This is Lit!: Recent Episodes
Casye Erins & Elizabeth Bird
This is Lit! is a podcast about literature & friendship, with a little wine poured in!
Join good friends, Casye and Elizabeth, every other week as they discuss their latest read with a glass of wine at their side. The books range from classic works like 'Pride and Prejudice' to modern works like 'Ready Player One' or the Harry Potter series. Remember, too much work, and no vacation, deserves at least a small libation! Cheers!
Sometimes, the solution only makes things worse. Stevie Bell discovered this after a few months at Ellingham Academy. Ellie has vanished, David is in crisis and Truly Devious is still at large 80 years later. Will Stevie be able to solve this one? This week, we read Maureen Johnson’s ‘The Vanishing Stair’!
This week, the hosts take on Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious! 80 years ago, tragedy came to Ellingham Academy. Now, young Stevie Bell seems to be in the middle of tragedy’s return! When learning is a game, the consequences can be deadly! #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #trulydevious #murdermystery
Freezing and temps and blackouts can’t stop us! (Just delay) Everyone loves a good villain, but things can get complicated when your brother is the city’s hero, your dad’s the mayor and you’re in a cursed high school musical. This week we read ‘The Supervillain and Me’ by Danielle Banas.
The course of true love never did run smooth. No one knows this better than Patroclus. Then again, loving a demigod was never easy. This week, Liz gets emotionally destroyed by ‘Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller.
Happy New Year? As we move forward with 2021 and Season 4 of TIL – no, we can’t believe it either- we’re going to make a few changes. Hopefully, all for the better.
Hopefully, everything gets better.
#thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop
Happy New Year. Since the world is in need of a fresh start, let’s all move to Narnia. There is the pesky problem with that witch and cursed eternal winter, but every place has its drawbacks. Today, the hosts discuss CS Lewis’ classic ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’.
#thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop #CSLewis #Narnia
This holiday season we all need a few little acts of kindness to hold the darkness at bay. This week, we read the compilation of letters JRR Tolkien wrote to his children as Father Christmas.
Case and Elizabeth take a look back and name their top 3 new reads of 2020! We also reveal our first ever Book Of The Year!
Being a transgender teenager is hard. It’s even harder when Yadriel comes VERY traditional family with magical necromancer powers and accidentally summons a ghost who won’t leave. It’s worse when he doesn’t want him too. Happy Halloween! Time for some Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
#thisislit #itsatwisttop #cemeteryboys #aidenthomas #imnotcryingyouare
Home renovations are stressful, especially when the landscaper has a stalker & the architect and organizer are ex's. Oh, and let's not forget the 100 year old unsolved murder and the angry ghosts left behind. Today, Liz indulges in 'Better Homes and Hauntings' by Molly Harper.
Dungeons, Dragons, Resurrections and Anime References, everything we look for in a book. Wonderland is in the balance in the the second #Nightmareverse novel by @ElleonWords A Dream so Dark. Will Alice be able to stop the Black Knight, rescue her friends, and save Hatta? Well, she has to get un-grounded first.
#thisislit #litliterturepodcast #itsatwisttop
Liz knows what scared her as a kid. Oddly enough, it became one of her favorite books. Help us celebrate Liz's birthday with 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman.
#thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #birthdayepisde #neilgaiman #coraline
What if Buffy fell down the rabbit hole instead of Alice? Oh, and she was also a bi black woman from Atlanta? This week we get curiouser and curiouser with ‘A Blade So Black’ by L.L. McKinney.
Its the triumphant return of Casye! This week, gather your fellowship together for an adventure in returning evil jewelry with the classic, The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
#thisislit #LOTR #FellowshipoftheRing #itsatwisttop #JRRTolkien
Magic cannot be contained with simple ink and paper. It takes something a little more than that, and the spells within can be chatty. The question is, does one listen to what they have to say? Today we discuss ‘Sorcery of Thorns’ by Margaret Rogerson.
Humans create monsters to make their monstrosities easier to deal with. Because then at least they aren’t a monster. Monsters aren’t always what you think, and the monsters better run because the Witcher is here. This week we discuss ‘The Last Wish’ by Andrzej Sapkowski.
They have met before. Wait, no they haven't, or time isn't linear. Not for them. Can romance blossom when literal time tears them apart? This week we discuss 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger. Minor Trigger warning: Pedophilia discussion
Time has very little meaning these days. Is time a straight line, or a big ball of timey-wimey stuff? What if, just what if, time and space could be bent? This week we discuss 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle
The weather is warm. The sun is hot. The travel itch needs to be scratched. Too bad we are all stuck at home. This week the hosts discuss ‘On the Road’ by Jack Kerouac. #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop
We're all desperate to get out of the house. It's time for a roadtrip across America! Well, at least in our minds. This week, we discuss 'Wayward Son' by Rainbow Rowell. What happens after the hero's destiny is fulfilled?
After 3 weeks trapped at home with 4 more to go, we have some advice for you, our lovely listeners.
Every country has a city of the dead. Egypt had Hamunaptra. America has New Orleans. It's time to break out the bourbon and discuss 'The Beautiful' by Renée Ahdieh.
