The Queen's Gambit (Walter Tevis)
Is the life of Beth Harmon, chess prodigy from the 1960s, based in fact? Why did this take so long to make? And how many more people are buying chess sets now? The Queen’s Gambit is on Netflix, based on the book by Walter Tevis.
Extras:
trailer, “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit1
trailer, “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (1993) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit2
trailer, “Pawn Sacrifice” (2015) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit3
Madwoman’s Book Club sign up // article https://bit.ly/queengambit4
trailer, “Queen of Katwe” (2016) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit5
a chess expert’s take on the series // article https://bit.ly/queengambit6
Judit Polgar’s take on women in chess // article https://bit.ly/queengambit7
the life of Walter Tevis // article https://bit.ly/queengambit8
Contact:
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- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Halloween Special
BOO! Learn the history of Halloween traditions, and origins of the monsters from literature and film.
Check out our other spooky episodes!
ep. 87 - Lovecraft Country
ep. 86 - Haunting of Bly Manor
ep. 85 - Books of Blood
ep. 56 - The Invisible Man
ep. 52 - Color Out of Space
ep. 51 - Hansel and Gretel
ep. 40 - Stephen King
ep. 31 - It
ep. 27 - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Extras:
the best Halloween movies streaming // article
http://bit.ly/halloweenflixlisttraditional Halloween “souling songs” // 8 min
http://bit.ly/soulingsongs
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Lovecraft Country (Matt Ruff)
How could the cosmic horror of HP Lovecraft meld with the Jim Crow laws of 1950’s America? Let’s find out! “Lovecraft Country” on HBO is by Misha Green, based on the book by Matt Ruff.
Extras:
Lovecraft Country trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry1
historical moments from LC // article http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry2
Matt Ruff’s research resources // list http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry3
history of the “Green Book” // article http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry4
Gordon Park’s Segregation photography // photos http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry5
Pam Noles’ essay, “Shame” // essay http://bit.ly/pamnolesshame
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Henry James - The Turn of the Screw)
Learn the history of gothic horror, ghosts, and the works of Henry James. The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix) is based on The Turn of the Screw and the works of Henry James.
Extras:
trailer, The Haunting of Bly Manor // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor1
Bly Manor listing on Zillow // articlehttps://www.zillow.com/house/bly-manor/
other adaptations to watch & read // articlehttp://bit.ly/blymanor2
comparison of Quint “ghost” in film // 4 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor3
history of gothic fiction // article http://bit.ly/blymanor4
“The Haunted Castle” 1896 first horror film // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor5
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Books of Blood (Clive Barker)
What’s the deal with these spooky stories? Why do people like them? And how is it more than just gruesome gore? Books of Blood is on Hulu, based on Clive Barker’s anthology series, The Books of Blood.
Extras:
trailer for Books of Blood (Hulu) // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker1
recent clip of Clive’s writing advice // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker2
Clive on writing fiction (from 1990) // 6 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker3
Clive on “Open to Question” show // 35 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker4
documentary on Clive Barker (from 1995) // 51 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker5
artwork from comic of “In the Hills, the Cities” // photohttp://bit.ly/clivebarker6
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Gary K. Wolf)
How did one of the highest grossing films of the 1980’s never get a sequel? What on earth was the book about? And why’s it so important to “bump the lamp?” Who Framed Roger Rabbit is based on the book, Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary K. Wolf.
Extras:
the original trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/rrabbittrailer
the 1983 early pencil test footage // 8 min http://bit.ly/rrabbit1
the 1985 Zemeckis and Williams proof of concept test // 1 minhttp://bit.ly/rrabbit2
the 1998 sequel CGI test // 1 min http://bit.ly/rrabbit3
a making-of documentary // 35 min http://bit.ly/rrabbit4
Richard Williams’ Oscar animation, “Prologue” // 7 minhttp://bit.ly/prologueshort
explanation of “bumping the lamp” // 8 min http://bit.ly/rrabbit5
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Enola Holmes (Nancy Springer)
Dive into the mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ secret sister. Learn about - all the things people get wrong about Sherlock, obscure copyright laws, and what the heck a “pastiche” is. Enola Holmes is on Netflix, based on a book series by Nancy Springer.
