Close Reads Podcast
Goldberry StudiosClose 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 | 514 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArts | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Welcome to the conclusion of our conversation on Graham Greene’s novel. This week we’re answering your questions and topics include:
* The difference between a Catholic novel and a novel with Catholic characters
* Green’s personal faith and its in... more
Close Readers, I’m thrilled to present this very special episode on Beloved with Dr. Angel Adams Parham, a professor at the University of Virginia and the co-author of The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature. We chat... more
As we get to the end of Graham Greene’s novel it’s time to discuss such things as whether the book has a happy ending, who the villain of the book is, the spiritual underpinnings in the story (and Milly’s role therein), the madness Beatrice refers to... more
Welcome back to our series on Graham Green’s “Our Man in Havana!” This week we’re discussing Wormold and Beatrice’s relationship, the symbolism of masks and shadows, Greene’s commentary on bureaucracy and truth, the role of marriage and domestic life... more
Key Facts
Similar Podcasts
People also subscribe to these shows.
Recent Guests
Hosts
Reviews
- My favorite book podcast
Absolutely fantastic book review podcast - strikes the right balance between real literary analysis and good banter, the hosts seem like lovely people who I’d want to hang out with, and the reading lists (while ambitious!) have given me some of my favorite reads of the last few years. Also, as a U.S. expat living abroad, the southern accents take me right back home❤️
Keep it up y’all!
Apple Podcasts5Lizzy Lima
United Kingdom6 months ago - Love love love
Heidi, you are my favorite podcast host of all time. The boys are pretty good too. Thanks for getting me back into literature!
Apple Podcasts5Aio1972
United States6 months ago - 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 Podcasts3Anonymous6734United States8 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 Podcasts5Bootsy DuBoisUnited States9 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 Podcasts5Kelsie HartleyUnited Statesa year ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #61 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #179 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #100 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #185 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #192 |  France/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #228 |  Australia/Arts/Books |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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?
Close Reads is a book-club style show that treats literature as a collaborative puzzle, blending close-reading techniques with thoughtful discussion of themes, context, and authorial craft. Across episodes, the trio (often joined by Tim McIntosh) dives into classic and modern works, unpacking structure, symbolism, and moral questions, while weaving inFaith-informed perspectives, teaching experiences, and personal anecdotes. The format emphasizes accessible, empathetic conversation and practical reading guidance, making it appealing to readers who want both rigorous analysis and a welcoming didactic vibe. A standout aspect is the long-running, collaborative vibe among the hosts, plus a penchant for connecting literature to broader cultural a... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Close Reads Podcast?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Close Reads Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Close Reads Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Close Reads Podcast get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Close Reads Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for Close Reads Podcast?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Close Reads Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
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. The Daily Poem
3. The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins
4. Scholé Sisters: Camaraderie for Classical Homeschooling Mamas
5. Read-Aloud Revival ®
How many episodes of Close Reads Podcast are there?
Close Reads Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 514 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?
Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.
Where can I see ratings and reviews for Close Reads Podcast?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Close Reads Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Close Reads Podcast?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Close Reads Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on Close Reads Podcast?
Recent guests on Close Reads Podcast include:
1. Joshua Gibbs
2. Tim McIntosh
3. 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.