Welcome to The Reader Podcast. The Reader is a national charity bringing about a Reading Revolution so that everyone can experience and enjoy great literature, which we believe is a tool for helping humans survive and live well. Through our global Shared Reading movement, powered by 1,000 volunteers and many partnerships, we bring thousands of people together every month through weekly Shared Reading groups. Our podcast is for anyone who loves books and believes they can be powerful tools for change, and wants to hear more of the powerful, personal responses that reading can provide. It will feature great guests, conversations and thoughts about books and reading, and show how reading together improves wellbeing, strengthens communities and sparks the change needed in the world. The Reader is a registered charity and we rely on the generous support of individuals and organisations to help us change lives through Shared Reading around the UK. Please visit www.thereader.org.uk to donate and find out how you can get involved with our work. We are grateful for the kind support of our core funders Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund, the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Steve Morgan Foundation.
Episodes
Saturday Dec 23, 2023
Winter Days: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Saturday Dec 23, 2023
Saturday Dec 23, 2023
Today's poem is 'Winter Days' by Gareth Owen. It's read by Carole Simms from The Reader.
From 'Collected Poems' by Gareth Owen (Macmillan, 2000) Permission requested.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Friday Dec 22, 2023
The Faint Shadow of the Morning Moon: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Today's poem is 'The Faint Shadow of the Morning Moon' by Yone Noguchi. It's read by Sophie Envis from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
The Shortest Day: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Today's poem is 'The Shortest Day' by Susan Cooper. It's read by Jan Heron from The Reader.
'The Shortest Day' is published as a picture book, illustrated by Carson Ellis, by Walker Books (2020).
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
The Prelude: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Today's poem is an extract from 'The Prelude' by William Wordsworth. It's read by Andrew Forster from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Rima 23: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Today's poem is 'Rima 23' by Gustavo Adolfo Becquer. It's read by Jess Alvarez from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Snow: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Today's poem is 'Snow' by Gillian Clarke. It's read by Sean Perry from The Reader.
From 'Collected Poems' by Gillian Clarke (Carcanet, 1997). Permission requested.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Sonnet 97: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Sunday Dec 17, 2023
Today's poem is Sonnet 97 by William Shakespeare. It's read by Peter Doran from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Christmas Light: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Today's poem is 'Christmas Light' by May Sarton. It's read by Kara Orford from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Friday Dec 15, 2023
I Heard a Bird Sing: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Today's poem is 'I Heard a Bird Sing' by Oliver Herford. It's read by Linda Flynn from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
A Fallow Deer At the Lonely House: Festive Poetry Calendar 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Today's poem is 'A Fallow Deer at the Lonely House' by Thomas Hardy. It's read by Jess Harrison from The Reader.
Production by Chris Lynn. Music by Chris Lynn & Frank Johnson.