Best Very Serious Book Club Podcasts (2024)

1
The Wheel of Time Series 2 - Part 4 - Bannered Across the Sky in Fire 1:11:18

15d ago1:11:18

1:11:18

In this 4th bonus episode for our 3rd series, we discuss the final 2 episodes, episodes 7 and 8, of Amazon Primes “The Wheel of Time” series 2, “Daes Dae'mar” and “What Was Meant to Be". We talk about the episodes in relation to the books, this series is an adaptation of books 2+3 “The Great Hunt” and “The Dragon Reborn”, so we try to not spoil any…

1
The Wheel of Time Series 2 - Part 3 - Egwene Is Going Through It Hours 1:04:55

30d ago1:04:55

1:04:55

In this bonus episode, we discuss episodes 5 and 6 of Amazon Primes “The Wheel of Time” series 2, “Damane” and “Eyes Without Pity”. We talk about the episodes in relation to the books, this series is an adaptation of books 2+3 “The Great Hunt” and “The Dragon Reborn”, so we try to not spoil anything plot wise after those books. Episode 5, Damane: M…

1
The Wheel of Time Series 2 - Part 2 - Lanfear Loves Lace, Leather, and Lews Therin 1:00:33

1M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

In this bonus episode, we discuss episodes 3 and 4 of Amazon Primes “The Wheel of Time” series 2. In this episode we focus on episodes 3 and 4 of Series 2 (“What might be” and “Daughter of the Night”). In relation to the books, this series is an adaptation of books 2+3 “The Great Hunt” and “The Dragon Reborn”, so we try to not spoil anything plot w…

1
The Wheel of Time Series 2 - Part 1 - This looks better than S1 1:03:54

2M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

In this bonus episode, Lotti, and M, are joined by AJ, and Liv, about series 2 of the Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime. In this episode, we discuss specially episodes 1 and 2. We discuss all things costumes, plot points, and our favourite bits from the episodes. Plus we ask the question: Which Ajah would Jane Austen’s heroines be in? Make sure you’ve …

1
Breakfast Chat 9: Your Vet Did What? 8:23

3M ago8:23

8:23

In this breakfast chat, Clare shares a truly embarrassing story from a fellow veterinarian. Names and locations have been changed to protect those involved from further shame. This episode may be troubling for more squeamish listeners, as it contains terms like: uterine horn, testicles, castration, cervix, and litter-bearing animals. Also, Hannah a…

1
S3:E3- To Kill a King 34:19

3M ago34:19

34:19

In part 2 of our series on the kings and queens of England, Clare and Hannah talk about two kings who embodied the term, "man-child." Henry II spent his entire wedding reception goofing off with his best friend and ignoring everybody else, including his new queen. Richard II surrounded himself with his favorite sycophants, spent a ridiculous amount…

1
Q and A: jingle jingle jingle 41:37

6M ago41:37

41:37

It’s our Q and A episode! We answer your questions in this special bonus episode of our podcast. Content Warnings NA Support the show Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we acce…

1
Hound of the Baskervilles : cocks gun Moor’s Haunted 45:11

6M ago45:11

45:11

For our final book review of series 3 join us as we discuss the Sherlock Holmes story “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Featuring haunted moors, Scooby-Doo villainy, the John Watson defence squad, and some dogs (no cats). For our other episodes featuring Sherlock Holmes, including “Study in Scarlet”, see our website link be…

1
Gideon the Ninth: We Do Bones, Motherf*cker 57:47

7M ago57:47

57:47

Join us on an unforgettable literary journey as we unlock the secrets of Tamsyn Muir's captivating novel, "Gideon the Ninth." In this episode, we venture into a realm where necromancers wield power, the line between life and death blurs, and secrets shroud the decaying Canaan House. Content Warnings Death Support the show Recommend us a Book! If th…

1
Emma: The “Make Up A Guy To Be Mad At” Olympics 1:03:44

7M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Join us for a discussion of Jane Austen’s Emma - a story of misguided match-making, lying lovers, and stressful social situations. We talk about class, telling yourself stories about what’s going on in the heads of those around you, and - of course - who we’d fight if given the chance. Content Warnings na Support the show Recommend us a Book! If th…

1
The Creature in the Case: Country House Monster Mystery 51:32

8M ago51:32

51:32

Join us for a lively review of "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case." By Garth Nix. In this standalone novella set in the Abhorsen universe, Nicholas Sayre embarks on a thrilling adventure, facing personal demons and unraveling a chilling mystery surrounding a locked case and an enigmatic creature. We explore Nix's masterful storytelling, i…

1
Mini Ep - The Final Empire 15:16

8M ago15:16

15:16

In this mini episode, the team ask the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson. For the full book review, see series 1 episode 20 Support the show Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please…

1
S3:E2- The Life and Times of Henry and Henry 19:01

8M ago19:01

19:01

Hannah takes the "reigns" for part 1 in a series about the kings and queens of England. Because royalty in England just cycled through the same three names over and over, today we learn about two kings named Henry: Henry II: the highlights of his reign were murdering his best friend in a cathedral, getting whipped within an inch of his life in the …

1
Breakfast Chat 8: Songs that Rocked Our World, Pt. 3 14:38

9M ago14:38

14:38

Clare shares a song that terrifies both her and the man who wrote it. Hannah's song of choice did not so much rock her world as haunt her every waking moment for two weeks straight. Clare's song: "Cat's in the Cradle." Music, lyrics, and performance by Harry Chapin. In December of 1974 it was the Number 1 song on the Billboard Top 100. The link inc…

1
Alanna the First Adventure: Twenty Pounds of Stubborn in a Five Pound Bag 57:23

9M ago57:23

57:23

Join us for a discussion of the first book in Tamora Pierce’s The Song of the Lioness series, Alanna the First Adventure. We think about what this story has to say about gender, and how it took on topics like bullying, sexism and misogyny while not even being allowed to run more than a couple hundred pages, because “it’s for children”. Content Warn…

1
S3: E1- Book Club: "True Grit" 39:46

9M ago39:46

39:46

Clare and Hannah read Charles Portis' 1968 novel, True Grit, and have not been able to talk normally since. We also analyze two movie adaptations of the book: the 1969 adaptation directed by Henry Hathaway and the 2010 adaptation directed by the Coen Brothers. To get your own copy of this amazing book and/or your own DVD copy of the movies, visit C…

1
Breakfast Chat 7: "Your Dog Ate What? Again?" (Weird Veterinary Stories #2) 11:16

9M ago11:16

11:16

This is a weird one. Not at all what you'd be expecting. The names of locations, individuals, and 4-legged lifeforms have been changed to protect the innocent. If you enjoy funny vet stories, you might enjoy the books of James Herriot, a veterinarian plying his trade in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales of northern England. The stories take place befor…

1
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight : If You Want To Get A-Head, Get An Axe 1:07:29

9M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

It’s time for us to review another medieval poem! In this episode, we discuss “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th-century chivalric romance in Middle English, with an unknown author. The title of the poem was given centuries later after it was first written. It is one of the best-known Arthurian stories…

1
The 6 best books we read in 2022 1:17:49

9M ago1:17:49

1:17:49

2022 was a long time ago, but that’s not stopping the Smug Book Club boys from reflecting on the best books they read in that year! And trust ‘em, there are some absolute belters on this go-around. The Buddha in the Attic — Julie Otsuka Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi One Hundred Years of Solitude — Gabriel García Márquez Death With Interruptions — Jo…

1
Anno Dracula: A Victorian Vampire Clusterf*ck 1:10:18

10M ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Join us for a special episode of Teaching My Cat To Read, where Eli brings some beloved guests on board to discuss Kim Newman's Anno Dracula. We talk about whether vampires are always sexy, how many fun literary cameos an author can include before it gets annoying, and exactly what on earth is going on in this book. Please mind the content notes; t…

1
Very Novel 007: Manga, book signings, and Milan Kundera 44:36

10M ago44:36

44:36

Manga, eh? Anime, yeah? Why is it when the ‘Murricans get their grubby hands on it to adapt for their screens, they always seem to balls it up? Do they even know what they’re doing with it? Is it all just a culture clash? Or is there a slither of merit in what they’re creating? Callum and Ryan (somewhat) answer these questions, alongside their stan…

1
Mini Ep - Temeraire 17:09

10M ago17:09

17:09

In this mini episode, the team asks the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of Temeraire (His Majesty’s Dragon) by Naomi Novik. "Temeraire" combines history and fantasy, transporting readers to an alternate Napoleonic era where dragons exist. Join Captain Will Laurence as he unexpectedly becomes the partner of a dragon hatchling nam…

1
Very Novel 006: Celeb poets, BookTok, and more AI 56:55

10M ago56:55

56:55

Callum and Ryan are back again! In the spirit of chatting about more ai and some dodgy poetry, they thought they'd just let ChatGPT sort out this week’s episode description. Enjoy! In the realm of words and stories, a tale unfolds, Where Very Novel's hosts bring insights untold. Callum and Ryan, their voices intertwined, Unveiling the podcast's lat…

1
The Raven Tower: Put That Rock Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me 1:09:45

10M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

In this episode, we review Ann Leckie's captivating fantasy novel, "The Raven Tower." Published in 2019, it immerses readers in a world where gods and humans coexist. Leckie's masterful prose, rich mythology, and well-crafted characters make this a must-read. Discover why it earned critical acclaim and awards. Happy reading! “A usurper has claimed …

1
Breakfast Chat 6: Our Favorite Circles of Hell (Dante's Divine Comedy) 17:28

10M ago17:28

17:28

Clare has been doing some light reading... of Dante's Inferno. The translation Clare's been reading is by Robert Hollander and Jean Hollander. The commentaries are A Beginner's Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy by Jason M. Baxter and Spiritual Direction from Dante: Avoiding the Inferno by Paul Pearson. She's also been referring to the Dorothy Sayers t…

1
Very Novel 005: Cormac McCarthy, encyclopaedias, and review bombing 50:29

11M ago50:29

50:29

No podcast for sad men? Well, there’s always this one. Cormac McCarthy died, and Ryan and Callum are bummed. But it’s okay – they have each other to talk about the man’s legacy and what made him so darn special. There’s also some encyclopaedia chat, as well as an honest assessment of some kneejerk review bombing following Elizabeth Gilbert’s decisi…

1
S2:E24 "Curse You, Harper-Collins!" (How to Read The Chronicles of Narnia) 26:47

11M ago26:47

26:47

Today we discuss whether The Chronicles of Narnia should be read in chronological order or in order of publication. Clare has strong opinions about this one. Hannah doesn't care either way, but that may change... You already have your own copy of The Chronicles of Narnia, right? Wait...what? You don't?? Let us help you rectify that unacceptable sit…

1
Hamlet: Everything a Goddamn Ordeal in Area Family 1:04:28

11M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

In this episode, we chat about the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”, often shortened to “Hamlet” is one of Shakespeare’s most quoted plays. It was written between 1599-1601, and is his longest play. The play is set in Denmark, where Prince Hamlet’s uncle has taken over the throne by killing Hamlet’s fat…

1
Very Novel 004: Bible banning, girl protagonists, and Ulysses 43:15

11M ago43:15

43:15

Yee-haw! It’s time to saddle up for another Very Novel. Down at the ranch Callum and Ryan are rounding up the latest book stories for y’all. Like why are they banning the ol’ bible in schools across the pond? Why are young fellas not getting the diverse reading they need? Why is Ulysses such a pain in the chaps to get through? And why did we make t…

1
Mini Ep - Small Gods 16:05

11M ago16:05

16:05

In this mini episode, the team asks the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of Small Gods by Terry Pratchett. For the full book review, see series 1 episode 10. Support the show Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read …

1
Very Novel 003: Indie bookshops, reading challenges, and Martin Amis 54:46

12M ago54:46

54:46

It’s another round of Very Novel — and Ryan and Callum are snapping into the spines of some fresh book chat. This week, we revel in the joy of a thriving independent bookshop scene, and contemplate the pitfalls of online reading challenges and book tracking. We pay our respects to Martin Amis — a dude we know virtually nothing about — while the Bra…

1
Guards! Guards!: Bjorn Strong in the Arm’s your Uncle 1:05:23

12M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

As we continue on our valiant quest to read more books in the Discworld series, we decided to discuss “Guards! Guards!” by Terry Pratchett. The first in the City Watch series of books within the Discworld universe, Guards! Guards! Follows the Night Watch as they try to recover a stolen magical book which can be used to summon dragons. Featuring man…

1
Very Novel 002: AI woes, fake books, and authors' hobbies 44:37

1y ago44:37

44:37

Your boys are back with a fresh take at what’s going on in the world of books. This week, a storm in a teacup involving Bradford Literature Festival and Midjourney has us anticipating the wider implications of AI in literature, we ponder the point of displaying fake books in your gaff, and what the hell are revered writers like Neil Gaiman getting …

1
Death on the Nile: Don’t Make Me Turn This Ship Around 58:12

1y ago58:12

58:12

In this episode, we discuss the Agatha Christie Novel “Death on the Nile”. Featuring everyone’s favourite Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, (brushing off our gcse French to understand his thoughts), the twists and turns of the plot, silly questions, and what our cat would think. Content Warnings Fictional murder, alcoholism Support the show Recomme…

1
Very Novel 001: Censorship, adaptations, and Matthew Perry 42:51

1y ago42:51

42:51

Hello, what’s this? It’s only a new flippin’ topical book series, right here on the feed, featuring your two favourite book boys. Every fortnight we cover the latest book news, opinions and titbits, all the while going, erm, nose deep in our current reads. What’s not to love? In our debut episode, we talk recent censorship woes, Matthew Perry’s lat…

1
Breakfast Chat 5: Songs that Rocked Our Worlds, Pt. 2 15:06

1y ago15:06

15:06

Clare and Hannah share some more of the songs that rocked their worlds. Turns out they both really love heavy metal. Who knew? Clare's songs: "I See Fire" -- metal version! Performed by Malinda and Violet Orlandi "Clean Up Your Room" by Akira the Don featuring Jordan Peterson "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless Hannah's songs: "A Question" by Bombadil "…

1
Cosmere: Look, a chicken! 1:02:57

1y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

In this episode Lotti is joined by friends of the podcast Liv and AJ to discuss Brandon Sanderson’s high fantasy book series The Stormlight Archive. What did we think of this series compared to Wheel of Time, or other Cosmere books? What’s our favourite cameo? Who’s our favourite character? Check out this episode to find out! We’ve read the books b…

1
Howl’s Moving Castle: The world’s magic-est camper van 59:46

1y ago59:46

59:46

In this episode we discuss the novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Listen to the episode to find out what we thought, and more importantly what our cat thought of the book! Book blurb: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fortune. But w…

1
Jeeves and Wooster: Wait! Let Me Jeeves That For You 54:43

1y ago54:43

54:43

In this episode, we discuss The Inimitable Jeeves by PG Wodehouse. A collection of short stories, published in the 1920’s, the book follows Bertie Wooster and his Valet Jeeves, who solves the hapless problems encountered by Wooster. Featuring why shouldn’t probably steal other authors ideas, colourful clothing, and Bertie Vs a cat. Make sure to fol…

1
Planning Series 3: Best laid plans of cats & men 39:37

1y ago39:37

39:37

In this special episode to kick off series 3, we record us planning the books we are going to read! If you want to find out all the books we are reading check out our website for all the details. Content Warnings NA Support the show Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll po…

