Pages Past

Genna Buck

Pages Past is a visit to the library of memories. In each episode, a guest chooses a book from their far past to read and discuss. Through conversation and close reading, we will find new meanings in our old favourite books.

Episodes

  1. 2025-11-18

    The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese with Dr. Steven Parra

    Dr. Steven Parra, resident physician in anesthesiology and recurring favourite on The Newest Olympian and other shows in the Schubertverse, revisits a book that deeply affected him as an aspiring medical student: The Tennis Partner (1998) by Abraham Verghese, which we read through the theme of denial. This episode contains discussions of medical topics, suicide and self-harm, mental illness, divorce and infidelity, misogyny, Covid-19 and HIV/AIDS. The opinions discussed in this episode are Steven's own and not those of any employer.  Pages Past is a journey through the library of memory. In each episode, host Genna Buck invites a guest to choose a book to read and discuss. It must be something that meant a lot to you in the far past—so long ago, that you were a different person the last time you read it. Through conversation and close reading, we will find new meanings in our old favourite books. Audio production by the incredible Caleb Buys.  As always, you DO NOT need to read the book to enjoy the episode! Follow us on Instagram at @pagespastcast.  To be notified when new episodes are released, sign up at Patreon.com/PagesPast. It's free to join, but your support would be very appreciated.  Pages Past was a project of the SUNY Stony Brook Audio Podcast Fellows podcast incubator.  Music is generously provided by Kevin McLeod. Pennsylvania Rose licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

    1h 9m
  2. 2025-09-15

    Quest for a Maid by Frances M. Hendry with Anne Thériault

    Anne Thériault, author of the Queens of Infamy series and many other works, revisits one of the first books she picked out all by herself: Quest for a Maid (1988) by Frances M. Hendry, which we read through the theme of power. Topics discussed: Feminist readings of witchcraft and plucky heroines, wanting to say "See you never" to your family when you're a teen, and whether we care who the King of Scotland is (nope!).  Anne is at work on a book expanding on her amazing piece about the radical mental health program inspired by St. Dymphna in Geel, Belgium. We stood on the shoulders of many giants in this episode: Anna Carter Florence (Rehearsing Scripture), Hannah McGregor (A Sentimental Education), Jia Tolentino (Pure Heroines from Trick Mirror), and  Lindsey from Young Adult Historical Vault (the only summary of Quest for a Maid online).  Pages Past is a journey through the library of memory. In each episode, host Genna Buck invites a guest to choose a book to read and discuss. It must be something that meant a lot to you in the far past—so long ago, that you were a different person the last time you read it. Through conversation and close reading, we will find new meanings in our old favourite books. Audio production by the incredible Caleb Buys.  As always, you DO NOT need to read the book to enjoy the episode! Follow us on Instagram at @pagespastcast.  To be notified when new episodes are released, sign up at Patreon.com/PagesPast. It's free to join, but your support would be very appreciated.  Pages Past was a project of the SUNY Stony Brook Audio Podcast Fellows podcast incubator.  Music is generously provided by Kevin McLeod. Pennsylvania Rose licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

    50 min

About

Pages Past is a visit to the library of memories. In each episode, a guest chooses a book from their far past to read and discuss. Through conversation and close reading, we will find new meanings in our old favourite books.