Crack The Book

About Crack The Book

Confused by Confucius? Daunted by Dante? Shook by Shakespeare? I get it! I'm Cheryl, a reader exploring the world's most influential books one episode at a time. I don't do lectures, and I can't do jargon. But we do have friendly conversations about why (and whether) these books still matter. Each episode, we tackle a great book or two—The Divine Comedy, The Canterbury Tales, The Odyssey, The Prince—unpacking the big ideas, memorable moments, and surprising ways these stories connect to life today. If you've ever thought "I should read that" but didn't know where to start, you're in the right place. Subscribe to Crack the Book. Let's find out what's inside.

Publisher

Cheryl Drury

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Jun 2024

Latest episode

3 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

118 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Nov 2026

   The Odyssey, Part 3: Recognizing Odysseus

   Getting home is one thing. Finding your place once you arrive is another. In this third episode on Homer's Odyssey, we're looking at the second half of the epic, when Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca after twenty years away. His journey may be over, but reclaiming his home, his family, and his place in the world is another challenge entirely. We take a look at the different ways Odysseus reveals himself to the people who have waited for him: his son Telemachus, his faithful servants, his aging father, his beloved dog Argos, and, of course, Penelope. Each reunion tells us something different about Odysseus and his relationships. And I have a theory about Penelope: I think she recognizes her husband long before she admits it. In fact, I think she is his match in every way. Next week, we move on to The Aeneid! BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Odyssey: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B00geZmRt), Wilson (https://link.amazon/B0iklHvV5), Rouse (https://link.amazon/B0cB8l0uw) The Iliad: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B0aFUY1nz), Wilson (https://link.amazon/B0gHyXqfl), Rouse (https://link.amazon/B0gUBp2Fu) The Aeneid: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B08tWvhby), Ruden (https://link.amazon/B091x1m54) CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r (https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r) To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com (https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com/). Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ (https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/) Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook (https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook) LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd (https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd) Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321) Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm (https://crackthebook.captivate.fm/)

2. 

   27 Oct 2026

   Shakespeare's Macbeth: When Prophecy Becomes Obsession

   What would you do if someone told you your future? Would you believe them? And would you try to make their predictions come true? This week, we're reading Shakespeare's Macbeth, a tragedy of ambition, murder, and the dangerous temptation of knowing what comes next. On my second reading, I found myself less interested in whether Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were evil (HELLO have you met them?) and more fascinated by how they responded to the witches' prophecies. We'll look at Macbeth's growing obsession with foreknowledge, Banquo's very different response, and the surprising connections to Homer, Greek tragedy, and the Bible. What happens when a little bit of truth leads us to believe a much bigger lie? Plus, two very different film adaptations--I love them both!-- and a recommendation for Dame Judi Dench's recent book. As of October 2026 both movies are included in Amazon Prime Video. And a note about a couple of mistakes I made: James was James the VI of Scotland, and BECAME James I of England, not the other way around. And it was Edward the Confessor who helped Macduff and Malcolm. I'm not sure who John the Confessor might be but I'm sure he's a nice guy. We are back to The Odyssey next week! BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE Shakespeare, all the Folger Shakespeare Library editions: Macbeth (https://link.amazon/B04r2CnHe), A Midsummer Night's Dream (https://link.amazon/B00lQTfle), and Coriolanus (https://link.amazon/B01X3gubl) (next month's play!) Sophocles: The Three Theban Plays (https://link.amazon/B04dYzzfw) (includes Oedipus Rex) The Bible: The English Standard Version I travel with (https://link.amazon/B01jBf0f2) (except mine is pink), and my ESV Study Bible (https://link.amazon/B0erWdZGd) Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent (https://link.amazon/B00FgRdYK) Note--I listened to this one. If you're interested in audiobooks, I use Audible and have loved it for many years. Antony Sher: The Year of the Fat Knight (https://link.amazon/B08Ydfzbu) CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r (https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r) To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com (https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com/). Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ (https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/) Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook (https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook) LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd (https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd) Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321) Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm (https://crackthebook.captivate.fm/) WATCH Macbeth (https://link.amazon/A0bgCO6es) (2015) on Amazon Prime The Tragedy of Macbeth (https://link.amazon/A0a2enaQ8) (2021) on Amazon Prime (this is the one with Denzel Washington)

3. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Untangling The Odyssey: Putting Homer's Epic in Chronological Order

   Did you know that Odysseus actually reaches home halfway through The Odyssey? I didn't realize it either! This week I'm untangling the complicated timeline of Homer's epic, putting Odysseus's adventures in chronological order—from the Lotus Eaters and the Cyclops to Circe, the Underworld, and Calypso's island. It's a surprisingly different story when you put everything in order! I'm also talking about the pleasures of rereading great books, why my habit of writing short chapter summaries has been so useful, and what I discovered on my second journey through The Odyssey. Then we're comparing translations of the poem's famous first line. Is Odysseus cunning, resourceful, complicated, or a man of twists and turns? The answers reveal a lot about translation—and about Odysseus himself. Finally, a culture update featuring Tanya Perticoulias's new book, What's the Hangup? The Art of Family Politics and Photos. To hear more about The Iliad's backstory, check out the September 15, 2026, episode of Crack the Book. BOOKS IN THIS EPISODE The Odyssey: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B00geZmRt), Wilson (https://link.amazon/B0iklHvV5), Rouse (https://link.amazon/B0cB8l0uw) The Iliad: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B0aFUY1nz), Wilson (https://link.amazon/B0gHyXqfl), Rouse (https://link.amazon/B0gUBp2Fu) The Aeneid: Fagles (https://link.amazon/B08tWvhby), Ruden (https://link.amazon/B091x1m54) Shakespeare: King Lear (https://link.amazon/B09zmj7KN), Macbeth (https://link.amazon/B0aP4DiuS) (Folger's Library Editions) Greek Lyrics, Second Edition (https://link.amazon/B0fCJRE1A), Richmond Lattimore Great Expectations (https://link.amazon/B0eiotu5m), Charles Dickens The Epic of Gilgamesh (https://link.amazon/B0ceceobm), version by Stephen Mitchell What's the Hang-Up? The Art of Family Politics and Photos (https://link.amazon/B0a2ooI0K), Tanya Perdikoulias CONNECT The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r (https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2r) To read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com (https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com/). Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ (https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/) Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook (https://ko-fi.com/crackthebook) LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd (https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd) Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321) Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm (https://crackthebook.captivate.fm/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

5,385

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

0

Contact Crack The Book

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Crack The Book