Keene on Books

Matrix by Lauren Groff: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode on Lauren Groff's 2021 novel, Matrix. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Meriem Pagès, Professor of English and Director of KSC's Medieval and Renaissance Forum as well as Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. Of course, we discuss Groff's book. But Meriem also tells us about the 12th-century generally -- and Marie de France's lais "Bisclavret," which is about, to use Meriem's literary, academic language, "a really awesome werewolf." Join us! 

Redemption by Friedrich Gorenstein: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode on Friedrich Gorenstein’s 1967 novel Redemption (Andrew Bromfield's 2018 English translation). Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Dr. Anna Schur, Professor of English at Keene State and author of the books Wages of Evil: Dostoevsky and Punishment and The Letters and the Law: Legal and Literary Culture in Late Imperial Russia as well as “Evil, Theodicy, and Jewishness in Fridrikh Gorenshtein” in Fall 2023 issue of Slavic Review. If I told you the book starts with a ball and ends with loads of babies, I don't think you'd be able to guess the middle. Read it.

All Fours by Miranda July: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing Miranda July's 2024 novel, All Fours. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. Discussing the New York book of the summer in January in New Hampshire is our BRAND.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing Maia Kobabe's 2019 graphic memoir, Gender Queer. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Eleanor Green, Teen Librarian at Keene Public Library, Alyssa Hamilton, English teacher at ConVal High School, and Ian Kaplan, Coordinator of LGBTQ+ Student Support at Keene State. Only Eleanor had the deluxe edition of the book, but our whole conversation is really pretty deluxe. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: A Keene on Books Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing Min Jin Lee's 2017 novel, Pachinko. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Cindy Cheshire, biblical scholar, JEDI Faculty Fellow, and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Communication and Philosophy at Keene State as well as Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. We may not have found 100% of the biblical allusions, but 100% of the ones we did find were found by Cindy.

Out There Screaming edited by Jordan Peele: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing 2023's Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror, edited by Jordan Peele. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Kirsti Sandy, Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and English prof at Keene State as well as illustrious KSC senior students and writers Kyla Culver and Moses Fisher. 

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing Kaveh Akbar's 2024 novel, Martyr!. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. Cue a dream sequence where you listen to this podcast with a family member and your favorite basketball player / cartoon character.

The Guest by Emma Cline: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books is back with an episode discussing Emma Cline's 2023 novel, The Guest. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Dr. Kirsti Sandy, Professor and Chair of the Keene State English Department and Kyla Culver, an English literature major and studio art minor at KSC. Spoiler: in the story of our conversation, we make it to Simon's Labor Day party but do NOT die on the manicured grass.

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with an episode discussing Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah's 2023 novel, Chain-Gang All-Stars. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. Depending on how you think about it, this is either the least or most appropriate novel to think about near the Super Bowl...

The Fraud by Zadie Smith: A KoB Podcast

Just in time for the holidays and year-end book lists, Keene on Books is back with an episode discussing Zadie Smith's 2023 novel, The Fraud. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Kirsti Sandy, Professor and Chair of the Keene State English Department and William Stroup, Professor of English. If you are deciding between listening to this podcast and reading a novel by William Ainsworth, it is our humble opinion as English professors that you should listen to us.

A KoB Romance Double Feature: I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston and When She Purrs by Ruby Dixon

Keene on Books returns with a romance novel double feature with Casey McQuiston's 2022 novel I Kissed Shara Wheeler and Ruby Dixon's 2020 novel When She Purrs. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Amber Davisson, Professor and Chair of Communication and Philosophy and Meriem Pagès, Professor of English and Director of the Medieval and Renaissance Forum. Come for the break down of the genre conventions of romance; stay for the blushing.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with a podcast discussing Celeste Ng's 2022 novel, Our Missing Hearts. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. Get thee to a library!