Weekly Short Stories

Each week The Literary Roadhouse podcast hosts deeply read and discuss one short story.

Discussing The Interlopers by H. H. Munro | Literary Roadhouse Ep 214

Ep 214: The Interlopers

May 18, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:20:46 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Interlopers

This week’s story: The Interlopers by H. H. Munro 

Next week’s story: Foster by Bryan Washington 

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!”

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Discussing Hot Ice by Stuart Dybek | Literary Roadhouse Ep 213

Ep 213: Hot Ice

May 11, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:33:44 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Hot Ice

This week’s story: Hot Ice by Stuart Dybek 

Next week’s story: The Interlopers by H.H. Munro (SAKI) 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

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Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing The Case for and Against Love Potions by Imbolo Mbue | Literary Roadhouse Ep 212

Ep 212: The Case For and Against Love Potions

May 4, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:28:50 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Case For and Against Love Potions

This week’s story: The Case for and Against Love Potions by Imbolo Mbue 

Next week’s story: Hot Ice by Stuart Dybek 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing Objects in Space by Emily Davis | Literary Roadhouse Ep 211

Ep 211: Objects in Space

April 27, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:21:02 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Objects in Space

This week’s story: Objects in Space by Emily Davis 

Next week’s story: The Case for and Against Love Potions by Imbolo Mbue 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

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Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado | Literary Roadhouse Ep 21

Ep 210: The Husband Stitch

April 20, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:32:40 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Husband Stitch

This week’s story: The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado 

Next week’s story: Objects in Space by Emily Davis 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

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Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing A Challenge You Have Overcome by Allegra Goodman | Literary Roadhouse Ep 209

Ep 209: A Challenge You Have Overcome

April 13, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:21:13 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: A Challenge You Have Overcome

This week’s story: A Challenge You Have Overcome by Allegra Goodman 

Next week’s story: The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

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We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

Support us on Patreon 
Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing Hollow - Breece D'J Pancake | Literary Roadhouse Ep 208

Ep 208: Hollow

April 6, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:24:42 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Hollow

This week’s story: Hollow by Breece D’J Pancake 

Next week’s story: A Challenge Your Have Overcome by Allegra Goodman 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

Support us on Patreon

We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

Support us on Patreon 
Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing Fatima, the Biloquist by Nafissa Thompson-Spires | Literary Roadhouse Ep 207

Ep 207: Fatima, the Biloquist

March 30, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:30:56 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Fatima, the Biloquist

This week’s story: Fatima, the Biloquist by Nafissa Thompson-Spires 

Next week’s story: Hollow by Breece D’J Pancake 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

Support us on Patreon

We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

Support us on Patreon 
Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit by Rebecca Curtis | Literary Roadhouse Ep 206

Ep 206: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit

March 23, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:24:30 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit

This week’s story: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit by Rebecca Curtis 

Next week’s story: Fatima, the Biloquist: A Transformation Story by Nafissa Thompson-Spires 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

Support us on Patreon

We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

Support us on Patreon 
Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.
Discussing The Paper Tiger by Lindsay Kennedy | Literary Roadhouse Ep 205

Ep 205: The Paper Tiger

March 16, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:24:17 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Paper Tiger

This week’s story: The Paper Tiger by Lindsay Kennedy 

Next week’s story: Hansa and Gretyl and Piece of Shit by Rebecca Curtis 

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 @litroadhouse or in our FB group The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

Support us on Patreon

We are an indie podcast dependent on contributions from listeners like you. You decide how much to give and every bit helps.

Support us on Patreon 
Looking for more to read?

Click here for a full list of all short stories discussed on the podcast.

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Reading along with us and have comments of your own? You are welcome to leave them on this website, our join our closed Facebook group for story discussion, The Literary Roadhouse Readers.

About Literary Roadhouse

Literary Roadhouse is a literary podcast where avid readers and aspiring writers read and discuss short and long fiction.
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