Chapter 1.12 – Crazy Good Story

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk about the film Crazy Rich Asians, based on the novel with the same name. They discuss the importance of representation, the role of colonialism in literature, Jane Austin, and continue a previous discussion about Cinderella stories. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading,

Chapter 1.11 – 101 Reimagined

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk about the Disney film, Cruella. They discuss their love of dogs, the role of villains and complicating their narrative, and the nature of evil. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom. Sign up for the newsletter

Chapter 1.10 – Blessed Be the Pod

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk about the fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale, the first season of which is based on the book by the same title. They discuss gender, feminism, anti-heroes, revenge, and everything in-between. Praise be. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing

Chapter 1.9 – The Robot Slipper

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk through the young adult novel Cinder, a dystopian sci-fi retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. They discuss the Cinderella trope, dystopias, pandemics, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic literature in the 21st century. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the

Chapter 1.8 – The Complicated Family Narrative

Summary Alicia and Sarah express their love for the NBC drama This Is Us and the complicated family narrative that it has always presented. They discuss the role of family and how it shapes us, the potential power of a delineated storyline, and the way the series has reshaped the concept of love story to

Chapter 1.7 – Thinking Through Monsters, Sci-Fi, and History

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk through the first season of HBO’s Lovecraft Country, based on the book by the same title. They discuss the role of problematic literature and H.P. Lovecraft’s undeniable influence on 20th-century sci-fi and horror fiction, racism in literature and the complicated history underneath, the effort to reclaim that history and the

Chapter 1.6 – News as a Story

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk about the new film The News of the World, based on the book by the same title. They discuss the importance of truth versus sensationalism, the role of language and communication, the messiness of westward expansion and the complicated nature of that part of America’s story, and redemption and healing.

Chapter 1.5 – The Lit Think Princess

Summary Alicia and Sarah talk about one of their favorite classic films from the 1980s: The Princess Bride. They discuss the characters, the relationships, the role of the frame story, and the themes of revenge, identity, and love. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing

Chapter 1.4 – A Musical Imagination

Summary Alicia and Sarah discuss their love for musical theatre and the joy that two seasons of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist has brought into their lives. In addition to taking a position on the “Team Simon” or “Team Max” debate, they also discuss the themes of grief, healing, and imagination.  At the end of the discussion,

Chapter 1.3 – Eyes on Wanda

Summary Alicia and Sarah discuss their love for all things Marvel and the Disney Plus television show, WandaVision, discussing the role of storytelling and character development to explore the theme of grief throughout the nine-episode long first season. At the end of the discussion, they talk about the things they’ve been reading, watching, and analyzing