Novel Conversations

"The Moon is Down" tells the tale of port town that exports coal until it is overrun by an invading army. The mayor of the town struggles to keep control as the occupiers force him to serve as their puppet. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Moon is Down.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Northanger Abbey" tells the story of Catherine Morland, a young girl whose imagination is fueled by her love of gothic novels. As Catherine travels to old home with friends, she struggles to discern reality in the midst of her Romantic fancies. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Northanger Abbey.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "Atlas Shrugged," business owners begin mysteriously disappearing after the government places too many extreme restrictions. Ayn Rand uses this political dystopian novel to explore the relationship between capitalism and government. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Atlas Shrugged." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Rand and the inspiration for her writings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Tortilla Flat," Steinbeck portrays a small band of vagabond friends enjoying life and wine in the days after the end of World War I. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Tortilla Flat.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Arrowsmith," Lewis tells the story of a bright and scientifically minded, Martin Arrowsmith, as he makes his way from a small town in the Midwest to the upper echelons of the scientific community. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick & Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Arrowsmith.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through "Persuasion," Austen explores the plight of impoverished gentility in Regency England, creating a relatable story about rekindling lost romance. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Persuasion.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mansfield Park" tells the story of Fanny Price, a young girl whose overburdened and impoverished family sends her to live in the household of her wealthy aunt and uncle at the age of ten. As Fanny grows up, she must learn how to cope with the hypocrisy of wealthy socialites as she searches for a husband. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Pat and Jennifer, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Mansfield Park.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grapes of Wrath centers around a poor family of tenant farmers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, and bank foreclosures with hints of a hopeful future beyond the Dust Bowl. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"For Whom The Bell Tolls" tells the story of a young American soldier and his tumultuous task of blowing up a bridge while fighting against the fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through Emma, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women in Regency England, creating a lively comedy of manners highlighting the dangers of meddling in other people’s lives. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Emma.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Babbitt" follows a midwestern man and his strife with the vacuity of middle-class life and the social pressure toward conformity. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Babbitt.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Animal Farm" tells the tale of oppressed farm animals who revolt against their human dictators and grapple with the powers of corruption that ensue from their newfound freedom. It is often interpreted as a reflection of Soviet Russia. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Animal Farm.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Lord of the Flies" focuses on a group of British boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel “Lord of the Flies.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Sun Also Rises" follows a group of American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Of Mice and Men," tells the story of two migrant farm hands during the Great Depression, one of whom struggles to overcome mental and physical difficulties. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott & Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "The House of Mirth," an aging, single woman realizes the corrupt nature of the upper classes of society. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Jennifer Weinbrecht & Patricia Fernberg, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "The House of Mirth." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "Darkness at Noon," a once-communist leader awaits sentencing from his own beloved "party" in prison. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Darkness at Noon." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elmer Gantry is a satire that follows Elmer Gantry, a poor Kansas man who is encouraged to become a preacher and pursue success. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick and Joan Andrews, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "Elmer Gantry." Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Sinclair Lewis and his writings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Confederacy of Dunces follows the life and misadventures of Ignatius Jacques Riley, whom Walker Percy described as a "slob extraordinary, a mad Oliver Hardy, a fat Don Quixote, a perverse Thomas Aquinas rolled into one." Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Patrick Andrews and Scott Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"A Farewell to Arms" follows the life and war experiences of Frederic Henry, an American Lieutenant serving in the Italian campaign during World War I, as well as his passionate love affair with nurse Catherine Barkley. Listen as Frank Lavallo hosts readers, Scott and Ildi Rich, for a summary and discussion of the novel, "A Farewell to Arms," by Ernest Hemingway. Then stay tuned for Endnotes with Ted Schwartz for some interesting facts about Hemingway and the inspiration for his writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices