Books of Titans Podcast 2026 Mid-Year Reading Review
Jul 10, 2026
A mid-year roundup of a wide-ranging reading list. Short takes on Bible editions, pre-Socratic fragments, and the logos connection to John. Notes on Arthurian legends, Tolkien and Malcolm Guite’s poetic retellings. Reflections on Plato readings, translation comparisons, and surprising book pairings that answered each other.
40:56
Begin The Year With A Two Month Bible Read
- Start each year by reading a complete, single-volume Bible to set a steady reading rhythm.
- Erik Rostad reads the Bible for two months every January–February to prepare for the year of great books.
Performing Hadestown Sparked A Deep Dive
- Playing violin in a youth production of Hadestown led Rostad to read Anaïs Mitchell's Working on a Song.
- The book explains how Mitchell wrote the musical and deepened his appreciation while performing onstage band.
Pre Socratics Illuminate Plato's Dialogues
- Plato references many earlier thinkers so understanding pre-Socratics clarifies Plato's dialogues.
- Rostad studied Heraclitus, other pre-Socratics, and the sophists to make Plato's allusions and the term logos meaningful.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Starting the Year with the Intertextual Tanakh
01:32 • 1min
Bibliotheca Volumes and Favorite Bible Editions
02:42 • 2min
Working on a Song — Hadestown Lyrics
04:36 • 2min
Our Name Is Dare — Local Author in Book Group
06:11 • 56sec
Why Read the Early Greek Philosophers
07:07 • 4min
Heraclitus, Logos, and the Gospel of John
11:09 • 36sec
Books on Pre‑Socratics and Sophists
11:45 • 33sec
Unexpected Reads: Nero & Paul in Rome
12:18 • 3min
Solzhenitsyn: One Day in the Life
14:52 • 40sec
The Sophists: Persuasion over Truth
15:32 • 2min
Planning an Arthur Month: Background Reading
17:45 • 3min
Reading Plato: Complete Works Decision
20:16 • 2min
Using Multiple Translations for Understanding
22:24 • 2min
Interview Opportunity Prompted a Break Month
24:15 • 2min
Arthur Month: Flowering Hawthorn & Joseph of Arimathea
26:12 • 2min
Galahad and the Grail — Malcolm Guite
27:45 • 2min
Accessible Arthur Retelling by Roger Lancelyn Green
30:00 • 1min
Tolkien's The Fall of Arthur
31:21 • 2min
Till We Have Faces — Revisiting C.S. Lewis
33:35 • 1min
Guides for Till We Have Faces
34:38 • 41sec
Ion Dialogue and the Nature of Art
35:19 • 1min
Serendipity: Books Answering Each Other
36:49 • 2min
Outro
38:55 • 2min
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First Philosophers : the Presocratics and Sophists
Robin Waterfield
Robin Waterfield's 'The First Philosophers' compiles translations and explanatory notes on the pre-Socratic philosophers and the sophists, aiming to make early Greek thought accessible to modern readers.
The volume includes fragments, testimonia, and contextual introductions that illuminate the intellectual background preceding Socrates and Plato.
Waterfield offers commentary to help reconstruct doctrines from often scant and secondhand evidence, explaining the challenges of fragmentary sources.
The collection is widely used in undergraduate and general-reader contexts as a clear introduction to the formative thinkers of Western philosophy.
Erik relied on it to understand references he encountered in Plato's dialogues.
#
The Secret Life of the American Musical
Jack Viertel
Books with this title examine the structure, evolution, and narrative mechanics of the American musical, describing recurring song types (like the 'I want' song) and how shows deploy musical numbers to advance plot and character.
The work typically blends historical survey with formal analysis and practical insight for writers and scholars of musical theater.
Erik found the structural template inspiring as a possible framework for planning his own non-fiction book.
Such studies are valuable for composers, librettists, and critics seeking to understand how musicals achieve emotional and narrative effects.
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The flowering hawthorn
Hugh Ross Williamson
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The Mirror, the Mask, and the Masterpiece: A Guide to C. S. Lewis’s 'Till We Have Faces'
Peter Kreeft
Peter Kreeft’s guide explicates key themes, symbolic elements, and theological resonances in C. S. Lewis’s 'Till We Have Faces,' providing accessible commentary for readers seeking deeper understanding.
Kreeft draws on his background in philosophy and Christian thought to illuminate narrative structure, character motivations, and spiritual implications.
The guide is short and focused, often used by book groups and students to facilitate discussion.
Erik used it as a companion to clarify difficult passages and themes encountered in his rereading.
#
The Greek Sophists
Translation by John Dillon and Tania Gergel - Penguin Classics
Tania Gergel
John Dillon
This volume gathers important surviving works and fragments of the Greek Sophists, providing readable English translations and scholarly notes.
It situates sophistic thought in its historical context and highlights rhetorical techniques and philosophical challenges posed to classical philosophy.
Editors and translators provide introductions and commentary to help modern readers understand the texts' significance and themes.
The book is widely used in courses on ancient rhetoric, philosophy, and classical studies for its accessible translations.
It illuminates figures like Gorgias and Protagoras and explores the shift from early natural philosophers to sophistic rhetoric.
#32220
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Fragments of Heraclitus
G. T. W. Patrick
Heraclitus
This book presents the remaining fragments of Heraclitus' philosophical treatise 'On Nature', which originally covered the universe, politics, and theology.
Heraclitus is famous for his ideas on constant change, as encapsulated in the phrase 'No man ever steps in the same river twice.
' The fragments are translated and accompanied by critical commentary to provide insight into his philosophical thoughts.
