Close Reads Podcast

Goldberry Studios
  • 4.2 (10)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Close Reads Podcast

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 Goldberry Studios, the podcast wing of Goldberry Books, a family-run indie bookshop in Concord, NC. closereads.substack.com

  1. Station Eleven: Chapters 6-9 (to the end)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Station Eleven: Chapters 6-9 (to the end)

    Welcome to the conclusion of our conversation of Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning novel (other than the Q&A episode, which will drop next week). Topics of conversation in this one include: * The way the book contemplates whether civilization should be saved—and the way it thinks about civilization writ-large * the notion of re-birth and purification when things crumble * and, of course, whether Mandel lands the plane in the end. As always, happy listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    55 min
  2. Station Eleven: Parts 5-6

    11 NOV

    Station Eleven: Parts 5-6

    Welcome back to our discussion of Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning, best-selling contemporary novel, Station Eleven. In this episode we discuss the characters’ longing for connection—both to their old world and to other people (and the question of hope that the book raises therein). Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  3. Station Eleven: Parts 3-4

    4 NOV

    Station Eleven: Parts 3-4

    Welcome back to our discussion of Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning, best-selling contemporary novel, Station Eleven. Topics of conversation on this first episode include: * the winding way in which the book reveals itself * the moral universe (and telos) that the book seems to be setting forth * Mandel’s unique ability to craft characters which seem alive * and much, much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
  4. Station Eleven: Parts 1 & 2

    28 OCT

    Station Eleven: Parts 1 & 2

    Welcome to a new series here on Close Reads, in which we’re digging into Emily St. John Mandel’s award-winning, best-selling contemporary novel, Station Eleven, a book which became eerily prescient during peak Covid days. Topics of conversation on this first episode include: * the experience of reading a book which fictionalized events which almost seemed to actually have happened (sort of) . . . * why this novel was so popular (including during Covid lockdowns) * the parallels between the events of the play within the book and the events of the book itself * and much more Happy listening! Close Reads Podcast HQ is a community-supported endeavor. If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to ensure we can keep making the content you enjoy. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    54 min
  5. Vipers' Tangle: Q&A Episode

    23 OCT

    Vipers' Tangle: Q&A Episode

    As is our custom here on Close Reads, we’re concluding this series on Francois Mauriac’s Vipers’ Tangle by answering some of your questions. We talk about Mauriac’s bibliography and biography, conversion stories in literature, Louis’ evolving heart, and much more! Thanks for tuning in and happy listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  6. Vipers' Tangle: To the End

    14 OCT

    Vipers' Tangle: To the End

    Now that we’ve read all of Mauriac’s Vipers’ Tangle, we can discuss the details. So in this episode, we dig into the degree to which we can trust the narrator as the novel goes on, the degree to which his children are malicious, and the degree to which he’s truly changed/saved in the end. And so much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 10m
  7. Live Episode: Is Flannery O'Connor Funny?

    11 OCT

    Live Episode: Is Flannery O'Connor Funny?

    Flannery O’Connor’s fiction has been described as “gothic,” “violent,” “unsentimental,” even “grotesque.” Yet it is also often described as funny. How can both be true? Well in this episode the whole gang is back together to discuss that very question during a live recording that took place at our recent “Close Reads on the Road” event in Concord, NC. So join us as we explore O’Connor’s famous story, “Good Country People” and try to ascertain where the humor in her work comes from and why it matters. Happy listening! Close Reads Podcast HQ is a community-supported endeavor. If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min
  8. Vipers' Tangle: Chapters 11-15

    8 OCT

    Vipers' Tangle: Chapters 11-15

    Welcome back to Close Reads. This week we’re discussing the way Vipers’ Tangle shift gears in this section and what it means for our understanding of the characters, the goals of the book, and our interaction with it. Plus: lots of conversation about Isa and marriage. Happy reading! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
See All (417)

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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 Goldberry Studios, the podcast wing of Goldberry Books, a family-run indie bookshop in Concord, NC. closereads.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Goldberry Studios
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    417
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Goldberry Books L.L.C.
  • Show Website
    Close Reads Podcast

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada