Close Reads is a book-club podcast for the incurable reader co-hosted by David Kern, Heidi White, Sean Johnson, and occasionally Tim McIntosh. We read good books and talk about them. This is a show for amateurs in the best sense. This is not an experts show: we’re book lovers, book enthusiasts. Our goal is have empathetic and intelligent conversations about good books. Close Reads is produced by G... more
Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 452 | Founded | 9 years ago |
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Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArts |
As always, you had plenty of great questions about our current book and on this episode we did our best to answer a bunch of them. Thanks for tuning in to and participating in this series. Happy listening!
This is a public episode. If you'd like t... more
It’s a bit late, but better late than never, right? Apologies for the delay! The upload speeds weren’t great in the English countryside. All the same, we’ve come to the end of The Great Gatsby, which means it’s time to talk about some of the most mem... more
Welcome back to our series on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, in which we discuss his best novelistic skills, including his ability to deal in subtext while also creating mood. Plus: the way the book explores the dissonance between desire and reality, w... more
Welcome to a new series of episodes on another wonderful book. It’s our first re-read here on Close Reads and it’s timely, too, since The Great Gatsby just turned 100 years old! So join in as we discuss what’s made F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel last a ... more
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As to many podcasts the team is just having a good time cheatchating. I have to stop at 12 minutes, so far Willa Cather is barely part of the conversation.
I love Tim and his LOVE of literature. However, It’s obvious David doesn’t read the books, which is insulting to the readers and listeners of this podcast. If you are hoping listeners learn how to read closely, I would think it’s important for the hosts to show that as they read. His treatment of Angelina in earlier episodes is alarming—how can you teach about virtue and not live it out in your daily lives?
The hosts genuinely love literature and the universal themes within stories. I find their contextual knowledge to be extremely helpful and I really appreciate their personal insights as parents, educators, and seekers.
Love Heidi (and guest Karen). They are very professional & thoughtful with their discussions. However, David’s “thinking outloud” rambling makes it hard to listen. His questions/thiughts feel unprepared, sometimes as if he hasn’t even read the material.
I’m not sure this crowd can discuss a work of literature they don’t like. They come off pretty pretentious when they don’t. The Dickens episodes have been pretty off putting.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #112 |
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A show dedicated to discussing literature, focusing on a variety of notable books, the hosts engage in thoughtful and often personal conversations about the texts they explore. From classic novels to contemporary fiction, episodes highlight deep dives into character motivations, themes, and the broader implications of narratives, combining literary analysis with reflections on the hosts' own reading experiences. The show's unique charm lies in its approachable and casual style, making it perfect for both avid readers and those looking to appreciate literature more deeply without the pressure of academic expertise.
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Close Reads Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 452 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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Recent guests on Close Reads Podcast include:
1. Greg Wilbur
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