This week Katie, Sky and Lauren begin reading a new novel, The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. Published in 1944, it tells the story of a young man who returns from World War I and turns away from society life on a spiritual quest. Discussion topics include: what it means to be a "snob," a Brit's delighted amusement about ice cream sodas, and the Summer of Shandy.
The Handmaid's Tale Miniseries Parts 1-3
We discuss episodes 1-3 of The Handmaid's Tale miniseries, now airing on Hulu in the USA. Discussion topics: Sucky Janine not sucky enough, Joseph Fiennes looks like a Rolex model, Scrabble rules not followed... but it's still very good!
Candide Part 3
Katie, Sky and Lauren discuss the 3rd-act twist of Candide - it really IS the best of all worlds! Ok, not really.
Next Week: Episodes 1-3 of The Handmaid's Tale miniseries
Next Book: The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham
Candide Part 2
Candide Chapters 11-20. Katie, Sky and Lauren discuss a variety of boats, question Voltaire's self-censorship, and make way, way, way too many references to a certain 2000 Dreamworks animated feature.
NOTE: This episode contains some foul language and adult situations. You know, if you're into that sort of thing.
Candide Part 1
Hot takes from 1759! Katie, Sky and Lauren jump into chapters 1-10 of Voltaire's satire Candide. Discussion topics: What if Candide's true identity is... Optimism? Footnotes vs. Endnotes. Who(m) does the old woman serve?
The Handmaid's Tale Part 6
Katie, Sky and Lauren wrap up discussion of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Section XIV "Salvaging," Section XV, "Night," and "Historical Notes." Discussion Topics: Why don't we learn Offred's real name? Who will Lars the Swede cast as Sucky Janine? And how long will cassette tapes keep in a footlocker sealed with packing tape?
Brief Show Announcement
Katie's microphone was sent to the Colonies so it will be one more week until we can all finish Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. But in this short announcement, our next book is disclosed in all of its glory!!!
The Handmaid's Tale Part 5
Join us as we journey into Jezebel's! Discussion topics: cheap lipstick of the 1990s, what one might do with a match, and how Lars the Swede hints at an unreliable narrator. Katie, Sky and Lauren discuss The Handmaid's Tale section XII, "Jezebel's" and section XIII, "Night."
The Handmaid's Tale Part 4
Section IX "Night," Section X "Soul Scrolls," and Section XI, "Night." Large machines print an endless cycle of identical prayers reading them aloud to no one.... In this weeks episode of Interlibrary Loan, Katie kind of sounds like a robot too! But she, Sky and Lauren press on and ask: What has Luke lost? Could a Commander love his wife? And why does Offred want lotion in the summer?
The Handmaid's Tale Part 3
Section VII, "Night," and section VIII, "Birth Day." This week Katie, Sky and Lauren spend some quality time with sucky Janine, muse on the possible significance of the word "Larynx," and nerd out about how cool Moira is in that one part. You know the part I'm talking about.
The Handmaid's Tale Part 2
Katie, Lauren and Sky dig deeper into the disturbing world of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. We talk about The Ceremony, Serena Joy, and butter skin treatments. Bonus: a very special message about toilet wine.
The Handmaid's Tale Part 1
We start our funniest book yet! Ok just kidding, it's not very funny. In fact it's quite grim. But there's a lot of nice bright red! Tulips, dresses, the blood from the mouth of a hanged man.... like we said, grim. But join us, won't you? Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale becons, like stones in the desert.
Cloud Atlas: The Movie
Jon, Katie and Sky are joined by special guest Lauren to discuss the 2012 film adaptation of Cloud Atlas. Come for the discussion of Hugh Grant's bad makeup, stay for the five straight minutes of Wishbone fancast chatter. Cloud Atlas, we salute you!
Cloud Atlas Part 11: The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing
This week, we have come full circle. Weβve finished David Mitchellβs Cloud Atlas. Will Adam Ewing survive what's ailing him? Do ants get headaches? And what can you do when you're just one drop in the ocean? Join us and find out.
Cloud Atlas Part 10: Letters From Zedelghem
We've almost completed the circle! Join Jon, Katie and Sky as we pop in on Robert Frobisher, composer extraordinaire, and his struggles with the Ayers and Van de Velde families. Plus, the Return of the Musical Policeman! The penultimate chapter of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, this time on Interlibrary Loan.
Cloud Atlas Part 9: Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery
After a couple weeks hiatus, Jon, Katie and Sky are back to discuss the thrilling conclusion to Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery. Is Luisa doomed to a watery grave? Why do old scientists keep falling in love with her? And what's the deal with Joe Napier? Find out on this week's episode of Interlibrary Loan!
Cloud Atlas Part 8: The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish
Katie and Sky have a rollicking good time discussing the thrilling conclusion of a certain Ghastly Ordeal of one Timothy Cavendish. Have a great time with all your favorites: Timbo, Lars, Johns Hotchkiss, Georgette, and Mr. Meeks. Is this worth seeing before you're executed at the Lighthouse? Listen in and find out!
Cloud Atlas Part 7: An Orison Of Sonmi-451
This week Jon, Katie and Sky begin to work back through the previous narratives of Cloud Atlas, beginning with the conclusion of Sonmi-451βs story. Who really is Hae-Joo Im, and what really happens to twelve-starred fabricants? Join us and find out.
Cloud Atlas Part 6: Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After
Join Jon, Katie, and Sky this week as we finally make it to the halfway point in Cloud Atlas and get to see a story through all the way to the end!
Cloud Atlas Part 5: An Orison of Sonmi-451
Jon, Katie, and Sky explore a dark future in the fifth section of Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Do genetically engineered clones hear Ayers' dream music? What does soap taste like? Join us as we read of a people who worship Ronald McDonald.