Penn and Joy discuss Jhumpa Lahiri's ground-breaking novel "The Namesake," a coming of age story of an Indian-American kid growing up 1st generation. Watch Nikhil/Gogol as he grows up outside of Boston to discovering himself in New York City. Gogol's experience resonates with first generation kids across America, especially the Indian ones!

Penn and Joy discuss this cut classic by Caroline B. Cooney, which riveted the imaginations of teens across the country. After all, don't all kids wonder if they're secretly adopted? Whether you watched the Lifetime movie or read the novel as a teen, travel back and see if it was as good as you remember it.

Penn and Joy talk "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. A story unique in that it is a first time read for both ladies, it is a highly acclaimed and highly banned book in America. When Black teenager Steve is falsely accused of participating in a murder of a shopkeeper in his neighborhood, the reader follows his journey through the criminal justice system in New York City. Heartbreaking and poignant, get ready to tear up and rage against injustice.

Penn and Joy discuss the classic "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan.  The complicated relationship between mother and daughter transcends any culture. From tales of the mothers in China, to their adaptation to America, and to the struggle of their Chinese-American daughters, it is a riveting read.

Cry with Joy and Penn as they discuss Daniel Keyes classic work "Flowers for Algernon." Can you imagine science making you smarter, changing your life, and to lose it all? That is the heartbreak of this short story turned novel. 

Happy 2024! What better way to kick off the year than with reading Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?" Grab your favorite piece of chocolate and listen in as Penn and Joy discuss their favorite parts, movie adaptation, and Wona-isms! 

Want to extend that Christmas feeling? Recap "A Christmas Story," by Jean Shepherd with Penn and Joy as they delve into the book that inspired the classic movie. Grab a smooth cup of Ovaltine and listen in; just don't shoot your eye out!

Travel to the North Pole with Penn and Joy via "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. While the movie may be a holiday favorite, it truly all started with a beautifully illustrated children's book. Join us as we discuss! 

Joy and Penn revisit "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss. Was the book better than the movie? Where did the song come from? And WHO is the Grinch based on? All this and more in today's episode!

Joy and Penn get into the Christmas spirit by cracking open "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. With a classic crank like Ebenezer Scrooge hating Christmas, all it takes is a haunting and a couple ghosts to turn him around. Find out how in this episode!

Joy and Penn discuss Peter and Fudge, brothers with a lot of differences in Judy Blume's "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." Fudge has done a lot of naughty deeds, but fortunately Peter is there as a big brother to help clean things up! 

Penn and Joy revisit the classic "How to Eat Fried Worms" by Thomas Rockwell. Is there any amount of money that would get you to eat worms or even 15 worms in 15 days? For Billy, its worth at least $50. Join us as we discuss how good (bad) of a deal that is. 

Joy and Penn discuss "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl. While we have never had to dig tunnels to get to our food, we can empathize with the poor Foxes and cheer when they figure out an answer. While the movie did well commercially, it was different from the book and was more of an adaptation. 

Penn and Joy discuss "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli which Penn's 5th grade teacher read to her! The nature of bullying, masculinity, and laughter are perfectly blended book!

Penn and Joy discuss Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The timing could not be more perfect than to drop this episode on Halloween. A spooky, legendary, and mysterious story that's perfect to listen to on a cold dark fall night...listen in, if you dare!

Penn and Joy wrap up Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" by discussing the recent Netflix series retelling as well as exploring other stories that feature a haunted house. Ultimately the question arises, would you stay in a haunted house? 

Penn and Joy are at it again, covering Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House." Interestingly, the book is very different from the Netflix series but still creepy in a forboding sort of way. Give it a listen and tell us what you think! 

If part 1 didn't scare you, then part 2 definitely will! Penn and Joy finish up the 2nd half of the book and BOTH get creeped out by the too real, too possible story. Listen in to find out which story sent them both over the edge! 

Are you ready for things to get scary? Or at the very least, weird? Penn and Joy revisit a childhood scary classic: "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz.  Would you make a soup out of a toe you found outside? If your family turned into alligators, would you follow or get left behind? Find these answers and more in today's episode. 

What was that? It's the thump-thump that prompted this classic Edgar Allen Poe story! Joy and Penn discuss this classic and the many turns this story took. 

Penn and Joy get gothic creepy with this short story by William Faulkner. If you haven't read it yet, get ready for a jolt of the surreal. 

Joy and Penn discuss the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. The story was written in 1924 but its themes echo even through modern story-telling with themes resonating through TV classics like "Law and Order: SVU," "Criminal Minds," and "Game of Thrones.  If you've never read this story, you can find it free on the Internet! 

Guess who's back (back again)?! Joy and Penn, discussing the famed short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. While everyone has dreamed of winning those Mega Millions, this is one lottery you definitely don't want to win. Join us to find out why. 

Penn and Rusty travel to a Washington mental hospital and discuss a famous antihero Randall McMurphy and his psychopathic nemesis Nurse Ratchet.  They discuss story and themes but also compare to their own experiences on the psych unit. Take a listen to hear more! 53