Close Reads Podcast

Tess of the D'Urbervilles: Chapters 6-11

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, David, Heidi, and special guest Karen Swallow Prior chat about artistic and ...

Tess of the D'Urbervilles: Chapters 1-5

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Once again our friend Karen Swallow Prior is joining us to discuss one of her favorite books! This time it’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles and here on...

A Raisin in the Sun

16 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is a special one. Our friend, Dr. Annika Prather, came on to chat about Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun. Dr. Pr...

1984: Q&A

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to answer your questions about Orwell’s 1984, and (as always) you came through with plenty of great ones. Thanks to your curiosity, we d...

1984: The Final Chapters

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welp, Winston Smith loves Big Brother but he doesn’t love Julia. So, in the end, do we love this book? Tune in to find out, as David, Heidi, and Tim...

1984: Part 2, Chapters 9-10

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chapter nine of 1984 is one of the least dramatically compelling chapters in the book, and has even taken a fair bit of criticism over the years, so t...

1984: Part 2, Chapters 1-8

19 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the reasons 1984 is such enduring book is because of the conversations it engenders and so in this episode we chatted a bit about the nature of...

1984: Part 1

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here we go. We’ve never done a book quite like George Orwell’s 1984 on Close Reads and it shows in this episode where we discuss whether the vibe ...

As I Lay Dying: Q&A Episode

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here we are at the end of Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, which means it’s time for a Q&A episode. As always, y’all delivered with some great questio...

As I Lay Dying: Episode 4

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

And so we come to the end. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig (no pun intended) into the fiery (pun intended) ending to this classic book. Where d...

Bonus Episode: Death on the Nile Movie Discussion

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join David and Heidi as they dig in to Kenneth Branagh's movie adaptation of Death on the Nile. Is the movie in on the joke? Why is there no sand? Wha...

As I Lay Dying: Episode 3

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In which David, Heidi, and Tim discuss river crossings, which characters the books seems to have the most sympathy for, and much more. See acast.com/...

As I Lay Dying: Episode 2

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig ever deeper into Faulkner's novel. Topics of conversation include mothers who are fish, mothers who are horses,...

As I Lay Dying: Episode 1

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig into the first quarter of William Faulkner's infamous (and mildly inscrutable) novel, As I Lay Dying. Topics of...

Death on the Nile: Q&A Episode

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to answer your questions about Death on the Nile, but first Tim has to answer a question from us. Then we discuss topics like movie casting,...

Death on the Nile: The Final Chapters

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss Poirot's decision, Christie's puzzle-making, and Tim is insufferable (and gets muted for it). And much more, of course. See acast...

Death on the Nile: Chapters 10-20

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In which Tim predicts the ending of another mystery novel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If yo...

Death on the Nile: Chapters 1-9

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a new book! It's time for the Queen of Crime. It's time for Hercule Poirot. It's time for some international intrigue. It's time for Dea...

2021 in Books

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for an annual tradition! On this week's episode we're talking about our favorite reads of 2021. We each used different criteria in creating ...

A Confederacy of Dunces: Q&A Episode

26 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to answer your questions about A Confederacy of Dunces! Join the David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss characters like Jones and Levy, books...

A Confederacy of Dunces: To the End!

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Once more we've come to the end of another book's road. So join David, Tim, and Heidi as they unpack the wild and wacky and strange ending of A Confed...

A Confederacy of Dunces: Chapters 10-11

12 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is the purpose of all of Ignatius' grossness? Does it have anything to do with the four humors in medieval thought? What does Ignatius actually? ...

A Confederacy of Dunces: Chapters 7-9

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here we are, deep inside of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces, and this week conversation touches (once again) on Ignatius' intelligence, b...

A Confederacy of Dunces: Chapters 4-6

28 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they continue to discuss Ignatius J. Reilly and his "worldview," including some discussion about why he has to be quite ...

A Confederacy of Dunces: Chapters 1-3

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Confederacy of Dunces is one of the more strange books we have ever done on this show, but over the next several weeks David, Heidi, and Tim are goi...

A Gathering of Old Men: Q&A Episode

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As usual, you asked great questions and we did our best to answer! Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they conclude their discussion of A GATHERING OF OLD ...

A Gathering of Old Men: To the End

06 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Was justice met in the end? Why does the story end with Lou Dimes' perspective? Is the ending satisfying? Is it happy? These and other questions were ...

A Gathering of Old Men: 110-167

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Tim, and Heidi discuss which characters are most villainous in Ernest Gaines' novel, and dig in to the narrative and dramatic effect ...

A Gathering of Old Men: 58-110

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're discussing the introduction of the white characters to the story, whether the sheriff is a good or bad guy, and much more! See acast....

A Gathering of Old Men (pages 1-57)

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a new book! Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss Ernest J. Gaines' A Gathering of Old Men. This week they dive into Gaines' use of...

Ask Us Anything Q&A Episode

09 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're answering YOUR questions about all kinds of topics. We said you could ask us anything, and you did. We got through as many as we could...

