I listened to the Mountain Lion episode and enjoyed it. Good discussion of a great book, without being stuffy like so many book pods. However I was disappointed with their analysis of the Ralph character. The book has just two major characters but the hosts could only find time for Molly. The sum of their take on Ralph was, “He’s a wienie.” I find this highly reductive of quite an interesting portrait of pubescent masculinity, especially from a female writer. The prissy California setting and the gritty Colorado setting are obviously gendered, and in both Ralph finds himself stifled by a lack of male role models that can help him make sense of his insides. All through the book he searches for a father figure but finds no one adequate, and his thus misapplied masculinity costs him the feminine good in his life. But I guess it’s easier to dismiss a little boy as a wienie than to think about his perspective. Stafford thankfully did not have this issue.

Drawn in by the title I made it through 29minutes of middlemarch part one. Silly chatter and chuckles and little of any discussion of the book. These folks have graduate degrees?

This is my favorite literature podcast or media by far! The contextualization they bring is really helpful and interesting. I appreciate how they call out messed up stuff and b.s. The three hosts are funny and friendly. They always seem to be having a good time and their laughing and bickering and trash talking authors - it makes me feel so happy

No one reads anymore, so I can only discuss this stuff with my BFFs who suffered Catholic school with me and then took too many lit electives in college. Nerds, Socialist commentary, this pod has it aaallllllllll. We need you! There are tens of us.

These three attempt to discuss literature in between fits of laughter.

First time listening! Love you guys already!

b.r.t.d. is the most insightful and funny literature podcast available. The hosts contextualize dusty novels through the lens of the socio-political world they were written in. In-depth and smart, b.r.t.d. is for lovers of the written word.

They seem to be forcing themselves to say “humorous” things. Slow down with the jokes, you all have something interesting to say without the forced irony and attempts at humor.

But I should at least know about. And some I have actually read because of this podcast.

They sure like to say like a lot like

Former English Major here - this show has everything I ever wanted of book discussions. Funny, smart, and personable, I come out of each episode knowing more about literature and its impact on the world. I absolutely love this show, and just read the incredible Haunting of Hill House last week in preparation for that episode. If you like any of the books discussed in this podcast, give that episode a listen and you'll be hooked!

I studied literature in college and it wasn’t until I was out of college that I actually encountered literary analysis that considered class. This is just such a podcast. Wherever you find your politics you’ll be infinitely better off listening to Better Read Than Dead and beginning to read and digest culture through such a lens. Plus the hosts are hilarious. Plus they read really good books.

Smart dudes talking about smart books. Gives me a new perspective on some of the books I've read.

Let's face it, Hamlet's pretty whiny, and Ulysses is a million pages long. You might be thinking "If only I could force myself to read through these --- let's face it, pretty iconic works of western literature that all my English major friends brag about having read even though I'm pretty sure they just read the sparknotes and some quality memes --- so that I too could look like a smartypants with lofty opinions and too much free time on my hands." If that's the case, but the aforementioned whininess and trillion pages just aren't quite worth it, this is the podcast for you. Let these guys do the heavy lifting, while you get to sit back and listen to hour-long summations with excellent commentary and quality quizzes. It's funny, it's relevant, and most of all, it might help you finish that essay you've been procrastinating by reading podcast reviews. Here's the one for you!

I randomly found these guys while trying to find a podcast episode to listen to about Little Women after finishing the book. Oh boy, was I in for a wild ride. I quickly started binge-listening to every episode while I traveled back and forth from home to college. This podcast is hilarious and insightful and I wish I could have any of the members as a professor. Fantastic. Also, thanks for the twitter follows:)

If you’re looking for witty quips, relevant literary criticism, and all around rich discussion, then definitely listen to Better Read Than Dead. Megan, Tristan, and Katie all bring something to the literary table under the umbrella of literary criticism. Each week, these three bring a rich discourse to oftentimes “dusty old AF” books.

Come for the book chat, stay for the smart and snarky commentary and analysis, subscribe for Katie’s closing questions/proposals/commentary!

Megan, Tristan, and Katie are all so whip-smart and hilarious that I actually want to go back and read those Jane Austen novels I avoided in school. This is the best podcast about books, and to be honest, it’s not even close.

Okay, this podcast is a shining beacon of brilliance and humor in these dark dark times of neoliberal precarity. Three ridiculously intelligent leftist academics speaking endlessly about their deepest literary curiosities in the most accessible, non-assholish way possible??! Gimme a break! Sign me up forever.

Every episode is thoroughly delightful and full of really wonderful insights from Megan, Tristan, and Katie. Thinking of Robinson Crusoe as a failson has bestowed a great deal of clarity on that text for me. There’s a litany of potential catchphrases in every episode!

Listening is like experiencing best parts of literary class discussions, the laughs, astute insights, and contemporary jokes (but without anyone “piggybacking off that idea” and rly just changing direction to what they wanted to talk about). Bonus, I always picture the sea turtle from /Finding Nemo/ every time Tristan says “totally”. Come for the variety of literature, stay for discussions of Big Sons™️ and ships v boats.

I probably wait a max of 3.45 seconds to press play when I see a new episode in my feed. 10/10 would recommend.

Super fun but not pretentious. Tristan, Katie, and Megan basically deliver a college-level class on a book but without all the jargon and hype. They love getting into the stuff that makes books weird. Best of all, you don't feel bad about the books you haven't read and can find out if you really want to read them after all.

They have super smart, insightful things to say about every book they take on, but also keep the tone irreverent. I learn a lot from listening and also crack up every time.

I LOVE THIS PODCAST!!!! Katie, Tristan and Megan are so entertaining and have awesome chemistry...they make me want to go back and read these books!!!! FIVE STARS

As hilarious as it is brainy—love it! It’s kinda like “how did this get made” for classic books.