This week’s Classical Et Cetera is a special one. We recorded this episode live at the 2026 Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio! You’ll find all the familiar elements—what we’re reading and listener questions—along with something new: questions taken directly from the convention floor. From classical education to art, math, and more, this is a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation with listeners just like you.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"Mary Poppins" Pamela Lyndon Travers (Paul)

"The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Tanya & Paul)

"The Collected Bowdrie Dramatizations" Louis L'Amour (Martin)

"Coal Camp Girl" Lois Lenski (Martin)

"The Women" Kristin Hannah (Jessica)

In this episode of Classical Et Cetera we consider what it means to read well. Is it enough to simply read what we enjoy, or should we aim for something more? We discuss the idea of a “reading diet” and the importance of variety—balancing fiction, philosophy, theology, and more. Along the way, we reflect on how different kinds of books shape us, and why a broader reading life can deepen both understanding and enjoyment. Reading widely isn’t a rule, but it may be the key to a richer intellectual life.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"The Confederacy of Dunces" John Kennedy Toole (Paul)

"Why Literature Still Matters" Jason Baxter (Martin)

"Christian Paideia" Brian Welter (Martin)

"The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading" Doug Lemov (Martin)

"Theo of Golden" Allen Levi (Tanya)

"Mouse House" Rumer Godden (Tanya)

"Boxcar Children" Gertrude Chandler Warner (Tanya)

"The Sea Hawk" Rafael Sabatini (Tanya)

"The Correspondent" Virginia Evans (Jessica)

In this episode of _Classical Et Cetera_ we explore how reading with your child should grow over time, from first books to the great classics. What should you read at each stage? When do things begin to change? We discuss the role of read-alouds, building habits, and why reading together remains essential long after a child learns to read.

*What We're Reading* from This Episode:

"The Shadows of Men" Abir Mukherjee (Martin)

"The Other Bennet Sister" Janice Hadlow (Tanya)

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" Shelby Van Pelt (Jessica)

"The Fountains of Silence" Ruta Sepetys (Jessica)

"The Correspondent" Virginia Evans (Jessica)

"The Old Man in the Corner" Emmuska Orczy (Paul)