I was hoping to like this show, but the hosts sound very highbrow and I find that off-putting and just can’t listen to it. I love books though and they discuss some great ones!

I love this podcast ! So helpful in becoming a better reader , I thank you !

Step into the world of books with three guides to make your way through faery land, Victorian England, Ancient Greece and beyond. This podcast is hosted by the brilliant teacher Angelina Stanford, the Wise homeschooler Cindy Rollins, and the witty poet Thomas Banks who teach you how to make the most of every read and how to cultivate wonder, joy, truth, and beauty in leading your literary life. And whether you have a history with books or not, this podcast may be just the thing to make you fall in love with them. Who can say. It may even help save the world. P. S. Don’t forget to bring your commonplace book along for the ride. Also your bingo cards because there will be Charlotte Mason quotes from Cindy, self-deprecating Thomas lines, and hills Angelina will most certainly die on. P. P. S. If you do not know what I am talking about then stop reading this review and press the play button already

Such a wonderful podcast to accompany classic reading. I love the discussion and detail they go into. Highly recommend!

This podcast has been an encouragement and help to me in my newly found literary journey. Thank you for helping me love reading again. The series on Mansfield Park and ‘Til We Have Faces have been incredibly enjoyable and thought provoking. The series on Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson has also been really helpful. I listened to the Harry Potter book 1 series while driving through the night and it kept me on the edge of the seat with the insights and connections I had never made before. Thanks so much for sharing this gift with us.

Both Angelina and Mr. Banks are thoughtful, intelligent hosts and as far as book-related podcasts go this is my favorite. It offers inspiring yet traditional insight into many classics and also some contemporary writings. Thank you for providing this podcast! It enriches my life.

I’m learning so much. Enjoying the discussions.

The just-right companions and conversation I’ve always wanted. I was a hungry student who didn’t know how and where to continue my education after college. I did not want literary tests or “expert opinions” — I wanted story-loving friends and lively banter and enthusiasm and laughter and wit and rabbit trails. And I found it here! Yes, one can always read good books on one’s own, but there is a place in the world for kind guides who are real human beings who can open doors and literary portals of time. Angelina and her friends do that so well. It takes a few episodes to slowly get to know them and come to appreciate them as friends and unique individuals, and that’s not popular in our consumeristic age, but I’m the odd soul who loves stories and anecdotes and lore, thank you very much. The reason I keep coming back is because this podcast is proof to me that kindred spirits definitely do exist. :)

stayed for everything else!

I think literature can take on meaning the writer did not intend to communicate. The only “wrong” interpretation is the interpretation that cannot be supported, but HOW a reader supports their views is arguably as interesting as the views themselves. This podcast is… well, short-sighted.

This podcast has given me eyes to see and ears to hear in a whole new literary sense. Eternally grateful for the wisdom and inspiration passed down. Also, the regularity of this podcast bringing me to full blown tears due to understanding the greater story woven throughout stories (many I would have never previously picked up) has become such a joy on my life. Thank you for that! My children now ask “are you crying about another book?”.

I came to this podcast with a genuine interest and began with an overview of what they’ll be reading in 2025, in order to gauge my interest. The woman yells rather than speaks into the microphone, and after 20 minutes they have not yet touched on the topic and are still intro-ing. The amount of interrupting in my brief listening span is pretty high. I may dip into a few other episodes to be fair, but don’t think this is for me.

This podcast is pretty good, but they banter too much. I can skip 15 minutes on some episodes and still not get to the book they are supposed to be talking about. But other than that, glad they enjoy studying books this much, because I just like reading them. Not writing, or speaking this long about them. Good job guys!

I’ve started with the beginning podcasts. Currently starting 2021. So much information and excitement with books. About 2 years ago I decided I wanted to become a reader. It wasn’t big in our family growing up. Reading has changed me, my home, and my little family. Thank you for all the resources!!

I absolutely love this podcast! It is so wonderful to know that there is another group of people that love literature (actually love literature, not love dissecting the words). So refreshing!! 💕

Angelina and Cindy have changed my life with this podcast. I have new eyes to see and my faith has grown more than I thought was possible. Thank you Angelina and Cindy! Please never stop this beautiful work you are doing! Stories will save the world! ❤️❤️

I just discovered this podcast and I feel it is exactly where I need to be at this time. I plan to read every book starting at the beginning and slowly work my way through every episode. Gaudy Night was amazing, I enjoyed it so much. Just ordered the Are women Human essay and will be reading that this week. Thank you ladies. I needed this in my life. And better late than never!

The harry potter series makes so much sense now

I’ve been listening since 2020. With every book I read along with this podcast I have fallen more in love with classic literature and authors like Tolkien and Lewis. How I wish I would have had this podcast years ago. They have opened up worlds for me. I look forward to the rest of my life reading the classics thanks to Angelina, Thomas, and Cindy. Keep changing the world with stories.

This podcast has helped me love literature again after five years of a slump, between meeting my husband, getting married, and having two kids. And now I have my own book club! It’s been wonderful to find the connections in books.

Oh great, this was so mind-blowingly good I now probably am going to have to buy the mini classes for the other books!!

This podcast is a cool breath of fresh air with so much depth it is like trying to drink a week in one gulp. I would like to offer some constructive advice to make a great thing better. 1. There seems to be some frequent interruption out of shear enthusiasm for the topic. Perhaps attempt to do so less. 2. Don’t change anything else. Ever. Thank you so much for what you do. I love old books and have found something to help build my continuing education. I have one more piece of preventative advice, you are doing great work; beware pride. It is a poison that has felled empires, and could destroy the show, which is something I never want to see. (I am not saying I see it, I just want this to last) And more C. S. Lewis, always. May the Good Lord richly bless you all.

I was in search of a book podcast that covered classics I already knew who Cindy Rollins (if you don’t already, go follow her on Goodreads, she has amazing recommendations). And so when stumbled on this one I had high hopes. At first was a bit overwhelmed, there was a learning curve to the way they speak about story and all the classical references that I am not familiar with, but then to my delight Angelina led the conversation on Harry Potter book 1 and I think because being a huge fan of Harry Potter and am very familiar with the story it helped bridge the gap and I was slowly able to really connect with Angelina and Thomas and learn so much from them! Now I am going back and listening to past episodes and am so excited. I just finished series on Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis and I couldn’t be more grateful for the way they helped me read a book that I really struggled with when I first read it 8 years ago! I knew it was good, but I figured I was not smart enough or it must not be for me. Oh how wrong I was, I learned so much and the story simply blew me away! By the end I was catching some themes and making connections on my own before I listened to their recap! I will slowly work my way through the podcast for books that have been on my tbr or ones I need to reread with their help. I look forward to finding some new books too! For example, I plan to give The Wind in the Willows another try. And hopefully I can eventually take one of their classes, maybe even with my Shakespeare loving 5th grader! Thanks so much for this podcast and all you are doing, keep up the good work!

This podcast is my personality now

Looking for some input on PHANTASTES, I discovered “The Literary Life” podcast on Scribd/ Everand. These thoughts put forward so generously, and unassumingly have lit a fire for reading, respecting, and connecting ideas from the treasure trove of old books that surround any person who can read. They are just pointing to great ideas that will fit any person at any time, and infuse them with meaningful life: Angelina, Thomas and Cindy. I’ve listened on and off between listening to books. (You had me at “_Tom Jones_ is so funny!”). Please carry on, and thank you!

I really enjoy two out of three of the hosts. Thomas, though, is so pretentious and arrogant that it makes it hard to listen to for any more than a few minutes . He speaks with this affected “enlightened scholar” voice that’s incredibly cringy and off-putting.

It has reignited my love for books and my regular reading habit. Plus, I am reading books that I have never before considered. I am so delighted to find a literature podcast with hosts that love Jesus and see literature through their faith. The discussions are beautiful prayers of creativity that soothe my soul and draw me into worshipping the King of imagination Himself.

The podcast is good. It’s clearly the result of years of dedicated reading, learning, researching, etc. I didn’t even know it was possible to be this well-read. That being said, the discussion groups tend to be cliquey, elitist, and full of the same brand of moral panic the hosts claim to be against in the podcast. I’m not sure what to make of this dissonance. It’s kind of frustrating to be constantly brushed off and even treated like an idiot for…I don’t even know, not having a PhD or something. Podcast is great, join the fan club with caution.

The Literary Life podcast is such a whimsical and insightful way to chat about reading. I especially love the episodes when Angelina, Cindy, and Thomas interview other readers and talk about their reading lives. I love hearing about what books other love, get insight on what the hosts think about books, and get a glimpse into what they’re putting in their commonplace books! I recommend this podcast if you are a book-lover, reader, writer, or someone who just loves the literary life! 📖📚📔

When I started this podcast, I hadn’t read in years. I read Gaudy Night on my kindle and remember being stuck in the first 10% of the books for ages and ages because I had to reprogram my brain on how to read. Angelina, Thomas, and Cindy are wonderful teachers and I love that they share so much for FREE. Thank you all for offering something available nowhere else!

It’s rare to listen to a podcast and feel like you actually learned something, and not in the typically “fact spewing” fashion. Each time I listen, it feels like there is an ongoing conversation, in which I’m fed little bits at a time. I always come away feeling inspired to read, look deeper, and understand literature more fully.

I stumbled onto your podcast late last year, but wish I had known about it sooner. I absolutely love it, from the Commonplace quotes to homeschool references. I am a homeschool mom, and as you note in your first episode, homeschool moms are if nothing else, well read. I studied English Lit in college and read many books I loved but aside from that found their focus far from mine. When we decided to homeschool, I realizd that many other homeschool moms were “nerds” like me! I’d finally found my people! Now I am enjoying many different books, introducing my kids to them, as well as teaching other homeschool kids in our community different aspects about good/ great writing. I will continue to delve into your many episodes and look forward to the new ones this year.

Very excited for 2024 with this podcast. I happened to find it in time to learn about the reading challenge. Where have you been?? Looking forward to reading outside my usual comfort zone, growing as a reader, and teaching my kids all the goodness available.

I started listening to the first episode about Fahrenheit 451 but the ladies were interrupting and speaking over each other. Maybe it was just one lady, I don’t know, but it was very off putting.

These podcasts are wonderfully informative. Perhaps if the host didn’t interrupt the other two cohosts, and allow them to speak more, it would be improved. I would like to be able to hear more of their thoughts. Thank you, for all the work you put into these podcasts.

I binged on this podcast when I first discovered it a couple years ago. Angelina’s enthusiasm and knowledge combined with Cindy’s wisdom and experience re-ignited my love for literature. However, the hosts now seem more interested in promoting their income-generating ventures than discussing books and producing this podcast. These past few months have consisted of many replays while the introduction to new podcasts are long sales pitches. I have come to prefer the “Close Reads” podcast.

This podcast is a must for any book lover, teacher, parent! Angelina and Cindy provide brilliant insight. It’s a masterclass in reading with a keen eye to capture all that an author wanted to convey and, in doing so, you’ll read with greater delight.

The hosts and their discussions make for wonderful listening! I love the insights they share and their passion for helping people experience great stories. I’m so grateful that this podcast has kindled a desire in me to read or revisit more classic literature. Of what I’ve listened to so far, I’ve especially loved their discussions of Mansfield Park and The Enchanted April.

This podcast is about reading literature through the lens of modern American Christianity. Nothing wrong with that as long as that’s what you put on the description of the show, but it’s not what I was looking for.

I wait every week for the new episode to drop. Excited to hear what we are doing together next. Thanks for enriching my life and teaching me how to read well.

I love this podcast so much!! When my classes from Miss Angelina are over, I listen to this podcast all the time!! Thank you guys so much for this

This is my almost favorite podcast…second only to The New Mason Jar. I listen to TNMJ for homeschooling encouragement and I come here for my Mother Culture. I just finished a book (The Scent of Water, by Goudge) that repeatedly mentioned “A Winters Tale” so I came over here to see if A Winters Tale had been covered here. Thanks to you guys, I’m in the process of going through the first Shakespeare play that I’ve actually enjoyed. I read/listen to an act, listen to your comments on it, and then watch a stage production on YouTube, and I am in love!!! I was crying over Shakespeare while doing dishes today, and not a bit mad about it. Keep it up !

I love this podcast so much. I feel like the hosts are holding my hands as I wade into trickier reading waters. I’ve discovered Dorothy Sayers, read through Jane Austen, learned from CS Lewis, and *enjoyed* Shakespeare as an adult! I feel like Cindy, Angelina & Thomas are wonderful reading friends who encourage me to go deeper and farther in my reading life. The annual literary life reading challenges are SO much fun in the very best way. As a mom of 3 young kids I not only get great ideas for read alouds with them and encouragement in my parenting, but I also receive bolstering for my ‘mother culture’ that is truly a balm to my soul during these years.

An absolute must read for anyone who deeply loves books and good works of literature. Not only does Angelina Stanford introduce the history of literature and throughly adventure through the timeless tales, but shows us WHY we love books and stories like we do. You may be surprised at the answer!!!! Stories will save the world!

This podcast brings so much joy to my heart! As a mom of two littles, the respite from “life” I get while learning about books is everything I need—thank you for all you do in preparing these episodes!

This podcast has been such a gift to me. I learn so much! Thank you Angelina, Cindy and Mr. Banks!

Since I have found this podcast all I want is to sit with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and chat with the three hosts, new soul-sisters. I didn’t know that it was possible that a podcast would meet the longings of my book-loving heart in such a pleasant way. From Angelina’s in-depth discussion on the early episodes of Gaudy Night… to the contemporary suggestions by Cindy on detective novels that match mine perfectly, to the voice-like-butter of the mysterious Mr Banks. And so much more. Heavenly. Thank you!

I first heard of this podcast from my mother who followed the Literary Life on Facebook. I have taken literature classes from Ms. Angelina for two years and this is my first year of taking a history class from Mr. Banks. Currently in my lit. class, we’re reading through Pride and Prejudice. I just listened to the Pride and Prejudice movie adaptation episode and loved it! I hope (for all new listeners of the podcast) that this podcast will help you enjoy reading even more.

I look forward to these podcasts every week and enjoy the banter and conversation. I have read books I never would have chosen on my own with the read along podcast episodes (Dracula!! Loved it!). I am learning how to think about stories and how they can shape our thinking, specifically, finding the shape of the gospel and redemption in so many stories written in ancient times and in fairy tales and myths. I have but scratched the surface and I am encouraged that there is a never ending supply of good reading. I would ask that the hosts reconsider how they treat the classical Christian education (cCe) community with some of the disparaging comments made in recent episodes. My children are enrolled in a cCe school and have been taught many of the same concepts that are discussed and encouraged on this podcast, not just in their literature classes but in all of their classes. Making general statements about something you have not fully investigated is not helpful. I would suggest that you attempt to gather fellow teachers in rather than bar the gates. I see the opportunity for collaboration here but I hear comments from the hosts that make it seem like there is an “inner ring” that some have missed.

I look forward every week to listening to Angelina, Cindy, Thomas and special guests share their wisdom and guidance in reading these stories! I have always loved books but had never seen the beauty that is in these stories, until I started listening to them. They have opened my eyes to see how the stories are all talking to each other and it’s so exciting to start making connections! I highly recommend this podcast!!