Overdue
Books & Literature
About
Overdue is a podcast about the books you've been meaning to read. Join Andrew and Craig each week as they tackle a new title from their backlog. Classic literature, obscure plays, goofy childen’s books: they'll read it all, one overdue book at a time.
Episodes
- Ep 750 - Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
This episode of Overdue discusses Andy Weir's novel "Project Hail Mary," a story about a science teacher tasked with saving Earth from an alien threat. The discussion also touches upon the book's adaptation into a major motion picture.
- Ep 749 - The Very Hungry Caterpillar (and Other Stories), by Eric Carle
This episode of Overdue podcast features a discussion on the works of children's author and illustrator Eric Carle. Titles covered include "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?," and "The Grouchy Ladybug."
- Ep A03 - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson (Annotated)
This episode of Overdue features Andrew and Craig discussing Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." They talk about the book and comment on the characters.
- The Sillymarillion Ep 01 - A Shortcut to Ilúvatar (J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion)
In this episode of the show-within-a-show The Sillymarillion, hosts Craig and Andrew discuss the beginning of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion, covering the Ainulindalë, the Valaquenta, and the first three chapters of the Quenta Silmarill…
- Ep A02 - Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley (Annotated)
In this annotated episode, the hosts revisit Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, featuring a comparison of discussions from 2013 and 2026. The conversation covers the novel's legacy, the characters, and early perceptions of artificial intelligenc…
- Ep A01 - Dune, by Frank Herbert (Annotated)
In this annotated episode of Overdue, hosts Andrew and Craig revisit their 2013 discussion of Frank Herbert's 'Dune' by adding present-day research and context to the original conversation.
- Special Collections: Twilight (2008)
The hosts of Overdue discuss the 2008 film adaptation of Twilight, examining character portrayals and comparing the movie to its book source material. This episode was released as part of their Special Collections banner.
- Ep 748 - MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, by Richard Hooker and W.C. Heinz
This episode of Overdue examines MASH, the novel by Richard Hooker and W.C. Heinz that served as the inspiration for the film and television series. The discussion focuses on the book's depiction of army doctors in a war zone.
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Bonus - The Baby-Sitters Club: The Movie (1995)
This episode of Overdue reviews the 1995 film adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club, directed by Melanie Mayron. The hosts discuss the challenges of adapting the book series into a single film and examine specific character plotlines.
- Ep 747 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Vol. 1, by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
This episode of Overdue discusses Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The hosts examine the original 1984-85 underground comic series prior to its transition into a larger media fr…
- Ep 746 - Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle Rock, by Maud Woolf
In this episode, the hosts discuss the novel Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle Rock by Maud Woolf while joking about clones recording the podcast.
- Ep 745 - Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
The hosts discuss Mitch Albom's book Tuesdays with Morrie, reflecting on the life lessons shared by Morrie Schwartz and Albom's personal observations.
- Ep 744 - Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu
In this episode, the podcast discusses Charles Yu's book Interior Chinatown, focusing on its exploration of the Asian-American experience and Hollywood typecasting. The hosts examine how the story blends reality with a formulaic police pro…
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 08 - Welcome to the BSC, Abby! (The Baby-Sitters Club #90)
The hosts discuss the Baby-Sitters Club novel 'Welcome to the BSC, Abby' and the series' ghostwritten era. They also look into the work of ghostwriter Nola Thacker.
- Ep 743 - The Sellout, by Paul Beatty
This episode of Overdue discusses the 2015 Booker Prize-winning satirical novel The Sellout by Paul Beatty. The hosts explore the book's themes concerning race and political correctness in America.
- Ep 742 - Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2), by Rachel Reid
The hosts of Overdue discuss the hockey romance novel Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid, exploring its status as a pop culture phenomenon. The episode focuses on the relationship between characters Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.
