Booking Back
Booking Back
Penn & Friends
Do you long for those schoolyard days where you had all the time in the world to finish a good book? This podcast revisits the books that gave us happiness as children and maybe even later as adults!
A Christmas Story: "I had woven a tapestry of obscenity that as far as I know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan."
Want to extend that Christmas feeling? Recap "A Christmas Story," by Jean Shepherd with Penn and Joy as they delve into the book that inspired the classic movie. Grab a smooth cup of Ovaltine and listen in; just don't shoot your eye out!
Dec 27, 2023
44 min
The Polar Express:  "...the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."
Travel to the North Pole with Penn and Joy via "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. While the movie may be a holiday favorite, it truly all started with a beautifully illustrated children's book. Join us as we discuss! 
Dec 20, 2023
51 min
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: "And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore."
Joy and Penn revisit "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss. Was the book better than the movie? Where did the song come from? And WHO is the Grinch based on? All this and more in today's episode!
Dec 13, 2023
30 min
A Christmas Carol: "God bless us every one!"
Joy and Penn get into the Christmas spirit by cracking open "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. With a classic crank like Ebenezer Scrooge hating Christmas, all it takes is a haunting and a couple ghosts to turn him around. Find out how in this episode!
Dec 6, 2023
46 min
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing: "I thought how great it would be if we could trade in Fudge for a nice cocker spaniel."
Joy and Penn discuss Peter and Fudge, brothers with a lot of differences in Judy Blume's "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." Fudge has done a lot of naughty deeds, but fortunately Peter is there as a big brother to help clean things up! 
Nov 28, 2023
48 min
How to Eat Fried Worms: "You're a bastard."
Penn and Joy revisit the classic "How to Eat Fried Worms" by Thomas Rockwell. Is there any amount of money that would get you to eat worms or even 15 worms in 15 days? For Billy, its worth at least $50. Join us as we discuss how good (bad) of a deal that is. 
Nov 21, 2023
37 min
The Fantastic Mr. Fox: "I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice."
Joy and Penn discuss "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl. While we have never had to dig tunnels to get to our food, we can empathize with the poor Foxes and cheer when they figure out an answer. While the movie did well commercially, it was different from the book and was more of an adaptation. 
Nov 14, 2023
50 min
Crash: "Did you know your son's a Quaker?
Penn and Joy discuss "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli which Penn's 5th grade teacher read to her! The nature of bullying, masculinity, and laughter are perfectly blended book!
Nov 7, 2023
1 hr 11 min
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: "He was, in fact, an odd mixture of small shrewdness and simple credulity."
Penn and Joy discuss Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The timing could not be more perfect than to drop this episode on Halloween. A spooky, legendary, and mysterious story that's perfect to listen to on a cold dark fall night...listen in, if you dare!
Oct 31, 2023
1 hr 5 min
The Haunting of Hill House Pt 2: "To learn what we fear is to learn who we are."
Penn and Joy wrap up Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" by discussing the recent Netflix series retelling as well as exploring other stories that feature a haunted house. Ultimately the question arises, would you stay in a haunted house? 
Oct 24, 2023
47 min
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