The Book of the Dun Cow: Q&A Episode

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim take a crack at answering your many thoughtful question about Walter Wangerin Jr.'s novel. See acast.com/privacy for ...

The Book of the Dun Cow: To the End

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig into the conclusion of The Book of the Dun Cow, discussing the nature of heroism in this novel and our protagon...

Bonus Pod: Discussing the 2022 Reading List

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they make the final choices for the 2022 reading list! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This ...

The Book of the Dun Cow: Part 2

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which Tim has done the reading but has some problems with it while Heidi loves it unabashedly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out infor...

The Book of the Dun Cow: Part 1

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a new book: Walter Wangerin Jr.'s The Book of the Dun Cow. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss the medieval aspects of this story...

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Q&A Episode

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You have questions; Tim, Heidi, and David have answers. Or try to have answers anyway. Tune in to find out if they say anything cogent. See acast.com...

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Conclusion

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they talk about the final chapters of Zora Neale Hurston's novel. They discuss Janie's growth, Tea Cake's love, and rabi...

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Chapters 11-17

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are back with more conversation about Janie and Tea Cake and Zora Neale Hurston's literary skills and approach! See acast.com/privacy for privacy ...

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Chapters 6 -10

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim are digging into the middle of Zora Neale Hurston's novel, talking about some of the risky creative choices she makes,...

Their Eyes Were Watching God: Chapters 1-5

07 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dive into a new book: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. In this episode they discuss what makes Ja...

All the Pretty Horses Q&A Episode

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they attempt to answer your questions about Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses! See acast.com/privacy for privacy a...

All the Pretty Horses: Episode 6

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have come to the end of John Grady Cole's journey -- and this episode is a doozy. It's long and it digs deep and we hope you like. So join David, H...

All the Pretty Horses: Episode 5

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which the novel takes yet another turn. This week David, Heidi, and Tim discuss whether the philosophizing of this section works, what McCarthy is ...

All the Pretty Horses: Episode 4

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Oh boy. It's time to talk about one of the most intense passages in All the Pretty Horses, a passage which also happens to be deeply beautiful. Beware...

All the Pretty Horses: Episode 3

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the way All the Pretty Horses is multiple kinds of book in one, the fascinating romance at the core of the sto...

All the Pretty Horses: Episode 2

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a delay due to some technical difficulties, we are back and on this episode David, Heidi, and Tim discuss lightening storms, horses, and orphans...

All the Pretty Horses: Pages 1-59

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which Tim returns, we introduce Cormac McCarthy, and we discuss his formal genius. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dive into All the Pretty Hors...

Jane Eyre: Q&A Episode

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You have questions and we have answers--or at least thoughts. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they answer your questions about Charlotte Bronte's Jane...

Jane Eyre: Final Chapters

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which St. John is persistent, Jane hears her call, and Rochester is repentant. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they discuss the conclusion to Charl...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 28-33

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

First Jane is poor, then she is rich. And along the way it's all about the friends she makes. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they discuss compare St....

Jane Eyre: Chapters 25-27

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which, well, Jane's dreams are dashed and we learn that Rochester isn't exactly what she thought. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they discuss Jane...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 21-24

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which Jane is sad. Then surprised. Then relieved. Then spoken-for. Join David, Heidi, and Karen Swallow Prior as they discuss the famous proposal s...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 17-20

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which Jane falls in love, Rochester gets weird, and a mystery is introduced. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they continue their conversation about...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 12-16

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to meet Rochester. In this episode, David, Heidi, and Karen (our very special guest) discuss the way Bronte introduces the Gothic hero of th...

Bonus Episode: Discussing the Rebecca Movies

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, which was recorded live with our Patreon supporters, David, Heidi, and Tim chatted about the two most primary cinematic adaptat...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 6-11

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and very special guest Karen Swallow Prior as they discuss Helen Burns, Charlotte Bronte's strategy for naming characters, the conf...

Jane Eyre: Chapters 1-5

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our old friend Karen Swallow Prior is back to discuss one of the great book in Western literature, Charlotte Bronte's gothic novel, Jane Eyre. In this...

Rebecca: Q&A Episode

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to answer your questions about Rebecca. Opinions flowed freely, much debate was had. You know, it's a Close Reads episode. See acast.com/pr...

Rebecca: Final Chapters

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which a court case takes over the podcast and your friendly neighborhood hosts take up rhetorical arms against each other. See acast.com/privacy f...

Rebecca: Chapters 15-19

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The episode in which Tim is surprised. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss ...

Rebecca: Chapters 8-14

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about un-named narrators and their problems, young women coming of age, old(er) women who are skeletal, and other things you find in Daphne...

