Podcasts
-
Shakespearean Sonnet 18
This week, Joey, Jennifer, and Colin discuss Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18.” The sonnet, known for its iconic opening line, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” explores themes of beauty, temperance, and the immortalizing power of poetry.
-
The Aleph
Introduction This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss “The Aleph,” by Jorge Luis Borges, a masterful short story originally published in 1945. This story explores themes of infinity, memory, and human ambition through the narrator’s encounters with Carlos Argentino Daneri and his poetic obsession. Set against the backdrop of Buenos Aires, it dives into…
-
Shakespearean Sonnet 94
This week, Jennifer, Joey, and Colin discuss Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 94.” The sonnet explores themes of restraint, corruption, and the power of temperance. The group unpacks its timeless relevance and evocative imagery.
-
“The Gloria Scott”
This week, Jennifer, Joey, and Colin discuss “The Gloria Scott,” a Sherlock Holmes short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. The story recounts Holmes’s first case as a university student, delving into themes of secrets, blackmail, and the complexities of human relationships.
-
“The Bloody Chamber”
This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss: “The Bloody Chamber,” by Angela Carter, a feminist retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale. The story follows a young bride who marries a wealthy and mysterious Marquis. She moves into his opulent castle, where she uncovers dark secrets, including the fates of his previous wives.
-
“The Canterville Ghost”
This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss: “The Canterville Ghost,” by Oscar Wilde, a Gothic parody that blends humor and the supernatural. The story follows the Otis family, who move from America to England and into Canterville Chase, a mansion haunted by Sir Simon, a ghost who has been trying to scare the inhabitants…
-
“The Library of Babel”
This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss “The Library of Babel,” by Jorge Luis Borges, first published in 1941. This story presents an infinite library composed of hexagonal rooms filled with books that contain every possible combination of letters. The inhabitants spend their lives searching for meaning in the books, but the randomness of…
-
“The Autobahn”
This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss: “The Autobahn,” by Hugo Hamilton, from The New Yorker issue published on September 15, 2024. The story centers on a young man hitchhiking outside Frankfurt, who is stopped by a police officer on a snowy day. Suspected of being a violent anarchist due to his resemblance to…
-
“The Semplica Girl Diaries”
This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss: “The Semplica Girl Diaries,” by George Saunders, from The New Yorker, published in 2015. The story follows a working-class man who buys “Semplica Girls”—poor young women from developing countries who serve as human lawn ornaments—for his daughter’s birthday, hoping to boost her status among her wealthier peers.…