The Reader and the Writer

Welcome to Middlemarch! In this episode, Shari and Rhea lay the groundwork for R&W’s first yearish-long read. They discuss the author, George Eliot, the origin story of Middlemarch, and all the things they will be looking for while they read. Oh, and they try and figure out exactly what “provincial” means.To find the reading schedule, bookmarks, and other resources mentioned in the podcast, visit R&W’s Middlemarch page:For a list of R&W’s entire 2026 year of reading click here: Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it with a friend.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our literary work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the final episode of R&W’s 2025 year-long read of War and Peace. It really is hard to believe it’s over (Except, if you’re Shari, it’s not. Six more Epilogue essays to go!)In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the way Tolstoy takes the characters off the stage in the end, and sets them squarely in the beautiful mundane of every day life. They talk about characters they wish they’d heard more from, characters they kept thinking might pop back up and play more of a role, the character Rhea loved to hate in the end. They talked about their favorite scenes and sections, as well as those places they could have done without. They talked about what part of spending an entire year with War and Peace they will miss. Oh, and what they’re looking forward to with their next (not quite) year-long read, Middlemarch, by George Eliot.Speaking of, if you haven’t seen The Reader and the Writer’s 2026 reading list in order with dates, to include our year-long reads: Middlemarch and the Harry Potter series (going into 2027), you can find it here:To follow my annotations, personal notes, and War and Peace story connections on Tolstoy’s Epilogue essays (12 essays in 12 days), start here:Thank you so much for reading along with us in 2025! And cheers to many more years of happy slow reading together. 🥂Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked what you heard, give it some ❤️ and share it with a fellow War and Peace lover like you.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for the last episode of 2025.In this episode, Rhea and Shari ask each other questions about all things R&W and books this 2025. They talk about those most memorable scenes, where they found the Great Conversation most compelling in the books they read, what story most convicted them, reminded them of who they are, and surprised them by its beauty. They discussed Shari’s MFA work and how it’s informed her labors with novel writing and R&W. They talked about what they thought they did well this first full year of R&W’s existence, and what they hope to do better in 2026. And, of course, Rhea got bonus points for the best question ever: Which two characters from any of the books we read this year would you like to see married? Oh wow… What would you say??On a personal note:Rhea and I are beyond grateful for all of you who’ve journeyed along with us this 2025. We began doing this thing a year and a half ago out of our shared love for literature and the sheer fun we have when we’re together talking about the books we’re reading. Your own love of literature and participation with us here spurs us on to continue nurturing and growing the literary work we’ve begun.2026 is already shaping up to be our best year yet (not so hard considering we’re not even two full years old)! If you haven’t seen the R&W 2026 Reading list in order, be sure to check it out:R&W’s first book is Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Below are the dates and reading schedule:* January 20: Frankenstein - Volume I* January 27: Frankenstein - Volume II* February 3: Frankenstein - Volume IIIThe first year-long|background read is Middlemarch, by George Eliot. Below are the first few episodes related to that book:* January 13: Welcome to Middlemarch* February 6: Middlemarch - Book 1* March 6: Middlemarch - Book 2See you next year! Until then, read wide, read well, and live always in witness to the Great Story.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

“Hope,” he said. “Damn thing never leaves you alone.” —Paul, p. 219Welcome to the final episode of Klara and the Sun. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss all the motifs and how they bring to life the central question of this novel: What does it mean to be human? They talk about Klara and faith, Klara and friendship, Klara and the human heart, and what Jesus and C. S. Lewis have to say on all these matters. They discuss all the ways in which Klara, disturbingly, seemed throughout the story more human than the humans did. They discuss their own troubled reactions to the story’s ending. They talk about the difference between companionship and friendship. They talk about integration and disintegration, and how every effort at human-like connection with A.I. leads to the later, and never the former. They re-visit the Advent aspect of this story, and what Advent looks like with no Incarnation (God becoming human for us) in the end. And, Shari reads some poetry by Wendell Berry at the end.Resources cited in this episode:* The Four Loves, by C. S. Lewis* The Gospel of John, Chapter 15* Klara and the Sun in the Year of ubiquitous A.I. (from Substack MBH4H)* The Friend Necklace (Oct. 2025 review from Business Insider)Poetry Rhea was inspired to find and cite after finishing Klara and the Sun:* The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry* [i carry your heart with me (i carry it in] by e. e. cummings* The Sun by Mary OliverIf you haven’t seen it yet, here is R&W’s 2026 Reading List in order with (penciled in) dates:Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, please give it some ❤️ and pass it along.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Klara and the Sun. In this episode, Shari and Rhea have a LOT to talk about, beginning and ending with the troubling Frankenstein-esque turn this story has taken. They discuss faith v. rationality and the irony that a lot of faith is needed to believe in rationality. They discuss blobs and boxes and shapes in general as a motif. They discuss the Bubble Game, eyes as the window to the soul, and hedges v. fences. They discuss the mothers, Helen and Chrissy, as counterpoints of one another, and what drives each one to act as she does. They discuss Rick and Josie’s plan. They discuss Advent, Mary, courageous surrender, and what happens when waiting becomes unbearable… and all these things from a place of knowing now what Mr. Capaldi’s “portrait” of Josie truly is.Next week they will finish the book.Resource mentioned in this episode:* Rhythms of Faith, by Claude Atcho. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

