It’s the eightieth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around we are taking a break from our usual coverage and talking about banned and challenged books.

Content Warning: This episode includes a discussion of politics and contemporary issues.

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

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Extras!

Here are some links to sites and articles that we mentioned in the episode. Some may be behind paywalls.

ALA Banned and Challenged Books site

Most Banned and Challenged books 2022

Book Bans: An Act of Policy Violence Promoting Anti-Blackness (NAACP)

PEN America: Growing Movement to Ban Books

PEN America lawsuit (May 2023)

“School Librarians Face a New Penalty in the Banned Book Wars: Prison” (Washington Post)

Objection to sexual, LGBTQ content propels spike in book challenges (Washington Post)

Who is Banning Books? In Iowa, it’s a secret (The Gazette)

It’s the seventy-ninth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

You can listen here:

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download

And as mentioned on the show, here is a link to the character flow chart from Tessie Girl’s blog

On June 3rd, Chris Honeywell, one of the founders of the Two True Freaks podcasting network, and his roommate Trudy lost their home due to a fire. Chris, Trudy, and Bernice the Cat are all fine and healthy, but they lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Chris has always been one to give of his time and effort, and has provided many of us with hours upin hours of podcast entertainment, so now it’s up to us to help him. While their belongings were insured, there’s no guarentee how much of the value they will get, or when that check will arrive, so we at TTF wanted to set up this fundraiser to get them the money they need to get back on their feet. Any donation, even as little as $1, will go towards helping Chris and Trudy out during this difficult time. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

Please donate and spread the word. Chris is not only one hell of a podcaster, but he’s an amazing person. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate here: GoFundMe Fundraiser for Chris Honeywell

It’s the seventy-sixth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at The Latinist by Mark Prins.

You can listen here:

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download

It’s the seventy-fifth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

You can listen here:

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download

It’s the seventy-fourth episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

You can listen here:

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download

It’s the seventy-third episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at Season of Love by Helena Greer, and we have a special guest along with us: the author of the book, Helena Greer herself!

So join us as we talk to her about her inspirations behind this holiday romance and discuss it with her.

You can listen here:

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download

Want to order the book? Click here!

Want more Helena Greer? Check her out …

Website

Instagram

Twitter

It’s the seventy-second episode of Required Reading With Tom and Stella! This podcast, which is hosted by Tom Panarese (Pop Culture Affidavit, In Country) and Stella (Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast, The Batman Universe) is two teachers talking about literature. Each episode, we will be taking a look at a single work, analyzing it, criticizing it and deciding if it’s required reading.

This time around, we are looking at Papillon by Henri Charrière.

Required Reading Apple Podcasts Page

Required Reading Podcast Page at Two True Freaks

Direct Download