I love this podcast! Wonderful literary insight and beauty. I recommend this podcast to anyone who loves classic literature, beautiful stories, and people who talk about good things! 🤩

David kern is more boring and plain then a blank piece of paper

This podcast has completely changed my reading life for the better. I’m reading more closely and attentively. I’m reading things that unfortunately were not part of my public school education or my training as a public school teacher. I could’ve really benefited from a podcast like this years ago. I love the hosts and truly enjoy listening to their approachable insights on the books. I also love the variety of books that are discussed. I look forward to each episode. My TBR list is now something I’m really proud of. Thanks you David, Heidi and Tim!

I found this podcast almost four years ago when Karen Swallow Prior tweeted that she was doing Jane Eyre with them and I am so glad I did. I look forward to every podcast, even when I don't love the book they're doing, because each conversation lifts my soul. I don't have many people in my life who are reading the books I am, but with Close Reads I feel like I'm a part of the conversation. Because yelling and laughing at your phone ("or wherever you get your podcasts") counts, right?

The spoilers are killing me!! I think the hosts assume listeners are rereading these books but as someone who is reading most of these for the first time, I’m struggling with time after time having the book endings spoiled. Currently listening to Sense and Sensibility and I now know who each person marries. Same type of thing happened for Tess of the D’Ubervilles. And scarlet letter, which yes I had read before but it had been so long I didn’t remember what happened. Often times it seems like one of the hosts reads ahead and then forgets what happens in the section we’re currently reading and will give spoilers. I still rate it 5 stars because I really do love the podcast and highly recommend it. But please… in consideration of readers like me, pretty please stop with the spoilers!

I’m a veteran public school teacher. David is the worst! He’s pretentious and shouldn’t be! He’s constantly interrupting or throwing in his amateur (and cringe worthy)comments. What should be fun “drafts” are as entertaining as listening to that really small group of middle school boys who are so incredibly nerdy that they turn the inconsequential into the inane all the while believing they are of superior intellect. That’s David. The middle school boy. How one Tim or Heidi is even a friend of his and obligingly agreed to appear on this podcast is a mystery. However, the fact that they continue to engage in his juvenile folly causes me to question each of their credentials to inform readers. I can’t take any one of them seriously. I wish I could. Tim and Heidi are, at least, likable and could possibly create a worthy literary podcast. Just a few podcasters providing quality literary analysis for real, live grownups include Angelina and Cindy on The Literary Life and Karen Swallow Prior. If you enjoy David on this podcast, stop for some honest self-reflection. Your coworkers, your family, your grocery store clerk, your vet, will thank you.

These friends discuss a variety of books and help the listener to pull out additional meaning and understanding from the stories. I absolutely love them, and their knowledge they share. Thanks for this wonderful show.

I’ve been listening to this podcast for 5 years now, and recommend it to friends all the time! Have truly loved all the various hosts that have played a part over the years and picked up books I would have never read otherwise. Thanks, guys!!

After reading every book faithfully for three years and really growing in who I am as a reader, I just think the hosts make me dislike the books more than helping me enjoy them. I used to love their banter, but with less Tim on the show, I am finding that the hosts are very pretentious and don’t really talk about the story. I also am finding more misses in their choices than hits. I thank them for making me grow as a reader, but I think I enjoy Angelina’s humility more and will be listening to The Literary Life from now on. I don’t even know if I want to finish the Diary of A Country Priest….I don’t even think the people who selected it like it based on their comments.

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 horrifying—how can you teach about virtue and not live it out in your daily lives?

This podcast is by far my favorite podcast. I’ve been listening to it for years and love the education I’ve received in how to read. The hosts open my eyes and enrich my reading of books. If I haven’t listened in a while I turn it on, I think “Yay! I get to hang out with my friends for a while.” I would not know what an objective correlative was without it.

I enjoy this podcast when Heidi doesn’t speak. Most of her comments are interesting, but she speaks so slowly and stilted, and drags out her S sounds, that I find myself having to turn it off before I yell at her to “Say it already!”.

I love diving deep into literature and really appreciate the level of discussion in this podcast. Heidi always brings details into the contextual understanding of the story that add nuance, integration, and satisfaction. My first close read with this crew was Death Comes for the Archbishop and I was blown away that I could listen to several hours of commentary on one book. Not only was it informative and enjoyable but, in the end, I wanted more! I now look at past Close Reads books / episodes as I am deciding what to read next. Thanks for adding something valuable and unique to the overwhelming amount of noise in the podcast world.

