Required Reading

Nov 11 2024 64 ep. 55 mins 35

Required Reading Podcast artwork

Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll are teachers at the Marist School teaching the American Experiment Class. In an attempt to update our curriculum, we have been reassessing the books we assign, we were assigned in high school and college, and the books we wish we assigned. Do people even read anymore? I mean, we do, but how do we keep the student engaged with the Required Reading.

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Green Day - Dookie

Nov 11 2024 37 mins

With Required Reading, we’re launching something new! As we hinted at the end of last term, we’re exploring a broader American Studies approach, tentatively called Zeit Guys. After covering a book last week (and with another on the way), we’ll be diving into Green Day’s Dookie album in the same style—personal stories, analysis, and enjoyment. We’re excited to try this o

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Oct 18 2024 65 mins

This week on Required Reading, we talk Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and hidden in here is an easter egg that will unlock Hoffmann's Gold. WE ARE BACK, BABY!!!! Host: Nic Panel: Mike and Mike. From the Random House book cover: "In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world wh

Against Heaven's Matchless King by Michael Carroll

Aug 01 2024 39 mins

Hello! We are starting to dust off the cobwebs of summer break. As we do, we return to one of Mike Carroll's short stories. Please enjoy! We will be back with the new format soon, so keep following us here! Thanks, Nic

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Jun 02 2024 54 mins

This week we dive into the Culinary Underbelly with Anthony Bourdain as we talk about his masterpiece Kitchen Confidential. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann Co-host: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll From the Ecco back cover: "An updated and revised edition of Anthony Bourdain's mega-bestselling Kitchen Confidential, with new material from the original edition Almost two decades ago, the New York

A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean

Apr 25 2024 55 mins

This week on Required Reading, we all called our brothers and fathers. We read A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, one of the greatest American parables ever written. Make your brothers, fathers, husbands, etc read it, also while you are at it, whoever you are, READ IT. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll. Book summary from University of Chicago Press: "When

Redwall by Brian Jacques

Mar 15 2024 62 mins

This week, Mike Carroll raps poetic about the role a mouse book played in his literary life. We talked about Redwall by Brian Jacques, volume 1 of 22; them mice sure get up to mischief! How does Redwall by Brian Jacques hold up? Co-hosted: Nic Hoffmann and Mike Carroll "One of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time The book that inspired a legend—the first novel i

Tintin and the Blue Lotus by Hergé

Mar 01 2024 50 mins

We are back, baby! Sorry about the delay, life got in the way, but we are back with a graphic novel, this time the Franco-Belgian super star Tintin with Tintin and the Blue Lotus by Hergé. The world's most famous boy(?) detective helps predict World War II and is highly critical of the Europeans in Asia. Also, comedy! Join us next episode for Redwall by Brian Jacques Host: Dr. Nic

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Dec 14 2023 65 mins

This week we complete the saga and talk The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien. Since the first season, we have had a guest episode with the great Robert von Hagen, but now, in season four we have completed the Tolkien series. "What about the Silmarillion?" You may asked. "WE HAVE COMPLETED THE SERIES." I reply. Enjoy this indepth thematic episode as we c

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Nov 30 2023 71 mins

This week on Required Reading, we talk race, mental illness, and the Incredible Hulk. We read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, but just want to talk about the rabbits. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann Co-hosts: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll From the Penguin Classics back cover: "They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has th

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

Oct 31 2023 52 mins

This week we return to the universe of the Hitchhiker’s Guide as we discuss the sequel The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams. Host: Dr. Nic Hoffmann Panel: Mike Burns and Mike Carroll "Now celebrating the 42nd anniversary of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,"“Douglas Adams is a terrific satirist.”—The Washington Post Book WorldFacing annihilatio