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.
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Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Chapters 17-23
Welcome back to our ongoing conversation about Mark Twain’s classic novel. This week we discuss faux Dukes and Dauphins, satire and allegory, local conflicts and civil wa
Sep 16 1 h 06 min
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Chapters 9-16
Welcome back to our series on Mark Twain’s most essential novel. This week we discuss:
* The development of Huck Finn’s conscience
* Jim’s character development
* The
Sep 9 1 h 04 min
Remembering Wendell Berry With Those Who Know Him
In this second tribute episode to Wendell Berry, Martin Cothran and Alan Cornett join the show to share what it was like to know Berry the man, not just the great literar
Sep 4 1 h 19 min
Remembering Wendell Berry (Part 1)
One of our literary heroes, the great Wendell Berry, died this week at the age of 92 and we’re here to pay tribute. In this episode, we consider his influence on literatu
Sep 3 42 min
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Chapters 1-8
Welcome to our new series on Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn! This we’re discussing its literary significance, controversial language, and the themes of r
Sep 2 53 min
Our Man in Havana: Q&A
Welcome to the conclusion of our conversation on Graham Greene’s novel. This week we’re answering your questions and topics include:
* The difference between a Catholic
Aug 24 1 h 13 min
A Very Special Follow-up Episode on “Beloved” with Dr. Angel Adams Parham
Close Readers, I’m thrilled to present this very special episode on Beloved with Dr. Angel Adams Parham, a professor at the University of Virginia and the co-author of Th
Aug 18 49 min
Our Man in Havana: To the End
As we get to the end of Graham Greene’s novel it’s time to discuss such things as whether the book has a happy ending, who the villain of the book is, the spiritual under
Aug 17 1 h 04 min
Our Man in Havana: Parts 3-4
Welcome back to our series on Graham Green’s “Our Man in Havana!” This week we’re discussing Wormold and Beatrice’s relationship, the symbolism of masks and shadows, Gree
Aug 11 1 h 04 min
Our Man in Havana: Parts 1 + 2
It’s time for a new series, this time on one of Sean’s very favorite authors, Graham Greene! So join in as we dig into the origins of this “elevated entertainment,” the w
Aug 3 55 min
The Pros and Cons of Christopher Nolan's Adaptation of "The Odyssey"
What makes The Odyssey difficult to adapt? Which parts of Homer’s story are most essential to include? In what ways does Christopher Nolan’s adaptation work (and not work
Jul 30 1 h 06 min
Beloved: Q&A
As we come to the end of our reading of Beloved we dig into some listener questions. We talked about a variety of topics, including the book’s ending and some characters
Jul 26 1 h 11 min
Beloved: 159-235
This week we’re digging into the complicated way that Toni Morrison presents Sethe’s tragic choice here in the middle of the book and especially the psychological implica
Jul 15 57 min
Beloved: 76-158
Welcome back to our series on Toni Morrison’s novel. In this episode we focus on Morrison’s engrossing prose, including the way she uses threaded metaphors and symbols, a
Jul 9 1 h 01 min
Beloved: Pages 1-75
Welcome to our new series on Toni Morrison’s modern classic! In this first episode, we dig into the book’s complicated narrative structure, Morrison’s use of POV, the fem
Jul 1 1 h 21 min
The Feast: Q&A
Welcome to the conclusion of our series on Margaret Kennedy’s novel as we dig into a bunch of listener questions! Thanks for tuning in to these conversations and thanks t
Jun 29 1 h 17 min
The Feast: To the End
Welcome to the conclusion of our series on Margaret Kennedy’s novel! This week we discuss justice and mercy, the meek inheriting the earth, the various ways the end ties
Jun 17 1 h 14 min
The Feast: Thursday
Welcome back to our series on Margaret Kennedy’s The Feast! We begin by answering a couple of listener questions, before discussing the fascinating “symposium” at the hea
Jun 8 1 h 01 min
The Feast: Wednesday
Welcome back to our series on Margart Kennedy’s novel. This week we’re discussing Bruce’s confession, Hebe’s adventure (and insight into people), Siddal’s perceptions des
Jun 2 1 h 11 min
The Feast: Tuesday
Welcome back to another conversation about Margaret Kennedy’s The Feast. This week we begin by discussing some audience comments, then we discuss a number of topics, incl
May 27 1 h 09 min
Chart trend
Position in the Arts chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#99#197JunJulAugSep
#92
all-time peak
4
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Close Reads Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 19, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I have been listening for 7+ years and I am so grateful to all of the hosts over the years. I get sad when I don’t get to read a book and miss out. I think literary FOMO might be the best kind. Thank you for your inspiration for my reading life!
Kelsie Hartley · Sep 2025
The hosts genuinely love literature and the universal themes within stories. I find their contextual knowledge to be extremely helpful and I really appreciate their personal insights as parents, educators, and seekers.
ShannonYogabarn · Mar 2025
This podcast has upped my reading life! I love the thoughtful comments and the way it’s teaching me to be a closer reader and noticing things about characters, themes and questions to ponder that I would have missed. I love the variety of books they cover on the podcast, I subscribed to HQ over Christmas to work through Kristin Lavransdatter and am asking for a yearly subscription for Mother’s Day, but honestly they offer so much quality free content for those who just want to opt for the podcast!
AllyCozyA · Jan 2025
The close read of Viper’s Tangle was my first exposure to this podcast and loved it. What did I love? I loved the depth of the discussion, loved that the cast did not shy away from faith and Christianity as secular literary podcasts do, loved the inclusiveness of the denominations (I’m Catholic), and loved the bright, charming, and funny personalities of the reviewers.
MFL Saint · Nov 2024
I love Tim and his LOVE of literature. However, It’s obvious David doesn’t read the books, which is insulting to the readers and listeners of this podcast. If you are hoping listeners learn how to read closely, I would think it’s important for the hosts to show that as they read. His treatment of Angelina in earlier episodes is alarming—how can you teach about virtue and not live it out in your daily lives?
LJLM21 · Mar 2025
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Close Reads Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
