The unofficial podcast of literary misfits everywhere who want to engage with books of "substance" (i.e. serious, respected, heavy, philosophical, classic), or at least considered such.
Books of Some Substance
Claim This Podcastby David Southard and Nathan Sharp
4.5(201 reviews)
117 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
76
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality92
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement66
Podcast Overview
The unofficial podcast of literary misfits everywhere who want to engage with books of "substance" (i.e. serious, respected, heavy, philosophical, classic), or at least considered such.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/20/2016
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76
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality92
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement66
9
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
8
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
49 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Listener Reviews
152 reviews (4.5/5.0)
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needs improvement
Publishing Consistency
Every 30 days
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Recent Episodes
May 27, 2026
115 - To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Hosts Nathan and David explore Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse," dissecting its stream-of-consciousness, characters, and themes of perception and meaning in an indifferent universe.
February 4, 2026
114 - The Obscene Bird of Night by José Donoso
<p>José Donoso's The Obscene Bird of Night is one of the most difficult, disturbing, and rewarding novels in Latin American literature.</p> <p>In this episode, we get into the fractured identities, grotesque transformations, and decaying aristocracy at the heart of this surreal gothic masterpiece.</p> <p>We ask: Why does this book have such a formidable reputation? What's actually happening in those disorienting, dreamlike passages? And what do we make of the imbunche?</p> <p>Also, we cover: First reactions and why this book has such a notorious reputation; The reading experience (unreliable narrators, shifting perspectives, and dreamlike logic); Key plot threads: the Azcoitía family's secrets, Mudito's erasure, the decaying convent; Major themes: identity collapse, class decay, the grotesque body, sterility and death; Why this radical, unsettling novel stays with you long after.</p> <p>For readers of: Gabriel García Márquez, Clarice Lispector, Jorge Luis Borges, Gothic literature, Latin American Boom fiction.</p> <p>If you've read this book, or tried to, we want to hear from you. What overwhelmed you? What stuck with you? Drop your reactions in the comments.</p> <p>00:00 Introduction to The Obscene Bird of Night</p> <p>01:28 Initial Impressions and the Reading Experience</p> <p>04:44 Quotes to Demonstrate the Madness and Multiplicity of the Novel</p> <p>12:51 The Imbunche</p> <p>13:59 Reading Strategies</p> <p>15:48 Attempted Plot Breakdown</p> <p>29:41 Exploring the Novel's Structure</p> <p>35:00 Three Lenses for Viewing the Novel</p> <p>36:24 Is the Novel Eating Itself</p> <p>40:03 Monstrosity and Beauty</p> <p>48:57 Decay and Three Epochs of Chilean Society</p> <p>49:10 Success or Failure?</p> <p>49:59 Historical Context</p> <p>59:00 Identity Crisis</p> <p>01:04:12 The Imbunche Myth</p> <p>01:07:36 Desire for Erasure</p> <p>01:10:04 Final Regret</p> <p>01:14:32 Conclusion and Reflection</p> <p>01:18:15 Closing Remarks</p>
December 20, 2025
113 - The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (2 of 2)
<p>On this, our one hundred and thirteenth episode, we finish exploring Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.</p> <p>In this episode of the Books of Some Substance podcast, we (Nathan Sharp and David Southard) discuss the second half of the novel, looking at the novel's interplay of belief systems and reality, moral questions, and philosophical insights. We cover the characters' journeys, personal transformations, and the profound questions the narrative poses about life, justice, and existence.</p> <p> 00:00 Introduction to the Episode (Law and Order)</p> <p>01:11 Reflections on the Second Half of the Book</p> <p>01:54 Themes and Tangents in the Second Half</p> <p>04:36 Alyosha's Transformation and Revelations</p> <p>06:19 The Onion Story and Its Significance</p> <p>11:31 Mitya's Descent and Arrest</p> <p>18:09 Interrogation and Doubts About Mitya's Guilt</p> <p>22:39 Alyosha's Encounters and the Story of the Boys</p> <p>28:08 Insecurities and Mentorship</p> <p>29:21 Polyphonic Quality of the Novel</p> <p>29:32 Simultaneous Plotlines and Moral Alternatives</p> <p>30:20 Evolving Character Dynamics</p> <p>31:30 Ivan's Journey and Prison Encounters</p> <p>33:13 Mitya's Transformation in Prison</p> <p>38:38 The Trial and Its Implications</p> <p>39:58 Final Reflections and Themes</p> <p>01:01:04 Personal Takeaways and Conclusion</p> <p>01:06:12 Closing Remarks </p>
117 total episodes available with 1 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Books of Some Substance?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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