Crack The Book: A Beginner's Guide to Reading the Great Books

Cheryl Drury
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Confused by Confucius? Daunted by Dante? Shook by Shakespeare? I get it! I'm Cheryl, a reader exploring the world's most influential books one episode at a time. I don't do lectures, and I can't do jargon. But we do have friendly conversations about why (and whether) these books still matter. Each episode, we tackle a great book or two—The Divine Comedy, The Canterbury Tales, The Odyssey, The Prince—unpacking the big ideas, memorable moments, and surprising ways these stories connect to life today. If you've ever thought "I should read that" but didn't know where to start, you're in the right place. Subscribe to Crack the Book. Let's find out what's inside.

  1. 6h ago

    The Iliad: Is Glory a Young Man's Game?

    We’re finishing the Iliad—and I have some thoughts. Books 17–24 bring us Patroclus’s death and funeral, Achilles’s return to battle, the death of Hector, and finally Priam’s heartbreaking journey into the Greek camp to ransom his son’s body. That final encounter between Priam and Achilles may be the scene that stays with me most. But I’m also wrestling with the Iliad as a whole. Why has this war dragged on for nine years? Why does almost no one seem particularly eager to be there? Why exactly is Achilles considered such a great hero when his rage causes so much destruction? And can we please talk about Paris? This was an exhausting, frustrating read for me—and I’m not quite ready to decide what I think of it. I’m going to let those questions sit while we move into the Odyssey and begin asking the question the Iliad leaves hanging: after all this, is there anything left to go home to? BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Iliad: Fagles, Wilson, Rouse. The Odyssey: Fagles, Wilson, Rouse. The Aeneid: Fagles, Ruden. CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  2. Sep 29

    Shakespeare's Original Rom-Com: Much Ado About Nothing

    This week, we take a break from Greece for our monthly Shakespeare and turn to Much Ado About Nothing, a play I found completely charming. After a quick trip through the plot, I compare Much Ado with last month’s As You Like It: the different ways Shakespeare moves the action along, the surprising darkness lurking inside his comedies, and the very different themes he manages to explore while still making us laugh. We’ll also look at one unexpectedly moving speech about grief that stopped me in my tracks. Finally, I talk about Kenneth Branagh’s gorgeous 1993 film adaptation, featuring Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, a very young Kate Beckinsale—and, fresh off his iconic Point Break role, Keanu Reeves! If Shakespeare makes you nervous, this funny, accessible play might be a very good place to start. And if you're tired of the comedy, come back next week for everyone's favorite Shakespeare for Halloween: Macbeth! BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE Folgers Library Editions of As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth. CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  3. Sep 22

    Where IS Everyone?? The Warriors of the Iliad

    We’re two-thirds of the way through The Iliad, and instead of marching book by book through the action, this week I’m following the characters. Where have Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Paris, and Hector actually been—and what have they been doing—through Book 16? Some are fighting, some are leading, and some are doing remarkably little. Along the way, we’ll look at Hector as the story’s moral center, the very different stakes facing mortals and immortal gods, and the moment that finally changes everything for Achilles. I also compare three translations of Book 16: Robert Fagles, Emily Wilson, and the wonderfully readable 1938 prose translation by W.H.D. Rouse. Wilson surprised me, Rouse continues to charm me, and Fagles remains my standard. Make sure to stick around for Patroclus' amazing last words. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Iliad: Fagles, Wilson, and Rouse. CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  4. Sep 15

    The Known Unknowns of the Iliad

    It's great that we're reading the Iliad, but sometimes it feels like you've walked into a party that where everyone knows everyone--except you! This week my son and Classics scholar Jack joins me to talk about the backstories in the Iliad. There are many, but the three we break down in particular are: The backstory of the Atrides family: Agamemnon and Menelaus come from a house that has been cursed from a child sacrifice several generations earlier. And Agamemnon in particular has perpetuated that curse himself. How does that affect his leadership and Menelaus' quest for his wife Helen?The backstory of the House of Priam: The king of Troy watched his city destroyed, and he returned to rebuild it from ashes. And how did Paris bring the entire Helen debacle onto his head? Will Troy burn to the ground again?The birth story of Achilles: from his mother Thetis' relationship with Zeus to his own relationship with the gods, especially Athena, there is a lot to open up here. When last we left Achilles, I thought he was acting a little bratty, to be honest. Can Jack change my mind?How exactly the Trojan War started: The Iliad starts nine years into war, and the Iliad itself never tells how Paris came to meet Helen at all! Jack fills in the blanks with this one. Since we ran out of time on this episode, I cover Books 7 through 12 over on the Substack. I hope you found this week's look at "what came before" helpful. Of course it's totally possible to enjoy the story without knowing backstories. But for me, knowing how everyone got to the battlefield in Troy makes the story much richer. Join us next week as we pick up the narrative again! BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Iliad: Fagles, Rouse, and Wilson. CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  5. Sep 8

