Beyond the Canon: Redefining and Updating the Classics!

Join Joe and Emma on this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast as they dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of the literary canon. They shine a spotlight on contemporary books that challenge traditional notions of what it means to be considered “canonical” and explore the complexities of defining literary greatness.

Emma and Joe offer up some modern works and their potential to reshape our understanding of literature and join a new canon. From diverse voices to innovative storytelling techniques, they celebrate the richness and diversity of contemporary literature that deserves a place in the canon.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Emma’s Titles:

• Atonement by Ian McEwan
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
• A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Joe’s Titles:

• The Brief Wondrous life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
• Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Past episodes mentioned in this episode:

• The Hunger Games Retrospective
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Ep. #135 – Colson Whitehead, 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Underground Railroad

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse).