Episodes

Happy Hogswatch! In this holiday bonus episode, Carly and Caroline discuss The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. They discuss the importance of belief in human society, unwritten rules, and what it means to have a narrative sense. They also talk about the meaning of Christmas and Santa Claus. Let us know which books we should read for future episodes by completing our Feedback Form here https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6

For the final episode of Season 1, Caroline and Carly discuss what it means to be haunted. They share which of the books this season affected them the most, how the styles of different eras were reflected in the different framing devices used in the books, and how a few film and TV adaptations changed the stories. Subscribe now and so that you don’t miss our bonus episode on Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, coming in a few weeks. Also let us know which books we should read for future episodes by c...

Time to hear from our listeners! Caroline and Carly read comments sent in by listeners of Season 1 of our Book Club on Haunted House books.Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts about the books we’ve read. We’re still collecting feedback and suggestions for books to read for future episodes! You can complete our Feedback Form here https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6

Carly and Caroline wrap their heads around this book that pushes the boundaries of novel-writing and allows for many different interpretations. They describe the creative and disorienting formatting around two very different narratives that compose this book and search for connections between the two. Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6 Get your copy of House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski here:...

This episode is about our short story choice for the season, "The Yellow Wallpaper". Caroline and Carly ask if a house can be haunted if it’s haunted for only one person. They discuss the horror of knowing that something is wrong with your life and knowing that there’s nothing you can do about it. They discuss whether the main character’s lack of agency or domestic expectations trap her into madness. Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Fo...

Caroline and Carly are talking about cosmic horror featuring an army of strange creatures from another dimension, space and time traveling. We talk about grief and its relation to the passage of time. We ask whether the Recluse in this story, as well as the characters in the other books we read, are more susceptible to being haunted? We consider the house on the borderland as a representation for a society transitioning away from aristocracy, religion, and tradition and into a modern era of more...

Our first Indy book is The House on Abigail Lane by Kealan Patrick Burke, and Caroline says it reminds her of the collaborative horror she has read online. We talk about the haunted house as a vehicle for imagination and a reflection of American history. This story turns our haunted house tropes upside down because the haunting phenomena are very much in the public sphere. Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6...

This week, Carly and Caroline talk about Stephen King’s masterpiece, The Shining, and the horror of limited choices. We talk about our different reactions to the book as teenagers and then as adults, whether or not Jack has the shining and the intentions of The Overlook Hotel. Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6 Support our podcast by using our affiliate links! Get your copy of The Shining by Ste...

Caroline and Carly discuss class and how women have had their social status dependent on the children they cared for. They explore whether the governess narrator hallucinated the ghosts or if the house was really haunted. Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books, complete our Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/tT4UZ6De6tLbonrV6 Support our podcast by using our affiliate links! Get your copy of The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, get your copy here: https://amzn.to/...

Our second episode is about The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Caroline and Carly talk about the author’s skill at revealing things unsaid, the corrosive effects of loneliness, found family, awkward introvert moments and queer coding. They start with the question, is Hill House itself lonely? This book has been an inspiration for writers and filmmakers, and our hosts both recognize its charm. This book also inspired our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ztxVPgZdmQF...

In this first book discussion, Caroline and Carly talk about 99 Fear Street: The First Horror by R.L. Stine, a classic haunted house story. It’s a short book chock full of disgusting, shocking and bloody phenomena tormenting the Fraser family. After giving a summary of the story, we discuss the opening question: Is the ending of the story a shift in the way the haunting works? Do ghosts require haunted houses and vice versa? Let us know what you think about this book and recommend future books,...

Announcing a new podcast about reading and discussing books in depth! Hosts Carly and Caroline read several books with a similar theme, begin their discussions with an opening questions, and consider listener feedback. The first season is about haunted houses. Start reading 99 Fear Street: The First Horror and send your thoughts about the book to openingquestion@gmail.com. Subscribe now so you won't miss our first episode, dropping in two weeks.