If you’re a longtime listener of this podcast, you know that Sean Johnson has recently joined our crew to help give Tim some time off here and there (what with Tim’s new job and growing family). Of course, Sean is a worthy contributor all in his own right. But we didn’t know that right away. At first, he was just one of many interviewees we considered (#230 to be precise). And although it took some time to get aligned on some key metrics, we feel really good about his role on our show now. Since...
Mar 01, 2023•26 min
The Netanyahus is a bit of a confounding book, so naturally there were lots of questions and we did our best to answer as many as we could as thoroughly as possible. We discussed the complicated nature of writing fiction about real/living people, Blum’s relationship with his daughter, whether the book has a moral center, nihilism, and much more. Thanks for listening! Close Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor. To receive bonus content and support our work, please consider becoming a free o...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 27 min
Okay, so that ending? What’s the deal. Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they try to understand what Cohen is doing. Lots of conversation about nihilism in this episode. Thanks for listening! Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor. Please subscribe to make sure we can keep on (while also getting access to subscriber-exclusive content). Thanks! 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...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min
This week we’re discussing whether Joshua Cohen’s approach to exploring Jewish culture works in the ways that he seems to hope it will, whether the book is too sad to be truly funny, whether the story has finally revealed what it is, and much more. Don’t forget to weigh in on this episode’s question. Let us know what you think in the comments! Question of the Week: Is the big Judy scene funny? Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor. If you value what we do, please consider becoming a free...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min
We are on to Joshua Cohen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Netanyahus , a book that is clearly different in tone (and content) than most of the titles we traditionally discuss on this show. So in this episode David, Heidi, and Tim (he’s back!) contemplate the book’s sense of humor, Cohen’s remarkable prose, and what makes it memorable and worth reading. Happy listening! Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor. If you like what you hear and read, please consider becoming a free or paid s...
Feb 06, 2023•58 min
It’s that time, when we’ve come to end of another episode and we turn to your questions about it. This time we’re contemplating topics from Persuasion such as Wentworth’s affection for Anne, Lady Russell’s role in the book, Mrs. Smith’s virtue (or lack thereof?), wine and cheese pairings, fan-fiction, Mr. Elliot the villain, and so much more. Thanks for listening! Close Reads is a community-supported publication. Please consider subscribing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss thi...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Finally, we can speak more freely about all of Persuasion , so this week David, Heidi, and Sean are discussing Wentworth’s love letter, Ann’s assessment of her own choices, the melancholy nature of this book, the differences between Eliot and Wentworth, the pantheon of Austen men, and much more. Don’t forget to answer this week’s question of the week below, What is the greatest love letter in any novel? Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor, so if you like what we’re doing here, please c...
Jan 23, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This week we’re discussing Mrs. Smith’s sudden appearance (and her role) in the book, whether the book considers all of Anne’s various perspectives and actions as virtuous, whether Anne made the wrong choice in rejecting Wentworth way back when, and much, much more. Happy listening! Up next: Read to the end of the book. Plus, we are introducing a question of the week so you can participate in the conversation. Here is this weeks: Should Anne have turned down Wentworth? What do you think? Let us ...
Jan 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min
This section ends with a dangerous fall, but in the meantime we sure get a lot of scenes with people talking in rooms. So this week David, Heidi, and Sean are discussing Anne’s interiority and self-awareness and whether Austen portrays her self-sympathy as virtuous. Plus, discussions touches more on Austen’s complex (and amazing) approach to narrative voice. As always, happy reading! Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor. If you like what we’re up to, please consider becoming a free or p...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 5 min
It’s on to another great novel, this time by Jane Austen, so this week David, Heidi, and Sean discussed Austen’s unique use of free indirect discourse and other formal flourishes in this book, similarities and differences between this book and Austen’s other novels, and much more. Happy listening! Close Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to ensure the show goes on. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subsc...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 5 min
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s also the time of the year when we’re talking about our favorite reads of 2022! We each have our own strategy for making these lists and inevitably the books we discuss on this episode are oddly specific, wonderfully fascinating, and always worth reading. So grab something to take notes, get ready to add to your TBR list, and settle for a long winter’s podcast on books, books, and more books. Happy listening and merry Christmas! Close Rea...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 34 min
It’s Q&A time, so join David, Heidi, and Tim as they dig into a bunch of great questions from the Close Reads community. Topics of conversation include orange juice, opportunistic agents, German philosophers, and much more! Close Reads HQ is a community-supported publication. Thanks so much for being a part of this endeavor in 2022! 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...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 10 min
What a book! This week you can tune in as David, Heidi, and Tim continue to rave about Chaim Potok’s skill, a few particularly miraculous passages, and the culmination of Asher’s coming-of-age. Close Reads is a community-supported endeavor. If you value what we’re up to please subscribe. Thanks! 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...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 11 min
