Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates the joys of reading. In creating a new illustrated audiobook series for our kids’ channel, Socratica Kids, Kim is revisiting some of her favourite coming-of-age stories that inspired her. In this episode, Kim discusses “The Book of Three” by Lloyd Alexander. If you would like your own copy of the book discussed, it is available here: https://amzn.to/3RymWGR If you prefer, you can buy a boxed set of the first fiv...
Apr 24, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates the joys of reading. For the start of spooky season, we are turning to the theme of Dark Academia. In this episode, Kim discusses the book “Down a Dark Hall” by Lois Duncan. If you would like your own copy of the book discussed, it is available here: https://amzn.to/4f5zyPv Kim’s book: How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP Paperback: https://amzn.to/3t5jeH3 Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3a...
Oct 31, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates the joys of reading. In this episode, Kim discusses the book “Stir of Echoes” by Richard Matheson. Matheson is maybe best known for penning several books that were later made into thrilling movies, as well as some timeless Twilight Zone episodes. If you would like your own copy of the books discussed, they are available here: Remembrance (collected letters of Ray Bradbury) https://amzn.to/3SYKjcZ A Stir of Echoe...
Apr 30, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates a love of reading and discovery. In this episode Kim shares a new-to-her author (Charles Beaumont) she learned about by reading the letters of one of her favourite authors (Ray Bradbury). She poses the question: how do you find new books to read? What leads you to them? If you would like your own copy of these books, they are available here: Remembrance (collected letters of Ray Bradbury) https://amzn.to/3SYKjcZ...
Mar 04, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that is a home for people who love reading and want to revel in how good it makes you feel when you find a great book, or revisit a much-loved classic. In this last episode of the year, Kim returns to the “Dark Is Rising” series by Susan Cooper. Last year at this time, we discussed “The Dark Is Rising,” the second book in the series, set on the longest night of the year. This time we’ll look at the first book of the series, Ove...
Dec 22, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates the power of reading to inspire. In this episode, Kim returns to her favourite Hallowe’en friend, Ray Bradbury. Back in the day, every Hallowe’en, RDB would read from his book The Hallowe’en Tree at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. But that’s not the only work of Bradbury’s that is appropriate for Hallowe’en! “Skeleton” is a remarkably funny and creepy little tale, perfect for the season. This may also be the mot...
Oct 31, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates the power of reading to inspire. In this episode, Kim presents a surprising vision of the future from a celebrated novelist of manners and society, E.M. Forster (author of A Room With a View, A Passage to India, etc.). If you would like your own copy of this story, it is available here: The Machine Stops, The Celestial Omnibus, and Other Stories by E.M. Forster https://amzn.to/48C22Os Recommended by Bookpilled h...
Sep 30, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) hosts this podcast that celebrates books and authors. She introduces you to the wide variety of writing that has influenced the work at Socratica. Often, it’s the incomparable Ray Bradbury. It’s his birthday, and we’re talking about his short story “The Pedestrian.” “The Pedestrian” used to be in “The Golden Apples of the Sun” story collection, but it has been removed from the more recent editions. You might be able to find it in an older edition...
Aug 22, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading and encourage others to develop this habit. In this episode, Kim introduces a short story by Poul Anderson called “Call Me Joe” that may remind you of a certain movie franchise with humans colonizing a land by impersonating the blue natives. Call Me Joe (Collected Short Works) by Poul Anderson https://amzn.to/3rqlRqK Kim’s book: How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP Paperback: h...
Jul 13, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Socratica Reads Episode 20: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading and to help others find their way back to reading, or to develop a new habit. In this episode, Kim gets around to reading something off her TBR list: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. She didn’t love it, but that’s okay. You don’t have to love every book to love reading. There’s still something interesting to be had when you figure out...
Jun 15, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading and to foster the development of this excellent habit. In this episode, Kim talks about what happens when everyone is recommending a book that just isn’t that great (cough cough The Three Body Problem ) and how you can come back with a better book that explores similar themes ( Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke). Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke https://amzn.to/40FdUKC Kim’s book: How to Be a...
