On Writing isn’t a horror novel—but it is one of the most honest books ever written about the act of writing. In this episode of Required Reading, we dive into Stephen King’s hybrid memoir-and-manual to explore what it really means to become a writer. King strips away the mystique surrounding creativity Read more…
In this episode of Required Reading, we dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting short story, The Tell-Tale Heart. Through the fevered confession of an unreliable narrator, Poe explores the thin line between sanity and madness, guilt and obsession. We discuss how Poe uses rhythm, repetition, and symbolism to capture the Read more…
In this episode of Required Reading, we explore Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling masterpiece, The Cask of Amontillado. Set in the eerie catacombs beneath an Italian palazzo, the story follows Montresor’s calculated revenge against Fortunato—an act cloaked in deception, wine, and madness. The episode unpacks themes of pride, guilt, and psychological Read more…
This week on Required Reading, we dust off our middle school readers and learn about high schoolers in love. We read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the passionate and mature love of a 13 and 15 year old. It’s basically Elizabethan Degrassi. Co-Hosts: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, Mike Carroll Read more…
This week we are reminding you that this is the best of all possible podcasts. We talk Candide by Voltaire! Keep on reviewing and subscribing so we can continue doing this! or perhaps, this is our last episode and we will go to tend our gardens. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann Panel: Read more…
This week we get the energy up by having Mike Carroll talk about Beowulf again! We plan on coming out with an episode every first and third Friday of the Month for the rest of the school year and hopefully you come along for the ride with us! We are starting Read more…
We are back, baby! This week we are joined by graphic novelist Rebecca Michaud as we talk about the DC Elseworld comic, Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, and Killian Plunkett; Superman the pinko, classic! Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll. Guest: Rebecca Michaud Imagine a reality Read more…
With Required Reading, we’re launching something new! As we hinted at the end of last term, we’re exploring a broader American Studies approach, tentatively called Zeit Guys. After covering a book last week (and with another on the way), we’ll be diving into Green Day’s Dookie album in the same Read more…
This week on Required Reading, we talk Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and hidden in here is an easter egg that will unlock Hoffmann’s Gold. WE ARE BACK, BABY!!!! Host: Nic Panel: Mike and Mike. From the Random House book cover: “In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. Read more…
Hello! We are starting to dust off the cobwebs of summer break. As we do, we return to one of Mike Carroll’s short stories. Please enjoy! We will be back with the new format soon, so keep following us here! Thanks, Nic