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CraftLit — Arts
CraftLit

CraftLit — Annotated Audiobooks for Busy People

Love classic literature…or wish you did?

CraftLit is a weekly podcast featuring classic audiobook chapters paired with entertaining literary commentary that makes great books easier—and more fun—to understand. Host Heather Ordover explains historical references, vocabulary, and cultural context before each chapter so listeners can fully enjoy the story.

Think of it as a global book club for classic literature, perfect for listening while commuting, crafting, walking, or doing chores.

CraftLit has been in continuous weekly production since 2006, making it one of the longest-running literature podcasts. Listeners also send in voicemail comments that keep the show feeling like a lively reading group.

Authors featured include:

• Jane Austen
• Mark Twain
• Elizabeth Gaskell
• Mary Shelley
• Wilkie Collins
• Alexandre Dumas
• Robert Louis Stevenson

Recent and current readings include Mark Twain’s Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc and Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford.

Classic audiobooks—because loving great books in a busy world is tough.

Copyright: © (c) 2006-2019 Heather Ordover

Latest Episodes:

643: Chs 54-55 — The Three Musketeers Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Ep. 643: Giving Mood!

Book talk begins @ 5:07

Wellp...Milady's still in captivity.

Isis Astarte Diana, Eketa Demeter, Kali, Inana
Eloa ou la Soeur des Anges Éloa by Alfred de Vigny (translated by Alan D. Corré)

CraftLit Bulletin Board

CraftLit in Denmark and Sweden Tour (May 20-30, 2024)

Get on a plane and go through the artistic and literary heart of Denmark and Sweden with Heather! Visit the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen to enchanting landscapes that have inspired world-famous authors, we promise this Nordic adventure will be worth it 😁 Link to the brochure

If you need help, feel free to call Holiday Vacations at 1-888-867-2190

*CraftLit's Socials*

• Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel

• Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

• Podcast site: http://craftlit.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftLit/

• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/craftlit/

• TikTok podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@craftlit

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Previous CraftLit Classics can be found here: https://bit.ly/craftlit-library-2023

*SUPPORT THE SHOW!*

• CraftLit App Premium feed bit.ly/libsynpremiumcraftlit (only one tier available)

• PATREON: https://patreon.com/craftlit (all tiers, below)

——Walter Harright - $5/mo for the same audio as on App

——Jane Eyre - $10/mo for even-month Book Parties

——Mina Harker - $15/mo for odd-month Watch Parties

*All tiers and benefits are also available as*

—*YouTube Channel Memberships*

—*Ko-Fi* https://ko-fi.com/craftlit

—*NEW* at CraftLit.com — Premium Memberships https://craftlit.com/membership-levels/

*IF you want to join a particular Book or Watch Patry but you don't want to join any of the above membership options*, please use PayPal.me/craftlit or CraftLit @ Venmo and include what you want to attend in the message field. Please give us at least 24 hours to get your message and add you to the attendee list.

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

Eighth Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Eighth Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

On the eighth day of CraftLit, we've got a delightful triple treat! First up, we've got the dramatized charm of "Christmas Every Day" by William Dean Howells,. Then, explore the profound connection between Christmas and the spirit of democracy in "Christmas and the Spirit of Democracy" by Samuel McCord Crothers. Finally, join the fun and enchantment of Raymond Aiden's "Why the Chimes Rang"!

If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit DAY 3: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/third-day-of-craftlit DAY 4: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fourth-day-of-craftlit DAY 5: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fifth-day-of-craftlit DAY 6: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/sixth-day-of-craftlit DAY 7: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/seventh-day-of-craftlit

DAY EIGHT

Christmas Every Day (2007)

By: William Dean Howells - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/97

From: Christmas Every Day and Other Stories - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22519

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22519.html.images

Read by: Brian Hostick & Jessica Mells - http://www.archive.org/download/christmasshortworks_2014_1412_librivox/csw14_21_christmaseveryday_64kb.mp3

Christmas and the Sprit of Democracy (1908)

By: Samuel McCord Crothers - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/6347

From: By the Christmas Fire - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20953

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20953.html.images

Read by: Andrew Ordover - https://brokenhand.substack.com/p/my-new-book

Why the Chimes Rang (1909)

By: Raymond Macdonald Alden - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/35753

Producer: Duncan MacDougald, Jr.

