Smug Book Club

2022 was a long time ago, but that's not stopping the Smug Book Club boys from reflecting on the best books they read in that year! And trust ‘em, there are some absolute belters on this go-around.  The Buddha in the Attic — Julie Otsuka Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi One Hundred Years of Solitude — Gabriel García Márquez Death With Interruptions — José Saramago Story of Your Life and Others — Ted Chiang They — Kay Dick Make sure to follow the squad on Twitter (or X, I guess) and Instagram, just search @SmugBookClub.

Manga, eh? Anime, yeah? Why is it when the ‘Murricans get their grubby hands on it to adapt for their screens, they always seem to balls it up? Do they even know what they're doing with it? Is it all just a culture clash? Or is there a slither of merit in what they're creating? Callum and Ryan (somewhat) answer these questions, alongside their standard literature chit chat. Another author has stepped off this mortal coil, a different author earned their due in a most unexpected way, and a world-renowned postmodern author isn't impressing one member of the parish. Get stuck in!

Callum and Ryan are back again! In the spirit of chatting about more ai and some dodgy poetry, they thought they'd just let ChatGPT sort out this week's episode description. Enjoy! In the realm of words and stories, a tale unfolds, Where Very Novel's hosts bring insights untold. Callum and Ryan, their voices intertwined, Unveiling the podcast's latest episode in kind. They ventured into a literary terrain, Where politics and music's poets reign. Jeremy Corbyn and Drake, a curious pair, As they released their collections with scholarly flair. In the realm of AI, an intriguing sight, Generative books flooded Amazon's charted heights. Words birthed by algorithms, a digital dance, Weaving tales with a touch of artificial romance. But amidst the surge, a concern took hold, For TikTok's BookTok community, a tale untold. A publishing arm born, a worrisome sight, Where trends and algorithms might steer the write. Yet through it all, the hosts shed light, Discussing, dissecting, opinions taking flight. Very Novel's episode, a journey to explore, In the land where literature's tales do soar. So listen closely, dear friends, at the podcast's start, Where Callum and Ryan impart wisdom from the heart. A glimpse into a world where creativity thrives, Where spoken words weave tales that come alive.   Produced by: Callum Booth and Ryan Jay Edited by: Ryan Jay and Daniel Staley Music by: Daniel Staley

No podcast for sad men? Well, there's always this one. Cormac McCarthy died, and Ryan and Callum are bummed. But it's okay – they have each other to talk about the man's legacy and what made him so darn special. There's also some encyclopaedia chat, as well as an honest assessment of some kneejerk review bombing following Elizabeth Gilbert's decision to pull her upcoming Russia based book from publication. You can also expect the usual natter on what they're reading.   Produced by Callum Booth and Ryan Jay Edited by Daniel Staley Music by Daniel Staley

Yee-haw! It's time to saddle up for another Very Novel. Down at the ranch Callum and Ryan are rounding up the latest book stories for y'all. Like why are they banning the ol' bible in schools across the pond? Why are young fellas not getting the diverse reading they need? Why is Ulysses such a pain in the chaps to get through? And why did we make this episode description cowboy themed? Only one of those questions doesn't get answered. We also check in on our reading, and get embroiled in a book challenge despite swearing off them last episode. Produced by: Callum Booth and Ryan Jay Edited by: Ryan Jay and Daniel Staley Music by: Daniel Staley   

It's another round of Very Novel — and Ryan and Callum are snapping into the spines of some fresh book chat.   This week, we revel in the joy of a thriving independent bookshop scene, and contemplate the pitfalls of online reading challenges and book tracking. We pay our respects to Martin Amis — a dude we know virtually nothing about — while the Bradford Literature Festival is washing its hands clean of their AI artwork controversy. And did Ryan finish the 'Count of Monte Cristo?' Did Callum finish 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow?' You can only go and find out today.

Your boys are back with a fresh take at what's going on in the world of books. This week, a storm in a teacup involving Bradford Literature Festival and Midjourney has us anticipating the wider implications of AI in literature, we ponder the point of displaying fake books in your gaff, and what the hell are revered writers like Neil Gaiman getting up to in their spare time? (Spoiler: it's writing other things, mostly). We also check in on our latest reads — Callum's got a new fantasy series on the go and Ryan's embracing the slog with The Count of Monte Cristo.

