This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of HORRORSTOR, a novel by Grady Hendrix. Sure, we may be over a month late for spooky season, but, really, does corporate satire ever go out of style? We think not! Then again, does this novel's incredibly heavy-handed satire of big box corporate retailers succeed on intellectual or even entertainment grounds? We...may not be fully convinced. Join us as we discuss when character archetypes become boring, the haunting potential of a (somewhat?) wasted yet intriguing villain, and the origins of that brownish, reddish smelly gunk that just won't seem to come out of the carpet.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of HORRORSTOR, a novel by Grady Hendrix. Sure, we may be over a month late for spooky season, but, really, does corporate satire ever go out of style? We think not! Then again, does this novel's incredibly heavy-handed satire of big box corporate retailers succeed on intellectual or even entertainment grounds? We...may not be fully convinced. Join us as we discuss when character archetypes become boring, the haunting potential of a (somewhat?) wasted yet intriguing villain, and the origins of that brownish, reddish smelly gunk that just won't seem to come out of the carpet.

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend HORRORSTOR, a novel by Grady Hendrix. Sure, we may be over a month late for spooky season, but, really, does corporate satire ever go out of style? We think not! Then again, does this novel's incredibly heavy-handed satire of big box corporate retailers succeed on intellectual or even entertainment grounds? We...may not be fully convinced. Join us as we discuss when character archetypes become boring, the haunting potential of a (somewhat?) wasted yet intriguing villain, and the origins of that brownish, reddish smelly gunk that just won't seem to come out of the carpet.

In this episode, Travis and Amanda discuss books 73-78 of The Lightly Literary Podcast. Our goal in this one is simple: to highlight and broadly discuss what we've liked about the books in this set. If you're a new listener, then you're in the right place! We've shelved the more analytical discussions in favor of summaries and recommendations on this episode of the pod. Listen in for some thoughtful reading recommendations.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of SEA OF TRANQUILITY, a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. Mandel is back with another novel (after the much acclaimed STATION ELEVEN) that further explores pandemics...kind of. In its attempt at "soft," human-centered science fiction, this novel tones the intensity down almost to a mute. While juggling multiple story lines across a span of 500 years, Mandel spreads her interests -- and especially her style -- a bit thin. Listen in as we consider what happens when one of the most heightened and "genre-y" premises of science fiction is somehow, and almost impressively, dulled.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of SEA OF TRANQUILITY, a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. Mandel is back with another novel (after the much acclaimed STATION ELEVEN) that further explores pandemics...kind of. In its attempt at "soft," human-centered science fiction, this novel tones the intensity down almost to a mute. While juggling multiple story lines across a span of 500 years, Mandel spreads her interests -- and especially her style -- a bit thin. Listen in as we consider what happens when one of the most heightened and "genre-y" premises of science fiction is somehow, and almost impressively, dulled.

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend SEA OF TRANQUILITY, a novel by Emily St. John Mandel. Mandel is back with another novel (after the much acclaimed STATION ELEVEN) that further explores pandemics...kind of. In its attempt at "soft," human-centered science fiction, this novel tones the intensity down almost to a mute. While juggling multiple story lines across a span of 500 years, Mandel spreads her interests -- and especially her style -- a bit thin. Listen in as we consider what happens when one of the most heightened and "genre-y" premises of science fiction is somehow, and almost impressively, dulled.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of AYOADE ON TOP, comedic & satirical analysis Richard Ayoade. Should you decide to read this book, first, a word of warning: Please don't start until you've seen "View from the Top," the decidedly bad romcom that is its primary focus. Without such critical knowledge, you will not be able to access the -- truly -- remarkably sharp and hilarious satire Ayoade has constructed here. We think it's well worth the extra time, and Amanda and I can offer no greater praise than this: We both laughed a lot while reading this book, which is a rarity! So update your passports and update your physical, we're going to flight attendant school.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of AYOADE ON TOP, comedic & satirical analysis Richard Ayoade. Should you decide to read this book, first, a word of warning: Please don't start until you've seen "View from the Top," the decidedly bad romcom that is its primary focus. Without such critical knowledge, you will not be able to access the -- truly -- remarkably sharp and hilarious satire Ayoade has constructed here. We think it's well worth the extra time, and Amanda and I can offer no greater praise than this: We both laughed a lot while reading this book, which is a rarity! So update your passports and update your physical, we're going to flight attendant school.

