Redeeming Reads

30/03/2024

This past month on the podcast Taylor and Dylan discussed this complex classic by Oscar Wilde. We discuss the moral extremes of hedonism and moralism, the nightmarish nature of sin, and psychological fiction.

Also, Dylan tells an embarrassing coffee shop story, we get controversial, and become self-aware of our own biases. Listen wherever you find your podcasts.

18/02/2024

Taylor and Dylan barely make it to the lighthouse in this episode on the classic work by Virginia Woolf. We discuss stream of consciousness narrative, Virginia’s self projection into the novel, and the importance of parenting and marriage.

Also Taylor finds dark coffee beans he enjoys, while Dylan share an experience with smoky tea leaves. Grab your own hot beverage and tune into this episode of Redeeming Reads.

20/12/2023

In this episode, Taylor and Dylan read the original Nutcracker story, a Christmas children’s classic that is a much darker tale than the popular ballet. They discuss the themes of societal rejection and childlike imagination, as well as the contrast between the beatiful and the grotesque. Taylor discusses anaerobic processed coffee. Dylan experiences deja vu. What does this story have in common with Franz Kafka, Alexandre Dumas, and Belsnickel? Does translation impact an author’s meaning? And why are German fairytales always so creepy? Find out on this episode of Redeeming Reads.

03/12/2023

This past month on the podcast Dylan and Taylor discuss this classic romance set in Edwardian England. A Room With a View explores the relationships of a young woman constrained by societal expectations.

We discuss restriction and freedom, the illusion of romantic love, and surprising literary devices. We also discuss connections to Hallmark movies, Jane Austin, and The Office.

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

20/10/2023

Happy October! This month on the podcast Dylan and Taylor jump into this early American scary short story by Washington Irving.

Nestled in a small New York town, Sleepy Hollow is a place with “local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions” of which the scariest is the Headless Horseman.🎃

Join us as we discuss longing for the supernatural, why we like to be afraid, and practical jokes. Also, Taylor judges Dylan’s taste in coffee pairing and Dylan buys a new coffee machine.☕️

Available wherever you get your podcasts!

04/10/2023

Taylor and Dylan jump into the Shakespearean world of medieval Scotland—complete with witches, prophecies, and murder—as they discuss the famous play, Macbeth. They discuss themes of guilt, temptation, and justice. Learn Taylor’s thoughts on French press coffee and what Shakespeare and Star Wars have on common in this episode of Redeeming Reads.

16/09/2023

This month on the podcast Dylan and Taylor discuss the saddest story we have ever heard. The Good Soldier investigates the adulterous world of the wealthy in the early 20th century. We discuss discontentment associated with wealth, literary Impressionism, and chaos caused by infidelity.

Also featuring: the relationship between tastebuds and memory, coffee with tropical vibes, and famous author-friendships.

Available wherever you find your podcasts!

12/09/2023

This past month on the podcast Dylan and Taylor discussed The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

We consider the angsty life of Holden Caulfield during a dark period in his life, while reflecting on the impact of the gospel on depression, brokenness, and feeling lost in the world.

Also, we debate the semantics of juice boxes vs juice bags and r he benefits of owning an AeroPress.

Join us on this humorous and bleak exploration of human nature in the teenage years! Available wherever you find your podcasts.

21/07/2023

On this episode of Redeeming Reads Dylan and Taylor theologize about Paradise Lost by John Milton.

We discuss whether God can be both just and sovereign, wether Satan is portrayed as the “good guy”, and the intersection of art and Christian theology.

We also become self-aware about our philosophy of interpretation and review the pros and cons of putting olive oil in your coffee.

Join us wherever you get your podcasts!
🍎🌳👫 👹👼

02/06/2023

On this episode of the podcast we get trancendental. We discuss simple living, the rhythms of nature and wisdom, and solitude. Taylor is uncultured and nostalgic. Dylan is put off by pretentiousness and learns about tracking people.

Consider with us the relationship between the gospel and environmentalism, pantheism, and natural revelation in this classic by Henry David Thoreau.

Available wherever you find your podcasts!⛰️

02/05/2023

Murder! Intrigue! Mystery! This month on the podcast Dylan and Taylor discuss this classic by the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie.

We discuss the human desire for justice, murder and the story of redemption, and our fascination with true crime. Meanwhile, Taylor drinks mediocre coffee and Dylan drinks coffee that tastes of grapes.

Join us wherever you find your podcasts! 🔪🎧

29/03/2023

This month on the podcast Taylor and Dylan discuss this Eastern military classic by Sun Tzu. Do you need to know how to defeat your enemies with fire or navigate armies on rough terrain? This is the book for you!

Join us as we consider Christian deception, pacifism, and why you should behave like water.

Listen wherever you find your podcasts!

01/03/2023

Catch-22 is a satire World War II novel that is equally hilarious as it is devastating. Taylor and Dylan discuss wartime ethics, our generation’s obsession with postmodern humor (in memes), and the frustrating realities of bureaucratic incompetence. What do Dwight Schrute, Charles Spurgeon, and Wes Anderson have in common? Find out in this week’s episode.

31/01/2023

In this episode, Taylor and Dylan discuss William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. Though it steals it’s title from Shakespeare, it dispenses with almost all standard literary conventions. Faulkner’s deliberate rule-breaking of grammar, punctuation, and chronology provide a unique story-telling expierence. How can a confusing and dark story can help us reflect better upon the more uncomfortable or unsavory passages within Scripture? How do we dealing with the failings and corruption in our world and in our own selves? A new coffee tasting note is discovered in Taylor’s cup. Dylan tries a different type of brew. Taylor opens up about a childhood sword fight. Find out more in this episode of Redeeming Reads.

11/12/2022

Merry Christmas from ! We hope you will join us in celebrating the season with this classic ghost story from Charles Dickens.

Taylor and Dylan discuss hope, redemption, and greed though this parabolic story about Ebenezer Scrooge. We also answer questions like—why is A Christmas Carol still so compelling in our culture today? How should we be generous in this season? How should we think about the consequences of our actions?

Listen with us soon wherever you find your podcasts!

19/11/2022

Dylan and Taylor discuss Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic American novel “The Scarlet Letter” in this episode. They discuss the Hawthorne’s fascination and dissagreement with his Puritan heritage and consider various interpretations (and misinterpretations) of this novel. They discuss the themes of sin, guilt, and confession. On one hand, this is a classic work of literary Romanticism, but can it also be —as Dr. Leland Ryken upholds—considered a “Christian” Classic? Find out in November’s episode of Redeeming Reads.

04/04/2022

30/03/2022

Coming soon on the podcast Dylan and Taylor will be discussing The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck! Get ready for the great American novel featuring: Okies, dust, turtles, and ironically, not many grapes.

Listen wherever you find your podcasts: https://anchor.fm/redeeming-reads

25/02/2022

23/02/2022

https://open.spotify.com/show/2B0JDCgOcv5ai5GW2lAyHG?si=46cdd25c50ca4c63

Listen to Redeeming Reads on Spotify. A podcast interpreting classic novels through the light of the gospel.

23/02/2022

Welcome to Redeeming Reads! We are a podcast started by Taylor Gilbert and Dylan Berridge that seeks to interpret classic novels in light of the gospel.

We have enjoyed reading and discussing classic novels together since our high school years. Through our exploration of many great novels and authors, we have discovered our Christian lives enriched by the stories they tell of the human condition. We now want to share our reflections with you and hope you will read and listen with us.

Our podcasts can be found on Facebook (on mobile devices only), on Spotify (link below), Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2B0JDCgOcv5ai5GW2lAyHG?si=46cdd25c50ca4c63