The Lightly Literary Podcast

Oct 29 2024 293 ep. 54 mins 3

The Lightly Literary Podcast artwork

These humble friends have simple goals: read, think, and talk. Once a week, they call upon their dormant English literature degrees in order to critically read and thoughtfully discuss a book of interest. Whether you're a wine-toting book club veteran or someone who hasn't willingly read a book since high school English, you'll find jovial, measured discussion here. From mythology to romance, historical fiction to science fiction, essays to memoirs, our selections are carefully curated so that your reading schedule is consistently fascinating and diverse. Join us (and read along!) as we pursue literary bliss.

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Book Rec: St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell

Oct 29 2024 24 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend ST. LUCY'S HOME FOR GIRLS RAISED BY WOLVES, a collection of short stories by Karen Russell. Teenage ennui and parental disappointment, beware! Russell has pointed her literary gaze upon you, and she's looking to expose you both! In these imaginative stories - which can sometimes feel a bit haunted - Russell finds tremendous ways to pair her pl

The Library Book - Part 2

Oct 25 2024 63 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda discuss and analyze the second half of The Library Book, a multifaceted nonfiction story of the Los Angeles Public Library system and the destructive fire that struck its biggest branch. Do you, dear listener, love reading? We hope so! And do you love libraries? We also hope so! If that's the case, then you'll likely be swept away by this lively, loving

The Library Book - Part 1

Oct 11 2024 68 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda discuss and analyze the first half of The Library Book, a multifaceted nonfiction story of the Los Angeles Public Library system and the destructive fire that struck its biggest branch. Do you, dear listener, love reading? We hope so! And do you love libraries? We also hope so! If that's the case, then you'll likely be swept away by this lively, loving

Book Rec: The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Oct 07 2024 24 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend THE LIBRARY BOOK, a multifaceted nonfiction story of the Los Angeles Public Library system and the destructive fire that struck its biggest branch. Do you, dear listener, love reading? We hope so! And do you love libraries? We also hope so! If that's the case, then you'll likely be swept away by this lively, loving account of what makes librar

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida - Part 2

Sep 27 2024 76 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda discuss and analyze the second half of THE SEVEN MOONS OF MAALI ALMEIDA, a truly bold genre-bending novel by Shehan Karunatilaka. It's cynical and sharp protagonist, a war photographer, attempts to carry this book on his seemingly nihilistic shoulders - but will the book's bold choices and structure let him succeed? Our verdict: sometimes! It's got sati

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida - Part 1

Sep 20 2024 65 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda discuss and analyze the first half of THE SEVEN MOONS OF MAALI ALMEIDA, a truly bold genre-bending novel by Shehan Karunatilaka. It's cynical and sharp protagonist, a war photographer, attempts to carry this book on his seemingly nihilistic shoulders - but will the book's bold choices and structure let him succeed? Our verdict: sometimes! It's got satis

Book Rec: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

Sep 16 2024 24 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend THE SEVEN MOONS OF MAALI ALMEIDA, a truly bold genre-bending novel by Shehan Karunatilaka. It's cynical and sharp protagonist, a war photographer, attempts to carry this book on his seemingly nihilistic shoulders - but will the book's bold choices and structure let him succeed? Our verdict: sometimes! It's got satisfying elements of noir, murd

The Island of Sea Women - Part 2

Sep 13 2024 97 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN, a historical fiction novel by Lisa See. It checks so many boxes for a traditional book club: venture into an under-explored time/place, consider the ethics of friendship and love, see a life unfold across the decades! And though it may veer into some dull periods and deploy a few cliches, it's a solid

The Island of Sea Women - Part 1

Sep 06 2024 76 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first of THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN, a historical fiction novel by Lisa See. It checks so many boxes for a traditional book club: venture into an under-explored time/place, consider the ethics of friendship and love, see a life unfold across the decades! And though it may veer into some dull periods and deploy a few cliches, it's a solid read t

Book Rec: The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

Sep 03 2024 23 mins

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN, a historical fiction novel by Lisa See. It checks so many boxes for a traditional book club: venture into an under-explored time/place, consider the ethics of friendship and love, see a life unfold across the decades! And though it may veer into some dull periods and deploy a few cliches, it's a solid read that accompl