Hello, what's this? It's only a new flippin' topical book series, right here on the feed, featuring your two favourite book boys. Every fortnight we cover the latest book news, opinions and titbits, all the while going, erm, nose deep in our current reads. What's not to love? In our debut episode, we talk recent censorship woes, Matthew Perry's latest desperate attempt to sell his book, and the reasons people get so wound up over their favourite book getting the big screen adaptation treatment.

Uh oh. UH OH. It's our yearly update on our favorite books, but... it's almost a year late. Look, we can't be perfect all the time, so you're just gonna have to accept this wonderful content whenever it rolls around. So... what were the best novels we read in 2021? Well, those were: Moby Dick, by Herman Melville Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi The Song Of Achilles, by Madeline Miller Middlemarch, by George Eliot Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead Calypso, by David Sedaris So, sit back and enjoy those lovely Smug Book Club boys talk through why these were their most-enjoyed books of 2021. Until next time, friends!

Okay, yeah, we may actually be closer to 2022 than 2020, but when do the Smug Book Club boys let tradition stand in the way of a good time? No, that's not a rhetorical question: WHEN? ANSWER US, WHEN?!?! (Spoiler: never). At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter when we released this episode, because books are nearly always good. And damn, do we have some good recommendations for you. So, in no particular order, here's a list of the 6 best books we read in 2020: Moonglow, by Michael Chabon The Living Mountain, by Nan Shepherd Pond, by Claire Louise-Bennet Salt Slow, by Julia Armfield Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy At Night All Blood Is Black, by David Diop, translated by Anna Moschovakis We tried to keep all mentions of the books spoiler-free, but of course some little tidbits may have snuck out. What can you do?!?! Anyway, enjoy the episode — and we'll catch you all soon.

OH MY SANDWORM WE DID AN EPISODE ON DUNE?!? But... this isn't that episode. This is an episode where we summarise everything that happened in the book. Why? WHY?! Easy — it's to refresh you on everything that happened in the magnificent novel, saving you all that reading (or re-reading) time. Anyway, enjoy our synopsis of Frank Herbert's 'Dune.'  ONWARD, IN THE NAME OF HOUSE ATREIDES. 

WATCH OUT, WOOOOOOORMS! That's right, the Smug Book Club boys are back and talking about one of their all time favourite novels: 'Dune,' by Frank Herbert. In this bumper-length episode (that just means we talked a whole load of nonsense for ages), we cover a veritable smorgasbord of topics. This includes: Our experience with Dune FRANK HERBERT FACTS What happened in 1964 (well, two things) How the story holds up today Whether Dune's gender politics are out of date Working out which character is the ABSOLUTE BOY Considering the environmental, ecological, and religious themes of the novel Dune cover art The movie adaptions  And that's just the summary of what we spoke. Lord, you are going to LOVE IT. Anyway, buckle up on a Maker, snort some spice, and let's hit up Arrakis together.

HEY THERE! Never read 'Twilight?' Or has it been a long time since you have? Or maybe you just fancy a refresher on Stephanie Meyer's famous novel? Well, you're in the right place, friend. Why? Because this is a SYNOPSIS episode where we break down all the pertinent plot points from the sparkly vampire novel, meaning you can listen to the main episode, peaceful in the knowledge that you know what the hell we're talking about. So, strap in, and get ready for some Bella and Edward content in your ears.

Whip out your white party make-up and glitter, it's 'Twilight' time! Yes, you read that right, the Smug Book Club boys (or are we now men?) have focused their laser sharp wits on Stephenie Meyer's classic vampire novel. This work of Young Adult (YA) fiction is one of the most famous books of the last 20 years — and, potentially, ever — so the time was nigh to finally give it a read. Oh, and the fact Meyer also recently released another novel, 'Midnight Sun.' But we don't really cover that, so don't worry about it, okay? Anyhow... this wasn't the best novel the Smug Book Club manboys have ever read, but what do you expect? It is 'Twilight' after all. What it lacks in outright quality though, it makes up with discussion points. So, friend, join us on a magical journey where we look at important topics like: What happened in 2005 when the book was released Stephanie Meyer's influences Whether or not 'Twilight' is actually dangerous (and not in a cool way) Chuckling And much, much more See you on the other side, sparkly vampires.

