Afleveringen
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Tonight, we’ll read a selection of marmalade and sweetmeat recipes from Miss Leslie’s New Cookery Book, published in 1857.
A type of sugar confectionery, “sweetmeats” is where the term “sweets” comes from nowadays. Despite the name, they have nothing to do with meat—at least, not in the way we think of it today. The word “mete” in Old English simply meant “food” in general, which is why older texts sometimes use it in unexpected ways. In other words, we are talking about candy.
Eliza Leslie, the author of this cookbook, was one of the most influential culinary writers of 19th-century America. Known for her precise, detailed instructions, she catered to middle-class households eager to refine their domestic skills. Her recipes reflected the evolving tastes of the time, blending European traditions with distinctly American ingredients and methods. From citrus preserves to candied nuts, the art of making sweet confections was a way to showcase both skill and hospitality.
These historical recipes offer a fascinating glimpse into the past—not just in terms of flavors, but also in the way food was prepared and enjoyed in an era before mass-produced candy.
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Tonight, we'll read the full, Snoozecast-adapted version “A Case of Identity”, a story from “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, written by Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1892. Snoozecast has aired this story in two sections previously.
In general, the stories in Sherlock Holmes identify, and try to correct, social injustices. In this story, a wealthy woman’s fiancé disappears and she hires the detective to help find him.
This tale stands out among the Holmes stories for the quiet, almost domestic nature of its mystery. Rather than a murder or theft, the puzzle at hand is one of manipulation and emotional deceit. Holmes must unravel a curious vanishing act that seems, at first glance, too mundane for criminal interest—but which conceals a twisted motive rooted in control and inheritance.
Though not as famous as some of Holmes’s more sensational cases, this one is a compact study in character and motive, and a fine example of how Doyle could draw drama from even the most seemingly ordinary circumstances.
— read by 'N' —
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Tonight, we’ll read the 27th chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “Vanity and the Vexation of Spirit”
In the previous chapter, Anne struggles to adjust to everyday life after the excitement of the concert. She finds ordinary days dull in comparison, lamenting that her experiences have perhaps spoiled her for simpler pleasures. School returns to normal, though minor quarrels persist among classmates stemming from tensions at the concert. Anne and Diana discuss growing older, imagination, and the trials of writing compositions. Anne enthusiastically shares a dramatic story she wrote, prompting the creation of a girls' story-writing club. Although Marilla disapproves of this pastime as foolish, Anne insists they always include morals in their stories. Despite Marilla’s skepticism, Anne remains hopeful about her own personal growth, inspired by Mrs. Allan’s past imperfections and kindness.
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Tonight, we’ll read a Snoozecast original, “The Great Kite Caper of Crinkle Creek.”
Every March, the sky over the town of Crinkle Creek bursts with color as kites of all shapes and sizes take flight. Winnie Maple has spent all winter preparing her entry, The Sky Fox, determined to outfly the competition. But as the contest begins, Winnie learns just how unpredictable the wind can be.
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Tonight, we’ll read the myth about a love triangle between mortals Idas, Marpessa, and the ancient Greek god Apollo. It is taken from “A Book of Myths” compiled by Jean Lang and published in 1914.
Apollo, the radiant god of the sun, poetry, and prophecy, was among the most revered of the Olympian deities. As the favored son of Zeus, king of the gods, he had direct access to his father’s wisdom and, at times, shared divine insights with humankind. Yet, despite his celestial nature, Apollo was no stranger to earthly emotions—his heart was often stirred by love, longing, and, when spurned, jealousy.
This tale is one of passion and rivalry, of a mortal man daring to challenge a god for the love of a woman. Marpessa, known for her beauty and grace, found herself at the center of this struggle, caught between the affections of a powerful deity and the devotion of a courageous suitor. When Apollo, in all his divine splendor, set his sights on her, he expected to claim her without question. But Idas, bold and resolute, would not relinquish his beloved so easily. Even the might of the gods cannot always dictate the course of the human heart.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read from “Spectacle Secrets” written by George Cox and published in 1844. The real “secret of the spectacle” may be how to remember the difference between the role of an optician, an optometrist, and an ophthalmologist.