I love this show. I just discovered it a few months ago and have already devoured a number of books I would have never read. Discussion is deep and thought provoking but also contains many laughs. It’s one of my favorites !

These guys talk about books the way I want to talk about books.

I stumbled across this podcast earlier this year after reading All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy and wanting to discuss it with someone or read others opinions on it. I was pleasantly surprised to find Close Reads and the wonderful community that they’ve built around reading books. David, Tim, and Heidi feel like friends, and it makes this podcast so much fun to listen to, even if you haven’t read the books they are discussing.

No one is prepared for this podcast nor has any significant insight to offer listeners. Mostly inane banter and pretentious posturing. Way too long.

The discussion of this book is riveting. I am an avid reader but have never done a deep dive into Faulkner. Thank you for opening the door for me. I am learning a lot from all three of you and marvel at your analysis and perceptions. Clare on September 06, 2022

No one leading this podcast has any real insight into these books- mostly opinions with no credentials to back up their “expertise”. A quick dive into their doctorates revels a subpar online institute that hands out degrees like candy. Definitely other podcasts out there to check out.

Lots of reviews say the show is unpretentious but I actually found it to be the opposite. I think the discussions are one sided and unwilling to look at how books can be reinterpreted in our modern age. Even though I’m middle aged, the implied eye rolling at “kids these days” really bothered me. Younger generations actually can offer fresh and enlightened perceptions and should not be overlooked. I listened through episodes for a few of books I love and probably won’t return to listen to more.

Unpretentious and deep, while being very accessible to the average reader (like myself!)

Do not waste your time with these people

This is a wonderful podcast. I appreciate having good classical Christian commentary on some of my favorite books. Unlike the Bookening podcast, the people on Close Reads are willing to let the text judge them rather than spending all their time judging the text. It would be great if next year they did C. S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces, but otherwise I have no complaints. Thank you Close Reads!

I absolutely love the discussions on this show. I have learned so much in the short time I’ve been listening. I’m currently working my way through the backlist, it’s that good! I don’t want to miss a word.

Fun project to keep brain from turning to mush

I started listening to Close Reads in 2019 and haven’t missed an episode since. It’s a highlight of my week. I’ve read so many great books I wouldn’t have considered before because of this podcast. The hosts always have brilliant insights that have helped me become a closer reader myself.

Listen to Closereads, but only if you want the best discussions on classic literature on any podcast anywhere.

I truly enjoy learning through listening to this podcast. I enjoy reading the books along with Tim, Heidi and David. Thank you.

This podcast has been so fun, educational, insightful…love it. I just bought all the books for the 2022 year to do a better job reading along. The hosts have challenged me to read books I wouldn’t normally, and to more deeply appreciate favorites. Way to produce a fantastic resource!

I look forward to hearing David, Heidi, and Tim celebrate the true, good, and beautiful in literature! What a gift!

Searched for so long for something like this. Great guests when they have them on their show. Discussions here add so much more to the books.

I absolutely love this podcast! Even though I graduated college and graduate school studying English literature, I’ve learned way more listening to them. I always find myself “jumping” in the conversations at different paces! I even got my mom listening to them so we could discuss the episodes further! Please don’t stop them! I love Heidi’s opinions and her insights. David asks great questions, love the banter and rabbit trails, and I also really appreciate Tim and his comments!

I want to shout out to Heidi, Tim, and David. I think they are all exceptionally well-rounded and thoughtful readers. I particularly enjoy Heidi’s insight from a psychological background. Of course, I LOVE when Karen Swallow Prior joins! This podcast introduced me to her and I now have every book she’s written and the new editions of classics that she’s annotated. I find it difficult to participate in book clubs in real life, but I absolutely love listening to Close Reads. The pressure to participate is off and you just get to soak in intelligent banter. Love it!

The best thing about the podcast is that it takes my someday list and makes it happen! I'm excited about the upcoming choices for 2022.

I have grown more as a reader from listening to the Close Reads podcast than from all my classes in college and graduate school. The honest responses to the books that are covered in this podcast speaks to the character of the hosts as teachers, readers, and life-long learners. I have met them in person and spent time in serious conversation with them as well, and when I say that this is nothing feigned, I mean it. Time spent listening to this podcast will not be time wasted. If you are an incurable reader, you need this.

