Why Should I Read This?

Alternate Wednesdays during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

Hosted by Rebeccah Bechtold

Fran Connor

Kerry Jones

Katie Lanning

Adam Scheffler

In "Why Should I Read This?" professors from the Wichita State English Department have just 60 seconds to explain why listeners should read their favorite works of literature.

Latest Episodes

Why you should read 'Ulysses'

Ulysses is one of those books that people want to say they’ve read – but haven’t. In today’s Why Should I Read This, Fran Connor tells us why you shouldn’t be intimidated by it and why it’s actually worth your time.
Why you should read Shakespeare's Sonnet 65

Wichita State English professor Adam Scheffler loves romance… but also values a good reality check. He explains how Shakespeare’s Sonnet 65 offers both, in today’s Why Should I Read This?
Why you should read 'The Man Who Thought Himself a Woman'

This is 89-1, KMUW. Nineteenth century American writers were notoriously rigid in their gender expression, or so we thought. Wichita State English professor Rebeccah Bechtold challenges that myth in today’s Why Should I Read This.
Why you should read 'The Remains of the Day'

Kerry Jones is an English professor who wishes she lived in England. She'll take us there, along with a proper butler, in today's Why Should I Read This?
Why you should read 'Dr. Faustus'

Christopher Marlowe was an atheist, a counterfeiter and a possible spy – a Renaissance rebel. Fran Connor tells us how this informed his most famous character, Dr. Faustus, in today’s Why Should I Read This.
Why you should read 'Lady Audley's Secret'

The phrase “armchair detective” wasn’t around in the 1800s – but if it was, it would apply to this mystery by one of the era’s most scandalous writers. Katie Lanning explains on today’s Why Should I Read This?
Why you should read 'Ozymandias'

Wichita State English professor and poet Adam Scheffler knows you might not like poetry. But he thinks reading a nearly 200-year-old Shelley sonnet might make you change your mind. He tells us why in today’s Why Should I Read This?
Why you should read 'The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket'

Wichita State English professor Rebeccah Bechtold thinks Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry and short fiction are overrated. She claims horror enthusiasts are better served by Poe’s one and only novel. She tells us why in today’s Why Should I Read This.
Why you should read 'A Prayer for the Dying'

Kerry Jones is an English professor and author who loves horror – and beautiful prose. She tells us how a book by Stewart O’Nan has both in today’s Why Should I Read This.
Why you should read 'The Roaring Girl'

Fran Connor teaches Shakespeare at Wichita State, so it might be surprising that he is recommending a play by two of the bard’s rivals. He tells us why on today’s Why Should I Read This.