In the last couple of weeks I’ve been recording and editing the first episodes of the new series Beyond a Joke. In this series, I’m asking guests to bring an object that has made them laugh. Using this object we discuss what makes us laugh, what arts practice can learn about the structures of humor and jokes and so far, quite a lot about where the ‘serious’ and the ‘ridiculous’ overlap and intersect. So far, I’ve had two amazing conversations with Anna Jackson about Snoopy and Jonny Potts about ‘Нос Nos | The Nose’ by Nikolai Gogol. Both of these episodes will be available in the next few weeks. Episodes for this series come out every two weeks.
In other news, Better off Read is shifting to a new home at Substack.
My main aim in moving to Substack is to build a bit of community around the podcast.
You will still be able to listen Better off Read for free but you are also now able to contribute financially if you’re able. I would love to make the podcast sustainable financially on an ongoing basis. An important principle of the podcast is that I pay all guests. Your money makes it possible for me to make the podcast for everyone.
Subscribe to Better off Read’s Substack
Thanks as always for listening and I look forward to being in touch.
Ep 10 Maria McMillan: The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
Ep 9 A Meeting Over Books with Jordan Hartt and Pip Adam (Recorded Live)
Ep 8 Bo Adam: Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson
Ep 7 Jordan Hartt: The Waves by Virginia Woolf
Ep 6 Helen Rickerby: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Ep 5 Max L. Chapnick: Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson
Ep 4 Roadwords Wanaka Event Part 2
Ep 4 Roadwords Special Part 1
Ep 3 David Fleming: Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Ep 2 Sarah Bainbridge: Legend of Suicide by David Vann
Ep 1 Aidan Rasmussen: 2666 by Roberto Bolano
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