Close Reads Podcast

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 subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

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 Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor. You make this possible. So we’d sure appreciate it if you began 2023 by subscribing or giving a gift subscription to someone you love. Cheers! 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

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

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

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

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 classicalu4closereads1year coupon code above will provide 25% off (or $53.86) for the first year with the purchase of an annual subscription ($171.30 for first year, regularly $215.46). All of their subscriptions come with a 14-day free trial before the first payment is collected and during which the subscriber can cancel at any time.In order to purchase a subscription,  firstcreate a user accountand be signed in. Those two links are here:https://classicalu.com/register/https://classicalu.com/wp-login.phpClose Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor—and hopefully it’s a mutually beneficial situation. :) 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

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 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 classicalu4closereads1year coupon code above will provide 25% off (or $53.86) for the first year with the purchase of an annual subscription ($171.30 for first year, regularly $215.46). All of their subscriptions come with a 14-day free trial before the first payment is collected and during which the subscriber can cancel at any time.In order to purchase a subscription, firstcreate a user account and be signed in. Those two links are here:https://classicalu.com/register/https://classicalu.com/wp-login.phpClose Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor. When you subscribe you help make the show possible while also gaining access to some great bonus content. Thank you! 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

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

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

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