The Literary Life Podcast

I loved the Jane Eryer series you did thank you so much for doing that!!! I am a freshman and finding a podcast that discusses book the way I tend to read them makes me so happy!! Could you do a series on sense and sensibility by Jane Austen ?? I would love to see your take on that book.

I know this >is< a podcast on learning to read well, but it’s also (accidentally) an author’s crash course in writing well. I’m very new to reading and understanding literature this way, but Angelina, Cindy, and Mr. Banks are giving words to patterns I knew existed in my literary taste, what I was observing about books, but couldn’t explain (and rather thought was all in my head). I’ve inhaled so many new books, and binged so many of their podcasts on the literary tradition, fairy-stories, fairy tales, I’m simply bursting with jubilation :’) My inner Hermione/Ravenclaw is a bit exhausted because I’ve binged so much (but in a good way). I’ve always wanted to talk about stories this way, but I didn’t think there were other people who cared about stories like this. I thought I was the only one and a bit of a freak for thinking stories ought to go as deep as this. What a relief to realise there’s an entire tradition revolving around this (hullo, new autistic hyperfixation! <3). I’ve realised if this is what it means to read well, then this is what it means to write well. What I’m learning from this lovely trio translates so well to the fantasy series I’ve been developing for so long. I’m chuffed. I’m grateful. Angelina, I know you read all your reviews, and I sincerely want you to know what a delight it’s been to get this up close look at my favourite authors, discover new ones, to see how they’re all conversing with each other, to better understand what they were saying; I’m applying it to my writing in beautiful ways. Thank you. Thank you! Thank you!! There aren’t words for what joy and delight and beauty this podcast has brought to my literary world as well as my own, fantasy drafting world too <3

Chats and conversations about books that feel like having good friends over cups of tea in the room, perfect for relaxing in the evenings and lingering in a world where stories matter. I enjoyed the podcast so much that I have gone on to explore classes, which are focused and extremely rich and highly recommended, but I still enjoy the podcasts for a fun conversation to listen to at the end of the day.

I had a professor in college that showed me this deeper way to read but unfortunately he left after a short time. I didn’t think anyone read the way he did until I found this program. It is so exciting to understand books without all the modern interpretations forced on them. This podcast and various classes from House of Humane Letters are overwhelmingly rich in content and insight and deeply rooted in traditional ways of understanding literature. I can’t recommend this podcast or the classes and webinars enough!