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend AYOADE ON TOP, comedic & satirical analysis Richard Ayoade. Should you decide to read this book, first, a word of warning: Please don't start until you've seen "View from the Top," the decidedly bad romcom that is its primary focus. Without such critical knowledge, you will not be able to access the -- truly -- remarkably sharp and hilarious satire Ayoade has constructed here. We think it's well worth the extra time, and Amanda and I can offer no greater praise than this: We both laughed a lot while reading this book, which is a rarity! So update your passports and update your physical, we're going to flight attendant school.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of THE EMPLOYEES, a novel by Olga Ravn. Despite humanity's impressive foray into interstellar space, problems of labor, consciousness, and attraction abound in this vexing but worthwhile novel. As it beguilingly investigates, humanity can't seem to outrun our troubles if they've been inside of us the entire time! And it certainly doesn't help if your fellow crew members begin to feel inexplicable sexual (and psychological...?) attraction to alien objects. Join us if you're a fan of "weird fiction" or want something a little bit more experimental mixed in with your sci fi.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of THE EMPLOYEES, a novel by Olga Ravn. Despite humanity's impressive foray into interstellar space, problems of labor, consciousness, and attraction abound in this vexing but worthwhile novel. As it beguilingly investigates, humanity can't seem to outrun our troubles if they've been inside of us the entire time! And it certainly doesn't help if your fellow crew members begin to feel inexplicable sexual (and psychological...?) attraction to alien objects. Join us if you're a fan of "weird fiction" or want something a little bit more experimental mixed in with your sci fi.

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend THE EMPLOYEES, a novel by Olga Ravn. Despite humanity's impressive foray into interstellar space, problems of labor, consciousness, and attraction abound in this vexing but worthwhile novel. As it beguilingly investigates, humanity can't seem to outrun our troubles if they've been inside of us the entire time! And it certainly doesn't help if your fellow crew members begin to feel inexplicable sexual (and psychological...?) attraction to alien objects. Join us if you're a fan of "weird fiction" or want something a little bit more experimental mixed in with your sci fi.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of DEPT. OF SPECULATION, a novel by Jenny Offill. If you've ever wanted to dabble in reading stream of consciousness prose but could never work up the courage, then this slim yet powerful novel may be your best bet. Though it takes some time acclimating to Offill's fairly chaotic structure and stripped-down tone, the rewards (we felt) were worth it. And wouldn't you know it, this is a pretty great novel to discuss with a group - because you will be, undoubtedly, somewhat baffled at times! Join us as we contemplate which ancient, forgotten religion best maps to a particular young couple's marital strife (it'll make more sense once you read, we promise.)

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of DEPT. OF SPECULATION, a novel by Jenny Offill. If you've ever wanted to dabble in reading stream of consciousness prose but could never work up the courage, then this slim yet powerful novel may be your best bet. Though it takes some time acclimating to Offill's fairly chaotic structure and stripped-down tone, the rewards (we felt) were worth it. And wouldn't you know it, this is a pretty great novel to discuss with a group - because you will be, undoubtedly, somewhat baffled at times! Join us as we contemplate which ancient, forgotten religion best maps to a particular young couple's marital strife (it'll make more sense once you read, we promise.)

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend DEPT. OF SPECULATION, a novel by Jenny Offill. If you've ever wanted to dabble in reading stream of consciousness prose but could never work up the courage, then this slim yet powerful novel may be your best bet. Though it takes some time acclimating to Offill's fairly chaotic structure and stripped-down tone, the rewards (we felt) were worth it. And wouldn't you know it, this is a pretty great novel to discuss with a group - because you will be, undoubtedly, somewhat baffled at times! Join us as we contemplate which ancient, forgotten religion best maps to a particular young couple's marital strife (it'll make more sense once you read, we promise.)

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of UPSTREAM, an essay collection by Mary Oliver. This one's for all you wayward souls who've wandered through the woods, built a ramshackle treehouse, or gleefully ran outside to play in the mud. Oliver's blissful and soulful (and, sure, I'll say it: at times, pretty weird!) connection to nature makes this an essay collection well worth while; consider her ruminations on some canonized American authors a nice bonus. Don your strongest SPF sunscreen and wander in the rhetorical woods with us.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of UPSTREAM, an essay collection by Mary Oliver. This one's for all you wayward souls who've wandered through the woods, built a ramshackle treehouse, or gleefully ran outside to play in the mud. Oliver's blissful and soulful (and, sure, I'll say it: at times, pretty weird!) connection to nature makes this an essay collection well worth while; consider her ruminations on some canonized American authors a nice bonus. Don your strongest SPF sunscreen and wander in the rhetorical woods with us.

This week, Travis and Amanda recommend UPSTREAM, an essay collection by Mary Oliver. This one's for all you wayward souls who've wandered through the woods, built a ramshackle treehouse, or gleefully ran outside to play in the mud. Oliver's blissful and soulful (and, sure, I'll say it: at times, pretty weird!) connection to nature makes this an essay collection well worth while; consider her ruminations on some canonized American authors a nice bonus. Don your strongest SPF sunscreen and wander in the rhetorical woods with us.

This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of LAVINIA, a historical novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. Whether you're a self-proclaimed Le Guin expert (Travis) or someone who has only taken short forays into her work (Amanda), this novel will likely win you over with its sturdy storytelling and immersive world building. Le Guin's project is to retell part of The Aeneid from an under-looked and under-appreciated character's point of view, and, in an attempt to honor the author, Vergil, she makes some rather bold -- and meta -- storytelling choices. But is her experiment a success? Join us as we assess familial legacies, the many influences of nature on the ancient world, and the joys / burdens of meta fiction.