Recording from The Pile Bookstore in Berwyn, IL, we're delighted to bring you some fabulous adventures across time and London! Featuring the experiences of six different female authors, we examine this literary pilgrimage through the lens of these extraordinary ladies. Jon brings us some tea time trivialities and there's plenty of fun to be had! Join us, LIVE! Listen HERE.

It's our 5th birthday and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with the legacy of Sinclair Lewis! And to have Dan Esquivel on as our guest host! Lewis was the first American author to win the Nobel Prize for literature, along with 1.5 (ish - we'll explain...) Pulitzer Prizes. He held up a mirror to American society, writing novels and stories that helped us consider our values with his signature unflinching prose. Join us to celebrate this extraordinary author and our momentous occasion! Listen HERE.

Since we recorded on April Fool's Day, it seems only natural to pull a bit of a prank to get in the spirit of the thing! Steph and Jack whip up an episode about an entirely fake author who just happens to have lived a very similar life to host, Jon. He catches on... eventually... We share a list of literary pranksters and the theorized literary origins behind April Fool's Day! Join us for a bit of fun as we pull on over on Jon! Listen HERE.

This week, Jack takes over hosting to tell Jon about Elizabeth von Arnim! This British author led a very storied life that took her across the world. She wrote 22 novels, mostly anonymous during the course of her life and pulled from various creative concepts and personal sources to develop her original voice. Did we mention she's also a countess? Multiple times? Listen HERE.

Women's History Month continues with Margaret Fuller! This extraordinary woman is considered by many to be the model of early feminist scholarship, writing about issues including independence, suffrage, and autonomy. Her work laid the foundation in many ways for other later thinkers during her time and today. She lived a powerful, passionate but tragically brief life. Celebrate her legacy with us this week! Listen HERE.

Our celebration of Women's History Month continues with Modernist poet Marianne Moore! Her life was varied and storied as she made her way from the the Midwest to the East Coast and through poetry, prose, and criticism. She surrounded herself with colorful characters as she explored the new landscape of American poetry, mentoring and inspiring the likes of William Carlos Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, and H.D! Also featuring tricorn hats, bathtub dinners, and children's books come to life! Listen HERE.

Eva Ibbotson kicks off our celebration of Women's History Month! Ibbotson escaped the Nazi occupation, worked as a translator, and published her first novel at the age of 50! She shakes the conventions of the 'traditional' author path and forged her own way forward in the world of literature. She was known for her cheeky, witty humor, and delightfully whimsical characters, but has a legacy that extends far beyond this! Join us overseas this week and learn more about her life and work! Listen HERE.

Meet the extraordinary author behind the Black detective novel genre, Chester Himes! Himes lived a very colorful life that informed his work and his perspectives. He worked actively to combat racism and lived courageously, never afraid to start over or change course. His legacy transcends genres, continents, and time. Listen HERE.

This week, join us to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Anna J. Cooper!  Cooper was an extraordinary activist, educator, author, speaker, and philosopher who made a significant difference in the lives of every community she was part of. Her legacy extends beyond her written work, but lives on in all of those she taught and those who got to know her work! She advocated for the rights of Black Americans, her students, women, and was an early advocate of the intersectional identities. Did we mention she got her PhD at 67? Listen and learn from the best! Listen HERE.

It's a Valentine's Day Special! We're exploring the literary ties to Valentine's Day dating all the way back to the 1300's! We cover Geoffrey Chaucer's contributions to the holiday, the origins of the Valentine's Day card, some strange Victorian love poetry, vinegar valentines, the language of flowers, and more! Regardless of the nature of your celebrations, we hope you enjoy a new look through a literary lens at this holiday! Listen HERE.