Reading with Rory

Erin, Lis, and Sara sing high praises for the Christmas traditional favorite, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Which ghost had the most impact? Which adaptation do we cherish most? Why do people like fruitcake? Answers to these vital questions and more on this rebroadcast of our 2019 discussion. Happy holidays!

Today we are discussing an ambitious period piece trying to shed new light on a familiar subject--sadly, it is not The Crown. Instead, Erin, Lis, and Sara are discussing Michel Faber's The Crimson Petal and the White. This piece of historical fiction exposed an edgier Victorian London. We have strong opinions on this book we did not want to finish reading.

Sara, Lis, and Erin discuss the brilliant fever dream that is Crime and Punishment and laugh at Patrick Dempsey along the way. Join us as we contemplate delusions of grandeur and come up with new podcast ideas while we're at it.

Reading Honore de Balzac's Cousin Bette was another journey into a French revenge plot. Join Sara, Erin,and Lis as they discuss the best revenge tactics and dive deep into the portrayal of spinsters in literature and real life.

Erin, Lis and Sara talk about universal female experiences and relationships through the lens of Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls - a controversial coming of age Irish classic. Join us for a lively discussion!

The Reading with Rory gals are joined by a special guest to discuss the excess and intrigue of The Count of Monte Cristo's revenge, debate the virtues of abridged vs unabridged, and laugh at Jim Caviezel. Join our roundtable discussion and laugh along with us.

Laugh along with Erin, Lis, and Sara as we try to understand Ignatious J. Reilly from John Kennedy Toole's cult favorite novel, A Confederacy of Dunces. We know you will want to join us on our RWR podcast trip to New Orleans after listening to this lively discussion.

Join Erin, Lis, and Sara as they enjoy the wit and unpack the bitter/sad feelings from some of Dorothy Parker's wonderful short stories. If you ever wondered what women think as they wait for someone to call them--well, wonder no more.

Join Sara, Lis, and Erin for a lively discussion of witches, girdles, and Taylor Swift as we break down what Anne Sexton means to us. Come for the snacks, stay for the jazzy poetry readings!

Erin, Lis, and Sara discover and enjoy the biting satire and wit of Dawn Powell through "A Time to be Born" --one of the novels is her complete collection. The self-aware spotlight on New York Society in 1941 also helped us discuss and reflect on our own life and times.

Join us for a very special episode as we interview our moms(!) about what it was like to raise us (hint - we were all perfect) and how Dr. Spock’s seminal book, Baby and Child Care, got them through some of the tough parenting questions that every parent faces. Listen and learn about the influence Dr. Spock had on generations and history. Whether or not you have kids, this is an episode that everyone can relate to and enjoy!

Join Sara, Erin, and Lis as they brush up their Shakespeare! We dive into The Comedy of Errors and along the way, learn all about "Yes, And," Lis' love for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, and the best way to freeze popsicles.

Sara, Lis, and Erin examine the voices and perspectives in four of Eudora Welty's short stories. Each story brought a chance to learn, laugh, or air some personal grievances.

Erin, Lis and Sara beef up their poetic prowess by analyzing some of the collected works of W.B. Yeats. Think you know what The Second Coming is all about? (Shh! Neither do we.)

In which we wax poetic on things both silly and serious. Come for the deconstruction of the hipster via J. Alfred Prufrock and stay for the Naming of Cats and diet root beer and string cheese.

Erin, Lis, and Sara are delighted and thoroughly entertained by PG Wodehouse's perfect nonsense of a novel: The Code the Woosters. You may have to "ask Jeeves" to get all of the references, but you will be laughing out loud while you do.

Erin, Lis, and Sara take on the ambitious task of connecting the characters and themes in David Mitchell's ambitious novel, Cloud Atlas. This episode may blow your mind.

Erin, Lis, and Sara will not be forcing you to listen to us discuss this shocking and violent novel by Anthony Burgess. We are sure you will choose to listen with your own free will.

Erin, Lis, and Sara are not the target audience for Clifford the Big Red Dog--Norman Bridwell's iconic children's book. Fortunately we brought in some perfect guests to help us make sense of why Clifford is so big. Thanks to Ben, Cameron, Jane, Henry, and Piper for joining our conversation.

Erin, Lis and Sara dive into the history and folklore behind the classic fairytale Cinderella. Is it the love story we’ve always cherished as young girls or really just a story about class and money? You decide after listening to today’s episode.

The gals are joined by Erin's automotively-inclined brother Rob to discuss Stephen King's tale of the vengeful Christine. We talk all things cars and mostly do not embarrass ourselves.

Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour" may have been a "beautifully rendered bummer" to read, but it was an interesting play to discuss and dissect. Join Sara, Lis, and Erin as we explore lies, vengeful students, and perceptions of single women.

Erin, Lis and Sara debate whether or not the character of Charlotte actually makes spiders any less scary as they step back in time to appreciate the nostalgic Americana of E.B. White’s beloved children’s classic. Sara harbors secret affections for Templeton, Erin compares Wilbur to Babe, and Lis sets aside her disdain for talking animal--sort of.

Erin, Lis, and Sara join Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe on their charming and vaguely upsetting tour of Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory. Join us as we discuss Roald Dahl's problems with gum-chewers, greed, and gluttony.