Well, well, well, you've stumbled upon the plot summary for the Smug Book Club episode on Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.' Listen to this and be reminded of all the salient plot details, so you don't have to re-read the book. Once that's done, head over and check out the full episode. You won't regret it. Obviously, there are gonna be a lot of spoilers.

The boys are back! This time they're throwing their eyes over Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.' Is the book itself a friendly Jekyll? Or a nasty Hyde? Has it aged like a lovely Jekyll? Or a shrivelling Hyde? And does everything have to be a duality? Join them on their journey, but beware: strong language and spoilers within.

The Smug Book Club boys are back! Well, kinda.  This short episode is introducing our next podcast, which will be on Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde!' The full thing will be out in a week or two, giving you time to pick up the book if you'd like to read it before we talk all kinds of crap about it. Catch you soon!

Yes, after a long hiatus, the Smug Book Club boys are back! But rather than our normal approach where we review and analyse a book, we're doing something a little different. So, strap yourself in and get ready for a breakdown of our 6 favourite books we read in 2019. That means 3 from Callum, and 3 from Ryan. Because, you know, fairness. So, what are these 6 glorious novels? Well, in no real order (I can't remember what sequence we recorded the episode in, okay?) here they are: 'Lonesome Dove,' by Larry McMurtry 'The Fifth Season,' by N. K. Jemisin 'Station Eleven,' by Emily St. John Mandel 'The Blue Fox,' by Sjón 'Flights,' by Olga Tokarczuk 'The Brief And Frightening Reign Of Phil,' by George Saunders Mmmm, each one of them is a tasty treat you're sure to love devouring. Enjoy the podcast! (Also, massive thanks to Daniel Staley for doing the edit!)

Yes, you're reading this right, Bill Clinton wrote a thriller. With James Patterson. And yes, it's as bad as you think it's going to be. This is why we've done the hard work and read it for you. In this synopsis, we give you a breakdown of the plot, so you can enjoy our full episode without having to sully your brain by, you know, actually reading the damn thing. Enjoy!

Have you been wondering what Bill Clinton has been up to? He’s been writing thriller novels! And have you been wondering what those loveable scamps at Smug Book Club have been up to? Why, trying to get their heads around this abject mess that Clinton has produced, of course! It’s taken a few months, though. And with such a dismantling due, they’ve resorted to the tried and tested method that only they know best: The Dirty Dozen. Which is a typical Thursday in Bill Clinton’s world. Join them as they discuss hamfisted political drama, poorly thought-out female characters, and a story so implausible it makes you question how Clinton was once an actual President. Also, James Patterson. No thank you, sir.

Want to listen to our 'The Catcher In The Rye' episode? But don't know what happens in the book? Or need a refresher? Well, gentle listener, you've come to the right place. In this short podcast, we give you an overview of the plot and main characters from J. D. Salinger's famous American classic. Spoilers, of course, and swearing lie within.

If there’s a phony podcast shaped hole in your life then you’ve come to the right place! Lose yourself in J.D. Salinger’s Russian epic The Catcher in the Rye, which is actually not Russian at all and is, rather crucially, American. Perhaps the most famous of the American books? Come on. You’re killing me, here! Ryan and Callum will shoot the breeze and take you through their series of spicy takes, with discussions on adolescence, innocence, naughty men, and the man of the hour himself, Holden Caulfield. Put on your red duck hunting hat and strap yourself in, and if you don’t have a red duck hunting hat then you’re just a PHONY and a MESS and a DOPEY and you should leave this podcast forever. (...except don’t leave this podcast forever, we need the numbers)

Instead of cluttering up our full episodes with a plot breakdown, we've decided to split it into a separate episode. Happy with your knowledge of the plot of Stephen King's 'Carrie'? Then no need to listen! If, on the other hand, you've never read the book or would like a refresher, this episode is for you. As you'd expect, there are spoilers within.