What does everyone associate with the month of March? That's right, vampires. This week, the hosts discuss the many evolutions of Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. And guess what? Mama's Back! #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #carmilla #itsatwisttop
Content Warning-Triggering situations discussed-Listener Discretion is Advised.
If you have to say “It’s not a cult” it’s probably a cult. Casye & guest host Alison from Story-Eyed Reviews discuss The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell. Definitely grab a drink for this one. You’ll need it.
Liz is on maternity leave, so Casye and special guest host Karina are going to discuss 'The Golden Compass' from Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series. All we can say for certain is we stan Lin Manuel Miranda and Karina has a definitive type.
Words have power. Always have. So, of course they would be a source of magic. Today, we use the power of words, some eloquent and some not, to discuss Rainbow Rowell's 'Carry on'. Simon Snow is the worst Chosen one ever. When he agrees to help his mortal enemy, Baz, with a mystery, will they uncover more than the power of friendship?
Who's up for romantic tropes? We kick off enemies to lovers month with The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Tags are slow burn, enemies to lovers, omg there was only ONE BED, 400K words.
Happy New Year!-Almost. Tonight, we discuss 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by JK Rowling. For Harry and his friends, the freedom of the wizarding world is at stake. It's the end of the series, and for most of us, the end of our childhoods. Ready your wands. Here we go.
Tis the Season! Join the hosts this week as we investigate a brutal holiday murder, and we aren't talking about what your Aunt Stacy said to your mom about the over-done turkey. Can Hercule Poirot solve the crime by Christmas? Find out tonight in Agatha Christie's 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas'
This week, we return to Hogwarts for Harry's 6th year. Hormones are raging, Harry reads a book, Dumbledore is lying (again) and Ginny becomes even more of a BAMF! And what the He** is a Horcrux? #harrypotter #thisislit #itsatwisttop #litliteratrurepodcast #jkrowling
This week, the hosts investigate the mysterious Slade House, a place that only seems to exist every 9 years. Will we make it out alive? Probably since Liz is alive to post this.
Happy Halloween! This week, we continue our education at Hogwarts with 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' by JK Rowling. There are things in this world far more terrifying than ghosts and goblins, like Delores Umbridge for instance. #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop #harrypotter #happyhalloween
Today we dive into Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. An actor dies on stage. A man tries to save his life and a young girl witnesses the entire thing. 20 years later, 99.9% of the population has died of the Georgia Flu. Kirsten along with the Traveling Symphony journey through this post-apocalyptic world to keep culture alive, for survival is insufficient.
Dragons, Mermaids and Darkness! Oh My! It's time for 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' by JK Rowling. Grab snacks, this is a long one. #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #harrypotter #itsatwisttop #GoF
Slight change in plans! This week we cover 'The Thief' by Megan Whalen Turner. My dear Ali, this one's for you! #thisislit #itsatwisttop #thequeensthief #meganwhalenturner
It's Elizabeth's 30th Birthday! So we have a special gift for you! Enjoy us talking about a graphic novel, based on a podcast, based on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign...AKA Here There Be Gerblins by Justin,Travis,Griffin & Clint McElroy. Art by Carey Pietsch @griffinmcelroy @JustinMcElroy @travismcelroy @TheZoneCast #TheZoneCast
Goodness, Pandora had it easy. Today the hosts dive into a world full of angels, demons, 2 apocalypse cults, ghosts, vampires and one master thief who has to deal with it all in Richard Kadrey's 'The Everything Box'. Chaos ensues. It's funnier than it sounds. Promise.
We have an announcement! Plus, things are not always what they seem, especially in the wizarding world! Join us as we return to Hogwarts for Harry's 3rd year in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' by JK Rowling. #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #harrypotter #PoA #itsatwisttop
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is the American Dream. Can this idea be reconciled with a fairytale? Marry prince charming and ride off together in the sunset? It's our first foray into LGBT fiction with 'Red, White & Royal Blue' By Casey McQuiston!
We are headed back to Hogwarts with 'Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets' by JK Rowling. The girls drink enough Polyjuice potion to cause plenty of trouble. The Weasley Twins would be proud. #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop #harrypotter #jkrowling
Limbo is a not just a fun party game. It's a bad place to be stuck, both literally and figuratively. Let's fix that, shall we? Casye & Elizabeth read the (currently) last of the Shades of London series, The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson. #shadowcabinet #maureenjohnson #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop
We're going back to Hogwarts! Where everything is magi-Cool! Join us as we cover the first of a series that formed our childhood. It's time for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! #litliteraturepodcast #thisislit #potter #jkrowling #itsatwisttop
This week, we return to Jolly Old London in Maureen Johnson's "The Madness Underneath". London is still covered in unhappy ghosts, and the London Shades are without their only weapon, until Rory discovers her new powers. Casye may soon become one of the ghosts after this ending.
