

Close Reads Podcast
Goldberry Studios
Close Reads is a book-club podcast for the incurable reader co-hosted by David Kern, Heidi White, Sean Johnson, and occasionally Tim McIntosh. We read good books and talk about them.
This is a show for amateurs in the best sense. This is not an experts show: we’re book lovers, book enthusiasts. Our goal is have empathetic and intelligent conversations about good books.
Close Reads is produced by Goldberry Studios, the podcast wing of Goldberry Books, a family-run indie bookshop in Concord, NC. closereads.substack.com
This is a show for amateurs in the best sense. This is not an experts show: we’re book lovers, book enthusiasts. Our goal is have empathetic and intelligent conversations about good books.
Close Reads is produced by Goldberry Studios, the podcast wing of Goldberry Books, a family-run indie bookshop in Concord, NC. closereads.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 2, 2021 • 1h 12min
All the Pretty Horses: Episode 4
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: Tim and David get a little carried away in this one. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Jun 26, 2021 • 1h 22min
All the Pretty Horses: Episode 3
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 story, and the way McCarthy writes about work so poetically. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Jun 21, 2021 • 1h 8min
All the Pretty Horses: Episode 2
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 in Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Jun 4, 2021 • 1h 6min
All the Pretty Horses: Pages 1-59
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 Horses, looking at a couple of essential early passage that define the book and its themes, as well as the uniquely Old Testament formal approach McCarthy brings to his books. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

May 29, 2021 • 1h 14min
Jane Eyre: Q&A Episode
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 Eyre. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

May 21, 2021 • 1h 10min
Jane Eyre: Final Chapters
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 Charlotte Bronte's novel! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

May 7, 2021 • 59min
Jane Eyre: Chapters 28-33
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. John and Rochester, discuss Jane's continued evolution, and Charlotte Bronte's skill. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

May 1, 2021 • 56min
Jane Eyre: Chapters 25-27
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's virtue, Rochester's complicated nature (and situation), and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Apr 23, 2021 • 1h 3min
Jane Eyre: Chapters 21-24
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 scene, Jane's assertion of self, Rochester weirdo-factor, and much more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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

Apr 16, 2021 • 1h 4min
Jane Eyre: Chapters 17-20
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 Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. 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