Hardcore Literature
- Episodes
- 92
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Oct 28, 2026
About the podcast
Welcome to your new favourite book club. If you enjoy deep dives into the greatest books ever written, you will love Hardcore Literature. Provocative poems, evocative epics, and life-changing literary analyses. We don't just read the great books - we live them. Together we'll suck the marrow out of Shakespeare, Homer, and Tolstoy. We'll relish the most moving art ever committed to the page and stage from every age. Join us on the reading adventure of a lifetime.
Episodes 92
Ep 92 - Finnegans Wake (James Joyce)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 91 - The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 90 - How to Live the Great Books: Life-Changing Reading Habits
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 89 - Book Club Schedule for 2026
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 88 - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 87 - Appreciating Shakespeare on My Birthday
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 86 - Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 85 - The Interpretation of Dreams (Freud)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 84 - Book Club Schedule for 2025
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 83 - Reflecting on Reading the Great Books in 2024
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 82 - Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Nietzsche)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 81 - The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 80 - How to Read Poetry for Personal Growth
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 79 - The Tragedy of Othello (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 78 - The Essays of Montaigne
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 77 - Tartuffe (Molière)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 76 - Hedda Gabler (Ibsen)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 75 - King Lear (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 74 - Faust (Goethe)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 73 - The Prince (Machiavelli)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 72 - The Tragedy of Hamlet (Shakespeare)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 71 - Book Club Schedule for 2024
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 70 - Gothic Literature and the Rise of the Vampire
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 69 - The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 68 - How to Start Writing Literature (Lessons from Great Writers)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 67 - How to Create a Powerful Daily Reading Practice
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Timestamps:
- 0:00 a powerful morning reading practice
- 2:00 on staying consistent with your habits
- 7:00 how I structure readings of scripture
- 8:00 my meditative reading of Moby Dick
- 9:00 reading imaginative literature scripturally
- 10:00 speed-reading vs subvocalisation
- 11:00 on rereading resonant passages
- 12:00 theatre of the mind & simple contemplation
- 13:00 imagination, empathy, applying the senses
- 14:00 threefold present & eternity in the text
- 16:00 mindfulness in our everyday lives
- 17:00 future as string of present moments
- 19:00 good material for the reading practice
- 20:00 from Aurelius to Rilke & Tolstoy
- 22:00 how the practice differs from reading
- 24:00 how Virginia Woolf read great literature
- 25:00 why I love reading difficult books
- 26:00 reading as conversation & act of love
- 27:00 the ease and joy of the daily practice
- 28:00 the four steps of my reading practice
- 32:00 practice walkthrough with Tolstoy
- 33:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage One
- 39:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage Two
- 45:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage Three
- 48:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage Four
- 52:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage Five
- 56:00 Tolstoy's Wisdom: Passage Six
- 59:00 let us know about your practice
Ep 66 - The Bookish Q&A Show (Coffee with Hardcore Literature)
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Timestamps:- 0:00 expressing my gratitude for you
- 3:31 how to find meaning in our lives?
- 20:44 advice on keeping a commonplace book?
- 27:00 your thoughts on French Literature?
- 32:37 your favourite films and shows?
- 40:42 entry recommendations for big classics?
- 45:20 your process for making connections?
- 51:30 a master plan behind the syllabus?
- 53:15 can you riff on Tolstoy's sense of love?
- 58:35 how to love someone for who they are?
- 1:03:40 character names in Shakespeare?
- 1:06:05 three writers you would have coffee with?
- 1:07:48 what is your literary guilty pleasure?
- 1:09:00 what is the greatest decade ever for novels?
- 1:11:00 what podcasts do you enjoy listening to?
- 1:13:17 are you concerned about artificial intelligence?
- 1:19:30 a difficult dilemma: rereads or new reads?
- 1:22:10 what are your favourite Japanese works?
- 1:24:20 interest in a behind-the-scenes show
- 1:25:00 tell us more about Shakespeare's audience?
- 1:30:59 supposedly great books that are overrated?
- 1:33:16 how to deal with feelings of overwhelm?
- 1:39:10 do books appeal to different temperaments?
- 1:41:47 your elevator pitch for getting into literature?
- 1:46:55 what are the essential book club lectures?
- 1:52:30 recommendations for book club newcomers
- 1:53:00 talking about the questions for the next show
Ep 65 - How to Possess Poetry by Memory
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 64 - How to Approach a Special Author Project
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
Ep 63 - Reflecting on Life, Literature & Reading the Great Books
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues: 1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes. 2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore …
Show notes
If you're enjoying the Hardcore Literature Show, there are two ways you can show your support and ensure it continues:
1. Please leave a quick review on iTunes.
2. Join in the fun over at the Hardcore Literature Book Club: patreon.com/hardcoreliterature
Thank you so much. Happy listening and reading!
- Benjamin
These are the latest 40 of 92 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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