Extras:
trailer for “Enola Holmes” // 3 min http://bit.ly/enolaholmestrail
Conan Doyle’s book “The Coming of the Fairies” // book http://bit.ly/fairiesdoyle
what isn’t actually in the books // article http://bit.ly/holmescanon
the lawsuit against Enola Holmes // article http://bit.ly/enolalawsuit
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Moonlight
This week, we discuss the journey to creating the intimate story of growing up as a black gay man in Liberty City. Moonlight is based on the unreleased play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” by Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Extras:
trailer for “Moonlight” // 2 min http://bit.ly/moonlighttrail
interview with Barry and Tarell // 17 min http://bit.ly/barrytarellint1
Borscht’s “Adventures of Christopher Bosh in the Multiverse!” // 11 minhttps://vimeo.com/64605295
Barry’s first film, “My Josephine” // 8 min https://vimeo.com/7456450
Barry’s PBS short, “Remigration” // 20 min http://bit.ly/remigration1
Barry’s Borscht short, “Chlorophyl” // 17 min https://vimeo.com/79167472
the story of the Borscht Corporation http://bit.ly/borschtcorp
“Tongues Untied” doc by Marlon Riggs // 54 min http://bit.ly/tonguesuntieddoc
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (Iain Reid)
Dive headfirst into the novel, nonlinear take on what makes us human. Is it horror, thriller, or just an existential question? I’m Thinking of Ending Things is by Iain Reid, now a film on Netflix by Charlie Kaufman.
Extras:
trailer for i’m thinking of ending things (2020) // 2min vid http://bit.ly/itoettrailer
the references to other work in the film // article http://bit.ly/itoetrefs
interview with author Iain Reid // article http://bit.ly/iainreid1
interview with Reid and Kaufman // article http://bit.ly/reidkaufinterview
youtube explainer of Synecdoche NY // 5hr vid http://bit.ly/synecdocheexplain
explanations of the film by Kaufman // article http://bit.ly/ioetexplanation
Kaufman’s script for A Scanner Darkly // script http://bit.ly/kaufmandarkly
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Philip K Dick
Blade Runner. Minority Report. Total Recall. Just a few of the many stories by an almost-overlooked sci-fi legend - Philip K Dick left us a catalog of mind-warping works, but what did it take to create them? And what happened to the android version of his head after he died?
Extras:
on Philip K Dick’s Hollywood resurgence // article http://bit.ly/philipkdick1
on Philp’s paranoia // article http://bit.ly/philipkdick2
the lost android head of PKD // article http://bit.ly/philipkdick3
the appeal of PKD’s works // 6min video http://bit.ly/philipkdick4
the book on PKD’s life: The Shifting Realities // book https://amzn.to/2Z7JMdz
speech of PKD from 1978 about reality // speech http://bit.ly/philipkdick5
BBC doc about PKD // 55min video http://bit.ly/philipkdick6
PKD’s speech on simulated “matrix” reality // 4min video http://bit.ly/philipkdick7
Blade Runner making-of documentary // 3hr video http://bit.ly/philipkdick8
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Avatar: The Last Airbender
How did the hit Nickelodeon show come to be? What made it so revolutionary? And why is it all up in the news again? Avatar: The Last Airbender was created by Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino, based on the folklore and cultures of Chinese, East Asian, South Asian, Indian, Mesoamerican, and Inuit peoples.
