Afleveringen
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Tonight, we’ll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “All Alone”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 42nd chapter as part of that work as a whole.
In our last chapter, Laurie tries to recover from Jo’s rejection by turning to music, but soon realizes his love for her has faded into affection. His bond with Amy deepens through letters, and she quietly rejects another suitor. With news of Beth’s passing, Laurie rushes to Amy’s side in Switzerland, where love quietly blossoms between them.
Tonight’s chapter returns to Jo, amidst her grief and isolation.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read “O Pioneers!” a 1913 novel by American author Willa Cather. Set on the windswept prairies of Nebraska, “O Pioneers!” tells the story of Alexandra Bergson, a determined young woman of Swedish-American descent who takes over her family’s farm.
Cather’s quiet, poetic prose captures both the hardships and beauty of prairie life at the turn of the twentieth century, and Alexandra’s journey reflects broader themes of endurance, transformation, and connection to the land. The novel marked the beginning of Cather’s Great Plains Trilogy, which also includes The Song of the Lark and My Ántonia.
Though she wrote this trilogy while living in New York City, Cather drew inspiration from her own upbringing in Nebraska and from the lives of immigrants who shaped the American Midwest.
— read by 'V' —
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Tonight, we’ll read about igloos and other polar quarters, from the book Secrets of Polar Travel written by Robert E. Peary and published in 1917.
Peary, a famed American Arctic explorer, led multiple expeditions to the far north and claimed to be the first person to reach the geographic North Pole. His writing blends technical insight with firsthand accounts of survival in extreme cold, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity required to build shelter in some of Earth’s harshest climates.
Although igloos, or snow shelters, are often associated with all Inuit, they were traditionally used only by the people of Canada’s Central Arctic and a part of Greenland. Other Inuit groups constructed more permanent dwellings from driftwood, whalebone, and hides, using snow as insulation rather than structural material. Snow works as an insulator because of the tiny air pockets trapped within it—an important fact when outside temperatures plunge to −45 °C (−49 °F), while inside a well-constructed igloo, body heat alone can raise the temperature to a surprisingly livable 16 °C (61 °F).
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Tonight, we’ll read a fairy tale called “The Invisible Prince,” found in “The Yellow Fairy Book” edited by Andrew Lang and published in 1894. This story is about The Prince of Air and how he overcame adversity and found his way to The Golden Isle.
Andrew Lang was a Scottish poet, novelist, and literary critic best known for his influential "Fairy Books"—a twelve-volume series that gathered tales from a wide range of cultures. Each volume was named for a different color and included a mix of well-known stories and lesser-known folktales, translated and adapted with the help of his wife, Leonora.
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Tonight, we’ll read from the ninth chapter of British naturalist Charles Darwin’s “The Voyage of the Beagle” titled “Santa Cruz, Patagonia and the Falkland Islands”. The five-year expedition laid the groundwork for Darwin’s later theory of evolution by natural selection.In this chapter, Darwin recounts an overland expedition up the Santa Cruz River in southern Patagonia. The landscape is stark and repetitive, with shingle plains, thorny bushes, and a scarcity of birds or waterfowl. Darwin documents vast flows of basaltic lava and enormous erratic boulders, offering early insights into glacial and marine forces that shaped the land. His observations blend physical hardship with scientific wonder, as he marvels at condors circling above the cliffs and theorizes about the slow, ancient processes that carved the Patagonian terrain.If you’d like to start from the beginning, the first episode of this series aired on June 10th, 2024, with subsequent monthly episodes exploring Darwin’s journey in detail.
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Tonight, we’ll read a selection of recipes from the book English Housewifry by Elizabeth Moxon, published in 1764, starting with a recipe for whipt sillabubs.Moxon’s book was one of the earliest English cookery books written specifically for middle-class women managing their own households, rather than for professional cooks or the aristocracy. Her recipes are practical but far from plain, offering glimpses into both the culinary expectations and the social rituals of Georgian-era domestic life.The title page promises recipes that are “useful, substantial and splendid,” and the tone throughout is no-nonsense, with an emphasis on health and frugality—though it’s clear Moxon didn’t shy away from a bit of showiness in presentation. A whipt sillabub, for example, was a frothy dessert drink made of sweetened wine or cider and thickened cream, often served in decorative glasses and topped with foam. It’s the kind of indulgence that would have delighted guests at a genteel supper table, bridging the gap between refreshment and dessert.
