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Books · Heather Ordover

CraftLit

by Heather Ordover

CraftLit — Annotated Audiobooks for Busy People Love classic literature…or wish you did? CraftLit is a weekly podcast featuring classic audiobook chapters paired with entertaining literary commentary that makes great books easier—and more fun—to understand. Host Heather Ordover explains historical references, vocabulary, and cultural context before each chapter so listeners can fully enjoy the story. Think of it as a global book club for classic literature, perfect for listening while commuting, crafting, walking, or doing chores. CraftLit has been in continuous weekly production since 2006, making it one of the longest-running literature podcasts. Listeners also send in voicemail comments that keep the show feeling like a lively reading group. Authors featured include: • Jane Austen • Mark Twain • Elizabeth Gaskell • Mary Shelley • Wilkie Collins • Alexandre Dumas • Robert Louis Stevenson Recent and current readings include Mark Twain’s Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc and Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford. Classic audiobooks—because loving great books in a busy world is tough.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

I Moved to Philly and I Need Your Ideas! (CraftLit Update)

So... I just moved to Philadelphia, and this week has been all boxes and chaos. So no new episode this week, but I hope to be back next week. Come see the new room in the

Jul 3
5 min

CraftLit + Nancy Drew Update

REMINDER: CraftLit’s Patreon will go away this July. If you need help moving from Patreon to Supercast please comment here and we’ll get you sorted! It's been a rough fe

Apr 24
10 min

Big CraftLit Update: Moby Dick, Supercast, Premium Audio, and Holiday Playlists

Here's a mid-December update from Heather with some important CraftLit news. We're officially moving CraftLit off Patreon and onto Supercast, and while the transition to

Dec 13 2025
10 min

703: Chs 25-31 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions (End of Book)

Chapters 25-31 – iTunes Season 35, episodes 1-9 Book talk begins at 19:44 Elopements, mistaken romances, and surprise weddings? Yes. ALL of that. ---------------------

Nov 28 2025
1 h 10 min

702: Chs 20-24 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 702: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 20-24 Book talk begins at 20:12 Poor Mr. Harrison is stuck in Peak Gaskell Mayhem, and honestly, it's delicious. -------

Nov 22 2025
56 min

701: Chs 15-19 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 701: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 15-19 Book talk begins at 12:20 Let's just say: gossip is blooming faster than the primroses. --------------------------

Nov 14 2025
50 min

700: Ch 14 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 700: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapter 14 Book talk begins at 17:02 But just when everything seems rosy, a tragic accident turns Duncombe upside down. ---------

Nov 7 2025
57 min

699: Chs 9-13 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 699: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 9-13 Book talk begins at 12:56 Between Christmas dinners gone wrong, mixed signals with Sophy, and a stethoscope scandal

Oct 10 2025
58 min

698: Chs 7-8 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 698: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 7-8 Book talk begins at 16:51 Want to hear how Gaskell balances grief, comedy, and social satire all in one breath? Tune

Oct 3 2025
1 h 07 min

697: Chs 5-6 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 697: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 5-6 Book talk begins at 23:29 It's picnic time in Duncombe! But our poor Mr. Harrison is wondering if this "pleasure outi

Sep 26 2025
54 min

696: Chs 3-4 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions

Ep. 696: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 3-4 Book talk begins at 25:15 Pears, parties, and peculiar housemates—Mr. Harrison's adventures just keep getting more aw

Sep 19 2025
1 h 07 min

695: Chs 1-2 — Mr. Harrison's Confessions (Start of Book)

Ep. 695: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 1-2 Book talk begins at 14:46 You'll want to tune in to our latest story—because in Duncombe, even saying you feel "prett

Sep 13 2025
1 h 11 min

694: Ch 16 — Cranford (End of Book)

Ep. 694: Cranford | Chapter 16 Book talk begins at 12:00 Will peace be restored in Cranford society? Or will Mr. Peter's antics shake things up for good? -------------

Jul 25 2025
1 h 53 min

Bonus Episode: Interview with Andy Hayes of Plum Deluxe Tea

I sat down with Andy Hayes of Plum Deluxe Tea (CraftLit's first-ever sponsor!) to learn more about teas and get answers to many of our burning questions. *CraftLit's Soc

Jul 19 2025
49 min

693: Ch 15 — Cranford

Ep. 693: Cranford | Chapter 15 Book talk begins at 22:26 Cranford wraps up with surprise marriages, booming tea sales, Mrs. Jamieson's selective approval, and the long-

Jul 18 2025
1 h 12 min

692: Ch 14 — Cranford

Ep. 692: Cranford | Chapter 14 Book talk begins at 11:49 Will Miss Matty accept help from her loyal friends? And what's this about Martha and Jem... and a lodger? ----

Jul 11 2025
1 h 28 min

691: Ch 13 — Cranford

Ep. 691: Cranford | Chapter 13 Book talk begins at 19:20 Miss Matty finally does it—she picks out a gown all by herself. But just as she's basking in her big main-chara

Jul 4 2025
1 h 11 min

690: Ch 12 — Cranford

Ep. 690: Cranford | Chapter 12 Book talk begins at 15:55 Peter may be lost to the mists of time (or possibly crowned the llama of Tibet, if Miss Pole is to be believed)

Jun 27 2025
54 min

689: Ch 11 — Cranford

Ep. 689: Cranford | Chapter 11 Book talk begins at 13:40 Who's really behind the name Signor Brunoni? And could Aga Jenkyns be…? --------------------------------------

Jun 20 2025
53 min

688: Ch 10 — Cranford

Ep. 688: Cranford | Chapter 10 Book talk begins at 14:11 Robbers, suspicion, and just when things couldn't get more tragic (or absurd), Mrs. Jamieson's dog dies—and she

Jun 13 2025
1 h 09 min

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

No matter how many times I have encountered a classic (I have read Emma many times), I always learn something new from Heather.

dactyljd · May 2024

I have listened to CraftLit for years - I believe I began during Jane Eyre, but I’ve listened to so many books and episodes I can’t remember. I have been exposed to many more classics than I would have without CraftLit - and have been richly rewarded by not only the content of the books, but also by author background, subtle humor, historical settings/politics/sociology, and so much more. Heather does not spoon feed - she teaches, challenges and inspires further research into so many topics related to the readings. She has a large and loyal following, and I am delighted to be a included in this group!

Feelsosilly · Oct 2023

I simply adore this podcast! So many good books and fun conversations. I learn so much every time! I started listening as a way to hear my favorite book, the Count of Monte Cristo, and have since loved the show! Thank you Heather and team:)

Have a Wonderful Day!:) · Oct 2023

I do many crafts, but primarily cross stitch and embroidery. I can’t read and stitch, so in comes the podcast. I found CraftLit one sleepless night when my insomnia was getting the best of me. My mental health is terrible, and the podcast was just what the doctor ordered. I fell in love with the podcast from the start, and get excited when a new episode drops!

Morpho3 · Sep 2023

I used to love this podcast. I listened to the entirety of The Count of Monte Cristo, which is no small feat! But in more recent years, the show feels much more negative and not as fun as it used to be.

Jenny Steele · Jan 2022

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.

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