Extras:
original trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender // 1 min http://bit.ly/avatartrailer1
documentary on Bryan and Mike about the show’s creation // 32 minshttp://bit.ly/avatardoc1
podcast interview with Bryan & Michael (series creators) // 40 minshttp://bit.ly/avatardoc2
original test pilot episode for Avatar // 11 mins http://bit.ly/avatarpilot
Joseph Campbell on The Power of Myth // 56 mins http://bit.ly/powerofmyth1
cultural influences in the world of Avatar // 12 mins http://bit.ly/avatardoc3

master list of influences on the Avatar series // article http://bit.ly/avatarinfluences
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Secret Garden (by Frances Hodgson Burnett)
Frances Hodgson Burnett was the bestselling American female novelist of her lifetime. How did her legacy end up becoming an often-forgotten children’s book? The film is now on HBO Max, based on the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Extras:
trailer for The Secret Garden (2020) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden2020
trailer for The Secret Garden (1993) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden1993
the differences from the novel // article https://bit.ly/secretgardendiff
the history of the Fauntleroy suit // article https://bit.ly/fauntleroysuit
Frances’ essay, My Robin // article https://bit.ly/francesmyrobin
the Unexpected Life of the Author of the Secret Garden // bookhttps://bit.ly/fhbbiography
The Secret Garden full book text // book https://bit.ly/secretgardenfull
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Kissing Booth (by Beth Reekles)
Shakespeare wrote fan-fiction? There’s sexy Gulliver’s Travels fanart? This is our most salacious episode yet, as we dive into the world of self-publishing on Wattpad, fan lit, and the most watched film on Netflix.
Extras:
the trailer for The Kissing Booth 2 // video https://bit.ly/kissingboothtrailer
how The Kissing Booth film became popular // article https://bit.ly/kissbooth1
the self-publishing website Wattpad // website https://www.wattpad.com
Jacob Elordi (Noah) on the show // article https://bit.ly/kissbooth2
the story behind “After” // article https://bit.ly/afterbook1
Gulliver’s travels fanfiction art // article https://bit.ly/gulliverfanfic
Henry Fielding’s 1740’s fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/fanfiction1
a history of fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/fanfiction2
trailer for The Edge of Seventeen // video https://bit.ly/edgeof17trailer
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Love, Victor (Love, Simon by Becky Albertalli)
Learn about the work that brought gay teen love stories to the mainstream. Love, Victor is on Hulu and based on the film Love, Simon, adapted from the book Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda written by Becky Albertalli.
Extras:
trailer for Love, Victor on Hulu // video https://bit.ly/lovevictortralier
interview with writer Becky Albertalli on start // article https://bit.ly/beckyainterview
interview with writer Becky Albertalli on process // video https://bit.ly/beckyint2
Becky recommends Jaclyn Moriarty // article https://bit.ly/beckyjaclyn
database for LGBTQ books https://lgbtqreads.com
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Watchmen (HBO)
We tackle the race massacre of 1921, the lead-up of the Red Summer of 1919, and the hidden history uncovered in modern times. Watchmen is created by Damon Lindelof, based on the book by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The Burning is written by Tim Madigan.
Extras:
Watchmen (HBO) trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/watchmenhbotrail
interview with Damon Lindelof on writing // 10 min https://bit.ly/damonlinterview
Tim Madigan’s book, The Burning // book https://bit.ly/theburningbook
WEB DuBois essay, “Returning Soldiers” // essay https://bit.ly/returnsoldiers
the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre // article https://bit.ly/tulsarm
the history of the Rosewood Massacre // article https://bit.ly/rosewdmassacre
press during 1919 massacres // article https://bit.ly/1919press
1921 Tulsa article after the massacre // article https://bit.ly/tulsajune2
Donald Byrd’s dance “Greenwood” // 38 min https://bit.ly/greenwooddance
Teaching for Black Lives materials // resource https://www.teachingforblacklives.org
Rosewood (1997) trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/rosewoodtrailer
interview with Olivia Hooker, a survivor // article https://bit.ly/oliviahint
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 3) (by JK Rowling)
How so many parts of our world have been touched by the magic.
