Bookish: A Casual Book Club

Dragon Podcasts
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Discover your next literary adventure with HCC English professors Kofi Adisa, Sylvia Lee, and Laura Yoo! Dive into thought-provoking discussions about books and get expert recommendations for your next captivating read. Fuel your imagination and expand your literary horizons with these insightful educators

  1. FEB 16

    Imagination: A Manifesto by Ruha Benjamin

    We often treat imagination like a luxury, but Ruha Benjamin argues it’s a battlefield. In this episode, Sylvia, Kofi, and Laura glimpse into Imagination: A Manifesto to discuss how we can deprogram ourselves from "dominant imaginaries" and start worldbuilding for the collective good. From dismantling oppressive systems to the "quiet acts of rebellion," they explore Benjamin's ideas of how to dream a better world into reality.    Footnote from Kofi: During the discussion on Benjamin's Imagination: A Manifesto, Kofi Adisa misstated the names of Vauhini Vara and Nik Usher, the latter being referred to as 'Nik Turner.'

    31 min

  2. JAN 28

    All the Sinners Bleed by S.A Cosby

    In this episode, Sylvia, Kofi, and Laura examine S.A. Cosby's haunting and visceral masterpiece, All the Sinners Bleed. As Titus Crown navigates his role as the first Black sheriff in a small Virginia town, he is forced to confront the town's buried secrets and his own complicated history. Join Bookish as they discuss this provocative exploration of faith, systemic corruption, and a trail of gruesome ritualistic murders that test the limits of justice.

    31 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Highbrow vs Lowbrow

    Get ready to spill the tea on literary snobbery! This episode of Bookish: A Casual Book Club, Laura, Kofi, and Sylvia dive into the often-murky waters of "high brow" vs. "low brow" literature. Is it the Pulitzer, the plot, or the price tag that dictates a book's perceived worth? Join the crew for a lively discussion that might just change how you look at the books on your own shelf. P.S. Every book lover should read what they love, guilt-free!

    29 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

    This month Bookish takes on S. A. Cosby's gripping crime thriller, Razorblade Tears. After their gay sons are brutally murdered, two ex-cons from vastly different worlds must set aside their prejudice and partner up to confront their shared tragedy. Join Sylvia, Kofi, and Laura as they explore race, sexuality, and classism in this powerful, relentless story of grief, fatherhood, redemption, and a desperate pursuit of justice in the face of deep-seated hate.

    29 min

  5. 10/07/2025

    Summer Wrap Up 2025

    The summer is over, the pages are settled, and it's time for Bookish to check in! In this highly anticipated follow-up episode, Sylvia, Kofi, and Laura revisit their ambitious Summer Reading Lists. They’ll discuss which books lived up to the hype, which ones got shelved for later, and how their seasonal reading expectations measured up to reality. Whether you’re into literary fiction, poetry collections, or “long reads,” join this honest, casual look at the joy (and occasional failure) of summer book challenges.

    28 min

  6. 07/29/2025

    Summer Reading Picks 2025

    What’s on your summer reading list? In this episode of Bookish: A Casual Book Club, Howard Community College English professors Sylvia, Kofi, and Laura share their top book picks for summer 2025 and unpack why summer reading just feels different. From urgent poetry and experimental memoir to international fiction and visionary manifestos, the trio offers a vibrant set of book recommendations for every kind of reader. Whether you’re tackling a summer reading challenge or just looking for your next beach read, this episode is packed with literary gems and thoughtful takes on the idea of “seasonal reading.” Sylvia’s picks include: Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo Bluff by Danez Smith Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown Find Me As the Creature I Am by Emily Jungmin Yoon Laura’s list features: There There by Tommy Orange Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Bluff by Danez Smith Kofi recommends: The Queue by Basma Abdel Aziz Guapa by Saleem Haddad In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Exit West by Mohsin Hamid Listen now to discover new authors, unpack the power of summer reading rituals, and get inspired to start your own reading list. More episodes of Bookish are available here. Produced by Dragon Media Podcasts at Howard Community College

    28 min

  7. 06/02/2025

    Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

    This week, join Laura, Sylvia, and Kofi as they dive into Claire Keegan's acclaimed novella, "Small Things Like These." The trio explores the book's themes, characters, and the powerful storytelling that has captivated readers worldwide. They also debate whether the book truly deserves the title of "the perfect book" as touted on TikTok. Tune in for thoughtful insights, lively discussions, and a few laughs along the way.   Follow us on socials for more updates & episodes on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

    28 min

  8. 05/05/2025

    F’d Up Books

    This week, our hosts Kofi, Sylvia, and Laura take a deliciously taboo deep dive into the books that mess us up—in the best way. From Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! to Nabokov’s Lolita, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Yanagihara’s A Little Life, we’re talking about the reads that leave you gutted, haunted, and somehow... wanting more. Why do we love books that break all the rules? What do these messy, morally complex stories say about the world—and about us? Buckle up for a bumpy ride through trauma, obsession, broken systems, and beautiful prose. Because let’s be honest: the more f’d up the book, the deeper the obsession.

    34 min
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Discover your next literary adventure with HCC English professors Kofi Adisa, Sylvia Lee, and Laura Yoo! Dive into thought-provoking discussions about books and get expert recommendations for your next captivating read. Fuel your imagination and expand your literary horizons with these insightful educators

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