Your favourite book nerds are back after an extended period away from the pod mic. Where have they been? Undergoing counselling for bedwetting is where! That’s what you get when you read the master of horror, the sensei of sinister, the captain of making others defecate themselves through the power of prose... Stephen King! Callum and Ryan take on the mercilessly short, but by no means run-of-the-mill Carrie – King’s debut novel and a prototype of his iconic style. They discuss the themes, characters and nuances of the novel, and also take a look at the horror genre as a whole by assessing King’s colossal contribution to it. It’s a rip roaring horror spookfest sure to leave your underpants moist, AND NOT IN THE WAY YOU LIKE THEM TO BE. You know spoilers and swearing lurks within.

“Hello podcasting my old friend, we’re here to lock some wives in our attics again.” In this episode, we’re going all Mr. Rochester. Your attention is Bertha. The podcast is the room she’s locked in. And the feeling you get after jumping from the roof or receiving horrible burns? That’s the aftermath of listening. And yes, you’re right – in the first episode from the newly re-branded Smug Book Club we’re covering Chärlöttë Bröntë’s Jänë Ëyrë. Come on an adventure with us as we attempt to take the book places it has never been before. The gutter. Spoilers and swearing throughout.

Yes, that's right, we've rebranded. In this short episode, discover why we decided the time was nigh for a change. That's about it.  Oh, I mean, I guess we'll also tell you what our next book is gonna be. So there's that.

The boys are looking at Philip Pullman's Northern Lights and whilst they cover all the important bits like armour wearing polar bears, truth compasses and Nordic references, they spend most of the episode exploring the main question that comes from reading this book: are the daemons fornicating or aren't they? Spoilers and swearing abound. 

Ryan and Callum have been on a spiritual journey through the deepest crevices of our almighty canon, and after about a month they’ve emerged on the other side in total agreement on one key issue: NO MORE FUNNY BOOK SHOW. They’re afraid to say dear listeners that the time of the goof is over. And the best way to kick humour to the curb is to look at a book that’s technically impossible to poke fun at. Margaret Atwood’s distressing slice of dystopia is a good enough kick starter for you all to realise that light-hearted approaches to literature are just not on. Nada. No more. From here on in it’s deconstructive analysis after deconstructive analysis of how these authors were right all along and that millennial society is doomed to fail. If you have a problem with any of then do tweet them @ThugBookClub – they could do with the social coverage.

You coast through life thinking you're invincible, until suddenly you're in your thirties and your whole life is stagnating. And though neither Ryan or Callum are quite at that point yet, there's plenty to reflect on in their own lives as they read one of their all time favourite books, Nick Hornby's 'High Fidelity'. For you see, both of your hosts are dangerously close to the big 3-0, so while this book was the epitome of cool when they were teenagers, the parallels are getting a bit too real for them nowadays. In fact, the scenarios that protagonist Rob Fleming endures would have an uncomfortable air of familiarity for any male who's negotiating the tail end of their youth. Still, that doesn't stop 'High Fidelity' being a cracking book, as there's more to it than an existential crisis. Music, mates, humour and London are just a few of the things that make you appreciate its brilliance. So join them as they reminisce and compare and hopefully not take the lessons too seriously. Spoilers and swearing throughout.

What happens when you read a beloved and well-known children's book for the first time, and instead of being a child you're a fully grown adult? It's difficult to involve yourself in the story and let your imagination drive things forward, especially when you can't help but deconstruct the narrative and suck the joy out of everything. But as it turns out for Callum and Ryan – Thug Book Club hosts and part-time book fans – they manage to do a bit of both, as they tackle Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning. And after waxing lyrical on Harry Potter and Roald Dahl in previous episodes, this is unknown territory for them. How will they interpret Lemony Snicket's demographically fashioned writing style? Or the literary name dropping on page after page? Or the underlying but very obvious (and therefore troubling) nods to some very dodgy things indeed? One thing is for sure though: this is a behemoth of recent pop culture. So enjoy the nonsensical hot takes and lose yourself in Snicket's bizarre universe. Spoilers and swearing as usual.