It must be great. Not to miss things. Not to long to get back to something. Not to be looking back all the time. Everything must be so much more… (p. 90)Welcome to R&W’s last deep read of the year: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro. In this episode, Shari and Rhea piece together what they so far know about AF (Artificial Friend) Klara and the world in which she lives. They also talk about what they don’t know, what confuses them, and the world of AI as it is in the story, and in real life. They talk about the eerie quietness of the story, the formality of the relationships amongst the humans, and Klara’s eerie ability to make judgements and have feelings, though she’s a robot and “not supposed” to have the capacity to do either. They talk about what happens to humans when they interact with AI’s as humans. And they talk about how—at least so far—Klara and the Sun reminds them of Advent.Be sure to check out Rhea’s Reading Guide for Klara and the Sun:Below is the reading schedule for Klara and the Sun:Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode be sure to ❤️ it and share it with others.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

And there is no greatness where simplicity, goodness, and truth are absent. —Leo TolstoyWelcome back to our year-long read, War and Peace. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the way the novel is moving from story to essay, from narrative to critique. And yet, there is still much to discuss: why Tolstoy is so harsh on historians, why Kutuzov gets such a short exit, how the scenes of military camp life serve to illustrate Tolstoy’s essays, how Pierre can no longer see an aim now that he has faith, and how Natasha gains her life back and further gifts Pierre a depth to his by recounting Andrei’s final days. And all of this they consider in light of the quote on greatness above.For our history loving listeners, below is the link to Matthew Long’s post from his Substack, Beyond the Bookshelf, that Rhea mentioned near the end of the podcast. Matthew is doing a deep dive into the Civil War next year. He has a his study schedule, reading guide and timeline all mapped out, and has shared it for anyone who’d like to follow along:Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this episode, ❤️ it and pass it along.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we do, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” —Lee to AbraWelcome back to East of Eden—the end! In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss all the “timshel” moments that lead to the final blessing, for Cal, and for us all. They talk about the Great Conversation happening here at the end of the story with Alice in Wonderland, and Meditations. They discuss smallness, greatness, and accepting one’s story as it is. They talk about control, and our lack of it; about taking responsibility for wrongs versus the cheap self-indulgence of being vulnerable and right-sized with the world. It’s a Wonderful Life and Rhea making peace with Cherry Valance. Basically, they discuss all that is east of Eden.R&W’s final book for 2025 will be Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Below is the breakdown of the readings:* December 16: Parts 1 - 2 (pp. 3-109)* December 23: Part 3 - some of Part 4 (pp. 113-214)* December 30: Rest of 4 - Part 6 (pp. 214-303)Finally, if you haven’t yet listened, be sure to check out R&W’s 2026 Big Draw Episode, where Rhea and Shari drew and decided on all they will be reading next year!Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this post, give it some ❤️ and share it with someone.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

