Required Reading

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

This episode we talk The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien. We battle, we make friends, and talk orcs, rings, and talking trees. 
Robert von Hagen returns to help me in this complex world. Can we get to the bottom of the towers? Gollum? In honor of the 20th anniversary of the film, we revisit Middle Earth and get into Beowulf, the long version, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
Next episode will be on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, so read along with us and watch your favorite version (mine has the Muppets). We will be taking off the rest of December, but in January we will return with two episodes a month! 
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Co-Host: Mike Carroll
Guest: Robert von Hagen

All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque

In honor of Veterans Day and the end of World War I, this episode we get depressed and read All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque, the only book I know of titled after the final line of the novel.
The book is a classic of war literature set in World War I and narrated by a German soldier. Good enough to get banned and burned by Hitler, watch the new Netflix version or the classic 1930 version put out by Criterion. 
Next episode will be J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and it will be followed by A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 
PS Sorry, it is late, it's finals around here and completely nuts. 
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Co-Host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

This week we follow up Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley with a Modern retelling! In honor of the abysmal end to a franchise that was Jurassic World Dominion, we talk about the book that started it all Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton; the reason I know anything about Cray Supercomputers. 
We, of course talk about the book and compare it to the legendary Spielberg movie (starring Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill,  Samuel L. Jackson, and Wayne Knight).
Thanks for listening and subscribing! In order to keep you up to date, our November reads will be Hamlet by William Shakespeare and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
Thanks,
Nic

Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

This week on Required Reading we delve into Gothic Horror and read Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley (possibly revised by Percy Shelley). Not only does this fill our horror quota for October, but allows us to segue into a modern retelling as next week we discuss the highly topical Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. 
Please continue to share and review! Also, if you are interested, follow me on Good Reads and follow us on Twitter @required_pod. Also, reach out and tell us what to review! We will also be auctioning off seats on the podcast for next season to support our school, details to follow!
Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann
Co-hosts: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll
 
 

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

This week, we visit the stars above! We read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell this episode of Required Reading. In a remarkable piece of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Anthropology and Catholicism, the Sparrow is a story of triumphs and trials and it is all the more incredible for doing so. 
As we have done all season, I will be sharing the next book. In October we will be covering a classic horror tale and it's modern retelling. We start with a reading of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley followed by Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. 
Please continue to share and review! Also, if you are interested, follow me on Good Reads and follow us on Twitter @required_pod

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Foer

This week we read the most recent piece of fiction yet! With the plot hinging on 9/11, we read Jonathan Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. We cover this non-traditional narrative and get to the bottom of a key in a vase. 
We thank you for following us! In an effort to keep you reading, next week we will cover The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, a sci-fi novel about Jesuits, space travel and music. 
Host: Nic Hoffmann
Co-Hosts: Mike Burns, Mike Carroll
 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This week on Required Reading, we learn the answer to life, the universe, and everything. We read The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Join us, won't you? And don't forget to bring a towel.
If you want to read along with us, consider purchasing the book through our link The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Also, announcing the next book will be Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close: A Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Also, follow us on Twitter at @Required_pod, Mike Burns, and now announcing our permanent 3rd chair, Mike Carroll who already sat in with us a few times. Follow Mike Carroll on Instagram at @michael.c.carroll.
Thanks!
Nic

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

As we return, in triumph, to season three, we begin with an American Classic, and my vote for the greatest American Novel. We talk To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and shoot all the bluejays we want.
Something new this year! First, we will be telling you about the books in advance, so you can read with us! The first book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, purchasing the books through our links will help support the show. Further, the next episode this month will be The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
Also new, follow us on Twitter at @Required_pod, Mike Burns, and now announcing our permanent 3rd chair, Mike Carroll who already sat in with us a few times. Follow Mike Carroll on Instagram at @michael.c.carroll.
Thanks!
Nic