The Literary Life Podcast

De: Angelina Stanford Thomas Banks
  • Resumen

  • Not just book chat! The Literary Life Podcast is an ongoing conversation about the skill and art of reading well and the lost intellectual tradition needed to fully enter into the great works of literature. Experienced teachers Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks (of www.HouseOfHumaneLetters.com) join lifelong reader Cindy Rollins (of www.MorningtimeForMoms.com) for slow reads of classic literature, conversations with book lovers, and an ever-unfolding discussion of how Stories Will Save the World. And check out our sister podcast The Well Read Poem with poet Thomas Banks.
    ©Cindy Rollins 2019
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Episodios
  • Episode 270: “Best of” Series – “How Much Land Does a Man Need” by Leo Tolstoy
    Apr 1 2025

    This week on The Literary Life, we bring you a gem from the archives. In this episode hosts Angelina Stanford, Thomas Banks, and Cindy Rollins discuss “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” by Leo Tolstoy. To start off the discussion of this short story, Thomas gives us some background to help answer Angelina’s question about why this story seems so very different from other Tolstoy works. Angelina shares how to approach this story like a parable. Cindy brings up the question of the difference between ambition and vocation in terms of contentment.

    The Literary Life Online Conference “Living Language: Why Words Matter” is coming up this month, so now is the time to register for lifetime access. Head over the HouseofHumaneLetters.com to sign up today!

    Don't forget to visit our website at https://theliterary.life/270 for the full show notes for this episode.

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    1 h y 26 m
  • Episode 269: "An Experiment in Criticism" Revisited
    Mar 25 2025

    Welcome back to The Literary Life Podcast this week! Today we are bringing you a brand new episode on An Experiment in Criticism in which Angelina and Thomas revisit the ideas in this book and answer some listener questions from over the years! Angelina opens the discussion with a little background on the first series of episodes, then begins to unravel the two main areas of confusion about this book. First, she and Thomas talk about the idea that we are supposed to "receive" literature as opposed to "using" literature. Angelina seeks an answer the question, "What is a literary experience?" They also tackle the problem of the purpose of this book, since many people think it is Lewis' guide on how to read literature. Finally, they discuss how to have a literary experience and where Lewis addresses how to read well.

    The seventh annual Literary Life Online Conference is coming up April 23-26, 2025! Please visit HouseofHumaneLetters.com to sign up for that as well as all the other upcoming webinars of this year.

    To view the full show notes for this episode, please visit https://theliterary.life/269.

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    1 h y 39 m
  • Episode 268: “Best of” Series: An Experiment in Criticism, Ch. 10-Epilogue
    Mar 18 2025

    On today’s “Best of” episode of The Literary Life, Angelina and Cindy are once again joined by Thomas Banks. They discuss the last two chapters and the epilogue of An Experiment in Criticism. The first topic of conversation is Lewis’ comments on poetry, including the un-literary reading of poetry and the importance of the sound of poetry. Angelina highlights Lewis’ take on reading “bad books,” and Cindy points out his warning against de-bunking. Thomas gives us some history on the reference to F. R. Leavis and his literary criticism.

    Angelina dives into her favorite part of this section, all about what makes good literary criticism. She recaps Lewis’ own list of the types of literary commentators and historians who have helped him in his own reading. Angelina and Thomas both mention some of their favorite resources, including George Lyman Kittredge, Northrup Frye, J. W. MacKail and Dorothy Sayers. Another important point is to look for resources that point back to the text, not outside of the text.

    Cindy and Angelina clear up some confusion about marginalia and what types of notes can help or hinder us in our reading. Finally, in discussing the epilogue, our hosts reiterate the purpose of reading as widening our souls and freeing ourselves to experience another person’s perspective. Cindy asks if we will read with hubris, or humility? That makes all the difference.

    Join us right here again next week for a brand new episode on An Experiment in Criticism in which Angelina and Thomas will revisit the book and answer some listener questions from over the years!

    The seventh annual Literary Life Online Conference is coming very soon! Please visit HouseofHumaneLetters.com to sign up for that as well as all the other upcoming webinars of 2025!

    To view the full show notes for this episode, please visit our website at https://theliterary.life/268.

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    1 h y 32 m

Featured Article: We’re Booked—The Best Literature Podcasts for Every Bibliophile


Love everything books and literature? Of course, you do—that’s why you're here! Don’t worry, you’re in good company. If you're a book aficionado who loves chatting about literature with like-minded people, literature podcasts are the perfect addition to your listening lifestyle. There’s no shortage of great book podcast options to choose from. Here are just a few of the best literature podcasts, covering many different genres and styles of podcasting.

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the absolute best

I have become a literary life podcast proselyte. I can't stop talking about it and recommending it. stories will save the world.

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Get a Literary Education here!

I have loved listening to these three talk about books. I am always on the hunt for my next good read and was at a standstill until i started this podcast! They bring history and meaning into their discussion. They have a delightful viewpoint that helps me think through what I'm reading.

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Brilliant work

The people at LitLife will hold your hand and gently walk you through literature if that is what you need, while also providing robust, thoughtful, informed ideas for those who crave that. It is a rare gift to be able to do both with such wisdom, grace, and humour.
I am not a podcast person, and this and their poetry podcast are the only podcasts I listen to with any kind of regularity. Subscribe. They will not waste your time.

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wow!

I love this episode! I'm reading Northanger Abbey with my homeschool mama book club and I remembered that the Literary Life podcast did a series on it. Wow! Cindy and Angelina brought the book to life!

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My favorite podcast!

I've been listening to LitLife since it began and every single episode is like a graduate level seminar in literature, without the pretension and student loan debt. Angelina's knowledge & passion combined with Cindy's wisdom, experience, gentle spirit, and wit create a fun and enjoyable discussion on books. I also enjoy Thomas' poems and contributions to the conversation. The only suggestion that I have is that I wish there were an alternative platform besides FB for the LitLife discussion group ( Mighty Networks perhaps?) My family is traveling full-time now, so following along with the LitLife is now my bookclub. Thanks for enriching my life. Stories will change the world!

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

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Fantastic episode

My first introduction to Charlotte Mason was Susan Schaeffer Macaulay's book For the Children's Sake 25 to 30 years ago so I'm already a fan of sorts, but really enjoyed learning more about her in this episode.

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Full of both beauty and fun

I've been listening to the LL podcast for over 2 years. The hosts are experts in their fields, but manage to distill the information about books and literature in a way that is both informative and FUN. I appreciate the way they explain how books, symbols, themes, etc fit into the literary tradition to help explain things that would have been understood in earlier epochs, but whose meanings are lost today. Thanks for the world you open each podcast, LL!

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being preached to was like bait and switch.

I will not return to this podcast. Using the podcast to peach the idea that all authors of a genre are agreeing with the biblical view of original sin, (whether the authors knew it or not),
was a shocking bit of bias and simple- minded pursuit...

You should re- title your podcast so that sceptical folks who love literature won't have to listen to the religious filters you speak through.

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