The Uncommon Reader
- Episodes
- 12
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 10, 2026
About the podcast
Join reader and creator Chris Dougherty (TikTok/Instagram@chrisreadsbooks) on The Uncommon Reader, a show that explores literature through the lens of study. Each episode will explore important discussions about literature and books, the culture of literature, and ideas that push literature into the spaces it deserves.
Episodes 12
Emma Southon on Murder, Slavery and Power in Ancient Rome
Join the community on Patreon here.Get 10% off your next purchase from Seven Stories Press here.How did slavery build the Roman Empire? Roman historian Dr. Emma Southon joins Chris to talk about her new book …
Show notes
Join the community on Patreon here.
Get 10% off your next purchase from Seven Stories Press here.
How did slavery build the Roman Empire? Roman historian Dr. Emma Southon joins Chris to talk about her new book, Not Built in a Day: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire, also published as Servus.
In this conversation:
- Who the enslaved people of ancient Rome were and how they lived
- How slavery shaped Roman law, money and family life
- Murder and justice in Rome
- Why popular Roman history leaves enslaved people out
Chris chats with Dr. Emma Southon, a Roman historian with a PhD in Ancient History. Her most recent book is Servus/Not Built in a Day: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire. She is the author of four other books on Roman history and the co-host of the history/comedy podcast History is Sexy. She is a lapsed academic and former bookseller. She lives in Belfast with her husband and not enough bookshelves.
For fans of Mary Beard's SPQR, The Rest Is History and narrative nonfiction about the ancient world.
A Discussion with Mark Haber (Author of Ada)
Mark Haber is the author of the novels Reinhardt’s Garden (longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award), Saint Sebastian’s Abyss, and his 2024 release, Lesser Ruins. Known for his "breathless," winding sentences and …
Show notes
Mark Haber is the author of the novels Reinhardt’s Garden (longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award), Saint Sebastian’s Abyss, and his 2024 release, Lesser Ruins. Known for his "breathless," winding sentences and a unique blend of highbrow absurdity and deep humanity, Haber’s work has been praised by The Washington Post as some of the most rigorous and serious fiction being written today. His most recent novel, Ada, was published in July 2026. Mark lives in Minneapolis.
Join the Bindery community here:https://chrisreadsbooks.binderybooks.com/If you can, consider donating to Coffeehouse Press to support independent publishers: https://givebutter.com/extraordinary-voices-fueled-by-you-fg7ajiGet 10% off your next purchase from Seven Stories Press here: www.sevenstories.com?discount_code=ChrisReading10Follow on IG: chrisreadsbooks_Follow on TikTok: chrisreadsbooks
Why Cathy Ames Is Not the One-Dimensional Villain East of Eden Wants You Think She Is
Follow Chris on Instagram here.Join the community on Patreon here.Listeners get 20% off their purchase with Seven Stories Press here.East of Eden is about to explode back into the culture, and Clare makes the …
Show notes
Follow Chris on Instagram here.
Join the community on Patreon here.
Listeners get 20% off their purchase with Seven Stories Press here.
East of Eden is about to explode back into the culture, and Clare makes the case that the character everyone loves to hate may be the novel’s most important one.
If you think Cathy Ames is just a one-dimensional villain, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about Steinbeck, evil, and the way readers are taught to judge women on the page.
Chris Dougherty and Clare dig into why Cathy has inspired so much outrage, fascination, and defense, especially now that Netflix’s adaptation is putting her front and center.
Clare unpacks the essay that sparked so much conversation, arguing that Cathy is not simply a monster but a deliberately constructed force that exposes how uneven choice, power, and freedom really are.
They also examine Steinbeck’s narrator, the famous Chapter 8 setup, and why the novel asks readers to sit with discomfort instead of rushing to a neat moral verdict.
You'll discover:
- Why Cathy’s choices can’t be separated from the world that traps and shapes her
- How Steinbeck uses narration, hyperbole, and omission to manipulate the reader
- Why the women in East of Eden are essential to understanding Cathy at all
- How “Thou mayest” changes when you read Kathy as human, not supernatural evil
- What the Netflix adaptation may get right about Cathy, Lee, Adam, and the story’s moral center
Clare also connects Cathy to a wider lineage of literary women who are judged, reduced, or demonized, from Anna Karenina to Medea to modern fiction.
Along the way, she and Chris wrestle with the difference between understanding a character and excusing her, and why that distinction matters more than ever as new readers discover the book through the series.
If you’re reading East of Eden for the first time, revisiting it after years away, or just want a sharper way to think about morally complicated characters, this is essential listening. It’s a spirited, thoughtful, and deeply charged conversation about one of literature’s most infamous women and why she still refuses to be easy.
Follow Clare on Instagram @classicallyclare
Join Clare's book club on Fable here.
Read Clare's essay 'Sympathy For The Devil' here.
Heather Ann Thompson | The Morality of Violence: Why Facts Matter in Reckoning with America's Dark Past
Join The Book Club! https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooksUse code 'SPRINGBOOKS' for 50% off your first month! Uncover the hidden truths behind America’s most sensationalized cases with Heather Ann Thompson, a …
Show notes
Join The Book Club! https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooks
Use code 'SPRINGBOOKS' for 50% off your first month!
Uncover the hidden truths behind America’s most sensationalized cases with Heather Ann Thompson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian.
This episode reveals how media narratives distort reality and shape public opinion, and offers lessons that resonate just as powerfully today. If you've ever questioned the stories that divide us, this deep dive into the past will challenge what you think you know.
Heather Ann Thompson walks us through her meticulous research process, contrasting her work on Blood in the Water with her latest book, Fear and Fury.
She shares how access to archives, legal transcripts, and bureaucratic records uncover overlooked details, transforming sensational stories into nuanced histories.
You'll discover how misinformation, racial stereotypes, and media manipulation fueled crises in the 80s and 70s—and how those same tactics are shaping current events.
We break down:
- The myths surrounding the Attica Prison uprising and Bernie Goetz's subway shooting
- The role of conservative media in crafting narratives that stoke racial fear and false victimhood
- How political messaging from Reagan’s era laid the groundwork for today’s culture of vigilante justice
- The importance of factual integrity and context in fighting misinformation
- The evolving landscape of jury trials and how public perceptions are shaped by legal theatrics
Heather Ann Thompson is currently on tour discussing Fear And Fury. You can view her upcoming tour dates here.Essential Reading: Karl Öve Knausgaard
Join the book club here --> https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooksFollow on all socials @chrisreadsbooksIn this episode of the Uncommon Reader Podcast, host Chris Dougherty shares his reading journey, focusing …
Show notes
Join the book club here --> https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooks
Follow on all socials @chrisreadsbooks
In this episode of the Uncommon Reader Podcast, host Chris Dougherty shares his reading journey, focusing on 'My Struggle' by Karl Öve Knausgaard. He discusses the visceral themes of death, aging, and personal growth found in literature, while also providing updates on his book club and engaging with listener questions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of solitude, the complexity of family dynamics, and the need for deeper connections with literature.
2026 Bookish Predictions
Join our book club! https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooksUse code 'BOOKS1' for 50% off your first month! Follow on socials:IG: https://www.instagram.com/chrisreadsbooks_TT …
Show notes
Join our book club! https://www.patreon.com/readmorebooksUse code 'BOOKS1' for 50% off your first month! Follow on socials:IG: https://www.instagram.com/chrisreadsbooks_TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisreadsbooksIn the inaugural episode of 2026 for the Uncommon Reader podcast, host Chris Dougherty reflects on the success of the previous season and shares his excitement for the new year. He discusses his current reading journey, highlighting books like "A Man Without a Country" by Kurt Vonnegut and "The Last Picture Show" by Larry McMurtry. Chris emphasizes the importance of approaching literature with curiosity and intention, inviting listeners to join his Patreon community for deeper discussions. He also shares his predictions for the literary landscape in 2026, including an increase in male readership, the rise of audiobooks, and the potential for Karl Ove Knausgaard to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Throughout the episode, Chris encourages audience engagement by asking for their reading recommendations and predictions.
6: Alysha Fortune Reads
SummaryIn this conversation, Alysha Fortune shares her deep admiration for the book 'Red Rising,' highlighting Darrow's character development and the emotional depth of the narrative. The discussion touches on …
Show notes
Summary
In this conversation, Alysha Fortune shares her deep admiration for the book 'Red Rising,' highlighting Darrow's character development and the emotional depth of the narrative. The discussion touches on the political intrigue and parallels to 'Game of Thrones,' showcasing the story's complexity and its characters.
Takeaways
- Red Rising is Alysha's favorite book of all time.
- Darrow's character undergoes significant growth throughout the series.
- The sixth book offers a more introspective look at Darrow.
- The political maneuvering in Red Rising is reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
- The story features a complex web of factions and conflicts.
- Alysha appreciates the emotional highs and lows in the narrative.
- Character arcs are crucial for engaging storytelling.
- The series explores themes of war and politics on a grand scale.
- Alysha values the depth of emotion in character development.
- Darrow's evolution keeps the story fresh and engaging.
Substack subscribers get 2-day early access to all newly released episodes, as well as access to the subscriber-only Discord server. You can upgrade your subscription with a 25% LIFETIME discount here.
Follow Chris on socials @chrisreadsbooks
Follow Alysha on socials @AlyshaFortuneReads
If you're enjoying the show, please like, rate, and subscribe. This helps grow the show and expose it to new listeners, which in turn helps us put more into the show to provide a greater experience for you, the listener.
5. Sam Luke
A captivating discussion with Sam, also known as @headyreads (Instagram & TikTok), about his journey in the BookTok and Bookstagram niche, his viral growth, and the impact of diverse reading. The conversation …
Show notes
A captivating discussion with Sam, also known as @headyreads (Instagram & TikTok), about his journey in the BookTok and Bookstagram niche, his viral growth, and the impact of diverse reading. The conversation explores the importance of connecting with literature, the role of social media in promoting reading, and the personal experiences that shape one's reading journey.
Follow Sam on all socials @headyreads
BookTok, History & Literature w/ Josh Johnson
In this engaging episode of the Uncommon Reader podcast, host Chris Dougherty sits down with Josh Johnson, the insightful mind behind the Compendium podcast. Together, they delve into the intricacies of …
Show notes
In this engaging episode of the Uncommon Reader podcast, host Chris Dougherty sits down with Josh Johnson, the insightful mind behind the Compendium podcast. Together, they delve into the intricacies of creating compelling content, the challenges of balancing history and literature, and their shared experience of reading Don DeLillo's "White Noise." Join them as they explore the art of storytelling, the importance of community-driven content, and the future of their creative endeavors. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that bridges the worlds of history and literature.
Follow Josh on socials @JoshReadsBooks
Subscribe to Josh on Substack here.
Listen to Compendium here.
Join the Substack Community for two-day early access to podcast episodes, the private Discord community, and more here!
Follow Chris on socials @chrisreadsbooks
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A Journey Through Literature
In this episode of the Uncommon Reader podcast, hosts Chris and his wife Cate discuss their reading updates for October and their plans for November.They explore the importance of literature in fostering …
Show notes
In this episode of the Uncommon Reader podcast, hosts Chris and his wife Cate discuss their reading updates for October and their plans for November.
They explore the importance of literature in fostering empathy and understanding, the role of an English teacher in cultivating a love of reading, and the impact of personal experiences on readers’ journeys.
The conversation highlights the importance of discussing literary works and how content creation can inspire others to engage with books.
Follow Chris on socials @chrisreadsbooks
Join the Bindery Community here.
Subscribe on Substack here.
Follow Cate on socials @cozycate
Engaging with Literature: A Conversation with Clare Yeo (@ClassicallyClare)
In this engaging conversation, Chris Dougherty interviews Clare, the creator behind Classically Claire, who discusses her mission to promote literature and critical reading. They explore the impact of social …
Show notes
In this engaging conversation, Chris Dougherty interviews Clare, the creator behind Classically Claire, who discusses her mission to promote literature and critical reading. They explore the impact of social media on literature, the importance of intentional content creation, and the challenges of engaging with complex texts. Clare shares insights on the role of fiction in understanding humanity, the influence of celebrity on literature, and the complexities of separating art from the artist. The discussion also touches on the significance of reading in today's society and the nuances of moral judgments in literature.
Subscribe to Chris on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisdougherty?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Follow Chris on all socials @chrisreadsbooks
Follow Clare on all socials @classicallyclare
Welcome to The Uncommon Reader Podcast!
Welcome to The Uncommon Reader Podcast, where we explore literature through the lens of study. Today's episode will be one of three launch episodes for the show, with today's episode featuring titles such as …
Show notes
Welcome to The Uncommon Reader Podcast, where we explore literature through the lens of study.
Today's episode will be one of three launch episodes for the show, with today's episode featuring titles such as:
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
White Noise by Don Delillo
Yr Dead by Sam Sax
Tombstone by Tom Clavin
The Revolutionary Temper by Robert Darnton
and many more.
Subscribe and follow here:
TikTok: @chrisreadsbook
Instagram: @chrisiscurrentlyreading
Substack: @chrisdougherty
YouTube: @chrisiscurrentlyreading
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