Required Reading

The Plague by Albert Camus

This week we revisit 2020, I mean the Vichy/Nazi occupation of the south of France. We were infected with The Plague, Camus' longer, somehow, more depressing work. 
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Panel: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll 
"The townspeople of Oran are in the grip of a deadly plague, which condemns its victims to a swift and horrifying death. Fear, isolation, and claustrophobia follow as they are forced into quarantine. Each person responds in their own way to the lethal disease: some resign themselves to fate, some seek blame, and a few, like Dr. Rieux, resist the terror." From the new Vintage Translation by Laura Marris. 

Billy Budd by Herman Melville

This month we start with Mike Burns' choice for the high school book he hated, the not subtly homoerotic Billy Budd by Herman Melville. 
"Billy Budd, Sailor has been called the best short novel ever written. In his brilliantly condensed prose, Herman Melville fashions a legal parable in which reason and intellect prove incapable of preserving innocence in the face of evil. For all those who feel themselves threatened by a hostile and inflexible environment, there is special significance in this haunting story of a handsome sailor who becomes a victim of man’s intransigence." From the back cover of the Enriched Classics Edition. 
How will Billy Budd hold up?
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Co-Host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll
 
 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This week we revisit the Gothic Horror, Bildungsroman, potential black comedy, Victorian Middle Class novel that is Jane Eyre. This was Nic's selection for the book he read in high school and hated, but will a reread make it better? It certainly won't make it shorter! 
From the back of the Penguin Classics Edition (where the cover art comes from as well): "A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre has dazzled generations of readers with its depiction of a woman's quest for freedom. Having grown up an orphan in the home of her cruel aunt and at a harsh charity school, Jane Eyre becomes an independent and spirited survivor-qualities that serve her well as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him whatever the consequences or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving her beloved?"
How will Jane Eyre hold up?
Host: Nic
Co-Host: Mike and Mike 

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

This week on Required Reading we revisit dental trauma as we talk Smile by Raina Telgemeier. 
From the jacket: "Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood!Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly."
Find it here!
We would also like to thank our guest panelist Rebecca Michaud, local graphic novelist and illustrator.
Find Michael Carroll here!
Next Episode tune in for Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë as we enter "Books we HATED in High School" Programming. 
Thanks,
Nic
 

Beloved by Toni Morrison

This episode of Required Reading, we dive into the haunting masterpiece Beloved by Toni Morrison. This complex narrative is an incredible piece of American Fiction, African American literature, and magical realism; truly a remarkable novel. 
Host: Nic Hoffmann
Co-host: Mike Burns
Panel: Chase Thompson
 

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

This episode of Required Reading we talk about the western classic, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. This classic of the 1920s is an American novel highlighting the creation of a southwestern diocese, involving interesting characters, good discussions and a crisis of faith. Also, a book we almost couldn't record on we struggled so much with, until we had a great discussion on it. 
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Michael Carroll.
Panel: Betsy Holcomb
Also, this book was selected by an auction winner. If you are interested in getting a book on the show, consider bidding on our auction, on February 25th. 
 

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

This week on Required Reading we talk about A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, so gird your valves and stay out of the French Quarter!
Thanks for indulging in our little Holiday Break! We are back with two episodes a month for the foreseeable future! Thanks for all you do to make us the success we are!
Host: Nic Hoffmann
Co-host: Mike Carroll
Panel: Betsy Holcomb

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This week we read the Christmas Classic that you have been expecting since the beginning, we talk A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The traditional Christmas tale made famous by the likes of Michael Caine, Bill Murray, Patrick Stewart, Alistair Slim, and Mr. Magoo. We talk the ins and outs of poultry factory farming, hauntings, and Nic resists the urge to do a bad Michael Caine impression; though Kermit may escape. 
Please note: we did kind of a rolling start, but after a few minutes, I inserted the theme and the episode starts in earnest. 
Next time will be an unusual episode, but in January we return with A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy O'Toole and Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. 
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year from all of us at Required Reading, you are the reason we still do this! 
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Co-Host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll. 
Guest: Mark Craddock