From: Why the Chimes Rang

eText: https://christmasstories.org/why-the-chimes-rang/#:~:text=(Summary%3A%20In%20%E2%80%9CWhy%20the,witness%20the%20church's%20wondrous%20service

Read by: Ted Malone, Dick Leibert - https://archive.org/details/78_why-the-chimes-rang-part-2_ted-malone-raymond-alden-duncan-macdougald-jr-dick-l_gbia0062487/_78_why-the-chimes-rang-part-2_ted-malone-raymond-alden-duncan-macdougald-jr-dick-l_gbia0062487b_03_2.8_CT_flat.flac

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Seventh Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Seventh Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

On the seventh day of CraftLit, join us for a CraftLit Exclusive: 'A Spin for the Ages' by Bob Greenberger. This not-so-typical holiday story features a young boy, a devilish opponent, and a dreidel game that might just spin his fate.

If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit DAY 3: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/third-day-of-craftlit DAY 4: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fourth-day-of-craftlit DAY 5: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fifth-day-of-craftlit DAY 6: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/sixth-day-of-craftlit

DAY SEVEN

A Spin for the Ages (2023)

By: Bob Greenberger https://bobgreenberger.com/ https://www.crazy8press.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bob.greenberger https://twitter.com/bobgreenberger

Read by: Aiden Ordover

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Sixth Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Sixth Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

On the sixth day of CraftLit, we dive into a heart-warming tale by Elizabeth Gaskell - "Christmas Storms & Sunshine." Enjoy the story!

CraftLit: North and South https://craftlit.com/book/north-south/

The Brontes: Wild Genius on the Moors: The Story of a Literary Family https://amzn.to/4amASfi

If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit DAY 3: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/third-day-of-craftlit DAY 4: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fourth-day-of-craftlit DAY 5: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fifth-day-of-craftlit

DAY SIX

Christmas Storms & Sunshine (1848)

By: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell - https://librivox.org/author/4108

From: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28636

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28636/pg28636-images.html

Read by: Ruth Golding - https://librivox.org/reader/2607

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Fifth Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Fifth Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

On this fifth day of merriment, we're unwrapping a literary treasure that promises to captivate your imagination – "The Truce of God" by the talented Mary Roberts Rhinehart. World War I novel: The Amazing Interlude - https://americanliterature.com/author/mary-roberts-rinehart/book/the-amazing-interlude/summary If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit DAY 3: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/third-day-of-craftlit DAY 4: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/fourth-day-of-craftlit

DAY FIVE

The Truce of God (1920)

By: Mary Roberts Rinehart - https://librivox.org/author/286

From: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14573

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14573/pg14573-images.html

Read by: Mary Ann Spiegel - https://librivox.org/reader/3645

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Fourth Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 17, 2023

Show notes

Fourth Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

Welcome back to the 12 Days of CraftLit! Today, we're diving into the enchanting tale of The Christmas Scene at Camelot of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". It's romance with a capital R and maybe a touch of holiday magic. If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit DAY 3: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/third-day-of-craftlit

DAY FOUR

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - "Christmas Scene at Camelot"— Middle English (1839)

By: Anonymous Pearl Poet - https://librivox.org/author/19

From: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14568

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14568/pg14568-images.html

Middle English read by: Martin Geeson - https://librivox.org/reader/3595

Modern English read by: Euan Bartlett CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Third Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

Third Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

On this third day of CraftLit, we're diving into a festive double feature: Mrs. Charles J Woodbury's "The Potato Child" and O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi." Cozy up for an evening of holiday magic and heartwarming narratives that will leave you with a warm glow and the joy of the season.

Thank you to Jennifer and Alix for suggesting the stories! If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit DAY 2: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/second-day-of-craftlit

You can grab the annotated audiobook (without the crafty chats) of O. Henry's Gift of the Magi here.

DAY THREE

The Potato Child (1910)

By: Mrs. Charles J Woodbury (Full name: Lucia Prudence Hall Woodbury) - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1833

From: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5662

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5662/pg5662-images.html

Read by: Heather Ordover

Gift of the Magi (1905)

By: O. Henry - https://librivox.org/author/421

From: https://librivox.org/christmas-short-works-collection-2008/

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/7256/pg7256-images.html

Read by: Carol Stripling - https://librivox.org/reader/3314

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

Second Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Second Day of CraftLit

LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgunNjBjOxo&ab AUDIO ONLY: https://craftlit.com/1st-day-2023/

Welcome back to the second day of the Twelve Days of CraftLit, and in this one, we are covering the second half of Jerome K. Jerome's "Told After Supper". So sit back, relax, and enjoy! If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory:

DAY 1: https://craftlit.libsyn.com/first-day-of-craftlit

You can grab the annotated audiobook (without the crafty chats) of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat here.

DAY TWO

Told After Supper (1891)

By: Jerome K. Jerome - https://librivox.org/author/529

From: https://librivox.org/told-after-supper-by-jerome-k-jerome/

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1993/pg1993-images.html

Read by: Ruth Golding - https://librivox.org/reader/2607

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

642: Chs 52-53 — The Three Musketeers Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Ep. 642: Tie That Chi Into a Merry Little Bow!

Book talk begins @ 5:23

How to survive captivity (with Milady): Master the art of dramatic faints, flirty banter, and surprise serenades!

Radiolab's "The Interstitium"
Day One of the Twelve Days of CraftLit

CraftLit Bulletin Board

CraftLit in Denmark and Sweden Tour (May 20-30, 2024)

Get on a plane and go through the artistic and literary heart of Denmark and Sweden with Heather! Visit the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen to enchanting landscapes that have inspired world-famous authors, we promise this Nordic adventure will be worth it 😁 Link to the brochure

If you need help, feel free to call Holiday Vacations at 1-888-867-2190

*CraftLit's Socials*

• Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel

• Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

• Podcast site: http://craftlit.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftLit/

• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/craftlit/

• TikTok podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@craftlit

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Previous CraftLit Classics can be found here: https://bit.ly/craftlit-library-2023

*SUPPORT THE SHOW!*

• CraftLit App Premium feed bit.ly/libsynpremiumcraftlit (only one tier available)

• PATREON: https://patreon.com/craftlit (all tiers, below)

——Walter Harright - $5/mo for the same audio as on App

——Jane Eyre - $10/mo for even-month Book Parties

——Mina Harker - $15/mo for odd-month Watch Parties

*All tiers and benefits are also available as*

—*YouTube Channel Memberships*

—*Ko-Fi* https://ko-fi.com/craftlit

—*NEW* at CraftLit.com — Premium Memberships https://craftlit.com/membership-levels/

*IF you want to join a particular Book or Watch Patry but you don't want to join any of the above membership options*, please use PayPal.me/craftlit or CraftLit @ Venmo and include what you want to attend in the message field. Please give us at least 24 hours to get your message and add you to the attendee list.

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

First Day of CraftLit (2023) Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

First Day of CraftLit

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we've got something special lined up for you—twelve days of festive cheer, cozy tales, and holiday magic!

Today marks the kickoff of our 12 Days of CraftLit, and we're diving first into the timeless charm of Jerome K. Jerome's classic short story, "Told After Supper."

You can grab the annotated audiobook (without the crafty chats) of Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat here.

DAY ONE

Told After Supper (1891)

By: Jerome K. Jerome - https://librivox.org/author/529

From: https://librivox.org/told-after-supper-by-jerome-k-jerome/

eText: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1993/pg1993-images.html

Read by: Ruth Golding - https://librivox.org/reader/2607

CraftLit's socials:

Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9

Podcast site: http://craftlIt.comTwitter: @CraftLit Facebook: http://facebook.com/craftlitFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/craftlit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftlit-channel/

• Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app)

• Call 1-206-350-1642

• Email: heather@craftlit.com

• Use our SpeakPipe Page!

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