Mar 29, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast as a way to share her love of reading. She credits most of her professional success (and much personal joy) to her lifelong habit of reading everything she could get her hands on. In this episode, Kim discusses the special pleasure of seasonal re-reading. The context: it’s the Winter Solstice, which is the perfect time to read “ The Dark Is Rising ” by Susan Cooper. The Dark Is Rising (5 book boxed set) https://amzn.to/3WeMeu...
Dec 21, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading, that most accessible of learning tools. Today Kim talks about how the shortest stories can create an indelible impression. And for those short on time, or finding it hard to commit to a long work, this can be a good way to ease into the reading habit. The short story Kim introduces is All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton, which is available for free on Project Gutenberg as a standalone work. It’s al...
Nov 09, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Socratica is known for spreading a love of learning. Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her favourite reading experiences. Today Kim talks about her favourite part of Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz. Get your copy here: Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz https://amzn.to/3SpJ05e How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP Paperback: https://amzn.to/3t5jeH3 Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3atr8TJ Sign up for Socratica Dialogue ...
Sep 30, 2022•14 min•Ep. 16
One of the missions of Socratica is to share the joy of learning, especially the power of reading. Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her favourite reading experiences. Today Kim talks about her favourite part of I Sing The Body Electric by Ray Bradbury. Get your copy here: I Sing the Body Electric and other stories https://amzn.to/3c3eTkj I Sing the Body Electric by Walt Whitman https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45472/i-sing-the-body-electric Ho...
Aug 22, 2022•14 min•Ep. 15
Do you love to read? Can you think of something you read lately that changed how you did things? Or made you feel better about something you are dealing with in your life? Like…MATH? Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her favourite reading experiences. Today Kim talks about her favourite part of At Sixes and Sevens by Rachel Riley and Dr. Gareth Moore Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Qw7wAx How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP ...
Aug 05, 2022•12 min•Ep. 14
Not all education happens in the classroom, or from reading textbooks. Be on the lookout for ALL the places where you can learn. If you’re really looking, you can find inspiration in the most unlikely places. Even…TWITTER. Do you love to read? What are you reading that sparks your curiosity and brings you joy? Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading—a love that has the power to transform your life. Today Kim talks about her favourite pa...
Jun 24, 2022•8 min•Ep. 13
Do you love to read? What are you reading that sparks your curiosity and brings you joy? Kimberly Hatch Harrison (co-founder of Socratica) created this podcast to share her love of reading - a love that has the power to transform your life. Today Kim talks about her favourite part of Star Daughter , by Shveta Thakrar Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3M5R72U How to Love Reading (Study Tips Video) https://youtu.be/el-S8iroORQ How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP Paperback: h...
Jun 01, 2022•8 min•Ep. 12
After a brief hiatus, we’re starting Season 2 of Socratica Reads with a new theme: My Favourite Part . To foster and develop your love of reading, Kimberly shares her favourite parts of the books she’s reading. What are you reading that sparks your curiosity and brings you joy? Today Kim talks about her favourite part of Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. If you'd like to talk about this podcast (and all things Socratica ), you can join our Discord by becoming our Patron on Patreon here: https://w...
Apr 27, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Socratica Reads Episode 10 - The Magician’s Nephew by CS Lewis What do you consider “real” science fiction? Does it include books like The Narnia Chronicles ? In this episode of Socratica Reads , our host Kimberly Hatch Harrison talks about the increasingly common narrowing of the definition of science fiction, and recalls one of the Narnia Chronicles that she read as a child that does meet many of the criteria of science fiction, although it is a blend with various other genres. You can buy you...
Nov 29, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Isaac Asimov was trained as a chemist, but he achieved true immortality as a science fiction author. He wrote on every conceivable topic, including nonfiction works on the history of science and technology, The Bible, Shakespeare...His first big splash in sci-fi was the short story Nightfall, published when Asimov was only 21. You can buy your copy here: Nightfall and other stories https://amzn.to/38M5Y1p If you’d like to try Asimov’s nonfiction, maybe start with The Roving Mind, a collection of...