While all three deal with eyes, and all three start with the letters “op”, their roles are, of course, quite different. Let’s have a quick review.
An optician, like the author of tonight’s fine publication, is like a skilled tailor—but for your vision. They fit and adjust glasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions.
Those prescriptions would be written by an optometrist, who you can think of as a primary care physician, but for your eyes specifically. They diagnose and treat common eye conditions.
If something more serious comes up, the optometrist will likely refer you to an ophthalmologist, much like how a primary care doctor refers patients to a specialist.
And now, it’s time to set our sights on getting a good night’s sleep.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “The Valley of the Shadow”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 40th chapter as part of that work as a whole.
In the last episode, Laurie lingered in Nice for a month, growing closer to Amy but sinking in her esteem due to his laziness and aimlessness. Amy, unwilling to coddle him, gives him a blunt but heartfelt lecture on his wasted potential. Stung but stirred, Laurie finally decides to leave for his grandfather, leaving Amy both satisfied and unexpectedly wistful at his absence.
In tonight’s chapter, the March family draws closer together, cherishing their time with Beth as they prepare for the inevitable.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read from Cat’s Tales by Edith Nesbit, a collection of stories centered on the lives and antics of cats.
If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out the other “Cat Tales” episode that aired in September 2021, and also the fairy tale “The White Cat” that aired in July of 2020.
Known for her sharp observations and straightforward storytelling, Nesbit presents these tales with a mix of realism and subtle irony, capturing the independence and inscrutability of her feline subjects. The stories reflect her ability to balance light fantasy with practical detail, a hallmark of her work.
Edith Nesbit, born 1858, was a British writer and poet best known for her children’s fiction, including The Railway Children and Five Children and It. A co-founder of the Fabian Society, she was politically engaged and influenced later fantasy writers with her blend of everyday settings and magical elements.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read about gardening in window boxes, and also planning the arrangement of outdoor flower gardens, from the 1903 book “The Flower Garden” by Ida D. Bennett.
Window boxes offer a way to transform an ordinary sill into a miniature garden, filling homes with color, fragrance, and seasonal beauty. Bennett provides timeless advice on selecting the right plants, arranging them for the best effect, and ensuring they thrive in their elevated, confined environment. Her work reflects the Edwardian-era enthusiasm for ornamental gardening while offering insights that remain just as relevant for modern gardeners looking to brighten their windows with living blooms.
— 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.
Anne receives a letter from her sister Elizabeth informing her that Mr. Elliot, their estranged cousin and heir to Kellynch Hall, is in Bath and has been paying regular visits to their father, Sir Walter. His sudden attentiveness is surprising, as he had previously distanced himself from the family. Lady Russell, initially uninterested in Mr. Elliot, is now curious and eager to meet him. Anne, less excited, acknowledges she would rather see him than many others in Bath.
Upon arriving at Camden Place, Anne finds her father and Elizabeth in high spirits, boasting about their grand house and increasing social prominence. They are delighted with Mr. Elliot, who has explained away his past neglect and is now eager to reconcile.
That evening, Mr. Elliot arrives unexpectedly. His charm and intelligence impress Anne, and the evening passes surprisingly well.
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Tonight, we’ll read an excerpt from Charles Dickens “Great Expectations” where young Pip visits the mysterious Miss Havisham at her decaying mansion. There he meets Estella, a beautiful but scornful girl who treat him with cold disdain, making him painfully aware of his lower social status. Miss Havisham, frozen in time since being jilted at the altar, encourages Estella to toy with Pip’s emotions. This encounter leaves Pip deeply ashamed of his humble background, planting the seed of his desire to become a gentleman.
