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. 22h ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Aug 11

    The Best Brontë You Haven't Read

    Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was one of the biggest surprises on my British reading list. Set on the Yorkshire moors, this 1848 novel begins as a mystery about a woman with an unknown past, but quickly becomes a remarkably honest examination of alcoholism, domestic violence, social expectations, and the limited choices available to women. I explore why Anne’s unflinching realism put her at odds with her sister Charlotte, how their own family experiences shaped the novel, and why its themes still feel strikingly modern. I also discuss the book’s unusual dual first-person narrative, why I think it deserves far more attention than it receives, and why it makes an excellent next step for readers who love Jane Austen but are ready for something darker and more challenging. We also discuss audiobooks. Is it "really" reading, or is a kind of cheat? I share what the research says--and what it doesn't--and share a little of my own experience, too. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë A History of Tom Jones, A Foundling by Henry Fielding Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri As You Wish by Carey Elwes A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 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. Aug 4

    The REAL Henry V: Shakespeare v. Dan Jones

    What a treat! When I spotted Dan Jones' 2024 biography of Henry V in the bookstore, I couldn't resist. In this episode we explore how history and drama can collide. What makes something "true?" Is it the story you repeat to yourself, or the actual facts that not everyone remembers? I loved being able to read this book against Shakespeare's Henriad. Would it spoil the spell that Shakespeare had cast over me, disturb the golden glow that I held our Harry in? Find out in this episode. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King (Dan Jones) Henry V (Shakespeare, Folger Shakespeare Library) CONNECT Kenneth Branagh's Henry V St. Crispin's Day Speech (Seriously go watch it!) 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. Jul 28

    The Greatest King? Shakespeare's Henry V

    Back with our once-a-month Shakespeare, this week wrapping up the trilogy of Henry plays with my personal favorite, Henry V. This week I did a quick review of how I read Shakespeare--movie, Folgers Shakespeare edition--and then we jumped into the play. After the humor of Falstaff and the exploits of our Prince Harry, Henry V is decidedly more serious. Prince Harry has become King Henry V, and he's going to war to claim the French throne. Shakespeare gives us a guide, the Chorus, who navigates the action as we watch Harry lead his army through the siege at Harfleur and the slog to Calais. The ragged army arrives at the field of Agincourt vastly outnumbered by a fresh French army when Henry gives what I think is one of the finest speeches in all of Shakespeare (although I have only nine other plays to compare to!). The "band of brothers" St. Crispin's Day speech is one for the ages! The play isn't only about battles, though. We see Harry struggle with betrayal and the consequences of leadership, and we see him court Princess Katherine of France in some of the lighter moments of the play. And while we no longer have Falstaff, the French leadership provide their own share of comic relief, which must have played well in Elizabethan England, too. By the way, you truly MUST watch the Kenneth Branagh movie, Henry V. As of July 2026 it's included in Amazon Prime--this is a movie that will win over the most anti-Shakespeare person in your life. Next month we take on our first comedy, As You Like It. And we are choosing plays to read in the coming months over on the Substack chat--please let me know what you want to read! That link is below. And next week, we take a closer look at the historical Henry V with Dan Brown's 2024 biography. Will the real Henry V please stand up? BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Folgers Shakespeare Library: Henry IV Part 1, Part 2; Henry V; As You Like It Dan Brown's Henry V CONNECT Let's talk about Shakespeare: Crack the Book Substack Chat 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. Jul 21

    England, God, and Everything: Bijan Omrani's God is an Englishman

    A modern history--I think the first one of the podcast! Bijan Omrani's 2025 book God is an Englishman presented a thesis that I couldn't resist, that the history of England can't be unwoven from Christianity, and to ignore the Church is to reject all the things that make England English. We take a look at the basis of Omrani's argument, and a closer look at a few aspects of English life: art, literature, architecture, and education. I think Omrani makes a good case. He's a church warden as well as an historian, and he calls to question the idea that a purely secular England can remain the country that he loves. It's an interesting argument, especially at a time when Christianity in particular is being driven from public life in England. He's at his best when examining history, and weaker as he tries to reconcile himself to the current atmosphere of England, prescribing more compromise in hopes of turning the culture, regaining things like commonly sung hymns or a shared ideal of beauty. But Englishman offers a solid place to consider culture from. Sometimes I think he stretches his points a little far, but overall it's an interesting take on the origins of culture, the things you just take for granted. They came from somewhere; we reject them at our peril. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE Is God an Englishman? (Bijan Omrani) 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

  8. Jul 14

    What if Joey Tribbiani had been born in 1740?

    The answer: You'd have Tom Jones! Oh, how I loved this novel. Come with me as we consider a novel that's been rather lost, overshadowed by all the delightful 19th century English writers like Dickens, Austen, and even Trollope. The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, by Henry Fielding, is a love story with 900 pages of twists and turns to get the ending you know is coming. I thought there was no way I'd hang in there, but it turns out that this novel was a page-turner, delivering surprises until the very last chapter. As part of my "Brit Lit" set that I was reading in preparation for my vacation in England, I'll share whether this one made the grade, and if it leads me down any other rabbit holes. I hope you enjoy this episode half as much as I enjoyed the novel. And for fun, there's even the 1963 movie--and it WON the Best Picture Oscar that year! Next week we are back to history, but in a really cool way: Bijan Omrani traces England's history not through wars and treaties, but through architecture, song, and literature. See you next week! BOOKS In this episode: The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (Henry Fielding) The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r CONNECT 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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