In the first episode of our new season, we introduce Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea! Kick off the new year with us as we explore a story celebrated for its charming, character-driven narrative and imaginative worldbuilding. Link is in our bio! 

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Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

References: 

Brandon Sanderson’s First Law of Magic: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/sandersons-first-law?_pos%3D1%26_sid%3Dbc614b73c%26_ss%3Dr&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1768185396086790&usg=AOvVaw0GOvOv0qB4mMVhQYpnETdU

Brandon Sanderson’s Second Law of Magic: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/sandersons-second-law?_pos%3D1%26_sid%3D35f57675a%26_ss%3Dr&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1768185396090156&usg=AOvVaw3p3YKMkTLONIjF1CGslUX0 

Brandon Sanderson’s Third Law of Magic: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.brandonsanderson.com/blogs/blog/sandersons-third-law-of-magic?_pos%3D3%26_sid%3Dbc614b73c%26_ss%3Dr&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1768185396090788&usg=AOvVaw1EfNOJIDEpnFiMFPe2ZeeV 

In our thirty-eighth episode, we reflect on our 2025 best reads and goals. Additionally, we discuss our new goals for 2026. 

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Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-seventh episode, we slip through the wardrobe one last time this year for a spoiler-filled journey through The Chronicles of Narnia. As we close out our final book of the year and step into the winter season, we take a closer look at C. S. Lewis—examining the craft behind his storytelling, the themes that shape Narnia, and the enduring impact of his imaginative world.

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 “American”: I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-sixth episode, take a deep dive into Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Join us as we spend the month with the March family, exploring the charm, heart, and timeless spirit of this beloved classic.

Loisa May Alcott's Diary (p. 201):
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Louisa_May_Alcott/wu4x7eZ2IccC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA11&printsec=frontcover

Louisa May Alcott: Dreamer and Worker by Belle Moses (pp. 189-190):
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Louisa_May_Alcott_Dreamer_and_Worker/4dodV5Twk-EC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PP9&printsec=frontcover

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-fifth episode, we’re introducing Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, our November book club pick. Join us as we spend the month with the March family, exploring the charm, heart, and timeless spirit of this beloved classic.

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-fourth episode, we take a deep dive into our thoughts on John William Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight (2005). 

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-third episode, we examine the persistence of the vampire in literature, focusing on John William Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight (2005). Despite their distance in time, both works present strikingly similar portrayals of the vampire. We discuss what continues to make this figure so enduring and culturally resonant.

Referenced content: 

• Dr. Rebecca Marks' substack on vampires: https://substack.com/@culturedump/note/c-153724554 
• The Nightmare is a 1781 oil painting by the Swiss artist Henry Fuseli
• Secrets: How Vampires Work podcast episode Kali mentions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407?i=1000584320844
• Article Kali quotes on John Polidori's life: https://themillions.com/2023/04/the-haunted-writing-life-of-john-polidori.html

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-second episode, we discuss what makes a good story and the impact it can have. Additionally, we take a few quizzes to test our book and movie knowledge. 

Link to BuzzFeed quiz: https://www.buzzfeed.com/swapnaravichandran/guess-the-popular-books-these-quotes-are-from

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirty-first episode, we take a deep dive into the many themes and lessons in the book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. 

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).

In our thirtieth episode, we introduce the children’s genre through the beloved book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. We explore what makes children's literature so powerful—for both kids and adults.

Referenced information:

• BBC journal article Why adults should read children's books by author Katherine Rundell (2023): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230711-why-adults-should-read-childrens-books
• Study on child development and reading daily (2019): https://ehe.osu.edu/news/listing/importance-reading-kids-daily-0
  
  

Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen to us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or YouTube: linktr.ee/TheBookCommonRoom

Introduction music featured by Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, B. 179 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo (1893), performed by the Cleveland Quartet (Telarc, 1991).