In the high-pressure world of higher education, where the reading load is basically infinite, students (and, erm, certain columnists) may not have time to read a book every week or if they do, they may not want to spend their previous free time further destroying their eyesight. Luckily, in the age of modern technology, it's now possible to get the delight that comes from reading in an audio format. Podcasts, you see, are pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Obviously, nothing can ever replace reading as a fulfilling and enjoyable pursuit. Podcasts, however, can fill the creative void when we simply don't have the energy to keep our eyes open, let alone to open up a book.
But in terms of audio quality, subject matter and sheer ingenuity, not all podcasts are created equal. Here is a breakdown of the major categories of podcasts, including my personal favorites in each genre. Happy listening!
The Fiction Podcast
If you're in the mood for a little story time, but don't feel like running to the library or browsing the bookstore, a good podcast can provide a quick fiction fix. Try The New Yorker's fiction podcast, which brings in big-name authors to select and read stories from the magazine's fiction archives. The authors who narrate including writers as diverse as Junot Diaz and Louise Erdrich '76 choose stories by writers they admire. Prominent authors, it turns out, have pretty good taste in books.
The best part of this podcast is the post-reading interview conducted by host and New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman. Treisman is clearly well-versed in fiction, and she almost always sparks an enlightening dialogue about the story. Certainly, the opportunity to hear a talented author expound on a story he or she feels strongly about adds to listeners' enjoyment of the piece. The opportunity to hear writers discuss work that is not their own work that they like is both rare and exciting. Plus, it's kind of amusing to hear famous authors being grilled as if they're in a high school English class.
For slightly lower-profile fiction, check out Public Radio International's "Selected Shorts Podcast" or KQED's "The Writer's Block Podcast." "Selected Shorts" includes short fiction read (quite well) by prominent stage and movie actors, while KQED's podcast gives authors the chance to read excerpts from their own work.
Variety Shows
"This American Life," hosted by the god-like Ira Glass, is iTunes' most-downloaded podcast, so the forthcoming ode may be redundant. Oh well.
The weekly radio program produced by Chicago Public Radio is at times poignant, at times troubling and often just plain hilarious. Organized around a different theme each week, the show uses essays, interviews, short stories, stand-up comedy, poetry, musical excerpts, memoirs and much more to probe its topic. To give you some idea of the show's sheer dynamism, recent episode titles have included "Frenemies, "Iraq after Us, "Crybabies" (about crooks on Wall Street) and "Million Dollar Idea."
The program tackles all-out war and petty cat fights with equal insight and tact. It has made me cry tears of laughter and sorrow. It has inspired me with incredible stories of perseverance and survival (such as the story of a family, on the run from the police, living peacefully on a boat) and quiet human connection (a man reconnecting with his childhood babysitter and learning about himself in the process). And unfailingly, it has made me think. Every episode in the show's 15-year history is available for free streaming in the program's online archives.
Another variety show podcast is put out by live storytelling organization The Moth. "The Moth Podcast" includes stories by established authors (recently, Bliss Broyard and Meg Wolitzer), by celebrities (such as Steve from "Blue's Clues" relating the tale of his disastrous date with a Playboy model) and by ordinary people who compete in the podcast's StorySLAM competitions.
Interviews
Admittedly, I don't think listening to an interview can really replicate the sensation of reading a book. There are many great interview podcasts, however, that can help you to find new reading material. "Book Lust" with Nancy Pearl, for example, brings you interviews with authors by a woman who is possibly the coolest librarian in existence. The New York Times and NPR also put out excellent weekly book-related podcasts, keeping you up-to-date with the newest releases in both fiction and nonfiction.
