Keene on Books

Exit West by Moshin Hamid: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Moshin Hamid's 2017 novel, Exit West. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Director of Mason Library, Celia Rabinowitz. Magical doors in this one -- but not to Narnia.

Floating Tales by Jeff Friedman: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Jess Friedman's 2017 book of prose poetry, Floating Tales. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by the author himself, Jeff Friedman, as well as KSC student Ashley Rollend.

God Help the Child by Toni Morrison: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Toni Morrison's final novel, God Help the Child (2015). Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Braema Mathiaparanam, the 2019 Global Fellow in Keene State’s HGS program and the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, and Judy Gannon, Mason Library Circulation Assistant.

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Jarrett Krosoczka's 2018 graphic memoir, Hey, Kiddo. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Liz Chipman, former Executive Director of the Keene Housing Kids Collaborative; Kathy Fleming, a college instructor of graphic novels; and Heather Gigliello, Chair of English at Monadnock Regional High School and KSC Education Department Lecturer. Your favorite character probably should be Shirley. 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia AND Lakewood by Megan Giddings: A KoB Podcast Horror Double Feature

Keene on Books brings a horror novel double feature and discusses BOTH Silvia Moreno-Garcia's 2020 novel, Mexican Gothic, AND Megan Giddings 2020 novel, Lakewood. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Professor of English Meriem Pages and Professor and Chair of Communication and Philosophy Amber Davisson. Beware the fungus.

The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Elena Ferrante's 2020 novel, The Lying Life of Adults (translated into English by Ann Goldstein). Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Director of Mason Library, Celia Rabinowitz. Adults are the worst. Except for you.

James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, Essays: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses two essays by two legends: Toni Morrison’s 1981 “City Limits, Village Values: Concepts of Neighborhood in Black Fiction” and James Baldwin’s 1981 “The Language of the Streets.” Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Professor Emeritus of American Studies, Mike Antonucci as well as two former Keene State students (and current New Hampshire English teachers), Michael Costa and Rowan Hawthorne. 

Out of the Crazywoods by Cheryl Savageau: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses poet Cheryl Savageau's 2020 book, Out of the Crazywoods. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Professor Emeritus of American Studies, Mike Antonucci. At one point, Mike explains to me how Massachusetts drivers learn to drive, and New England makes just a little more sense.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Ross Gay's 2019 book of essayettes, The Book of Delights. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Professor of English, William Stroup. It is all quite delightful really.

The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi

Keene on Books discusses Hanif Kureishi's 1990 novel, The Buddha of Suburbia. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Professor and Chair of English, Emily Robins Sharpe. You really need to beware of the dog for this one.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro's 2015 novel, The Buried Giant. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by Assistant Director of the Keene State Center for Research and Writing, Molly Parsons (and her entire immediate family...in Maine...in the summer...the full new England).

The Searcher by Tana French: A KoB Podcast

Keene on Books discusses earth's greatest living mystery writer Tana French and her 2020 novel, The Searcher. Host / Associate Professor of English Education Chris Parsons is joined by the Assistant Director of the Keene State Center for Research and Writing, Molly Parsons.