The Foxed Page
Kimberly Ford
If you love to read, The Foxed Page is for you. With these deep dives into the best books, you’ll gain a richer understanding of the title at hand, all while learning to read everything better.Choose from long-form lectures, quick recommendations, talks on old favorites and plenty of episodes from the archives.Listen to The Foxed Page--with Kimberly Ford, best-selling author, former adjunct professor and Ph.D.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 11min
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE by Claire Keegan >> Did you read this years ago and love it? Indulge in a re-immersion into this brief, wintery masterpiece!
I keep wanting wintery books/shows/crafts/projects that aren't too silly or saccharine. This absolutely fits that bill. And it's a complete MASTERPIECE. It might be brief but there is sooooo much to talk about. You'll come away feeling just a little bit smarter, and way winterier.
Nov 21, 2025 • 57min
MIDWINTER MURDER by Agatha Christie (NO READING REQUIRED!) >> Tune in to hear how detective novels are inherently conservative but why I LOVE CHRISTIE ANYWAY.
Whether you've never read her or Christie is your favorite, I like to think this'll be eye opening. You'll learn why the "queen of crime" is exceptional and why it's no surprise that she's the best-selling writer OF ALL TIME (except Shakespeare and the Bible...). It might not be quite midwinter but conjure up a little seasonal ambience with Christie's smart, charming, wintery tale.
Nov 18, 2025 • 56min
CLEAR by Carys Davies >> You won't believe the way this brief novel expands in depth, in breadth and in beauty when you look at it closely. Listen in now!
I do not know why, but I picked up this beauty of a book a couple of times and put it down. WOW am I glad I finally read it. This novel is feels subtle, brief and--at the same time--enormous. There is so much grist for our mill! Listen in to be sure you don't miss out on those poignant depths.
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 7min
ULTRAMARINE by Mariette Navarro >> If you finished this eerie, gorgeous novella and didn't have questions, I'm not sure you dug in deep enough! Join me to hash through the best of it!
When a novella tells you in the jacket copy that twenty sailors went swimming and twenty-one came back, you know you're in for some mystery. But that's obviously not ALL the mystery. I'm still not sure I have all the answers but wow was it fun to look for them.
Including digressions about Dr. Seuss, iambic pentameter and so much more!
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
HAMNET by Maggie O'Farrell >> I was WRECKED--in the very best of ways--by my re-reading of this masterpiece. Listen in to be sure you get the most out of this insanely great novel
I re-read Hamnet because of the MOVIE adaptation, but was SHOOK by how deftly O'Farrell surmounts the MANY pitfalls of historical fiction.
We dive deep into: why her vision of the era is so vivid; how Shakespeare is everywhere but also nowhere; how this is a feminist novel; and all the ways the prose transports, affects and inspires the reader. Seriously, treat yourself now.
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 27min
FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley >> Get this: FRANKENSTEIN is one of 10 books that have been taught in high schools basically forever. It's still taught--for very good reason.
NO READING REQUIRED! Kimberly explains why FRANKENSTEIN is more relevant than ever. Treat yourself to discussion of: Mary Shelley's insanely colorful life, elements of the gothic novel, what makes the prose so timeless, Percy Bysshe Shelley's role--and why we all need to hear the classic novel's CAUTIONARY TALE.
Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 21min
CARRIE by Stephen King >> Find out why King deserves serious literary respect. Plus, obviously: halloween!
You might think of CARRIE is just SCARY , but narrative stance, sophisticated structure, use of motif and "scientific evidence" are all integral in making it so good. Treat yourself .
Oct 17, 2025 • 49min
THE COPENHAGEN TRILOGY (and "The Umbrella"!!) by Tove Ditlevsen >> You'll appreciate the trilogy all the more with a little FICTION under your belt.
Ditlevsen's three-volume memoir has made a huge impression on American readers. When I found it slightly underwhelming, I wondered if I would appreciate the work more fully if I knew her FICTION. She's hugely critically acclaimed in her native Denmark. She's written 29 books. A look at one very short story will shift your perspective, leaving you with a much deeper appreciation of this literary icon.
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 9min
LET US DESCEND by Jesmyn Ward > > Readers, I LOVED this rewriting of Dante's Divine Comedy. Listen to why this best seller DESERVES its place on all those BEST OF 2023 lists!
I was really moved by Salvage the Bones. Tune in to find out why Ward's work just keeps getting better and better.
Oct 7, 2025 • 44min
SMALL MERCIES by Dennis Lehane >> Lehane has hinted this might be his last novel--tune in to hear why the crime thriller works so well in his hands.
Weirdly, amazon added the subtitle "A Detective Mystery" to Small Mercies. When one of the best things about this book is that it's NOT a detective at the center. You all know this genre isn't my usual fare, but Lehane's historical focus, together with his excellent prose, and dialogue (plus plot, duh) made this so satisfying to dive into.
