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The Lightly Literary Podcast

Travis and Amanda

These humble friends have simple goals: read, think, and talk. Once a week, they call upon their dormant English literature degrees in order to critically read and thoughtfully discuss a book of interest. Whether you're a wine-toting book club veteran or someone who hasn't willingly read a book since high school English, you'll find jovial, measured discussion here. From mythology to romance, historical fiction to science fiction, essays to memoirs, our selections are carefully curated so that your reading schedule is consistently fascinating and diverse. Join us (and read along!) as we pursue literary bliss.

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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 5 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • October 11 · 1 hr 27 min

    Fuzz - Part 2

    This week, Travis and Amanda continue to analyze Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, a collection of scientific reporting and essays by Mary Roach. Come for the factoids but stay for the laughs, for this collection features plenty of Roach’s signature blend of intrigue and humor. What it lacks in an overall thesis (…kinda) it more than makes up for in Roach’s impressive ability to both find a worthwhile story and her ability to humanize and giggle at it. We doubt this book will impressive any biologists (or zoologists, etc. etc.), but if you’re looking for an accessible blend of smarts and charm, you’ve come to the right collection.

  • October 5 · 1 hr 14 min

    Fuzz - Part 1

    This week, Travis and Amanda analyze Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, a collection of scientific reporting and essays by Mary Roach. Come for the factoids but stay for the laughs, for this collection features plenty of Roach’s signature blend of intrigue and humor. What it lacks in an overall thesis (…kinda) it more than makes up for in Roach’s impressive ability to both find a worthwhile story and her ability to humanize and giggle at it. We doubt this book will impressive any biologists (or zoologists, etc. etc.), but if you’re looking for an accessible blend of smarts and charm, you’ve come to the right collection.

  • September 30 · 28 min

    Book Rec: Fuzz by Mary Roach

    This week, Travis and Amanda recommend Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, a collection of scientific reporting and essays by Mary Roach. Come for the factoids but stay for the laughs, for this collection features plenty of Roach’s signature blend of intrigue and humor. What it lacks in an overall thesis (…kinda) it more than makes up for in Roach’s impressive ability to both find a worthwhile story and her ability to humanize and giggle at it. We doubt this book will impressive any biologists (or zoologists, etc. etc.), but if you’re looking for an accessible blend of smarts and charm, you’ve come to the right collection.

  • September 15 · 1 hr 37 min

    I Who Have Never Known Men - Part 2

    This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the second half of I Who Have Never Known Men, a novel by Jacqueline Harpman. Look up from your underground bunkers and stare at the clouds and stars, dear listeners, because Jacqueline Harpman has returned us to literary paradise! For too long did we wander the desert of prose, unable to quench our thirst for brilliance. Well, no longer. This wonderfully vexing and blissfully brief novel has given us something worth pondering — and worth loving. Join us as we discuss a work of obvious and rewarding genius.

  • September 5 · 1 hr 8 min

    I Who Have Never Known Men - Part 1

    This week, Travis and Amanda analyze the first half of I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN, a novel by Jacqueline Harpman. Look up from your underground bunkers and stare at the clouds and stars, dear listeners, because Jacqueline Harpman has returned us to literary paradise! For too long did we wander the desert of prose, unable to quench our thirst for brilliance. Well, no longer. This wonderfully vexing and blissfully brief novel has given us something worth pondering — and worth loving. Join us as we discuss a work of obvious and rewarding genius.

  • August 31 · 34 min

    Book Rec: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

    This week, Travis and Amanda recommend I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN, a novel by Jacqueline Harpman. Look up from your underground bunkers and stare at the clouds and stars, dear listeners, because Jacqueline Harpman has returned us to literary paradise! For too long did we wander the desert of prose, unable to quench our thirst for brilliance. Well, no longer. This wonderfully vexing and blissfully brief novel has given us something worth pondering — and worth loving. Join us as we discuss a work of obvious and rewarding genius.

  • August 28 · 1 hr 25 min

    The Noise of Time - Part 2

    This episode is an analysis of The Noise of Time, a historical fiction novel by Julian Barnes.

  • August 21 · 1 hr 14 min

    The Noise of Time - Part 1

    This episode is an analysis of The Noise of Time, a historical fiction novel by Julian Barnes.

  • August 15 · 1 hr 21 min

    Book Highlights: 85-90

    This episode is a book overview and highlights episode covering books 85-90.

  • July 18 · 1 hr 14 min

    Nicked - Part 2

    This episode is an analysis of the second half of Nicked, a medieval heist novel by M.T. Anderson.

  • July 5 · 1 hr 3 min

    Nicked - Part 1

    This episode is an analysis of the first half of Nicked, a medieval heist novel by M.T. Anderson.

  • June 26 · 1 hr 28 min

    The Caves of Steel - Part 2

    This episode is an analysis of the second half of The Caves of Steel, a novel by Isaac Asimov.

  • June 19 · 1 hr 23 min

    The Caves of Steel - Part 1

    This episode is an analysis of the first half of The Caves of Steel, a novel by Isaac Asimov.

  • June 12 · 1 hr 35 min

    Trick Mirror - Part 2

    This episode is an analysis of Trick Mirror, an essay collection by Jia Tolentino.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes