July 2026 -

4 min read 0

Books
Movies

Episode 441: Is the Age of Reading Over? + Diving into Homer’s Odyssey

Sal DiVincenzo
July 23, 2026

In this episode we tackle two big topics that feel especially timely: a sobering new […]

3 min read 0

Episode 440: Talking to Kids About Death + Fresh New Books (and Soup)

Sal DiVincenzo
July 16, 2026

This episode is dedicated to the memory of our friend and former colleague, Don Leverich. […]

4 min read 0

History

Episode 439: Great Moments in American History, Part 2 (America 250)

Sal DiVincenzo
July 9, 2026

We welcome back history enthusiast Jim Ward for the second half of our special “Great […]

4 min read 0

History

Episode 438: Great Moments in American History, Part 1 (America 250)

Sal DiVincenzo
July 2, 2026

Happy Birthday, America! In this special episode of the podcast, Sal sits down with history […]

The End of Reading + The Odyssey | Ep. 441 - Middle Country Public Library Podcast

In this episode, we tackle some sobering news about reading habits in America and explore why The Odyssey remains essential reading. We discuss a recent Atlantic essay declaring the age of reading is over, declining book readership stats, shrinking attention spans, and the low percentage of adults reading to children. We also share hopeful developments in literacy education and why reading for pleasure still matters for sharp minds and deeper cultural understanding. Then we dive into Homer’s epic: its origins, oral tradition, themes of homecoming and survival, key story elements, cultural influence, and why it continues to inspire modern adaptations. We cover translations, companion resources, and how the story connects to places like Sicily—perfect if you’re inspired by the new film or want to finally read this classic.