Weekly Short Stories

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

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

It Had To Be Murder | Cornell Woolrich | Literary Roadhouse Ep 85

February 19, 2017 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:24:00 2 Comments

Discussion Notes: It Had To Be Murder

Find this week’s story here: It Had To Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich.

Next week’s story: Wildwood by Junot Diaz.

Rated: Clean.

This week all four hosts were disappointed to discover that the story behind the movie Rear Window didn’t pack as much punch as the movie. The movie is better than the literature? Is that a reader cardinal sin to say? Anais found the story a bit too obviously sign-posted in some places, and confusing in others. Meanwhile, Gerald did not appreciate the adverb laden prose. As for Rammy, the lack of tension in the climax was a disappointment. While Maya agreed with these critiques, she still enjoyed the story for what it is: a cozy murder mystery.

Did you enjoy the murder mystery? Was the story suspenseful?

Did miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below!

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Mastiff | Joyce Carol Oates | Literary Roadhouse Ep 84

February 16, 2017 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:33:40 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Mastiff

Find this week’s story here: Mastiff by Joyce Carol Oates.

Next week’s story: It Had To Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich.

Rated: Clean.

This week Gerald and Anais strongly disliked the story, while Rammy had lukewarm feelings. Thus, poor Maya was left all alone to defend the brilliance of this story! For Anais, the narrates personality grated her and provided to redeeming qualities as a balm. Meanwhile, Gerald found the prose a bit too sparse. In defense of the story, Rammy pointed to a few effective descriptions which elicited emotional responses. Maya, the strongest champion of the story, believed that the very things which annoyed Gerald and Anais were intentional and part of the story’s greater theme.

Did Maya manage to convince?

Did miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below!

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Depth Perception | Laura M. Gibson | Literary Roadhouse Ep 83

February 3, 2017 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:28:23 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Depth Perception

Find this week’s story here: Depth Perception by Laura M. Gibson.

Next week’s story: Mastiff by Joyce Carol Oates.

Rated: Adult themes, but does not contain explicit language.

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy rave about Laura M. Gibson’s Depth Perception. In a rare feat, all four hosts loved the short story. Gerald enjoyed the vivid descriptions and simple language, while Maya appreciated the loving descriptions of gruff man. As for Rammy, the pacing heightened the tension in just the right places, whereas Anais took notice of the symbols and motifs.

As a whole, all four hosts agree that this short story packed a punch like a novel. Interestingly, neither the romances nor the deaths felt over sentimental. Maya thinks Gibson follows in the tradition of Annie Proulx. Do you agree?

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below!

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Handicap | Elizabeth Chandler | Literary Roadhouse Ep 82

October 19, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:34:28 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Handicap

Find this week’s story here: Handicap by Elizabeth Chandler.

Next week’s story: Depth Perception by Laura M. Gibson.

Rated: Adult themes, but does not contain explicit language.

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss Handicap by Elizabeth Chandler. Overall, the hosts found the story confusing and couldn’t decipher the themes. Gerald briefly wondered if the story should be interpreted like abstract art. For her part, Maya made a valiant effort to look at the story through that lens, but still couldn’t find the story’s message. Rammy was relieved to discover he wasn’t alone in his confusion. On the positive side, Gerald and Maya enjoyed the prose’s poetics. On the negative, Anais wondered if perhaps the story had been over edited.

Did we miss a crucial piece of this story? Tell us below!

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Memento Mori | Nathan Nolan | Literary Roadhouse Ep 81

October 17, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 0:38:20 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Memento Mori

Find this week’s story here: Memento Mori by Nathan Nolan.

Next week’s story: Handicap by Elizabeth Chandler.

Rated: Adult themes, but does not contain explicit language.

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss Memento Mori by Nathan Nolan. This story forms the basis for Christopher Nolan’s cult movie Memento, and, indeed, Nathan is Christopher’s brother. Prior to reading this story, Maya, Rammy, and Anais had watched the movie. As for Gerald, he had not. Thus, Gerald found himself the most confused by the plot, but the confusing narrative did not detract from his enjoyment of the mood and suspenseful writing.

When it came to the prose, Maya felt the short story shined brilliantly, and even outshone the movie. Anais couldn’t agree more, and Rammy probably speaks more on this episode than any other episode to date. Needless to say, Rammy loved the story, too.

Lastly, Gerald ponders whether or not the story moves backwards through time. Does it? Listen to our arguments then share your own below.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Restoration | Ann Joslin Williams | Literary Roadhouse Ep 80

October 3, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:27:32 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Restoration

Find this week’s story here: Restoration by Ann Joslin Williams.

