Snoozecast

Tonight, we’ll read an excerpt from The Soul of Golf by P.A. Vaile, published in 1912. Snoozecast first read this back in 2020.  The author Vaile’s contributions to golf literature extended beyond mere instruction—he was an early advocate for the science of the game. His writings explored the mechanics of golf swings and course strategy, combining a passion for the sport with an analytical mind. V...

Tonight, we’ll read the 24rd chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled "Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert". In the previous chapter, Anne’s impulsive nature leads her to accept a dangerous dare, resulting in a fall that leaves her with a broken ankle and weeks of confinement. Despite her initial despair, Anne’s vivid imaginat...

Tonight, we’ll read the section on baking cookies from “Woman’s Institute Library of Cookery Volume 4”, written by The Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences.  The Woman’s Institute was founded by Mary Brooks Picken in Scranton, PA. Born in Kansas in 1886, Picken wrote the first dictionary to be published by a woman in the English language, beyond the over one hundred other books she wrot...

Tonight, we’ll read a short story by Charles Dickens called “A Christmas Tree”, from 1850. Snoozecast first aired this story back in the year 2020. It was only ten years prior to this story’s publication that in 1840 the German concept of a Christmas tree was introduced to England. Before then, nobody in England had placed a Christmas tree in their home. Just as Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” isn’t...

Tonight we'll read the next chapter of Good Wives, written by Louisa may Alcott, titled "New Impressions". This is also known as the second half of the Little Women novel, and is considered the 37th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In the last chapter, Jo returns home and is troubled by the changes in Beth. Although Beth appears happy, Jo senses that her sister is fading away. Beth reveals...

Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Roughing It”, by Mark Twain, published in 1872. It is a semi-autobiographical travel memoir following a young Twain through the Wild West during the 1860s. The book offers a vivid glimpse into a bygone era, filled with stagecoaches, mining camps, and encounters with colorful characters. Twain's signature wit and humor permeate the narrative, as he recounts his e...

Tonight, we’ll read from the sixth chapter of British naturalist Charles Darwin’s “The Voyage of the Beagle”. This chapter explores more of Darwin’s journey from Bahia Blanca to Buenos Aries. He reflects on the landscape, vegetation, and wildlife of the region, which is marked by vast, desolate plains and dry shrubland. Darwin notes the scarcity of water, the presence of thorny bushes, and the occ...

Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.  In the last episode, the off-season tourists to the beach town of Lyme are surprised to learn that the mysterious gentleman...

Tonight, we'll read the chapter “On Soup” from The Feasts of Autolycus by Elizabeth Robins Pennell, in which Pennell draws from her experiences as a food critic and essayist to explore the role of soup in culinary culture. Snoozecast first read this back in 2020. An American writer who lived much of her life in Europe, Pennell was known for her travel writing and gastronomic studies, often blendin...

Tonight, we’ll read the second half to “The Adventure of the Six Napoleans” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as part of 1903’s “The Return of Sherlock Holmes”. The first half aired last week. In the previous episode, Sherlock Holmes is approached by Lestrade about a peculiar case involving a series of smashed plaster busts of Napoleon. While initially seeming trivial, the case escalates when a m...

Tonight, we’ll begin the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The house at Pooh Corner”. This book is the second novel, and final one by Milne, to feature Winnie-the-Pooh and his world. The book is also notable for introducing the character Tigger. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Lorna Doone, a Romance of Exmoor”, a novel published in 1869 and written by English author Richard Doodridge Blackmore. Snoozecast first read this one back in 2020. This book is based on a group of historical characters set in the late 17th century. John Ridd is the son of a farmer who is murdered by a member of the Doone clan. The Doone’s were once noble but no...

Tonight, we’ll read the first half to “The Adventure of the Six Napoleans” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as part of 1903’s “The Return of Sherlock Holmes”. The second half will air next week. Tonight’s story revolves around a series of seemingly bizarre and senseless crimes involving the destruction of plaster busts of Napoleon Bonaparte. As Sherlock Holmes investigates, he uncovers a complex...

Tonight, we’ll read the 23rd chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honor” In the previous chapter, Anne was thrilled to receive her first formal invitation to tea, which she considered a grand and sophisticated event. Despite her excitement, the outing didn’t go entirely as planned—she wore a d...

Tonight, we’ll read “Snow White”, a 19th-century German fairy tale which is today known widely across the Western world. Snoozecast first aired this story back in 2020. In 1812 the Brothers Grimm published it along with many other folktales they collected. It wasn’t until exactly one century later, in 1912, that the seven dwarfs were given individual names in the Broadway play “Snow White and the...

Tonight, we’ll read a Snoozcast original titled “The Root King”. Deep beneath the earth sleep The Root King, who ensures that the land is fertile and the crops grow strong. This year however, The Root King fails to rise and the fields grow barren. The village elders send a chosen one underground to wake The Root King, only to discover the secret of his slumber. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozeca...

Tonight, we’ll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “Beth’s Secret”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 36th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In the last chapter, Laurie graduates with honors and invites Jo to celebrate with him, but during their walk, he finally confesses his love for her, hoping she...

Tonight, we’ll read excerpts from “Healthful Sports for Boys”, written by A.R. Calhoun and published in 1882. Also known as Alfred Rochfort, born in 1844, Calhoun was an American soldier, author, journalist and critic. He served in the Union army during the U.S. Civil War. "Healthful Sports for Boys," was a guide to engaging in physical activities that promoted health and well-being. One popular g...

Tonight, we’ll read the classic fairy tale “The Golden Goose”. We found this version in Katherine Pyle’s 1918 “Mother’s Nursery Tales”. “The Golden Goose” was one of many folk tales documented and published by The Brothers Grimm. Snoozecast first read this story back in 2020. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German scholars who collected and published folklore during the 19th century. Their collection...

Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife. In the last episode, the off-season tourists to the beach town of Lyme become acquainted with Captain Wentworth’s friends, Ca...

Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “The Invisible Man”, a science fiction novel by H.G. Wells, published in 1897. The title of this story refers to a scientist named Griffin, whose devotion to the study of optics leads him to a remarkable breakthrough: he has invented a way to render oneself invisible. However, as Griffin eagerly tests his invention on himself, he soon realizes the consequences of...

Tonight, we’ll read a chapter titled “An Old Road.” from “A Rambler’s Lease” by Bradford Torrey, published in 1892. Torrey was an American ornithologist who wrote many stories about his experiences walking through woods while bird watching.  The preface he wrote to tonight’s book is paraphrased as follows: “The writer of this little book has found so much pleasure in other men's woods and fields t...

Tonight, we’ll read the conclusion to “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” a classic science fiction adventure novel by French writer Jules Verne. We first began Twenty Thousand Leagues in April of 2022. Cheers to you if you’ve listened along with us for the entire journey aboard the Nautilus. Each completed novel Snoozecast reads is available as a separate podcast if you’d like to listen thro...

Tonight, we’ll read excerpts from the book “Fresh Fields” by John Burroughs, published in 1896. The main section we will read is titled “At Sea”.  In "Fresh Fields," Burroughs takes us on a journey through his travels and observations of the natural world, both in America and abroad. This collection of essays showcases Burroughs' keen eye for detail and his deep appreciation for the beauty and com...

Tonight, we’ll continue our journey through "The Rose and the Ring," by William Makepeace Thackeray, first published in 1854. The previous episode aired last month. In the last episode, we learned how Princess Angelica's parents neglected to invite Fairy Blackstick to her christening, resulting in Gruffanuff, the strict doorman, being transformed into a brass knocker as punishment for his rudeness...