

Overdue
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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

Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep 732 - Johnny Got His Gun, by Dalton Trumbo
Explore the harrowing depths of war with a classic anti-war novel that inspired Metallica's iconic song. Discover Dalton Trumbo's rich biography and the historical context of the book’s 1939 publication. Delve into the emotional journey of the protagonist, Joe Bonham, as he navigates deafness, isolation, and the brutal reality of his injuries. The discussion highlights the novel's unique perspective and its poignant political messages, ensuring it resonates powerfully in both literature and popular culture.

Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 21min
Ep 731 - Still Life (Inspector Gamache #1), by Louise Penny
Dive into a cozy yet dangerous murder mystery set in a quaint Quebec village. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache brings warmth and optimism as he navigates friendships and suspects. Discover Louise Penny's inspiring journey from journalism to fiction. The hosts explore the series' deep themes, memorable characters, and a chilling twist involving art as evidence. As tensions rise, uncover the motivations of residents and the poignant aftermath of the crime. It's a blend of intrigue, community, and personal growth that keeps listeners hooked!

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ep 730 - An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones
What starts as a dismaying story about a wrongful conviction turns into a deep meditation on loyalty, marriage, and independence. Given the subject matter, you might expect a mystery or a courtroom drama. Instead, Jones offers up a moving account of a couple just trying to find a future that will have them.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.

Nov 22, 2025 • 54min
Sit Me Baby One More Time Ep 05 - Dawn and the Impossible Three (The Baby-Sitters Club #5)
Dawn faces a whirlwind of challenges as she debuts in the series, balancing her mother's new romance and a job babysitting three chaotic kids. The hosts delve into the complexities of family dynamics and the theme of divorce, highlighting how Dawn's emotional maturity sets her apart. They also critique the portrayal of adult incompetence, the quirky dynamics within the Baby-Sitters Club, and even share humorous takes on the book's translations. The discussion culminates in a deeper reflection on childhood responsibilities and modern sensibilities.

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.


