Weekly Short Stories

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

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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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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 Hunter's Wife by Anthony Doerr | Literary Roadhouse Ep 204

Ep 204: The Hunter’s Wife

March 9, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:22:31 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Hunter’s Wife

This week’s story: The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr 

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

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 @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 Every Tiny Tooth and Claw by Marissa Lingen | Literary Roadhouse Ep 203

Ep 203: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw

March 2, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:26:17 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw

This week’s story: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate) by Marissa Lingen 

Next week’s story: The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr 

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 @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 Daughters of the Moon by Italo Calvino | Literary Roadhouse Ep 202

Ep 202: The Daughters of the Moon

February 23, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:31:03 2 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Daughters of the Moon

This week’s story: The Daughters of the Moon – Italo Calvino – Literary Roadhouse Ep 202 

Next week’s story: Every Tiny Tooth and Claw (or: Letters from the First Month of the New Directorate) by Marissa Lingen 

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 @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 The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom by Evan S. Connell | Literary Roadhouse Ep 201

Ep 201: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom

February 16, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 0:16:02 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom

This week’s story: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom by Evan S. Connell 

Next week’s story: The Daughters of the Moon by Italo Calvino 

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 @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 Callme and Mink by Brenda Cooper | Literary Roadhouse Ep 200

Ep 200: Callme and Mink

February 9, 2022 Anais Concepcion Podcasts, Weekly Short Stories 00:23:35 0 Comments

Discussion Notes: Callme and Mink

This week’s story: Callme and Mink by Brenda Cooper 

Next week’s story: The Land Where Lemon Trees Bloom by Evan S. Connell 

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 @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.
Read deeply.