Extras:
how Harry Potter changed books // article https://bit.ly/hpbooklegacy
the problem with translating HP // video https://bit.ly/translatinghp
Harry Potter Voldemort name translations // article https://bit.ly/voldemortname
a Harry and the Potters song // video https://bit.ly/handthep
My Immortal, the worst fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/myimmortalff
the Quidditch World Cup // video https://bit.ly/quidditchvid
book lengths over time // article https://bit.ly/yabooklength
the misquoted Onion Satanism piece // article https://bit.ly/hponion
Hogwarts beats a real school in rankings // article https://bit.ly/loretto1
the demand for pet owls // article https://bit.ly/owlpotter1
JK Rowling’s essay on gender issues // article https://bit.ly/jkessay1
the infamous Harry Potter Puppet Pals // video https://bit.ly/hppuppet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 2) (by JK Rowling)
The magical cinematic journey from book to screen.
Extras:
the first screen test with Harry, Hermione, and Ron // 12 min https://bit.ly/hpscreentest
Diagon Alley on Google Maps street view // link https://bit.ly/diagonmaps
JK Rowling’s new free book, The Ickabog // link https://bit.ly/ickabogbook
the terrible NY Times review // article https://bit.ly/hpnytreview
a conversation between Rowling and Radcliffe // 53 min https://bit.ly/rowlingradcliffe
a conversation between Rowling and Kloves // 47 min https://bit.ly/rowlingkloves
why Harry’s eyes aren’t green // article https://bit.ly/hpgreeneyes
Robin Williams as Hagrid // article https://bit.ly/robinwilliamshagrid
Eight-part Entertainment Weekly reporting // article https://bit.ly/ewharrypotter
How Daniel became Harry Potter // article https://bit.ly/danielpotter
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 1) (by JK Rowling)
How it all began, with the woman who made the best-selling book series of all time.
Extras:
JK Rowling on her extensive notes // 5 min https://bit.ly/harrypnotes
interview with the publisher on accepting JK Rowling // 4 min https://bit.ly/hppublisher
documentary spotlight on JK Rowling // 24 min https://bit.ly/JKspotlight
Oprah interview with JK Rowling // 40 min https://bit.ly/jkoprah
radio interview with JK Rowling, 1999 // article https://bit.ly/1999jkint
Harry Potter in Ancient Greek // article https://bit.ly/hpgreek
New Yorker piece on JK Rowling // article https://bit.ly/mugglemarch
book on the origins of Harry Potter // book https://bit.ly/hporiginsbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Defending Jacob (by William Landay)
We tackle the history of legal thrillers, the journey of a lawyer-turned-author, and if violence is hereditary. Defending Jacob is a miniseries on Apple TV, based on the book by William Landay.
Extras:
interview with show creator Mark Bomback // article https://bit.ly/bombackinterview
talk at Google with author William Landay // 45 min https://bit.ly/landayint1
interview with author William Landay // 7 min https://bit.ly/landayint2
Abraham Lincoln’s true crime writing // article https://bit.ly/attorneyabe
LA Times reporting on the “murder gene” // article https://bit.ly/murdergene1
1997 Esquire article about the “murder gene” // article https://bit.ly/murdergene2
Italian court case with reduced sentence due to gene // articlehttps://bit.ly/courtcasegene
the science behind MAOA gene // article https://bit.ly/MAOAgene
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The comedic sci-fi series you wish you understood, and now, you can! Learn about Douglas Adams, the number 42, and why you shouldn’t panic. It’s the 15th anniversary of the film, and the 42nd anniversary of the original work.
Extras:
the trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/hhgttgtrailer
Elon Musk’s love of HG2G // article https://bit.ly/elonmuskhitch
Douglas Adams on Letterman // 7 min https://bit.ly/daletterman
original radio play (episode 1) // 24 min https://bit.ly/hg2gradio
Douglas Adams TED talk // 1hr 30 min https://bit.ly/datedtalk
Douglas Adams rhino costume dance // 4 min https://bit.ly/darhinocostume
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod