Last week, I wrote about some of my favorite podcasts to listen to when I’d like to occupy my ears with people talking about current events, interesting books and authors, comedic back-and-forth, or fiction that’s just a bit…weird. If you’re still searching for a podcast that will suit you, here are three more of my recommendations!
The History of Literature Podcast hosted by Jacke Wilson
The History of Literature podcast’s aim is to take “a fresh look at some of the most compelling examples of creative genius the world has ever known” by examining works of literature and asking questions. What is literature? How did literature develop, and what are its forms? Can the people of today learn anything from these stories from the past? Episodes have covered a wide range of authors and topics, from bad poetry and great literary endings, to Dorothy Parker, Anton Chekhov, Confucius, and St. Augustine. Literary forms range from poetry (the Romantics, Ancient Chinese poetry) to epics (such as the Ramayana and the Epic of Gilgamesh). With Wilson’s soothing voice as a lovely backdrop to these stories and the ideas they weave, this podcast is pleasure for the ears and fuel for the mind.
Overdue hosted by Andrew Cunningham and Craig Getting
Forgive the bookworm in me, but I can’t resist a good podcast covering excellent books! This particular one is meant to cover some of the many books you have waiting in your To Be Read pile that you never seem to find time to flip through. The hosts, Andrew and Craig, are even careful to warn on their website and at the beginning of each episode that while they “believe the joy of discovery is crucial to enjoying any well-told tale, they will not shy away from spoiling specific story beats when necessary. Plus, these are books you should have read by now”! They cover books from back in the classics (Dracula, Persuasion, Medea) to much more recent fare (The Secret History, Life of Pi, Eleanor and Park) with humor and aplomb. Be sure to check out their informal “trinity” of podcasts on the Brontë sisters, covering their novels The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre.
Alice Isn’t Dead performed by Jasika Nicole
Written by Joseph Fink and performed by Jasika Nicole (Night Vale’s Intern Dana), Alice Isn’t Dead is part of Night Vale Presents, a network of independent, original podcasts produced both from members of the artistic team from Welcome to Night Vale, and from writers and artists who haven’t worked in the podcast format before. This serial fiction podcast introduces us to a truck driver (Jasika Nicole) who is crisscrossing America in search of her wife. But her wife is dead—or is she? Along the way, the driver runs into inhuman serial killers, towns unanchored from time, and a dangerous conspiracy. Alice Isn’t Dead will definitely satisfy those who particularly enjoy it when an episode of Night Vale takes a nose dive into horror.
For more information on these great podcasts and how to listen to them, visit the websites for the History of Literature podcast, the Overdue podcast, and the webpage for Night Vale Presents.
