Episode 255 - Q1 Readalong: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Welcome to Episode 255, where we dig into talking about FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley! We also discuss two adaptations that we’ve watched. We both plan to watch more adaptations and remain fascinated by Shelley and her work, so we are not done with FRANKENSTEIN. Thanks to everyone who attended the Zoom discussion and to those who have chatted with us via email, Goodreads, and social media. Books we finished since the last episode and talk about include: HOBOMOK AND OTHER WRITINGS ON INDIANS by Lydia Marie Child AWAKE IN THE FLOATING CITY by Susanna Kwan ALL THAT REMAINS by Patricia Cornwell THE RESERVATION by Rebecca Kauffman In Biblio Adventures, we got to see THE LIBRARIANS documentary, directed by Kim A. Snyder, at the Schubert Theater in New Haven. It drew a big crowd of librarians and library lovers. The film documents the attack on school libraries launched by a billionaire and politician, with cookie-cutter campaigns that spread across Texas and into other states, such as New Jersey. Librarians are on the front lines fighting against these threats to our First Amendment rights and the foundations of our democracy. New showings are added to their website regularly, and you may be able to organize one yourself. It is streaming on PBS from Feb 9-May 9, 2026 [https://thelibrariansfilm.com/streaming/] As for Couch Biblio Adventures, we both watched FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Chris also recommends Frankenstein: The Anatomy Lesson, a short documentary on the making of Del Toro’s adaptation. And she watched FRANKENSTEIN: The Man Who Made a Monster, starring Boris Karloff, who originated the iconic flat-headed creature with neck electrodes. It is interesting to see which aspects of Shelley’s story movie makers choose to focus on, what changes they make, and the new elements/characters they create. We are checking off some boxes on our Page-to-Screen Bingo card. We hope you enjoy this episode, and that you are finding comfort, inspiration, and understanding in books. Happy Reading!