Literary Roadhouse

We're a group of passionate readers and aspiring writers who read and deeply discuss one short story every week.

No One Here is Going to Save You by Julian Zabalbeascoa 07/06/2022

No One Here is Going to Save You by Julian Zabalbeascoa Discussion Notes: No One Here is Going to Save You This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "No One Here is Going to Save You" by Julian Zabalbeascoa, a story of a soldier during the Spanish civil war who is tasked with executing communists and a priest. Gerald and Andy disappointed with the story, but Anais enjoyed it. At the heart of the debate is how to write about fascism in a world saturated with the subject. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23641001

The Theresa Job 06/15/2022

The Theresa Job Discussion Notes: The Theresa Job This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Themes, Explicit Language (Host drops an 'f' bomb 😔 ) Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Theresa Job" by Colson Whitehead, a story of a hotel heist in 1950s New York City, centered on a reluctant fence. Gerald and Andy had a love-hate relationship with the story due to its abrupt ending. Anais does her best to help them see the ending through a different lens. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23430509

The City Born Great 06/08/2022

The City Born Great Discussion Notes: The City Born Great This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The City Born Great" by N. K. Jemisin, an urban fantasy about a young New Yorker called upon to midwife the birth of a great city and fend off the eldritch hospitals that would feed on the newborn. All three hosts enjoyed the story — even Andy who might have preferred if the city were Chicago. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23358974

The Specialist's Hat 06/01/2022

The Specialist's Hat Discussion Notes: The Specialist's Hat This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Specialist's Hat" by Kelly Link, a story about twin girls who move into the gothic home of a former poet who dabbled in the dark arts and killed his wife. Despite a lot of debate on this podcast, our hosts ended up giving this spooky, clever story similar ratings. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23286809

Foster 05/25/2022

Foster Discussion Notes: Foster This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: EXPLICIT Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Foster" by Bryan Washington, a story of a man estranged from his brother, struggling with his boyfriend, and refusing to name a cat. The story is explicit and so is this episode. The explicit nature of the story was a bit of a turn off for Gerald, but all three hosts enjoyed digging deep into this iceberg of a story. Scratch beneath the story, and there's a lot to chew on. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23219537

The Interlopers 05/18/2022

The Interlopers Discussion Notes: The Interlopers This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Interlopers" by H. H. Munro (SAKI), a story of a long-running family dispute over wild lands that comes to a head when two men from either side are trapped beneath the same felled tree. In a surprising twist, the story reads like a dark comedy. All three hosts thoroughly enjoyed the story as much as they enjoyed saying "Wolves!" Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23148092

Hot Ice 05/11/2022

Hot Ice Discussion Notes: Hot Ice This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Hot Ice" by Stuart Dybek, a Chicago native who brings the mid-century societal changes to life with the myth of a local saint. Andy identified with the story which struck true to his upbringing in Chicago. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/23071466

The Case For and Against Love Potions 05/04/2022

The Case For and Against Love Potions Discussion Notes: The Case For and Against Love Potions This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Case for and Against Love Potions" by Imbolo Mbue , a story told by an over confident narrator to you, a person seeking advice on whether or not to use love potions. It is a very funny and subtle satire. The subtlety unsettled Gerald and Anais who worried it could go over some readers' heads for ill. This anxiety prompted a discussion on whether or not it's the author's job to account for that in their writing. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22985066

Objects in Space 04/27/2022

Objects in Space Discussion Notes: Objects in Space This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Objects in Space" by Emily Davis, a story of a young New York woman who heads west in search of clarity. Despite a consensus on the story's merits, the story left our hosts wanting more. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22925024

The Husband Stitch 04/20/2022

The Husband Stitch Discussion Notes: The Husband Stitch This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Explicit Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Husband Stitch" by Carmen Maria Machado, a haunting story of a woman's life, interspersed with fairytales about womanhood. All three hosts marveled at the brilliance of the story's composition. As Anais repeated several times in this episode, this story is "next level." Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22833827

A Challenge You Have Overcome 04/13/2022

A Challenge You Have Overcome Discussion Notes: A Challenge You Have Overcome This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "A Challenge You Have Overcome" by Allegra Goodman, a story about an older couple who feel stuck in their careers and whose youngest son is applying to colleges. Our hosts discuss the story's strong start and how it deviated from their expectations, for better or worse. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22747283

Hollow 04/06/2022

Hollow Discussion Notes: Hollow This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Hollow" by Breece D'J Pancake, the story of Buddy, a coal miner in West Virginia, his community, and his humble dreams. This story split our hosts. Gerald and Anais gush about the genius of this subtle story. Meanwhile Andy, while agreeing with their analysis, strongly dislikes the story. It gets contentious! Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22679795

Fatima the Biloquist 03/29/2022

Fatima the Biloquist Discussion Notes: Fatima, the Biloquist This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Fatima, the Biloquist" by Nafissa Thompson-Spires, a story of a young, nerdy black girl in a predominantly white neighborhood who is struggling to reconcile her multitudes. She meets a friend who is self-possessed and has opinions on identity. We loved this story and it provoked a great discussion. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22615289

Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit 03/23/2022

Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit Discussion Notes: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit" by Rebecca Curtis, a modern twist on a classic fairytale, with a hunter, a talking cat, and evil parents and sisters. All three hosts appreciated the story's clever craft and strong start, but ended the story feeling like something was missing. They dig into what it could be. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22510118

The Paper Tiger 03/16/2022

The Paper Tiger Discussion Notes: The Paper Tiger This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Paper Tiger" by Lindsay Kennedy, a whimsical story of biblical proportions of a girl with a strong moral compass and her tiger friend. The story is a wonderful read and charmed all three hosts. We urge you to read it! Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22461785

The Hunter's Wife 03/09/2022

The Hunter's Wife Discussion Notes: The Hunter's Wife This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Hunter's Wife" by Anthony Doerr, a story of a Montana hunter and his estranged, magically gifted wife. All three hosts heaped a ton of praise on this flawless story. Six out six ratings across the board. The discussion may have suffered due to all the fawning, but for aspiring writers, the fawning may prove instructive. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22386263

Every Tiny Tooth and Claw 03/02/2022

Every Tiny Tooth and Claw Discussion Notes: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate)" by Marissa Lingen, a epistolary story of academic wizards trying to survive the rise of a fascist regime. The story prompted a deep discussion of the fantasy genre, the short story format, world building, and magic systems. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22276202

The Daughters of the Moon 02/23/2022

The Daughters of the Moon Discussion Notes: The Daughters of the Moon This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Daughters of the Moon" by Italo Calvino, a story of a consumerist society in a city that lived long ago in a different world. No longer charmed by the aging moon, they throw it in a junkyard, and it's up to the daughters of the Moon to restore her. It's a fanciful story told in a light but insightful tone. Listen for a heated argument between Andy and Anais about the nature of sentient, car-driving mammoths! Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22219964

The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom 02/16/2022

The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom Discussion Notes: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom" by Evan S. Connell, a story of a man who tells delightful, tall tales. The story charmed our hosts, but was the premise enough to win them over? Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22149674

Callme and Mink 02/09/2022

Callme and Mink Discussion Notes: Callme and Mink This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Callme and Mink" by Brenda Cooper, a story about attachments, centered on a robot whose prime directive is to raise and give away dogs. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/22071230

The Great Indian Tee and Snakes 01/30/2022

The Great Indian Tee and Snakes Discussion Notes: The Great Indian Tee and Snakes This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "The Great Indian Tee and Snakes" by Kritika Pandey. The story divided our hosts, with Gerald and Anais loving the story and Andy wanting a little more emotional contouring. Nonetheless, the story prompted a lengthy and deep discussion, and forced our hosts to study the current political landscape in India more closely. That's always a win. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/21953969

Rough Deeds 01/23/2022

Rough Deeds Discussion Notes: Rough Deeds This week's story: Next week's story: Rated: Clean Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Rough Deeds" by Annie Proulx, a vivid story about mafioso lumbermen in 1712's New France. Proulx's prose and plot captivates all three hosts who are positively giddy as they discuss this dark tale of a man's greed and pride. Have thoughts on this story? Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below! Or on Twitter or in our FB group . /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/21866300

Sweet Scoundrel 11/02/2021

Sweet Scoundrel LRH analyzes "Sweet Scoundrel" by Diana Xin, a slyly written story of a mistress, a would-be older sister, and a marriage that straddles cultures. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/21030623

The Library of Babel 10/13/2021

The Library of Babel Literary Roadhouse discusses the classic story "The Library of Babel" by Jorge Luis Borges, in which the universe is imagined as a library. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/20799713

Silverfish 10/13/2021

Silverfish Gerald, Andy and Anais discuss "Silverfish" by Christina Perez Brubaker, a story of a failing marriage between two flawed characters. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/20799389

Suffering in Motion 10/13/2021

Suffering in Motion LRH discusses "Suffering in Motion" by McKenna Marsden, a story of gender identity, transition and relationships centered around a marathon runner /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/20799035

Chemical Bonds 02/23/2021

Chemical Bonds Literary Roadhouse discussed "Chemical Bonds" by Neema Avashia, a non-fiction story about the political divide in an immigrant family. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/18065168

Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey 02/19/2021

Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey Literary Roadhouse discusses "Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey" by Haruki Murakami, a story of talking monkey who pines for lost loves. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/18006812

Agashi 02/14/2021

Agashi Literary Roadhouse discusses "Agahsi" by AC Koch, a story two ex-pat English teachers sent to South Korea on a mission with questionable morals. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/17943578

The Lost Performance of the High Priestess of the Temple of Horror 02/10/2021

The Lost Performance of the High Priestess of the Temple of Horror Discussing "The Lost Performance of the High Priestess of the Temple of Horror" by Carmen Maria Machado, a story in the Grand Guignol tradition. /episode/index/show/literaryroadhouse/id/17902358

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