High School Book Club

The opening episode for Season 3 is focused on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby. Three English teachers, each armed with a story of the others, share different perspectives on how to read Gatsby the character and the novel: adoringly, allegorically, or cynically.

Three English teachers passionately dissect Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale. They examine how this book impacts them as women, as lovers of story, and as analysts of their current culture. There are some spoilers regarding the new television series as well, as it comes up in conversation. Warning: Although the language in this episode is "clean", there are some phrases and scenarios borrowed from the novel that may be upsetting to some listeners. This discussion is certainly meant for a mature audience.  

Three English teachers discuss the moving, tragic, and weighty book Night, by Elie Wiesel. Elie's story, as told in bitter flashback, awakens its readers to the horrible potential for man to commit evil. However, it also examines how hope and meaning can be found in the most unimaginable circumstances.

Two high school English teachers and a Renaissance expert discuss the troubling qualities of William Shakespeare's Othello.  WARNING: Due to the nature of the play, there is some discussion of sexuality.

This month's discussion is atypical; rather than focusing on a print text, three English teachers argue the case for studying film as literature. The bulk of the conversation analyzes Peter Weir's Dead Poets Society. Each teacher also suggests another title worthy of study in the high school English classroom.

This month's discussion wrestles with the factors that contribute to identity, both as a natural consciousness and as individual gender definition, with Alice Munro's short story, "Boys and Girls".

Three English teachers discuss the fascinating and complicated story of Shakespeare's King Lear. King Lear is both fun and frustrating, and obvious and ambiguous. We tackle the tough questions about the likability and believability of the characters and the play's very painful ending.

Three English teachers discuss the social and historical context of Steinbeck's classic novella Of Mice and Men, and its treatment of the importance of human connections and aspirations. 

Three English teachers share both appreciation and frustration of Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire.

Three English teachers discuss the universal importance of books in our society, all the while heeding the warning that is Ray Bradbury's classic novel Fahrenheit 451.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, two teachers and one professor discuss the Bard's greatest play, Hamlet. The conversation includes a Danish history lesson, a critical analysis, and a playful "What if?" game about the play's minor characters.

Two English teachers engage in a discussion of poetry that includes both struggles and celebrations in the classroom. We read some teaching favourites, as well as a sample of our own poetry.

Three English teachers discuss the narrative tricks and discomforting themes present in Tim O'Brien's short story, "On the Rainy River".

Three English teachers share insights, and some differing opinions, about Shakespeare's tragic character, Macbeth.

Three English teachers discuss the poignant themes in Sir William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies along with some of the approaches they take with it in the classroom.

To celebrate Arthur Miller's centennial, three English teachers gush over his beloved play Death of a Salesman.

Three English teachers and one student contrast Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman with the much beloved To Kill a Mockingbird.