In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore how reading with your child should grow over time, from first books to the great classics. What should you read at each stage? When do things begin to change? We discuss the role of read-alouds, building habits, and why reading together remains essential long after a child learns to read.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"The Shadows of Men" Abir Mukherjee (Martin)

"The Other Bennet Sister" Janice Hadlow (Tanya)

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" Shelby Van Pelt (Jessica)

"The Fountains of Silence" Ruta Sepetys (Jessica)

"The Correspondent" Virginia Evans (Jessica)

"The Old Man in the Corner" Emmuska Orczy (Paul)

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we tackle a common question: should students read abridged classics? Are they helpful, or do they take away from the original work? From children’s retellings to difficult texts, we explore when abridged books can serve a purpose and when they should be set aside. The answer isn’t simple, but one principle remains: the original always matters.

What We're Reading from This Episode: "Momo" Michael Ende (Martin) "The Black Wolf" Louise Penny (Tanya) "He Leadeth Me" Walter Ciszek (Tanya) "The Christian Idea, Volume 1" W. Brian Welter (Paul)

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we take on a risky topic: the worst books we’ve ever read. From beloved classics to modern favorites, we ask what truly makes a book bad. Is it poor writing, or something deeper? Can a beautifully written book still lead readers astray? Along the way, we discuss children’s literature, modern novels, and the importance of discernment in reading. Not every popular book is worth your time, and some may be worth avoiding altogether.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"The Black Wolf" Louise Penny (Tanya)

"He Leadeth Me" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)

"Mo Mo" Michael Ende (Martin)

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" Shelby Van Pelt (Jessica)

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we begin a new series on the best books of each era by turning to ancient Greece! From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to the tragedies and philosophers, we explore the foundational works that shaped Western thought. Whether you’re new to the Greeks or looking to revisit them, this conversation offers guidance on what to read and why it matters. Join us as we consider the essential authors, enduring ideas, and lasting influence of ancient Greek literature—and where to begin your reading

Reading List for Ancient Greece

Homer — Iliad, Odyssey Tragedy — Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides Philosophy — Plato (Apology), Aristotle History — Herodotus, Thucydides

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Tanya)

"With God in Russia" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)

"Be Frank With Me" Julia Claiborne Johnson (Jessica)

"The Ministry of Fear" Graham Greene (Paul)

Various Hesiod writings (Alex)

How should parents and teachers respond when children learn differently? Should the curriculum change for each child, or should the child be formed by the curriculum?

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we discuss teaching children with different personalities and temperaments, and why the modern idea of “learning styles” may not be the right place to begin. We explore the difference between temperament and aptitude, how to maintain consistent academic standards, and practical ways parents can help very different children succeed within the same curriculum. Along the way, we offer encouragement for homeschool families navigating daily challenges while keeping the long view of education in mind.

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we turn from fiction to Christian nonfiction books that have shaped our faith. From _Mere Christianity_ and Augustine’s _Confessions_ to biographies, letters, and works on prayer and discernment, we share the books that have strengthened, challenged, and sustained us. This isn’t a canon, but rather an honest conversation about the titles we return to and why they matter for classical Christian readers.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Leigh & Tanya)

"Sense and Sensibility" Jane Austin (Tanya)

"With God in Russia" Walter Ciszek (Tanya)

"A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens (Tanya)

"No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall (Paul)

"A Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul)

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we talk about home libraries—what they are, how they grow, and why they matter. From organizing (or not organizing) shelves to collecting meaningful editions, this conversation explores how the books in our homes reflect the life of the mind. We discuss lending versus hoarding, building a collection that is actually used, and why a home library is more than bookshelves—it’s a culture of reading lived out in the home.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"Christianity & Culture" T.S. Eliot (Martin)

"Sense and Sensibility" Jane Austin (Tanya)

"The Digital Delusion" Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath (Tanya)

"Galahad and the Grail" Malcom Guite (Tanya)

"Olav Audunssøn" Sigrid Undset (Kathy)

"Marce Catlett" Wendell Berry (Paul)

"No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall (Paul)

"Climbing Parnassus" Tracy Lee Simmons (Paul)

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore the idea of "poetic knowledge"—a way of knowing that begins with experience and imagination before moving to analysis. Has modern education become too abstract, too quickly? We discuss the role of wonder in learning, the proper order of education, and why children need to encounter reality as a whole before breaking it into parts. From literature and discussion to classroom practice, this conversation considers what it means to begin learning well.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"Paradise Lost" John Milton (Ian)

"The Big Sleep" Raymond Chandler (Martin)

"Climbing Parnassus" Tracy Lee Simmons (Paul)

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall Smith (Paul)