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Tonight, we’ll read excerpts from “The Myrtle Reed Cook Book” written by Myrtle Reed and published in 1916. Reed was an American author, poet, journalist, and philanthropist.
Reed’s cook book blends recipes with spirited commentary on everything from kitchen organization to the art of table service.
At the time of its publication, domestic science was gaining popularity, with cookbooks increasingly serving as lifestyle guides for middle-class households. This is the second time we’ve featured excerpts from this particular book- if you enjoy tonight’s episode, check out Snoozecast’s episode “The Doilied Breakfast Table” that last aired in June of 2023.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read the 28th chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “An Unfortunate Lily Maid”
In the last episode, Marilla returns home one spring evening thrilled by the season’s promise, only to discover there’s no fire, no tea—and no Anne. After fuming in the kitchen and questioning Matthew, she fetches a candle in Anne’s room and finds her hiding tearfully among the pillows. Anne confesses she spent her chicken-money on a peddler’s hair dye, hoping for raven-black locks but ending up with a ghastly green mane. When daily washings fail, Marilla decrees the only cure is to cut Anne’s hair off, leaving her shingled head looking “like a scarecrow.” In the aftermath, Anne resolves to be good instead of vain, and Marilla—even amid her headaches—admits she rather enjoys Anne’s lively chatter.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll read an Icelandic fairy tale called “Litill, Tritill, the Birds, and the Peasant Lad” translated and edited by Mrs. A. W. Hall and published in 1897.
Like many folk and fairy tales, the exact origins are complicated and sometimes unclear. The more well-known Crimson Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang cites this story as having Hungarian origin. However, there are at least two earlier publications that are specifically Icelandic compilations that include this story.
Iceland has a rich tradition of storytelling, with folktales passed down through oral tradition for centuries before being committed to print. Stories often traveled across borders and were reshaped by local customs, so it’s not surprising to find the same tale appearing in different collections with varied national attributions. What remains consistent in this version is its distinctly Icelandic sensibility—featuring a humble protagonist, mysterious helpers, and a clever unraveling of magical obstacles, all set against the stark yet enchanted landscapes typical of Northern European lore.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Ghost Beyond the Gate” written by Mildred A. Wirt and published in 1943.
In this story, Mr. Parker is taken to the hospital by another driver after getting into an accident. However, Mr. Parker never arrives at the hospital. Penny takes over running the newspaper in her father's absence and discovers a clue to her father's whereabouts at an old abandoned mansion.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out our other Penny Parker series episodes by searching for our show titled “Snoozecast Presents: Penny Parker” wherever you listen to Snoozecast. Or, you can find Penny at snoozecast.com/series.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight we'll read the next chapter of Good Wives, written by Louisa May Alcott, titled "Learning to Forget". This is also known as the second half of the Little Women novel, and is considered the 41st chapter.
As part of that work as a whole. In our last chapter, the March family drew closer together as they cherished their time with Beth and prepared for the inevitable. And now we pick up with Lori as he strives to better himself after Amy's scathing advice. Realize he must move on from Jo's rejection. He attempts to channel his sorrow into music, but finds himself distracted and uninspired.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read “The Door in the Wall,” a short story written in 1911 by H.G. Wells. Considered to be one of his finest short stories, it explores the tension between the rational and the fanciful experiences in life.
Wells is best known today for pioneering modern science fiction with works like “The Time Machine” and “The War of the Worlds”, but he also wrote thoughtful, bittersweet tales that delved into memory, regret, and the mysteries of childhood. “The Door in the Wall” belongs to this more reflective side of his writing, offering a meditation on the costs of ambition and the longing for lost innocence.
The story first appeared in “The Daily Chronicle” before being included in collections, and it quickly became a favorite among readers and critics alike. Its ambiguous ending continues to invite discussion. Wells leaves the answer suspended between reality and imagination, much like the choices we face in life itself.
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Tonight, we’ll read from the opening to the 1923 travel memoir Peaks of Shala by Rose Wilder Lane. It is about a walking tour of mountainous Albania.
The daughter of writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lane was an American journalist, travel writer, novelist, and political theorist. Though she is perhaps best known today for her work editing and shaping her mother’s Little House series, Lane led a bold and independent life that took her far from the American frontier. In the early 1920s, she spent time as a foreign correspondent in postwar Europe, traveling through parts of the continent still recovering from World War I. Albania, then newly independent and largely unknown to the Western world, captured her imagination with its dramatic landscapes and fiercely traditional mountain communities.