#90720
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Sir Thomas Malory
Le Morte d'Arthur is a seminal work of medieval literature that compiles and translates various French sources into a cohesive narrative about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
It explores themes of chivalry, loyalty, and the quest for the Holy Grail, culminating in the tragic downfall of Camelot.
The book is structured into eight tales, each contributing to the overall story of Arthur's reign and demise.
#22171
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Nero and Paul
How the Gospel of Grace Defeated the Ruler of Rome
Bryan Litfin
Kathie Lee Gifford
New York Times bestselling author Kathie Lee Gifford and scholar Bryan Litfin bring the stories of Nero and Paul to life, addressing whether power and possessions lead to fulfillment or if inner transformation and self-sacrificial love bring true joy.
Combining historical accuracy with narrative imagination, the book immerses readers in the drama of human pride and divine destiny in imperial Rome, following Paul's journeys and contrasting them with Nero's kingdom of wealth, glamour, sex, and power.
#26317
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Plato: Complete Works
Plato
This volume includes the entire surviving corpus of works attributed to Plato in antiquity.
It features outstanding translations by leading scholars, introductory essays by John Cooper and D.S.
Hutchinson, meticulous annotation, and a comprehensive index.
The collection covers a wide range of philosophical topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics, and is presented in a high-quality edition with fine paper and a sturdy cloth binding.
#841
• Mentioned in 53 episodes
Till We Have Faces
C.S. Lewis
This novel is a retelling of the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche, narrated by Orual, the ugly and bitter older sister of the beautiful Psyche.
Orual's story is a complex exploration of envy, betrayal, loss, and the journey towards self-awareness and redemption.
The book delves into Orual's life as she grapples with her love for Psyche, her anger towards the gods, and her eventual realization of her own flaws and the true nature of her feelings.
The narrative is divided into two parts, reflecting Orual's transformation from a state of bitterness and self-deception to one of understanding and mercy.
#21198
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Early Greek Philosophy
Robin Waterfield
#15732
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Ion
Rebreanu, Liviu
#108007
Working on a Song, the Lyrics of Hadestown
Anaïs Mitchell
#120000
Till We Have Faces, A Reading Companion
A Reading Companion
Christine Norvall
This reading companion provides a chapter-by-chapter analysis of C.S.
Lewis's novel 'Till We Have Faces', offering insights and reflections on the text.
The book aims to enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of Lewis's work, exploring its themes, characters, and allegorical significance.
It delves into the psychological and spiritual complexities of the novel, providing a comprehensive guide for both new and experienced readers.
The companion seeks to illuminate the deeper meanings and connections within 'Till We Have Faces', inviting readers to engage with the text on a profound level.
#69717
The Fall of Arthur
J.R.R Tolkien
#40577
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Philebus
Plato
Plato's "Philebus" is a dialogue exploring the nature of pleasure and the good life.
It examines different conceptions of pleasure, distinguishing between pure and mixed pleasures.
The dialogue features a discussion on the role of reason and moderation in achieving eudaimonia, or human flourishing.
Plato argues that a life guided by reason and virtue is superior to one solely focused on pleasure.
The work's enduring significance lies in its exploration of fundamental questions about happiness, ethics, and the ideal human life.
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Our Name is Dare
Kev Coleman
#2600
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Le Morte d'Arthur
Sir Thomas Malory
#43287
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Logos of Heraclitus
Eva Brann
Eva Brann's "The Logos of Heraclitus" delves into the enigmatic philosophy of the pre-Socratic thinker Heraclitus.
The book meticulously examines Heraclitus's surviving fragments, offering insightful interpretations of his concepts of logos, fire, and change.
Brann challenges conventional readings, proposing a nuanced understanding of Heraclitus's ideas on unity and multiplicity, and the interplay between opposites.
The work is essential for anyone interested in ancient Greek philosophy and the development of Western thought.
It provides a rigorous and accessible exploration of a complex and influential philosopher.
#3938
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" offers a stark and unforgettable portrayal of life in a Soviet labor camp.
Through the eyes of Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, the novel depicts the harsh realities of daily existence under Stalinist oppression.
Solzhenitsyn's masterful use of detail creates a vivid and immersive experience, allowing readers to feel the cold, the hunger, and the constant threat of violence.
The novel's power lies in its unflinching honesty and its ability to evoke empathy for the suffering of its protagonist.
Despite the grim setting, the story also reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for hope even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
#2675
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Galahad and the Grail
Malcolm Guite
2026 has been a fun year of reading so far. I’ve read the Bible, a few Plato dialogues, legends of King Arthur, and others. Here’s my mid-year reading review. It’s a great way to learn about books you may want to add to your own reading list. I go through the 20+ books I’re read so far for this year and a little about each one of them. Enjoy!
Reading List (Jan - June 2026)
* The Intertextual Tanakh
* Bibliotheca Vol II: The Latter Prophets
* Bibliotheca Vol III: The Writings
* Working on a Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell
* Bibliotheca Vol V: The New Testament
* Our Name is Dare by Kev Coleman
* Heraclitus Fragments
* The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and the Sophists
* Early Greek Philosophy
* The Logos of Heraclitus by Eva Brann
* Nero & Paul by Kathie Lee Gifford w/ Brian M. Litfin
* One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
* The Greek Sophists
* The Flowering Hawthorn by Hugh Ross Williamson
* Plato: Complete Works by Plato
* Philebus Plato
* Le Morte Darthur by Sir Thomas Malory
* Galahad and the Grail by Malcolm Guite
* King Arthur and His Knights of The Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green
* The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien
* Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
* The Mirror, the Mask, and the Masterpiece: A Guide to C. S. Lewis’s “Till We Have Faces” by Peter Kreeft
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