Mackenzie Gentz

The Book Album

Arts EN ↓ 120 episodes

"The Book Album" is a podcast about literature. We review books in a variety of literary avenues, some as old as the 1500s and some as new as last month. Our aim: to make the bookish accessible to all.

Author

Mackenzie Gentz

Episodes

24 Hours to Study Czech – Episode 229 06.02.2023 56:24

Mackenzie shares a vlog-style podcast of how, when, and how frequently she studies Czech every day. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Parting the Atlantic 004 (Genesis 5-6) 28.01.2023 34:26

What does a close bond with God (á la Lamech) look like in today’s world? To what extent does Numerology play a role in ages within the Bible?

“On Writing” by Stephen King – Episode 228 23.01.2023 29:14

One of the very few (pseudo-)memoirs that we have reviewed on the channel, this read provides provocative and helpful advice to young writers. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Where to Start – Episode 227 17.01.2023 31:02

Mackenzie walks listeners through how to start a reading goal in 2023. Plus: asides about “The Menu” film. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“Nicholas Nickleby” by Charles Dickens – Episode 226 | December Dickens 03.01.2023 45:18

This wonderful—and comic—novel by Charles Dickens fits right into the rest of his ouvure. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Week 51 of Reading 2022 – Episode 225 28.12.2022 23:27

Mackenzie wraps up her year of reading in a quirky episode in which she describes the collection of books she read this year. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

On Reading Dickens (New Intro) – Episode 224 | December Dickens 25.12.2022 22:49

An age-old episode on the show that we republish to kick off every December Dickens season. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Parting the Atlantic 003 (Proverbs 25) 22.11.2022 41:00

How to avoid becoming the quarrelsome wife + how Proverbs relates to Job.  

Announcement: Liminal November + December Dickens Programming 18.11.2022 6:20

We hope you all enjoyed the #HorrifyingClassics2022 season. In this short message, we announce the #DecemberDickens2022 programming, as well as the potential programming for the rest of November.  

“11.22.63” by Stephen King (2/2) with John McDermott | Horrifying Classics – Episode 223 16.11.2022 34:34

Today Mackenzie speaks with John McDermott, the person who recommended “11.22.63” for the show. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“11.22.63” by Stephen King (1/2) | Horrifying Classics – Episode 222 14.11.2022 46:41

An impressive, immersive novel: psychological, funny, gory, historical—and an all-around best from author Stephen King. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“The Faces” by Tove Ditlevsen | Horrifying Classics – Episode 221 11.11.2022 29:27

Ultimately, not a psychological thriller. However: still psychological, still a challenge. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley | Horrifying Classics – Episode 220 27.10.2022 35:36

Another psychological thriller—with a killer twist. Who is on the guest list? — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“Verity” by Colleen Hoover | Horrifying Classics – Episode 219 17.10.2022 32:18

A must-read for #HorrifyingClassics2022, “Verity” by Colleen Hoover teaches Mackenzie how a psychological thriller should feel: horrifying. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Parting the Atlantic 002 (Genesis 1-4) 13.10.2022 1:00:11

Mack & John discuss relationships gone wrong, including how guilt and doubt can erode (or, in other circumstances aid) faith.

“We Were the Mulvaneys” by Joyce Carol Oates | Horrifying Classics – Episode 218 12.10.2022 34:48

Mack is back to regular posting for our spooktacular #HorrifyingClassics2022 lineup. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays” by Umberto Eco – Episode 217 15.08.2022

In a rambly episode, Mackenzie talks about the liminality of life after graduation and finding humor in this brilliant essay collection by Italian linguist Umberto Eco. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Parting the Atlantic 001 (Introduction) 07.08.2022

Mack and her partner John launch a new podcast about faith and long distance. — relevanceofliterature.com patreon.com/relevanceofliterature

“Persuasion” by Jane Austen – Episode 216 23.07.2022

Mackenzie’s second Jane Austen book…and Jane Austen’s last. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

10 Weeks on a Kindle – Episode 215 28.06.2022

In which Mackenzie describes her 10 week backpacking trip…and how she is keeping up with reading along the way. Plus: a few tangents about Spanish learning and traveling! — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

My First Book – Episode 214 07.06.2022 23:28

In which Mackenzie discusses the process for writing her first book. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Returned from my Sabbatical – Episode 213 02.06.2022 27:12

Mackenzie shares her thoughts on what she learned during her sabbatical. She also shares more about her next steps, post-graduation from Northwestern. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Mackenzie’s Sabbatical – Episode 212 28.03.2022 15:30

Mackenzie is on sabbatical until 01. June 2022. She will continue the following programming: monthly email newsletter and monthly patreon-only podcast. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

Week 9 of Reading – Episode 211 04.03.2022 29:28

As with the podcast, Mackenzie is behind on her reading! Here is her deep dive around how and why she got behind—and how she will fix it. — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear – Episode 210 15.02.2022 36:35

Did “Atomic Habits” fix Mackenzies’s podcasting schedule? — Show Notes: relevanceofliterature.com/notes/ patreon.com/relevanceofliterature — Music by Leo Discenza Our Show: relevanceofliterature.com Our old (and yes, still functioning) blog: didionandhawthorne.blubrry.net