- Ep 741 - Monk & Robot, by Becky Chambers
This episode discusses Monk & Robot by Becky Chambers, a collection comprising the novels A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. The hosts explore the premise of sentient robots choosing to leave humanity behind and the…
- Ep 740 - Three Lives, by Gertrude Stein
This episode of Overdue discusses Gertrude Stein's debut book, "Three Lives." The hosts examine the collection of stories about three turn-of-the-century working-class women and Stein's signature repetitive literary style.
- Tokyo Drifters Ep 0 - Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo, an introduction
In this introductory episode of a new series, hosts Craig and Andrew discuss the history and context of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga Akira. They cover their personal experiences with manga and anime before outlining their upcoming six-part read…
- Ep 739 - Fun With Dick and Jane, and other stories
Andrew and Craig examine the history and cultural influence of the Dick and Jane reading primers. They explore the books' development, their impact on American education, and their eventual transition from the classroom to the public domai…
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 07 - Jessi's Secret Language (The Baby-sitters Club #16)
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss The Baby-sitters Club book, Jessi's Secret Language, focusing on Jessi's efforts to learn sign language to babysit Matt Braddock. The conversation explores the book's themes of inclusivity as w…
- Ep 738 - Glorious Exploits, by Ferdia Lennon
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss the novel Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, which centers on a production of Euripides performed by prisoners of war.
- Ep 737 - The Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple #1), by Agatha Christie
The hosts discuss Agatha Christie's The Murder at the Vicarage, the 1920s novel that introduced the amateur sleuth Miss Marple. They examine how the character uses her understanding of human nature to solve a murder in a vicarage.
- Ep 736 - Consider the Consequences!, by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins
The hosts of Overdue explore the history of gamebooks through an abbreviated playthrough of Consider the Consequences! by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins. They discuss the experience of influencing the lives of the book's three protag…
- Ep 735 - American Girl: Meet Samantha, by Susan S. Adler & Meet Addy, by Connie Porter
This episode discusses the American Girl book series featuring Samantha and Addy, exploring how the brand's founder, Pleasant Rowland, sought to combine education with accessories.
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 06 - Hello, Mallory (The Baby-sitters Club #14)
In this episode, the hosts discuss Hello, Mallory, the 14th book in The Baby-sitters Club series. They examine Mallory's development as an aspiring member, the introduction of Jessi, and the series' ongoing narrative structure.
- Ep 734 - Kidnapped by the Krampus, by Emily Shore
In this episode, the hosts discuss 'Kidnapped by the Krampus' by Emily Shore, an explicit dark holiday-themed fantasy story. They examine whether this adult-oriented book meets expectations for the season.
- Ep 733 - The Bookshop, by Penelope Fitzgerald
In this episode, the hosts discuss the novella The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. They explore how the story diverges from expectations of a lighthearted tale about bookselling.
- Ep 732 - Johnny Got His Gun, by Dalton Trumbo
This episode of Overdue examines Dalton Trumbo's anti-war novel, Johnny Got His Gun, focusing on its unique perspective on the individual harm caused by war and its connection to the Metallica song "One."
- Ep 731 - Still Life (Inspector Gamache #1), by Louise Penny
This episode of Overdue discusses the novel Still Life by Louise Penny, the first book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. The hosts explore the mystery set in a small village in Quebec.
- Ep 730 - An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones
The hosts discuss Tayari Jones's novel An American Marriage, exploring themes of loyalty, marriage, and independence in the context of a wrongful conviction. The conversation focuses on the book's character-driven narrative rather than tra…
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 05 - Dawn and the Impossible Three (The Baby-Sitters Club #5)
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss the fifth Baby-Sitters Club book, Dawn and the Impossible Three, focusing on Dawn's introduction to the series, her familial dynamics, and her challenging first babysitting job.
- Ep 729 - I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman
This episode explores Jacqueline Harpman's 1995 novel, I Who Have Never Known Men, which follows a woman imprisoned with 39 others. The discussion touches on the book's themes and its recent resurgence in popularity.
