So Many Damn Books
A blessing, a curse, a podcast, since 2014.
Christopher (@cdhermelin) invites folks to the Damn Library to talk about reading, literature, publishing, and trying to make it through the never-dwindling stack of things to read. All with a themed drink in hand. Recorded at the Damn Library in Brooklyn, NY.
For show info, book lists, and drink recipes, follow @somanydamnbooks and visit somanydamnbooks.com
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25: Happy Birthday!
The gentlemen discuss their favorite book they've read for the podcast so far, a few books they'd like to see in the next Tournament of Books, and tell you how to win a copy of City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg. Amongst other things. 15...
30 min
202
24: Will Chancellor Strikes Back
With Drew under quarantine (he caught the plague), the guys call on Will Chancellor to step in. He returns to the Damn Library to go deep with Christopher on Jesse Ball's latest novel, "A Cure for Suicide". 15 Seconds of a Song: Del...
45 min
203
23: Vanessa Manko ("The Invention of Exile") & ...
Vanessa Manko drops in to talk about how writing is like dancing, her novel The Invention of Exile's editing journey, and they all discuss The English Patient, and suggest a novel they'd like to see made into a movie. Fifteen seconds...
42 min
204
22: Isaac Fitzgerald & "Infinite Home"
Isaac Fitzgerald skates by the Damn Library and joins the guys to talk about his Pen & Ink series, Kathleen Alcott's "Infinite Home", and the joys of recommending books. Hilarity ensues. Also maybe some 80s metal. Fifteen Seconds...
61 min
205
21: Summer. Reading.
The guys introduce a new segment ("Reading Comprehension"), which leads to some serious questions. They also discuss their summer reading habits, the Man Booker longlist, and Christopher continues to shame Drew for not reading "A Little Life".
28 min
206
20: Ferrante Fever / "My Brilliant Friend"
In which Drew and Christopher wonder what spumoni is (it's ice cream), talk about the books they bought, discuss Elena Ferrante and the first book in her Neapolitan saga, and they recommend books to each other, like usual. 15 seconds of a song:...
26 min
207
19: Comics / "Sex Criminals"
Summer break is over and the guys return to the Damn Library to discuss graphic novels, comics, brimping, and Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky's "Sex Criminals". 15 Seconds of a Song: "Desire", Years & Years
26 min
208
18: Saeed Jones ("Prelude to Bruise") & "Citize...
BuzzFeed Literary Editor Saeed Jones drops by the Damn Library to talk about his PEN/Joyce Osterweil Award-winning collection "Prelude to Bruise", Claudia Rankin's incendiary "Citizen: An American Lyric", and whether or not art can change the...
55 min
209
17: Lev Grossman & "Mrs. Dalloway"
In which Lev Grossman visits the Damn Library to talk about his Magicians trilogy and (one of his) favorite book(s) of all time: Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway". 15 Seconds of a Song: "Magic" by Ben Kweller
42 min
210
16: The Recommendation Game / "Whiskey Tango Fo...
The Guys discuss the business of recommending books, then they discuss Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, a @biblioracle recommendation.
31 min
211
15: Catherine Lacey
In which Catherine Lacey (author of "Nobody is Ever Missing") drops by the Manhattan branch of the Damn Library! Drinks are made, bathtubs are revealed, and escape is discussed (among many other things).
43 min
212
14: ToB Wrap-Up & Call-In
The guys chat with ToB Commish Kevin Guilfoile about the ToB and his writing, then get some friends from the commentariat on the phone including Neighbors73, BradMcGinty, Melanie, and itsonlyzach. The ToB is over, long live the ToB!
54 min
213
13: Tournament Gab / Jeff VanderMeer & "Annihil...
More Surprises and More Upsets in the Tournament! Jeff VanderMeer discusses "Annihilation" and the ToB! Predictions for the final! Featuring The Aquabats - Fight Song (still) and Laura Shigihara - Zombies On Your Lawn (from the Plants vs....
33 min
214
12: Tournament Talk / John Warner & "Tough Day ...
One year of Friendship Surprises and Upsets in the Tournament of Books John Warner talks his role in the tourney, McSweeney's, and "Tough Day for the Army" The Biblioracle Chooses a Book Recommendations Featuring The Aquabats - Fight Song (still)...
44 min
215
11: "A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall" by Will Ch...
ToB15 part one!
63 min
216
10: Event Books / "The Bone Clocks"
Guest Star: Luke Wiget Event Books "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell Recommendations Farewell to Luke and the DoctorDR studio
44 min
217
9: Audiobooks / "Everything I Never Told You" /...
Teaser Audiobooks "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng Interview: Emily St. John Mandel (author of "Station Eleven") Recommendations
51 min
218
8: KINGCAST!
Stephen King, Stephen King, Stephen King First King Favorite King Stephen King's "Revival" Recommendations
37 min
219
7: Non-Fiction / "Not That Kind of Girl"
Happy New Year! Non-Fiction Celebrity Memoirs "Not That Kind of Girl" by Lena Dunham Recommendations 15 Seconds of a Song: The Blow, "Come On Petunia" / The Guys Sing The Police
28 min
220
6: Literary Awards / "Missing Person"
Reading Habits Literary Awards Missing Person by Patrick Modiano Drew and Christopher's Top 5 of 2014 Lists 15 seconds of a song: DJ Deville's Auld Lang Syne Remix recorded at the Dr. Doctor studio in Brooklyn, NY.sound engineer: Luke Wiget
30 min
221
5: Pastiches / "The Beekeeper's Apprentice"
"A Christmas Carol" Postertext Giveaway (Tell your friends to listen to the show on social media and email us about it at somanydamnbooks@gmail.com to enter!) Holiday Stories Pastiches The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King Parting...
31 min
222
4: Gimmicks / "Horrorstör"
Holiday Theme Music! Second Chance Authors Gimmicks Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix Parting Recommendations recorded at the Dr. Doctor studio in Brooklyn, NY.sound engineer: Luke Wiget
22 min
223
3: Games / "Wolf in White Van"
The Future Library Project, Margaret Atwood, and authors we think should be included next Games in Books Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle Parting Recommendations recorded at the Dr. Doctor studio in Brooklyn, NY.sound engineer:...
28 min
224
2: Series / "Southern Reach" vs "The Magicians"
Welcome Back Kids Series to Revisit The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer & The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman Parting Recommendations recorded at the Dr. Doctor studio in Brooklyn, NY.sound engineer: Luke Wiget
25 min
225
1: Dystopia / "Station Eleven"
Introductions Classics Revisited Dystopia Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Parting Recommendations recorded at the Dr. Doctor studio in Brooklyn, NY.sound engineer: Luke Wiget
23 min