We discuss the very talented Joan Didion in our latest episode, along with the very talented Tom Ripley.
https://spotify.link/oQT2DrRFiJb
We discuss the very talented Joan Didion in our latest episode, along with the very talented Tom Ripley.
https://spotify.link/oQT2DrRFiJb
This week we're reviewing the latest Ripley adaptation, and discussing two essays from prominent 20th century writers. We begin by discussing a short bookish essay by Christopher Hitchens and then review Joan Didion's essay on John Wayne. And lastly, we heap all kinds of praise on the Ripley series debuting on Netflix. Fun episode for everybody. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kvnE6tTbuj6YNRkk8E0s1
One of the best books ever written on people and what motivated them and why they do what they do. Hitchens is the writer who put me onto Powell.
New episode just posted!. “A Question of Upbringing“ is challenging too describe and even recommend broadly, but as we discuss characters, themes, and plot lines we find there is so much to enjoy and love from this 20th century classic. A rewarding read that favors a curious and patient reader. As always, thanks for listening and supporting us. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lRhur5LEnNqWmkjxvcCOj
Just a look at some of the times mentioned in our latest episode "An April TBR Extravaganza"
https://spotify.link/dPMcHUjFQIb
Spring is upon us and what better way to celebrate than to add to our TBR? This month we decided to add a “dad bio“ and a bestseller to our TBR but the real question is did we add just two books? Lots of fun this week, with a great list of books discussed. Matt's question to everybody is, “Are we at a TBR tipping point?“ As always thanks for listening and supporting us!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1XqrWylOjG1cKCYS6aqcow
Some more potential Dad Bios
Doing a segment on Dad Bios/Dad History. Wondering if any of these count?
It's that time again, to pick our favorites from the last year. What was our favorite book? Who wrote our favorite prose? Who was the best villain? Join us for our annual Book Oscars! We have those categories plus lots more. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our selections by reaching out to us on our socials. As always thanks for listening!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7at8MqW5aS6Yin4N3YJRts
About to dip into my first Capote
We almost decided to read these. Ended up going in another direction.
Are we clowns? Do we not discuss books in a serious enough manner? We discuss these questions plus two more short works from Franz Kafka and Paul Bowles. And finally, we nominate books for March. In typical fashion, we select more than one book! Thanks for listening!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kLNUTuh7WeCJuJtylfESH
Thinking about maybe reading some of these
The official prop bets for Dorothy Sayers' The Nine Tailors are up! For those unfamiliar, we have a list of things that we think may happen in the book and you can bet on them like you would with sports!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/9-tailors-prop-100297249?utm_medium=clipboard_copy...
We are back with a jam packed episode! First off, we discuss the massive 2005 hit, “The Historian“ by Elizabeth Kostova. We gave inklings that one of us didn't like the book and Peter details why. And we go from there. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BA5kmuvztPZiDsW5fjOqa
Just released a new Patreon episode! We select a Golden Age mystery to read and talk about some random books, including the two that are pictured. And, just a reminder, new patrons will receive a fancy mug!
https://patreon.com/therewillbebooks?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm...
We have a fantastic novel to discuss this week. Laurent Binet's debut novel “HHhH“ has been on both our radars since its release over a decade ago and our high expectations were met and exceeded by this brilliant, thrilling, and important book. We highly recommend this book and we hope you enjoy our conversation about all things “HHhH.“
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJ0Hwirv08rBPPHBry1oQ
We approached our latest book selection episode the way you'd approach a buffet. Taking a little of each item that suits your fancy. We wound up choosing a wide array of essays and short stories to read and we learned some new things about each other. Like the fact that Peter has never seen a John Wayne movie. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1iVZFYwbYGbWFNcU3Fb68l?si=vBLV3DnxSqq4HO6fDWgI4...
We came in with a plan to add some shorter works to our TBR, and because of Matt's ear infection and because Peter can't help himself, we added two novellas and six essays/short stories. Reasonable, right? Lots of interesting nominations this week so be sure to grab a pen and paper. As always thanks for listening. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1iVZFYwbYGbWFNcU3Fb68l
It's beyond cold outside and we've both been under the weather but we are back this week with our annual Flashman episode! We are discussing the fourth book in the series, “Flashman at the Charge.“ Perhaps the best of the series so far and a possible jumping off point for new readers to the series.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3eeYNPTxNgbPQSHi2pBoUe
Happy New Year!
We are back after a busy holiday season to talk Christmas movies! This year we both watched the 2000 movie, Reindeer Games. We discuss if the movie was as bad as everybody said and more. And finally, Peter discusses the stack of books he hauled and Matt talks about the mammoth book he got for Christmas. Let us know if you got any books over the holiday season.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0c0a0zjQIpuWHvqDgTJOF6
Some books discussed on our latest episode
We do many things in our latest episode. Select a December book of the month, dissect the modern educational system, and mull over starting a bumper sticker company. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PXIqw5GAPMVsxWIj1LN7g?si=V3ewPO6WRT-WwC2ICrg4W...
To close out another great year of book nominations, our December nominations are the best group yet. We could have picked a half dozen books to add to our TBR but we settled on a classic.
