Classical Et Cetera

They argue about what really makes a book bad and whether beautiful prose can mask harmful ideas. They debate children’s library content and when books push an agenda. They tussle with modernism, Joyce and Woolf, and the limits of difficult literature. They also discuss when to quit a book and books that surprisingly improved on rereading.

Alex Long, a Latin teacher and curriculum developer, gives a concise roadmap to ancient Greek reading. He champions Homer, outlines key tragedies and philosophers, and suggests practical translation and context tips. Short, lively takes on which texts to start with and why these works still matter.

How should parents and teachers respond when children learn differently? Should the curriculum change for each child, or should the child be formed by the curriculum?   In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we discuss teaching children with different personalities and temperaments, and why the modern idea of “learning styles” may not be the right place to begin. We explore the difference between temperament and aptitude, how to maintain consistent academic standards, and practical ways parents can help very different children succeed within the same curriculum. Along the way, we offer encouragement for homeschool families navigating daily challenges while keeping the long view of education in mind.

Leigh (Lee) Lowe, Memoria Press contributor involved in curriculum and college work, shares her favorite Christian nonfiction. She discusses rereadable classics like Mere Christianity and Augustine, collections and excerpts for busy seasons, and books suited for families and young readers. Short recommendations on biographies, prayer, and discernment round out the conversation.

Kathy Becker, a reader who curates an office library and loves epic novels, children's books, theology, and poetry. She describes shelving strategies, favorite authors, and how music and kids’ books shape a home collection. The conversation covers organizing styles, building a usable collection, and the culture of reading lived in the home.

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore the idea of "poetic knowledge"—a way of knowing that begins with experience and imagination before moving to analysis. Has modern education become too abstract, too quickly? We discuss the role of wonder in learning, the proper order of education, and why children need to encounter reality as a whole before breaking it into parts. From literature and discussion to classroom practice, this conversation considers what it means to begin learning well.   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Paradise Lost" John Milton (Ian) "The Big Sleep" Raymond Chandler (Martin) "Climbing Parnassus" Tracy Lee Simmons (Paul) "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall Smith (Paul)

What happens when screens replace books and classroom technology replaces thinking? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we examine research showing how screens, scrolling text, and digital note-taking undermine attention, memory, and deep learning. Drawing on neuroscience and classroom experience, we discuss why scrolling isn’t reading, why speed and engagement aren’t the same as understanding, and why technology-heavy classrooms often produce less learning, not more.   The Digital Delusion by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath is the book that inspired this episode's conversation.     *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Marce Catlett" Wendell Berry (Tanya & Paul) "What Happened to You?" Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey (Paul) "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Alexander McCall Smith (Martin) 

They debate whether video games belong in a homeschool and how to set sensible limits. They share practical ideas for handling boredom and building attention in children. They discuss balancing modern pop culture awareness with focus on older literature and cultural formation. Short, concrete strategies for chores, outdoor play, and shared teacher reading also come up.

How should adults think about reading goals for the coming year—and how do you read more books without letting reading become a burden?   In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we talk about reading goals for 2026 and what it takes to build a reading life that lasts. Whether you’re an avid reader, returning after a long break, or feeling overwhelmed by unfinished books, this conversation explores better ways to read with intention and balance. We discuss fiction and nonfiction, reading for work versus pleasure, and why shared reading and conversation matter so much.   Comment your reading list for 2026! Book recommendations are always welcome.   *Tanya's Stack of Books*  Sense and Sensibility — Jane Austen  The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating — Elisabeth Tova Bailey  Absent in the Spring — Agatha Christie  The Door — Magda Szabo  Mystery and Manners — Flannery O'Connor  The Headmaster — John McPhee  Marce Catlett — Wendell Berry     *Martin's Stack of Books*  The Giver — Lois Lowry  Booth Tarkington Biography  Wonderworks — Angus Fletcher  The Master and His Emissary — Iain McGilchrist  Primal Intelligence — Angus Fletcher  The Digital Delusion — Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath  The Last of the Mohicans — James Fenimore Cooper  Quo Vadis — Henryk Sienkiewicz  Sense and Sensibility — Jane Austen  The Jungle Book — Rudyard Kipling     *Paul's Stack of Books*  The Greek Way — Edith Hamilton  The Biological Farmer — Gary F. Zimmer  The Liturgy of the Land — Thomas D. Van Horn & Jason M. Craig  Against the Machine — Paul Kingsnorth  The Wild Orchid — Sigrid Undset  The Southern Tradition at Bay — Richard M. Weaver  The Ministry of Fear — Graham Greene     *Jessica's Stack of Books*  I Beheld the Mountains — Joseph Payne  The Modern Proper — Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer  Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt  Little Women — Louisa May Alcott  By Her Own Design — Piper Huguley 

There is no shortage of advice about how Latin _should_ be taught—immersion, conversation, grammar-first, or a blending of methods. In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we step back and ask a more fundamental question: what should be the real _goal_ of learning Latin, and how should that goal shape the way we teach it? We discuss grammar versus immersion, reading and speaking, and why different methods produce very different results—especially for children. Join us as we clarify common misconceptions and answer several listener questions!   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  "Hamnet" Maggie O'Farrell (Tanya) "Hamlet" William Shakespeare (Tanya) "North and South" Elizabeth Gaskell (Tanya) "Trust" Hernan Diaz (Paul) "Mythology" Edith Hamilton (Martin) "Plutarch's Lives" Plutarch (Martin) "Practical Theology" Peter Kreeft (Martin) "The Portrait of a Lady" Henry James (Martin)