Next week’s story: Memento Mori by Nathan Nolan.

Rated: Explicit Themes and Language, though the explicit content is only at the end when we discuss recommendations for next week’s story. Discussion of Restoration itself is clean.

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss another story found in Carve Magazine: Restoration by Ann Joslin Williams. True to his nature, Gerald loved yet another gem from Carve. He wasn’t alone, as Maya, Rammy, and Anais also enjoyed the story immensely. Anais, as the least enthusiastic reader, found it difficult to justify the link between the murder plot and the grieving plot. As for Maya, the wonderful prose appealed to her poetic roots. As for Rammy, the gorgeous imagery of the story hit the mark.

Listen for a brief discussion of what Anais calls “MFA voice”, and why she has over-dosed on it.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

A Silver Dish | Saul Bellow | Literary Roadhouse Ep 79

September 28, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 00:36:57 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: A Silver Dish

Find this week’s story here: A Silver Dish by Saul Bellow.

Next week’s story: Restoration by Ann Joslin Williams.

Rated: Clean

This week Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss A Silver Dish by Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow. Perhaps because of that lofty award, Gerald and Anais expected more of the story. Gerald found the story’s message too numerous and scattered to properly analyze, and felt the characters to be flat. In contrast, Anais enjoyed the characters and themes, though she agreed the story was opaque to analysis. As for Rammy, the story didn’t move him at all, and various anecdotes outright confused the point of the story in his opinion.

Though there was one anecdote that stumped us all: why did Woody stuff the turkey with hashish? If you know, please explain in the comment section.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Strays | Mark Richard | Literary Roadhouse Ep 78

September 24, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 0:39:01 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Strays

Find this week’s story here: Strays by Mark Richard.

Next week’s story: A Silver Dish by Saul Bellow.

Rated: Adult themes, but does not contain explicit language.

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss Strays by Mark Richard. Our three writers, Maya, Gerald, and Anais were ovr the moon with this cleverly written, but bleak story of poverty, abandonment, alcoholism, and desperation. However, Rammy did not share the other hosts’ enthusiasm. He found the story lacking in imagery and descriptions to drive home the dreary theme. Meanwhile, Anais was surprised by the effective use of a child’s POV. Gerald loved the clever writing, and Maya got a kick out of the representation of Uncle Trash.

Were the three enamored hosts able to sway Rammy’s opinion?

If you’re a math nerd or a card game geek, stay tuned for the game at the end of the episode.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Miss Temptation | Kurt Vonnegut | Literary Roadhouse Ep 77

September 14, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 0:31:27 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Miss Temptation

Find this week’s story here: Miss Temptation by Kurt Vonnegut.

Next week’s story: Strays by Mark Richard.

Rated: Clean

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss a Vonnegut short story called Miss Temptation. Anais got a kick out of the story’s feminist theme and the female protagonist’s reclaiming of her reputation. However, Gerald found the feminist message to be heavy handed. This led Maya to wonder if the feminist themes from a story written in the 50s seems redundant in present day. Yet despite the fact the story is old, our hosts discuss how the same sexism in this story repeats itself today. As for Rammy, he enjoyed the larger than life characters and the supporting cast. When it came to language, Gerald and Anais loved the way Vonnegut built suspense.

How does this story compare to Vonnegut’s other work? Listen for a comparison.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

A podcast for literary fiction discussions of short stories and novels.

Bad Latch | Curtis Sittenfeld | Literary Roadhouse Ep 76

September 12, 2016 Anais Concepcion Weekly Short Stories 0:34:44 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Bad Latch

Find this week’s story here: Bad Latch by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Next week’s story: Miss Temptation by Kurt Vonnegut.

Rated: Explicit for adult themes and language

This week Maya, Gerald, Anais, and Rammy discuss a story about new mothers and the pressures put on American moms to be perfect. Rammy like the story the most, and thought the story was educational and well told. Meanwhile, Maya wished that the story had gone deeper in exploring competition between women. As for Anais, she liked the story over all, but felt uneasy by the way the story made straw-men out of some characters. As for Gerald, well, he wasn’t sure if this qualified as a story. The conversation veers from motherhood to adultery and back again.

Did you know we have live listeners? On this episode, we read some of their comments and reveal their Bradberries ratings.

Also, don’t forget to rate the story! For the history of our goofy system, see Anais’ post “Read Short Stories or Ray Bradbury Cries.” On a scale of 1-6 Bradberries, how do you rate this story? Tell us in the comments below or via voicemail.

Also your reviews on iTunes help us grow. Please search Literary Roadhouse in iTunes and leave reviews for all of our shows.

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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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