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. The Year in the Reading Episode

    16 HR AGO

    The Year in the Reading Episode

    It’s that time of year! In this annual tradition we’re sharing our top five reads of 2024 (as well as a slew of honorable mentions). 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 30m
  2. The Great Passion: Chapters 13-18

    5 DAYS AGO

    The Great Passion: Chapters 13-18

    Welcome back to our ongoing conversation about James Runcie’s The Great Passion. In this episode we discuss the book’s ongoing contemplation about the way platitude’s rarely can solve the problem of real grief; how it explores spiritual questions; the complicated nature of Catharina’s relationship with Stefan; and 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 4m
  3. The Great Passion: Chapters 7-12

    9 DEC

    The Great Passion: Chapters 7-12

    Welcome back to Close Reads as we continue our discussion of James Runcie’s The Great Passion. Topics of conversation include the way Runcie introduces the book’s tragedies, how Bach teaches both the protagonist and the reader, how to tell the difference between true wisdom and pithy sayings in the story, and 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

    59 min
  4. The Great Passion: Chapters 1-6

    2 DEC

    The Great Passion: Chapters 1-6

    We’re on to a new book: James Runcie’s The Great Passion, a contemporary book that blends a variety of genres in a really delightful fashion. On this episode we discuss how he pulls it off. Plus: the way music is an ongoing motif in the construction of the story, why it’s such a re-readable book, how Bach is portrayed, and much more. 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

    50 min
  5. Black Friday Ask-Us-Anything Q&A

    30 NOV

    Black Friday Ask-Us-Anything Q&A

    You had questions so we answered some. It’s an ask-us-anything episode for the long holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Close Reads! 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
  6. Station Eleven: Q&A Episode

    26 NOV

    Station Eleven: Q&A Episode

    You have questions, we have answers! So join in as Heidi and Sean dig deep into your agreements and disagreements, your concerns and displeasures, your interigations and your impressions. We hope you enjoy, even if you disagree with the takes. 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 4m
  7. Station Eleven: Chapters 6-9 (to the end)

    18 NOV

    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
  8. 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
See All (423)

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
    423
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Goldberry Books L.L.C.
  • Show Website
    Close Reads Podcast

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