

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

Mar 24, 2019 • 1h 24min
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Q&A Episode
Join David, Heidi, and Tim for an in-depth time of answering listener questions! They talk heroism, other spy novels, the ambiguity of the ending, and much, much, much more. Remember: subscribe, rate, review!, 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

Mar 17, 2019 • 1h 13min
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Conclusion
Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they discuss the final chapters of John LeCarre's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. Conversation explores the novel's payoff, Liz and Leamas' relationship, good guys and bad guys, the complicated philosophies embedded in the book, and much more.Remember: subscribe, rate, review. 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

Mar 9, 2019 • 1h 8min
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Chapters 13-20
Welcome back! This week David, Heidi, and Tim are chatting about chapters 13-20 of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, with an especially deep dive into chapter 13, which is the thematic and dramatic core of the story. Watch out for the moment when Tim drops a fantastic new metaphor. Plus they offer a grateful farewell to a longtime contributor to the show.Remember: subscribe, rate, review! 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

Mar 3, 2019 • 1h 4min
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Chapters 7-12
Welcome back! In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim discuss John LeCarre's classic spy novel some more, with a particular focus on the value of genre fiction in contemporary times, the concept of anti-heros, LeCarre's subtly, and much more, This episode is brought to you by New College Franklin! Learn more at newcollegefranklin.org. And remember: help us spread the word! Subscribe, rate, review! 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

Feb 23, 2019 • 1h 24min
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: Chapters 1-6
Welcome back! It's time to start a new book and we're finally diving into John LeCarre's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. Discussions touches on the value of genre fiction, LeCarre's story, his artistry, the way he sets up his themes, and 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

Feb 16, 2019 • 1h 20min
The Remains of the Day Q&A
We're back and we're answering YOUR questions about The Remains of the Day. We answer questions about the scene with the doctor, the root of Stevens' blindness, the duty/desire dichotomy, the role of food in the book, and much more!This episode is presented by New College Franklin. Learn more at newcollegefranklin.org.And remember: subscribe, rate, review! 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

Feb 9, 2019 • 1h 12min
The Remains of the Day: Conlusion
In which David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the ending to Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day. They discuss the heartbreaking nature of the book, what to make of Steven's final conversation with Mrs. Benn, whether he changed in the end, and much more. This episode is presented by New College Franklin. Learn more at newcollegefranklin.org. And remember: subscribe, rate, review! 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

Feb 2, 2019 • 1h 28min
Remains of the Day: Day 3 Evening
Welcome back. In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim continue their discussion of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, Remains of the Day. Conversation some of the unique ways the novel's structure changes in this section, whether Stevens is a good butler, whether he has changed at all, the confessional nature of this chapter, and much more. This episode is brought to you by New College Franklin. Check them out at newcollegefranklin.org. Remember: subscribe, rate, review. 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

Jan 26, 2019 • 1h 23min
Remains of the Day: Day 2 Afternoon + Day 3 Morning
We're back with more discussion about Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day. This week's conversation touches on Stevens' inner-turmoil, the complicated social changes at work in the novel, the interesting structural choices Ishiguro makes, and much more. This episode is brought to you by CLT, the classically-based alternative to the SAT and the ACT. Learn more at clt.org. Help us spread the word: subscribe, rate, review! 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

Jan 19, 2019 • 1h 17min
Remains of the Day: Day 2, Morning
Welcome back to Close Reads. In this episode David, Heidi, and Tim continue their discussion of Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day. Conversation explores the way Stevens' various personal relationships mirror the international politics in the story, Ishiguro's gift for subtext, the history of the age in which the story takes place, the ongoing theme of "professionalism", the American's place in the story, and much more. Help us spread the word: subscribe, rate, review! 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