It’s that time again! The Reader & the Writer’s annual Big Draw Episode! In this bonus episode, Rhea and Shari draw for and decide the books they will read in 2026. Prior to the episode, the ladies decided they wanted to read books from the following three genres: love story, gothic, science-fiction/magical realism. Beyond the books they drew on air, they preselected two authors from their 2025 books to re-read (different book, of course). They also preselected another book by an author that was a “must read” for both of them. It was great fun to record!The R&W books for 2026 are listed below (not in order). But, still listen to the episode! It’s just plain fun. :)The Reader & the Writer 2026 Book List:* Lila, by Marilynne Robinson* Hannah Coulter, by Wendell Berry* The Constant Nymph, by Margaret Kennedy* Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner* Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery* Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley* Beloved, by Toni Morrison* A History of the Island, by Eugene Vodolazkin* Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne* A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller (added after the episode)R&W Long-Long Reads:* Middlemarch, by George Eliot (Jan - Aug)* Harry Potter Series, by J. K. Rowling (Sep - Mar 2027)Stay tuned for exact editions we will be reading from, if that’s something you care about. It’s not necessary, however, as long as you’re reading from an unabridged edition. Get excited! It’s time to buy books and start reading!! :DThanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to East of Eden, where “diplomacy by other means” is boiling over, abroad and at home. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss characters and characterizations, and why it seems the “innocent” characters are so much more flat than the conflicted, troubled characters. They circle back on greatness, and how it connects to timshel. They talk about freedom. And, they wonder whether it’s easier to give or to receive.Next week they will finish East of Eden: Chapters 50-55.Oh! And, be sure to tune in on Friday, December 5th, for their annual Big Draw Episode, where they will be drawing, debating, and deciding on their reading list for 2026. Yay!Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode give it some ❤️ and share it with others. The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we do, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to this Thanksgiving bonus episode of the Reader & the Writer! In this episode, Shari interviews author, Connie Hampton Connally. Connie has written two novels: The Songs We Hide, and Fire Music, both set in Hungary; and is currently at work on her third novel, set in Andean Peru. Connie holds a BA in English from University of Washington, and an MFA from Antioch University. Connie and Shari discuss the inspiration for her novels, her research and crafting process, and all the many aspects of the reading and writing life. You can find Connie at: conniehamptonconnally.comThanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this episode, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the extreme amount of grayness at this point in the narrative: Tom’s Gray One, Aron’s gray mind, and Kate’s gray room. They discuss “fake it ‘til you make it” versus perseverance for the sake of the other. Shari questions her earlier thoughts on Samuel Hamilton’s version of greatness, and and how Hamilton “greatness” expresses itself in the various characters. And of course, they discuss the ONE TRUE story as Steinbeck expresses it, and whether or not they agree. Is the one story in the world the story of good and evil? Or is it of love and rescue?Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you like this episode, show it some ❤️ and share it with others. The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we do, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea have a whole host of discussions: relationships, counterpoints, and how “thou mayest” factors into all of it. They talk about Lee as the new Samuel Hamilton, Lee as a friend, and Lee as the mother Cal and Aron never had. They talk about characters and their relationships to their own pasts and futures, and how considering this in our own lives could offer interesting insights as well. They discuss nature v. nurture, land and people - people and land, and lies that infect everything. Rhea offers a lively discourse over education. And then she give a spoiler about Santa Claus. You’ve been warned.Next week, they will discuss Chapters 33-40.Don’t forget to check out Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden. Lots of great stuff for learning and considering:Thanks for listening to this edition of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

The human mind cannot grasp the causes of events in their completeness but the desire to find those causes is implanted in the human soul. And the human mind, without considering the multiplicity and complexity of the conditions of any one of which taken separately may seem to be the cause, seizes the first approximation to the cause that seems to him intelligible and says: “This is the cause!” —Leo Tolstoy (p. 1062, Oxford World Classics edition)Welcome back to R&W’s deep read of War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy!In this episode, Shari and Rhea’s discussion circulates through three major events and themes: Andrei’s death, Pierre’s new life, and the incalculable spirit of the army. They hold up each of these things to Tolstoy’s quote above. They talk about the counterpoint between Andrei and Pierre’s stories, between Kutuzov and the rest of the Russian generals, and between men’s hearts turned outward v. turned inward and how this affects the “spirit of the army.” They compare the narrative style and expression of themes in War and Peace v. East of Eden. And, they talk about how much Pierre digs his rope belt and homemade leather boots.For it being more or less a snoozer of a section (forgive me, military strategist lovers), the ladies end up finding a lot of interesting things to talk about!Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, please give it some ❤️ and share it with others.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea begin at the heart of the story, which happens to also be the center. They talk about naming, symbols, timshel, and what it took to make Adam wake up after 11 years of fallowness. They talk about the Hamilton children: Tom wrestling with greatness, Una’s death, and Dessie’s love that destroyed her joy. They talk about the difference between the feel of the story between the Hamiltons and Trasks. They wonder about Lee’s ideas about rejectiona and guilt, Samuel’s ideas on greatness, and Cathy’s thoughts on goodness (which is wild). And, they make mention of how here in the heart of the novel is also the most excellent example of how to close read a story—a Bible story at that. :DNext week the ladies will be discussing Chapters 26-32.We’d love to hear what struck you about this section of the novel. East of Eden is full of the Great Story. What connections do you find most compelling? What about the Great Conversation in general?Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, please become a free or paid subscriber. Thank you! Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

