What is Fireside Reading?
Fireside Reading is a way to slow down, reconnect with the timeless wisdom of great books and rediscover the simple pleasure of being read to.
Husband and wife, Gildart Jackson and Melora Hardin, invite you relax in front of a crackling fire and enjoy the experience of being transported by fireside storytelling.
“From the beginning it has always been a love story. A love for stories, and a love for reading these stories out loud.”
GILDART JACKSON
Listen to Our Story
We had a storytelling vision we wanted to share with everyone.
This is how it all happened.
3 minute story
The Story of Fireside Reading
Fireside Reading was birthed into the world because of the pandemic! When the lockdown hit, Gildart Jackson started offering free and unabridged Fireside Readings of classic books to all, live on Instagram and YouTube.
“I imagined my mother sitting at home, alone in England. Sadly she’s no longer with us but if she had been the lockdown would have been devastating for her, so I wanted to try to help everyone with something that I’m good out - reading out loud,” offers Gildart.
Being read to is one of the oldest forms of entertainment. Storytelling, in front of the fire, is primal and we think this is the reason why Fireside Reading has grown so quickly.
Gildart’s wife and collaborator, Melora proudly continues, “Gildart has a warmth and magnetism that radiates comfort and friendship. And our daughters are involved too - Rory does some of the illustrations and Piper writes and performs the songs - so it’s a true family affair. These are the wonderful books we read to our children. But we know how hard it is to always find the time to read to your kids so we’ve done it for you! Fireside Reading is a perfect antidote to the turbulent times we all find ourselves in.”
Gildart and Melora live in Los Angeles with their two daughters Rory and Piper, and the whole family works on Fireside Reading - Gildart reads, Melora directs, Rory draws the illustrations, Piper writes and performs the songs. Fireside Reading is a true family affair.
MEET GILDART JACKSON
Gildart Jackson played Giles the Butler/Host of the acclaimed NBC hit series "Whodunnit!" and is known by many as Gideon from "Charmed" and Simon Prentiss on "General Hospital." He currently stars as Ian Carlyle in Freeform’s "The Bold Type”, as Flyseyes on Netflix’s "Castlevania,” and as The Major in “Hellsing Ultimate”. He was recently announced as the voice of Alfred Pennyworth in the new Batman video game, Gotham Knights.
In addition the British actor has narrated over 300 Audiobooks, won an Audie and multiple Earphones Awards and been nominated for multiple Audie Awards and Audiobook Listener Awards.
He is married to Melora Hardin and they have two daughters named Rory and Piper and a cat and dog named Barnaby and Lollie.
When asked why he and Melora started Fireside Reading, Gildart said, “We hope that offering this while we are all stuck at home might be a solace to some who feel lonely and provide a little gentle entertainment in uncertain times."
MEET MELORA HARDIN
In a career that spans more than 40 years, you’ll recognize Melora as Jan Levinson from The Office and her Emmy nominated role as Tammy Cashman in Transparent. Also, films like 17 Again, 27 Dresses, and The Hannah Montana Movie. She recently starred in the first ever one-woman movie, Golden Vanity due for release in 2021 and she stars in Freeform’s hit, The Bold Type, which is in a fifth and final season. Directing credits include The Bold Type, the feature film You and with her partners at Morgan Freeman’s production company, Revelations Entertainment, Melora is currently shopping a four part documentary series she directed and is also in, called Thunder, Hunter & Me.
She is also thrilled and proud to be currently directing the amazing Fireside Reading series starring her wonderful husband, Gildart Jackson.