With dystopian society looking like the vogue thing for 2017, Ryan and Callum decided to turn up the heat and look at a heavyweight of dystopian literature: Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. Alongside the Orwellian comparisons (which are inevitable when you discuss thought oppression), you'll be treated to a brief history of book burning and a brain-teasing quiz that's all about it gettin' hot in here. Well, sort of. No promises that they won't take off all their clothes. Swearing and spoilers throughout.

It’s Christmas! And nothing says Christmas like a good old fashioned revenge tragedy. Join Callum “Retribution” Booth and Ryan “Disarray” Jay as they get take a not-so-festive jaunt through one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays: the tale of everyone’s favourite doomed Danish prince, Hamlet. Aside from the usual themes of madness, mortality and, erm, poison, they discuss representations of trap music, professional wrestling and culinary pork, among other tidbits of derision/admiration. Be wary of the swearing and indeed spoilers, if by some Christmas miracle this story hasn’t been sabotaged for you already.

Have you ever vacantly stared out the train window during your commute and witnessed a shocking incident between two strangers that propelled you into emotional and physical harm? No? Well it’s a common circumstance apparently, one that neither Callum nor Ryan have experienced. They’re gutted. But the boys on the podcast will soldier on for your benefit, and they welcome you to their (hot)take on Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, a literary smash hit for which its phenomenal success remains as baffling as its narrative. To keep it all a bit grounded, the literary lads muse over daily commutes, murderous last words and weird societal habits surrounding gender. But the real question is… have they found a novel published in this decade that they actually like? You’ll have to listen to find out. Spoilers and swearing throughout. Follow on Twitter, like on Facebook, and email to thugbookclub@gmail.com.

Ah yes. The different second album. The maligned sequel. The underwhelming follow-up. All traps that the likes of Frank Herbert, The Darkness and whoever directed Grease 2 have fallen into. Yet sometimes an author or artist will pull it out the bag so deftly that everyone sits there dumbfounded and thinks ‘well, I suppose we have a saga on our hands here, eh?’ Enter J.K. Rowling. This week the boys are exploring the deep cauldron of continuation that is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. They explore the somewhat intellectual themes of racism, genre and sexual allegory, while also paying fan service with such hard-hitting topics as the life and times of sentient house plants, and poses you wouldn’t want to be pulling when being turned to stone. Spoilers and swearing throughout.

What’s that? Is it a podcast? Actually, it’s definitely not a podcast. Hold on, it might well be a podcast. Nah, it can’t be. Well, maybe it’s a podcast? Maybe. And that, friends, is what the Thug Book Club version of The Turn Of The Screw would play out like. Aside from the novella itself being far SPOOKIER, of course. That’s right, the 24th episode of our might podcast is on Henry James’ (most?) famous work: The Turn Of The Screw. All the big hitters are discussed: Miles, Flora, Mrs. Grose, Peter Quint, Emily Jessel and, errr, the governess, as well as a range of topics Mr James was undoubtedly unaware of. Like Star Trek Voyager. Come to Bly (that’s the house, yo) and join our ghostly crew as we take an ambiguous journey through this Gothic masterpiece, but be aware of spoilers and swearing. They’re definitely in this ‘podcast’.

After a bit of a hiatus it's back. The book boys, the literature lads, the canon kids, the prose prats; whatever they decide to call themselves for their own amusement, Ryan and Callum have returned for another dose of literature's finest. And did you know that The Lord of the Flies is supposed to like, y'know, MEAN something? Well it's news to these two, as they've been forced to arm themselves with the deconstructive nuances of a GCSE student to blow this baby wide open. They'll be talking parodies, characters, motifs and plot holes, while throwing in the usual context and facts to satisfy your brain-expanding desires. Ah yes, it's good to be with you again.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THUG BOOK CLUB. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT'S INSIDE. CAN YOU GUESS? BET YOU CAN'T* NO SPOILERS BUT FOUL LANGUAGE. FIND OUT MORE BY LISTENING. LISTEN. *bets not guaranteed

Right, no messing about with this one. Well maybe a little bit.   It's not every day you can just dip into the canon and pull out a bonafide masterpiece that's still enjoyable to read and... y'know... relevant. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is about as polished a literary accomplishment as you're ever likely to find. That being said, the boys still try their very best to mock it to the usual standards you'd expect from this podcast.   So join them as they ponder the efficiency of Heathcliff as a Brazilian footballer, the menacing fallibility of Nelly the housekeeper, and the dastardly nineteenth century villain that almost literally consumed people. Swearing, spoilers and silliness in spades.  

Thug Book Club has reached the end of the Roald. Ha ha! Road, actually. But here they are at the conclusion of their Roald Dahl adventure, and the third and final book is a behemoth; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Known by literally everyone on the planet, the boys don't dwell too much on the important plot stuff, but instead veer off into the insignificant but no less entertaining. Join them as they discuss Gene Wilder's age, the legality of Wonka's crimes and why HBO should cash in on their pretty sweet *wink wink* concept of a drama series. Spoilers and swearing.    PLEASE NOTE, Ryan did not record his bits in a cave, as the acoustics here suggest. The mic is unfortunately on the brink of death. An audio upgrade will be coming soon though!

Go for the jugular! It's episode three of four of Callum and Ryan's Roald Dahl special, and two of three if you're only counting books. This time it's Fantastic Mr Fox, who turns out isn't all that fantastic. More like Unruly, Cannibalistic, Psychotic Mr Fox, who packs a bit of swag. The boys chat a fair bit of nonsense here, all in the name of nostalgic entertainment. Ryan fondly looks back on the death of the Beatles, whilst Callum makes his true feelings on Wes Anderson known to all. Just another day in Thug Book Club towers.

What's that bursting out of the (metaphorical) bushes? IT'S ONLY THE FIRST OF THREE ROALD DAHL BOOKS WE'LL BE COVERING: THE TWITS! Join us as we dive into one of Dahl's most famous stories and discuss the issues impacting all of us every single day. Whether it's theme park wasps, beards or pranks you can play with a simple kitchen staple, we examine the world with warped eyes worthy of the Twits themselves. Spoilers and foul language are encourage throughout the podcast.

Oh my, would you just look at the cobwebs in this place? And what is that growing in the corner over there? Urgh, what're Ryan and Callum playing at? This space is an absolute mess. But don't fret! The boys are having a clean up. It's still filthy by nature, but there's only so much they can do. And to make up for lost time, they're hitting you up with FOUR mini episodes, all focused on Britain's favourite storyteller and all round good chap, Roald Dahl. The first of four is all about the man himself. They're discussing his wartime credentials, his dodgy ancestry, and his professional relations, all whilst chatting their irreverent brand of nonsense along the way. Foul language and maybe spoilers throughout.

This week [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] take on the [REDACTED] of all [REDACTED], sticking the [REDACTED] into George Orwell’s [REDACTED]. Join them as [REDACTED]. Will the [REDACTED] live up to the expectations that [REDACTED] has? There’s also plenty of [REDACTED] to make you feel [REDACTED] for whe- EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT A TEST. SWEAR WORDS HAVE BEEN EXPUNGED FROM THIS BROADCAST. THIS IS NOT A TEST. SPOILERS HAVE NOT BEEN EXPUNGED FROM THIS BROADCAST. THIS IS NOT A TEST.

Hello... Is it Ernest you're looking for? If you answered "YES" to that Lionel Richie-inspired question, then do we have the podcast for you. In the 19th episode of Thug Book Club, the boys cast their eyes over Oscar Wilde's play 'The Importance Of Being Earnest'. Grab your petticoats, bonnets and top hats, because we're discussing a whole range of issues. Whether that is who we'd cast in our own production of the play, which character is most likely to be a wizard or simply butlers, we chatted a whole load of breeze. As you'd expect, spoilers and swearing are to be found within.