Rebecca: Chapters 1-7

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we invited Patreon supporters to join us for a special live episode and here it is! Join David, Heidi, and Tim (and the live audience) for a...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Q&A Episode

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's answer your questions! Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss such things as what the landscape means in the book, the seven deadly sins in ...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Final Chapters

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which death finally does comes for the Archbishop, after all. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss Bishop Latour's life work, his relationshi...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Books 6 + 7

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which an old woman prays in a church with the Bishop, vanity is tested, and we learn about the prequel years. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they ma...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Books 4 + 5

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they compare the four priests at the core of these sections, discuss the notion of subtly in the book, and talk a bit ab...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Books 2 + 3

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In which the hero gets attacked by an evil man called Scales, a priest gets thrown off a cliff, and the writing is still painfully lovely. Join David,...

Death Comes for the Archbishop: Book 1

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The whole gang is back together and it's time for a new book! Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig into Willa Cather's 1927 novel ,Death Comes for t...

Our 2020 in Reading

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this annual episode, David, Heidi, and Tim share some of their favorite books of 2020. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. ...

The Moviegoer: Q&A Episode

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Tim and Heidi answer your questions about Walker Percy's strange novel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. T...

The Moviegoer: Episode 5

13 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Heidi and Tim wrap up up their conversation about Walker Percy's award-winning debut novel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt...

The Moviegoer: Episode 4

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Tim and Heidi conclude their conversation about Walker Percy's novel (while David gets his bookstore going). See acast.com/privacy f...

The Moviegoer: Episode 3

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David is off getting his bookstore going, so Tim and Heidi are holding down the fort as they continue to discuss Walker Percy's strange novel, The Mov...

The Moviegoer: Episode 2

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tim and Heidi as they dig ever-deeper in Walker Percy's novel (while David is working at his new bookstore). See acast.com/privacy for privacy a...

The Moviegoer: Episode 1

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dive into Walker Percy's The Moviegoer. Topics of conversation include the book's particular vibe, its plotlessness...

Home: Q&A Episode

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As usual, your many questions were delightful, thoughtful, and challenging. We took a crack at answering them. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and ...

Home: The Final Pages

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Here we are at the end of another book. The big question of this episode is whether the book ends in a satisfying way (the answer depends on the contr...

Home: Pages 250-300

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode David, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane discuss catharsis, resolution, and changing-minds. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informa...

Home: Pages 200-250

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane discuss intense theological conversations, Jack's faith (or lack thereof), Boughton's role on contract with Glo...

Home: Pages 150-200

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane for a conversation about uncomfortable dinners, age-old rivalries, baseball, and the Queen's physician's house. See...

Home: Pages 100-150

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join David and Heidi as they discuss sadness, Calvinism, hope, pleasure, and memory in Home. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informatio...

Home: Pages 50-100

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode David and Heidi discuss the themes of forgiveness and repentance in Home, the way Boughton's preserve's memory in the house, th...

Home: Pages 1-50

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

And suddenly your friendly neighborhood podcasters were on to a new adventure! In this episode, David and Heidi dive into Marilynne Robinson's novel, ...

The Sun Also Rises: Q&A Episode

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they answer a whole bunch of listener questions on a wide variety of topics, from where to go next with Hemingway to the...

The Sun Also Rises: The Final Chapters

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the final chapters of Hemingway's novel. They chat about whether the book is fundamentally hopeless, whether H...

The Sun Also Rises: Chapters 13-16

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim discuss bull fighters, boxers. Brett Ashley, bad relationships, and barrels of vino. See acast.com/privacy for privac...

The Sun Also Rises: Chapters 8-12

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, and Tim dive into the middle of Hemingway's novel. Topics of discussion include the strange organization of the book, Hemingwa...

The Sun Also Rises: Book I

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a new series of episodes on Ernest Hemingway's classic novel, The Sun Also Rises! In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim discuss Hemingway's...

Frankenstein: Q&A Episode

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode of our series on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, David, Heidi, Karen, and Joshua answer your questions. There's no point in trying ...

Frankenstein: The Final Chapters

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, David, Heidi, and special guests Karen Swallow Prior and Joshua Gibbs discuss the final pages of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Topics ...

Frankenstein: Volume III: Chapters 1-4

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David, Heidi, Karen, and Joshua are back with more discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In this episode they discuss Frankenstein's relationship...

Frankenstein: Volume II: Chapters 6-9

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Once again David and Heidi are joined by Karen Swallow Prior and Joshua Gibbs as they discuss questions of virtue in Mary Shelley's classic novel, the...

Frankenstein: Volume II, chapters 1-5

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week David, Heidi, Karen, and Josh discuss the monster's ability to speak so eloquently and his unique form of self-education (and a bunch of oth...

Frankenstein: Chapters III-VII

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David and Heidi are back with very special guests Karen Swallow Prior and Joshua Gibbs with more discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.They discus...

Frankenstein: Letter I - Chapter II

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Prov...

The End of the Affair: Q&A Episode

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

The End of the Affair: Final Chapters

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The End of the Affair: Book 4-Book 5.3

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Time flies when you're having fun (is not the lesson of this book). We are plowing our way through The End of the Affair and the end of the book is ne...

The End of the Affair: Book Three

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...