s literature. As new parents, both Scott and Katie are always looking for fantastic reads for their daughters. But a recent article about problematic children’s literature sparked a conversation about what books we read to our children and students. Listen in as Scott and Katie talk about their favorite books from childhood and discuss some of the books they are rethinking moving forward.

As the second season of That’s Novel Reading comes to an end, Scott and Katie try and guess each other’s favorite books from the season and even set up a little wager. This week’s episode will feature Scott and Katie reflecting on the season and some of their favorite reads. We'll see you all in season 3! Support your local libraries and take care.

Starting a podcast is not an easy task, but Scott and Katie decided to begin winding down Season 2 discussing the origins of That’s Novel Reading as the podcast celebrated its one year anniversary! Listen in as Scott and Katie discuss the origins of the podcast, their process, and how they continue to plan and discuss great books and reading topics each week.