The Book Common Room
The Book Common Room
TheBookCommonRoom
Hello! We are Lauren and Kali and we want to create a space for all to join in on our book discussions and learn to love reading. 
The Wordsworths: Stewards of Nature, Stewards of Each Other
In our twelfth episode of the season, we take a deeper dive into the writings of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. Through poetry, journals, and reflections, we explore themes of stewardship, of nature, of community, and of one another. Join us as we discuss how the Wordsworths invite us to see the natural world with renewed attention and care, and how their writings continue to speak to questions of responsibility and memory. We also feature Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer Above the Sea of F...
Jun 23
48 min
The Underappreciated Sister Who Changed Poetry: Intro to William and Dorothy Wordsworth
In our eleventh episode of the season, we enter into a new genre through the lens of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. Enjoy the world of poetry with us as we learn about the brilliance of both William and his sister, Dorothy. Links to the poems we will discuss in the next episode: William Wordsworth, Resolution and Independence ("The Leech-Gatherer" 1807 version) - https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Resolution_and_Independence (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Resolution_and_Indepe...
Jun 8
39 min
The Reaper of Mars: A Red Rising Deep Dive
Content warning: this episode includes discussion of rape, murder, and the dehumanization of marginalized groups within the novel. In our tenth episode of the season, we return to Pierce Brown’s Red Rising for a spoiler-filled deep dive. One of us loved it, one of us was a little less convinced, and we discuss everything from the Institute and the worldbuilding to the characters, pacing, and moments that either hooked us or lost us along the way. What are some of your favorite Red Rising quot...
May 25
37 min
"Rise, So High, in Mud You Lie": An Intro to Red Rising
In our ninth episode of the season, we explore Pierce Brown as an author and the different works that influenced his epic series, Red Rising. References: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_Brown - https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/993.Pierce_Brown - https://www.piercebrown.com/aboutpierce If you would like to read the "Book of Lorn": - https://www.patreon.com/shit_escalates Follow us on Instagram @TheBookCommonRoom. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify...
May 11
28 min
Why Wuthering Heights Still Haunts Us
In our eighth episode of the season, we explore Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, sharing our reactions, interpretations, and some of our favorite passages from her powerful writing. What are some of your favorite Wuthering Heights quotes? 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 n...
Apr 27
42 min
The Dark Sublime: Emily Brontë and Wuthering Heights
Lauren and Kali break down Romanticism, who Emily Brontë was, and the impact both had on her novel Wuthering Heights. 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).
Apr 13
40 min
Amaze, Amaze, Amaze: Project Hail Mary Deep Dive
In our sixth episode this season, we’re breaking down Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We’re sharing our thoughts, reactions, and favorite moments—and we want you to think back on your own reading experience right along with us. 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)...
Mar 23
36 min
Are We Smart Enough? Intro to Project Hail Mary
In our fifth episode, we introduce Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Join us as we discuss a handful of Weir's other projects and our love for Project Hail Mary. Resources: Casey and Andy Comic: https://galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=2 https://galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=6 The Egg: https://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html YouTube Adaptations: youtube.com/watch?si=zzIqxsxXUzNY3B6-&v=h6fcK_fRYaI&feature=youtu.be - https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=GLIM1b...
Mar 9
36 min
Borges: Short Stories & Existential Crises
In our fourth episode of the season, we explore short stories by Jorge Luis Borges: Shakespeare’s Memory, Death and the Compass, The Circular Ruins, and Everything and Nothing. Join us as we delve into existential crises, the metaphysical genre, theories of authorship and readership, the tension between meaning and meaninglessness, and the question of whether originality truly exists. Borges Short Stories: 1. Shakespeare’s Memory: English translation (p. 1036): ⁠https://posthegemony.f...
Feb 23
46 min
Is Borges the Most Important Writer of the 20th Century?
In our third episode, we explore who Borges was and the influence he has had on literature. February Borges Short Stories: 1. Shakespeare’s Memory: English translation (p. 1036): ⁠https://posthegemony.files.wordpress....⁠ Spanish: ⁠https://ciudadseva.com/texto/la-memor...⁠ 2. Death and the CompassEnglish translation: ⁠https://analepsis.org/wp-content/uplo...⁠ Spanish: ⁠https://lecturia.org/cuentos-y-relato...⁠ 3. The Circular Ruins: English translation and Spanish: ⁠https://people...
Feb 9
43 min
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