Close Reads Podcast

And we are on to a new book! Join David, Heidi, and very special guests Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well , and Joshua Gibbs, host of Proverbial , for a discussion about Mary Shelley's legendary novel, Frankenstein. In this episode they chat about the story behind the book, Shelley's wild and sad life, the differences in the editions, some preliminary themes, and more. See acast.com/p...

As always, the crew finishes a book by answering your questions. You had good ones, and we tried to answer them. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Tim is back and he joins David and Heidi for a conversation about the final pages of Graham Green's novel, The End of the Affair. They discuss Henry's invitation to Maurice, the book's approach to the concept of salvation, whether the ending is believable, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other su...

Time flies when you're having fun (is not the lesson of this book). We are plowing our way through The End of the Affai r and the end of the book is near. This week Tim is away (at sea, we think), so Heidi and David chatted about Sarah's death, Henry's invitation to Maurice, Maurice's hatred of God, and the way the book's writing shifts a bit during this section. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

On this week's episode, David, Heidi, and Tim chat about the challenges that this section of the book presents for discussion, as well as the deeply profound reflections found in Sarah's letters to God. Plus, there's some chatter about the different ways each of them read and approach books like this. You know, the normal stuff. Remember to rate and review wherever you get podcasts! See acast.com/...

In this week's episode, David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the likability (or lack thereof) of Maurice Bendrix, the protagonist of The End of the Affair; the way the book demands empathy from its reader; Green's consideration of sex, lust, and sin; and much more, of course. Remember to rate and review wherever you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public...

And so it was time to begin a new book . . . Join David, Tim, and Heidi as they dive into the world of Graham Green's twentieth classic, The End of the Affair . They chat about the likability of the narrator, the mystery of Sarah Miles, the technical skill of the author, and the fascination of those first few lines. And much more, of course. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informatio...

You had many (great) questions about Anne of Green Gables and David, Hieidi, and Tim made an attempt at answering as many of them as we could. They chatted about Gilbert's cuteness, the difference between drunkenness and rabies, and some other very serious things. If you like this episode remember to rate and review where you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

And so we come to the end of yet another book. In this episode, David, Heidi, and Tim discuss Matthew's death, Gilbert's action, Anne's growth, Marilla's illness, Lucy Maude Montgomery's skill, and a bunch of other stuff (including cereal, Yeoman's work, Michael Jordan, and Avocado toast). Remember to rate and review wherever you're listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat...

In this episode David, Tim, and Heidi, chat about the melancholy that sets into the book during this section, Anne's increasing maturity, the "boat springs a leak" scene, the "lessons" and morals Anne has learned, and much more. Remember to rate and review wherever you get podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this w...

In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim chat about the goodness of Anne's imagination, whether it ever serves negative purposes, and a whole bunch of about kinds of reading. Also other stuff. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss Anne's continued adventures with Diana, the way the book changes structurally during these chapters, and Lucy Maud Montgomery's view of Anne's imagination. If you like this episode please be sure to rate and review wherever you access podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss th...

There's a new movie version of Emma out now, and we're here to break it down. It stars Anya Joy-Taylor and Johnny Flynn, and is directed by Autumn deWilde and it's fascinating and we've got thoughts. So join us as we talk casting, adaptation, filmmaking, acting, and how we rate movies. It's a bonus episode just for you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public ep...

Self-isolate along with David, Heidi, and Tim as they chat some more about that delightful Anne with an "E." This week they discuss the introduction of Gilbert Blythe and the famous "carrots scene, Anne's particular brand of drama, the unique stakes of the novel, and much more. And remember: if you like this episode you can rate and review wherever you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for priva...

Chatting from their Covid-19-related self-isolation, David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the unique nature of Anne of Green Gables, the delightfulness of Anne, Anne's relationship with Marilla, the similarities between Anne and Rachel Lynde, and much more. If you like this episode, please be sure to rate and review wherever you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Thi...

It's time to make friends with Anne with an E. In this episode, Heidi explains why this book changed her life (she's read it soooo many times), David explains why Matthew and Anne's relationship is meaningful, and Tim dives into a story that's new to him. Remember to spread the word by rating and reviewing wherever you listen to podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

It's that time again: let's answer YOUR questions. Join David, Tim, and Heidi as they contemplate topics like Salinger geeks, Holden's affection for the nuns, the ugly vandalism at Phoebe's school, Holden Caulfield on screen, DB's role, and much more. And remember to rate and review wherever you get podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If y...

Once again we've come to the end of a book, so join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss whether Holden Caulfield is a cynic at the end of the book, the creepy scene with Mr. Antolini, the hopeful denouement , and the complicated nature of the book's legacy. If you like this episode please help us spread the word by rating and reviewing it wherever you get podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for priv...

Back again the gang is. This week David, Heidi, and Tim chatted about Holden's diction and choice of words, the red hunting hat, the ducks on the lagoon, and much more. Remember to rate and review! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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/s...

It's a surprise bonus episode with the one-and-only Leif Enger! David chatted with him recently about the inspiration for Peace Like a River , his early days as a writer, the choices he makes as a writer, his process, his love of western novels and movies, and much, much more. If you like this episode please be sure to rate and review wherever you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

And just like that we're on to J.D. Salinger's controversial novel, The Catcher in the Rye . Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss why this book is so loved and yet so hated and why it's taught so often. Plus, they discuss the foul language problem, Holden's cynicism, whether they would let their kids be Holden's friend, and much more. Remember, if you like this you can rate and review it and...

It's time for your questions here! We did our best to answer as many questions about Peace Like a River as we could, as well as we could. We talked about the title of the book, the nature of symbolism and allegory, the problem of Davy, the Westernness of this story, Swede's name, Jeremiah's pneumonia, and Andreeson conundrum, and much more. Remember to rate and review! See acast.com/privacy for pr...

Here we are at the end of Leif Enger's Peace Like a River . In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the denouement (and overall structure) of the story, Rueben's fate, Davy's choice to leave (again), and much more. If you like this episode, be sure to rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd...

We're back with more conversation about Leif Enger's Peace Like a River. In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the nefarious Jape Waltzer, Andreeson's changing role, the story's budding romance, and much, much more. It's a long one, so buckle up. Remember: rate, review wherever you get podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd l...

And so the odyssey into Leif Enger's Peace Like a River continues. In this episode, the crew chats about magical realism as a genre, Roxana as Beatrice figure, the Land family's descent into the underworld, and much, much more. If you like this show please make sure to rate and review the show wherever you get podcasts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public ep...