Keene on Books

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!

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with a podcast discussing Jennifer Egan's 2022 novel, The Candy House. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Emily Robins Sharpe, Chair of the English Department, and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the Center for Research and Writing. 

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books returns with a podcast discussing Danya Kukafka's 2022 novel, Notes on an Execution. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Amber Davisson, Professor and Chair in the Communication Department and Meriem Pagès, Professor of English and Director of the Medieval and Renaissance Forum. 

The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken: A KoB Podcast

No fiction: Keene on Books returns with a podcast discussing Elizabeth McCracken's 2022 novel, The Hero of This Book. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library and Brinda Charry, Professor of English and author of the recently released novel, The East Indian.

A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Lydia Millet's 2020 novel, A Children's Bible. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Celia Rabinowitz, Director of Mason Library, and Molly Parsons, Assistant Director of the KSC Center for Research and Writing. Biblical allusions welcome. 

Broken Harbor by Tana French: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books goes full superfan and discusses Tana French's 2012 mystery novel, Broken Harbor. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by two KSC Professors of English: Brinda Charry and Meriem Pages. We hear it in the walls sometimes, too.

Dunbar by Edward St. Aubyn: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Edward St. Aubyn's 2017 novel, Dunbar, an entry in the Hogarth Shakespeare's novelized retellings of the plays. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Brinda Charry, novelist, Shakespeare scholar, and KSC Professor of English. We do a top three list of our favorite movie adaptations of Shakespeare; teen movies and Bollywood are well represented.

Embassytown by China Mieville: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses China Mieville's 2011 novel, Embassytown. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by John Slefinger, KSC Lecturer in English and American Studies. Keywords? Aliens. Linguistics.