Sep 30, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 9
It’s hard to pick one book that Ray Bradbury is best known for. He only wrote a handful of longer books ( Fahrenheit 451 , Something Wicked This Way Comes , etc.). Mostly he was a creator of perfect little stories — stories that were usually about something other than what you initially thought. 26 strange, lovely little stories about Mars are woven together in The Martian Chronicles. Today, on RDB's 101st birthday, Kimberly revisits this essential work. Get your copy of "The Martian Chronicles"...
Aug 22, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Have you been snacking on a steady unwholesome diet of Dystopian Science Fiction? Does anyone write Utopias anymore? Kimberly revisits Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and considers how this work influenced her thinking (and ultimately influences her work with Socratica). Buy your copy of Brave New World here: https://amzn.to/2TjyH9C My first book - How to Be a Great Student ebook: https://amzn.to/2Lh3XSP Paperback: https://amzn.to/3t5jeH3 Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3atr8TJ TRANSCRIPT We...
Jun 30, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 7
EPISODE DESCRIPTION: When Flowers for Algernon came out in 1959, It was science fiction. What if you could go in for surgery and come out with more intellectual potential? In this episode of Socratica Reads, Kimberly ponders how some of this concept has actually come to pass (informed by her stint in Joe Tsien's "smart mouse" lab). How has this book influenced our work at Socratica? The message of the book is clear, and sadly at odds with much of academia. Get your copy of "Flowers for Algernon"...
May 04, 2021•6 min•Ep. 6
Ender's Game is an essential read for gifted kids and adults who were gifted children. And anyone who is supposed to be raising or educating gifted kids. We don't just root for Ender. We ARE Ender. Although Ender's Game is ostensibly science fiction, much of it reads as a slice of real life for gifted kids. They've all experienced the mix of pride and shame when a teacher singles them out for praise (enraging other kids). They've felt the loneliness and isolation. And they've been let down by th...
Mar 11, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 5
One of the silver linings to the very strange pandemic year we've all lived through, 2020, was the Octavia Butler renaissance. People woke up to the fact that she was a brilliant writer, and her book "Parable of the Sower" shot to the top of bestseller lists. The book was eerily predictive for 2020, in a lot of ways. Kimberly shares her thoughts. Purchase your copy of Octavia Butler's prescient novel here: https://amzn.to/3qDzFbP Thanks for listening. 💜🦉 Watch our beautiful educational videos ...
Jan 20, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Every year Kimberly reads The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury , in remembrance. Did you put away your childhood loves? What do you remember? What have you been collecting since you were a child? Purchase the Ray Bradbury short novel The Halloween Tree here: https://amzn.to/35P9WUO Thanks for listening. 💜🦉 Watch our beautiful educational videos at https://www.socratica.com/ Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/socratica or https://www.paypal.me/socratica TRANSCRIPT Welcome, Everybody! To ...
Oct 30, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On the first day of Autumn, Kimberly looks back at another fall day when she first read the book 2001 and her life changed for the better. Does this book still inspire hope for humankind? If you'd like your own copy of Arthur C Clarke's 2001 , consider purchasing using our affiliate link for an easy way to support this podcast. Amazon link: 2001: a Space Odyssey https://amzn.to/35RdGEX The complete Space Odyssey series: 2001, 2010, 2061, 3001 https://amzn.to/2YRpBBn TRANSCRIPT: Welcome everybody...
Sep 23, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Happy 100th Birthday to one of our greatest sources of inspiration - Ray Bradbury , who wrote beautiful stories about regular humans in extraordinary circumstances. Kimberly discusses the first Bradbury story she ever read, All Summer In a Day . Purchase the Ray Bradbury story collection A Medicine for Melancholy here: https://amzn.to/3aA3UK4 Thanks for listening. 💜🦉 Watch our beautiful educational videos at https://www.socratica.com/ Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/socratica or ht...
Aug 22, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Where do we get our ideas at Socratica? We went to school, of course, and that set us on a certain path, studying math & science & computer programming…. But we believe strongly in Lifelong Learning here at Socratica. You don't have to stop learning when you leave school. The best way to continue developing your mind is to READ. I’m Kimberly Hatch Harrison, the co-founder of Socratica. And this is: SOCRATICA READS , where we share the books that are inspiring us. In this podcast, I focus...
May 28, 2020•1 min