Miss Havisham’s tragic and eerie presence has left a lasting impact on literature, film television and music. She appears in Havisham by Carol Ann Duffy, which reimagines her bitter longing, and influences characters like Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre. Artists like Tori Amos and Florence and The Machine reference her ghostly figure in music, while The Simpsons parody her infamous heartbreak and decay, solidifying her as a timeless gothic archetype.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll read from the eighth chapter of British naturalist Charles Darwin’s “The Voyage of the Beagle” titled “Banda Oriental and Patagonia”.
“The Voyage of the Beagle” is the title most commonly given to the book first published in 1839 as Darwin’s “Journal and Remarks”, bringing him considerable fame and respect.
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.
In this chapter Darwin recounts his travels through Banda Oriental (modern-day Uruguay) and into the vast landscapes of Patagonia. He describes the rugged beauty of the region, contrasting the rolling hills and fertile pastures of Uruguay with the harsh, windswept plains of Patagonia. As he moves south, Darwin observes the local people, particularly gauchos and indigenous groups, noting their customs, resilience, and way of life in these remote lands.
Wildlife continues to capture Darwin’s attention, especially the large herds of wild cattle and the presence of predators such as jaguars.
This chapter marks Darwin’s growing appreciation for Patagonia’s stark, untamed beauty and the scientific potential hidden within its desolate expanses. His observations, from fossils to animal behavior, continue to shape his revolutionary ideas about natural selection and adaptation, which would later be fully realized in On the Origin of Species.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll continue the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The house at Pooh Corner”.
In the last episode of Winnie-the-Pooh, Rabbit organizes a search for his missing friend, Small, but Pooh, unsure of who Small is, decides to find Piglet first for clarification. In the process, Pooh and Piglet accidentally fall into a pit and mistakenly believe they've trapped themselves in a Heffalump trap. As they nervously imagine their encounter with the Heffalump, Christopher Robin appears, unintentionally startling Piglet into a confused attempt at bravely facing the "trap." Eventually, Pooh realizes that Small—a very small beetle—has been on his back all along. Christopher Robin helps them out of the pit, and they all celebrate finding Small. Meanwhile, Eeyore, unaware of the resolution, continues the search days later, reacting with his usual dry sarcasm when Rabbit informs him that Small has already been found.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll read about the etiquette of throwing balls from Manners and Rules of Good Society by “A Member of the Aristocracy,” published in London in 1916. Snoozecast first read from this book back in 2021.
A ball is a formal dance party characterized by a banquet followed by social dance that includes ballroom dancing. More than just an evening of entertainment, a well-orchestrated ball was a display of refinement, social standing, and adherence to an intricate web of unspoken rules. Success at such an event was not measured solely by the elegance of a waltz or quadrille but by the host’s ability to maintain harmony
among guests, observe propriety, and adhere to the rigid expectations of high society.
The author of Manners and Rules of Good Society, while anonymous, was likely someone well-acquainted with the customs of the British upper class. The book served as a guide to navigating the complex social structures of the time, providing insight into not only how to host a ball but how to conduct oneself in all matters of decorum. As the Edwardian era gave way to the upheaval of the First World War, such traditions were becoming increasingly symbolic of a fading world—one where rigid social distinctions were being challenged by the changing times.
Balls themselves had evolved over centuries, originating in the royal courts of Europe before spreading into the aristocracy and, later, to the upper-middle class. By the time this book was published, grand balls were still held in the great houses of Britain, but their role was shifting. What had once been a cornerstone of courtship and political alliances was becoming more of a nostalgic tradition. Yet, even as the social landscape changed, books like Manners and Rules of Good Society sought to preserve the elegance and ritual of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the customs that once dictated the highest levels of society.
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Tonight, we’ll read from “The New Air World: The Science of Meteorology Simplified" by Willis L. Moore, originally published in 1922.
This work aimed to make the complex field of meteorology understandable to the layperson, particularly for those seeking to become more “weatherwise”.