I have rediscovered my love for reading through this podcast! The hosts have such interesting insights and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Amateur is the right word for this podcast. Beware, the blind are leading the blind.

I love listening to this podcast so much. It has made me a better reader and even a better television and movie watcher. I have learned so much and think about the world and story clearer through listening. I look forward to listening every week and feel as though the contributors are my friends that I enjoy a book club with weekly. Thanks for producing such wonderful content. You’ve truly created a wonderful community.

Whenever I read a book, I always get excited whenever there’s an episode on this show about it. I highly recommend to all bookworms who yearn for something more. On a side note, I was wondering if you guys could cover Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None? I’d greatly appreciate it!

I've been an avid (at some points, obsessive) reader my whole life but I only just got around to searching out literary podcasts in the last couple years. I am so thankful for Close Reads! Though some may not appreciate the chit-chat, I like that the atmosphere is informal and relaxed, not totally structured and planned like a class or lecture. I like that David, Tim, and Heidi have different backgrounds, areas of expertise, and perspectives, which make for a more well-rounded discussion. I don't read everything they do, and I don't always approve of every book they select, but I NEVER come away from a podcast without learning something, often A LOT. I think it is so helpful to have their insights and commentary alongside my reading and I am happily re-reading things I've read multiple times before in order to benefit from their discussions.

I loved this podcast when Angelina was on it. The new version is a giant fail. Heidi is pretentious but contributes absolutely nothing, and you can tell David doesn’t even bother to read the books. Switched over to Angelina’s The Literary Life podcast that she cohosts with Cindy Rollins. They’re everything that these podcasters aren’t — knowledgeable and humble for starters.

I love the banter between the hosts. I find it informative and I find myself laughing out loud. I look forward to each new podcast and have tailored my TBR to what they are discussing.

Repeatedly mispronounced characters and places and there’s not enough structure. The rambling banter would be more interesting if it wasn’t so vapid. Could be good with more effort and research.

CiRCE institute is a mixed bag... I used to love this podcast but have slowly been disenchanted with hosts. Still love Tim. Really enjoy SJ Bentley. The others have no particular qualifications to be leading discussion and often just talk about their feelings in circles. I wish they would have chosen to stick with classics rather than living or modern authors. Edited to add** I believe in response to this review, they claimed to be “just amateurs” in the true sense of the word (amore, to love). This is inconsistent because they ask for you to finance their “amateur pursuits” by paying into their patreon. It’s one or the other, not both. As soon as you ask for money you’re not amateurs, you’re professionals. I get patreons are typical. But then don’t claim to be amateurs. And BUYER BEWARE : are there actual qualifications from those asking for your money?

Close Reads introduces me to books and authors I’ve not read before, encourages me to read the classics, and teaches me to be a better reader. I love reading with David, Heidi, and Tim! Thank you! I love The Play’s The Thing too.

This was great when Angelina was on it! I've not loved it much since she's been gone. Her humility is something that I miss!

This is the best podcast to happen to my homeschool, my own education, and my bookshelves. The hosts feel like friends, and they somehow have this magical quality of making every book interesting and meaningful. I have never not liked a book they’ve done- or rather, I’ve always learned something, even if that’s an appreciation for the author or a specific genre. I recommend Close Reads to anyone and everyone who shows even the slightest interest in discussing books!

Close Reads is a fun and engaging literature podcast that has helped me learn how to delve deeper into the books I read. One of my favorite podcasts! I love all the great discussions and book recommendations on the Facebook group as well!

Since Heidi has joined this group I can’t even stomach listening anymore. She has just shined a light on the pride of the other hosts. Heidi uses the same three phrases that seem to make her sound more intelligent. This is merely a small group, standing over art, giving personal criticism and anyone who disagrees is clearly beneath them. After years of listening and once a member of Jocose, I have unsubscribed from all things Circe. A collaboration clearly heading in a bad direction.

I loved this podcast back in its beginning, when it was mostly Angelina and Tim. The discussion was balanced, and there was variation in opinion that made it interesting. I haven’t been able to bring myself to listen for the past year, partly for lack of time, but also the couple times I tried to listen I just felt annoyed. Can’t really put a finger on what it was exactly, but something is off. The old episodes are great! And worth going to give a listen to. Angelina now hosts a podcast with Cindy Rollins, and her (A’s) Classicist husband, Thomas Banks, and it is exceptional, if you’re looking for excellence!