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Artwork for Books of Some Substance

Books of Some Substance

David Southard and Nathan Sharp
Existentialism
Colonialism
J.M. Coetzee
Henry Miller
One Hundred Years Of Solitude
Solitude
Waiting For the Barbarians
Imperialism
The Sheltering Sky
Tropic Of Cancer
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Moral Messaging
Torture
Power Dynamics
Crisis Of Conscience
Racism
Sexism
Memory
Magical Realism
The Brothers Karamazov

The unofficial podcast of literary misfits everywhere who want to engage with books of "substance" (i.e. serious, respected, heavy, philosophical, classic), or at least considered such.

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes114Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

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Artwork for Books of Some Substance

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Books of Some Substance podcast, Nathan and David get into the first half of Fyodor Dostoevsky's masterpiece, The Brothers Karamazov (Books 1-6; Parts 1 and 2).

From the novel's dense, philosophical style and its stark contra... more

In this episode of the Books of Some Substance podcast, hosts Nathan Sharp and David Southard reunite with our old friend Eric Heiman (whose life and experiences connect closely to the novel on this episode) to discuss the intricate and poignant nove... more

Exploring 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Join hosts David Southard and Nathan Sharp in the Books of Some Substance podcast as they kick off Season 3 with an in-depth discussion on Gabriel Garcia Marquez's seminal Latin A... more

Season Three: Family

The Books of Some Substance Podcast's third season is underway! David and Nathan are here to announce the season's theme of family and introduce the lineup of books they'll be reading and discussing.

The season opens with '10... more

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Hosts

Nathan Sharp
Co-host of the show, engaged in literary discussions focusing on deeper themes in classic and contemporary literature.
David Southerd
Co-host of the show, involved in exploring the nuances of literary works and sharing personal readings.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 216 ratings
  • Great Discussions

    Been listening on and off to these dudes for years. A shame they lost Nick and are down to two, but Nathan and David are great at making the show conversational and philosophical, like chatting with friends about a good book.

    If you read the book ahead, this is the podcast for you, so don’t expect long plot summaries. Instead it is conversation about big ideas and literary craft.

    Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AdamZeeno
    South Korea9 months ago
  • Henry Miller

    Another great episode from the BOSS lads. Bring on series three!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoshMate105
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Thank you!

    You’ve been my partners in Proust as I work through In Search of Lost Time. You always seem to speak what’s in my heart and am embarrassed to admit but you also remind me of the beauty of the prose and flashes of incredible insight. I love hearing passages read aloud. This show is soul food.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hduydeg
    United States2 years ago
  • Love the discussions! Highly recommended after you finish the book.

    I always look forward to hearing the podcast episode on the book after reading it. It has actually motivated me to finish reading the book even more. This podcast has helped me appreciate more variety of books, even if they may be challenging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steeeeve1
    Canada2 years ago
  • Proust

    Agree,

    Great work , Guys.

    Fabulous discussion

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alan Sherlock
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the conversational and philosophical nature of the discussions, often likening it to chatting with friends about significant books.
The show is praised for its ability to provoke thoughtful insights on themes of morality, art, and existential questions.
Some critiques suggest that the hosts can be too subjective in their interpretations, which may alienate some listeners seeking objective literary criticism.
Many enjoy the blend of humor and deep analysis, making complex literature feel accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#205
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#50
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#72
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#104
Philippines/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#114
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#136
Mexico/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

112 - The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1 of 2)
Q: Can you for somebody who has never read this, never thought about it, has no idea what we're talking about? What's the basic plot? What's going on?
The first half of this book is centered around the fractious family dynamics of a father and his three sons, focusing on their conflicts over love and money.
106 - The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
Q: What do you make of Kit?
Kit is portrayed as a complex character who grapples with her identity and the duality of her desires. The hosts discuss her navigation between oblivion and societal norms, reflecting the existential dread present in the narrative.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Books of Some Substance

What is Books of Some Substance about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations explore a range of literary works, focusing on those deemed as "substantial," including classics, contemporary masterpieces, and philosophical texts. The hosts engage deeply with the themes, narratives, and characters in these works, providing personal insights and reflections that resonate with their own experiences. Notably, the episodes pivot on thought-provoking discussions regarding morality, existential questions, and the societal implications of the literature covered, making the content both intellectually stimulating and relatable for audiences who value literary depth and exploration.

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How many listeners does Books of Some Substance get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Books of Some Substance?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Books of Some Substance:

1. The History of Literature
2. Backlisted
3. Overdue
4. Hermitix
5. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry

How many episodes of Books of Some Substance are there?

Books of Some Substance launched 10 years ago and published 114 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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