Beyond being an author, Willis Luther Moore was an American meteorologist and educator. He also served as chief of the U.S. Weather Bureau, and president of the National Geographic Society.
When Moore began his career for the Weather Bureau, long range weather forecasting was considered little more than quackery both by Moore himself and the scientific community. However, a little more than a decade later, in 1906, Moore announced that the Weather Bureau was about to begin forecasting the weather a month in advance using new scientific methods. The Bureau made weekly forecasts a standard release in 1910. However, despite some successes, these would remain as inaccurate as the older methods. It wasn’t untilthe 1970s that forecasts for multiple days became consistently reliable, thanks to more sophisticated computer models, satellite data, and improved observational networks.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read the 26th chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “The Story Club is Formed”
In the previous chapter, Matthew realizes that Anne is dressed more plainly than her peers and secretly sets out to buy her a beautiful new dress for Christmas. After an awkward attempt at shopping, he enlists Mrs. Lynde’s help to pick out a fashionable dress with the puffed sleeves Anne has long admired. On Christmas morning, Anne is overwhelmed with joy at the gift, and later, she dazzles at the school concert, where she delivers a moving recitation. That night, as Matthew and Marilla reflect on Anne’s success, they begin to consider her future beyond Avonlea.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+deluxe bonus episode we’ll read “The Sky Pool”.
When a broken air conditioner leads Theo and Mira to spend the evening on the rooftop of their college, a passing remark sparks a conversation about an old mystery—one that stretches across lost manuscripts, whispered folklore, and the vanished notes of a long-forgotten scholar.
The Sky Pool is an example of a frame story, specifically a nested story where one tale leads into another, each revealing a new layer of the legend. Some popular examples of frame stories include One Thousand and One Nights and The Turn of the Screw.
— read by 'N' —
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Tonight, we’ll read the fantasy story “Celephaïs” written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1920. In it, Kuranes, the child of landed English gentry, travels to the magical city of his childhood dreams after finding himself dispossessed in the contemporary city of London.
The story contrasts the bleakness of earthly reality with the splendor of a vividly imagined world, emphasizing themes of escapism and nostalgia. Part of Lovecraft’s Dream Cycle, it offers a poetic and haunting exploration of the power of dreams.
— read by 'V' —
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Tonight, we’ll read a Snoozecast original, “Spandex Jackets (One for Everyone).” Listeners who are fans of Steely Dan may be aware that the title is a reference to Donald Fagen’s 1982 track “I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)”. The story itself draws inspiration from the song which paints a retro-futuristic dream of undersea rails, solar-powered cities and the promise of a gloriously bright tomorrow.
The acronym in the song title I.G.Y. references the “International Geophysical Year” a real life global scientific project that ran from July 1, 1957 to December 31st 1958. It brought together scientists from 67 nations to collaborate on studying Earth’s geophysical properties, including its atmosphere, oceans, and polar regions. IGY marked significant advancements in space research, such as the launch of the first artificial satellites (Sputnik by the Soviet Union and Explorer by the United States). Its spirit of international cooperation laid the groundwork for many subsequent collaborative scientific endeavors.
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Tonight, we’ll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “Lazy Laurence”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 39th chapter as part of that work as a whole.
In the last episode, we followed Meg’s life as a new mom of twins, and her struggles to balance her roles of mother with wife. The motherly side had taken completely over for months and her relationship with John was more distant than either of them liked. Luckily, Meg sought the good advice from her mother, and found creative ways to find time for not just her husband, but her self, along with her babies.
Tonight’s chapter shifts the focus back to Laurie, who, after his time in Europe, has settled into a state of idleness and self-indulgence. Still nursing the wounds of Jo’s rejection, he lounges about, feeling purposeless despite his wealth and charm. He has fallen into the role of a "lazy" young man, avoiding serious work or ambition, much to the disapproval of Amy.
— read by 'V' —
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