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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
Anthony Trollope
Duty
Colonialism
Chinua Achebe
The Apartment
John Bold
Walter Miller
Billy Wilder
Victorian England
Igbo Culture
Romantic Comedy
1960s Cinema
Mr. Harding
Masculinity
Faith

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes465Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Close Reads Podcast

Latest Episodes

Welcome to our new series on Ernest Hemingway’s modern classic. For this first episode we chatted about Heidi’s deep love of the book, the subtly of Hemingway’s prose, the role of faith and confession in the story. whether it’s melodramatic, and much... more

This week is one part Q&A about The Princess and the Goblin, one part ask-us-anything. That means we’re discussing George McDonald’s plot devices, Irene’s grandmother, and goblins but also cooking, Shakespeare, new book releases, and the Muppets. Hap... more

This week we discuss the delightful conclusion to George McDonald’s classic children’s novel, how it compares to classic fairy tales, why books like this matter more than ever, and much more. Happy listening!

This is a public episode. If you'd lik... more

Over the next few weeks we’ll be discussing George Macdonald’s delightful nineteenth century children’s story, The Princess and the Goblin. In this episode we discuss its similarities to (and influence on) Lewis and Tolkien, why books like this matte... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Greg Wilbur
Composer, conductor, and teacher with expertise on Johann Sebastian Bach
Episode: The Great Passion: Q&A Episode

Hosts

David Kern
Co-host with extensive experience in literary discussions and analysis, promoting community reading and engagement through his dialogue.
Heidi White
Co-host known for her thoughtful and empathetic insights into literary analysis, bringing personal anecdotes to enhance discussions.
Sean Johnson
Co-host who contributes unique perspectives and valuable insights on literature, engaging with the community's love for books.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • 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
    4 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 States7 months ago
  • Close Reads is the best

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShannonYogabarn
    United States7 months ago
  • Would love a Heidi & Karen podcast

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    KahlanN2095
    United States8 months ago
  • Beware when these folks don’t like a book

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    2webb
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The conversational style of the hosts is often praised for its humor and relatability, creating a comfortable atmosphere for literary exploration.
Listeners appreciate the empathy and depth of discussion surrounding literary themes, making it engaging for book lovers.
Some feedback indicates that not all hosts resonate equally with the audience, suggesting varied opinions on individual contributions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#85
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#119
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#152
Italy/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#182
Italy/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Q&A: The Princess and the Goblin + Ask-Us-Anything
Q: What tips could you give for reading Shakespeare?
Heidi suggests reading aloud, immersing in historical context, and using accessible commentaries to enhance understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare's work.
Q&A: The Princess and the Goblin + Ask-Us-Anything
Q: Do you think that Irene is in danger of failing to become a true princess because of her influence?
Heidi expresses that Irene needs the grandmother's guidance to become a true princess, despite having it in her blood.
Q&A: The Princess and the Goblin + Ask-Us-Anything
Q: What clues from the text point to the grandmother as a trustworthy character?
Heidi argues that while the grandmother seems ominous at first, clues indicate her benevolence, such as her healing abilities and light presence.
Q&A: The Princess and the Goblin + Ask-Us-Anything
Q: Can you comment on the fate of the goblins in the book compared to Tolkien and Lewis?
The speakers suggest that Tolkien and Lewis treat their goblins with different philosophical approaches than MacDonald, who focuses more on fairy tales without a strict moral framework.
Wuthering Heights: Q&A
Q: Do you think that the redemption between and for Harriton and Catherine too could have happened if Heathcliff had not been in a weakened state?
The hosts suggest that Heathcliff's consistent malevolence acts as a significant barrier to redemption.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Close Reads Podcast

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

Focused on detailed literary analysis, this show engages listeners through deep discussions about books spanning different genres and eras, including classics from authors such as Emily Brontë and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Hosts emphasize personal connections to the literature, sharing their experiences and insights while promoting a community of amateur readers who appreciate empathetic dialogues about good stories. Notable for its candid exchanges and an accessible approach, the discussions often blend humor with intellectual commentary, making it appealing to anyone who loves literature.

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Which podcasts are similar to Close Reads Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close Reads Podcast:

1. The Literary Life Podcast
2. The Daily Poem
3. The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins
4. Scholé Sisters: Camaraderie for Classical Homeschooling Mamas
5. Classical Stuff You Should Know

How many episodes of Close Reads Podcast are there?

Close Reads Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 465 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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What guests have appeared on Close Reads Podcast?

Recent guests on Close Reads Podcast include:

1. Greg Wilbur

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