- Ep 728 - Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett
The hosts discuss Ann Patchett's novel Bel Canto, which follows 58 hostages and militants sequestered in an unnamed country. The book explores their period of reflection and personal growth while cut off from the outside world.
- Ep 727 - My Man Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse
The hosts discuss P.G. Wodehouse's short stories featuring the iconic butler Jeeves and his employer, Bertie Wooster, exploring their relationship and the origins of the Jeeves name.
- Ep 726 - I Know What You Did Last Summer, by Lois Duncan
The hosts discuss Lois Duncan's 1973 young adult novel, I Know What You Did Last Summer, comparing it to the 1997 film adaptation. The episode examines the book's focus on identity, regret, and family dynamics rather than the film's slashe…
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 04 - Mary Anne Saves the Day (The Baby-Sitters Club #4)
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss Mary Anne Saves the Day, the fourth book in The Baby-Sitters Club series. The discussion covers Mary Anne's efforts to reunite the group, her relationship with her father, and her challenging b…
- Ep 725 - The Haunted Baby (Choose Your Own Nightmare #13), by Edward Packard
In this episode, the hosts discuss The Haunted Baby, the 13th entry in Edward Packard's Choose Your Own Nightmare series. They explore how the series emerged in the mid-90s as a horror-themed alternative to typical Choose Your Own Adventur…
- Ep 724 - Dark Carnival, by Ray Bradbury
The hosts discuss Ray Bradbury's first short story collection, Dark Carnival. They examine several stories from the book, including The Small Assassin, The Dead Man, Skeleton, The Scythe, The Emissary, The Homecoming, Uncle Einar, The Lake…
- Ep 723 - Of Monsters and Mainframes, by Barbara Truelove
Hosts discuss Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove, a book featuring monsters, computers, and themes of found family, to kick off Spooktober 2025.
- Ep 722 - The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling
The hosts discuss Rudyard Kipling's collection of stories, The Jungle Book, focusing on its themes of nature, hierarchy, and imperialist undertones. They contrast the original text with popular adaptations.
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 03 - The Truth About Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club #3)
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss The Truth About Stacey, the third book in The Baby-Sitters Club series. They cover the club's new competition and Stacey's personal challenges regarding her diabetes management and family expec…
- Ep 721 - The Buddha in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka
The hosts of the Overdue podcast discuss the novel The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka.
- Ep 720 - Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell
This episode of Overdue examines Elizabeth Gaskell's novel Cranford, which focuses on the lives and customs of Victorian-era women as society undergoes industrial change.
- Ep 719 - The Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi
This episode of Overdue discusses the book The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, exploring its themes and kaiju-inspired premise. The hosts examine the story's setting, character dialogue, and plot elements.
- Ep 718 - The Four Million, by O. Henry
In this episode, the hosts discuss The Four Million, the second published collection of short stories by O. Henry. The discussion covers classic stories such as The Gift of the Magi and The Cop and the Anthem.
- Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 02 - Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls (The Baby-Sitters Club #2)
In this episode of Overdue, the hosts discuss the second book in The Baby-Sitters Club series, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls, which follows the club's investigation into local burglaries and Claudia's personal challenges.
- Ep 717 - Bad Summer People, by Emma Rosenblum
The hosts of Overdue discuss the novel Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum, focusing on its cast of characters and the setting of a summer community.
- Ep 716 - An Extraordinary Union (Loyal League #1), by Alyssa Cole
This episode of Overdue features a discussion of An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, a historical fiction and romance novel about a secret Union organization. Hosts explore the story of Elle Burns and Malcolm MacCall.
- Ep 715 - Mrs. Caliban, by Rachel Ingalls
In this episode, the hosts discuss Rachel Ingalls' novel Mrs. Caliban, which centers on a housewife who has an affair with a giant fish man who escaped from a laboratory.