Bibliophilia and the Philosophers' Degrees
by Anastasia & Megan
Join a slightly sweary, semi-intellectual book club of two where the hosts obsess over each new book and try to make their undergrad philosophy degrees matter.A Scorpio Sun and Scorpio Rising best friend duo: With backgrounds in Philosophy, Anastasia and Megan read each book with the idea that you can approach any text with deep curiosity, seeking universal truths about the world in which we live and the people with whom we share it.
Episodes
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The Deepest Part of You is Worthy of Love - Anna Karenina (2012)
In this not-too-mini episode, Anastasia and Megan watch and discuss Joe Wright's 2012 film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. Your hosts start by discussing the detrimental dichotomy of Freud's Madonna-Whore Complex as reflected in the characters Anna and Kitty, then explore how...
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Inside Us All Are Two Wolves - Prohibited
In this episode of the podcast, your hosts are joined by indie author, Madeline Thorne, to talk about their steamy, dark romance Prohibited. The trio starts by discussing the idea of surrender as a form of liberation rather than defeat and find themselves delving into post-war community and...
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It All Comes Back to Control - Weyward
WARNING: We're sorry for the inconsistent volume levels! Anastasia's laptop won't recognize their mic input, so they had to use their bluetooth headphones. In this episode, your hosts are joined by special guest Sarah, co-host of the HorrorSlashStories podcast, for an in-depth discussion of…
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There's A Moral Context - The God of the Woods
In this episode, your hosts get into the popular 2024 mystery novel, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. In a novel driven by the secrets characters keep from each other, Megan and Anastasia question the morality of deception and how much intentions and context matter. Megan introduces Thomas...
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They're Never Gonna Know (We Know) - Heir
Anastasia and Megan are kicking off season three of the podcast with Heir by Sabaa Tahir. Your hosts are discussing if the ends justify the means (seems like they don't, y'all) and the Machiavellian antics of the MC, Aiz, in her quest to save her people. They reflect on redemption, but wonder why...
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I Identify as Soldier - What Moves the Dead
In this episode, your host, Anastasia, discusses What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher with a special guest: Sara! This novella is a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and fleshes out (see what we did there?) its female characters. Anastasia and Sara consider the...
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Darling is a Darling - Hester: A Novel by Laurie Lico Albanese
In this episode, your hosts discuss the novel Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese, a story about the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's character Hester Prynne in the book you had to read in high school, The Scarlet Letter. Anastasia and Megan consider how ancestors can leave legacies that feel...
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The Village Canceled Vasya - The Bear and the Nightingale
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan discuss Katherine Arden's underrated 2017 fantasy, The Bear and the Nightingale. Your hosts look at aspects of Russian folklore and the repercussions when Christianity comes to rural medieval Russia. They discuss characters acting from a place of curiosity vs.…
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A Lack of Virtue Waiting in the Wings - Malibu Rising
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan dive into the family dynamics of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Your hosts get in their feelings when discussing both parental love and shortcomings, unpack parental and generational legacies (read: trauma), and compare Mick Riva's parenting skills to...
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How Rare, How Special - Call Me By Your Name
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan discuss the much beloved Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman. They reflect on aging, being teenagers, and the infamous peach scene. They try to determine if Elio is lovesick or in a tortured state of limerence. Finally, they stan Elio's father for encouraging...
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It Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This - Howl's Moving Castle
In this episode, your hosts climb aboard Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. They discuss Eldest Daughter Syndrome and how we should all try harder to carpe diem before we turn ninety. Anastasia reveals how Aristotle was a misogynist and his logic ultimately led to the various witch hunts…
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The Pen is Royal Bluuuuue - Red, White, and Royal Blue
In this first episode of season two and in the spirit of the month of love, your hosts read Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Anastasia and Megan discuss the power of love to influence history and reveal our true selves. Then they dive into philosophical theories on love including...
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No More Closed-Mouth Kissing - Like Salt and Ash
In this special episode, your hosts are joined by special guest, author Hazel Marie, to discuss her new book, Like Salt and Ash. In this episode, they discuss capitalism and consumption through the lens of a vampire novel, the ethics of influencing others, and behind-the-scenes details of the...
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Always Ready for a Fight or a Frolic - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
In this episode, your hosts welcome in the spooky season with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. They discuss the overlapping natural and supernatural worlds in Sleepy Hollow, the likability of the trio of characters, and the savage literary roasting of Ichabod Crane. Digressions...
