Proofread

“Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard is a work of creative nonfiction about seeing the natural world. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tinker Creek, Dillard observes muskrats, praying mantises, and shifting seasons with wonder and unease, asking what nature reveals about beauty, cruelty, and the presence of God. Is it transcendent or tedious? Profound or pretentious? Hosts Kacy and Tyler wade into Dillard’s vivid prose and big questions to help you decide if “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” is a life-changing classic or simply not your stream.

"Hamnet" by Maggie O’Farrell is a tender novel about love, grief, and the quiet moments that shape a family’s life. Centered on the death of Shakespeare's son and the damage left in its wake, the story explores how loss stays long after it occurs. Is it heartbreaking or hopeful? Lyrical or overwrought? Hosts Kacy and Tyler discuss O’Farrell’s prose and emotional depth to help you decide if "Hamnet" is a moving must-read or one to skip for now.

“Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir is a fast-paced, sci-fi adventure about survival, friendship, and what it means to save humanity when everything is on the line. When a lone astronaut wakes up light-years from Earth with no memory of who he is or why he’s there, science, problem-solving, and unexpected connection become his only hope. Is it hard science or heartfelt storytelling? Thrilling puzzle or emotional journey? Hosts Kacy and Tyler dive into the novel’s inventive plot, humor, and deeply human core to help you decide if Project Hail Mary is a must-read mission or one you’ll choose to pass by.

"My Friends" by Fredrik Backman is a heartfelt and reflective conclusion to his Beartown trilogy. It's a story about friendship, forgiveness, and finding meaning after unimaginable loss. Returning to the small hockey town that’s seen both triumph and tragedy, Backman explores what happens when the people who’ve shaped us start to drift away and what it really means to grow up together. Is it nostalgic or devastating? Quiet or cathartic? Hosts Kacy and Tyler dive into the novel’s emotional depth, tender humor, and sense of closure to help you decide if "My Friends" is a fitting farewell or a reminder that some stories never truly end.

Tress of the Emerald Sea" by bestselling author Brandon Sanderson is a whimsical yet profound adventure that reimagines the fairy tale quest through a Cosmere lens. When Tress sets sail across a deadly, spore-filled ocean to rescue her beloved, she discovers courage, curiosity, and the cost of growing up. Is it lighthearted or layered? Romantic or reflective? Classic Sanderson or something entirely new? Hosts Kacy and Tyler explore the novel’s inventive worldbuilding, moral core, and fairy-tale charm to help you decide if this seafaring story deserves to be anchored to your reading list or left to set sail another day.

"Till We Have Faces" by beloved author C. S. Lewis retells the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche through the eyes of Orual, a queen haunted by love, loss, and the longing to see the divine face to face. First published in 1956, it’s often called Lewis’s most mature and complex work—a blend of myth, theology, and psychological depth. Is it obscure or illuminating? Philosophical masterpiece or puzzling parable? Hosts Kacy and Tyler unpack its mythic structure, spiritual symbolism, and emotional resonance to help you decide if this reimagined fairy tale belongs on your must-read list or your “someday” shelf.

"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë is a dark and turbulent tale of passion, revenge, and generational conflict set on the stormy Yorkshire moors. First published in 1847, Brontë’s only novel broke conventions with shifting narrators, Gothic atmosphere, and look at obsession and cruelty. Is it tragic or toxic? Romantic or horrifying? Brilliant or bewildering? Hosts Kacy and Tyler explore the novel’s complex characters, its groundbreaking structure, and its enduring reputation as both a classic of English literature and a lightning rod for debate helping you decide if this infamous love story belongs in your essential reads or your “appreciate from afar” stack.

"Klara and the Sun" by Nobel Prize–winning author Kazuo Ishiguro is a haunting novel that blends science fiction with deep human questions. Told through the eyes of Klara, an Artificial Friend designed to care for children, the book explores themes of love, loneliness, technology, and what it means to be truly human. Is it tender or unsettling? Hopeful or heartbreaking? Philosophical or meandering? Hosts Kacy and Tyler unpack Ishiguro’s distinctive narrative style, the novel’s big ideas about faith and artificial intelligence, and its emotional impact to help you decide if this one belongs on your “essential reading” list or your “maybe someday” stack.

"Everything Is Tuberculosis" by John Green is a thought-provoking journey into illness, advocacy, and the stories we tell about health. Part memoir, part cultural critique, this nonfiction work traces how Green’s encounter with Henry Reider—a young patient battling drug-resistant tuberculosis —sparked a deep exploration of global health inequities and our collective failure to treat what is preventable and curable. Is it urgent or overwhelming? Compassionate or overly earnest? Hosts Kacy and Tyler untangle Green’s personal narrative, the book’s broader historical and social context, and the power of storytelling to spur change so you can decide if this one belongs in your regular reading rotation or on your “must-read later” list.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Nobel Prize–winning author Gabriel García Márquez is a sweeping novel that follows the rise and fall of the Buendía family across generations in the fictional town of Macondo. Blending history, myth, and magical realism, the classic novel explores love, power, memory, and the cyclical nature of human life. Is it dazzling or disorienting? Timeless or tangled? Beautiful or brutal? Hosts Kacy and Tyler dig into its themes, literary style, and lasting influence to help you decide if this landmark of world literature belongs on your shelf or just on your “to be admired” list.

Slow Productivity by bestselling author Cal Newport argues that the key to a meaningful career isn’t frantic busyness but a slower, more intentional approach to work. Blending philosophy, history, and practical advice, Newport offers a framework for producing great results without burning out. Is it refreshing or unrealistic? Practical wisdom or productivity rebranded? Kacy and Tyler dig into the book’s big ideas, key takeaways, and cultural context to help you decide if this is the productivity guide you’ve been waiting for or one you can skip.

Gilead by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson is a novel written as a father’s letter to his young son, reflecting on faith, family, forgiveness, and the beauty of everyday life. Is it profound or meandering? Spiritually stirring or overly sentimental? Hosts Kacy and Tyler dive into its historical context, themes, and literary style and share their personal takeaways so you can decide if this modern classic deserves a place on your reading list.

The Invisible Kingdom by Meghan O'Rourke is a mix of memoir, investigative reporting, and cultural critique regarding the topic of chronic illness. It was a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for nonfiction. Is it illuminating or overwhelming? Comforting or frustrating? Kacy and Tyler break it all down from its context, to its key takeaways, to its personal impact so you can decide if this read is right for you.

James by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Percival Everett is a #1 New York Times bestseller that retells Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through the eyes of Jim the slave. Is it a fresh perspective or literary fanfiction? Powerful commentary or provocative posturing? Hosts Kacy and Tyler explore the book’s historical context, its themes, its content, and its impact to help you decide if it’s worth the read or one to skip.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt is an instant #1 New York Times bestseller that discusses how smartphones and social media are shaping the mental health of today’s kids and what we can do about it. Is it alarmist or essential? Insightful or obvious? With their blend of curiosity and expertise as parents and English professors, hosts Kacy and Tyler will help you decide if you should read it or skip it.

Between work, parenting, and life’s endless to-do lists, who has time to invest in books they don't like? Welcome to Proofread. Proofread wants to help you read more of what you love and less of what you don't. Hosted by Kacy and Tyler, two English professors, avid readers, and busy parents, each Proofread episode gives you everything you need to decide whether a book is a must-read or a hard pass. In just 15 minutes, you’ll get thoughtful context, a quick summary, honest opinions, and clear content warnings. No spoilers and no fluff. These aren’t sponsored reviews, just real readers giving real takes to help you find the right book for right now. Proofread is a production of BYU Radio.