    Who Is the Real Enemy? The Iliad, Books 1-6

    Today's the day we start The Iliad! In this episode, I summarize the action thus far, in Books 1-6. I also discuss a few key points that I've noticed in the reading: The story opens in a way I really didn't expect: with the Greeks arguing amongst themselves after being at war with the Trojans for NINE years. The names (something I mentioned last week) can really trip you up. But there's a reason for some of it, and it isn't what you might expect.Homer, a Greek, is surprisingly evenhanded with good guys on both the Greek and Trojan side. In fact, Trojan Hector seems like he will be the moral center of the story.Helen is, well, Helen is odd. Does she feel trapped? Does she even like Menelaus or Paris? I hope we hear from her more, but I don't have high hopes. So, one-quarter of the way into the Iliad, it's been an interesting ride. It's very, very bloody, but it's a war book, so maybe that is just the way things are? We'll see--next week! We'll be taking a look at more of the Iliad, and we are also going to talk about what is missing. Next week: the Backstories of the Iliad. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Iliad: Translated by Fagles, Rouse, and Wilson. CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  6. Sep 1

    The Greatest Stories Ever Told? Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgil's Aeneid

    This fall, Crack the Book is heading into the ancient world with an epic reading project: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, followed by Virgil’s Aeneid. We’ll move at a beginner-friendly pace, keeping our eyes on the forest rather than examining every leaf, while exploring the history, mythology, translations, movies, and enormous cultural influence of these stories. I’ll be reading Robert Fagles as my primary translation, while dipping into versions by Emily Wilson, W.H.D. Rouse, and Sarah Ruden to see how translation changes the experience. Along the way, I’ll share practical strategies for handling the intimidating number of names, gods, heroes, and places—and bring in guests and experts for other perspectives. Most importantly, you don’t need to know Greek mythology or be an expert to begin. These books have survived because they are great stories. Come find out why they still have the power to surprise us. Next week: The Iliad, Books 1–5. BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Homer, The Iliad — Robert Fagles translation, Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition Homer, The Odyssey — Robert Fagles translation, Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition Virgil, The Aeneid — Robert Fagles translation, Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition Homer, The Iliad — Emily Wilson translation Homer, The Odyssey — Emily Wilson translation Homer, The Iliad — W. H. D. Rouse translation (prose) Homer, The Odyssey — W. H. D. Rouse translation (prose) Virgil, The Aeneid — Sarah Ruden translation Apuleius, The Golden Ass — Sarah Ruden translation CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  7. Aug 25

    Shakespeare's As You Like It: A Comedy You Can Fall In Love With

    This month’s Shakespeare is As You Like It—and after my less-than-enthusiastic experience with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I’m relieved to discover that Shakespearean comedy really can be funny. The plot is completely ridiculous: banished dukes, feuding brothers, improbable disguises, love at first sight, a lion, a religious conversion, and four marriages. Somehow, it works. But because this is Shakespeare, the comedy also sneaks in bigger ideas: primogeniture and sibling rivalry, country life versus court life, the costs of travel, and, most memorably, the famous “All the world’s a stage” speech. I also share why I don’t recommend Kenneth Branagh’s movie adaptation and give As You Like It a B+. Plus, a preview of our fall Shakespeare lineup and the upcoming Iliad/Odyssey/Aeneid reading project. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE As You Like It CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Kenneth Branagh's As You Like It Trailer St. Philip's Academy 2026 Convocation (Not available yet but I'll link when it is!) Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

  8. Aug 18

    The Hits (and Misses!) of a Travel-Wise Reading List

    This week, I’m wrapping up my season of “Brit Lit” by looking back at an ambitious reading project built around a trip through England. My goal was to arrive with some understanding of English history, a feel for the landscape and literature of northern England, and a grounding in English Christianity. Some choices were spectacular: Bede and Bijan Omrani became invaluable guides to the places we visited, while Tom Jones, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and Shakespeare’s history plays brought the English countryside and its past vividly to life. Other choices taught me something about building a reading list itself: narrow the focus, be realistic about time, leave room for discoveries, and don’t let someone else’s recommendation distract from your purpose. Was the whole project a little pretentious? Probably. But it also gave me something I rarely make enough room for before a trip: anticipation. Reading before I traveled meant seeing England through two sets of eyes—mine and those of Bede, Fielding, Brontë, and Shakespeare. Next time, though? Three books maximum. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE Venerable Bede — An Ecclesiastical History of the English People King Alfred the Great — The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles (Note--I really didn't like this edition at all but go ahead and check it out if you want) The 1662 Book of Common Prayer — especially the Psalter Bijan Omrani — God Is an Englishman Henry Fielding — The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Anne Brontë — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Helene Hanff — Q’s Legacy Helene Hanff — 84, Charing Cross Road James Herriot — All Creatures Great and Small William Shakespeare — Henry IV, Part 1; Henry IV, Part 2; Henry V Antony Sher — Year of the Fat Knight Dan Jones — Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England’s Greatest Warrior King CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com. Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

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Confused by Confucius? Daunted by Dante? Shook by Shakespeare? I get it! I'm Cheryl, a reader exploring the world's most influential books one episode at a time. I don't do lectures, and I can't do jargon. But we do have friendly conversations about why (and whether) these books still matter. Each episode, we tackle a great book or two—The Divine Comedy, The Canterbury Tales, The Odyssey, The Prince—unpacking the big ideas, memorable moments, and surprising ways these stories connect to life today. If you've ever thought "I should read that" but didn't know where to start, you're in the right place. Subscribe to Crack the Book. Let's find out what's inside.

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