Peaks of Shala recounts her journey on foot through the northern Albanian highlands, a region governed more by ancient tribal codes than by any central government. Her writing blends observation and introspection, offering glimpses of rugged hospitality, isolated customs, and the physical demands of mountain travel. The book remains a rare first-hand account of a Western woman’s experience in one of the most remote corners of Europe during a period of great transition.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.
In the last episode, concluding chapter 16, Mr. Elliot continues his frequent visits to Camden Place, charming Sir Walter and Elizabeth with his polished manners and apparent desire to reconnect with the family. Lady Russell, once indifferent to him, now views him as a highly suitable match for Anne.
Anne, however, remains cautious. Though she acknowledges Mr. Elliot’s attentiveness and refinement, she is not fully at ease with his motives. His flattery feels calculated, and she senses a lack of emotional sincerity.
She compares his composed charm with the deeper, more genuine feeling she once shared with Captain Wentworth. As Mr. Elliot’s admiration grows more obvious, Anne is left feeling both flattered and wary of his true intentions.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, for our Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus episode, we’ll read from "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" translated poetically into English by Edward Fitzgerald. This first edition, inspired by Persian rhymed quatrains, together known as a “rubaiyat”, were rooted in the 11th to 12th century. They reflect the philosophical musings of the original author Khayyam who was not only a poet, but an accomplished mathematician and astronomer.
As a seminal piece of Persian literature, the collection delves into themes related to the transience of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness amidst the inevitability of death. The content of the "Rubaiyat" encapsulates a dialogue between the speaker and the cosmos, often expressed through the metaphor of wine and revelry.
The Rubáiyát also made its way into American pop culture, perhaps most charmingly in the classic 1957 musical The Music Man. In one scene, it’s cited as one of the books the mayor’s wife wants banned from the town library. The book’s verses are condemned for their supposed licentiousness—proof, perhaps, of just how intoxicating these quatrains have always been. Though in truth, the work is more meditative than scandalous, filled with musings on time, nature, and the fleeting sweetness of life.
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Tonight, we’ll read “The Mirror of Matsuyama,” a story found in Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki in 1908.
This tale explores the quiet strength of familial love and the power of memory, all seen through the lens—literally—of a small hand mirror. It begins with a mother who gives her daughter the mirror as a keepsake, and unfolds into a story that blends gentle superstition with emotional resilience. The mirror itself becomes a symbolic object, reflecting not only appearances but also devotion and loss.
Yei Theodora Ozaki was born in England to a Japanese father and an English mother, and she devoted much of her life to retelling Japanese folktales in English with great care and lyricism. Her collection introduced many readers in the West to the stories and moral traditions of Japan. “The Mirror of Matsuyama” is one of the more intimate tales in the collection—less about mythical creatures or grand adventures, and more about the enduring connection between a mother and her child.
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Tonight, we’ll read the complete story of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”, a Norwegian fairy tale, collected by Asbjørnsen and Moe.
In this story, a talking bear approaches a poor peasant and asks if he will give him his daughter as a wife in return for making the family rich.
The tale belongs to a broader class of folktales known as “Animal Bridegroom” stories, where a maiden is betrothed to a mysterious creature whose true identity is hidden. It shares roots with stories like Cupid and Psyche and Beauty and the Beast, though its northern setting and surreal imagery give it a distinct, dreamlike quality. The journey “east of the sun and west of the moon” evokes a place that lies just beyond the edges of the known world—a poetic way of describing an impossible quest.
In the second half of the story, a “gold carding-comb” is mentioned several times. Not well-known nowadays, but in the past readers were more likely to know that a carding-comb is a tool used to brush and untangle wool before it’s spun into thread. The one in this story, made of gold, is more symbolic than practical—a glittering gift meant to dazzle, rather than do chores.
Asbjørnsen and Moe, sometimes called the “Grimms of Norway,” gathered this story during the 19th century as part of a national effort to preserve the country’s oral traditions. Their collections helped shape the image of Norwegian folklore: filled with towering mountains, icy winds, trolls, talking animals, and brave heroines who outwit enchantments. This story in particular has captivated readers for generations with its eerie beginning, evocative landscapes, and a heroine whose strength lies not in spells or swords, but in her persistence.
--read by 'V'--
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Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life” written by English author George Eliot, and originally published in 1871.
George Eliot is the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. The novel is set in a fictional English Midlands town in the early 1800s, following many separate characters whose lives intersect at times. Issues include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, political reform, and education. Initial reviews were mixed, but it is now seen widely as her best work and one of the great English novels.
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