Close Reads Podcast Goldberry Studios
-
- Arts
-
Close Reads is a book-club podcast for the incurable reader. Featuring David Kern, Tim McIntosh and Heidi White, alongside a couple of other occasional guests, we read Great Books and talk about them. This is a show for amateurs in the best sense. We’re book lovers, book enthusiasts. This is not an experts show and it’s barely literary analysis in the way that literary analysis is commonly understood. Instead it’s a show about experiences with literary urge. Join us!
closereads.substack.com
-
Trust: Part One
The gang is all back for this new series on Hernan Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Trust! Join as we try not to spoil the rest of the book, discuss what makes Diaz’s approach so compelling, contemplate who part one is most sympathetic toward, 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 -
The Hobbit: Q&A episode
Once again, it’s time to answer your questions! So join us as we discuss Tolkien’s many choices, some differences between this book and the main trilogy, his various influences, teaching it, 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 -
The Hobbit: Back Again (The Final Chapters)
Bilbo’s journey is over and he’s home, which means there’s plenty to talk about. So this week we’re discussing the role of luck in Tolkien’s stories, the book’s subtle moral vision, Bilbo’s transformation, Arkenbread, 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 -
The Hobbit: Chapters 7-13
Bilbo, Thorin, and co. are well on their way, but are they actually good at their jobs? We discuss. Plus: Beowulf, The Hobbit and the question of heroism. Happy listening!
Close Reads is community-supported publication. To ensure that we can keep making the content you value, please consider becoming a subscriber.
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 -
The Hobbit: Chapters 1-6
Welcome to a new series here on Close Reads! We’re talking Tolkien, we’re talking Hobbits, we’re talking rings and dwarves and wizards, and (this week anyway) we’re talking first lines. So join us as we dig into what makes The Hobbit both so fun and so brilliant, what is has to say about heroism, whether our riddle game is strong, and much more. Plus, at the end, we discuss the annual Close Reads literary bracket, which is on great opening lines in literature. Happy listening! Preorder LUMEN Volume One: www.goldberryarts.com
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 -
The Road: Q&A
We’ve come to the end of the line discussing another book and that means it’s time to answer your questions! A lot of questions came in for this one, and we did our best to get to the bottom of as many as we could. Thanks so much to all who posted questions. Happy listening!
Up next: The Hobbit, chapters 1-6
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
Customer Reviews
Great show
Love listening to close reads.
A Wonderful Podcast!!
I love this podcast! Wonderful literary insight and beauty. I recommend this podcast to anyone who loves classic literature, beautiful stories, and people who talk about good things! 🤩
Excellent podcast!
This podcast has completely changed my reading life for the better. I’m reading more closely and attentively. I’m reading things that unfortunately were not part of my public school education or my training as a public school teacher. I could’ve really benefited from a podcast like this years ago. I love the hosts and truly enjoy listening to their approachable insights on the books. I also love the variety of books that are discussed. I look forward to each episode. My TBR list is now something I’m really proud of. Thanks you David, Heidi and Tim!