This week David, Heidi, and Tim are discussing Jacob Kahn. Does the book view him as an arbiter of wisdom? Is he an antagonist of sorts? Also, can Asher be a unifier between two traditions? And how does the book reveal Asher’s individual healing? Happy listening! 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...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
As we dive further into Chaim Potok’s wonderful novel, this week’s episode contemplates how dark this book really is, whether we should read it psychologically, whether Aryeh and Rivkeh are good parents, and much more. Happy listening! Information on Classical U: The classicalu4closereads2months coupon code above will provide no charge for the first two months with a purchase of a monthly subscription. This is a total value of $39.90 as monthly subscriptions are regularly $19.95 per month. The c...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Chaim Potok’s novel, My Name Is Asher Lev , is one of Tim’s favorite books, and its also one that has been nominated by listeners for a long time. So we’re thrilled to be digging into it. Here in episode one of this series, David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the way Potok skillfully reveals his protagonist’s unique gift; the questions the book asks about identity and family; and, naturally, a bit about the Jewish-American experience during the twentieth century. Happy listening! Classical U info: The...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 15 min
In which we answer your questions about Amor Towles’ novel! Up next: My Name Is Asher Lev , chapters 1-2. 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
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 12 min
We have come to the conclusion of Amor Towles’ novel, so this week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed the Casablanca of it all, whether the book ends in a satisfying fashion, and the count’s trajectory of growth. 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
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 3 min
The Rings of Power season one is over and it’s time to take stock. So join Ian and David as they discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what may be next in this controversial new take on Tolkien’s work. Close Reads HQ is a community-supported publication. To receive bonus content & support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 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...
Oct 27, 2022•48 min
This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed whether the Count has changed over the course of the story, whether he is a “whole” character, David’s wild (pretend) theory about this book, and more on Towle’s approach to POV. Happy listening! 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...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 9 min
This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed whether this book is up to the ideas that it is asking us to contemplate, the meta elements of its presentation, the way this section knocks the count off his equilibrium, and much, much more. Happy listening! 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...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed the fascinating nature of the Count’s relationship with Anna; the book’s preoccupation with skill and craft; the way Europe hovers over the themes of the books; and much more. Happy listening! 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...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 7 min
This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed virtue, vice, and wine in A Gentleman in Moscow . Is that enough to prompt you to click play? Happy listening! 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
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Now that we’ve come to the end of book one of Amor Towles’ very popular novel, its time to reset and consider what key questions and themes this book is asking us to contemplate. What does this book have to say about modern man? Is it perhaps darker than our initial response would indicate? Why does Towles pepper the book with so many literary references? The and other questions are the subject of this week’s show! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...
Sep 26, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Amor Towles’ 2016 novel is one the most requested books in the history of the Close Reads community, so it’s only fair that we finally dig in! Join David, Heidi, and special guest, Ian Andrews of the Center for Lit, for an initial discussion of the themes of the book, what Towles does well, a bit on the historical context, and a whole bunch of wine talk at the end. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 17 min
The discourse around Amazon’s Rings of Power has been fraught. So in this special crossover episode between Close Reads and Bibliophiles, David Kern and Ian Andrews try to figure out what works, what doesn’t, and why the conversation has been they way it is. 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...
Sep 16, 2022•56 min
It’s that time yet again — when we answer your questions! As usual, you gave us plenty to talk about. So in this final conversation about Eugene Vodolazkin’s novel, we contemplate Laurus’ lack of a burial, Tim’s Protestant viewpoint of the book, obsession with the end of the world, holy fools, and much more! 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...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 1 min
It’s been said that this is Close Reads Christmas. The last two days we have been revealing (on the Close Reads Facebook group and on the Goldberry Studios Instagram page ) the books we will be discussing on the show in 2023. And now that the whole list has been unveiled it’s time to share them all in one place. So jump in your car, grab your running shoes, start the laundry . . . prep for whatever you do when you’re listening . . . and click play, because on this episode you can listen in as we...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 19 min
While Tim explores the Scottish Highlands in a kilt (we presume), David and Heidi are discussing the final pages of Laurus . Conversation touches on the cyclical nature of the story and its themes, the downfall (and rehabilitation) of Laurus’ reputation, his late-in-life second chance, his death/falling asleep, and much more. Thanks so much for listening! 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/...
Sep 06, 2022•56 min
This week its Tim’s turn to be in Europe, so David and Heidi are holding down the podcast fort. The reading took us to the Book of Repose, so conversation touches on the untimely and fairly gruesome demise of Ambrogio, the book’s contemplation on the nature of time, the way the book is a form hagiography, and much, much more. Happy listening! 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...
Aug 30, 2022•44 min
