Burn This Book: A Banned Books Book Club

Listen and subscribe to Burn This Book: A Banned Books Book Club. If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. This helps others find us, which will promote our mission to make banned books more accessible to all readers. Follow us on Instagram to see what we’re reading next. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* Never Enough, by Jennifer Breheny Wallace* S. E. Hinton and the Y.A. Debate by Jon Michaud This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Jesse Andrews’s Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World with Candice MacAllister (this podcast’s graphic designer!).Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Art Spiegelman’s Maus I & II with Amy Nielsen.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!Find Amy here:* Manuscript Wish List* The Purcell AgencyReferencesSpiegelman Family Tree This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss John Green’s Looking for Alaska with writer Theodore Wilkins.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* John Green and His Nerdfighters Are Upending the Summer Blockbuster Model | WSJ 2015: “"[s]ome credit him with ushering in a new golden era for contemporary, realistic, literary teen fiction, following more than a decade of dominance by books about young wizards, sparkly vampires, and dystopia.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Dungeons & Dragons with Adventure AI’s Jason Conforto, Tyler Crump, and Alex the Language Lord.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!ReferencesIt's Time to Revisit the Satanic PanicStuff You Should Know Podcast: How Dungeons and Dragons WorksInto the Dragon's Lair This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss William Golding’s Lord of the Flies with Micah Clemence.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* Lord of the Flies? ‘Rubbish’. Animal Farm? Too risky – Faber’s secrets revealed (The Guardian)* Lord of the Flies and The Coral Island (William Golding)* Things Fell Apart (podcast, Ron Jonson) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps with horror fan Sam Moynihan.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* MasterClass: R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences* “Immunization through Fear: Banning R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps” - PEN AMerica* Invasion of the Books - Washington Post* America's Satanic Panic Returns — This Time Through QAnon - NPR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

It’s Banned Books Week! Get involved and voice your support of books! In this episode, Nicolle and Eden talk to an Educator of the Year, Kristen Oda, and why she quit teaching. Additionally, we'll touch on “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* Field of Dreams Book Banning Scene - YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Crossover episode to kick-off 2023’s Banned Books Week! Nicolle and Eden discuss Rosemary Well’s Yoko with Banned Camp’s Dan Schulz and Jennifer Davis. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast and @bannedcamp_podcast to see what we’re all reading. Read along with us!References* Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books and find out why they were banned in the first place. In each episode, we read a chapter of a banned book and offer our take on why it was banned in the first place. So grab a drink, sit back, and join us as we explore why some folks seem to be in such a rush to take us back to the dark ages, one banned book at a time.* Just 11 People Responsible for 60% of Book Ban Requests Across the US: Report - The Messenger This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye with social worker Brendan Seagle.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* “Predatory Men With a Taste for Teenagers” Joyce Maynard on the Chilling Parallels Between Woody Allen and J.D. Salinger” - Vanity Fair * “Salinger and the Exploitation of Young Women” - NY Times Opinion* “J. D. Salinger’s Women” - NY Magazine* “Was She J.D. Salinger’s Predator or His Prey?” - NY Times Essay This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Summer reading assignment for our next season coming in September! Excuse all the clicks and pops—Nicolle is the sound engineer so I was just recording off Substack (if you’re reading this, Substack, fix your recording tech). Nicolle’s picks* The Catcher in the Rye* The Bluest Eye* The Perks of Being a Wallflower* Me and Earl and the Dying Girl* The Outsiders* A Light In the Attic* Lord of the Flies* Where Did I Come From?* Where’s Waldo?* Brave New WorldEden’s picks* Beloved* All Boys Aren’t Blue* Looking for Alaska* To Kill a Mockingbird* Goosebumps* The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* Gender Queer: A Memoir* Maus* The Hate U Give* It’s Perfectly NormalFollow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast for any updates. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Lois Lowry’s Anastasia Krupnik.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 with Natalie Christensen.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References * Beyoncé’s “Formation” music video* Dr. Sarah Coyne, “Media Rules and Problematic Media Use” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first of her Harry Potter series (all of which have been challenged or banned). Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* Is J.K. Rowling transphobic? Let’s let her speak for herself, Vox* In Defense of J.K. Rowling, NYT OpinionSupport for Trans Lives* The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives* The Marsha P. Johnson Institute* GLITS | Gays and Lesbians Living in a Trans Society This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and her nieces talk about Harry Potter. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Peter Parnell’s and Justin Richardson’s And Tango Makes Three with biology lecturer Kandace Flanary.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References* Albatrosses! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/same-sex-mothers-letting-albatrosses-be-albatrosses This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men with high school English teacher and author Christy Thomas, which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s.Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!About Christy:I earned my BA in English (Literature) from Boise State University, an MA in Education (Literacy) from Eastern Washington University, and I have over 17 years experience teaching high school English Language Arts at the core and AP level in Washington and Idaho. I am also the author of The Keening Trilogy — a young adult fantasy series which also placed in the top 50 YA books in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award; two of my short stories are published in anthologies printed by The Log Cabin and selected by a group including members of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. I’ve taught Of Mice and Men with high school sophomores for over 12 years of my career because of its timeless themes, its accessibility, all the problematic “isms” it casts a light on, Steinbeck’s writing the novella like a play (among other stylistic choices), the rich discussions it invites, and the contemporary issues that tie-in to the novella. However, it is also a novella rife with (as previously mentioned) problematic language and ideas — from the blatant racism, objectification of women, prejudice against the elderly and those with physical disabilities, and lack of understanding those with special needs. But to me, that is exactly Steinbeck’s point: the ranch is a microcosm of the very problems in America that we still grapple with today. And while some may see Lennie and George’s story as one of friendship — including its limits and its responsibilities — the tragic story also makes us face the real and tough decisions we must make when life “happens.” The prince of the ranch does not save the day, and it is often the people who have the most to lose which pay the ultimate price.References:* Christy’s books:* Sidhe's Call https://a.co/d/cgbleHA* Hidden Sidhe https://a.co/d/dCrZMok* Rising Sidhe (Keening Trilogy) https://a.co/d/2ZYBRHj* “The Language Police” by Diane Ravitch* The Log Cabin Literacy Center This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Lois Lowry’s The Giver, which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!References:* “Reading Lois Lowry’s ‘The Giver’ as an Adult” in The Atlantic* 13th documentary* Animusic on YouTube* Prince Duck on Spotify This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us!Notes:* Margaret Atwood documentary “Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power”* “Romania’s communist-era abortion ban harmed hundreds of thousands of children. Is history repeating itself?” on grid.news* “Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States” on PBS* “Reproductive Suppression and the Real ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’” on Anti-Racism Daily This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants (we just read the first one), which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle, Eden and special guest Taylor Sorenson discuss Rudolf Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima, which has be challenged over three decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Nicolle and Eden discuss Maurice Sendak’s picture book In the Night Kitchen, which has be challenged over two decades since the American Library Association began tracking in the ‘90s. Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com

Enter the controversial pages of banned and challenged books, of censorship and culture wars. Join Nicolle Okoren and Eden Wen each month as they read, discuss and understand the books and authors that communities across the United States have historically tried—and are still currently trying—to keep out of the hands of children and teenagers.In this episode, we talk about why we are doing this podcast! Follow us on Instagram @burnthisbookpodcast to see the next book we’re reading. Read along with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit burnthisbook.substack.com