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Artwork for Close Reads Podcast

Close Reads Podcast

Goldberry Studios
Summer Lightning
Things Fall Apart
The Warden
PG Wodehouse
A Canticle For Leibowitz
Duty
Colonialism
Anthony Trollope
Chinua Achebe
The Apartment
John Bold
Walter Miller
Billy Wilder
Victorian England
Igbo Culture
Romantic Comedy
1960s Cinema
Mr. Harding
Masculinity
Morality

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes485Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Close Reads Podcast

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to our ongoing series on Niall Williams’ lovely novel. This week we discuss what this book has to say about happiness, the themes of hope and cynicism, Christy the romantic, coming of age, and our favorite passages in these chapters. Hop... more

Welcome to the start of a new series! Over the next several weeks we’ll be digging into Irish writer, Niall Williams pastoral novel, This Is Happiness. This week we’re discussing the proverbial nature of the narrator, the memory novel framing of the ... more

As always, we conclude our series on Edith Wharton’s classic novel by answering your questions. There were a lot of good ones and we did our best to answer as many as we could. Sometimes, of course, you just have to look at it. Happy listening!

To ... more

Welcome back to our series on Edith Wharton’s very complex (and wonderful) novel. This week, in discussing the ending, we find ourselves at, well, a loss for words. Nevertheless, we persist. We attempt to reckon with the complicated nature of May’s c... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Tim McIntosh
Guest co-host and playwright who has been writing plays for over 20 years.
Episode: Much Ado About Nothing: Act II
Greg Wilbur
Composer, conductor, and teacher with expertise on Johann Sebastian Bach
Episode: The Great Passion: Q&A Episode

Hosts

David Kern
Co-host of a podcast that focuses on literature, passionate about engaging discussions on various literary works.
Heidi White
Co-host of a podcast that offers in-depth conversations about literature and reading recommendations.
Sean Johnson
Co-host of a podcast focused on literature, bringing his insights and humor into discussions about various texts.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Audio sounds off

    I keep coming back hoping to listen but the audio seems very off compared to other podcasts. Echos and difficulty hearing the podcasts hosts due to clarity.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Anonymous6734
    United States2 months ago
  • Cry Havoc! And Let Slip the Bookhounds of War.

    At long last, the parasocial relationships I have dreamed of my entire adult life. With bibliophilic friends like these, who needs to leave mom’s basement?

    Put on a kettle. Brew a fragrant cup of Earl Grey. Let all of the cats outside. It’s time for an episode of Close Reads.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bootsy DuBois
    United States2 months ago
  • Constant Literary Inspiration

    I have been listening for 7+ years and I am so grateful to all of the hosts over the years. I get sad when I don’t get to read a book and miss out. I think literary FOMO might be the best kind. Thank you for your inspiration for my reading life!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelsie Hartley
    United States5 months ago
  • 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.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    abl
    8 months ago
  • Hoping for better

    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?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    LJLM21
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques mention the need for improved engagement from all hosts, particularly in terms of preparation and follow-through on themes.
While the literary discussions are often praised for their depth, some feel the tone can be overly critical towards certain authors or works.
Overall, many find the camaraderie among hosts to enhance their experience, making them feel part of a reading community.
Listeners appreciate the empathetic and thoughtful discussions about literature, expressing gratitude for new insights and recommendations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#67
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#188
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#222
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#211
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#158
Saudi Arabia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#168
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Age of Innocence: Q&A Episode
Q: What are the themes regarding moral cowardice and self-sacrifice in the novel?
The discussion suggests that while moral cowardice is a theme, it also questions the emotional stakes involved and the complexities of true love and self-deception among the characters.
The Age of Innocence: Q&A Episode
Q: What is the significance of the title 'The Age of Innocence'?
The title is discussed as being multilayered, representing the Gilded Age, literal youth, and the aspirational nature of the characters in the story, all while exploring the ironic implications of innocence.
The Age of Innocence: Q&A Episode
Q: Is Age of Innocence a comedy of manners?
The hosts debate whether it technically qualifies as a comedy of manners, concluding that while it has elements of comedy regarding societal interactions, it ultimately fails the definition because it does not end in a wedding, rather highlighting deeper tragedies.
This Is Happiness: Chapters 1-11
Q: Heidi, how do you feel this book compares to your first reading?
Heidi finds the second reading to enhance her appreciation for the slow pace, making it more contemplative and heartfelt.
This Is Happiness: Chapters 1-11
Q: Sean, what do you love about this book?
Sean loves the nostalgic memory aspect told by an old man, how the narrator vividly draws the characters, and appreciates the beautiful prose.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Close Reads Podcast

What is Close Reads Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A book-club style production that focuses on the shared passion for literature, this podcast fosters stimulating conversations about a variety of literary works. Co-hosted by avid readers, the discussions revolve around character development, thematic exploration, and moral complexities in both classic and contemporary texts. The hosts' dedication to creating an empathetic and engaging dialogue is reflected in their inclusion of personal anecdotes, humor, and insights, making it feel like a gathering of friends exploring literature together. Unique segments include detailed analyses of specific works, Q&A sessions, and reflections on reading habits, enhancing the experience for both dedicated literary fans and casual readers alike.

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How many listeners does Close Reads Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does Close Reads Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Close Reads Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Close Reads Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close Reads Podcast:

1. The Literary Life Podcast
2. Classical Stuff You Should Know
3. Read-Aloud Revival ®
4. The Symbolic World
5. What Have You

How many episodes of Close Reads Podcast are there?

Close Reads Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 485 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Close Reads Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Close Reads Podcast?

Recent guests on Close Reads Podcast include:

1. Tim McIntosh
2. Greg Wilbur

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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