Step into the haunting world of Gothic poetry as Kate Watters and Drew Sylva unravel two of literature’s most iconic works: Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. In this episode of Everyone Should Read, they explore how these poems capture the essence of the Gothic tradition—mystery, superstition, horror, and the sublime—while also shaping the way we understand fear, guilt, and the supernatural in modern culture.
From the cursed voyage of Coleridge’s mariner to Poe’s hypnotic refrain of “Nevermore,” Kate and Drew break down key themes, historical context, and cultural impact. Whether you’re a fan of Romantic poetry, Gothic literature, or simply want to understand why these chilling verses remain unforgettable, this episode will guide you through the shadows of two masterpieces that defined the genre.
In this episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive into the Southern American Gothic tradition, analyzing two iconic works: Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Beloved and Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. They discuss how these masterpieces explore themes of haunting, memory, trauma, family secrets, repression, and desire while painting a vivid picture of the American South.
From Morrison’s ghost story rooted in the legacy of slavery to Williams’ drama of power, love, and denial, Drew and Kate highlight how Gothic literature exposes hidden truths about American history, race, sexuality, and identity. Perfect for fans of classic literature, Southern Gothic stories, and cultural analysis, this episode connects the past to present conversations about resilience, legacy, and the ghosts that still shape our world today.
Trigger Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you, or anyone you know are suffering from thoughts of self harm, or suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Text HELP for English or AYUDA for Spanish.
Step into the haunting world of American Gothic literature with Everyone Should Read. In this episode, we dive into Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, two masterpieces that shaped America’s dark literary tradition. From Ichabod Crane’s eerie encounter with the Headless Horseman to Hester Prynne’s struggle with sin, shame, and redemption in Puritan New England, these stories reveal how fear, morality, and cultural anxieties defined early American life.
We explore the gothic themes of superstition, isolation, guilt, and social judgment while connecting them to today’s cultural imagination. Perfect for fans of classic literature, gothic fiction, and American history, this episode unpacks why Irving and Hawthorne remain essential to understanding the roots of America’s literary identity.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader or discovering these classics for the first time, join us for an insightful and engaging look at how American Gothic literature continues to shape our sense of story, morality, and the uncanny.
While Gothic is considered a subgenera of romanticism the two meet and diverge at various points. Join us for our Bronte episode where we break down two classic novels from the genre.
In this episode of Everyone Should Read, Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive deep into the dark and stormy world of gothic literature through two iconic novels: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. We explore how these literary classics go beyond the haunted manors and doomed romances to reflect pressing sociological themes - including class struggle, gender roles, racism, and moral power - and how their brooding landscapes and unforgettable characters still shape pop culture today.
Whether you’re a lifelong Bronte fan, a student of English literature, or simply fascinated by the lasting legacy of Gothic fiction, this episode will give you fresh insight into why Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights remain cultural touchstones.
In the first full episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive into the two most iconic gothic novels of all time: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker. They explore the chilling stories, unpack sociological themes, and discuss hoe these classic novels shaped gothic literature, horror, and popular culture. Discover the lasting legacy of Frankenstein and Dracula and why these gothic classics remain essential reading today.
Before they release season one Drew Sylva and Kate Watters bring you a brief glimpse into what their podcast will look like with a teaser episode about Pygmalion, Galatea, My Fair Lady and everything that comes along with the Greek classic and Bernard Shaw adaptations.
Everyone Should Read is a podcast all about the books, plays, short stories, poems, and essays that you've certainly heard about but might not have ever gotten around to actually reading. Drew and Kate read them for you and discuss the sociological and pop culture implications of these classic works of literature.