We asked and you answered! It's time for heat, sun and adventure. Pack your rum and practice your swordplay. It's time to read Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson! Drink up me Hearties! Yo Ho! #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #itsatwisttop #treasureisland #pirates #whyistherumgone
It’s finally spring! Here in the Midwest, it’s a great time to do foolish things. This week on ‘This is Lit’ we read each other’s writing. Fates above help us. Where’s my drink? #thisislit #litliteraturepodcast #fanfictionisaradicalfeministchoice
Never trust a Fae, especially if it's a wounded Faerie prince you find in the woods. Casye knows this well. Elizabeth learned this the hard way. Don't ask. Tonight, we read 'Tithe' by Holly Black.
Ah, Eternal Youth. It's something everyone wishes for & no one gets. But what happens when you do? The girls dive into 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Let's get Wilde!
We're off to jolly ol' London in Maureen Johnson's The Name of the Star! Rory is a foreign exchange student. Not only does she have to settle in at her new school in a new country, but she gets caught up in a series of murders! Ones that closely resemble those of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Is there a way to avoid getting ripped by the Ripper?
It's the season of love! Or hate? There is often a thin line between the two. The ladies explore this line in William Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Claudio and Hero are in love. Their friends, Benedick and Beatrice hate each other. So of course, they'd make the perfect couple. Time to place your bets!
This week, hosts Casye and Elizabeth read a book by a local Kansas City author 'The Bone Brick City by Aaron Hollingsworth. The world is nothing like we mere mortals have ever known or seen. Can a rag tag group of misfits save a great city from the Mystic Mafia? #listentoourpodcast #itsatwisttop!
Happy New Year! Casye & Elizabeth are back with more wine, more books and side tangents. It's a time of year to reflect on the past. That's why this week we are covering 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The past is a nice place to visit, but please don't live there.
Happy New Years Eve! To celebrate, the hosts visit Discworld in Terry Pratchett's The Hogfather. It's the last night of the year in Discworld. It's Hogwatch time, when the Hogfather leaves gifts for good little boys and girls. Wait, why is he a skeleton carrying a big sythe? Oh no, that's just Death. Happy Hogswatch everyone.
Merry Christmas! It's another wonderful holiday here at This is Lit! It's Casye's Birthday! To celebrate, we are reading 'The Boy in the Smoke' by Maureen Johnson. Who's ready for some scary ghost stories?
It’s Christmas time! That means it’s time for our first ever holiday episode! Join us as we dive into A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge is a selfish old miser, until the spirit of his old business partner appears to him on Christmas Eve in an attempt to save his soul.
The hosts follow the Blyton Summer Detective Club in Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero. The sleuths thought they closed the Sleepy Lake Monster case 13 years ago. Then, what is calling them back to Blyton Hills? What happens when the monster’s mask doesn’t come off?
It's finally time for some Jane Austen! High society is difficult to maneuver, especially when all hope of a good marriage is thwarted by the death of your father. In Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, the girls discover which is more difficult: being ruled by your heart, your head or a nosy match-making neighbor.
It’s our favorite time of year, Halloween! We will descend into the depths of fear as we read Dracula by Bram Stoker. Keep your stakes handy and make sure that red in your glass is really wine...
In episode nine, the hosts travel to England with the first book in the Samuel Johnson Series, The Gates by John Connolly. Boredom is bad. You may open something you don't want too...
In episode eight, the girls pay a special tribute to one of their good friends, Taylor! Happy wedding! Follow us as we discuss The Princess Bride by William Goldman...the book, not the movie.
In episode seven, the girls start their descent into the crime world. Will they be able to survive Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None? So far, the odds aren't looking good.
It's Elizabeth's Birthday! In celebration, we have a bonus episode just for you. The birthday surprises don't stop there. A special guest joins us in the studio. Listen as we play drinking games and discuss the classic tale of romance, Beauty & the Best!
For their 6th episode, Casye and Elizabeth will dive into the world of OASIS with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Casye, the gamer of the two, will have to explain references while Elizabeth stares at her like a deer in the headlights. The subject of 'The Hero's Journey' will come up a lot along with every 80's movie Elizabeth has seen. All hail John Hughes. Perhaps it's time to brush up on your 80's pop culture.
In episode five, team wine takes on everyone's high school dread, Shakespeare. A love triangle has sprung up between four young Athenians and friends. Also, the queen of the Fairies is tricked into falling in love in love with a donkey. Comedy ensues in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
In episode four, the girls visit a friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep in the second, stand-alone Welcome to Night Vale novel, It Devours! by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor. Strange at last. Strange at last! Thank God Almighty, we are strange at last!
For the third episode, Elizabeth and Casye will explore one of the greatest mysteries and mystery-solvers of all time, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We attempt to follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Are the Moors haunted by a ghost dog? All we know is there are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.
In the second episode of 'This is Lit!' Casye and Liz explore one of their favorite novels, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch by Neil Gaiman & the late, great Terry Pratchett. We discuss religion, politics, 80's technology and the choices of humanity...but in a funny way!
Episode one is here! The first ever episode of 'This is Lit!', Casye and Elizabeth delve into the world of Middle Earth and J.R.R. Tolkien with the book that started it all, The Hobbit.
Join us for a sneak peak of the upcoming show, This is Lit! Meet the hosts, a Casye and Elizabeth. Better grab a bottle of your favorite wine. This is going to be fun!