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Put the Archeron Sisters in Therapy - A Court of Silver Flames
In this episode, your hosts critique, question, and fawn over the behemoth A Court of Silver Flames. They consider the efficacy of interventions and the ways we process trauma. Their discussion also includes the recurring themes of the void, "like calls to like," the glorification of war and…
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Coming Out of the Cauldron - A Court of Frost and Starlight
In this episode, your hosts dissect all the foreshadowing, future plotline set-ups, and lore sprinkled throughout A Court of Frost and Starlight, as well as their hopes for future books in the series. They wonder if this book was truly necessary and why Feyre is suddenly cringe at best, and...
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Emotionally Devasted and Horny - A Court of Wings and Ruin
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan get into the third installment of the ACOTAR series. Go ahead and take a drink each time a host says "ACOWAR." Your favorite duo dwells on if war can ever be justified, responsible storytelling for Lucien and Mor, as well as some brief Biblical, Russian, and...
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A Bundle of Nerves - A Court of Mist and Fury
In this episode, your hosts are joined by a special guest, friend of the pod, and fan of SJM! The trio discuss the idea of soulmates, found family, surviving trauma, and the dynamics between freedom, choice, and protection. Also... the smut!! Skip to 13:24 for the 30 second book recaps and the…
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Something Wild In All Women - Pride & Prejudice (2005)
In this not-too-mini episode, your hosts watch and discuss Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and why the work still resonates with audiences to this day. This is the first installment of a light-hearted mini-series where your hosts dive into the many adaptations...
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In Spring Court Mode - A Court of Thorns and Roses
In this new episode, your hosts cross the Wall into Prythian to dissect A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. While reading, the hosts felt curious about the concept of beauty, compassion, consent, and the sexiness of an antihero. Digressions include SSRI side effects, the line between…
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Let's Continuate! - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Your hosts are back from hiatus with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. In this episode, they discuss Mexican stoicism, toxic masculinity, Nihilism, and peace vs. happiness. Digressions include the Dobler-Dahmer Theory, the ultimate dad joke, and...
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Go the 'Twilight' Vegetarian Route - Fledgling
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan confront the uncomfortable in Octavia E. Butler's Fledgling. They discuss how Butler layers themes of choice, free will, and intent alongside commentary on race and individualism, all through the lens of a fast-paced, sci-fi vampire novel. Digressions include...
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This Isn't the Time for Philosophy - Hell Bent, Part 2
Hello fellow philosophers and readers! We would love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions we unpack in this episode. If you are comfortable with us reading your thoughts on air to discuss, our contact information along with a list of our questions will be listed below the episode...
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I Will Serve You 'Til the End of Days - Hell Bent, Part 1
In this episode, Anastasia and Megan are reunited with Alex Stern and Darlington in Leigh Bardugo's sequel to Ninth House, Hell Bent. Through these characters, the hosts examine the moral obligations of a parent, if love is an emotion one can control, and how it all impacts the path to...
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Would You Sip from the River Lethe? - Ninth House
In this episode, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is up for discussion. Anastasia and Megan dwell on the ethics of power—who ultimately pays the cost to acquire it, and what do those with more, owe to those with less? Digressions include philosophical definitions, writing for the female gaze, and Oprah.
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We Can Be Mean to Each Other Forever - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
In this episode, the hosts discuss (and obsess) about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Discussion topics include the freedoms and limitations of immortality, the role timing plays in a relationship, soft bois vs. baddies, and misanthropy (of course). Digressions include the...
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A Walking Red Flag - It Ends with Us
Anastasia and Megan discuss It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover because #booktok told them to. They dive into relationship red flags, closure, power dynamics, redemption, and patterns of abuse. Digressions include figuring out how to podcast, that Eminem song, and cringe character names. Content...
About this show
Join a slightly sweary, semi-intellectual book club of two where the hosts obsess over each new book and try to make their undergrad philosophy degrees matter.A Scorpio Sun and Scorpio Rising best friend duo: With backgrounds in Philosophy, Anastasia and Megan read each book with the idea that you can approach any text with deep curiosity, seeking universal truths about the world in which we live and the people with whom we share it.
Hosted by
Anastasia & Megan