books - Episodes

Nevermoor

Nevermoor is the best middle-grade magic school series to read right now

Jessica Townsend's ongoing tale of a super special girl and her super special friends beats the pants off you-know-who

books

The new Great American Novels: 9 books from the Trump era that earn the title

Some great reads that will help you understand America at 250.

The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai is about so much more than education

Helen DeWitt's modern classic is as much about things that can't be taught as it is about Ancient Greek.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown October 27–November 2 2025

This week: KPop Demon Hunters, del Toro's Frankenstein, and two different Paranormal Activities

halloween

14 under-the-radar tales to freak you out this Halloween

Including movies, books, podcasts, and asking your friends to tell you a scary story.

An enormous wicker man stands on a hilltop, surrounded by four smaller figures, all real humans bearing torches.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown October 20-26 2025

This week: The Wicker Man, the new Last Dinner Party album, and so much found-footage horror

Rose Byrne, hair straggly and face glum, stands outside a hotel, clutching a bottle of wine and a baby monitor.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown October 13 - 19 2025

This week: If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, some horror classics, and Rilo Kiley in concert.

Two people sit on an enormous, seemingly endless staircase, buttressed by giant statues, in an extreme wide shot.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown October 6 - 12 2025

This week: A bunch of movies from 1946, Paul Tremblay's best, and DID YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES THE YEARLING TO SHOW UP IN THE YEARLING? A LONG TIME!!!

Taylor Swift, lit with a green light, wears an enormous feathered contraption and grips her face. She's got a dark brunette wig on.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown September 29 - October 5 2025

This week: Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan in concert, and one of the year's best films.

Two people crouch in the wilderness, one old, one young. They stare at the sky in horror.

Rundown

Episodes Monday Rundown September 1 - 7 2025

This week: Akira Kurosawa, John Wayne, and Sabrina Carpenter. Legends all!

Hildy and Walter talk on the phone in the immortal black and white classic His Girl Friday.

writing

How I write (hopefully) effective dialogue

Here's some advice for you to take or leave.

A woman with the top half of her head painted silver hides behind a metal cross. Fire billows around her.

books

What if it's supposed to be bad?

Artists make choices. What if those choices are intentionally off-putting?

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