You’re going to pass something down no matter what you do or if you do nothing. Even if you let yourself go fallow, the weeds will grow and the brambles. Something will grow.—Samuel HamiltonWelcome back to East of Eden!In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss Cathy, Cathy, and more Cathy. They talk about the narrator’s questioning of whether or not she truly is a monster, or simply lacks a common language with the rest of humanity. They discuss the art of listening, Samuel Hamilton’s sage advice to Adam, Liza’s certainty that Lee’s a Presbyterian, eyes and hands as windows into the soul, original sin, and chalk eating.Biblical references discussed in this section:* Genesis 3:20-21* Job 14:1-5* Matthew 25:31-46Next week’s discussion will cover: Chapters 22-25Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked it ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

The ways of sin are curious. I guess if a man had to shuck off everything he had, inside and out, he’d manage to hide a few little sins somewhere of his own discomfort.” —Samuel HamiltonWelcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss the ways Steinbeck’s story “of everything” is unfolding: the juxtaposition between the Trasks and Hamiltons, the essays that open each new part of the story, and other continuing contrasts that Steinbeck isn’t trying at all to hide. They continue last week’s discussion of faith without love, and add to their wondering the glory of man, the glory of God, and the glory of God in man. They also ask a series of questions worth thinking about as we all read forward together:* Who is this story about? The Trasks? The Hamiltons? the Salinas Valley?* What is the effect of Steinbeck making himself so visible as the voice of the narrator?* Who is Cathy, really??* What is Samuel’s role in this story?* What is the “glory” being named in the story? What is the “glory” being expressed?* What is faith without love? Next week: Chapters 16-21Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this post, ❤️ it and share it.The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to East of Eden, where life and death, good and evil, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and even the flora and fauna live at Biblical proportions.In this episode, Rhea and Shari look closely at the opening two chapters for what it is showing us as it unfolds. They discuss the powerful living presence of the land, the repetition of words and ideas, the motifs of the east, parenting, light and darkness, life and death, plenty and waste. They talk about the strange nature of the narrator, sin and genetics, and the idea of timshel: “Thou mayest rule over sin.” And, they ask a couple really hard questions: Can a person have faith in someone and not love that person? Can a person be born evil to his or her core? If you haven’t seen Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden, you can find it here:Next week they will be discussing Chapters 9-15.Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this post, please ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our literary work, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to R&W’s final episode of The Feast! In this episode, Shari and Rhea have LOTS to discuss: what the end of each of the seven deadly sins looks like, those who were almost saved but weren’t, those who were almost NOT saved but were, and the wine that did the saving. They talk about “nonsense” and “foolishness” of the Kingdom and its joy, Noah’s ark, Lady Gifford’s ridiculous Mary-Martha reference, Kennedy’s head-nod to The Odyssey, Christian life in the final line, and what each of them wants the last conversations of their lives to be.The next R&W deep read will be East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. They are taking eight weeks for this epic American novel. Below is the reading plan: Pick up your copy ASAP and start reading!Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to the R&W year-long read, War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss in depth this “time between times” of the story. Using two different quotes from this month’s reading, they talk about all the story lines from this strange time of “life and death hanging in the balance,” and all the motivations that are—or are not—for the “good of the people.” Below are the quotes the ladies used to guide their discussion, and the questions that follow for each story line’s considering:* Quote 1: Life and death hanging in the balance:“...no one–least of all Natasha and Prince Andrei–spoke of this: the unsettled question of life and death, which hung not only over Bolkonsky but over all Russia, shut out all other considerations.” (991)* Quote 2: For the good of the people…??:“Since the world began and men have killed one another no one has ever committed such a crime against his fellow-man without comforting himself with this same idea. This idea is le bien public, the hypothetical welfare of other people.” (957)Questions to consider as we examine each story line:* Is life or death being chosen by the characters? Either literal or spiritual.* What is the motivating factor behind each one’s choice and in each situation?* Are the characters being honest about their motivations? Are they lying to themselves to justify their actions? Are they truly looking out for “the good of the people”?Links to books, people, and ideas discussed… and Rhea’s bookmarks!:* Rhea’s Oct - Dec Bookmarks* Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel* Violence and the Sacred, by René Girard* Deceit, Desire, and the Novel, by René Girard* The Four Quartets, by T. S. Eliot (about)Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode ❤️ it and share it!The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe