In today's episode, we explore the stigma of self help, and the difference between self help and personal development. We tackle this subject by reading The Myth of Multitasking, by Dave Crenshaw, and consider what it means to be multi-tasking, and whether it is a positive thing or not.

In this episode we're discussing two non fiction books in the astrophysics genre, Fabric of the Cosmos, by Brian Green, and Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Written in 2004 and 2017 respectively, these popular science books showcase the work that has been done in the field of physics over the last 2,000 years, and are a great way to get up to speed with the science in general.

Today we’re discussing Dracula, an 1897 Gothic horror novel was the work that introduced the world to the infamous Count Dracula. Written by Irish author Bram Stoker, it tells the story of the nefarious vampire count from Transylvania as he attempts to migrate from his remote home in the Carpathian Mountains, to a more populous City of London.

Today we regret to inform you that we won't have an episode in June, however, we'll quickly discuss our summer plans, and list out a few of our upcoming episodes. Let's Go Caps!

Today we're taking a quick look at the recent movie adaptation of Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, which was the novel we discussed in Episode 20 of A Novel podcast.

In today's episode we’re discussing Little Women, an 1868 novel by American author Louisa May Alcott. The book tells the story of the March Family, Father and Mother Margaret and Robert, and their four daughters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. The story focuses on the lives of these four sisters, the interactions they have with each other, and as well as the lives they each live on their own, focusing on each sister in turn, and giving them all their own fleshed out story.

In today's episode we are discussing Ready Player One, a 2011 science fiction novel, and the debut novel of American author Ernest Cline. This novel tells the story of Wade Watts, a young man in a bleak future, who lives most of his life in a virtual reality called ‘The Oasis.’ Wade, along with millions of other Oasis users are hunting an elusive treasure left by the creators of the Oasis, following clues that glorify the 1980s, and nerd culture in general.

Today we are discussing two books, and their movie adaptations. The Road, by Comrac McCarthy & The Prestige, by Christopher Priest. Both books have note worthy film adaptations, and both are worth reading in their own right. The Road is a 2006 post apocalyptic tale of a father and son trying to survive in a harsh world, and 1995's the Prestige chronicles the feud between rival magicians in 1800's England. In this episode, we dive into both the novels and the movies, and highlight what...

Today we’re discussing It, by Stephen King. Published in 1986, this horror novel by American author Stephen King, his 18th novel written under his own name, tells of a malevolent force living under the city of Derry Maine, controlling, and feeding on it’s citizen. In the novel we follow seven kids as they encounter this horrific being, and attempt to stop it from harming anyone else. The primary discussion on today's episode is about the novel, but we do discuss it's influences, some of...

Today we are discussing The Martian, a 2011 hard science fiction novel written by Andy Weir. Weirs debut novel follows the story of American astronaut Mark Watney, as he becomes stranded alone on Mars in the year 2035 and must improvise in order to survive. A film adaptation by the same name, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, was released in October 2015.

Today we discuss 1Q84, a dystopian novel written by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, first published in three volumes in Japan in 2009–10, and released in the US and UK two years later. It tells the story two characters who know each other, but haven’t been in contact since childhood. Masami Aomame and Tengo Kawana attempt to reunite with one another, in a world that becomes increasingly surreal and supernatural.

Today we’re discussing “Flowers in the Attic” by V. C. Andrews. Written in 1979, it is the first book in the Dollanganger Series, told from the point of view of Cathy Dollanganger. The book has seen much popularity, having been twice adapted into films in 1987 and 2014,and selling over forty million copies world-wide. This came to us as a strong suggestion from our of our regular co-hosts, so I’d like to ask Lauren to tell us, what is it about this book you enjoy so much, why is it one of...

In Today's episode we discuss two books by Mary Roach; Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife (2005),and 2010’s Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. In these books Mary Roach approaches the topics at hand in a humorous and educational manner, and isn’t afraid to tackle the gory details.

In today's episode we're discussing 'The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America' by Erik Larson. This non-fiction book tells the story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair (Colombian Exposition,) and focuses much of the story on the notorious serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Written in a novelistic style, it's a fascinating read, which has recently been considered for a movie adaptation, with Leonardo DiCaprio having secured the rights, and potentially...

Today we're discussing three different novels with a similar theme. 'The Ritual' a 2011 British novel by Adam Nevill. 'The Ruins,' a 2006 novel by American author Scott Smith, and 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon', a 1999 novel by american author Stephen King. These novels all deal with the theme of being stranded in the wilderness, and how to survive, but they all also incorporate some kind of supernatural malevolence. Putting the stories side by side, we compare and contrast their strengths...

In today's episode we’re talking about Dune, by Frank Herbert. Published in a 1965, this epic science fiction novel was originally released as two separate serials in Analog magazine. Having sold over 12 million copies this book is the worlds best selling Science Fiction novel. We discuss in depth the world Herbert has created and it's the intricate plot of plans within plans. We try to break apart how character driven the story is, with technology taking a backseat. And we attempt to name...

Today we discuss Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card. Published in 1985, Ender's Game is the most recognizable of the Novels from Card's futuristic Universe pitting Earth and Humans against the Formic, seemingly hostile and advanced alien race of insectoids. Ender's Game tells the story of Young Andrew (Ender) Wiggin, who is chosen to join the military school to train for the next conflict with the Formic, and the ensuing story is ripe with ideas and conflicts.

In today's episode we’re discussing two novels by Agatha Christie. Born in 1890, Christie was an English crime novelist and playwright. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time, with her 78 mystery novels having sold roughly 2 billion copies. The novels we dive into are 'Murder on the Orient Express' published 1934, and 'Mrs. McGinty's Dead', published in 1952, and both are stories of Christie’s recurring protagonist Hercule Poirot.

In this episode, we conclude our discussion of The High King by Lloyd Alexander, and also discuss The Foundling, a series of short stories expanding the Prydain Universe. Originally published in 1968, The High king was the 1969 Newbery Medal winner for excellence in American children's literature. 'The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain' was published 4 years later. These books gave our group so much to talk about, that we had to split the episode into two parts, and this is the conclusion...

The High King by Lloyd Alexander marks the final story in the Prydain Chronicles. Originally published in 1968, it was the 1969 Newbery Medal winner for excellence in American children's literature. This book gave our group so much to talk about, that we had to split the episode into two parts.

Today we'll be studying "A Man Called Ove," a Novel by Fredrik Backman. Published in 2012, it tells the story of a curmudgeonly man in a changing neighborhood. Ove learns to deal with new circumstances, and has something to say about it too.

In this episode we move on to part two of a three part series, where we will be discussing The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. Today we discuss the third and forth books in the series, The Castle of Llyr, and Taran Wanderer, published in 1966 and 67 respectively. As with classic fantasy bildungsromans, we see the main character grow and mature, and his struggles become more challenging. The guests on today's show all share a passion for these stories, and each brings unique insights...

In this episode we begin part one of a three part series, where we will be discussing The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. Today we start with the first two in the series, The Book of Three & The Black Cauldron, published in 1964 and 65. The series is a classic fantasy bildungsroman, which pulls from ancient mythologies, and had a big influence on modern popular fantastic fiction. The guests on today's show all share a passion for these stories, and each brings unique insights to...