We also discuss Napoleon's education, attempt insightful analogies, and discuss upcoming Patreon content.
Thanks for listening and enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PXIqw5GAPMVsxWIj1LN7g
Getting some good feedback on our Burr part II episode. Tune in to hear us discuss the duel with Hamilton, the treason trial, and the murder of Helen Jewett.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/19gImjAVqnWmO6FLORbcBn?si=QH0lunDkSFiaoHIKk_wuU...
We are back this week to wrap up Burr by Gore Vidal. To finish up this entertaining and informative novel, we discuss Burr's duel with Hamilton and his treason charge. We discuss Vidal's plausible theories that he puts forth during this fascinating chapter in American history. High recommend for historical fiction fans. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/19gImjAVqnWmO6FLORbcBn
New episode is up over on Patreon! We tackle our latest Thriller Club selection, Steve Cavanagh's Thirteen. It has one of the better premises for a thriller we've seen in a while and well, we go from there. We also select a Christmas movie to review. The Patreon is a great way to support the show and subscriptions start a only three bucks a month. Enjoy!
https://www.patreon.com/therewillbebooks
New episode just posted! We catch up after a week off and discuss many things. Raw eggs in coffee, holistic shampoo, and mysterious vanishings. Then, we select another book to add to our increasingly out of control tbr. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qWDSVqSSkOJiTuSNx5eo3?si=pnUTKhWjSLGzY8AfkmZ5W...
Debating whether to do fiction or non fiction this month
Our episode on Jim Bouton's Ball Four just dropped! Although the revelations of baseball culture seem rather tame today, Bouton was a fantastic writer and the book was as entertaining a sports book as I have ever read.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3o6WFSCjvB0TLTX80po0MJ?si=6DLb0gbjS_-ht5yb47sDX...
This week's episode focuses on “Ball Four“ by Jim Bouton. A sensation, when it was released in 1970, we discuss how much Bouton's book still shocks and what seems relatively tame nowadays. A must read for baseball fans but Bouton's talent as a writer makes for an interesting read for not just the devoted fans of America's pastime.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3o6WFSCjvB0TLTX80po0MJ
Many moons ago Matt's dad insisted with we read “Jayber Crow“ by Wendell Berry, and this week we are ready to discuss this fantastic book and author. A great book to take your time reading, we unpack the life philosophies Berry seems to hold true as well as praise the beautiful prose and character development. A fantastic author that we hope to return too in the near future.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XFnxv8LK5u1aA963tHYGP
Doing a little episode prep with some guidance from my muse.
New episode just posted over on Patreon! We begin by discussing how some folks claim they could write better than Shakespeare if they had the time. We delve into why some tech types think along these lines and discuss why art isn't necessarily a measurable science. Then we get down to business with selecting our newest Thriller!
https://www.patreon.com/therewillbebooks
Just posted a new episode over on Patreon! We select a new legal thriller to read and mull over the notion that Shakespeare is overrated. It seems that some of the forward looking "tech bros" think so. Subscriptions start as low as three bucks a month and come with a cool coffee mug!
https://www.patreon.com/therewillbebooks
We begin this week with Matt trolling, Peter vowing to nominate sad books for six months, and end with our annual October tradition of nominating scary books. And as is wont to happen from time to time, we add more than one book this month! Thanks for listening. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sNsVgcQTSifI1E7D9Ec4D
We begin this week with a tale as old as time....cutting up couches. From there we dive into the brilliant 2013 novel, 'The Son' by Philipp Meyer. This is our second Meyer novel and it's safe to say we are big fans! So much to unpack in this sprawling epic novel and we had a great time diving in. We highly recommend this novel and hope you enjoy this episode.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bmW9R451GCEKdbjw9ilJp
I explain the context of this in our newest episode.
https://spotify.link/npY1k1k3EDb
We are very grateful to welcome back author, R.J. Jacobs back onto the podcast this week. His fantastic new dark academia murder mystery novel, “This is How We End Things,“ was recently released and we had a great time discussing the newest book and all things writing. We think you'll enjoy this one. Thanks for listening and happy reading.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Pzp6tuoHCdpOjF3KmJjoj
We were thrilled to have RJ Jacobs, author of the wonderful thriller This is How We End Things, on the show. We talk books, writing, and the publishing biz, among other things. It was a fun discussion and I highly recommend the book. Enjoy!
https://spotify.link/dpxw8KuPnDb
New episode just posted! We nominate some legal thrillers and select a new book to read for September. It's a light and breezy episode, perfect for the onset of fall. Enjoy!
https://spotify.link/SQqbxOsccDb
We combined two episodes into one this week. First, we nominate some legal thrillers for our thriller book club that we have a great time doing over on our patreon. (No pressure to join but our patreons get exclusive episodes and help us select books to read) And finally we nominate and select a new September book to read. Fun episode all around. Hope you enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HdN8G9WCSmra1v1EL8HwV
I've usually preferred to have my books vertical but I'm experimenting with stacked and horizontal. Still on the fence about it
Moving some books and shelves around. Good excuse to rearrange and recategorizing things. What are people's thoughts on going two rows deep on mass market paperbacks?