Sara, Erin, and Lis laugh their way through the story and discussion of Mark Twain's witty short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." We also loved celebrating the magic and art of storytelling. Bonus treat: dramatic readings.

Join Erin, Lis and Sara as they enter the adolescent turmoil of Holden Caulfield to discuss the cultural footprint of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.

Erin, Lis, and Sara sing high praises for the Christmas traditional favorite-- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Which ghost had the most impact? Which adaptation do we cherish the most? Why do people like fruitcake? Listen to find answers to these vital questions.

"A problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule." So says the dictionary regarding a catch-22. Erin, Lis, and Sara explore the origins of this conundrum in their discussion of Joseph Heller's 1961 classic, "Catch-22."

Erin, Lis, and Sara may not have fully seen eye to eye on Stephen King's cult classic Carrie, but we can agree on some of the timeless topics of isolation, school bullies, revenge, and of course, the power of becoming a woman.

Join Erin, Lis and Sara as they travel back in time to medieval England to to discuss pilgrimages, marriage and courtly love.

Erin, Lis, and Sara follow Voltaire's Candide on his long, strange, satirical trip filled with cannibalism, syphilis, and gardening. Join us, won't you?

Erin, Lis, and Sara get a taste of the fast paced, cocaine fueled lifestyle of 1980's New York through Jay McInerney's debut novel. Listeners will get a taste of how little we understand or relate to his brand of fast lane living.

Should The Bridges of Madison County be considered a "classic"? How should we feel about the bubble bath scene? Are the characters boring archetypes, or is there something more nuanced and relatable in their development? Most importantly, did this book inspire us to dance again? Join Erin, Lis and Sara as they debate these hotly contested issues on this week's episode of Reading With Rory.

Erin, Lis, and Sara take a (figurative) trip to the East End of London as they discuss Monica Ali's vivid first novel, Brick Lane. Join us for a conversation about love, fate, empathy and cats.

Join Sara, Lis, and Erin as they go deep into the alarming, funny, and eerily prophetic society that Aldous Huxley created in his dystopian classic novel, Brave New World.

Erin, Lis and Sara tackle the wit and wisdom of Mary McCarthy in Reading With Rory's first collection of essays. Join us as we revisit topics like Anna Karenina and Watergate as experienced through the eyes of one of America's great writers.

Erin, Lis, and Sara struggle to praise Elizabeth Wurtzel's love letter to bitches, but find a great conversation about good girls, bad girls, and what it means to be a difficult woman today. Join us!

Erin, Lis, and Sara uncover the power of stories told and untold as we discuss The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1200 Jews by Peter Duffy. The long title of the book shows exactly what you can expect to hear in this episode.

Erin, Lis, and Sara join with special guest Arjun Jalan to discuss the beautiful life lessons and cultural impact found in The Bhagavad Gita.

So. Erin, Lis, and Sara set out on a journey to the ancient lands of King Hrothgar and discover the great hero, Beowulf. Join us as we explore the language and the lore of Anglo Saxon poetry brought to us by the genius of Seamus Heaney.

Erin, Lis, and Sara analyze and discuss many of the themes that make Toni Morrison's award winning Beloved a worthy addition to literary canon. Learn why reading this book changed and challenged us.

Erin, Lis, and Sara pull out their psychoanalysis armchairs to discuss their reactions to Sylvia Plath's only published novel. Join us for some pondering and self inventory as we explore the picture of mental health painted by this monumental work.

It is unanimous! Erin, Lis, and Sara all loved Ann Patchett's Bel Canto. We do not spend the whole episode raving about all the reasons this book is so amazing. We also get to learn a lot more about opera from Ashley Wright, a vocal performance student and opera diva.

If you thought Lis didn’t like talking animal books during our discussion about Babe, just wait until you hear her take on Bambi. Today the Reading with Rory crew discuss their feelings about this this classic tale by Felix Salten, it’s surprising history, and the traumatic experience of watching Disney’s artistically stunning masterpiece.

Join Erin, Lis, and Sara as they share how reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie opened their eyes to the encompassing power of literature and the funny and sad details of Chinese Cultural Revolution.

Erin, Lis, and Sara share their thoughts, experiences, and evolving definitions on feminism as they discuss Susan Faludi's Backlash. From dresses with pockets to economic equality and empowerment, we have a lot to talk about.

Erin, Lis and Sara dive into the first “B” book on our list with the classic children’s story, Babe. Join us as we talk about singing mice, dancing farmers, and the adorable story of a pig who just wanted to be a sheep dog.

Sara, Lis, and Erin explore the complicated implications of Kate Chopin's crowning achievement, The Awakening. Join us for heated discussions of feminism and interpretive dance as we try to work out what it means to be a woman authentic to herself.

Erin, Lis and Sara take a deep dive into the complicated world of identity and personal awareness as they discuss this week’s episode on Autobiography of a Face, the moving memoir by Lucy Grealy.

Ian McEwan once asked what readers expect from novels--truth or satisfaction? Erin, Lis and Sara try to get to the bottom of this question as they discuss his modern "masterpiece" Atonement.

Erin, Lis, and Sara tackle William Faulkner in this light and breezy discussion of the rewards of challenging literature, unreliable narrators, and how people process grief.