There are 12 months in a year. 12 inches in a foot. 12 days of Christmas. Jesus had 12 disciples, The Beatles had 12 albums, and D12 had their purple pills, the sum of being (probably) 12. But all those 12s pale in comparison to this set of 12: Danny Dyer’s Dirty Dozen. A dozen so dirty, so dastardly, and so devious, that it takes the Roman Numerals by the scruff of the neck and screams to their faces: You can’t count this, Rome! You just can’t! But luckily Ryan and Callum are made of sturdier stuff than the Romans ever were. Using Dyer’s sort-of autobiography ‘Life Lessons from the East End’, they’re taking the dirty dozen on bit by filthy bit. It results in a head-on collision with the world of Danny Dyer: the lackadaisical attitude to acting, the bizarre credentials he deems fit for government, and the love he devotes to the local boozer. The boys have each chucked in their own ideal Danny Dyer movie synopses, which give you a tantalising glimpse at what might have been. And what might be. Make sure you hit up the social channels, and expect plenty of swearing. There isn’t really a story to tell here, so don’t worry too much about spoilers.

"Yo ho ho!" "Ahoy there matey!" "Shiver me timbers!" And that's just the start of all the pirate-y phrases Callum and Ryan drop in the 17th full episode of Thug Book Club. This time round, the two landlubbers look at Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island', a classic of literature high on plundering, one-legged sailors, but bizarrely low on eye-patches. Join them as they discuss The Muppets version of the story, the coolest way anyone can be killed by a crutch and so much more. As per usual, expect spoilers and bad language.

Gone to the shops? Gone fishing? How about you gon' listen to this podcast? It's episode 16 and Callum and Ryan might be looking for their missing podcast structure in time for their next instalment, because it's nowhere to be seen here. They're diving cranium first into the domestic noir (apparently) bestseller Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Say what you like about the flaws of this one, it's a roller coaster of thrills and spills which has left the boys mentally exhausted and wondering if they actually enjoyed it or not. They've even dropped in some more storied Sinpsons references and nods to the Rocky franchise for good measure. Swear words ahoy, and even more spoilers than usual this time. Enjoy.

Do you remember watching The Pagemaster? The movie where Macaulay Culkin is transported into classic books to learn some kind of lesson? Yes? Brilliant! Because this episode is nothing like that. In this instalment of Page Burners, a Thug Book Club companion series, the squad takes some inspiration from the Frankenstein podcast to create our own monsters. Literary monsters. Scouring some of the world' most famous books, the boys pick bodyparts from some of the scariest creatures ever to be put on a page to create their own terrifying critters. After this, they somehow even manage to combine their individual picks into something even more hideous. Beware, as although spoilers are sparse, the language is still explicit.

*lightning cracks and thunder rumbles as a camera pans to a house in Camden* *the view pans up the building to a room at the top where two dishevelled men crouch over a microphone and computer, sweating profusely* "It's... live!" "Oh my god... IT'S HIDEOUS" "Kill it, burn it, THROW IT IN THE SEA" And so begins Thug Book Club's first podcast of 2016, a monstrosity on Mary Shelley's terrifying Frankenstein. This episode, we take a journey to the dark side and discuss how bad a father Victor Frankenstein is, why Percy Shelley is a scumbag and so much more in between. As you'd expect, there's bad language and spoilers within.

2016 GONNA GET TURNT! If you could pick two authors and three literary characters to come to a New Year's party, we can guarantee it wouldn't be as cool as our jamboree. Join us in the second episode of Thug Book Club's Page Burners, in which Ryan and Callum discuss who they would invite to their private parties, before talking about the most hedonistic lit get-together imaginable. Oh, and happy new year. Spoilers & swearing etc.

Do androids dream of electric sheep? Does Ryan dream of starring in a Broadway musical? Does Callum dream of starting up his own pyramid scheme? These are questions that we'll never know the answer to, but one thing is for certain: Thug Book Club is going to deliver nonsensical chatter. The book Blade Runner is based on is a futuristic rollercoaster through the twists and turns of (amongst other things) human empathy, android anatomy and phallic vulgarity. The novel is a Philip K. Dick sci-fi masterpiece, and, with Deckard and chums, he served up one of the Thug Book Club boys' most treasured novels. Swearing, spoilers and general weirdness awaits.