(Correction: In the episode, I mistakenly refer to The Art of Loving as being by “Ethan Fromm.” The correct author is Erich Fromm).

With Valentine’s Day as a backdrop, this episode of Fireside Lit Book Club takes a thoughtful, honest look at how literature portrays love — not as a fairytale, but as something lived, tested, and deepened over time.

Join us as we reflect on how popular culture often narrows our understanding of romance into idealized “happily ever afters,” and contrast that with the richer, more realistic depictions found in classic literature. From marriages shaped by faith and sacrifice, to relationships strained by society, pride, grief, and growth, these stories reveal love as an action, a discipline, and a force that asks something of us.

Season 2 of Fireside Lit Book Club begins with a deep dive into Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus.

In this episode, we explore themes of power, obedience, suffering, and moral integrity, drawing connections between Greek tragedy and Christian tradition. Through the stories of Prometheus and Io, we reflect on what it means to stay true to yourself in systems that reward compliance and punish resistance.

This season premiere invites listeners to think about where they find meaning, how authority shapes belief, and whether peace is ever worth the cost of truth.

Settle in, get cozy, and welcome back to Fireside Lit.

As the year comes to a close, I’m sharing what’s on my 2026 TBR (to-be-read) list — the novels, memoirs, and classics I’m most drawn to in the year ahead, and the reading intentions behind them.

In this Season 1 finale of Fireside Lit, I talk through how I choose books, why I’m prioritizing slower, more intentional reading, and the themes I’m hoping to sit with in 2026.

This episode is less about checking boxes and more about curiosity, return, and letting books meet us where we are.

I’ll be taking a short break in January and will be back in February with Season 2. Until then, thank you for listening — and happy reading.