1
Welcome to Teaching my Cat to Read 0:59

1y ago0:59

0:59

Support the show Recommend us a Book! If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept). Social Media Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/ Email: teachingmycattoread@gmail.com Instagram:…

1
What is Your Deal? (Understanding the Four Temperaments) 38:58

1+ y ago38:58

38:58

The four temperaments have been around since Hippocrates, who theorized that our human behavior is influenced by the quantities of various fluids present in our bodies. The four temperaments are: Sanguine (blood), Choleric (Yellow bile), Melancholic (black bile), and phlegmatic (phlegm). Clare (a sanguine) and Hannah (a melancholic) plumb the depth…

1
Breakfast Chat 4: "Your Dog Ate What?" (weird veterinary stories from Dr. Walker) 20:28

1+ y ago20:28

20:28

Clare shares some of her veterinary exploits. WARNING: This episode is gross. If any of the following words or phrases gross you out, you may wish to forgo listening: Poop Vomit Bile Rectum Rectal exam Ringworms Anal gland Wheel of vomit "Head falling off" Moist If you enjoy funny vet stories, you might enjoy the books of James Herriot, a veterinar…

1
The 6 best books we read in 2021 1:11:19

1+ y ago1:11:19

1:11:19

Uh oh. UH OH. It's our yearly update on our favorite books, but... it's almost a year late. Look, we can't be perfect all the time, so you're just gonna have to accept this wonderful content whenever it rolls around. So... what were the best novels we read in 2021? Well, those were: Moby Dick, by Herman Melville Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi The Song Of …

1
Breakfast Chat 3: What Makes a Good Character? 13:27

1+ y ago13:27

13:27

Whether you're writing a book, a movie, or a play, there are three elements you need to think about when creating a character. Clare and Hannah discuss these three things, debate whether James Bond is funny, and discover that they both struggle to say the word "nemesis." Support the Show.By Clare Walker & Hannah Kubiak

1
S2:E22 Book Club: Brave New World (pt. 2) 29:07

1+ y ago29:07

29:07

In this episode, Hannah and Clare continue to talk about Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," through the lens of one of our favorite "Star Trek" episodes. We also manage to mention "Abolition of Man" again. See if you can spot it! Brave New World by Aldous Huxley includes adult themes. Listener discretion is advised. Support the Show.…

1
S2:E21 Book Club - Brave New World (Pt. 1) 39:47

1+ y ago39:47

39:47

In this episode, Clare and Hannah come off the reservation and step into a Brave New World where people are made in bottles, Henry Ford is God, and the police are armed with water-pistols. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley includes adult themes. Listener discretion is advised. Please enjoy this hilarious video from The Onion about how Disney grows c…

1
Wizards and Hunchbacks and Fairies, Oh my! 27:58

2y ago27:58

27:58

Don't be fooled by the title. We're still talking about Shakespeare. This time Hannah and Clare talk about the elements of tragedy and comedy, why the Lancasters had to look good in the histories, and what kind of play The Tempest is anyway. Support the Show.By Clare Walker & Hannah Kubiak

1
Mini Ep - Dracula: A Preponderance of Malewives 16:52

2y ago16:52

16:52

In this mini-episode we discuss DRACULA by Bram Stoker! We discuss the fun questions we introduced in series 2 for a book we’ve previously read in series 1. Including who’s the manipulator in this book, and what would the right move review be that Dracula is looking for for his London home (he probably won’t have to do a house share for £1k a month…

1
The Song Of Achilles: Being God’s Favourite Little Boy Is Bad, Actually 52:25

2y ago52:25

52:25

Join us for a discussion of Madeline Miller’s 2012 novel, The Song Of Achilles, which is a modern retelling of the life of Achilles and Patroclus from childhood to death. We talk about the original text of the Iliad (a lot!), the masterful work of art that is the 2004 movie Troy, and which bits of this book made us cry like babies. Content Warnings…

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