Functionally Literate: The Book Club Podcast

Functionally Literate: The Book Club Podcast

It's a book club! Join Ryan and his friends every other Tuesday as they chat about books chapter-by-chapter (and also tell you all about things they aren't sponsored by). From Mythology and Swords & Sorcery to Urban Fantasy or History, this book club is all about having a good time while exploring diverse literary genres.

Episodes

June 16, 2026 58 mins

(Bonus) It turns out that when murderbots aren't being forced to murder, they like to just be lazy and watch TV. Shame they have to at least half-ass their job if they don't want to get caught having free will.

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(3/4; Ch 11-16)

Read along with us!⁠ Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Gregg Bush

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasting Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Special thanks t...

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Mark as Played

(2/4; Ch 6-10)

Read along with us!⁠ Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Gregg Bush

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasting Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Special thanks to...

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May 12, 2026 63 mins

(1/4; Ch 1-5) It's not easy being a detective during the end of the world, but Justin Case is going to do his darndest to find Africa, and maybe he'll find his girlfriend along the way. This book is the first that Gregg's friend, Scott, ever published and he's going to chat about it with Ryan.

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time ...

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(12/12; Ch 45-55) It's a double climax! Will Harry save his brother's life? Will he protect his castle?! Will he still get married???

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Recorded by: Clifton S...

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April 28, 2026 36 mins

(11/14; Ch 41-44) We're on the cusp of something awesome...!

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasting Time⁠...

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Mark as Played

(10/12; Ch 37-40) Strike 1: owns a castle; makes the normies uncomfortable....Strike 2: enthralled his fiancée....Strike 3: Beat up the Queen of Air and Darkness....makes one wonder what he'll do next?

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: ...

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(9/12; Ch 33-36) The wire torture mystery comes to a close, Harry has a heart-wrenching discussion with the shade of Murphy and goes on another date with Lara, but perhaps most importantly...he meets the Spice 'Goyles. Come gab with us about it.

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

...

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Mark as Played

(8/12; Ch 29-32) Really, Jim?! You're going to show us all that and then just pivot to something else entirely with no explanation? Rude!

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by ...

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April 4, 2026 79 mins

Ryan, Jackie and Zach celebrate the third anniversary of book club. They discuss the top 10 episodes, whether or not to change up the format, and several literary classics and modern favorites.

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Mark as Played
March 17, 2026 46 mins

(7/12; Ch 25-28) Did anyone else notice that chapter 25 was right before Christmas?

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasti...

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Mark as Played
March 10, 2026 54 mins

(6/12; Ch 21-24) On God, you deserve better than you are giving yourself.

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasting Time⁠⁠⁠...

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Mark as Played
March 3, 2026 41 mins

(5/12; Ch 17-20) Like, are they intimidated by him, hot for him, or both?

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to Jake's album, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasting Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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Mark as Played

(4/12; Ch 13-16) I was under the impression there was going to be a Ghost Adventure, not a Ghoul Adventure. I feel misled.

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Weller. Listen to J...

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Mark as Played
February 17, 2026 53 mins

(3/12; Ch 9-12) Hot take, I know. Anyway, HBGB is Heebie Jeebies? Wild.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:18) Chapter 9

(10:28) Chapter 10

(31:34) Chapter 11

(42:48) Chapter 12

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(2/12; Ch 5-8) What's that title got to do with these chapters? Well, nothing, really, but it does come up when we're talking about chapter 8.

Read along with us! Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and get ad-free episodes! Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Aaron Howard

Theme music by Jake Wel...

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February 3, 2026 56 mins

(1/12; Ch 1-4) Ryan sat down with Aaron, an avid fan of the Dresden Files, and discussed the most recent installment of the acclaimed Urban Fantasy series.

Episodes will be weekly on Tuesdays for this book. Spoilers abound, as we will be talking about everything from the past 17 books as they pertain to our discussion. We will return to a bi-weekly format with the next book club on May 12th.

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(7/7; Ch 19-20) We come to the final, gripping conclusion. Then we spend a lot of time talking about the entire book and the author.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:22) Chapter 19

(26:30) Chapter 20

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(6/7; Ch 16-18) An old flame's brother is aiming to settle the score. Has Dorian met his match?

Read along with us. Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and join the book club! Or email us at func.lit.pod@gmail.com if you want to buy Jackie ⁠an annotated copy of Jane Eyre⁠.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Jackie Eckert

Theme music by Jake Weller. Lis...

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December 9, 2025 57 mins

(5/7; Ch 13-15) How dare Basil try to help me! How dare he be good and nice and try to pray with me. Does he even know me?

Read along with us. Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a buck ($1) and join the book club! Or email us at func.lit.pod@gmail.com if you want to buy Jackie an annotated copy of Jane Eyre.

Produced, directed, recorded and edited by: Ryan Carter

Hosted by: Ryan Carter & Jackie Eckert

Theme mu...

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Mark as Played

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