

Overdue
Headgum
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
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 14min
Ep 729 - I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman
Dive into a gripping tale of a young woman and 39 others trapped underground, where human resilience shines amid bleak circumstances. Discover how the novel wove its way back into popularity through UK reprints and BookTok buzz. The protagonists create their own timekeeping rituals, showcasing small acts of rebellion against confinement. Their eerie discovery of a deserted bus raises unsettling questions about freedom. Themes of humanity and adaptation emerge, highlighting the book's profound, yet ambiguous, insights into survival.

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep 728 - Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett
Dive into the captivating world of Ann Patchett's *Bel Canto*, where a group of hostages explores their inner lives during a high-stakes standoff. Discover the real-life inspiration behind the story, rooted in the 1996 Lima Hostage Crisis. The hosts discuss the unique choice of an opera singer as the protagonist, examining how music transforms relationships in captivity. Themes of art, regret, and personal growth unfold as characters navigate the complexities of their unusual circumstances, prompting reflection on life's missed opportunities.

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep 727 - My Man Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse
Explore why the name 'Jeeves' became synonymous with an exceptional butler. Delve into P.G. Wodehouse's life and the origins of his most beloved characters. Uncover how the comic plots mirror sitcom structures, filled with chaotic misunderstandings and humorous resolutions. Discover the clever schemes of Bertie Wooster and his genius butler. The discussion even touches on how Jeeves' cultural impact reached the realms of search engines! Join for laughs and insights into the timeless charm of these classic tales.

Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 19min
Ep 726 - I Know What You Did Last Summer, by Lois Duncan
Did you know that the classic 1997 slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer was actually based on a propulsive young adult thriller from 1973? Lois Duncan's original novel isn't too interested in bloody kills, however. It's more focused on how young people build their identities: around their regrets, around their parents, and around tragedies.Our theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 25, 2025 • 53min
Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 04 - Mary Anne Saves the Day (The Baby-Sitters Club #4)
Fresh off their victory over the Baby-Sitters Agency, the girls of the BSC turn on each other in this month's entry. Quiet Mary Anne has to get the group back together, negotiate with her well-meaning but strict single father, make and repair a new friendship, and engineer an unlikely meet-cute. And, of course, she needs to tend to some babysitting, including one job that will prove to be her toughest yet!These episodes posted first for our Patreon supporters! If you want to hear the rest of them ahead of time (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.Here's the full Sit Me Baby One More Time reading list:Kristy's Great IdeaClaudia and the Phantom Phone CallsThe Truth about StaceyMary Anne Saves the DayDawn and the Impossible ThreeHello, MalloryJessi's Secret LanguageWelcome to the BSC, AbbySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 17min
Ep 725 - The Haunted Baby (Choose Your Own Nightmare #13), by Edward Packard
An official offshoot of the classic Choose Your Own Adventure series, the Choose Your Own Nightmare books cropped up for a couple of years in the mid-90s, an (alleged) response to the popularity of our old friend RL Stine’s Goosebumps series. Stine’s somewhat longer-lived Give Yourself Goosebumps sub-series would launch just months after the first Choose Your Own Nightmare book, but it’s fun to read CYOA originator Edward Packard take a stab at something more explicitly spooky than the original series. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/overdue for 10% of your first purchase of a website or domain.Our theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 31min
Ep 724 - Dark Carnival, by Ray Bradbury
Everybody loves our old friend Ray Bradbury! This time we’re taking a spin with his first short story collection Dark Carnival, a smattering of spooky tales that wound up scattered across a number of other collections throughout Bradbury’s career. Stories discussed in this episode include:The Small AssassinThe Dead ManSkeletonThe ScytheThe EmissaryThe HomecomingUncle EinarThe LakeThe JarOur theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 17min
Ep 723 - Of Monsters and Mainframes, by Barbara Truelove
A buzzy title that came to life thanks to BookTok but came to our attention because of a good-old bookstore shelf display, this week’s book (and the kickoff to Spooktober 2025) is what it says on the cover: it’s about monsters and also computers. If you didn’t associate either of these things with “found family,” then it’s also here to challenge some of your preconceived notions.This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/overdue for 10% of your first purchase of a website or domain.Our theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep 722 - The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling
Delve into the lore of Rudyard Kipling's classic, where Mowgli's jungle adventures intersect with themes of imperialism. Explore Kipling’s mix of personal history and colonial views, and how Disney's adaptation altered perceptions. Discover captivating animal tales, from Rikki-Tikki Tavi's garden heroics to the unique dynamics of Mowgli’s jungle allies and enemies. The discussion also navigates the complex portrayal of the Bandar-log and what makes this timeless story resonate with today’s readers.

Sep 27, 2025 • 48min
Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 03 - The Truth About Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club #3)
The Club faces unexpected competition from the Babysitter's Agency, threatening their reputation. Stacey's struggles with diabetes and her overbearing parents add personal stakes. The hosts dive into her New York backstory, revealing the impact of family dynamics on friendships. Creative recruitment strategies spark embarrassing moments, while the group's integrity faces challenges from traitorous sitters. Meanwhile, a failed doctor's visit prompts a reflection on responsible illness management and the importance of support in friendships.


